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Regulations 2(1), 4(1)(a)(i), 7(5) and 8(3)

SCHEDULE 8POST-MORTEM HEALTH INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE IN EXPORT SLAUGHTERHOUSES

PART Igeneral instructions

1.  The carcase and offal and the blood of each slaughtered animal shall be examined without delay by an official veterinary surgeon or inspector. He shall have regard to –

(a)the age and sex of the animal;

(b)the state of nutrition of the animal;

(c)any evidence of bruising or haemorrhage;

(d)any local or general oedema;

(e)the efficiency of bleeding;

(f)any swelling, deformity or other abnormality of bones, joints, musculature or umbilicus;

(g)any abnormality in consistency, colour, odour and, where appropriate, taste;

(h)the condition of the pleura and peritoneum;

(i)any other evidence of abnormality.

2.  The inspection shall include–

(a)palpation of certain organs, in particular the lungs, liver, spleen and tongue and, where considered necessary by the official veterinary surgeon, the uterus and udder;

(b)incisions of organs and lymph nodes as specified in Parts II, III, IV, V and VI of this Schedule.

3.  Where the official veterinary surgeon considers it necessary, incisions and inspection of meat other than those specified in Parts II, III, IV, V and VI of this Schedule shall be undertaken.

4.  Where necessary the official veterinary surgeon shall arrange for laboratory investigations to be carried out.

5.—(1) Any carcase, offal or blood which shows evidence of the diseases or conditions mentioned in the Annex to this Part of this Schedule, or which may for any reason be suspected of being unfit for human consumption, shall be isolated and shall not be removed from the place of isolation until it has been inspected by the official veterinary surgeon.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (3) of this paragraph, if the official veterinary surgeon is satisfied that the carcase or offal, or any part of the carcase or offal, or the blood is unfit for human consumption he shall give instructions, save in the case to which sub-paragraph (4) applies, that the carcase or offal, or such part of the carcase or offal, or the blood shall not be disposed of for human consumption but shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of any regulations providing for the disposal of an unfit carcase, offal or blood.

(3) If the official veterinary surgeon is satisfied that the carcase or offal, or any part of the carcase or offal, or the blood is derived from an animal which was suffering from any of the diseases specified in the Annex to this Part of this Schedule, he shall, after having made any assessment required by the Annex to this Part of this Schedule, give instructions, save in the case to which sub-pargraph (4) applies, that the carcase or offal, or such part of the carcase or offal as he is by the Annex in relation to that condition directed to give such instructions, or the blood shall not be disposed of for human consumption but shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of any regulations providing for the disposal of an unfit carcase, offal or blood.

(4) If the official veterinary surgeon has given instructions under sub-paragraphs (2) or (3) that the carcase or offal, or any part of the carcase or offal, or the blood derived from an animal is unfit for human consumption, the provisions of section 9 of the Food and Drugs (Scotland) Act 1956 (which relates to the examination and seizure of unsound food) shall apply in the case of the carcase or offal, or any part of the carcase or offal, or the blood.

ANNEXindications of unfitness for human consumption

1.  The official veterinary surgeon shall direct that no part of the carcase, offal or blood of any animal shall be sold for human consumption if he is satisfied from his examination of the carcase or offal that the animal was suffering from any of the following diseases or conditions, namely –

2.  The official veterinary surgeon shall direct that the blood of any animal shall not be sold for human consumption if he is satisfied–

(a)that the carcase or offal of that animal are affected with any infectious conditions, or

(b)that the blood is contaminated by stomach contents or other extraneous matter.

3.—(1) An official veterinary surgeon shall in determining for the purpose of this Schedule whether tuberculosis is generalised take into account the sum of the evidence of disease and the character of the lesions throughout the entire carcase and, for the purposes of this paragraph, shall accept the existence of tuberculosis in the associated lymph node of an organ or viscera as evidence of the disease in the organ or viscera.

