MEAT INDUSTRIES REGULATIONS 1997 (Northern Territory)

These Regulations, made under the Meat Industries Act 1996, set out licence conditions, operational requirements, labelling and construction standards, reporting and notification obligations, and an infringement notice scheme for persons and premises engaged in slaughtering, processing, packing, storing, dispatching or selling meat, game meat and pet meat in the Northern Territory. The instrument operates by prescribing mandatory licence conditions that attach to several licence classes: domestic and export abattoir licences (including poultry variants), domestic and export processing licences, game meat slaughter and processing licences, pet meat slaughtering and processing licences (including transportable units), and cold store licences (see the schedule of Parts and Divisions). The Regulations also specify offences that are regulatory offences (r 65), provide an infringement notice regime for defined contraventions (Part 7), and set out construction standards and labelling rules for pet meat (Schedule 1; r 44).

Mechanically, the Regulations achieve control by three linked mechanisms. First, they impose per‑licence mandatory operational conditions: for example, restrictions on where slaughter and processing may be carried out (r 6, r 17, r 36), requirements to carry and produce a licence when requested (r 21, r 30), and hygiene, bleeding, cooling and pest‑control standards for pet meat operations (r 32, r 37). Second, they prescribe labelling and segregation requirements to distinguish pet meat from meat intended for human consumption (r 4, r 5, r 15, r 16, r 24, r 42, r 44), and a specific requirement for a blue dye (Brilliant Blue FCF) where dyeing is mandated (r 45). Third, they set an enforcement and sanctioning architecture: particular breaches attract infringement notice penalties expressed in penalty units (Part 7, r 48-57; Schedule 2), while other breaches are preserved for court prosecution (r 56).

NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA MEAT INDUSTRIES REGULATIONS 1997 As in force at 21 September 2011 Table of provisions Part 1 Preliminary 1 Citation ............................................................................................ 1 2 Commencement .............................................................................. 1 3 Interpretation ................................................................................... 1 Part 2 Abattoir licences Division 1 Abattoir licences generally 4 No sale, &c., of pet meat imported into establishment..................... 2 5 Labelling of pet meat ....................................................................... 2 Division 2 Domestic abattoir licences 6 Slaughter, &c., only permitted at establishment............................... 2 7 Inspection of meat for human consumption ..................................... 3 8 Labelling of carcasses for human consumption ............................... 3 9 Processing, sale, &c., of meat for human consumption ................... 4 10 Meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard or code of practice ........................................................................... 4 11 Game meat ...................................................................................... 5 Division 3 Domestic poultry abattoir licences 12 Processing, sale, &c., of meat for human consumption ................... 5 13 Meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard or code of practice ........................................................................... 6 14 Game meat ...................................................................................... 6 Part 3 Processing licences Division 1 Domestic and export processing licences 15 No sale, &c., of pet meat imported into establishment..................... 6 16 Labelling of pet meat ....................................................................... 7 Division 2 Domestic processing licences 17 Processing, &c., only permitted at establishment ............................ 7 18 Processing, sale, &c., of meat for human consumption ................... 7

Meat Industries Regulations 1997 ii 19 Meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard or code of practice ........................................................................... 8 20 Game meat ...................................................................................... 8 Part 4 Game meat slaughter and processing Division 1 Game meat slaughter licences 21 Duty to produce licence ................................................................... 9 22 Meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard or code of practice ........................................................................... 9 23 Game meat ...................................................................................... 9 Division 2 Duties of export and domestic game meat processing licensees 24 Labelling of pet meat ....................................................................... 9 Division 3 Domestic game meat processing licences 25 Processing, &c., only permitted at establishment .......................... 10 26 Processing, sale, &c., of meat for human consumption ................. 10 27 Meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard or code of practice ......................................................................... 11 28 No sale, &c., of pet meat imported into establishment................... 11 29 Sale, &c., of meat other than game meat ...................................... 11 Part 5 Pet meat slaughter and processing Division 1 Pet meat slaughter licences 30 Duty to produce licence ................................................................. 11 31 Slaughter ....................................................................................... 12 32 Hygiene ......................................................................................... 12 33 Shooting of animals ....................................................................... 13 34 Pet meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard or code of practice .......................................................... 13 35 Transport of pet meat .................................................................... 13 Division 2 Pet meat processing licences 36 Processing, &c., only permitted at establishment .......................... 14 37 Hygiene ......................................................................................... 14 38 Construction standards for pet meat processing establishments............................................................................... 15 39 Processing, sale, &c., of pet meat ................................................. 15 40 Pet meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard or code of practice .......................................................... 15 41 No sale of meat for human consumption ....................................... 15

Meat Industries Regulations 1997 iii 42 Labelling of pet meat ..................................................................... 16 Division 3 Transportable pet meat processing units 43 Relocation of processing unit......................................................... 16 Division 4 General requirements in respect of pet meat for all licensees 44 Labelling of packages, &c. ............................................................. 17 45 Dyeing of pet meat ........................................................................ 17 Part 6 Cold store licences 46 Duties of cold store licensees ........................................................ 18 47 Meat not to be sold unless stored under specified standard or code of practice ............................................................................. 18 Part 7 Infringement notices 48 Definitions ...................................................................................... 18 49 Issuing of infringement notices ...................................................... 19 50 Particulars to be shown on infringement notice ............................. 19 51 Penalty for breach of prescribed licence conditions....................... 19 52 Penalty for breach of other licence conditions ............................... 19 53 Penalty for other offences against Act ........................................... 20 54 Penalty for disobeying inspector's directions ................................. 20 55 Payment before expiry date of infringement notice........................ 21 56 Service of infringement notices and effect on proceedings ........... 21 57 Service of notices .......................................................................... 21 Part 8 Miscellaneous 58 Returns to be provided .................................................................. 22 59 Notification of recommencement of operations.............................. 22 60 Notification of requirement for inspector ........................................ 22 61 Licensee to provide notice of change of address........................... 23 62 Transport of meat for human consumption .................................... 23 63 Certification in respect of export .................................................... 23 64 Diseases ........................................................................................ 23 65 Regulatory offences....................................................................... 23 Schedule 1 Construction standards for pet meat processing establishment Schedule 2 Infringement notice penalties for offences against Act

Meat Industries Regulations 1997 iv Schedule 3 Diseases of humans ENDNOTES

NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA

As in force at 21 September 2011

MEAT INDUSTRIES REGULATIONS 1997 Regulations under the Meat Industries Act 1996 Part 1 Preliminary 1 Citation These Regulations may be cited as the Meat Industries Regulations 1997. 2 Commencement These Regulations come into operation on the commencement of the Meat Industries Act 1996. 3 Interpretation (1) In these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears: abattoir licence means a domestic abattoir licence, an export abattoir licence, a domestic poultry abattoir licence or an export poultry abattoir licence. dispatch, in relation to an establishment, means to export from the establishment. licensee includes an employee or agent of a licensee. specified code of practice, in relation to a licence, means a code of practice specified on the licence. specified standard, in relation to a licence, means a standard specified on the licence. (2) In these Regulations, a reference to meat having been produced under an instrument of a legislative or administrative character, is to be read as a reference to: (a) the carcass or meat having been derived from an animal slaughtered in accordance with any terms of the instrument relating to slaughter; and

Part 2 Abattoir licences Division 2 Domestic abattoir licences Meat Industries Regulations 1997 2 (b) the carcass or meat having been processed, packed, stored and labelled in accordance with any terms of the instrument relating to processing, packing, storing and labelling. (3) In these Regulations: (a) a reference to meat is to be read as including a reference to a product containing meat for human consumption; and (b) a reference to pet meat is to be read as including a reference to a product containing pet meat. Part 2 Abattoir licences Division 1 Abattoir licences generally 4 No sale, &c., of pet meat imported into establishment It is a condition of an abattoir licence that the licensee must not process, pack, store, dispatch or sell pet meat unless it is from an animal that has been slaughtered at the establishment to which the licence relates. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units. 5 Labelling of pet meat It is a condition of an abattoir licence that the licensee must not dispatch pet meat unless: (a) the pet meat is in a carton or individual pack; and (b) the carton or individual pack is clean and labelled in accordance with regulation 44. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units. Division 2 Domestic abattoir licences 6 Slaughter, &c., only permitted at establishment It is a condition of a domestic abattoir licence that the licensee must not slaughter, process or pack meat for human consumption, or pet meat, except at the establishment to which the licence relates. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.

