Published: 2011-04-01
Key Benefits:
(section 33)
(1st April, 2011)
ARRANGEMENT OF BYE-LAWS
BYE-LAW
1. Citation
2. Interpretation
3. Appointment of officers
4. Functions of manager
5. Authorisation to use abattoir
6. Hours of operation
7. Delivery of animals
8. Abattoir register
9. Care of animals, etc.
10. Diseased animals
11. Removal of animal from pen
12. Carcasses of dead animals
13. Personal hygiene
14. Restrictions on slaughter
15. Place for slaughtering
16. Manner of slaughtering
17. Marking of carcass
18. Deceptive dressing prohibited
19. Condemnation of soiled meat
20. Examination of carcass, etc.
21. Duties of meat inspector
22. Removal of meat, etc.
23. Human diseases
24. Obstructing manager
25. Disposal of unclaimed animals, etc.
26. Parking of vehicles
27. Dogs, etc. prohibited
28. Exclusion of children
29. Smoking prohibited
30. Liquor prohibited
31. Restrictions of removal of animal
32. Penalties
Schedule 1
Schedule 2
S.I. 28, 2011
These Bye-laws may be cited as the North East District (Abattoir) Bye- laws.
In these Bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires-
"abattoir" means any premises in which animals are slaughtered or confined while awaiting slaughter, licenced under the Livestock and Meat Industries Act and operated by the Council;
"animal" means any bull, calf, cow, heifer, goat, ox, pig, or sheep;
"Council" means the North East District Council;
"manager" means the person appointed by the Council under bye-law 3;
"meat" means any part of an animal which is fit for human consumption;
"meat inspector" means any person appointed by the Council under bye-law 3;
"medical officer" means a medical practitioner appointed by the Director
of Medical Services to act as medical officer for the Council;
"offal" includes the head, horns, feet, tail, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, stomach, intestines and other internal organs of any slaughtered animal;
"slaughter man" means a person appointed as such by the Council under bye-law 3;
"veterinary surgeon" means a person who is registered as a veterinary surgeon under the Veterinary Surgeons Act.
The Council may appoint the following officers in writing, to perform any function assigned to such officers under these Bye-laws-
(a) a manager;
(b) a meat inspector, after consultations with the Director of Veterinary Services;
(c) a slaughter man; or
(d) any other person necessary to perform any function under these Bye- laws.
(1) A manager shall be responsible for managing and controlling an abattoir and for performing any other functions that is conferred by these Bye- laws.
(2) A person employed at, or making use of any facilities provided in the abattoir shall comply with any lawful instructions given by the manager.
(3) A person who fails to comply with any instruction given under sub- bye-law (2) may, in addition to being liable to prosecution for contravening this bye-law, be required by the manager to leave the abattoir immediately.
5. Authorisation to use abattoir
(1) A person shall not use an abattoir unless he is authorised by the manager on the payment of a fee prescribed in Schedule 2, to use the abattoir.
(2) A person who contravenes this bye-law commits an offence and is liable to the penalty prescribed under bye-law 32.
(1) An abattoir shall be open for receiving animals between the hours of 12 noon and 6.00 p.m except on Friday, Saturday, a public holiday or any day occurring immediately before a public holiday.
(2) An abattoir shall be open for slaughtering animals between the hours of 7.30 a.m and 16.30 p.m except on Friday, Saturday, or on a public holiday.
(3) A person shall not enter the abattoir before the hours of 7.30 a.m or remain in the abattoir after the hours of 6.00 p.m unless such person is authorised to do so by the manager.
(4) A person who contravenes this bye-law commits an offence and is liable to the penalty prescribed under bye-law 32.
(1) A person who delivers an animal to the abattoir shall, on entering the abattoir, submit to the manager or an authorised officer-
(a) a written description of the animal to be slaughtered;
(b) a statement on the number of animals to be slaughtered;
(c) proof of ownership of the animal to be slaughtered; and
(d) any other document as may be required.
(2) A person in charge of any animal so delivered under subbye-law (1) shall have it marked with a distinguishing mark approved by the manager so that it can be easily and quickly identified.