(2) If the official veterinary surgeon is satisfied that any of the following conditions exist in the carcase or offal of an animal, namely –

(a)miliary tuberculosis of both lungs with evidence of tuberculosis elsewhere;

(b)multiple and actively progressive lesions of tuberculosis;

(c)widespread tuberculosis infection of the lymph nodes of the carcase;

(d)diffuse acute lesions of tuberculosis of both the pleura and peritoneum associated with an enlarged or tuberculous lymph node of the carcase;

(e)active or recent lesions present in the substance of any two of the following:–the spleen, kidney, udder, uterus, ovary, testicle, brain or its membranes, spinal cord or its membranes, in addition to tuberculous lesions in the respiratory and digestive tracts;

(f)in the case of a calf, congenital tuberculosis;

he shall determine the tuberculosis to be generalised.

(3) When, as the result of his examination, the official veterinary surgeon is satisfied that a carcase or offal of an animal is affected with tuberculosis other than of the kinds mentioned in paragraph 1 of this Annex he shall direct that –

(a)any part of the carcase in relation to which he is satisfied that it is so infected;

(b)any part of the carcase, contiguous to any such part;

(c)the head including the tongue, when tuberculosis exists in any lymph node associated with the head or tongue; and

(d)any organ when tuberculosis exists on the capsule or in the substance of the organ, or the viscera when tuberculosis exists on the surfaces or substances of the viscera or in any lymphatic glands associated with the organ or the viscera as the case may be;

shall not be sold for human consumption.

(4) An official veterinary surgeon shall direct that any part of a carcase or offal contaminated with tuberculous material shall not be sold for human consumption.

4.—(1) In any case in which the official veterinary surgeon, in the course of his examination, is satisfied that any part of the carcase or any offal is affected with a localised infestation of cysticercus bovis he shall direct that that part of the carcase or offal shall not be sold for human consumption.

(2) Where in any such case as aforesaid an official veterinary surgeon has directed that any part of the carcase of an animal or any offal of an animal shall not be sold for human consumption, the remainder of the meat of the animal shall also be subject to the like direction unless it is forthwith placed in cold storage at a temperature not exceeding–7C for a period of not less than three weeks or at a temperature not exceeding–10C for a period of not less than two weeks or is treated by such other method as may be approved by the Secretary of State:

(3) Any person who causes any part of a carcase or any offal to be placed in cold storage for the purposes of the last foregoing sub-paragraph shall, at the same time as he causes it to be so placed, give notice to the local authority within whose district the cold store is situated, in such form as the local authority may require, of the date of the placing and the period for which it is intended that the part of a carcase or offal, as the case may be, will remain in cold storage.

5.—(1) If, as a result of his inspection of a carcase and offal of an animal, an official veterinary surgeon is satisfied that the following conditions exist therein, namely –

(a)caseous lymphadenitis associated with emaciation;

(b)multiple, acute and actively progressive lesions of caseous lymphadenitis; or

(c)multiple lesions of caseous lymphadenitis which are inactive but widespread;

he shall direct that no part of the carcase and offal shall be sold for human consumption.

(2) If an official veterinary surgeon is satisfied that caseous lymphadenitis exists on the surface or substance of an organ or in its associated lymph node he shall direct that the organ and its associated lymph node shall not be sold for human consumption.

(3) If an official veterinary surgeon is satisfied that caseous lymphadenitis exists otherwise than as described in sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) of this paragraph he shall direct that the lesion and such of the surrounding parts as he may think proper, having regard to the age and degree of activity of the lesion, shall not be sold for human consumption.

6.  Where, as a result of his examination, the official veterinary surgeon is satisfied that the whole or any part of the carcase or any offal derived from an animal is affected by any disease or condition other than one mentioned in the foregoing paragraphs of this Annex or is contaminated, he shall direct that the whole of the carcase and all offal or the part of the carcase and the parts adjacent thereto or the offal, as he may think proper, shall not be sold for human consumption.

7.  Where, as a result of his examination, the official veterinary surgeon is satisfied that a part of the carcase or offal derived from an animal is affected by a slight localised infestation by a parasite not transmissible to man but that the remainder of the carcase or offal as the case may be is fit for human consumption, an official veterinary surgeon or an inspector may, if he thinks fit, remove the parasite and trim the surrounding part and shall direct that the trimmings shall not be sold for human consumption.