Part 2 Abattoir licences Division 2 Domestic abattoir licences Meat Industries Regulations 1997 3 7 Inspection of meat for human consumption Where a quality assurance program is not approved under section 11 of the Act in relation to a domestic abattoir licence, it is a condition of the licence that the licensee must not sell or dispatch a carcass, or meat for human consumption, unless it has been inspected by or under the direction of an inspector. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units. 8 Labelling of carcasses for human consumption (1) It is a condition of a domestic abattoir licence that the licensee must not sell a carcass for human consumption unless: (a) in the case of a head of cattle (other than a calf) or a buffalo (other than a calf), horse or camel, the carcass is marked with the official establishment mark on the outside of the ribs on both sides, both buttocks, both loins and both shoulders; (b) in the case of a pig, the carcass is marked with the official establishment mark on both hams, both jowls, both shoulders and both loins; (c) in the case of a calf, sheep, goat or deer, the carcass is marked with the official establishment mark on both hind legs and both shoulders; or (d) in the case of any animal not specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (c), the carcass is marked in accordance with the specified standard, or specified code of practice, for production of meat from the animal. Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units. (2) An official establishment mark must not be placed on a carcass intended for human consumption, except with an edible food dye permitted for use on food for human consumption under an Act of the Territory, the Commonwealth or a State or another Territory of the Commonwealth. Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units. (3) In this regulation official establishment mark, in relation to a domestic abattoir licence, means a mark approved by the Chief Inspector and containing the number allotted by him or her to the establishment to which the licence relates.

Part 2 Abattoir licences Division 2 Domestic abattoir licences Meat Industries Regulations 1997 4 9 Processing, sale, &c., of meat for human consumption (1) It is a condition of a domestic abattoir licence that the licensee must not process, pack, store, dispatch or sell a carcass, or meat for human consumption, from an animal slaughtered or processed other than at the establishment to which the licence relates. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units. (2) A licensee is not to be taken to have breached the condition specified in subregulation (1) if the licensee takes all steps to ensure that the carcass or meat was: (a) produced under: (i) a domestic abattoir licence; (ii) an export abattoir licence; (iii) a domestic game meat processing licence; (iv) an export game meat processing licence; (v) a domestic poultry abattoir licence; or (vi) an export poultry abattoir licence; (b) produced: (i) under a licence, permit or similar instrument permitting the slaughter or processing of the meat under a corresponding law; and (ii) in accordance with the specified standard, or specified code of practice, for production of meat on the licensee's licence; or (c) produced under the Export Control Act 1982 of the Commonwealth or accepted into and dispatched from registered premises in accordance with that Act. 10 Meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard or code of practice Where a domestic abattoir licence is subject to the condition that operations are to be carried out in accordance with a specified standard or specified code of practice, it is a condition of the licence that the licensee must not sell or dispatch a carcass, or meat for human consumption, from an animal slaughtered or processed at the establishment unless the slaughter or processing was in

Part 2 Abattoir licences Division 3 Domestic poultry abattoir licences Meat Industries Regulations 1997 5 accordance with the standard or code of practice. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units. 11 Game meat It is a condition of a domestic abattoir licence that the licensee must not process, pack, store, dispatch or sell game meat except: (a) with the approval of the Chief Inspector; and (b) where a quality assurance program is not approved in respect of the licence, in accordance with the directions of an inspector. Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units. Division 3 Domestic poultry abattoir licences 12 Processing, sale, &c., of meat for human consumption (1) It is a condition of a domestic poultry abattoir licence that the licensee must not process, pack, store, dispatch or sell a carcass or meat for human consumption from an animal slaughtered or processed other than at the establishment to which the licence relates. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units. (2) A licensee is not to be taken to have breached the condition specified in subregulation (1) if the licensee has taken all steps to ensure that the carcass or meat was: (a) produced under: (i) a domestic abattoir licence; (ii) an export abattoir licence; (iii) a domestic poultry abattoir licence; (iv) an export poultry abattoir licence; (v) a domestic game meat processing licence; or (vi) an export game meat processing licence;

Part 3 Processing licences Division 1 Domestic and export processing licences Meat Industries Regulations 1997 6 (b) produced: (i) under a licence, permit or similar instrument permitting the slaughter or processing of the meat under a corresponding law; and (ii) in accordance with the specified standard, or specified code of practice, for production of meat on the licensee's licence; or (c) produced under the Export Control Act 1982 of the Commonwealth or accepted into and dispatched from registered premises in accordance with that Act. 13 Meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard or code of practice Where a domestic poultry abattoir licence is subject to the condition that operations are to be carried out in accordance with a specified standard or specified code of practice, it is a condition of the licence that the licensee must not sell or dispatch meat for human consumption from an animal slaughtered or processed at the establishment unless the slaughter or processing was in accordance with the standard or code of practice. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units. 14 Game meat It is a condition of a domestic poultry abattoir licence that the licensee must not process, pack, store, dispatch or sell game meat except with the approval of the Chief Inspector and in accordance with the directions of an inspector. Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units. Part 3 Processing licences Division 1 Domestic and export processing licences 15 No sale, &c., of pet meat imported into establishment It is a condition of a domestic processing licence and an export processing licence that the licensee must not process, pack, store, dispatch or sell pet meat that was imported into the establishment as pet meat. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.

Part 3 Processing licences Division 2 Domestic processing licences Meat Industries Regulations 1997 7 16 Labelling of pet meat It is a condition of a domestic processing licence and an export processing licence that the licensee must not dispatch pet meat unless: (a) the pet meat is in a carton or individual pack; and (b) the carton or individual pack is clean and labelled in accordance with regulation 44. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units. Division 2 Domestic processing licences 17 Processing, &c., only permitted at establishment It is a condition of a domestic processing licence and an export processing licence that the licensee must not process, pack or store meat for human consumption, or pet meat, except at the establishment to which the licence relates. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units. 18 Processing, sale, &c., of meat for human consumption (1) It is a condition of a domestic processing licence that the licensee must not process, pack, store, dispatch or sell a carcass or meat for human consumption from an animal that is slaughtered or processed other than at the establishment to which the licence relates. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units. (2) A licensee is not to be taken to have breached the condition specified in subregulation (1) if the licensee has taken all steps to ensure that the carcass or meat was: (a) produced under: (i) a domestic abattoir licence; (ii) an export abattoir licence; (iii) a domestic game meat processing licence; (iv) an export game meat processing licence; (v) a domestic processing licence;

Part 3 Processing licences Division 2 Domestic processing licences Meat Industries Regulations 1997 8 (vi) an export processing licence; (vii) a domestic poultry abattoir licence; or (viii) an export poultry abattoir licence; (b) produced: (i) under a licence, permit or similar instrument permitting the slaughter or processing of the meat under a corresponding law; and (ii) in accordance with the specified standard, or specified code of practice, for production of meat on the licensee's licence; or (c) produced under the Export Control Act 1982 of the Commonwealth or accepted into and dispatched from registered premises in accordance with that Act. 19 Meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard or code of practice Where a domestic processing licence is subject to the condition that operations are to be carried out in accordance with a specified standard or specified code of practice, it is a condition of the licence that the licensee must not sell or dispatch meat for human consumption that was processed in the establishment unless the processing was in accordance with the standard or code of practice. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units. 20 Game meat It is a condition of a domestic processing licence that the licensee must not process, pack, store, dispatch or sell game meat except with the approval of the Chief Inspector and in accordance with the directions of an inspector. Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.

