{"id":"sr:meat-industry-regulations-2025","name":"Meat Industry Regulations 2025","slug":"meat-industry-regulations-2025","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":183388,"registerId":"vic-sr:meat-industry-regulations-2025-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Meat Industry Regulations 2025","content":"Version No. 001\n\n**Meat Industry Regulations 2025**\n\n**S.R. No. 31/2025**\n\nVersion as at  \n30 May 2025\n\n**TABLE OF PROVISIONS**\n\n*Regulation Page*\n\nPart 1—Preliminary 1\n\n1 Objectives 1\n\n2 Authorising provision 1\n\n3 Commencement 1\n\n4 Revocations 1\n\n5 Definitions 2\n\n6 Prescribed parts of animal 3\n\nPart 2—Consumable animals and game 4\n\n7 Prescribed consumable animals 4\n\n8 Prescribed game 4\n\n9 Ban on slaughter of horse and donkey for human consumption 4\n\n10 Ban on sale of horse and donkey meat brought into Victoria 4\n\nPart 3—Branding and labelling 6\n\nDivision 1—Branding requirements for meat other than poultry 6\n\n11 Meat for human consumption to be branded in accordance with this Division 6\n\n12 Form of brand 6\n\n13 Where brand must be applied to whole carcass 7\n\n14 Where brand must be applied to meat that is not a whole carcass 8\n\nDivision 2—Responsibilities and powers relating to branding 8\n\n15 Licensee must ensure all carcasses and meat are branded 8\n\n16 Reinspection of meat 8\n\nDivision 3—Labelling requirements for pet food 9\n\n17 Labelling of pet food prepared for retail sale 9\n\nPart 4—Licensing of meat transport vehicles 11\n\n18 When a meat transport vehicle is required to be licensed 11\n\n19 Application for issue or renewal of meat transport vehicle licence 12\n\n20 Inspection of meat transport vehicle for purposes of application 12\n\n21 Decision to issue or renew meat transport vehicle licence 13\n\n22 Display of licence label 14\n\n23 Conditions of meat transport vehicle licence 14\n\n24 Keeping of record by holder of a meat transport vehicle licence 15\n\n25 Inspection of licensed meat transport vehicle 15\n\n26 Suspension of meat transport vehicle licence 16\n\n27 Revocation of meat transport vehicle licence 18\n\n28 Change in ownership of licensed meat transport vehicle 20\n\n29 Change of address of holder of meat transport vehicle licence 20\n\n30 Change in registration number of licensed meat transport vehicle 20\n\n31 Unlicensed meat transport vehicle not to be labelled 21\n\n32 Publication of information specified by the Authority 21\n\nPart 5—Licensing of meat processing facilities 23\n\n33 Prescribed information required for nomination of an operator of a meat processing facility 23\n\n34 Inspection of meat processing facilities 23\n\nPart 6—Miscellaneous 24\n\n35 Inspector may direct licensee of meat processing facility to address potential danger to public health 24\n\n36 Making meat unusable for human consumption 24\n\n37 Condition of licence to operate game processing facility 25\n\n═════════════\n\nEndnotes 26\n\n1 General information 26\n\n2 Table of Amendments 28\n\n3 Explanatory details 29\n\n**Version No.** **001**\n\n**Meat Industry Regulations 2025**\n\n**S.R. No. 31/2025**\n\nVersion as at  \n30 May 2025\n\nPart 1—Preliminary\n\n\t1 Objectives\n\nThe objectives of these Regulations are—\n\n(a) to prescribe requirements in relation to the branding of meat for human consumption; and\n\n(b) to prescribe requirements for the labelling of pet food containing meat; and\n\n(c) to provide for the licensing of meat transport vehicles; and\n\n(d) to prescribe other matters for the purposes of the **Meat Industry Act 1993**.\n\n\t2 Authorising provision\n\nThese Regulations are made under section 78 of the **Meat Industry Act 1993**.\n\n\t3 Commencement\n\nThese Regulations come into operation on 30 May 2025.\n\n\t4 Revocations\n\nThe following Regulations are **revoked**—\n\n(a) the Meat Industry Regulations 2015[[1]](#endnote-2);\n\n(b) the Meat Industry Amendment Regulations 2018[[2]](#endnote-3).\n\n\t5 Definitions\n\nIn these Regulations—\n\n***applicant*** means the owner of a meat transport vehicle who applies for the issue or renewal of a meat transport vehicle licence under regulation 19;\n\n***AS 4696*** means the Australian Standard AS 4696:2023, Hygienic production and transportation of meat and meat products for human consumption, as made from time to time;\n\n***chief executive officer*** means the chief executive officer of the Authority engaged under section 54 of the Act;\n\n***inspector*** means a person who is appointed as an inspector under section 70(1) of the Act;\n\n***licence label*** means a label issued in respect of a licensed meat transport vehicle in accordance with regulation 21(4)(e) or 26(9);\n\n***meat inspector*** means an individual approved to be an approved inspection service under section 7(1) of the Act;\n\n***meat transport vehicle licence*** means a licence issued under Part 4 of these Regulations for the use of a vehicle to convey any carcass, meat or seafood intended for human consumption;\n\n***registration number*** has the same meaning as in section 3(1) of the **Road Safety Act 1986**;\n\n***suspended meat transport vehicle licence*** means a meat transport vehicle licence that is suspended under regulation 26;\n\n***the Act*** means the **Meat Industry Act 1993**;\n\n***unlicensed meat transport vehicle*** means a meat transport vehicle that is not a licensed meat transport vehicle.