PART IIdetailed instructions bovine animals over 6 weeks

1.  In the case of bovine animals over 6 weeks old the inspection shall include in particular an examination of –

(a)the head and the throat; the surface of the tongue after it has been freed to permit a detailed inspection of the mouth and the fauces; the retro-pharyngeal, submaxillary and parotid lymph nodes shall be examined in detail; the external (masseter) cheek muscles in which at least two deep incisions shall be made and internal (pterygoid) cheek muscles in which at least one deep incision shall be made; all incisions shall be made parallel to the mandible from its upper muscular insertion;

(b)the lungs, the trachea and oesophagus; the oesophagus shall be palpated; the trachea and the main branches of the bronchi shall be opened lengthwise and the lungs shall be incised in their posterior third, at right angles to their main axes; save that these incisions are not necessary where the lungs are excluded from human consumption; the bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes shall be examined in detail;

(c)the pericardium, which shall be opened, and the heart; the latter shall be incised lengthwise so as to open the ventricles and to cut through the intra-ventricular septum;

(d)the diaphragm;

(e)the surfaces and substance of the liver and the hepatic lymph nodes; an examination of the bile ducts shall be carried out by means of incisions into the gastric surface of the liver and at the base of the caudate lobe; the hepatic lymph nodes shall be palpated;

(f)the alimentary tract, the mesentery and the gastric, pancreatic and mesenteric lymph nodes; these lymph nodes shall be palpated and, if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary, the gastric and mesenteric lympth nodes shall be examined in detail;

(g)the surface of the spleen;

(h)the kidneys which, if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary, shall be incised and the renal lymph nodes examined in detail;

(i)the pleura and the peritoneum;

(j)the genital organs;

(k)the udder which, if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary, shall be incised; in the case of a cow the udder must be opened by a long deep incision as far as the lactiferous sinuses unless it is to be excluded from human consumption; if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary the supramammary lymph nodes shall be palpated and examined in detail;

(l)the feet, if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary.

2.  Where evidence of tuberculosis is found, an official veterinary surgeon or inspector shall –

(a)split the carcase, examine the vertebrae, ribs, sternum, spinal cord and brain, incise the kidneys;

(b)examine in detail such of the following lymph nodes as he has not already so examined: superficial inguinal, prescapular, prepectoral, presternal, suprasternal, xiphoid, subdorsal, intercostal, iliac, sublumbar, ischiatic, precrural and popliteal, the lymph nodes least likely in the particular case to show evidence of infection being examined first.

PART IIIdetailed instructions bovine animals less than 6 weeks

1.  In the case of bovines less than 6 weeks old the inspection shall include in particular an examination of –

(a)the head, the throat, the surface of the tongue, the mouth and the fauces; the retro-pharyngeal lymph nodes shall be examined in detail;

(b)the lungs, the trachea and oesophagus; the trachea and the main branches of the bronchi shall be opened lengthwise and the lungs shall be incised in their posterior third, at right angles to their main axes; save that these incisions are not necessary where the lungs are to be excluded from human consumption; the bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes shall be examined in detail;

(c)the pericardium, which shall be opened, and the heart; the latter shall be incised lengthwise so as to open the ventricles and to cut through the intra-ventricular septum;

(d)the diaphragm;

(e)the surfaces and substance of the liver and the hepatic lymph nodes; the liver shall be incised if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary; the hepatic lymph nodes shall be palpated and, if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary, examined in detail;

(f)the alimentary tract, the mesentery and the gastric, pancreatic and mesenteric lymph nodes; the gastric and mesenteric lymph nodes shall be palpated and, if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary, examined in detail;

(g)the surface of the spleen;

(h)the kidneys which, if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary, shall be incised and the renal lymph nodes examined in detail;

(i)the pleura and the peritoneum;

(j)the umbilical region and joints which shall be palpated; where an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary the umbilical region shall be incised, the joints shall be opened and the synovial fluid examined;

(k)the feet, if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary.

