The Slaughter of Poultry (Licences and Specified Qualifications) Regulations 1991

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations, which apply to the slaughter of poultry, provide for the licensing of poultry slaughtermen and specify qualifications which must be held by persons supervising the premises used in connection with the slaughter of poultry.

In particular, the Regulations

1.  prohibit the slaughter, or stunning of a bird (as defined in regulation 2(1)) before slaughter, except in pursuance of a licence or a provisional licence granted by the local authority (regulation 4(1));

2.  set out the requirements that must be satisfied before the local authority shall grant a licence (regulation 5);

3.  enable the local authority to issue a provisional licence which shall authorise a person to slaughter or stun a bird only if he acts under supervision (regulation 6);

4.  enable the local authority to modify, suspend or revoke licences or provisional licences and to charge reasonable fees (regulations 7 and 8);

5.  require the local authority to allow the applicant to make representations before it decides to refuse to grant or renew a licence or a provisional licence, or to modify, suspend or revoke a licence or a provisional licence (regulation 7(4));

6.  create offences punishable by a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (currently £500) (regulation 9); and

7.  specify the qualifications to be held by supervisors (regulation 10).

The Regulations come into force on 1st September 1991 except for regulation 9 which comes into force on 1st September 1992.