Public Health (Abattoir and Transport of Meat) Regulations (Cap. 295)

Pemba Township.(No. 375 of 1953) THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ABATTOIR AND TRANSPORT OF MEAT) REGULATIONS [ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS] Regulation 1. Title 2. Application of Regulations 3. Interpretation 4. Outside slaughter houses: approval necessary 5. Meat conveyed into district of Local Authority to be examined and passed 6. Suitable vehicles to be used for transport and meat protected 7. Stamping and passing of meat 8. Obstructing examination of meat 9. Local Authority shall fix hours of slaughtering 10. Persons using abattoir shall obey regulations and lawful orders 11. Prohibition of alcohol 12. Owners' responsibility for animals brought to abattoir 13. Interference with animals in abattoir 14. Animals awaiting slaughter to be fed and watered 15. Humane methods of slaughter 16. Prohibition of straying animals in abattoir 17. Animals to be slaughtered without delay 18. Animals to be slaughtered within 36 hours 19. Prohibition of dogs, etc. 20. Prevention of the fouling of floors 21. Responsibility of owners for cleansing abattoir after use 22. Sumps and receptacles to be emptied according to instructions of Local Authority 23. Prohibition of unauthorised persons entering the abattoir 24. Cleanliness in person and clothes required in persons using the abattoir 25. Medical Officer of Health can call for inspection of all persons employed in abattoir 26. Prohibition of persons suffering from infectious diseases or open sores and of persons not clean in person or clothing 27. Introduction of diseased animals 28. Carcasses found or suspected of being diseased to be placed in special area 29. Portions of meat not to be removed from carcasses until inspected 30. Disposal of condemned meat 31. Disposal of rejected meat 32. Any authorised officer can cut up carcass when inspecting 33. Suspension of all or any of these Regulations 34. Penalties SECTION 82-THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ABATTOIR AND TRANSPORT OF MEAT) REGULATIONS Regulations by the Minister Government Notices 78 of 1932 3 of 1934 12 of 1937 175 of 1954 135 of 1957 291 of 1964 Act 51 of 1963 42 of 1992 13 of 1994 1. These Regulations may be cited as the Public Health (Abattoir and Transport of Meat) Regulations. Title 2. The Minister may, by statutory notice, declare that on and after a date to be specified in such notice the whole of these Regulations or only such provisions thereof as are mentioned in such notice shall apply to the whole or only such part of the district of any Local Authority as shall be defined in such notice. Application of Regulations (As amended by No. 291 of 1964) 3. In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires- Interpretation "abattoir" means all buildings, spaces, lairages and appurtenances within the abattoir site provided by the Government or Local Authority; "animal" means bull, ox, bullock, cow, heifer, steer, calf, sheep, lamb, goat, pig or other quadruped commonly used for the food of man; "butcher" means a person whose business it is to prepare for sale or to sell meat for the food of man; "butchers' meat" means the flesh or offal of any bull, ox, bullock, cow, heifer, steer, calf, lamb, goat, pig or other quadruped intended for the food of man, but does not include canned meat or potted meat; "Livestock Officer" means a Livestock Officer and Assistant Livestock Officer in the employment of the Government, and includes any person appointed by the Director of Veterinary Services to act as such within the district of one or more Local Authorities; "Veterinary Officer" means the Director of Veterinary Services and any Government Veterinary Officer and includes any veterinary practitioner appointed by the Director of Veterinary Services to act as a Veterinary Officer in any area specified in such appointment. (As amended by No. 12 of 1937, No. 175 of 1954 and Act No. 51 of 1963) 4. No person shall introduce for sale into the district of the Local Authority any carcass (other than game) or butchers' meat of animals slaughtered outside the district of the Local Authority, unless such animals were slaughtered at places approved by a Medical Officer of Health or Veterinary Officer. (As amended by No. 135 of 1957) Outside slaughter houses: approval necessary 5. Every owner or consignee of any butchers' meat or dead animals intended for the food of man which may be conveyed or transported into the district of the Local Authority for the purposes of sale shall submit Meat conveyed into district of Local Authority such butchers' meat or dead animals for the purpose of examination and stamping or branding, between the hours appointed for the purpose by the Local Authority on any lawful trading day, at such places as the Local Authority may, from time to time, appoint: to be examined and passed Provided that, except in so far as the Local Authority may allow in respect of meat and offal imported from a recognised place of slaughter and separated from other parts of the carcass, no such meat will be inspected or allowed to be brought within the district of the Local Authority except under the following conditions: (a) The carcasses of pigs shall be brought for inspection whole with the head attached, and shall be accompanied with all the viscera, excepting the stomach, intestines and urinary bladder; (b) The carcasses of calves, sheep, lambs and goats shall be brought for inspection whole: Provided that the head may be detached if it be distinctly marked as to what carcass it belongs; and such carcasses shall be accompanied with all the viscera, excepting the stomach, intestines and urinary bladder; (c) The carcasses of bulls, oxen, bullocks, cows, heifers or