\n\n\t6 Prescribed parts of animal\n\nFor the purposes of the definition of ***dressed*** in section 3(1) of the Act, the following parts are prescribed—\n\n(a) head;\n\n(b) hide;\n\n(c) skin;\n\n(d) feathers;\n\n(e) genital organs;\n\n(f) urinary bladder;\n\n(g) feet;\n\n(h) viscera;\n\n(i) mammary glands.\n\nPart 2—Consumable animals and game\n\n\t7 Prescribed consumable animals\n\nFor the purposes of paragraph (d) of the definition of ***consumable animal*** in section 3(1) of the Act, the following animals that are not living in a wild state are prescribed to be consumable animals—\n\n(a) emu;\n\n(b) camel;\n\n(c) alpaca;\n\n(d) llama;\n\n(e) buffalo;\n\n(f) bison;\n\n(g) rabbit.\n\n\t8 Prescribed game\n\nFor the purposes of paragraph (b) of the definition of ***game*** in section 3(1) of the Act, deer living in a wild state is prescribed to be game.\n\n\t9 Ban on slaughter of horse and donkey for human consumption\n\nFor the purposes of section 35(7) of the Act, the following consumable animals are prescribed—\n\n(a) horse;\n\n(b) donkey.\n\n\t10 Ban on sale of horse and donkey meat brought into Victoria\n\nA person must not sell or dispose of meat for human consumption that is—\n\n(a) from a horse or a donkey; and\n\n(b) brought into Victoria.\n\nPenalty: 10 penalty units.\n\n**Note**\n\nSee also sections 34(1) and 35(7) of the Act.\n\nPart 3—Branding and labelling\n\nDivision 1—Branding requirements for meat other than poultry\n\n\t11 Meat for human consumption to be branded in accordance with this Division\n\n(1) For the purposes of section 34(1)(c)(i) of the Act, meat is branded in accordance with these Regulations if it has been branded in accordance with this Division.\n\n(2) For the purposes of section 39(1)(a) of the Act, a carcass that is supplied or removed from a meat processing facility is branded in accordance with these Regulations as fit for human consumption if it has been branded in accordance with this Division.\n\n(3) For the purposes of section 39(1B)(a) of the Act, game meat that is removed from a game processing facility is branded in accordance with these Regulations as fit for human consumption if it has been branded in accordance with this Division.\n\n\t12 Form of brand\n\n(1) A brand must—\n\n(a) comply with subregulation (2); or\n\n(b) be in a form approved by the Authority under subregulation (3).\n\n(2) A brand complies with this subregulation if—\n\n(a) it consists of a circle—\n\n(i) that is not less than 3·2 centimetres in diameter; and\n\n(ii) in which the letters \"VIC\" and the licence number of the facility at which the brand is used are centred; and\n\n(b) the letters inside the circle are all block capitals; and\n\n(c) the letters and numbers inside the circle are not less than 0·6 centimetres in height.\n\n**Example**\n\n![A white circle with black text\n\nAI-generated content may be incorrect.]()\n\n(3) On an application made by a licensee of a general meat processing facility, the Authority may approve a form of brand to be used at that facility.\n\n\t13 Where brand must be applied to whole carcass\n\nA brand applied to a whole carcass must be applied—\n\n(a) in the case of deer or cattle (other than a calf), on each side of the carcass on the buttock, the loin, the outside of the ribs and the shoulder; or\n\n(b) in the case of a calf, on each side of the carcass on the shoulder and the hind leg; or\n\n(c) in the case of a sheep or lamb, on each side of the carcass on the shoulder and the hind leg; or\n\n(d) in the case of a pig, on each side of the carcass on the cheek, the hind, the loin and the hind leg; or\n\n(e) in the case of any other animal, on the places approved by the Authority for the meat processing facility in which the carcass is branded.\n\n\t14 Where brand must be applied to meat that is not a whole carcass\n\nA brand applied to meat that is not a whole carcass must be applied on the places specified by a meat inspector.\n\nDivision 2—Responsibilities and powers  \nrelating to branding\n\n\t15 Licensee must ensure all carcasses and meat are branded\n\nThe licensee of a general meat processing facility must ensure that meat (including meat that is a carcass) that is inspected and passed as fit for human consumption at the facility is branded in accordance with Division 1 by or under the direction of a meat inspector.\n\nPenalty: 10 penalty units.\n\n\t16 Reinspection of meat\n\n(1) A meat inspector or an inspector may reinspect meat (including meat that is a carcass) at a meat processing facility.\n\n(2) If, following a reinspection at a meat processing facility under subregulation (1), a meat inspector or an inspector considers that the branding of the meat or carcass does not comply with Division 1, the meat inspector or the inspector may—\n\n(a) remove the brand and apply a new brand; or\n\n(b) direct the licensee of the meat processing facility to remove the brand and apply a new brand.\n\n(3) If, following a reinspection at a meat processing facility under subregulation (1), a meat inspector or an inspector considers that the meat or carcass is unfit for human consumption, the meat inspector or the inspector may—\n\n(a) remove the brand on the meat or carcass; or\n\n(b) deface the brand on the meat or carcass; or\n\n(c) brand the meat or the carcass as unfit for human consumption; or\n\n(d) make the meat or the carcass unusable for human consumption; or\n\n(e) direct the licensee of the meat processing facility—\n\n(i) to remove the brand on the meat or carcass; or\n\n(ii) to deface the brand on the meat or carcass; or\n\n(iii) to brand the meat or the carcass as unfit for human consumption; or\n\n(iv) to make the meat or the carcass unusable for human consumption.