Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations which relate to the carcases of adult bovine animals and pigs apply in relation to Wales. These Regulations revoke and remake, in relation to Wales, the provisions of the Beef Carcase (Classification) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2242) and the Pig Carcase (Grading) Regulations 1994 (S.I. 1994/2155). These Regulations enforce Article 42 of, and Annex V to, Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 (OJ No L 299, 16.11.2007, p.1), which relate to EU (European Union) scales for the classification of carcases, and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1249/2008 (OJ No L 337, 16.12.2008, p.3), which sets out further details regarding the implementation of those scales for the classification of carcases.
These Regulations provide for notifications to be made to the Welsh Ministers by operators of slaughterhouses which slaughter adult bovine animals or pigs (regulation 5).
These Regulations contain provisions regarding the holding of licences by persons who classify bovine carcases or in relation to classification of such carcases by automated grading equipment (regulations 9 to 11).
These Regulations require the keeping of certain records (regulations 12 and 16 and Schedules 3 and 4).
Part 5 of these Regulations concerns enforcement, and makes provision relating to the powers of authorised officers, enforcement notices, penalty notices, and criminal proceedings. Regulations 19(3) and 25 to 30 set out the offences under the Regulations, which are all punishable on summary conviction by a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, except for offences under regulation 29(2) (false records and marks).
In particular regulations 25 and 26 provide that breach of specified provisions of EU legislation (set out in Schedules 1 and 2) is an offence.
A full regulatory impact assessment has been produced which is available from the Welsh Assembly Government and online from its website.