Restriction on Pithing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)

These Regulations give effect to Article 5 of Commission Decision 2000/418/EC (O.J. No. L158, 30.6.2000, p. 70).

These Regulations—

(a) prohibit the use of the technique known as “pithing” in the slaughter of bovine, ovine or caprine animals for sale (given an extended meaning by regulation 2(2)(b)) for human or animal consumption (regulation 2(1));

(b) provide that all parts of the carcase (other than the hide) of an illegally pithed animal are deemed to be “specified risk material” for the purposes of the Specified Risk Material Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 and the Specified Risk Material Order (Northern Ireland) 1997, as both amended (regulation 3);

(c) make a consequential amendment to the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 as amended (regulation 4);

(d) give powers of entry to persons appointed as inspectors by the relevant enforcement authority (regulation 5);

(e) create offences and penalties (regulations 2(3), 6 and 7); and

(f) specify who is to enforce them (regulation 8).

These Regulations (except for regulation 3, which comes into operation on 10th September 2001) come into operation on 11th June 2001.