\n\nDivision 3—Labelling requirements for pet food\n\n\t17 Labelling of pet food prepared for retail sale\n\n(1) This regulation applies to pet food containing meat.\n\n(2) The licensee of a pet food processing facility must ensure that pet food packaged for sale at the facility is labelled—\n\n(a) in accordance with subregulations (3) and (4); or\n\n(b) in a manner approved by the Authority under subregulation (5).\n\nPenalty: 10 penalty units.\n\n(3) A package containing pet food must bear a label that—\n\n(a) is written legibly and in English; and\n\n(b) includes a picture of the whole of the body, or the head, of a dog or a cat.\n\n(4) Pet food must be labelled with the words \"pet food only\", or words to similar effect, that are marked conspicuously, legibly and in capital letters—\n\n(a) if the pet food is packaged in a can, on one end of the can; or\n\n(b) if the pet food is not packaged in a can, on the packaging of the pet food.\n\n(5) On an application made by a licensee of a pet food processing facility, the Authority may approve an alternative manner of labelling to be used at that facility.\n\nPart 4—Licensing of meat transport vehicles\n\n\t18 When a meat transport vehicle is required to be licensed\n\n(1) For the purposes of section 42A(1) of the Act, a vehicle, other than a vehicle specified in subregulation (2), used for the conveyance of any carcass, meat or seafood intended for human consumption is required to be licensed for that purpose in accordance with this Part.\n\n(2) The following vehicles are specified—\n\n(a) a vehicle used for the conveyance of any carcass, meat or seafood from a retailer to a retail customer;\n\n(b) a refrigerated taut liner vehicle used for the conveyance of any carcass, meat or seafood packaged in cartons to a cold store or a wharf;\n\n(c) a vehicle used for the conveyance of any carcass or meat within a licensed meat processing facility;\n\n(d) a vehicle used for the conveyance of any seafood within premises used for the operation of a seafood business under a seafood safety licence within the meaning of section 3(1) of the **Seafood Safety Act 2003**;\n\n(e) a vehicle used for the conveyance of any carcass, meat or seafood for human consumption that is currently licensed in another State or a Territory for that purpose;\n\n(f) a vehicle used for the conveyance of any meat or seafood that is not intended for sale.\n\n\t19 Application for issue or renewal of meat transport vehicle licence\n\n(1) The owner of a meat transport vehicle may apply to the Authority for the issue or renewal of a meat transport vehicle licence in respect of the vehicle.\n\n(2) An application under subregulation (1) must—\n\n(a) be in writing; and\n\n(b) be in a form specified by the Authority; and\n\n(c) be accompanied by the relevant application fee fixed under subregulation (3); and\n\n(d) include any information or documents specified by the Authority.\n\n(3) The Authority may fix—\n\n(a) an application fee for the issue of a meat transport vehicle licence; and\n\n(b) an application fee for the renewal of a meat transport vehicle licence.\n\n(4) The Authority, by written notice given to the applicant, may require the applicant to provide to the Authority any further information or documents specified by the Authority in respect of the application within a time specified by the Authority.\n\n\t20 Inspection of meat transport vehicle for purposes of application\n\n(1) Subject to subregulation (2), in determining whether to grant an application under regulation 19, the Authority, by written notice given to the applicant, may require the applicant to arrange for an inspection of the meat transport vehicle that is the subject of the application at a time and place specified by the Authority.\n\n(2) The Authority, by written notice given to the applicant, may determine that an inspection may be conducted remotely.\n\n(3) A notice under subregulation (2) may specify that the applicant is required to provide to the Authority prior to the remote inspection—\n\n(a) photographic or video evidence of the meat transport vehicle; and\n\n(b) a written declaration made by the applicant in relation to the accuracy of the photographic or video evidence.\n\n\t21 Decision to issue or renew meat transport vehicle licence\n\n(1) The Authority may grant an application under regulation 19 if the Authority is satisfied that the meat transport vehicle that is the subject of the application is fit to be licensed.\n\n(2) For the purposes of subregulation (1), a vehicle is not fit to be licensed if the vehicle does not comply with clause 25 of AS 4696.\n\n(3) Subregulation (2) does not limit the circumstances in which the Authority may not be satisfied that a vehicle is fit to be licensed.\n\n(4) If the Authority decides to grant an application under regulation 19, the Authority must—\n\n(a) issue a meat transport vehicle licence to the applicant or renew the applicant's meat transport vehicle licence (as the case may be); and\n\n(b) specify conditions to which the licence is subject in accordance with regulation 23; and\n\n(c) assign a licence number to the licensed meat transport vehicle; and\n\n(d) ensure that details of the licence are entered in a register kept by the Authority; and\n\n(e) issue to the applicant a label for the licensed meat transport vehicle that sets out—\n\n(i) the licence number of the vehicle; and\n\n(ii) the day on which the meat transport vehicle licence to which the vehicle relates expires; and\n\n(iii) the vehicle's registration number.