Part 4 Game meat slaughter and processing Division 2 Duties of export and domestic game meat processing licensees Meat Industries Regulations 1997 9 Part 4 Game meat slaughter and processing Division 1 Game meat slaughter licences 21 Duty to produce licence It is a condition of a game meat slaughter licence that the licensee must carry a copy of the licence at all times when he or she is conducting operations under the licence and must, at the request of an inspector, produce the licence or a copy of the licence for inspection. Infringement Notice Penalty: 0.8 penalty unit. 22 Meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard or code of practice Where a game meat slaughter licence is subject to the condition that operations are to be carried out in accordance with a specified standard or specified code of practice, it is a condition of the licence that the licensee must not sell a carcass unless the animal from which it was derived was slaughtered, dressed or processed, if at all, in accordance with the standard or code of practice. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units. 23 Game meat It is a condition of a game meat slaughter licence that the licensee must not sell a carcass or meat for human consumption unless it is from a game animal. Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units. Division 2 Duties of export and domestic game meat processing licensees 24 Labelling of pet meat It is a condition of a domestic game meat processing licence and an export game meat processing licence that the licensee must not dispatch pet meat unless: (a) the pet meat is in a carton or individual pack; and (b) the carton or individual pack is clean and labelled in accordance with regulation 44. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.

Part 4 Game meat slaughter and processing Division 3 Domestic game meat processing licences Meat Industries Regulations 1997 10 Division 3 Domestic game meat processing licences 25 Processing, &c., only permitted at establishment It is a condition of a domestic game meat processing licence that the licensee must not process, pack or store meat for human consumption, or pet meat, except at the establishment to which the licence relates. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units. 26 Processing, sale, &c., of meat for human consumption (1) It is a condition of a domestic game meat processing licence that a licensee must not process, pack, store, dispatch or sell meat for human consumption from an animal that was processed other than at the establishment. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units. (2) A licensee is not to be taken to have breached the condition specified in subregulation (1) if the licensee has taken all steps to ensure that the carcass or meat was: (a) produced under: (i) a game meat slaughter licence; (ii) a domestic game meat processing licence; (iii) an export game meat processing licence; (iv) a domestic abattoir licence; (v) an export abattoir licence; (vi) a domestic poultry abattoir licence; or (vii) an export poultry abattoir licence; (b) produced: (i) under a licence, permit or similar instrument permitting the slaughter or processing of the meat under a corresponding law; and (ii) in accordance with the specified standard, or specified code of practice, for production of meat on the licensee's licence; or

Part 5 Pet meat slaughter and processing Division 1 Pet meat slaughter licences Meat Industries Regulations 1997 11 (c) produced under the Export Control Act 1982 of the Commonwealth or accepted into and dispatched from registered premises in accordance with that Act. 27 Meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard or code of practice Where a domestic game meat processing licence is subject to the condition that operations are to be carried out in accordance with a specified standard or specified code of practice, it is a condition of the licence that the licensee must not sell or dispatch a carcass, or meat for human consumption, processed at the establishment to which the licence relates unless the processing was in accordance with the standard or code of practice. Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units. 28 No sale, &c., of pet meat imported into establishment It is a condition of a domestic game meat processing licence that the licensee must not process, pack, store, dispatch or sell pet meat that was imported into the establishment as pet meat. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units. 29 Sale, &c., of meat other than game meat It is a condition of a domestic game meat processing licence that the licensee must not process, pack, store, dispatch or sell meat, other than game meat, except with the approval of the Chief Inspector and in accordance with the directions of an inspector. Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units. Part 5 Pet meat slaughter and processing Division 1 Pet meat slaughter licences 30 Duty to produce licence It is a condition of a pet meat slaughter licence that the licensee must carry a copy of the licence at all times when he or she is conducting operations under the licence and must, at the request of an inspector, produce the licence or a copy of the licence for inspection. Infringement Notice Penalty: 0.8 penalty unit.

Part 5 Pet meat slaughter and processing Division 1 Pet meat slaughter licences Meat Industries Regulations 1997 12 31 Slaughter It is a condition of a pet meat slaughter licence that the licensee must not slaughter an animal if it can be seen that: (a) it has an abnormal gait; (b) it is weak or lethargic; (c) it lacks alertness; (d) it sits or stands in an unusual way; (e) it holds its head in an unusual way; (f) it has a discharge from the nose or mouth; (g) it has a skin abnormality; or (h) meat derived from it would be unsuitable for pet meat. Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units. 32 Hygiene It is a condition of a pet meat slaughter licence that the licensee: (a) must not use for pet meat an animal that is found, before or after slaughter, to be diseased; (b) must bleed an animal immediately after slaughter, begin to bone out the carcass within 30 minutes after slaughter and finish the boning out without delay; (c) must not recover meat from a dead animal that has not been slaughtered under the licence, unless the animal has died suddenly due to physical trauma and meat derived from the body is suitable for pet meat; (d) must handle meat in a manner that does not cause contamination or deterioration; (e) must place meat under refrigeration within 4 hours of it being boned out; (f) must transport meat in a manner that does not cause contamination or deterioration of the meat; (g) must clean and disinfect immediately after use all utensils, receptacles and appliances used under the licence and keep them clean when not in use; and

Part 5 Pet meat slaughter and processing Division 1 Pet meat slaughter licences Meat Industries Regulations 1997 13 (h) must maintain all equipment used in the production, storage and transport of pet meat in a condition that will not contaminate pet meat. Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units. 33 Shooting of animals It is a condition of a pet meat slaughter licence that an employee or agent of the licensee must not shoot an animal for the purposes of the licence. Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units. 34 Pet meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard or code of practice Where a pet meat slaughter licence is subject to the condition that operations are to be carried out in accordance with a specified standard or specified code of practice, it is a condition of the licence that the licensee must not sell or dispatch a carcass or meat for human consumption from an animal unless the animal was slaughtered in accordance with the standard or code of practice. Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units. 35 Transport of pet meat The holder of a pet meat slaughter licence must ensure that containers used to transport pet meat: (a) have internal surfaces made of smooth material which is easily cleaned; (b) are resistant to corrosion; (c) are water-proof and dustproof; and (d) are fitted with sealable lids or doors. Maximum penalty: 8 penalty units.

Part 5 Pet meat slaughter and processing Division 2 Pet meat processing licences Meat Industries Regulations 1997 14 Division 2 Pet meat processing licences 36 Processing, &c., only permitted at establishment It is a condition of a pet meat processing licence that the licensee must not process, store or pack pet meat except at the establishment to which the licence relates. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units. 37 Hygiene It is a condition of a pet meat processing licence that the licensee: (a) must not permit a live animal to enter or remain in the establishment to which the licence relates; (b) must take all possible steps to control the incidence of insects, birds, rodents or other pests within the establishment to which the licence relates; (c) must clean and disinfect immediately all utensils, receptacles and appliances in the establishment after they are used and keep them clean when they are not in use; (d) must transfer unprocessed pet meat imported into the establishment to which the licence relates to a chilling or freezing chamber within 2 hours after it was imported into the establishment; (e) must place all waste material from the establishment in containers with surfaces that are durable, smooth, corrosion- resistant, impervious and easily cleaned, remove the material from the establishment each day and clean and disinfect the containers at least once each day or as directed by an inspector; (f) must transport pet meat in a manner that protects it from contamination and deterioration; and (g) must maintain all equipment used in the production, storage and transport of pet meat in a condition that will not contaminate the pet meat. Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.

Part 5 Pet meat slaughter and processing Division 2 Pet meat processing licences Meat Industries Regulations 1997 15 38 Construction standards for pet meat processing establishments It is a condition of a pet meat processing licence that the licensee must not conduct, or purport to conduct, operations under the licence unless the establishment to which the licence relates has been constructed in accordance with the standards specified in Schedule 1. Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units. 39 Processing, sale, &c., of pet meat (1) It is a condition of a pet meat processing licence that the licensee must not process, pack, store, dispatch or sell pet meat from an animal processed other than at the establishment to which the licence relates. Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units. (2) A licensee is not to be taken to have breached the condition specified in subregulation (1) if the licensee has taken all steps to ensure that the pet meat: (a) comes from an establishment operating under a licence or from the holder of a pet meat slaughter licence; or (b) is produced under a licence, permit or similar instrument under a corresponding law. 40 Pet meat not to be sold unless produced under specified standard or code of practice Where a pet meat processing licence is subject to the condition that operations are to be carried out in accordance with a specified standard or specified code of practice, it is a condition of the licence that the licensee must not sell or dispatch pet meat unless it has been processed in accordance with the standard or code of practice. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units. 41 No sale of meat for human consumption It is a condition of a pet meat processing licence that the licensee must not dispatch or sell meat for human consumption or meat purporting to be for human consumption. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units.

