{"id":"meat-industries-regulations-1997","name":"MEAT INDUSTRIES REGULATIONS 1997","slug":"meat-industries-regulations-1997","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nt","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":176999,"registerId":"nt-meat-industries-regulations-1997-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"MEAT INDUSTRIES REGULATIONS 1997","content":"NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\nMEAT INDUSTRIES REGULATIONS 1997\nAs in force at 21 September 2011\nTable of provisions\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Citation ............................................................................................ 1\n2 Commencement .............................................................................. 1\n3 Interpretation ................................................................................... 1\nPart 2 Abattoir licences\nDivision 1 Abattoir licences generally\n4 No sale, &c., of pet meat imported into establishment..................... 2\n5 Labelling of pet meat ....................................................................... 2\nDivision 2 Domestic abattoir licences\n6 Slaughter, &c., only permitted at establishment............................... 2\n7 Inspection of meat for human consumption ..................................... 3\n8 Labelling of carcasses for human consumption ............................... 3\n9 Processing, sale, &c., of meat for human consumption ................... 4\n10 Meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard\nor code of practice ........................................................................... 4\n11 Game meat ...................................................................................... 5\nDivision 3 Domestic poultry abattoir licences\n12 Processing, sale, &c., of meat for human consumption ................... 5\n13 Meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard\nor code of practice ........................................................................... 6\n14 Game meat ...................................................................................... 6\nPart 3 Processing licences\nDivision 1 Domestic and export processing licences\n15 No sale, &c., of pet meat imported into establishment..................... 6\n16 Labelling of pet meat ....................................................................... 7\nDivision 2 Domestic processing licences\n17 Processing, &c., only permitted at establishment ............................ 7\n18 Processing, sale, &c., of meat for human consumption ................... 7\n\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 ii\n19 Meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard\nor code of practice ........................................................................... 8\n20 Game meat ...................................................................................... 8\nPart 4 Game meat slaughter and processing\nDivision 1 Game meat slaughter licences\n21 Duty to produce licence ................................................................... 9\n22 Meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard\nor code of practice ........................................................................... 9\n23 Game meat ...................................................................................... 9\nDivision 2 Duties of export and domestic game meat\nprocessing licensees\n24 Labelling of pet meat ....................................................................... 9\nDivision 3 Domestic game meat processing licences\n25 Processing, &c., only permitted at establishment .......................... 10\n26 Processing, sale, &c., of meat for human consumption ................. 10\n27 Meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard\nor code of practice ......................................................................... 11\n28 No sale, &c., of pet meat imported into establishment................... 11\n29 Sale, &c., of meat other than game meat ...................................... 11\nPart 5 Pet meat slaughter and processing\nDivision 1 Pet meat slaughter licences\n30 Duty to produce licence ................................................................. 11\n31 Slaughter ....................................................................................... 12\n32 Hygiene ......................................................................................... 12\n33 Shooting of animals ....................................................................... 13\n34 Pet meat not to be sold unless produced under specified\nstandard or code of practice .......................................................... 13\n35 Transport of pet meat .................................................................... 13\nDivision 2 Pet meat processing licences\n36 Processing, &c., only permitted at establishment .......................... 14\n37 Hygiene ......................................................................................... 14\n38 Construction standards for pet meat processing\nestablishments............................................................................... 15\n39 Processing, sale, &c., of pet meat ................................................. 15\n40 Pet meat not to be sold unless produced under specified\nstandard or code of practice .......................................................... 15\n41 No sale of meat for human consumption ....................................... 15\n\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 iii\n42 Labelling of pet meat ..................................................................... 16\nDivision 3 Transportable pet meat processing units\n43 Relocation of processing unit......................................................... 16\nDivision 4 General requirements in respect of pet meat\nfor all licensees\n44 Labelling of packages, &c. ............................................................. 17\n45 Dyeing of pet meat ........................................................................ 17\nPart 6 Cold store licences\n46 Duties of cold store licensees ........................................................ 18\n47 Meat not to be sold unless stored under specified standard or\ncode of practice ............................................................................. 18\nPart 7 Infringement notices\n48 Definitions ...................................................................................... 18\n49 Issuing of infringement notices ...................................................... 19\n50 Particulars to be shown on infringement notice ............................. 19\n51 Penalty for breach of prescribed licence conditions....................... 19\n52 Penalty for breach of other licence conditions ............................... 19\n53 Penalty for other offences against Act ........................................... 20\n54 Penalty for disobeying inspector's directions ................................. 20\n55 Payment before expiry date of infringement notice........................ 21\n56 Service of infringement notices and effect on proceedings ........... 21\n57 Service of notices .......................................................................... 21\nPart 8 Miscellaneous\n58 Returns to be provided .................................................................. 22\n59 Notification of recommencement of operations.............................. 22\n60 Notification of requirement for inspector ........................................ 22\n61 Licensee to provide notice of change of address........................... 