The Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009

Slaughterhouse operators

24.  The owner or person in charge of a slaughterhouse shall—

(a) take reasonable steps to satisfy himself of the place of origin and movement history of any animal presented for slaughter;

(b) ensure that an animal is not accepted for slaughter or slaughtered unless it is identified in accordance with this Order except with the permission of the Department;

(c) ensure that an animal is not accepted for slaughter unless it is accompanied by a valid copy of a movement document in accordance with Article 20 unless—

(i) the movement information is already contained in the centralised computer database in accordance with Article 22; or

(ii) the movement is of an animal falling within sub-paragraph (e).

(d) endorse the movement document relating to the animal including the name and address of the owner or person in charge of the slaughterhouse and such further information as the Department may specify; and

(e) in the case of an animal not originating from a holding in Northern Ireland but moving directly to the slaughterhouse from the point of import, ensure—

(i) that it is accompanied by the original veterinary health certificate from the country or region of origin or a copy of the same endorsed by an inspector;

(ii) that the certificate described at head (i) is surrendered to an inspector at the slaughterhouse at the earliest opportunity after arrival of the animal; and

(iii) that the veterinary health certificate described at head (i) is endorsed in a manner specified by the Department upon acceptance of an animal for slaughter, ensuring that every detail specified by the Department in respect of an imported animal has been recorded on the document; and

(iv) retain a copy of the veterinary health certificate for a period of 3 years following the end of the month in which the document was received.