\n\n(5) If the Authority refuses to grant an application under regulation 19, the Authority must give written notice to the applicant of the Authority's decision and the reasons for the Authority's decision within 28 days after the Authority's decision is made.\n\n(6) A meat transport vehicle licence is in force for the period, not exceeding 3 years, specified in the licence.\n\n\t22 Display of licence label\n\nThe holder of a meat transport vehicle licence must ensure that the licence label issued in respect of the licensed meat transport vehicle to which the licence relates is affixed to the vehicle—\n\n(a) on the outside and at the rear of the vehicle; and\n\n(b) in a manner that is clearly visible.\n\nPenalty: 2 penalty units.\n\n\t23 Conditions of meat transport vehicle licence\n\n(1) It is a condition of a meat transport vehicle licence that the licensed meat transport vehicle to which the licence relates must comply with clause 25 of AS 4696.\n\n(2) The Authority, by written notice given to the holder of a meat transport vehicle licence, may—\n\n(a) impose any other conditions on the licence that the Authority considers appropriate; and\n\n(b) revoke any condition imposed on the licence that the Authority considers appropriate.\n\n(3) A notice under subregulation (2) must specify—\n\n(a) the condition imposed or revoked; and\n\n(b) if applicable, the date on which the condition or the revocation takes effect.\n\n**Note**\n\nSee also section 42B of the Act.\n\n\t24 Keeping of record by holder of a meat transport vehicle licence\n\n(1) The Authority may require the holder of a meat transport vehicle licence to keep a record of information specified by the Authority.\n\n(2) The information specified by the Authority may relate to the following in respect of the licensed meat transport vehicle to which the licence relates—\n\n(a) the cleanliness of the vehicle;\n\n(b) the maintenance of, or repairs to, the vehicle;\n\n(c) temperature control in the vehicle;\n\n(d) any other matter relating to the compliance of the vehicle with clause 25 of AS 4696.\n\n\t25 Inspection of licensed meat transport vehicle\n\n(1) Subject to subregulation (3), the Authority, by written notice given to the holder of a meat transport vehicle licence, may require the holder to arrange for the licensed meat transport vehicle to which the licence relates to be inspected at a time and place specified by the Authority.\n\n(2) In determining the time of an inspection under subregulation (1), the Authority may have regard to—\n\n(a) any potential danger to public health; or\n\n(b) any contravention of the Act or these Regulations by the holder of the meat transport vehicle licence.\n\n(3) The Authority, by written notice given to the holder of a meat transport vehicle licence, may determine that an inspection may be conducted remotely.\n\n(4) A notice under subregulation (3) may specify that the holder is required to provide to the Authority prior to the remote inspection—\n\n(a) photographic or video evidence of the licensed meat transport vehicle; and\n\n(b) a written declaration made by the holder in relation to the accuracy of the photographic or video evidence.\n\n(5) A reference in this regulation to a meat transport vehicle licence includes a reference to a suspended meat transport vehicle licence.\n\n\t26 Suspension of meat transport vehicle licence\n\n(1) Subject to subregulation (4), the chief executive officer may suspend a meat transport vehicle licence if the chief executive officer is satisfied that—\n\n(a) the licensed meat transport vehicle to which the licence relates is not fit to be licensed; or\n\n(b) the holder of the licence has contravened a condition of the licence specified in regulation 23; or\n\n(c) the holder of the licence has failed to arrange for the licenced meat transport vehicle licence to which the licence relates to be inspected in accordance with a notice given to the holder under regulation 25(1); or\n\n(d) the suspension is in the interests of public health.\n\n(2) For the purposes of subregulation (1)(a), a vehicle is not fit to be licensed if the vehicle does not comply with clause 25 of AS 4696.\n\n(3) Subregulation (2) does not limit the circumstances in which the Authority may not be satisfied that a licensed meat transport vehicle is fit to be licensed.\n\n(4) Before suspending a meat transport vehicle licence under subregulation (1)(a), (b) or (c), the chief executive officer must—\n\n(a) give written notice to the holder of the licence of—\n\n(i) the chief executive officer's intention to suspend the licence; and\n\n(ii) the reasons why the chief executive officer intends to suspend the licence; and\n\n(b) advise the holder of the licence of—\n\n(i) any action that needs to be taken to avoid the suspension; and\n\n(ii) the date by which any such action must be completed.\n\n(5) If the chief executive officer decides to suspend a meat transport vehicle licence, the chief executive officer must give written notice to the holder of the licence of the chief executive officer's decision and the reasons for that decision within 5 days after the chief executive officer's decision is made.