23\n62 Transport of meat for human consumption .................................... 23\n63 Certification in respect of export .................................................... 23\n64 Diseases ........................................................................................ 23\n65 Regulatory offences....................................................................... 23\nSchedule 1 Construction standards for pet meat\nprocessing establishment\nSchedule 2 Infringement notice penalties for offences\nagainst Act\n\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 iv\nSchedule 3 Diseases of humans\nENDNOTES\n\nNORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\n____________________\nAs in force at 21 September 2011\n____________________\nMEAT INDUSTRIES REGULATIONS 1997\nRegulations under the Meat Industries Act 1996\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Citation\nThese Regulations may be cited as the Meat Industries\nRegulations 1997.\n2 Commencement\nThese Regulations come into operation on the commencement of\nthe Meat Industries Act 1996.\n3 Interpretation\n(1) In these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears:\nabattoir licence means a domestic abattoir licence, an export\nabattoir licence, a domestic poultry abattoir licence or an export\npoultry abattoir licence.\ndispatch, in relation to an establishment, means to export from the\nestablishment.\nlicensee includes an employee or agent of a licensee.\nspecified code of practice, in relation to a licence, means a code\nof practice specified on the licence.\nspecified standard, in relation to a licence, means a standard\nspecified on the licence.\n(2) In these Regulations, a reference to meat having been produced\nunder an instrument of a legislative or administrative character, is to\nbe read as a reference to:\n(a) the carcass or meat having been derived from an animal\nslaughtered in accordance with any terms of the instrument\nrelating to slaughter; and\n\nPart 2 Abattoir licences\nDivision 2 Domestic abattoir licences\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 2\n(b) the carcass or meat having been processed, packed, stored\nand labelled in accordance with any terms of the instrument\nrelating to processing, packing, storing and labelling.\n(3) In these Regulations:\n(a) a reference to meat is to be read as including a reference to a\nproduct containing meat for human consumption; and\n(b) a reference to pet meat is to be read as including a reference\nto a product containing pet meat.\nPart 2 Abattoir licences\nDivision 1 Abattoir licences generally\n4 No sale, &c., of pet meat imported into establishment\nIt is a condition of an abattoir licence that the licensee must not\nprocess, pack, store, dispatch or sell pet meat unless it is from an\nanimal that has been slaughtered at the establishment to which the\nlicence relates.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\n5 Labelling of pet meat\nIt is a condition of an abattoir licence that the licensee must not\ndispatch pet meat unless:\n(a) the pet meat is in a carton or individual pack; and\n(b) the carton or individual pack is clean and labelled in\naccordance with regulation 44.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\nDivision 2 Domestic abattoir licences\n6 Slaughter, &c., only permitted at establishment\nIt is a condition of a domestic abattoir licence that the licensee must\nnot slaughter, process or pack meat for human consumption, or pet\nmeat, except at the establishment to which the licence relates.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\n\nPart 2 Abattoir licences\nDivision 2 Domestic abattoir licences\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 3\n7 Inspection of meat for human consumption\nWhere a quality assurance program is not approved under\nsection 11 of the Act in relation to a domestic abattoir licence, it is a\ncondition of the licence that the licensee must not sell or dispatch a\ncarcass, or meat for human consumption, unless it has been\ninspected by or under the direction of an inspector.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\n8 Labelling of carcasses for human consumption\n(1) It is a condition of a domestic abattoir licence that the licensee must\nnot sell a carcass for human consumption unless:\n(a) in the case of a head of cattle (other than a calf) or a buffalo\n(other than a calf), horse or camel, the carcass is marked with\nthe official establishment mark on the outside of the ribs on\nboth sides, both buttocks, both loins and both shoulders;\n(b) in the case of a pig, the carcass is marked with the official\nestablishment mark on both hams, both jowls, both shoulders\nand both loins;\n(c) in the case of a calf, sheep, goat or deer, the carcass is\nmarked with the official establishment mark on both hind legs\nand both shoulders; or\n(d) in the case of any animal not specified in paragraph (a), (b)\nor (c), the carcass is marked in accordance with the specified\nstandard, or specified code of practice, for production of meat\nfrom the animal.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.\n(2) An official establishment mark must not be placed on a carcass\nintended for human consumption, except with an edible food dye\npermitted for use on food for human consumption under an Act of\nthe Territory, the Commonwealth or a State or another Territory of\nthe Commonwealth.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.\n(3) In this regulation official establishment mark, in relation to a\ndomestic abattoir licence, means a mark approved by the Chief\nInspector and containing the number allotted by him or her to the\nestablishment to which the licence relates.\n\nPart 2 Abattoir licences\nDivision 2 Domestic abattoir licences\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 4\n9 Processing, sale, &c., of meat for human consumption\n(1) It is a condition of a domestic abattoir licence that the licensee must\nnot process, pack, store, dispatch or sell a carcass, or meat for\nhuman consumption, from an animal slaughtered or processed\nother than at the establishment to which the licence relates.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\n(2) A licensee is not to be taken to have breached the condition\nspecified in subregulation (1) if the licensee takes all steps to\nensure that the carcass or meat was:\n(a) produced under:\n(i) a domestic abattoir licence;\n(ii) an export abattoir licence;\n(iii) a domestic game meat processing licence;\n(iv) an export game meat processing licence;\n(v) a domestic poultry abattoir licence; or\n(vi) an export poultry abattoir licence;\n(b) produced:\n(i) under a licence, permit or similar instrument permitting\nthe slaughter or processing of the meat under a\ncorresponding law; and\n(ii) in accordance with the specified standard, or specified\ncode of practice, for production of meat on the licensee's\nlicence; or\n(c) produced under the Export Control Act 1982 of the\nCommonwealth or accepted into and dispatched from\nregistered premises in accordance with that Act.\n10 Meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard\nor code of practice\nWhere a domestic abattoir licence is subject to the condition that\noperations are to be carried out in accordance with a specified\nstandard or specified code of practice, it is a condition of the licence\nthat the licensee must not sell or dispatch a carcass, or meat for\nhuman consumption, from an animal slaughtered or processed at\nthe establishment unless the slaughter or processing was in\n\nPart 2 Abattoir licences\nDivision 3 Domestic poultry abattoir licences\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 5\naccordance with the standard or code of practice.