Part 5 Pet meat slaughter and processing Division 3 Transportable pet meat processing units Meat Industries Regulations 1997 16 42 Labelling of pet meat It is a condition of a pet meat processing licence that the licensee must not dispatch pet meat unless: (a) the pet meat is in a carton or individual pack; and (b) the carton or individual pack is clean and labelled in accordance with regulation 44. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units. Division 3 Transportable pet meat processing units 43 Relocation of processing unit (1) It is a condition of a pet meat processing (transportable) licence that the licensee must not process meat in the processing unit to which the licence relates except: (a) at a place at which the unit has been inspected and approved by the Chief Inspector; and (b) under and in accordance with the terms of the approval. Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units. (2) It is a condition of a pet meat processing (transportable) licence that the licensee must not commence operations under the licence unless: (a) the Chief Inspector has been notified of the location of the processing unit operated under the licence; and (b) the unit has been inspected by an inspector at the location. Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units. (3) The holder of a pet meat processing (transportable) licence must not process pet meat in an area in relation to which a Division is established under the Planning Act 1999 unless the area is endorsed on the licence as an area in which pet meat may be processed in the processing unit. Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units.

Part 5 Pet meat slaughter and processing Division 4 General requirements in respect of pet meat for all licensees Meat Industries Regulations 1997 17 Division 4 General requirements in respect of pet meat for all licensees 44 Labelling of packages, &c. (1) For the purposes of these Regulations, a container, carton or pack that contains 10 kgs of pet meat or less: (a) is to be prominently marked with the words "PET MEAT – NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION", "PET FOOD – NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION" or "ANIMAL FOOD – NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION", in letters at least 8 mm high; and (b) is to contain a description of its contents. (2) For the purposes of these Regulations, a container, carton or pack that contains more than 10 kgs of pet meat: (a) is to be prominently marked with the words "PET MEAT – NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION", "PET FOOD – NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION" or "ANIMAL FOOD – NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION", in letters at least 25 mm high; (b) is to have a band in distinct yellow colouring, not less than 50 mm wide, applied around 4 sides of the container, carton or pack in a continuous line; and (c) is to contain a description of its contents. (3) A label for the purposes of subregulation (1) or (2) must not contain information that is likely to mislead a person as to any of the information required to be indicated on the label under that subregulation. Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units. Infringement Notice Penalty: 0.8 penalty units. 45 Dyeing of pet meat Where pet meat is required by or under the Act to be dyed blue, it must be stained with the dye Brilliant Blue FCF, being a solution of one part of the dry active dye to 500 parts of water: (a) on all surfaces; or (b) where the meat is ground or minced meat – by dispersing it through the meat so that it is visible throughout the meat.

Part 7 Infringement notices Meat Industries Regulations 1997 18 Part 6 Cold store licences 46 Duties of cold store licensees It is a condition of a cold store licence that the licensee must not store meat for sale except at the establishment to which the licence relates. Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units. 47 Meat not to be sold unless stored under specified standard or code of practice Where a cold store licence is subject to the condition that operations are to be carried out in accordance with a specified standard or code of practice, it is a condition of the licence that the licensee must not sell or dispatch a carcass or meat for human consumption unless the carcass or meat was stored in accordance with the standard or code of practice. Infringement Notice Penalty: 4 penalty units. Part 7 Infringement notices 48 Definitions In this Part, unless the contrary intention appears: infringement notice means an infringement notice issued in pursuance of this Part. offence means: (a) an offence against section 59 of the Act where the offender has breached a condition of a licence; (b) an offence against section 59 of the Act where the offender has contravened or failed to comply with a direction of an inspector under the Act; (c) a provision of the Act specified in regulation 51; or (d) a provision of these Regulations at the foot of which is specified a Infringement Notice Penalty. offender means a person who an inspector reasonably believes has committed an offence.

Part 7 Infringement notices Meat Industries Regulations 1997 19 49 Issuing of infringement notices (1) Subject to this regulation, where an inspector has reason to believe that an offence has been committed, he or she may serve an infringement notice on the person who appears to have committed the offence. (2) An inspector may not serve an infringement notice on a person under subregulation (1) unless the person is, or the inspector reasonably believes that the person is, over the age of 16 years. 50 Particulars to be shown on infringement notice An infringement notice is to clearly show: (a) the date, time and place of the offence; (b) the nature of the offence and the penalty payable; (c) the place or places at which a penalty may be paid; (d) the date of the infringement notice and a statement that the penalty may be paid within 28 days after that date; and (e) a statement to the effect that, if the amount specified in the infringement notice as the penalty for the offence is paid at a place referred to in the notice within the time specified in the notice, no further action will be taken. 51 Penalty for breach of prescribed licence conditions The penalty payable for the purposes of this Part for an alleged offence against section 59 where the offender has breached a licence condition prescribed for the purposes of section 20 of the Act is the Infringement Notice Penalty specified at the foot of the provision of these Regulations prescribing the condition. 52 Penalty for breach of other licence conditions The penalty payable for the purposes of this Part for an alleged offence against section 59 of the Act where the offender has breached a licence condition, other than a condition to which regulation 51 applies, is: (a) if the condition relates to the species that may be slaughtered, processed, packed or stored under a licence – 2 penalty units; (b) if the condition relates to the construction of an establishment in accordance with a specified standard or specified code of practice – 2 penalty units;

Part 7 Infringement notices Meat Industries Regulations 1997 20 (c) if the condition relates to a provision of a specified standard or specified code of practice in respect of: (i) the packing or labelling of meat or a carcass – 2 penalty units; (ii) hygiene in an establishment or in relation to equipment – 2 penalty units; (iii) the health and hygiene of persons – 2 penalty units; (iv) the inspection of an animal or disposal of a carcass or meat – 2 penalty units; (v) the slaughter or dressing of an animal – 2 penalty units; (vi) vermin or other pests – 2 penalty units; (vii) the control of animals not intended for slaughter in an establishment – 0.8 penalty unit; or (viii) any other matter – 0.8 penalty unit; (d) if the condition relates to a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point system – 2 penalty units; (e) if the condition relates to a quality assurance program, other than in a case to which paragraph (d) applies – 0.8 penalty unit; (f) if the condition relates to the maintenance of an establishment – 0.8 penalty unit; or (g) in the case of any other condition – 0.8 penalty unit. 53 Penalty for other offences against Act The penalty payable for the purposes of this Part for an alleged offence against a provision of the Act specified in the table in Schedule 2 is the amount specified in that table opposite that provision. 54 Penalty for disobeying inspector's directions The penalty payable for the purposes of this Part for an alleged offence against section 59 of the Act where the offender has contravened or failed to comply with a direction of an inspector under the Act is 4 penalty units.

Part 7 Infringement notices Meat Industries Regulations 1997 21 55 Payment before expiry date of infringement notice (1) Subject to regulation 56, where the total amount of the penalty specified in an infringement notice is paid in accordance with the notice, the offender is deemed to have expiated the offence by payment of the penalty. (2) Where the amount of a penalty under this Part is paid by cheque, payment is not to be taken as made unless the cheque is cleared on presentation. 56 Service of infringement notices and effect on proceedings Nothing in this Part: (a) prevents the service of more than one infringement notice in relation to the same offence but it is sufficient for the application of regulation 55 to a person on whom more than one notice has been served for that person to pay the amount of the penalty in accordance with any one of those notices; (b) prejudices or affects (except as provided by regulation 55) the institution or prosecution of proceedings, or limits the penalty that may be imposed by a court, in relation to an offence; or (c) is to be construed as requiring the serving of an infringement notice or as affecting the liability of a person to be prosecuted in a court in relation to an offence in respect of which an infringement notice has not been served. 57 Service of notices A notice under this Part may be served by: (a) handing it to the offender; (b) posting it to the offender at the offender's last known postal address or place of residence or business; or (c) leaving it for the offender at the offender's last known place of residence or business with some other person apparently resident or employed there and apparently over the age of 16 years.

