The Fresh Meat Export (Hygiene and Inspection) (Scotland) Regulations 1987

Regulations 2(1), 4(1)(a)(i), 7(5) and 8(1)

SCHEDULE 6 ANTE-MORTEM HEALTH INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE IN EXPORT SLAUGHTERHOUSES

1.  Animals intended for slaughter shall undergo ante-mortem health inspection on the day of their arrival at the slaughterhouse or before the beginning of daily slaughtering. The inspection shall be repeated immediately before slaughter if the animal has been kept in the lairage overnight and at any time if required by the official veterinary surgeon.

2.  The occupier of the slaughterhouse or his agent shall provide adequate facilities and assistance to enable ante-mortem health inspections to be undertaken.

3.  The ante-mortem health inspection shall be made under adequate natural or artificial lighting.

4.  The ante-mortem health inspection shall determine –

(a) whether the animals are showing symptoms of a disease which can be transmitted through the meat to humans or animals or whether there are any indications that such a disease may occur;

(b) whether they are showing symptoms of a disease or disorder which would be likely to make the meat unfit for human consumption;

(c) whether they are injured, fatigued or stressed;

(d) where there is visible evidence that they have had substances with pharmacological effects administered to them or have consumed any other substances which may make the meat unfit for human consumption.

5.  Animals shall not be slaughtered for production of meat for human consumption if they –

(a) show any of the conditions mentioned in paragraph 4(a) and (b) of this Schedule;

(b) have not been rested for an adequate period of time, which for fatigued or stressed animals must not, unless the official veterinary surgeon determines otherwise, be less than 24 hours;

(c) have been found to have any form of clinical tuberculosis.

6.  An animal which shows any of the conditions mentioned in paragraph 4(a) and (b) of this Schedule shall be taken to and kept in that part of the lairage provided for the isolation of animals which are diseased or injured or suspected of being diseased or injured and shall be examined by the official veterinary surgeon. Unless the official veterinary surgeon passes the animal as fit for slaughter for human consumption, he shall require either –

(a) that it shall be slaughtered and dressed in the accommodation referred to in paragraph 2(b) of Schedule 1, or

(b) that it shall be slaughtered and dressed at a time other than that at which the slaughter of other animals is taking place and that, immediately following slaughtering and dressing of the animal and before the slaughtering of other animals takes place, the premises shall be fully cleaned and disinfected in such manner as he shall determine.