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\n11 Game meat\nIt is a condition of a domestic abattoir licence that the licensee must\nnot process, pack, store, dispatch or sell game meat except:\n(a) with the approval of the Chief Inspector; and\n(b) where a quality assurance program is not approved in respect\nof the licence, in accordance with the directions of an\ninspector.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.\nDivision 3 Domestic poultry abattoir licences\n12 Processing, sale, &c., of meat for human consumption\n(1) It is a condition of a domestic poultry abattoir licence that the\nlicensee must not process, pack, store, dispatch or sell a carcass or\nmeat for human consumption from an animal slaughtered or\nprocessed other than at the establishment to which the licence\nrelates.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\n(2) A licensee is not to be taken to have breached the condition\nspecified in subregulation (1) if the licensee has taken all steps to\nensure that the carcass or meat was:\n(a) produced under:\n(i) a domestic abattoir licence;\n(ii) an export abattoir licence;\n(iii) a domestic poultry abattoir licence;\n(iv) an export poultry abattoir licence;\n(v) a domestic game meat processing licence; or\n(vi) an export game meat processing licence;\n\nPart 3 Processing licences\nDivision 1 Domestic and export processing licences\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 6\n(b) produced:\n(i) under a licence, permit or similar instrument permitting\nthe slaughter or processing of the meat under a\ncorresponding law; and\n(ii) in accordance with the specified standard, or specified\ncode of practice, for production of meat on the licensee's\nlicence; or\n(c) produced under the Export Control Act 1982 of the\nCommonwealth or accepted into and dispatched from\nregistered premises in accordance with that Act.\n13 Meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard\nor code of practice\nWhere a domestic poultry abattoir licence is subject to the condition\nthat operations are to be carried out in accordance with a specified\nstandard or specified code of practice, it is a condition of the licence\nthat the licensee must not sell or dispatch meat for human\nconsumption from an animal slaughtered or processed at the\nestablishment unless the slaughter or processing was in\naccordance with the standard or code of practice.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\n14 Game meat\nIt is a condition of a domestic poultry abattoir licence that the\nlicensee must not process, pack, store, dispatch or sell game meat\nexcept with the approval of the Chief Inspector and in accordance\nwith the directions of an inspector.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.\nPart 3 Processing licences\nDivision 1 Domestic and export processing licences\n15 No sale, &c., of pet meat imported into establishment\nIt is a condition of a domestic processing licence and an export\nprocessing licence that the licensee must not process, pack, store,\ndispatch or sell pet meat that was imported into the establishment\nas pet meat.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\n\nPart 3 Processing licences\nDivision 2 Domestic processing licences\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 7\n16 Labelling of pet meat\nIt is a condition of a domestic processing licence and an export\nprocessing licence that the licensee must not dispatch pet meat\nunless:\n(a) the pet meat is in a carton or individual pack; and\n(b) the carton or individual pack is clean and labelled in\naccordance with regulation 44.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\nDivision 2 Domestic processing licences\n17 Processing, &c., only permitted at establishment\nIt is a condition of a domestic processing licence and an export\nprocessing licence that the licensee must not process, pack or store\nmeat for human consumption, or pet meat, except at the\nestablishment to which the licence relates.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\n18 Processing, sale, &c., of meat for human consumption\n(1) It is a condition of a domestic processing licence that the licensee\nmust not process, pack, store, dispatch or sell a carcass or meat for\nhuman consumption from an animal that is slaughtered or\nprocessed other than at the establishment to which the licence\nrelates.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\n(2) A licensee is not to be taken to have breached the condition\nspecified in subregulation (1) if the licensee has taken all steps to\nensure that the carcass or meat was:\n(a) produced under:\n(i) a domestic abattoir licence;\n(ii) an export abattoir licence;\n(iii) a domestic game meat processing licence;\n(iv) an export game meat processing licence;\n(v) a domestic processing licence;\n\nPart 3 Processing licences\nDivision 2 Domestic processing licences\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 8\n(vi) an export processing licence;\n(vii) a domestic poultry abattoir licence; or\n(viii) an export poultry abattoir licence;\n(b) produced:\n(i) under a licence, permit or similar instrument permitting\nthe slaughter or processing of the meat under a\ncorresponding law; and\n(ii) in accordance with the specified standard, or specified\ncode of practice, for production of meat on the licensee's\nlicence; or\n(c) produced under the Export Control Act 1982 of the\nCommonwealth or accepted into and dispatched from\nregistered premises in accordance with that Act.\n19 Meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard\nor code of practice\nWhere a domestic processing licence is subject to the condition that\noperations are to be carried out in accordance with a specified\nstandard or specified code of practice, it is a condition of the licence\nthat the licensee must not sell or dispatch meat for human\nconsumption that was processed in the establishment unless the\nprocessing was in accordance with the standard or code of\npractice.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\n20 Game meat\nIt is a condition of a domestic processing licence that the licensee\nmust not process, pack, store, dispatch or sell game meat except\nwith the approval of the Chief Inspector and in accordance with the\ndirections of an inspector.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.\n\nPart 4 Game meat slaughter and processing\nDivision 2 Duties of export and domestic game meat processing licensees\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 9\nPart 4 Game meat slaughter and processing\nDivision 1 Game meat slaughter licences\n21 Duty to produce licence\nIt is a condition of a game meat slaughter licence that the licensee\nmust carry a copy of the licence at all times when he or she is\nconducting operations under the licence and must, at the request of\nan inspector, produce the licence or a copy of the licence for\ninspection.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 0.8 penalty unit.\n22 Meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard\nor code of practice\nWhere a game meat slaughter licence is subject to the condition\nthat operations are to be carried out in accordance with a specified\nstandard or specified code of practice, it is a condition of the licence\nthat the licensee must not sell a carcass unless the animal from\nwhich it was derived was slaughtered, dressed or processed, if at\nall, in accordance with the standard or code of practice.