Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations continue to make it an offence to sell for human consumption meat derived from bovine animals slaughtered on or after 29 March 1996 in which, at the time of slaughter, there were more than two permanent incisors erupted, unless it can be shown by reference to certain documentary evidence that at the time of slaughter the animal was no more than two years and six months old.
The existing exemption from this prohibition (for meat from bovine animals which were born, reared and slaughtered in any of the countries listed in Schedule 2) is now supplemented by a new exemption for meat from bovine animals which belonged to a herd registered under the Beef Assurance Scheme (regulation 3(2)).
The operating rules of the Beef Assurance Scheme are set out in regulation 4 and Schedule 1.
A Compliance Cost Assessment in relation to these Regulations has been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament and copies can be obtained from the Animal Health Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Government Buildings, Hook Rise South, Tolworth, Surbiton, Surrey, KT6 7NF.