\n\n(6) The chief executive officer, by written notice given to the holder of a suspended meat transport vehicle licence, may require the holder of the licence to ensure that the licence label issued in respect of the meat transport vehicle to which the licence relates is removed from the vehicle.\n\n(7) The holder of a suspended meat transport vehicle licence to whom a notice under subregulation (6) is given must not contravene the notice.\n\nPenalty: 2 penalty units.\n\n(8) The chief executive officer may revoke a suspension of a meat transport vehicle licence at any time.\n\n(9) On the revocation of a suspension of a meat transport vehicle licence under subregulation (8), the Authority must issue to the holder of the licence a new label in respect of the licensed meat transport vehicle to which the licence relates that complies with regulation 21(4)(e) if the holder has been given a notice under subregulation (6).\n\n\t27 Revocation of meat transport vehicle licence\n\n(1) Subject to subregulation (4), the chief executive officer may revoke a meat transport vehicle licence if the chief executive officer is satisfied that—\n\n(a) the licensed meat transport vehicle to which the licence relates is not fit to be licensed; or\n\n(b) the holder of the licence has contravened a condition of the licence specified in regulation 23.\n\n(2) For the purposes of subregulation (1)(a), a vehicle is not fit to be licensed if the vehicle does not comply with clause 25 of AS 4696.\n\n(3) Subregulation (2) does not limit the circumstances in which the Authority may not be satisfied that a licensed meat transport vehicle is fit to be licensed.\n\n(4) Before revoking a meat transport vehicle licence, the chief executive officer must—\n\n(a) give written notice to the holder of the licence of—\n\n(i) the chief executive officer's intention to revoke the licence; and\n\n(ii) the reasons why the chief executive officer intends to revoke the licence; and\n\n(b) give the holder of the licence a reasonable opportunity to make written submissions to the chief executive officer on whether the licence should be revoked; and\n\n(c) advise the holder of the licence of—\n\n(i) any action that needs to be taken to avoid the revocation; and\n\n(ii) the date by which any such action must be completed.\n\n(5) If the chief executive officer decides to revoke a meat transport vehicle licence, the chief executive officer must give written notice of the revocation to the holder of the licence.\n\n(6) The holder of a meat transport vehicle licence that is revoked must ensure that the licence label issued in respect of the meat transport vehicle to which the licence relates is removed from the vehicle within 7 days after receiving a notice under subregulation (5).\n\nPenalty: 2 penalty units.\n\n\t28 Change in ownership of licensed meat transport vehicle\n\n(1) If the holder of a meat transport vehicle licence sells or disposes of the licensed meat transport vehicle to which the licence relates, the holder must notify the Authority in writing within 14 days after the sale or disposal.\n\nPenalty: 2 penalty units.\n\n(2) On the sale or disposal of a licensed meat transport vehicle, the meat transport vehicle licence to which the vehicle relates expires.\n\n(3) If the holder of a meat transport vehicle licence sells or disposes of the licensed meat transport vehicle to which the licence relates, the holder must remove the licence label from the vehicle immediately before selling or disposing of the vehicle.\n\nPenalty: 2 penalty units.\n\n\t29 Change of address of holder of meat transport vehicle licence\n\nThe holder of a meat transport vehicle licence must notify the Authority in writing within 14 days of any change to the holder's address.\n\nPenalty: 2 penalty units.\n\n\t30 Change in registration number of licensed meat transport vehicle\n\nIf the registration number assigned to a licensed meat transport vehicle changes, the holder of the meat transport vehicle licence to which the vehicle relates must notify the Authority in writing of the vehicle's new registration number within 14 days after the change has occurred.\n\nPenalty: 2 penalty units.\n\n\t31 Unlicensed meat transport vehicle not to be labelled\n\n(1) The owner of an unlicensed meat transport vehicle must ensure that any licence label that is affixed to the vehicle is removed from the vehicle.\n\nPenalty: 2 penalty units.\n\n(2) A person must not operate an unlicensed meat transport vehicle that displays a licence label.\n\nPenalty: 2 penalty units.\n\n(3) Subregulations (1) and (2) do not apply to a meat transport vehicle that is the subject of a suspended meat transport vehicle licence.\n\n\t32 Publication of information specified by the Authority\n\nThe Authority must take reasonable steps to ensure that the following information in relation to an application for the issue or renewal of a meat transport vehicle licence is published on the Authority's Internet site—\n\n(a) the form of an application;\n\n(b) the relevant application fee;\n\n(c) any information that must be included in an application;\n\n(d) any documents that must be attached to an application;\n\n(e) any information or documents that the Authority may require an applicant to provide after an application is made;\n\n(f) the time within which information or documents referred to in paragraph (e) are to be provided;\n\n(g) the circumstances in which certain information or documents may be required for an application;\n\n(h) information about the inspection of a meat transport vehicle under regulation 20 including—\n\n(i) who may carry out an inspection; and\n\n(ii) the circumstances in which an inspection may be required for an application.