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\n23 Game meat\nIt is a condition of a game meat slaughter licence that the licensee\nmust not sell a carcass or meat for human consumption unless it is\nfrom a game animal.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.\nDivision 2 Duties of export and domestic game meat\nprocessing licensees\n24 Labelling of pet meat\nIt is a condition of a domestic game meat processing licence and an\nexport game meat processing licence that the licensee must not\ndispatch pet meat unless:\n(a) the pet meat is in a carton or individual pack; and\n(b) the carton or individual pack is clean and labelled in\naccordance with regulation 44.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\n\nPart 4 Game meat slaughter and processing\nDivision 3 Domestic game meat processing licences\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 10\nDivision 3 Domestic game meat processing licences\n25 Processing, &c., only permitted at establishment\nIt is a condition of a domestic game meat processing licence that\nthe licensee must not process, pack or store meat for human\nconsumption, or pet meat, except at the establishment to which the\nlicence relates.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\n26 Processing, sale, &c., of meat for human consumption\n(1) It is a condition of a domestic game meat processing licence that a\nlicensee must not process, pack, store, dispatch or sell meat for\nhuman consumption from an animal that was processed other than\nat the establishment.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\n(2) A licensee is not to be taken to have breached the condition\nspecified in subregulation (1) if the licensee has taken all steps to\nensure that the carcass or meat was:\n(a) produced under:\n(i) a game meat slaughter licence;\n(ii) a domestic game meat processing licence;\n(iii) an export game meat processing licence;\n(iv) a domestic abattoir licence;\n(v) an export abattoir licence;\n(vi) a domestic poultry abattoir licence; or\n(vii) an export poultry abattoir licence;\n(b) produced:\n(i) under a licence, permit or similar instrument permitting\nthe slaughter or processing of the meat under a\ncorresponding law; and\n(ii) in accordance with the specified standard, or specified\ncode of practice, for production of meat on the licensee's\nlicence; or\n\nPart 5 Pet meat slaughter and processing\nDivision 1 Pet meat slaughter licences\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 11\n(c) produced under the Export Control Act 1982 of the\nCommonwealth or accepted into and dispatched from\nregistered premises in accordance with that Act.\n27 Meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard\nor code of practice\nWhere a domestic game meat processing licence is subject to the\ncondition that operations are to be carried out in accordance with a\nspecified standard or specified code of practice, it is a condition of\nthe licence that the licensee must not sell or dispatch a carcass, or\nmeat for human consumption, processed at the establishment to\nwhich the licence relates unless the processing was in accordance\nwith the standard or code of practice.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.\n28 No sale, &c., of pet meat imported into establishment\nIt is a condition of a domestic game meat processing licence that\nthe licensee must not process, pack, store, dispatch or sell pet\nmeat that was imported into the establishment as pet meat.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\n29 Sale, &c., of meat other than game meat\nIt is a condition of a domestic game meat processing licence that\nthe licensee must not process, pack, store, dispatch or sell meat,\nother than game meat, except with the approval of the Chief\nInspector and in accordance with the directions of an inspector.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.\nPart 5 Pet meat slaughter and processing\nDivision 1 Pet meat slaughter licences\n30 Duty to produce licence\nIt is a condition of a pet meat slaughter licence that the licensee\nmust carry a copy of the licence at all times when he or she is\nconducting operations under the licence and must, at the request of\nan inspector, produce the licence or a copy of the licence for\ninspection.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 0.8 penalty unit.\n\nPart 5 Pet meat slaughter and processing\nDivision 1 Pet meat slaughter licences\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 12\n31 Slaughter\nIt is a condition of a pet meat slaughter licence that the licensee\nmust not slaughter an animal if it can be seen that:\n(a) it has an abnormal gait;\n(b) it is weak or lethargic;\n(c) it lacks alertness;\n(d) it sits or stands in an unusual way;\n(e) it holds its head in an unusual way;\n(f) it has a discharge from the nose or mouth;\n(g) it has a skin abnormality; or\n(h) meat derived from it would be unsuitable for pet meat.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.\n32 Hygiene\nIt is a condition of a pet meat slaughter licence that the licensee:\n(a) must not use for pet meat an animal that is found, before or\nafter slaughter, to be diseased;\n(b) must bleed an animal immediately after slaughter, begin to\nbone out the carcass within 30 minutes after slaughter and\nfinish the boning out without delay;\n(c) must not recover meat from a dead animal that has not been\nslaughtered under the licence, unless the animal has died\nsuddenly due to physical trauma and meat derived from the\nbody is suitable for pet meat;\n(d) must handle meat in a manner that does not cause\ncontamination or deterioration;\n(e) must place meat under refrigeration within 4 hours of it being\nboned out;\n(f) must transport meat in a manner that does not cause\ncontamination or deterioration of the meat;\n(g) must clean and disinfect immediately after use all utensils,\nreceptacles and appliances used under the licence and keep\nthem clean when not in use; and\n\nPart 5 Pet meat slaughter and processing\nDivision 1 Pet meat slaughter licences\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 13\n(h) must maintain all equipment used in the production, storage\nand transport of pet meat in a condition that will not\ncontaminate pet meat.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.\n33 Shooting of animals\nIt is a condition of a pet meat slaughter licence that an employee or\nagent of the licensee must not shoot an animal for the purposes of\nthe licence.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.\n34 Pet meat not to be sold unless produced under specified\nstandard or code of practice\nWhere a pet meat slaughter licence is subject to the condition that\noperations are to be carried out in accordance with a specified\nstandard or specified code of practice, it is a condition of the licence\nthat the licensee must not sell or dispatch a carcass or meat for\nhuman consumption from an animal unless the animal was\nslaughtered in accordance with the standard or code of practice.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.\n35 Transport of pet meat\nThe holder of a pet meat slaughter licence must ensure that\ncontainers used to transport pet meat:\n(a) have internal surfaces made of smooth material which is\neasily cleaned;\n(b) are resistant to corrosion;\n(c) are water-proof and dustproof; and\n(d) are fitted with sealable lids or doors.\nMaximum penalty: 8 penalty units.\n\nPart 5 Pet meat slaughter and processing\nDivision 2 Pet meat processing licences\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 14\nDivision 2 Pet meat processing licences\n36 Processing, &c., only permitted at establishment\nIt is a condition of a pet meat processing licence that the licensee\nmust not process, store or pack pet meat except at the\nestablishment to which the licence relates.