Part 8 Miscellaneous Meat Industries Regulations 1997 22 Part 8 Miscellaneous 58 Returns to be provided It is a condition of a licence that the licensee must provide to the Chief Inspector, within the approved time and in the approved form, information required by the Chief Inspector for the purpose of determining the species, number and type of animals slaughtered, processed or stored under the licence. Infringement Notice Penalty: 0.8 penalty unit. 59 Notification of recommencement of operations Where operations have not taken place in an establishment to which: (a) a domestic abattoir licence; (b) a domestic poultry abattoir licence; (c) a domestic processing licence; (d) a domestic game meat processing licence; (e) a pet meat processing licence; or (f) a cold store licence, relates, or in a pet meat processing unit to which a pet meat processing licence relates, within the preceding 6 months, the licensee must not conduct operations under the licence unless the licensee has given to the Chief Inspector, or a person or body approved by the Chief Inspector, not less than one months prior notice of his or her intention to commence the operations. Maximum penalty: 8 penalty units. Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units. 60 Notification of requirement for inspector Where the presence of an inspector is required for the performance of operations under a licence the licensee must notify the Chief Inspector, or a person or body approved by the Chief Inspector, at least 7 days before the day on which the inspector is required. Maximum penalty: 8 penalty units. Infringement Notice Penalty: 0.8 penalty unit.

Part 8 Miscellaneous Meat Industries Regulations 1997 23 61 Licensee to provide notice of change of address It is a condition of a licence that the licensee must advise the Chief Inspector of a change to his or her postal address, as specified on his or her application for a licence under section 13 of the Act, within 28 days after the change. Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units. 62 Transport of meat for human consumption For the purposes of section 53(1)(e) of the Act, carcasses or meat for human consumption must be transported in accordance with the Australian Standard for Transportation of Meat for Human Consumption, or a standard in substitution for that standard, as approved from time to time by the Minister under section 72 of the Act. 63 Certification in respect of export Where the government, or an authority of the government, of another country requires certification of a matter relating to meat, pet meat or meat products before import from Australia to that other country will be permitted, the Chief Inspector may, if satisfied of that matter, issue a certificate to a person intending to export the meat, pet meat or meat products to that country. 64 Diseases The diseases specified in Schedule 3 are diseases for the purposes of section 42 of the Act. 65 Regulatory offences An offence against these Regulations is a regulatory offence.

Schedule 1 Construction standards for pet meat processing establishment Meat Industries Regulations 1997 24 Schedule 1 Construction standards for pet meat processing establishment regulation 38

An establishment operated under a pet meat processing licence must: (a) be enclosed; (b) have exposed surfaces that are durable, smooth-surfaced (being, in relation to floors, as smooth as is compatible with enabling safe movement on floors), corrosion resistant, impervious, easily cleaned, resistant to chipping or flaking and of a finish which ensures that contamination is clearly visible; (c) have floors adequately drained by means of impervious drains, to a save-all outside the building; and (d) have all doorways opening to the exterior outside of the establishment fitted with a self closing door or with an adequate fly repellent air current curtain.
A room used for the processing of meat in an establishment operated under a pet meat processing licence must have: (a) an adequate supply of both hot and cold water; (b) provision for the cleaning of all appliances; and (c) hand washing basins and soap, water and paper towels or other approved hand-drying equipment, provided at all times.
Equipment and appliances used in connection with the processing of pet meat under a pet meat processing licence must have a surface that is durable, smooth-surfaced, corrosion-resistant, impervious and easily cleaned.

Schedule 2 Infringement notice penalties for offences against Act Meat Industries Regulations 1997 25 Schedule 2 Infringement notice penalties for offences against Act regulation 53 ITEM NO. OFFENCE PROVISION PENALTY (Penalty units)

Section 33 8 penalty units
Section 34(2) 8 penalty units
Section 36(1) 8 penalty units
Section 36(2) 8 penalty units
Section 37(1) 8 penalty units
Section 37(2) 8 penalty units
Section 37(3) 0.8 penalty unit
Section 38 8 penalty units
Section 39 1.7 penalty units
Section 40(1) 8 penalty units
Section 41(1) 2 penalty units
Section 41(2) 2 penalty units
Section 45(2) 8 penalty units
Section 45(3) 8 penalty units
Section 46(1) 8 penalty units
Section 47(2) 8 penalty units
Section 47(3) 8 penalty units
Section 48(1) 0.8 penalty unit
Section 48(2) 8 penalty units
Section 48(3) 2 penalty units
Section 50 2 penalty units
Section 52 2 penalty units
Section 53(1) 2 penalty units
Section 53(2) 2 penalty units

Schedule 3 Diseases of humans Meat Industries Regulations 1997 26 Schedule 3 Diseases of humans regulation 64 Cholera Scarlet fever Diarrhoea (infective) Septic sore throat Diphtheria Skin diseases Enteric or typhoid fever Staphylococcal infections Hepatitis (infective) Tuberculosis Leprosy Human Immunodeficiency Virus

ENDNOTES Meat Industries Regulations 1997 27 ENDNOTES 1 KEY Key to abbreviations amd = amended od = order app = appendix om = omitted bl = by-law pt = Part ch = Chapter r = regulation/rule cl = clause rem = remainder div = Division renum = renumbered exp = expires/expired rep = repealed f = forms s = section Gaz = Gazette sch = Schedule hdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision ins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation lt = long title sub = substituted nc = not commenced 2 LIST OF LEGISLATION Meat Industries Regulations (SL No. 33, 1997) Notified 10 December 1997 Commenced 10 December 1997 Planning (Consequential Amendments) Act 1999 (Act No. 56, 1999) Assent date 14 December 1999 Commenced 12 April 2000 (s 2, s 2 Planning Act 1999 (Act No. 55, 1999) and Gaz S15, 12 April 1999) Fines and Penalties (Recovery) (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 (Act No. 60, 2001) Assent date 11 December 2001 Commenced 1 January 2002 (s 2, s 2 Fines and Penalties (Recovery) Act 2001 (Act No. 59, 2001) and Gaz G50, 19 December 2001, p 3) Penalties Amendment (Children and Families, Health and Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources) Act 2011 (Act No. 28, 2011) Assent date 31 August 2011 Commenced 21 September 2011 (Gaz G38, 21 September 2011, p 4) 3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS General amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table of amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation Amendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to: rr 1 and 43. 4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS rr 4 – 34 amd Act No. 60, 2001, s 19; Act No. 28, 2011, s 5 r 35 amd Act No. 28, 2011, s 5 rr 36 – 42 amd Act No. 60, 2001, s 19; Act No. 28, 2011, s 5

ENDNOTES Meat Industries Regulations 1997 28 r 43 amd Act No. 56, 1999, s 3(2); Act No. 60, 2001, s 19; Act No. 28, 2011, s 5 r 44 amd Act No. 60, 2001, s 19; Act No. 28, 2011, s 5 rr 46 – 47 amd Act No. 60, 2001, s 19; Act No. 28, 2011, s 5 r 48 amd Act No. 60, 2001, s 19 r 51 amd Act No. 60, 2001, s 19 r 52 amd Act No. 28, 2011, s 5 r 54 amd Act No. 28, 2011, s 5 rr 58 – 61 amd Act No. 60, 2001, s 19; Act No. 28, 2011, s 5 sch 2 amd Act No. 60, 2001, s 19; Act No. 28, 2011, s 5

1 MEAT INDUSTRIES REGULATIONS 1997

Definitions and approach. The Regulations define multiple licence classes and treat licence conditions as the primary compliance mechanism. The interpretive section makes several cross‑cutting clarifications: an abattoir licence term covers several licence subtypes (r 3); references to meat include products containing meat (r 3(3)(a)); and references to pet meat likewise include products containing pet meat (r 3(3)(b)). A reference to an instrument of a legislative or administrative character is to be read as covering the processes of slaughter, processing, packing, storage and labelling specified by that instrument (r 3(2)). These interpretive rules frame how external standards and corresponding laws are treated by the Regulations.