\n\nPart 5—Licensing of meat processing facilities\n\n\t33 Prescribed information required for nomination of an operator of a meat processing facility\n\nFor the purposes of section 25(3)(d) of the Act, the prescribed information is—\n\n(a) the nominee's residential address or any other postal address suitable for service of documents; and\n\n(b) the nominee's telephone number; and\n\n(c) the nominee's email address.\n\n\t34 Inspection of meat processing facilities\n\n(1) The Authority may determine the timing and frequency of an inspection of—\n\n(a) a meat processing facility; or\n\n(b) any equipment, machinery, implements, enclosures, animals or goods connected with a meat processing facility.\n\n(2) In making a determination under subregulation (1), the Authority may have regard to—\n\n(a) any potential danger to public health; and\n\n(b) any contravention of the Act or these Regulations by the licensee of the meat processing facility.\n\nPart 6—Miscellaneous\n\n\t35 Inspector may direct licensee of meat processing facility to address potential danger to public health\n\n(1) If an inspector considers that there is a potential danger to public health arising from the cleanliness of, or the presence of infection at, a meat processing facility, the inspector may direct the licensee of the meat processing facility to take one or more of the following actions—\n\n(a) correct the method of processing meat at the meat processing facility or any part of the meat processing facility;\n\n(b) temporarily stop the processing or sale of meat at the meat processing facility or any part of the meat processing facility;\n\n(c) clean, disinfect or decontaminate the meat processing facility or any part of the meat processing facility.\n\n**Note**\n\nUnder section 73(2) of the Act, it is an offence for a person to fail to comply with a direction of an inspector without a lawful excuse.\n\n(2) A direction under subregulation (1) may be made orally.\n\n\t36 Making meat unusable for human consumption\n\nFor the purposes of section 39(1)(b) and (1B)(c) of the Act, the requirement for making meat from a meat processing facility unusable for human consumption is that the meat be made unusable for human consumption in the manner—\n\n(a) approved by the Authority for the meat processing facility; or\n\n(b) specified by an inspector.\n\n\t37 Condition of licence to operate game processing facility\n\nIt is a condition of a licence to operate a game processing facility that the operator of the game processing facility must only accept for processing the carcass or meat of deer that—\n\n(a) lived in a wild state; and\n\n(b) was taken from that wild state by a person approved in writing by the Authority.\n\n═════════════\n\nEndnotes\n\n1 General information\n\nSee [www.legislation.vic.gov.au](http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au) for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.\n\nThe Meat Industry Regulations 2025, S.R. No. 31/2025 were made on 27 May 2025 by the Lieutenant-Governor as the Governor's deputy, with the advice of the Executive Council, under section 78 of the **Meat Industry Act 1993**, No. 40/1993 and came into operation on 30 May 2025: regulation 3.\n\nThe Meat Industry Regulations 2025 will sunset 10 years after the day of making on 27 May 2035 (see section 5 of the **Subordinate Legislation Act 1994**).\n\nINTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)\n\nStyle changes\n\nSection 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.\n\nReferences to ILA s. 39B\n\nSidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided regulation, rule or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subregulations, subrules or subclauses the original regulation, rule or clause becomes subregulation, subrule or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression \"(1)\" at the beginning of the original regulation, rule or clause.\n\nInterpretation\n\nAs from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:\n\n• Headings\n\nAll headings included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after  \n1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any heading inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.  \nThis includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; Orders; Parts into which an Order is divided; clauses; regulations; rules; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms.  \nSee section 36(1A)(2A)(2B).\n\n• Examples, diagrams or notes\n\nAll examples, diagrams or notes included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Statutory Rule. See section 36(3A).\n\n• Punctuation\n\nAll punctuation included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after  \n1 January 2001 forms part of that Statutory Rule. Any punctuation inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.  \nSee section 36(3B).\n\n• Provision numbers\n\nAll provision numbers included in a Statutory Rule form part of that Statutory Rule, whether inserted in the Statutory Rule before, on or after  \n1 January 2001. Provision numbers include regulation numbers, rule numbers, subregulation numbers, subrule numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).