The Heads of Sheep and Goats Order 1996

Initial treatment of heads of sheep and goats in a slaughterhouse

4.—(1) When a sheep or goat is slaughtered in a slaughterhouse, or slaughtered elsewhere than in a slaughterhouse but brought immediately to a slaughterhouse to be dressed for human consumption, the occupier of the slaughterhouse shall ensure that the head is removed from the rest of the carcase.

(2) Subject to paragraph (4) and article 7 below, the occupier shall ensure that any such head is stained immediately after slaughter by being treated (whether by immersion, spraying or other application) with a 0.5% weight/volume solution of the colouring agent Patent Blue V (E131, 1971 Colour Index No. 42051) in such a way that the colouring is clearly visible over the whole of the cut surface and the majority of the head; except that, if the tongue is to be removed, removal of the tongue shall take place immediately after slaughter and the head shall be stained immediately after such removal.

(3) The occupier shall ensure that the head, excluding the tongue where this has been removed, does not come into contact with any other animal material, with the exception of specified bovine material from non-scheme animals, while in the slaughterhouse and that it is disposed of in accordance with article 9 of this Order.

(4) In the case of any head which is intended to be examined by or on behalf of an officer of the appropriate Minister or a veterinary surgeon, the head shall not be stained until after the completion of the examination.