(3) The same identification mark shall always be used by or on behalfof each owner, and such mark shall be registered by the manager in the register provided for under bye-law 8.
(4) An owner or a person in charge of any bull or any dangerous animal shall, when bringing such animal to the abattoir, either have it conveyed in a suitable vehicle in which it shall be securely bound or led by means of a chain or rope of sufficient strength and length.
(1) A manager shall keep a register in Form A set out in Schedule 1 of all the animals that are authorised to be slaughtered in the abattoir.
(2) The register shall contain-
(a) the name, identity card number and address of the owner of the animal;
(b) a description of the animal; and
(c) any other particulars that the manager considers necessary.
(1) A person in charge of any animal brought into an abattoir for slaughter, shall ensure that such an animal is properly cared for and provided with sufficient suitable food and water.
(2) Notwithstanding the provision of subbye-law (1), a person shall not overfeed or give salt to any animal which is in the abattoir.
(3) The manager may provide suitable food and water to an animal in the abattoir and the Council shall recover the cost of the food and water from the owner or a person in charge of the animal if the manager-
(a) discovers that such an animal, has been without food and water for a period exceeding 48 hours; or
(b) is requested to feed the animal by the owner or person in charge of the animal.
(4) Any animal in the abattoir, whether awaiting slaughter or in the process of slaughter, shall be treated with care, and shall not be subjected to any cruel or unnecessary suffering.
(5) A manager may, in his discretion, take sufficient measures to prevent any unnecessary suffering of or cruelty to an animal.
(1) A person shall not knowingly bring, or permit to be brought, into an abattoir an animal suffering from any infectious or contagious disease unless he is permitted in writing by a veterinary surgeon.
(2) A person who brings an animal to the abattoir shall provide the health status of the animal in a declaration in Form B set out in Schedule 1.
(3) A person who contravenes subbye-law (1) shall, by virtue of having paid the penalty prescribed under bye-law 32 for such contravention, be absolved from any liability to pay the Council any expenses incurred in cleaning and disinfecting the abattoir and for any other loss occasioned by such action.
(4) A manager may refuse to admit into the abattoir any animal suffering from any infectious or contagious disease.
(5) Where a manager has reasonable grounds for suspecting that any animal already admitted into the abattoir, or for which admission is sought is suffering from any infectious or contagious disease, the manager may require or cause such animal to be examined by an authorised veterinary surgeon.
(6) The manager may, after obtaining the opinion of a veterinary surgeon, cause or order any animal which is found to be diseased, or which has been in contact with an infected animal, to be slaughtered at a place set apart for the slaughtering of diseased animals.
(7) A carcass of a diseased animal which is found to be fit for human consumption after slaughter shall be returned to the owner or person in charge of such animal.
(8) A carcass of a diseased animal which is found to be unfit for human consumption shall be seized and destroyed by the manager or an authorised officer.
(9) A person who contravenes this bye-law is liable to the penalty prescribed under bye-law 32.
11. Removal of animal from pen
A person shall not, without the permission of the manager or any authorised officer, remove an animal from a pen, unless it is for the purpose of removing it to another pen or slaughter place.
The carcass and offal of any animal which died within the abattoir otherwise than by slaughter, or any animal which arrives dead at the abattoir, shall be condemned, seized and destroyed by the manager or an authorised officer.
(1) A person who performs any duty in the abattoir shall observe strict cleanliness in his person and attire and shall at all times wear a clean butchering coat or protective clothing, protective footwear and a cap, made of a washable material and light in colour whilst within the slaughter place or any other place within the abattoir where it is necessary to wear such clothes.
(2) A person who is authorised to visit the abattoir shall wear protective clothing, protective footwear and a cap made of a washable material and light in colour whilst within the slaughter place or any other place within the abattoir where it is necessary to wear such clothes.
(3) A person shall not hang up or deposit or permit to be hung up or deposited any clothes in any room or enclosure in which meat is slaughtered, dressed or prepared for human consumption.
(1) A person shall not slaughter any animal on the day it enters the abattoir.