2.  Where evidence of tuberculosis is found, an offical veterinary surgeon or inspector shall –

(a)split the carcase, examine the vertebrae, ribs, sternum, spinal cord and brain, incise the kidneys;

(b)examine in detail such of the following lymph nodes as he has not already so examined: superficial inguinal, prescapular, prepectoral, presternal, suprasternal, xiphoid, subdorsal, intercostal, iliac, sublumbar, ischiatic, precrural and popliteal, the lymph nodes least likely in the particular case to show evidence of infection being examined first.

PART IVdetailed instructions swine

1.  In the case of swine the inspection shall include in particular an examination of –

(a)the head, the throat, the surface of the tongue, the mouth and the fauces; the submaxillary lymph nodes shall be examined in detail;

(b)the lungs, the trachea and oesophagus; the trachea and the main branches of the bronchi shall be opened lengthwise and the lungs shall be incised in their posterior third, at right angles to their main axes (save that the lungs need not be incised if they are to be excluded from human consumption); the bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes shall be examined and palpated;

(c)the pericardium, which shall be opened, and the heart; the latter shall be incised lengthwise so as to open the ventricles and to cut through the intra-ventricular septum;

(d)the diaphragm;

(e)the surfaces and substance of the liver and the hepatic lymph nodes; the hepatic lymph nodes shall be palpated;

(f)the alimentary tract, the mesentery and the gastric, pancreatic and mesenteric lymph nodes; the gastric and mesenteric lymph nodes shall be palpated and, if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary, examined in detail;

(g)the surface of the spleen;

(h)the kidneys (save that in the case of swine not intended for export examination of the kidneys shall not be compulsory); if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary the kidneys shall be incised and the renal lymph nodes examined in detail;

(i)the pleura and the peritoneum;

(j)the genital organs;

(k)the udder and the supramammary lymph nodes; in the case of sows the supramammary lymph nodes shall be examined in detail;

(l)the umbilical region and joints of young animals which shall be palpated; where an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary the umbilical region shall be incised and the joints shall be opened;

(m)the feet, if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary.

2.  An investigation for cysticercus cellulosae shall be carried out which shall include examination of the directly visible muscular surfaces, in particular the thigh muscles, the pillars of the diaphragm, the intercostal muscles, the heart, tongue and larynx; if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary, both the abdominal wall and the psoas muscles, freed from fatty tissue, shall be examined.

3.  If an abscess is found in the carcase or in any organ of any swine, or if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector has reason to suspect the presence of any such abscess, he shall require the carcase to be split through the spinal column if it has not already been so split and shall examine in detail such of the following lymph nodes as he has not already so examined: superficial inguinal, supramammary, cervical, prepectoral, prescapular, presternal, sublumbar, iliac, precrural and, if he considers it necessary, the popliteal.

4.  Where evidence of tuberculosis is found, an official veterinary surgeon or inspector shall –

(a)split the carcase, examine the vertebrae, ribs, sternum, spinal cord and brain, expose and incise the kidneys;

(b)examine in detail such of the following lymph nodes as he has not already so examined: superficial inguinal, cervical, prepectoral, prescapular, subdorsal, sublumbar, iliac, precrural and, if he considers it necessary, the popliteal.

PART Vdetailed instructions sheep and goats

1.  In the case of sheep and goats the inspection shall include in particular an examination of –

(a)the head after flaying with, if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary, the surface of the tongue, the mouth, throat, retro-pharyngeal and parotid lymph nodes (save that these examinations and the flaying are not required if the local authority ensures that the head, including the tongue and brains, is excluded from human consumption);

(b)the lungs, the trachea and oesophagus; if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary the trachea and the main branches of the bronchi shall be opened lengthwise and the lungs shall be incised in their posterior third, at right angles to their main axes; the bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes shall be palpated and, if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary, examined in detail;

(c)the pericardium, which shall be opened, and the heart; where an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary the heart shall be incised lengthwise so as to open the ventricles and to cut through the intra-ventricular septum;

(d)the diaphragm;

(e)the surfaces and substance of the liver which shall be incised on the gastric surface to examine the bile ducts; the hepatic lymph nodes shall be examined and palpated;

(f)the alimentary tract and the mesentery; the gastric, pancreatic and mesenteric lymph nodes shall be examined;

(g)the surface of the spleen;

(h)the kidneys which if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary shall be incised and the renal lymph nodes examined in detail;

(i)the pleura and the peritoneum;

(j)the genital organs;

(k)the udder; the supramammary lymph nodes shall be examined;

(l)the umbilical region and the joints of young animals which shall be palpated; where an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary the umbilical region shall be incised and the joints shall be opened;

(m)the feet, if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary.

