The Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Marking of Meat, Meat Products, Minced Meat and Meat Preparations) (Scotland) Regulations 2001

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations implement Commission Decision 2001/345/EC on marking and use of certain animal products relating to Commission Decision 2001/172/EC concerning certain protection measures with regard to foot-and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom. Commission Decision 2001/172 was repealed and replaced by Commission Decision 2001/356/EC, which has now been further amended.

These Regulations should be read with the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Marking of Meat and Meat Products) (Scotland) Regulations 2001 which came into force on 23rd April 2001 and which first made changes to health marking of meat provisions because of foot-and-mouth disease.

Regulation 2 amends the Meat Products (Hygiene) Regulations 1994 to clarify the use of the round national health mark in relation to all meat products handled in Great Britain made from meat from species susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease, including meat products which have been imported. Meat products subject to the strict conditions and treatment detailed in Commission Decision 2001/356/EC may be eligible to bear the oval health mark.

Regulation 3 amends the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 to clarify the use of the round national mark on all fresh meat processed in Great Britain, including meat which has been imported. This requirement does not apply to meat derived from imported animals that has been transported, stored and handled completely separately from other meat in accordance with Article 2(2)(c) of Commission Decision 2001/356/EC.

Regulation 4 amends the Minced Meat and Meat Preparations (Hygiene) Regulations 1995 to introduce a new type of health mark (circular stamp) for marking minced meat and meat preparations from animals of the bovine, ovine, caprine and porcine species, as detailed in Commission Decision 2001/304 which also does not apply to meat derived from imported animals that has been transported, stored and handled completely separately from other meat in accordance with Article 2(2)(c) of Commission Decision 2001/356/EC.

These Regulations also revoke regulation 2(4) of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Marking of Meat and Meal Products) (Scotland) Regulations 2001.

The export of minced meat and meat preparations is prohibited by the legislation implementing Decision 2001/356/EC in Scotland, the Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (Scotland) (No. 2) Regulations (S.S.I 2001/186).

A Regulatory Impact Assessment has not been prepared for these Regulations.