Licence conditions as primary control. The Regulations operate primarily by prescribing conditions of licence across many operational dimensions. Examples include: prohibition on processing pet meat imported into an establishment (r 4, r 15, r 28); a prohibition on slaughtering, processing or packing outside the licensed establishment (r 6, r 17, r 25, r 36); and obligations to carry and produce a licence on request for game and pet meat slaughter licence holders (r 21, r 30). Licence conditions frequently require that production, processing, packing, storage, dispatch and sale be carried out in accordance with any specified standard or specified code of practice noted on the licence (r 10, r 13, r 19, r 22, r 27, r 34, r 40, r 47). The concept of a "specified standard" or "specified code of practice" links operational permission to documented standards, which a licence can make binding on an operator (r 3 definitions; multiple regs).

Segregation of pet meat. The Regulations repeatedly separate pet meat from meat for human consumption. They impose prohibitions on processing pet meat imported into an establishment, require cartons or individual packs and explicit labelling before dispatch (r 4, r 5, r 15, r 16, r 24, r 42), and set precise label content and sizing for containers holding 10 kg or less, and for containers holding more than 10 kg (r 44(1)-(2)). Larger consignments have an additional visual requirement: a distinct yellow band not less than 50 mm wide applied around four sides (r 44(2)(b)). There is also a rule that pet meat dyed blue must be stained with Brilliant Blue FCF at a specified dilution (r 45).

Hygiene, refrigeration and construction standards. Pet meat operations have detailed hygiene and handling rules: animals unfit for pet meat must not be slaughtered (r 31); diseased animals must not be used (r 32(a)); bleeding and boning out timeframes are specified (r 32(b)); meat must be placed under refrigeration within 4 hours of boning out (r 32(e)); utensils and equipment must be cleaned and disinfected immediately after use (r 32(g); r 37(c)). Construction standards for pet meat processing establishments are set out in Schedule 1 (r 38), including enclosure, durable smooth surfaces, drainage to save‑alls, self‑closing doors or air curtains, hot and cold water, cleaning provisions and handwashing facilities.

Inspection, notification and recordkeeping. Licence holders must supply returns in approved form and timing about species, number and type of animals slaughtered, processed or stored (r 58). If operations have not taken place in the previous six months, a licensee must give not less than one months notice to the Chief Inspector before recommencing operations (r 59). Where the presence of an inspector is required, the licensee must notify at least seven days before (r 60). Licensees must advise the Chief Inspector of changes of postal address within 28 days (r 61). These provisions allocate administrative responsibilities to licensees and create windows for inspector planning and oversight.

Enforcement and penalties. A structured infringement notice system permits inspectors to issue infringement notices where they reasonably believe an offence has been committed (r 49). The Part 7 definitions make clear which contraventions qualify for infringement notices (r 48). Regulation 51 ties infringement penalties to the amounts shown at the foot of the prescribing regulation, while r 52 furnishes a default grid for other licence condition breaches, with penalties ranging from 0.8 to 2 penalty units depending on the category. Schedule 2 lists infringement notice penalties for selected offences against the Act, some attracting 8 penalty units (Schedule 2 Items 1-8, 10, 13-18). The Part preserves judicial prosecution; payment of an infringement notice expiates the offence (r 55), but does not prevent prosecution or limit court penalties (r 56).

Interaction with Commonwealth and corresponding law. Multiple provisions accept meat produced under the Export Control Act 1982 or under licences or permits under corresponding laws as non‑breaches of locality conditions if the licensee took all reasonable steps to ensure the meat was so produced (see r 9(2)(c), r 12(2)(c), r 18(2)(c), r 26(2)(c)). Transport requirements for meat intended for human consumption are to follow the Australian Standard for Transportation of Meat for Human Consumption as approved by the Minister under the Act (r 62).

Diseases and public‑health link. The Regulations identify a list of human diseases in Schedule 3 and declare those diseases to be diseases for the purposes of section 42 of the Act (r 64). The list includes cholera, hepatitis, tuberculosis and HIV. Declaring these diseases for the Act’s purposes links the licensing and inspection regime to public‑health exclusion requirements in the principal Act.

Licence holders and prospective licence applicants. The Regulations attach conditions to a wide range of licence types: domestic and export abattoir licences; domestic and export poultry abattoir licences; domestic and export processing licences; domestic and export game meat processing licences; game meat slaughter licences; pet meat slaughter and processing licences (including transportable units); and cold store licences. The obligations are framed as conditions of licence (see numerous regulations, e.g. r 6, r 17, r 25, r 36, r 46), so they affect anyone who holds or applies for these licences under the Meat Industries Act 1996.

Employees, agents and contractors. The interpretation section defines licensee to include an employee or agent of a licensee (r 3). Consequently obligations to comply with licence conditions, to abstain from prohibited acts and to produce licences on request extend to persons acting under a licensee’s authority (for example r 21, r 30). Inspectors therefore may treat employees and agents as the operational locus for a breach, and infringement notices may be served on an offender believed to have committed an offence (r 49).

Processors, abattoirs and cold store operators. The Regulations regulate where processing and slaughter may lawfully occur (for example r 6, r 17, r 36, r 46). Operators who source carcasses or meat must observe conditions that forbid processing pet meat imported into an establishment (r 4, r 15, r 28) and require labelling before dispatch (r 5, r 16, r 24, r 44). Cold store licensees are prohibited from storing meat for sale except at the establishment to which the licence relates (r 46) and must adhere to any specified standard for storage if that is imposed on the licence (r 47).

Retailers and distributors handling pet meat. The labelling and packaging rules (r 44) apply to any container, carton or pack used to dispatch pet meat. Distributors and retailers handling consignments greater than 10 kg must accept containers with a large visible band and lettering sized at least 25 mm high (r 44(2)). The dyeing rule (r 45) and the prohibition on sale or dispatch of pet meat unless in cartons or packs labelled under r 44 (r 5, r 16, r 24, r 42) affect parties in the distribution chain.

Exporters and operators under corresponding laws. The Regulations explicitly recognise meat produced under the Export Control Act 1982 or under equivalent licences and permits issued under corresponding laws as potentially non‑breaching sources, provided the licensee has taken all steps to ensure compliance with the specified standards (r 9(2)(c), r 12(2)(c), r 18(2)(c), r 26(2)(c)). Exporters may also seek certificates from the Chief Inspector when another country’s government requires certification as a condition of importation (r 63).

Inspectors and the Chief Inspector. The Regulations allocate powers and discretion to inspectors and the Chief Inspector. Inspectors supervise required inspections and can direct that operations be conducted in particular ways (for example r 11(b), r 14, r 20, r 29). The Chief Inspector approves game meat processing (r 11), endorses areas for transportable units where a Division under the Planning Act 1999 applies (r 43(3)), and issues export certificates where satisfied of the matter required by a foreign authority (r 63).

Consumers concerned with human‑food safety indirectly. While the primary regulated parties are licence holders and their employees, the Regulations create measures intended to separate pet meat from human food chains through labelling, dyeing and prohibitions on dispatch of pet meat as human‑consumable products (r 41), and by declaring certain human diseases as relevant to the Act (r 64). Those measures affect consumers indirectly by specifying handling and segregation controls in the supply chain.

Enforcement agencies and the courts. Inspectors are empowered to issue infringement notices (Part 7). The Part contemplates alternate paths: payment of an infringement notice results in expiation (r 55), but r 56 preserves prosecution in court and does not limit court penalties. Schedule 2 maps some Act offences to high penalty unit amounts making certain contraventions subject to more severe administrative penalties where an infringement notice is appropriate.