2.  Where an official veterinary surgeon or inspector has reason to suspect that a suppurative condition exists in the carcase of any sheep or lamb he shall –

(a)examine by palpation as well as by observation such of the lymph nodes as are readily accessible; and

(b)in the case of a sheep, examine in detail such of the following lymph nodes as he has not already so examined: prescapular, superficial inguinal, precrural; and, in the case of a lamb, examine in detail such lymph nodes if he has found evidence of disease in the course of visual examination or palpation.

3.  Where evidence of tuberculosis is found, an official veterinary surgeon or inspector shall split the carcase, examine the vertebrae, ribs, sternum, spinal cord and brain, expose and incise the kidneys.

PART VIdetailed instructions domestic solipeds

1.  In the case of domestic solipeds the inspection shall include in particular an examination of –

(a)the head and the throat; the surface of the tongue after it has been freed to permit a detailed inspection of the mouth and the fauces; the retro-pharyngeal, submaxillary and parotid lymph nodes shall be palpated and, if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary, examined in detail;

(b)the lungs, the trachea and oesophagus; the trachea and the main branches of the bronchi shall be opened lengthwise and the lungs shall be incised in their posterior third, at right angles to their main axes (save that these incisions are not necessary where the lungs are excluded from human consumption); the bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes shall be palpated and, if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary, examined in detail;

(c)the pericardium, which shall be opened, and the heart; the latter shall be incised lengthwise so as to open the ventricles and to cut through the intra-ventricular septum;

(d)the diaphragm;

(e)the surfaces and substance of the liver and the hepatic lymph nodes; the liver shall be incised if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary; the hepatic lymph nodes shall be palpated and, if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary, the hepatic lymph nodes shall be examined in detail;

(f)the alimentary tract, the mesentery and the gastric, pancreatic and mesenteric lymph nodes; if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary the lymph nodes shall be examined in detail;

(g)the surface of the spleen;

(h)the kidneys, which shall be palpated and, if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary, incised; if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary the renal lymph nodes shall be examined in detail;

(i)the pleura and the peritoneum;

(j)the genital organs of stallions and mares;

(k)the udder and the supramammary lymph nodes shall be examined and, if an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary, the supramammary lymph nodes shall be examined in detail;

(l)the umbilical region and joints of young animals which shall be palpated; where an official veterinary surgeon or inspector considers it necessary the umbilical region shall be incised and the joints shall be opened;

(m)all grey or white horses must be examined for melanosis and melanomata; in particular the muscles of one shoulder and the prescapular lymph node shall be examined; this lymph node shall be exposed beneath the scapular cartilage by loosening the attachment of one shoulder; in addition the kidneys shall be examined after splitting by a longitudinal incision which exposes both cortex and medulla.

2.  An investigation for glanders shall be carried out by means of careful examination of mucous membranes of the trachea, larynx, nasal cavities, sinuses and their ramifications, after splitting the head in the median plane and excision of the nasal septum.

3.  Where evidence of tuberculosis is found, an official veterinary surgeon or inspector shall –

(a)split the carcase, examine the vertebrae, ribs, sternum, spinal cord and brain, incise the kidneys;

(b)examine in detail such of the following lymph nodes as he has not already so examined: superficial inguinal, prescapular, prepectoral, presternal, suprasternal, xiphoid, subdorsal, intercostal, iliac, sublumbar, ischiatic, precrural and popliteal, the lymph nodes least likely in the particular case to show evidence of infection being examined first.