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\n37 Hygiene\nIt is a condition of a pet meat processing licence that the licensee:\n(a) must not permit a live animal to enter or remain in the\nestablishment to which the licence relates;\n(b) must take all possible steps to control the incidence of insects,\nbirds, rodents or other pests within the establishment to which\nthe licence relates;\n(c) must clean and disinfect immediately all utensils, receptacles\nand appliances in the establishment after they are used and\nkeep them clean when they are not in use;\n(d) must transfer unprocessed pet meat imported into the\nestablishment to which the licence relates to a chilling or\nfreezing chamber within 2 hours after it was imported into the\nestablishment;\n(e) must place all waste material from the establishment in\ncontainers with surfaces that are durable, smooth, corrosion-\nresistant, impervious and easily cleaned, remove the material\nfrom the establishment each day and clean and disinfect the\ncontainers at least once each day or as directed by an\ninspector;\n(f) must transport pet meat in a manner that protects it from\ncontamination and deterioration; and\n(g) must maintain all equipment used in the production, storage\nand transport of pet meat in a condition that will not\ncontaminate the pet meat.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.\n\nPart 5 Pet meat slaughter and processing\nDivision 2 Pet meat processing licences\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 15\n38 Construction standards for pet meat processing\nestablishments\nIt is a condition of a pet meat processing licence that the licensee\nmust not conduct, or purport to conduct, operations under the\nlicence unless the establishment to which the licence relates has\nbeen constructed in accordance with the standards specified in\nSchedule 1.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.\n39 Processing, sale, &c., of pet meat\n(1) It is a condition of a pet meat processing licence that the licensee\nmust not process, pack, store, dispatch or sell pet meat from an\nanimal processed other than at the establishment to which the\nlicence relates.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.\n(2) A licensee is not to be taken to have breached the condition\nspecified in subregulation (1) if the licensee has taken all steps to\nensure that the pet meat:\n(a) comes from an establishment operating under a licence or\nfrom the holder of a pet meat slaughter licence; or\n(b) is produced under a licence, permit or similar instrument under\na corresponding law.\n40 Pet meat not to be sold unless produced under specified\nstandard or code of practice\nWhere a pet meat processing licence is subject to the condition that\noperations are to be carried out in accordance with a specified\nstandard or specified code of practice, it is a condition of the licence\nthat the licensee must not sell or dispatch pet meat unless it has\nbeen processed in accordance with the standard or code of\npractice.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\n41 No sale of meat for human consumption\nIt is a condition of a pet meat processing licence that the licensee\nmust not dispatch or sell meat for human consumption or meat\npurporting to be for human consumption.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\n\nPart 5 Pet meat slaughter and processing\nDivision 3 Transportable pet meat processing units\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 16\n42 Labelling of pet meat\nIt is a condition of a pet meat processing licence that the licensee\nmust not dispatch pet meat unless:\n(a) the pet meat is in a carton or individual pack; and\n(b) the carton or individual pack is clean and labelled in\naccordance with regulation 44.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\nDivision 3 Transportable pet meat processing units\n43 Relocation of processing unit\n(1) It is a condition of a pet meat processing (transportable) licence that\nthe licensee must not process meat in the processing unit to which\nthe licence relates except:\n(a) at a place at which the unit has been inspected and approved\nby the Chief Inspector; and\n(b) under and in accordance with the terms of the approval.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.\n(2) It is a condition of a pet meat processing (transportable) licence that\nthe licensee must not commence operations under the licence\nunless:\n(a) the Chief Inspector has been notified of the location of the\nprocessing unit operated under the licence; and\n(b) the unit has been inspected by an inspector at the location.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.\n(3) The holder of a pet meat processing (transportable) licence must\nnot process pet meat in an area in relation to which a Division is\nestablished under the Planning Act 1999 unless the area is\nendorsed on the licence as an area in which pet meat may be\nprocessed in the processing unit.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.\n\nPart 5 Pet meat slaughter and processing\nDivision 4 General requirements in respect of pet meat for all licensees\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 17\nDivision 4 General requirements in respect of pet meat for all\nlicensees\n44 Labelling of packages, &c.\n(1) For the purposes of these Regulations, a container, carton or pack\nthat contains 10 kgs of pet meat or less:\n(a) is to be prominently marked with the words \"PET MEAT –\nNOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION\", \"PET FOOD – NOT\nFOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION\" or \"ANIMAL FOOD – NOT\nFOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION\", in letters at least 8 mm high;\nand\n(b) is to contain a description of its contents.\n(2) For the purposes of these Regulations, a container, carton or pack\nthat contains more than 10 kgs of pet meat:\n(a) is to be prominently marked with the words \"PET MEAT –\nNOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION\", \"PET FOOD – NOT\nFOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION\" or \"ANIMAL FOOD – NOT\nFOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION\", in letters at least 25 mm\nhigh;\n(b) is to have a band in distinct yellow colouring, not less than\n50 mm wide, applied around 4 sides of the container, carton or\npack in a continuous line; and\n(c) is to contain a description of its contents.\n(3) A label for the purposes of subregulation (1) or (2) must not contain\ninformation that is likely to mislead a person as to any of the\ninformation required to be indicated on the label under that\nsubregulation.\nMaximum penalty: 20 penalty units.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 0.8 penalty units.\n45 Dyeing of pet meat\nWhere pet meat is required by or under the Act to be dyed blue, it\nmust be stained with the dye Brilliant Blue FCF, being a solution of\none part of the dry active dye to 500 parts of water:\n(a) on all surfaces; or\n(b) where the meat is ground or minced meat – by dispersing it\nthrough the meat so that it is visible throughout the meat.\n\nPart 7 Infringement notices\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 18\nPart 6 Cold store licences\n46 Duties of cold store licensees\nIt is a condition of a cold store licence that the licensee must not\nstore meat for sale except at the establishment to which the licence\nrelates.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.