The Food (Meat Inspection) (Scotland) Regulations 1988

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the regulations)

These Regulations, which apply to Scotland only, revoke and re-enact with amendments the provisions of the Food (Meat Inspection) (Scotland) Regulations 1961. They apply to fresh meat of domestic bovine animals (including buffalo), swine, sheep, goats, solipeds and farmed deer. They prescribe conditions which must be satisfied for the production of meat intended for sale for human consumption on the domestic market.

In particular, the Regulations—

(a) lay down requirements as to ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection and health marking of such meat (regulations 3 to 6 and Schedules 2 to 4);

(b) make provision for the slaughter of animals elsewhere than in a slaughterhouse (regulations 7 to 9).

Enforcement of the Regulations is the responsibility of local authorities (regulation 18).

They are required—

(a) to determine the hours between which animals may be slaughtered in slaughterhouses (regulation 11);

(b) to make charges for inspections carried out in pursuance of the Regulations (regulations 15 and 16 and Schedule 7); and

(c) to keep records relating to the slaughter of animals in each area (regulation 12 and Schedule 5).

The Regulations also make provision for the qualifications of veterinary meat inspectors and meat inspectors (regulations 13 and 14 and Schedule 6), and for offences and penalties (regulation 19).