steers shall be brought for inspection whole, halved or quartered with the heads detached, but, in the latter case, the several portions of such divided carcasses must be brought for inspection distinctly marked by the owners, and so that, if more than one carcass so divided is brought, the inspector may know to what animals the several portions belong, and, further, the carcasses shall be accompanied with all the viscera, excepting the stomach, intestines and urinary bladder. (As amended by No. 135 of 1957) Conditions governing carcasses brought in from outside 6. (1) All meat conveyed within the district of the Local Authority as aforesaid shall be carried in suitable vehicles, and completely and efficiently protected from dust by means of a clean and suitable covering, which shall be thoroughly cleansed on each occasion immediately before use. Suitable vehicles to be used for transport and meat protected (2) All vehicles used for the transport of meat shall have the owner's name and address painted on a conspicuous part of the vehicle, in letters not less than two inches deep. (3) No vehicle used for the transport of meat may be used for any other purpose without the approval of the Local Authority. (As amended by No. 135 of 1957) 7. A person shall not offer or expose or deposit for sale or have in his possession for the purpose of sale or delivery within the district of the Local Authority butchers' meat, unless the same has been examined, branded, stamped or otherwise marked, and passed by the officers authorised by the Medical Officer of Health. Stamping and passing of meat 8. A person shall not directly or indirectly, obstruct or resist the examination referred to in regulation 5, or refuse to answer or knowingly make false answer to any inquiry in connection therewith. Obstructing examination of meat 9. The Local Authority shall, from time to time, fix the hours during which the slaughtering of animals and the dressing and removal of carcasses may be carried out within the abattoir. Local Authority shall fix hours of slaughtering 10. Every person employed in or using the abattoir shall be subject to the regulations herein concerning such abattoir and shall obey any orders lawfully given by the officer in charge or any other person appointed by the Local Authority. Persons using abattoir shall obey regulations and lawful orders 11. A person shall not take spirits or intoxicating liquors into the abattoir, or be in possession of any spirits or intoxicating liquors therein. Prohibition of alcohol 12. Owners of animals brought into the abattoir shall be responsible for such animals and shall make good any damage done by them therein. Owners' responsibility for animals brought to abattoir 13. No person shall, without the authority of the owner or the officer in charge, interfere with the animals in the abattoir: Interference with animals in abattoir Provided that any Medical Officer of Health, Veterinary Officer, Health Inspector or Livestock Officer shall, at all times, have free access to the animals for the purpose of inspection. 14. All animals brought into the abattoir shall, while awaiting slaughter, be watered and treated with due and proper care by the owner or his representatives, and such owner or representative shall not suffer or cause such animals to be without food for more than twenty-four hours or without a sufficient quantity of wholesome water. Animals awaiting slaughter to be fed and watered 15. Every person who shall slaughter or assist in the slaughtering of any animal shall adopt all practical means of ensuring the infliction of as little pain or suffering as possible, and to that end shall conform to and carry out all directions which shall be given, from time to time, by the Local Authority or its officers. Humane methods of slaughter 16. Animals shall not be allowed to stray at large within the abattoir, but shall be kept in the pens provided for that purpose. Prohibition of straying animals in abattoir 17. Every person bringing or causing to be brought any animal to the abattoir shall cause the same to be slaughtered and the carcass thereof to be removed with the least possible delay. Animals to be slaughtered without delay 18. Animals shall not be permitted to be kept in the abattoir, awaiting slaughter, for a longer period than thirty-six hours. Animals to be slaughtered within 36 hours 19. A person shall not bring, keep or suffer to be brought or kept within the abattoir any dog, cat, fowl, duck or goose, or any animal not required on the premises, except those intended for slaughter for human consumption. Prohibition of dogs, etc. 20. Every person engaged in the killing or dressing of any animal shall cause the contents of the stomach and entrails of such animals to be emptied with the least possible delay into proper receptacles and shall take every possible care to prevent the fouling of the floors. Prevention of the fouling of floors 21. Every person engaged in slaughtering at the abattoir shall, as soon as possible after the completion of any slaughtering or dressing of the Responsibility of owners for carcasses, remove all blood, manure, garbage, filth or other refuse products, and shall cause every part of the floor or pavement, and the surface of every wall or pillar or other portion of the chamber on which any blood, liquid or filth may have been spilt or splashed, or with which any offensive or noxious matter may have been brought in contact during the process of slaughtering or dressing any animal, and every article and appliance which may have been used in the slaughtering and dressing, to be thoroughly cleansed and washed immediately after the completion of such slaughtering or dressing, and shall so flush the floor and walls that no dirt or refuse shall remain