\n47 Meat not to be sold unless stored under specified standard or\ncode of practice\nWhere a cold store licence is subject to the condition that\noperations are to be carried out in accordance with a specified\nstandard or code of practice, it is a condition of the licence that the\nlicensee must not sell or dispatch a carcass or meat for human\nconsumption unless the carcass or meat was stored in accordance\nwith the standard or code of practice.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.\nPart 7 Infringement notices\n48 Definitions\nIn this Part, unless the contrary intention appears:\ninfringement notice means an infringement notice issued in\npursuance of this Part.\noffence means:\n(a) an offence against section 59 of the Act where the offender\nhas breached a condition of a licence;\n(b) an offence against section 59 of the Act where the offender\nhas contravened or failed to comply with a direction of an\ninspector under the Act;\n(c) a provision of the Act specified in regulation 51; or\n(d) a provision of these Regulations at the foot of which is\nspecified a Infringement Notice Penalty.\noffender means a person who an inspector reasonably believes\nhas committed an offence.\n\nPart 7 Infringement notices\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 19\n49 Issuing of infringement notices\n(1) Subject to this regulation, where an inspector has reason to believe\nthat an offence has been committed, he or she may serve an\ninfringement notice on the person who appears to have committed\nthe offence.\n(2) An inspector may not serve an infringement notice on a person\nunder subregulation (1) unless the person is, or the inspector\nreasonably believes that the person is, over the age of 16 years.\n50 Particulars to be shown on infringement notice\nAn infringement notice is to clearly show:\n(a) the date, time and place of the offence;\n(b) the nature of the offence and the penalty payable;\n(c) the place or places at which a penalty may be paid;\n(d) the date of the infringement notice and a statement that the\npenalty may be paid within 28 days after that date; and\n(e) a statement to the effect that, if the amount specified in the\ninfringement notice as the penalty for the offence is paid at a\nplace referred to in the notice within the time specified in the\nnotice, no further action will be taken.\n51 Penalty for breach of prescribed licence conditions\nThe penalty payable for the purposes of this Part for an alleged\noffence against section 59 where the offender has breached a\nlicence condition prescribed for the purposes of section 20 of the\nAct is the Infringement Notice Penalty specified at the foot of the\nprovision of these Regulations prescribing the condition.\n52 Penalty for breach of other licence conditions\nThe penalty payable for the purposes of this Part for an alleged\noffence against section 59 of the Act where the offender has\nbreached a licence condition, other than a condition to which\nregulation 51 applies, is:\n(a) if the condition relates to the species that may be slaughtered,\nprocessed, packed or stored under a licence – 2 penalty units;\n(b) if the condition relates to the construction of an establishment\nin accordance with a specified standard or specified code of\npractice – 2 penalty units;\n\nPart 7 Infringement notices\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 20\n(c) if the condition relates to a provision of a specified standard or\nspecified code of practice in respect of:\n(i) the packing or labelling of meat or a carcass – 2 penalty\nunits;\n(ii) hygiene in an establishment or in relation to equipment –\n2 penalty units;\n(iii) the health and hygiene of persons – 2 penalty units;\n(iv) the inspection of an animal or disposal of a carcass or\nmeat – 2 penalty units;\n(v) the slaughter or dressing of an animal – 2 penalty units;\n(vi) vermin or other pests – 2 penalty units;\n(vii) the control of animals not intended for slaughter in an\nestablishment – 0.8 penalty unit; or\n(viii) any other matter – 0.8 penalty unit;\n(d) if the condition relates to a Hazard Analysis and Critical\nControl Point system – 2 penalty units;\n(e) if the condition relates to a quality assurance program, other\nthan in a case to which paragraph (d) applies – 0.8 penalty\nunit;\n(f) if the condition relates to the maintenance of an\nestablishment – 0.8 penalty unit; or\n(g) in the case of any other condition – 0.8 penalty unit.\n53 Penalty for other offences against Act\nThe penalty payable for the purposes of this Part for an alleged\noffence against a provision of the Act specified in the table in\nSchedule 2 is the amount specified in that table opposite that\nprovision.\n54 Penalty for disobeying inspector's directions\nThe penalty payable for the purposes of this Part for an alleged\noffence against section 59 of the Act where the offender has\ncontravened or failed to comply with a direction of an inspector\nunder the Act is 4 penalty units.\n\nPart 7 Infringement notices\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 21\n55 Payment before expiry date of infringement notice\n(1) Subject to regulation 56, where the total amount of the penalty\nspecified in an infringement notice is paid in accordance with the\nnotice, the offender is deemed to have expiated the offence by\npayment of the penalty.\n(2) Where the amount of a penalty under this Part is paid by cheque,\npayment is not to be taken as made unless the cheque is cleared\non presentation.\n56 Service of infringement notices and effect on proceedings\nNothing in this Part:\n(a) prevents the service of more than one infringement notice in\nrelation to the same offence but it is sufficient for the\napplication of regulation 55 to a person on whom more than\none notice has been served for that person to pay the amount\nof the penalty in accordance with any one of those notices;\n(b) prejudices or affects (except as provided by regulation 55) the\ninstitution or prosecution of proceedings, or limits the penalty\nthat may be imposed by a court, in relation to an offence; or\n(c) is to be construed as requiring the serving of an infringement\nnotice or as affecting the liability of a person to be prosecuted\nin a court in relation to an offence in respect of which an\ninfringement notice has not been served.\n57 Service of notices\nA notice under this Part may be served by:\n(a) handing it to the offender;\n(b) posting it to the offender at the offender's last known postal\naddress or place of residence or business; or\n(c) leaving it for the offender at the offender's last known place of\nresidence or business with some other person apparently\nresident or employed there and apparently over the age of\n16 years.\n\nPart 8 Miscellaneous\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 22\nPart 8 Miscellaneous\n58 Returns to be provided\nIt is a condition of a licence that the licensee must provide to the\nChief Inspector, within the approved time and in the approved form,\ninformation required by the Chief Inspector for the purpose of\ndetermining the species, number and type of animals slaughtered,\nprocessed or stored under the licence.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 0.8 penalty unit.\n59 Notification of recommencement of operations\nWhere operations have not taken place in an establishment to\nwhich:\n(a) a domestic abattoir licence;\n(b) a domestic poultry abattoir licence;\n(c) a domestic processing licence;\n(d) a domestic game meat processing licence;\n(e) a pet meat processing licence; or\n(f) a cold store licence,\nrelates, or in a pet meat processing unit to which a pet meat\nprocessing licence relates, within the preceding 6 months, the\nlicensee must not conduct operations under the licence unless the\nlicensee has given to the Chief Inspector, or a person or body\napproved by the Chief Inspector, not less than one months prior\nnotice of his or her intention to commence the operations.