Primary duties imposed on licensees. The Regulations make operational duties express conditions of licence. Common, recurring duties include:

Conducting slaughter, processing and packing at the licensed establishment only (r 6, r 17, r 25, r 36). These duties restrict geographic and premises choices for licensed operators and condition the right to process on use of the named premises.
Not processing, packing, storing, dispatching or selling pet meat unless it originates from an animal slaughtered at the establishment, where applicable (r 4, r 15, r 28). This is a supply‑chain segregation duty.
Ensuring that carcasses or meat intended for human consumption have been inspected by or under the direction of an inspector where no approved quality assurance program exists (r 7). This imposes an operational dependency on inspection processes.
Complying with any specified standard or specified code of practice shown on the licence when such a condition applies (r 10, r 13, r 19, r 22, r 27, r 34, r 40, r 47). The duty ties lawful production and dispatch to adherence to external standards or codes which a licence may nominate.

Specific hygiene and handling duties. Pet meat slaughter and processing licences carry detailed duties: not to slaughter animals that visibly present specified abnormalities (r 31); not to use animals found to be diseased for pet meat (r 32(a)); mandated bleeding and boning out timeframes (r 32(b)); refrigeration within four hours after boning out (r 32(e)); immediate cleaning and disinfection of utensils and equipment (r 32(g); r 37(c)); and requirements for transport containers to have smooth, corrosion‑resistant, water‑proof and sealable surfaces (r 35). These duties allocate particular handling steps and time standards to operators.

Labelling and packaging duties. Multiple provisions require that pet meat be in cartons or individual packs and labelled in accordance with regulation 44 before dispatch (r 5, r 16, r 24, r 42). Regulation 44 prescribes the precise text required and minimum letter heights for small and large consignments, requires a yellow band for consignments above 10 kg, and forbids misleading label content (r 44(1)-(3)). Pet meat processing licence holders must not dispatch meat for human consumption, or purport to be for human consumption (r 41).

Construction and equipment duties. For pet meat processing establishments the Regulations make construction standards mandatory (r 38, Schedule 1): enclosure, durable and smooth surfaces, adequate drainage to save‑alls, self‑closing doors or air curtains, room provision for hot and cold water, cleaning provisions and hand washing facilities, and equipment surfaces that are durable and easily cleaned. Cold stores must be used only at the licensed establishment (r 46) and stored meat must comply with a specified standard if that condition is imposed (r 47).

Notification, returns and administrative duties. Licensees must provide returns on animal species, number and type in an approved form and within an approved time for the Chief Inspector’s purposes (r 58). A licensee must notify the Chief Inspector one month before recommencing operations where none have taken place in the previous six months (r 59). If the presence of an inspector is required, the licensee must notify at least seven days before (r 60). The licensee must inform the Chief Inspector of changes of postal address within 28 days (r 61). These duties create predictable administrative timelines and information flows.

Rights and procedural safeguards. Several provisions create rights and limits on enforcement action. Inspectors may issue infringement notices where they reasonably believe an offence was committed, but may only issue notices to persons over the age of 16 years (r 49(1)-(2)). An infringement notice must set out particulars such as date, time and place of the offence and advise that payment within 28 days will expiate the offence (r 50). Payment of the listed penalty is treated as expiation of the offence (r 55(1)), but the Part expressly notes that issuing an infringement notice does not prevent court proceedings or limit the penalty a court may impose (r 56). Service rules for notices are prescribed (r 57).

Inspector discretion and Chief Inspector powers. The Chief Inspector has explicit approval powers for game meat processing and transportable unit locations (r 11, r 14, r 20, r 29, r 43). The Chief Inspector may issue export certificates where another country requires certification and the inspector is satisfied of the matter (r 63). These are administrative discretions that licensees must factor into compliance planning.

Enforcement structure and penalties. The Regulations set up a two‑tier enforcement architecture. Many breaches are amenable to infringement notices with prescribed penalties in penalty units (Part 7; Schedule 2). Regulation 52 sets a default penalty grid for breaches of licence conditions not otherwise covered, differentiating penalties by subject matter,for example, species restrictions, construction standards, packing and labelling, hygiene, slaughter practices and HACCP systems (r 52(a)-(d)). More serious contraventions of the principal Act are reflected in Schedule 2 with higher penalty units for certain sections of the Act.

Infringement notice system. Part 7 establishes an administrative enforcement pathway using infringement notices. An inspector who has reason to believe an offence was committed may serve an infringement notice on the person appearing to have committed the offence, provided the person is, or is reasonably believed to be, over 16 years of age (r 49). The notice must include prescribed particulars: date, time and place of the offence, nature and penalty, places to pay, date and the 28 day payment window, and a statement that payment will expiate the offence (r 50). Payment of the penalty in accordance with the notice expiates the offence (r 55), and payment by cheque is not effective until the cheque clears (r 55(2)).

Definition of offences for infringement notices. Regulation 48 defines which contraventions qualify as an "offence" for Part 7; it includes breaches of s 59 of the Act where a licence condition is breached or a direction of an inspector is disobeyed, certain Act provisions (as specified in r 51), and any regulation for which an Infringement Notice Penalty is specified at the foot of that regulation. This construction links the Regulations’ many per‑licence breaches to the infringement notice machinery.

Penalty amounts and grids. Two mechanisms determine penalty amounts. First, where the regulation prescribing a licence condition displays an Infringement Notice Penalty at its foot, that amount applies (see the Infringement Notice Penalty annotations throughout the Regulations; examples include r 4, r 5, r 6 showing 4 penalty units, r 21 showing 0.8 penalty unit). Second, r 52 supplies a fallback scale for other licence condition breaches: for example, 2 penalty units where the condition relates to species restrictions, construction, packing or labelling, hygiene, inspection, slaughter or vermin control (r 52(a)-(c)(i-vi)); 0.8 penalty units in other specified cases such as quality assurance program breaches (r 52(e)-(g)). Schedule 2 additionally maps particular offences against the Meat Industries Act to specific penalty unit amounts for infringement notices; several items attract 8 penalty units (Schedule 2, Items 1-8, 10, 13-18).

Inspector powers and limits. Inspectors may issue infringement notices (r 49), and inspectors can direct actions under certain licence conditions (for example r 11(b), r 14, r 20, r 29 require Chief Inspector approval and, where no approved quality assurance program exists, compliance with directions of an inspector). However, r 56 preserves the ability of prosecutors to institute court proceedings; the Part expressly states that the issuing of an infringement notice does not prejudice prosecution nor limit court penalties, and does not require that an infringement notice be served before prosecution (r 56(b)-(c)). This preserves prosecutorial discretion for more serious or complex matters.

Service and procedural requirements. Notices may be served by hand, by post to the last known address, or by leaving the notice with a person apparently resident or employed at the offender’s last known address who is over 16 years of age (r 57). That establishes a clear framework for effective service of administrative penalties. Regulation 50 requires the notice to advise of payment arrangements and the 28 day period for expiation, which constrains procedural fairness and gives an opportunity for immediate administrative resolution.

Administrative penalties versus court penalties. The Regulations make explicit that payment of an infringement notice expiates the offence (r 55) but does not preclude court proceedings for the same offence (r 56). Where an infringement notice is not issued, or where prosecutorial choice is made, the offender remains subject to the Act’s penalties, which can be higher than the infringement penalty. Schedule 2 indicates that certain Act provisions attract relatively high infringement penalties if an infringement notice is considered appropriate, which signals legislative intent to deter certain behaviours administratively.

Regulatory offences and classification. The Regulations state that an offence against these Regulations is a regulatory offence (r 65). The consequence is that these offences are treated under the Act’s and Territory’s frameworks for regulatory offences, including the procedural and evidentiary frameworks that apply to that class; the Regulations themselves do not set out the broader consequences or procedural differences beyond declaring the classification.

Preservation of discretion for Chief Inspector. The Chief Inspector has statutory discretions such as approving game meat processing (r 11, r 14, r 20, r 29) and issuing export certificates (r 63). These discretions affect enforcement because approval or certificate issuance is a precondition to lawful trade in the relevant circumstances. The Regulations do not prescribe timelines for granting approvals or issuing certificates, which creates an operational dependency on administrative decision‑making.

Principal Act relationship. The Regulations are made under the Meat Industries Act 1996 and operate as subordinate legislation to that Act. Multiple references to sections of the Act are embedded in the Regulations: for example the definition of offences for infringement notices references s 59 of the Act (r 48), and r 64 declares the diseases listed in Schedule 3 to be diseases for the purposes of s 42 of the Act. The Regulations defer to the Act for licensing framework, inspector powers and broader enforcement architecture.

