The Sheep Carcase (Classification and Price Reporting) (Scotland) Regulations 2025

Explanatory note

Reproduced verbatim from the instrument as published on legislation.gov.uk (Crown Copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0). The note is prepared by the responsible government department and is not part of the instrument itself.

These Regulations provide for the mandatory classification and price reporting of sheep carcases by approved slaughterhouses. These Regulations come into force on 12 January 2026, except for the provisions specified in regulation 1(3) relating to automated classification methods, which come into force on 12 February 2027.

Regulation 3 sets out the approved slaughterhouses to which these Regulations apply (“regulated slaughterhouses”), and regulation 4 requires notification to be given to Ministers by persons who are operators of such slaughterhouses.

Regulation 5 stipulates the classification requirements and methods applicable to regulated slaughterhouses. Schedule 1 sets out the conformation classes to be used when classifying carcases of sheep less than 12 months old. Regulation 6 prohibits the removal of tissue from a carcase prior to weighing and classification.

Classification requirements are to be carried out at the time that the carcases are being weighed as set out in regulation 10, once the carcases have been identified in accordance with regulation 8, and have been presented in accordance with regulation 7.

Regulation 9 requires that each classified carcase is to be labelled with the information set out in that regulation.

Regulation 10 requires that the weight of each classified carcase is to be determined in accordance with that regulation.

Regulations 11 and 12 set out information which must be recorded by regulated slaughterhouses for each classified carcase, and regulation 13 provides that the information contained in specific records must be communicated to the supplier of the animal from which the carcase was obtained.

Part 4 sets out a system of control of classification through licences.

Part 5 allows proprietors of an “automated” classification method to request authorisation from the Scottish Ministers for the use of the method in regulated slaughterhouses. Schedule 2 sets out the testing requirements to be followed by the Scottish Ministers in determining authorisation for such methods.

Part 6 requires the operator of a regulated slaughterhouse to ensure that market price and related information is reported to a person authorised by the Scottish Ministers.

Part 7 contains provisions which restrict how those who handle the market data provided by regulated slaughterhouses can process and disclose that information.

Part 8 contains enforcement provisions. Regulation 23 requires authorised officers to carry out regular checks in all regulated slaughterhouses. Regulation 24 gives power to the Scottish Ministers to set the minimum requirements in relation to the checks.

Regulations 25 and 26 give authorised officers powers of entry and associated powers to allow them to check for, and gather evidence of, breaches of these Regulations. Under regulation 27 compliance notices may be served in respect of breaches identified, and an appeal mechanism to the sheriff is put in place by regulation 28.

Regulations 29, 30 and 31 set out the offences in relation to these Regulations. Regulation 32 provides a defence of due diligence. Regulation 33 sets out the maximum punishment for committing an offence under these Regulations.