\n\n• Location of \"legislative items\"\n\nA \"legislative item\" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of a Statutory Rule is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.\n\n• Other material\n\nAny explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of a Statutory Rule. See section 36(3)(3D)(3E).\n\n2 Table of Amendments\n\nThere are no amendments made to the Meat Industry Regulations 2025 by statutory rules, subordinate instruments and Acts.\n\n3 Explanatory details\n\n1. Reg. 4(a): S.R. No. 42/2015 as amended by S.R. No. 20/2018. [↑](#endnote-ref-2)\n\n2. Reg. 4(b): S.R. No. 20/2018.\n\n  ——\n\n  **Penalty Units**\n\n  These Regulations provide for penalties by reference to penalty units within the meaning of section 110 of the **Sentencing Act 1991**. The amount of the penalty is to be calculated, in accordance with section 7 of the **Monetary Units Act 2004**, by multiplying the number of penalty units applicable by the value of a penalty unit.\n\n  The value of a penalty unit for the financial year commencing 1 July 2024 is $197.59 and for the financial year commencing 1 July 2025 is $203.51. The amount of the calculated penalty may be rounded to the nearest dollar.\n\n  The value of a penalty unit for future financial years is to be fixed by the Treasurer under section 5 of the **Monetary Units Act 2004**. The value of a penalty unit for a financial year must be published in the Government Gazette and a Victorian newspaper before 1 June in the preceding financial year.\n\n  ——\n\n  **Table of Applied, Adopted or Incorporated Matter**\n\n  The following table of applied, adopted or incorporated matter was included in S.R. No. 31/2025 in accordance with the requirements of regulation 5 of the Subordinate Legislation Regulations 2024.\n\n    | **Statutory rule provision** | **Title of applied, adopted or incorporated document** | **Matter in applied, adopted or incorporated document** |\n    | --- | --- | --- |\n    | Regulation 5, definition of ***AS 4696*** | Australian Standard AS 4696:2023, Hygienic production and transportation of meat and meat products for human consumption, as published on 31 March 2023 | The whole |\n    | **Statutory rule provision** | **Title of applied, adopted or incorporated document** | **Matter in applied, adopted or incorporated document** |\n    | Regulations 21(2), 23(1), 24(2)(d), 26(2) and 27(2) | Australian Standard AS 4696:2023, Hygienic production and transportation of meat and meat products for human consumption, as published on 31 March 2023 | Clause 25 |\n\n   [↑](#endnote-ref-3)","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation appears consistent with its original intent under the Meat Industry Act 1993. The 2025 regulations replace the 2015 and 2018 versions without significant expansion beyond the established regulatory framework of meat safety, branding, and transport licensing. The addition of specific animals to the consumable list and the horse/donkey bans represent policy updates within the existing scope rather than scope creep."},"complexity_factors":["Moderate length (37 regulations plus endnotes) but highly structured with clear Parts and Divisions","14 defined terms in the interpretation section (regulation 5), including incorporation by reference of external Australian Standard AS 4696","Extensive cross-referencing to the parent Meat Industry Act 1993 (at least 15 explicit references to specific sections)","Nested conditional logic in Part 4 (licensing scheme) with multiple grounds for suspension/revocation, notice requirements, and exceptions to exceptions (e.g., regulation 31 exempting suspended licences from labelling prohibitions)","Dual pathways for compliance in several provisions (standard method OR Authority-approved alternative method)","Incorporation by reference of external standard (AS 4696) which is not reproduced in the text but governs vehicle fitness and hygiene requirements","Penalty provisions scattered throughout with varying units (2 vs 10 penalty units)"],"plain_english_summary":"This is Victorian subordinate legislation (regulations) that sets out detailed rules for the meat industry, replacing earlier regulations from 2015 and 2018. It covers four main areas:\n\n**1. What animals can be eaten and bans on certain meat**\n- Expands the list of animals that can legally be slaughtered for food to include emu, camel, alpaca, llama, buffalo, bison, and rabbit (provided they're not wild)\n- Recognises wild deer as 'game' that can be processed\n- **Bans slaughtering horses and donkeys for human consumption** in Victoria\n- **Bans selling horse or donkey meat** that has been brought into Victoria from elsewhere (penalty: 10 penalty units, roughly $2,000)\n\n**2. Branding and labelling requirements**\n- All meat for human consumption must be branded with an official mark showing it's passed inspection\n- The brand must be a circle at least 3.2cm across with 'VIC' and the facility's licence number in block letters\n- Specific rules about where on the animal the brand goes (e.g., cattle get branded on the buttock, loin, ribs and shoulder)\n- Pet food containing meat must be clearly labelled 'PET FOOD ONLY' in capital letters and show a picture of a dog or cat\n\n**3. Licensing of meat transport vehicles**\n- Creates a licensing system for vehicles that transport meat, carcasses or seafood intended for human consumption\n- Vehicles must meet Australian Standard AS 4696 (hygiene standards) and display a licence label on the back\n- Licences last up to 3 years and can