(2) Subbye-law (1) shall not apply where a veterinary surgeon, or meat inspector inspects and examines an animal when it enters the abattoir and finds it to be suffering from serious injuries received during transportation and authorises that it be slaughtered to avoid any unnecessary suffering.
A person shall not slaughter or dress any animal in any part of the abattoir premises except in the place specially appointed and set apart for such purpose.
The manner of slaughtering of an animal shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Livestock and Meat Industries Act.
The slaughter man shall clearly brand or mark the carcass with the registered mark of the owner of the animal immediately after an animal has been slaughtered and flayed.
18. Deceptive dressing prohibited
A person shall not dress any carcass or any portion of the carcass with the object of giving it a deceptive appearance.
19. Condemnation of soiled meat
(1) All meat, fat or offal which becomes soiled by the contents of the alimentary tract shall be condemned as unfit for human consumption.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subbye-law (1) where, in the opinion of an authorised veterinary surgeon or any meat inspector, the soiling may be removed by cutting away the soiled portions, the authorised veterinary surgeon or inspector may authorise this to be done and any remaining meat, fat or offal shall be deemed to be fit for human consumption.
(3) A person shall not cut, remove or attempt to conceal any diseased or injured part of any slaughtered animal.
20. Examination of carcass, etc.
(1) A person shall not remove from the immediate vicinity of the carcass of any animal slaughtered at the abattoir any portion of the flesh, bone or offal until they have been duly examined and dealt with by a meat inspector.
(2) The meat inspector shall immediately after an animal has been slaughtered and dressed, examine and stamp a carcass, or offal, submitted for examination and passed as healthy and fit for human consumption with the official stamp mark of the Council in such places as the meat inspector may deem necessary.
(3) A meat inspector shall examine, handle and cut into the carcass, and offal of every animal which has been slaughtered at the abattoir, immediately after it has been dressed, for the purpose of ascertaining whether it is unfit for human consumption.
(4) Examination of carcass, meat, or offal shall be made during daylight.
(5) The carcass of every animal condemned or any part of the carcass or offal of a slaughtered animal which has been found under subbye-law (3) to be unfit for human consumption shall be destroyed under the supervision of the authorised veterinary surgeon or meat inspector, or manager.
(1) The meat inspector shall brand or stamp with the official stamp mark of the Council in such places and in such ways as he may deem advisable or necessary all carcasses, meat, offal submitted for examination and passed as healthy and fit for human consumption.
(2) A person shall not, other than an authorised officer, stamp, brand or mark or attach to or impress on any meat, or offal with any official stamp or mark or any similar marking.
(3) A person shall not attach to or impress on any meat or offal any forged stamp or mark or any stamp or mark intended or liable to deceive the public or induce the belief that such meat or offal has been inspected and approved under these Bye-laws or slaughtered at the abattoir.
(1) A person shall not, without the permission of the manager, remove or cause to be removed from the abattoir any meat, or offal unless it has been examined, approved and stamped in accordance with these Bye- laws.
(2) A person shall not remove from an abattoir, without the express permission of the manager, any meat or offal unless it has been washed and cleaned to the satisfaction of a meat inspector.
(1) A person who knowingly suffers from any notifiable infectious or contagious disease, or is knowingly exposed to infection from any such disease within 12 hours immediately before assuming duty shall not engage in the slaughter of animals, dressing of carcasses or handling or conveyance of meat intended for human consumption, nor shall any employer permit any person in his employment who suffers from or who has been exposed to infection to be so engaged unless he has obtained the prior written permission of medical officer.
(2) The medical officer shall have the power to examine, which may include the examination of blood of any person engaged in the slaughtering of animals, the dressing of carcasses or handling or conveyance of meat whenever he deems it necessary to do so for the purpose of ascertaining whether such person suffers from any disease or condition liable to contaminate the meat, as a result of which serious consequences to the health of others may occur, and may prohibit any such person found to be so suffering from being so engaged until he has been again examined and certified by a medical officer to be free from such disease or condition.
(3) Any person engaged in work within the abattoir having any cuts, grazes or abrasions shall have such injuries covered by a clean waterproof dressing.