\nMaximum penalty: 8 penalty units.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.\n60 Notification of requirement for inspector\nWhere the presence of an inspector is required for the performance\nof operations under a licence the licensee must notify the Chief\nInspector, or a person or body approved by the Chief Inspector, at\nleast 7 days before the day on which the inspector is required.\nMaximum penalty: 8 penalty units.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 0.8 penalty unit.\n\nPart 8 Miscellaneous\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 23\n61 Licensee to provide notice of change of address\nIt is a condition of a licence that the licensee must advise the Chief\nInspector of a change to his or her postal address, as specified on\nhis or her application for a licence under section 13 of the Act,\nwithin 28 days after the change.\nInfringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.\n62 Transport of meat for human consumption\nFor the purposes of section 53(1)(e) of the Act, carcasses or meat\nfor human consumption must be transported in accordance with the\nAustralian Standard for Transportation of Meat for Human\nConsumption, or a standard in substitution for that standard, as\napproved from time to time by the Minister under section 72 of the\nAct.\n63 Certification in respect of export\nWhere the government, or an authority of the government, of\nanother country requires certification of a matter relating to meat,\npet meat or meat products before import from Australia to that other\ncountry will be permitted, the Chief Inspector may, if satisfied of that\nmatter, issue a certificate to a person intending to export the meat,\npet meat or meat products to that country.\n64 Diseases\nThe diseases specified in Schedule 3 are diseases for the purposes\nof section 42 of the Act.\n65 Regulatory offences\nAn offence against these Regulations is a regulatory offence.\n\nSchedule 1 Construction standards for pet meat processing establishment\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 24\nSchedule 1 Construction standards for pet meat\nprocessing establishment\nregulation 38\n1. An establishment operated under a pet meat processing licence\nmust:\n(a) be enclosed;\n(b) have exposed surfaces that are durable, smooth-surfaced\n(being, in relation to floors, as smooth as is compatible with\nenabling safe movement on floors), corrosion resistant,\nimpervious, easily cleaned, resistant to chipping or flaking and\nof a finish which ensures that contamination is clearly visible;\n(c) have floors adequately drained by means of impervious\ndrains, to a save-all outside the building; and\n(d) have all doorways opening to the exterior outside of the\nestablishment fitted with a self closing door or with an\nadequate fly repellent air current curtain.\n2. A room used for the processing of meat in an establishment\noperated under a pet meat processing licence must have:\n(a) an adequate supply of both hot and cold water;\n(b) provision for the cleaning of all appliances; and\n(c) hand washing basins and soap, water and paper towels or\nother approved hand-drying equipment, provided at all times.\n3. Equipment and appliances used in connection with the processing\nof pet meat under a pet meat processing licence must have a\nsurface that is durable, smooth-surfaced, corrosion-resistant,\nimpervious and easily cleaned.\n\nSchedule 2 Infringement notice penalties for offences against Act\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 25\nSchedule 2 Infringement notice penalties for offences\nagainst Act\nregulation 53\nITEM NO. OFFENCE PROVISION PENALTY\n(Penalty units)\n1. Section 33 8 penalty units\n2. Section 34(2) 8 penalty units\n3. Section 36(1) 8 penalty units\n4. Section 36(2) 8 penalty units\n5. Section 37(1) 8 penalty units\n6. Section 37(2) 8 penalty units\n7. Section 37(3) 0.8 penalty unit\n8. Section 38 8 penalty units\n9. Section 39 1.7 penalty units\n10. Section 40(1) 8 penalty units\n11. Section 41(1) 2 penalty units\n12. Section 41(2) 2 penalty units\n13. Section 45(2) 8 penalty units\n14. Section 45(3) 8 penalty units\n15. Section 46(1) 8 penalty units\n16. Section 47(2) 8 penalty units\n17. Section 47(3) 8 penalty units\n18. Section 48(1) 0.8 penalty unit\n19. Section 48(2) 8 penalty units\n20. Section 48(3) 2 penalty units\n21. Section 50 2 penalty units\n22. Section 52 2 penalty units\n23. Section 53(1) 2 penalty units\n24. Section 53(2) 2 penalty units\n\nSchedule 3 Diseases of humans\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 26\nSchedule 3 Diseases of humans\nregulation 64\nCholera Scarlet fever\nDiarrhoea (infective) Septic sore throat\nDiphtheria Skin diseases\nEnteric or typhoid fever Staphylococcal infections\nHepatitis (infective) Tuberculosis\nLeprosy\nHuman Immunodeficiency Virus\n\nENDNOTES\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 27\nENDNOTES\n1 KEY\nKey to abbreviations\namd = amended od = order\napp = appendix om = omitted\nbl = by-law pt = Part\nch = Chapter r = regulation/rule\ncl = clause rem = remainder\ndiv = Division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired rep = repealed\nf = forms s = section\nGaz = Gazette sch = Schedule\nhdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision\nins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation\nlt = long title sub = substituted\nnc = not commenced\n2 LIST OF LEGISLATION\nMeat Industries Regulations (SL No. 33, 1997)\nNotified 10 December 1997\nCommenced 10 December 1997\nPlanning (Consequential Amendments) Act 1999 (Act No. 56, 1999)\nAssent date 14 December 1999\nCommenced 12 April 2000 (s 2, s 2 Planning Act 1999 (Act No. 55, 1999)\nand Gaz S15, 12 April 1999)\nFines and Penalties (Recovery) (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 (Act No. 60,\n2001)\nAssent date 11 December 2001\nCommenced 1 January 2002 (s 2, s 2 Fines and Penalties (Recovery)\nAct 2001 (Act No. 59, 2001) and Gaz G50,\n19 December 2001, p 3)\nPenalties Amendment (Children and Families, Health and Primary Industry, Fisheries\nand Resources) Act 2011 (Act No. 28, 2011)\nAssent date 31 August 2011\nCommenced 21 September 2011 (Gaz G38, 21 September 2011, p 4)\n3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS\nGeneral amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table\nof amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation\nAmendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to: rr 1 and 43.\n4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS\nrr 4 – 34 amd Act No. 60, 2001, s 19; Act No. 28, 2011, s 5\nr 35 amd Act No. 28, 2011, s 5\nrr 36 – 42 amd Act No. 60, 2001, s 19; Act No. 28, 2011, s 5\n\nENDNOTES\nMeat Industries Regulations 1997 28\nr 43 amd Act No. 56, 1999, s 3(2); Act No. 60, 2001, s 19; Act No. 28, 2011, s 5\nr 44 amd Act No. 60, 2001, s 19; Act No. 28, 2011, s 5\nrr 46 – 47 amd Act No. 60, 2001, s 19; Act No. 28, 2011, s 5\nr 48 amd Act No. 60, 2001, s 19\nr 51 amd Act No. 60, 2001, s 19\nr 52 amd Act No. 28, 2011, s 5\nr 54 amd Act No. 28, 2011, s 5\nrr 58 – 61 amd Act No. 60, 2001, s 19; Act No. 28, 2011, s 5\nsch 2 amd Act No. 60, 2001, s 19; Act No. 28, 2011, s 5","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The gap between the 1997 naming and the 2011 commencement date (along with a reprint reference 'REPM027R1') strongly suggests the scope or content of these regulations has been amended or substantially revised since their original enactment. However, without the full text of the regulations, the precise nature of any scope changes cannot be determined."