be suspended or revoked if vehicles don't meet standards or pose a public health risk\n- Owners must notify the Authority of changes to ownership, address or vehicle registration within 14 days\n- Some vehicles are exempt (e.g., delivery vans going directly to retail customers, vehicles already licensed interstate)\n\n**4. Processing facility rules**\n- Sets out what information must be provided when nominating an operator of a meat processing facility (address, phone, email)\n- Allows inspectors to direct facilities to stop processing, clean equipment, or fix methods if there's a public health danger\n- Game processing facilities can only accept wild deer killed by Authority-approved hunters\n\n**Why it matters:** These regulations protect public health by ensuring meat is handled hygienically, tracked through the supply chain, and clearly identified. The horse and donkey bans reflect community concerns about these animals being treated as livestock rather than companion animals."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Regulations operate within the delegated power in section 78 of the Meat Industry Act 1993 and primarily prescribe technical, procedural and operational matters (branding, labelling, licensing, standards and inspection powers). They do not expand the Act's statutory objects beyond those delegated powers but fill in detailed implementation requirements (including specifying animals, applying AS 4696 and enforcement procedures)."},"complexity_factors":["Incorporation by reference of Australian Standard AS 4696 (definition: reg 5; fitness requirements: regs 21(2), 23(1), 26(2), 27(2)) introduces technical compliance obligations and external updating risk.","Wide administrative discretion granted to the Authority and chief executive officer to approve alternative branding/label forms, impose or revoke licence conditions, and determine inspection timing and frequency (regs 12(3), 17(5), 23(2), 34(1)).","Multi‑stage licensing regime for meat transport vehicles with application, inspection (including remote inspection), fees, labels and register entries creates procedural complexity (regs 19–21, 20(2)–(3)).","Detailed enforcement and sanction pathways: suspension, revocation, removal of licence labels, penalties and pre‑ and post‑decision notice requirements increase compliance and procedural burden (regs 26–27, 22, 31).","Specific, prescriptive branding and labelling rules (size, placement, wording, pictorial requirement for pet food) create operational detail businesses must implement (regs 12–14, 17(3)–(4)).","Recordkeeping and publication obligations allow the Authority to specify additional compliance data, creating open‑ended administrative requirements (regs 24, 32).","Exceptions and defined exclusions (vehicles exempted in reg 18(2); game acceptance conditions in reg 37) increase scope of tailored compliance and potential for edge‑case disputes."],"plain_english_summary":"These Regulations under the Meat Industry Act 1993 set practical rules for branding meat, labelling pet food, licensing meat‑transport vehicles to AS 4696, and licensing/inspecting processing and game facilities. They also prohibit slaughter and sale of horse and donkey meat for human consumption. A state Authority and its chief executive decide approvals, licence conditions, inspections, suspensions and revocations, while processors, vehicle owners and pet‑food operators must meet branding, labelling, inspection and recordkeeping requirements and pay fees or penalties as applicable."},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Insufficient content was provided to assess whether the scope of these regulations changed from their original intent. The document contains only version history labels and status markers, with no explanatory memorandum, objects clause, or substantive provisions to compare against any stated original purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Only administrative metadata was provided — no substantive regulatory content is present to analyse","Cannot assess true complexity without the actual provisions, definitions, or schedules","Score reflects the minimal content available, not the likely complexity of the full instrument","Meat industry regulation as a field is typically moderately to highly complex due to food safety, biosecurity, and export compliance intersections — but this cannot be confirmed from the supplied text"],"plain_english_summary":"This entry is the administrative shell for Statutory Rule 31/2025 — a set of meat industry regulations — but the supplied file contains only titles and headers, not the substantive rules. Because the operative provisions are missing, no specific requirements or obligations can be determined from this text alone.\n\nTypically affected parties include processors, abattoirs, butchers, farmers, importers/exporters and regulators; those stakeholders should obtain the full statutory text from the official legislation database to learn their obligations."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/meat-industry-regulations-2025","history":"/api/acts/meat-industry-regulations-2025/history","analysis":"/api/acts/meat-industry-regulations-2025/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/meat-industry-regulations-2025/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/meat-industry-regulations-2025/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/meat-industry-regulations-2025/documents"}}