A person shall not interfere with or obstruct the manager or any authorised officer or cause any disturbance within the abattoir, and any person who interferes or obstructs or causes any disturbance may, in addition to being liable to prosecution for a contravention of this bye-law, be removed from the abattoir.
25. Disposal of unclaimed animals, etc.
(1) The manager may slaughter or cause to be slaughtered any animal in an abattoir which may be unclaimed or as to the ownership of which there is a dispute, and shall, in the case of any such slaughter, dispose of the carcass on behalf of the Council.
(2) On ascertaining the rightful owner of an animal under subbye-law (1), the Council shall pay to the owner the proceeds from such sale less the amount of any expenses incurred in respect of such animal.
All vans, lorries, wagons, carts and other vehicles brought into the abattoir shall park in such places as the manager shall appoint.
A person shall not bring into the abattoir, or permit to enter or remain there, any dog, cat, bird or other animal which feeds on offal, and the manager may remove or cause to be removed from the abattoir any such animal or bird found in the premises.
A person under the age of14 years shall not at any time be admitted to any part of the abattoir where slaughtering or dressing is taking place, unless the manager authorises that such a person can enter when under the supervision of an adult.
A person who smokes in any part of the abattoir where animals are slaughtered, inspected or kept commits an offence and is liable to the penalty prescribed under bye-law 32.
A person commits an offence and is liable to the penalty prescribed under bye-law 32 ifhe-
(a) enters or remains in an abattoir while intoxicated; or
(b) brings any liquor into an abattoir.
31. Restrictions of removal of animal
A person shall not remove from the abattoir any animal, alive or dead, or the carcass of any animal or any meat, or offal or any other thing pertaining to any animal without the prior permission of the manager.
A person who contravenes any provision of these Bye-laws commits an offence and is liable on first conviction to a fine not exceeding P200, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month, and on subsequent conviction to a fine not exceeding P300 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months.
SCHEDULE 1
FORM A
Register of animals
(bye-law 8 (1))
1.
Name of owner/person in charge: ______________________________________________
2.
Identity card number/Passport Number: ________________________________________
3.
Postal address: ____________________________________________________________
4.
Physical address: ________________________________________________________
5.
Telephone Number: _______________________________________________________
6.
Description of the animal:
(a)
Animal species: ____________________________________________________
(b)
Breed: ____________________________________________________________
(c)
Age of animal: ____________________ Sex of animal: _____________________
(d)
Bolus: _______________________ and ear tag number: ____________________
(e)
Identification mark approved by the manager under bye-law 7 (2):
__________________________________________________________________
(f)
Describe any other mark on the animal which can identify it:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
7.
Declaration:
I declare that the information given above is true and correct.
Signature _____________________ Date ___________________ Time _______________
FORM B
Declaration on the health status of the animal
(bye-law 10 (2))
1.
Name of owner/person in charge: ____________________________________________
2.
National Identity Number/ Passport Number: ___________________________________
3.
Postal address: ___________________________________________________________
4.
Physical address: ________________________________________________________
5.
Telephone Number: (if any) _________________________________________________
6.
Name and address of owner's veterinary surgeon: ________________________________
7.
Description of animal:
(a)
Animal species: _____________________________________________________
(b)
Breed: ____________________________________________________________
(c)
Age of animal:Sex of animal: _________________________________________
(d)
Bolus: and ear tag number: ___________________________________________
(e)
Describe any other mark on the animal which can identify it: ________________
__________________________________________________________________
8.
Declaration:
(a)
the above animal has received no treatment within the last 28 days.
(b)
the withdrawal period for any treatment administered to this animal has been observed.
(c)
I declare that the information given above is true and correct.
Signature _____________________ Date ___________________ Time _______________
SCHEDULE 2
Abattoir Fees
(bye-law 5 (1))
1.
Use of Abattoir for slaughtering, lairage, water, inspection and stamping of meat;
(a)
Bull, ox, cow, heifer steer or calf
P70
(b)
Sheep, lamb, goat or kid
P35
(c)
Pig
P50
2.
Charge per day for the use of freezer;
(a)
Bull, ox, cow, heifer steer or calf
P50
(b)
Sheep, lamb, goat or kid
P20
(c)
Pig
P30.