},"complexity_factors":["Limited detail provided in the source document — actual regulatory content is not visible, making full complexity assessment difficult","Meat industry regulations typically involve technical standards (hygiene, processing methods) that require specialist knowledge to interpret","Interaction with broader primary legislation (the parent Act) adds a layer of complexity","The discrepancy between the 1997 title and the 2011 commencement date suggests possible amendments or reprints that could complicate understanding of which version applies","Agricultural and food safety regulations often intersect with multiple regulatory bodies and Commonwealth standards"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations, administered by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, set operational rules for Australia’s meat industry—covering hygiene, licensing, inspections and labelling—to ensure meat is safe and industry practices are consistent. They affect meat producers, abattoirs, processors, retailers, and regulators, and matter because they protect consumer safety and provide enforceable oversight across the supply chain."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The regulations appear consistent with their original purpose as operational rules for the Meat Industries Act 1996. The structure covers the expected licence types (abattoir, processing, game meat, pet meat, cold storage) with appropriate specificity. No significant scope creep is evident; the 2011 amendments appear to be penalty updates and consequential amendments from other Acts rather than expansion into new policy areas."},"complexity_factors":["Repetitive structure with similar conditions repeated across 6+ licence types (abattoir, poultry, processing, game meat, pet meat, cold store)","Multiple cross-references to the parent Meat Industries Act 1996 and Commonwealth Export Control Act 1982","Nested exceptions in subregulations (e.g., reg 9(2), 12(2), 18(2), 26(2) allowing meat from other licensed sources)","Dual penalty systems – infringement notice penalties specified at foot of regulations AND maximum penalties for some offences","Schedule-based construction standards and disease lists incorporated by reference","Defined terms in interpretation section (reg 3) but heavy reliance on 'specified standard' and 'specified code of practice' which are external documents","Conditional logic throughout ('where a licence is subject to the condition that...') creating variable obligations"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this legislation does:**\n\nThese regulations set out the detailed rules for operating meat businesses in the Northern Territory. They cover everything from slaughterhouses (abattoirs) to pet food factories, cold storage facilities, and mobile processing units.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n- **License holders** – anyone running an abattoir, processing plant, cold store, or pet meat business\n- **Workers** – employees and agents of these businesses\n- **Inspectors** – government officials who check compliance\n- **Consumers** – anyone buying meat for human or pet consumption\n\n**Key requirements:**\n\n- **Licence conditions are automatic** – the regulations spell out specific rules that apply to each type of licence (like \"you must only process meat at your licensed premises\"). Breaking these is an offence.\n- **Strict separation of human and pet meat** – businesses handling pet meat must clearly label it (\"NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION\"), dye it blue in some cases, and can't let it contaminate human food.\n- **Hygiene and construction standards** – detailed rules about how facilities must be built (smooth surfaces, drainage, fly screens) and operated (cleaning, refrigeration, pest control).\n- **Game meat special rules** – wild animal meat has extra restrictions and needs inspector approval.\n- **Infringement notices** – inspectors can issue on-the-spot fines (penalty units) for many breaches, avoiding court in minor cases.\n- **Paperwork** – licensees must keep records, notify authorities before restarting operations after 6 months, and report address changes.\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThese rules protect public health by ensuring meat is handled safely, prevent pet meat from being sold as human food, and give authorities tools to enforce standards without always going to court. The regulations are essentially the \"how-to\" manual for the Meat Industries Act 1996."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The supplied instrument appears to preserve the original regulatory scope: licensing and operational controls over slaughtering, processing, labelling, transport and storage of meat and pet meat. Endnotes list later amendments that are largely formal or adjust penalties and related provisions (see Endnotes and List of Amendments) rather than expanding or narrowing the categories of regulated activity."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple licence categories with overlapping and distinct conditions (domestic/export abattoir, poultry, game, pet meat, processing, cold store) — Parts 2–6.","Extensive cross‑references to ‘specified standards’ and codes of practice on licences and to external laws/standards (Export Control Act 1982; Australian Standard for Transportation) — regs 3(2), 9(2), 18(2), 62.","Detailed operational requirements (labelling rules, mandatory dyeing, hygiene steps, transport container specs and construction standards) that create practical compliance tasks — regs 31–39, 44–45, Sch 1.","Inspectorial discretion and approval powers (Chief Inspector approvals, inspectors’ directions and presence) which affect permitted activities and enforcement — regs 11, 14, 20, 29, 43, 63.","Safe‑harbour/exception clauses that require licensees to ‘take all steps’ to verify origin/standards of meat, introducing evidentiary and recordkeeping obligations — regs 9(2), 12(2), 18(2), 26(2), 39(2).","Infringement notice regime with variable penalty units, maximum penalties and a payment/expiation procedure, producing both administrative and criminal enforcement pathways — Part 7, regs 48–57, Sch 2.","Administrative reporting and notice duties (returns, notification before recommencing operations, change of address, scheduling inspectors) that create recurring compliance interactions with the regulator — regs 58–61."],"plain_english_summary":"These Regulations set the licensing conditions, operational rules and offence penalties for meat businesses in the Northern Territory — covering abattoirs, processors (including poultry and game), pet‑meat operators and cold stores. They require specified hygiene, labelling, transport and construction standards, inspection or approval before meat may be sold, and impose infringement penalties for breaches.\n\nThey affect licensees, their staff and transporters, who bear compliance costs and reporting duties, while inspectors and the Chief Inspector hold approval and enforcement powers."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/meat-industries-regulations-1997","history":"/api/acts/meat-industries-regulations-1997/history","analysis":"/api/acts/meat-industries-regulations-1997/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/meat-industries-regulations-1997/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/meat-industries-regulations-1997/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/meat-industries-regulations-1997/documents"}}