Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin (c. 853)

[X1 ANNEX III U.K. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Editorial Information

X1 Substituted by Corrigendum to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin (Official Journal of the European Union L 139 of 30 April 2004).

SECTION III: U.K. MEAT OF FARMED GAME

1. The provisions of Section I apply to the production and placing on the market of meat from even-toed farmed game mammals (Cervidae and Suidae), unless the competent authority considers them inappropriate. U.K.

2. The provisions of Section II apply to the production and placing on the market of meat from ratites. However, those of Section I apply where the competent authority considers them appropriate. Appropriate facilities must be provided, adapted to the size of the animals. U.K.

3. Notwithstanding points 1 and 2, food business operators may slaughter farmed ratites and farmed ungulates referred to in point 1 at the place of origin with the authorisation of the competent authority if: U.K.

(a)

the animals cannot be transported, to avoid any risk for the handler or to protect the welfare of the animals;

(b)

the herd undergoes regular veterinary inspection;

(c)

the owner of the animals submits a request;

(d)

the competent authority is informed in advance of the date and time of slaughter of the animals;

(e)

the holding has procedures for concentrating the animals to allow an ante-mortem inspection of the group to be made;

(f)

the holding has facilities suitable for the slaughter, bleeding and, where ratites are to be plucked, plucking of the animals;

(g)

animal welfare requirements are complied with;

(h)

slaughtered and bled animals are transported to the slaughterhouse hygienically and without undue delay. If transport takes more than two hours, the animals are, if necessary, refrigerated. Evisceration may take place on the spot, under the supervision of the veterinarian;

(i)

a declaration by the food business operator who reared the animals, stating their identity and indicating any veterinary products or other treatments administered, dates of administration and withdrawal periods, accompanies the slaughtered animals to the slaughterhouse;

and

(j)

during transport to the approved establishment, a certificate issued and signed by the official veterinarian or approved veterinarian, attesting to a favourable result of the ante-mortem inspection, correct slaughter and bleeding and the date and time of slaughter, accompanies the slaughtered animals.

[F1 3a. By way of derogation from point 3(j), the competent authority may authorise that the attestation of the correct slaughter and bleeding and of the date and time of slaughter be included only in the declaration by the food business operator referred to in point 3(i), provided that: U.K.

(a)

[F2 the holding is situated in a region which is not under health restrictions in accordance with legislation in force in the relevant constituent territory of Great Britain;]

(b)

the food business operator has demonstrated the appropriate level of competence to slaughter animals without causing the animals any avoidable pain, distress or suffering in accordance with Article 7(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 and without prejudice to Article 12 of that Regulation.]

Textual Amendments

F2 Annex 3 Section 3 para. 3a(a) substituted (31.12.2020) by S.I. 2019/640, reg. 19(3)(a) (as substituted by The Food and Feed Hygiene and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1504), regs. 1(2), 9(11)(a))

Textual Amendments

F1 Inserted by Commission Regulation (EU) No 150/2011 of 18 February 2011 amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards farmed and wild game and farmed and wild game meat (Text with EEA relevance).

[F3 3b. In paragraph 3a, “region” means that part of a constituent territory of Great Britain which is at least 2000km2 in area and which is subject to inspection by the competent authorities and includes at least one of the following administrative regions— U.K.

(a)

in England and Wales, a local government area as defined in section 270(1) of the Local Government Act 1972;

(b)

in Scotland, a local government area as defined in section 1 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.]

Textual Amendments

F3 Annex 3 Section 3 para. 3b inserted (31.12.2020) by S.I. 2019/640, reg. 19(3)(b) (as substituted by The Food and Feed Hygiene and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1504), regs. 1(2), 9(11)(a))

4. Food business operators may also slaughter bison on the farm in accordance with point 3 in exceptional circumstances.] U.K.