on them, and that all such dirt or refuse shall flow into the sumpt provided for that purpose. The Local Authority may, if it thinks fit, engage a person or persons to perform the services enumerated herein and shall, in that case, charge a fee for each animal slaughtered, which fee shall be payable in advance. cleansing abattoir after use 22. All blood and refuse emptied into sumps or other receptacles shall be removed daily, as soon as the slaughtering and dressing are completed, to such places as may, from time to time, be appointed by the Local Authority, and shall be there disposed of in the manner laid down by the Local Authority. Sumps and receptacles to be emptied according to instructions of Local Authority 23. No persons other than those using or employed in the abattoir and any Medical Officer of Health, Veterinary Officer, Health Inspector or Livestock Officer shall be allowed in the abattoir without the permission of the officer in charge: Prohibition of unauthorised persons entering the abattoir Provided that it shall be competent for the Local Authority, by means of an order, to grant such permission to any person. 24. Every person employed in the slaughtering of animals or in the handling of carcasses or meat shall be clean in person and in good health, and shall, when handling carcasses or meat, wear a clean smock or overall and such other clean garments as the Medical Officer of Health may require. Cleanliness in person and clothes required in persons using the abattoir 25. All persons employed in the slaughtering of animals or the handling of meat and carcasses shall submit themselves for medical examination to the Medical Officer of Health or Health Inspector when called upon to do so by the Medical Officer of Health. Notices calling Medical Officer of Health can call for inspection of all for medical inspection shall be posted in some prominent position within the precincts of the abattoir. persons employed in abattoir 26. No person suffering from any infectious or contagious disease, and no person who has been in contact with any person so suffering who has not been disinfected to the satisfaction of the Medical Officer of Health thereafter, and no person having any discharge, ulcer or sore, and no person whose body or clothing is not in a clean condition, shall be allowed to enter the abattoir, or shall be allowed in any way to take part or assist in the slaughtering or handling of animals or carcasses therein. Prohibition of persons suffering from infectious diseases or open sores and of persons not clean in person or clothing 27. Every person bringing into the abattoir, either by himself or his servants, any animal which is diseased or suspected of being diseased shall take the same to the place set apart for the reception of such animals, and shall immediately inform the responsible officer of the Local Authority. Introduction of diseased animals 28. Any person slaughtering or assisting in slaughtering at the abattoir any animal which, after being slaughtered, is found or suspected of being diseased shall take the carcass thereof to the place set apart for the reception of the carcasses of diseased animals, and shall immediately inform the responsible officer of the Local Authority. Carcasses found or suspected of being diseased to be placed in special area 29. No person shall cut away or remove from any carcass any portions thereof, diseased or otherwise, before inspection of the carcass by the Medical Officer of Health, Veterinary Officer, Health Inspector, Livestock Officer or person authorised in writing by the Medical Officer of Health or Veterinary Officer to carry out inspections of carcasses or meat. Portions of meat not to be removed from carcasses until inspected 30. The carcasses of animals condemned on account of disease or other reason as unfit for human consumption shall be dealt with and disposed of by the owner thereof, in such manner as the Medical Officer of Health or Veterinary Officer shall direct. Disposal of condemned meat 31. The carcasses of animals submitted for examination and rejected on account of non-compliance with the conditions laid down in Disposal of rejected meat regulation 5 shall be dealt with and disposed of by the owner thereof in such manner as the Medical Officer of Health or Veterinary Officer shall direct. (No. 3 of 1934) 32. Any duly authorised officer, when inspecting carcasses, either whole or in halves or quarters or otherwise, may cut into any portion of a carcass during the course of his inspection, and no liability shall be incurred by reason of anything which he does for the purposes of inspection or examination. Any authorised officer can cut up carcass when inspecting 33. To meet cases of emergency, the Medical Officer of Health or the Veterinary Officer may authorise the suspension of all or any of these Regulations. Suspension of all or any of these Regulations 34. Any person guilty of an offence against or contravention of, or default in complying with, any provision of these Regulations shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding seven hundred and fifty penalty units, and, if the offence, contravention or default is of a continuing nature, to a further fine not exceeding ninety penalty units for each day during which the offence, contravention or default continues. (As amended by Act No. 13 of 1994) Penalties REGULATION 2 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ABATTOIR AND TRANSPORT OF MEAT) REGULATIONS-APPLICATION Notice by the Minister The whole of the Regulations apply to City of Ndola.(No. 98 of 1932) SECTION 82-THE PUBLIC HEALTH (LIVINGSTONE ABATTOIR) (SLAUGHTER OF WESTERN PROVINCE CATTLE) REGULATIONS Regulations by the Minister Government Notices 3 of 1939 497 of 1964 Act 13 of 1994