Recognition of Commonwealth export regulation. The Regulations expressly recognise production under the Export Control Act 1982 of the Commonwealth as an authorised production pathway that may satisfy Regulation locality and processing conditions, provided the licensee has taken all steps to ensure the meat was produced under that Act or accepted into and dispatched from registered premises in accordance with that Act (see r 9(2)(c), r 12(2)(c), r 18(2)(c), r 26(2)(c)). That mechanism allows inter‑jurisdictional recognition and practical interoperability for exporters and for product moving between Commonwealth‑regulated premises and Territory‑licensed premises.

Interaction with corresponding law and external licences. The Regulations allow licensees to rely on meat produced under a licence, permit or similar instrument under a corresponding law, again subject to taking all steps to ensure production conformed to the specified standards or code of practice (r 9(2)(b), r 12(2)(b), r 18(2)(b), r 26(2)(b), r 36(2)(b)). This provides an incorporation mechanism for other Australian jurisdictions’ regulatory systems and reduces duplication so long as licensees can show they took all steps to verify compliance.

Planning Act endorsement for transportable units. Regulation 43(3) requires that a transportable pet meat processing unit must not process pet meat in an area in relation to which a Division is established under the Planning Act 1999 unless that area is endorsed on the licence as an area in which pet meat may be processed. The endnotes indicate the Planning (Consequential Amendments) Act 1999 and Planning Act 1999 in the reprint history, which shows the Regulations were adjusted to interact with Territory planning regimes. This creates a cross‑regulatory requirement: operators of transportable units must secure not only inspector approval but also planning conformity for areas where transportable units operate.

Ministerial approval of standards. Transport of meat for human consumption is governed by the Australian Standard for Transportation of Meat for Human Consumption or a substituting standard as approved by the Minister under section 72 of the Act (r 62). That provision ties operational transport obligations to standards approved under the principal Act by the Minister, creating a delegated standardisation route for transport controls.

Export certification and foreign import conditions. Regulation 63 provides that when a foreign government or its authority requires certification for import, the Chief Inspector may issue a certificate if satisfied of the relevant matter. That creates an administrative link between Territory inspection functions and Australia’s international export obligations and private exporters’ need to obtain consular or authority certifications.

Interaction with enforcement and penalty recovery legislation. The endnotes identify the Fines and Penalties (Recovery) (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 as a consequential amendment to these Regulations (List of legislation and List of amendments). That suggests that payment, recovery and enforcement of monetary penalties may be subject to broader Territory penalty recovery frameworks, and that infringement penalties are integrated with the Territory’s enforcement mechanisms.

Public‑health legislation by implication. Regulation 64 designates a list of human diseases (Schedule 3) as diseases for the purpose of s 42 of the Act. While the Regulations do not reproduce s 42, that cross‑reference binds the Regulations to the principal Act’s disease exclusion and reporting mechanisms, aligning meat industry controls with a public‑health exclusion regime.

Preservation of court jurisdiction. Regulation 56 expressly preserves prosecution and the imposition of court penalties, so the Regulations coexist with criminal and regulatory prosecution pathways under the Act and other Territory laws. Issuing an infringement notice does not bar prosecution nor limit the penalty a court can impose.

Original enactment. The Meat Industries Regulations 1997 were notified on 10 December 1997 and commenced on the commencement of the Meat Industries Act 1996 (Endnotes 2). The Regulations have been reprinted in the version provided as in force at 21 September 2011.

Major consequential and penalty amendments. The endnotes and list of amendments set out the principal legislative instruments that have amended the Regulations:

Planning (Consequential Amendments) Act 1999: a consequential amendment relating to planning matters and transportable unit approvals (Endnotes 2 and 4 entry for r 43).
Fines and Penalties (Recovery) (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001, Act No. 60, 2001: amended rr 4-34, rr 36-42, r 43, r 44, rr 46-47, r 48, r 51, rr 58-61 and Schedule 2; the 2001 Act likely adjusted infringement notice and penalty recovery treatment in these Regulations (Endnotes 1, 4).
Penalties Amendment (Children and Families, Health and Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources) Act 2011, Act No. 28, 2011: amended many of the same regulations and updated penalty provisions (Endnotes 1, 4). The reprint is as in force at 21 September 2011, the same date as the Penalties Amendment commencement.
Interpretation Legislation Amendment Act 2018 made general formal amendments to rr 1 and 43 (Endnote 3).

Specific regulation amendment notes in the reprint. The List of amendments (Endnote 4) itemises which regulations were amended by which Acts. Examples include:

rr 4-34 were amended by Act No. 60, 2001 and Act No. 28, 2011.
r 35 amended by Act No. 28, 2011.
rr 36-42 amended by Act No. 60, 2001 and Act No. 28, 2011.
r 43 amended by the Planning (Consequential Amendments) Act 1999, Act No. 60, 2001 and Act No. 28, 2011.
r 44 amended by Act No. 60, 2001 and Act No. 28, 2011.
rr 46-47 amended by Act No. 60, 2001 and Act No. 28, 2011.
r 48 amended by Act No. 60, 2001.
r 51 amended by Act No. 60, 2001.
r 52 amended by Act No. 28, 2011.
r 54 amended by Act No. 28, 2011.
rr 58-61, and Schedule 2 were amended by Act No. 60, 2001 and Act No. 28, 2011.

Consequences visible in the text. The practical effect of the 2001 and 2011 amendments apparent in the reprint include adjustments to the infringement notice amounts and the categories of offences that attract infringement notices (see the presence of Infringement Notice Penalty annotations throughout the regulations and Schedule 2’s penalty table). The 2011 Penalties Amendment Act entries appear to have adjusted penalty unit amounts and the regulation text to reflect changes across several sections.

No subsequent substantive policy remakes recorded in the reprint beyond those listed. The reprint’s Endnotes show the key amendments up to 2018 for minor formal changes. Any changes to penalty unit values in absolute dollar terms are not recorded in the Regulations text itself; the Regulations reference penalty units and the endnotes show which instruments altered rules and penalty structures.

Schedule amendments. Schedule 2 sets the infringement notice penalties for certain Act provisions, mapping particular Act sections to penalty unit amounts. The 2001 and 2011 amendments referenced modified these schedules and the numbering of penalty items for offences against the Act and Regulations.

How the amendment history matters for compliance. The amendment history shows that the Regulations have been adjusted to align with Territory penalty recovery frameworks and to rationalise penalty levels across the licensing and inspection regime. Operators should check whether later amending instruments further altered penalty unit values or introduced new administrative recovery processes beyond the 2011 and 2001 amendments noted in this reprint. The reprint’s Endnotes provide the snapshot of legislative history to 2018 for formal amendments and to 2011 for substantive penalties.

No cases or judicial decisions are recorded or cited in the text of this reprint. The Regulations themselves make no reference to judicial determinations or appellate guidance concerning their interpretation, enforcement or validity. The absence of litigation references in the instrument means the reprint does not include judicial gloss or case law precedent to explain ambiguous terms, the scope of inspector discretion, or challenges to the exercise of enforcement powers.

What the absence implies for practitioners. Practitioners must therefore rely on the textual and doctrinal content of the Regulations and the Meat Industries Act 1996 for legal argument and compliance advice until relevant cases are located in external databases. The Part 7 provisions preserve court jurisdiction and expressly state that issuing an infringement notice does not prejudice prosecution or limit the penalty that may be imposed by a court (r 56). That preserves the pathway for prosecution and therefore for court consideration of contested factual or legal disputes arising under the Act and Regulations, even though no specific litigation history is collected in the reprint.

Where disputes could arise. The Regulations create numerous administratively reviewable discretions and operational conditions that could generate litigation if contested: the Chief Inspector’s approvals for game meat processing and export certification (r 11, r 14, r 20, r 29, r 63); inspector directions in the absence of an approved quality assurance program (r 7, r 11(b), r 14, r 20, r 29); deeming and verification conditions for sourcing meat from corresponding laws or Commonwealth export permits (r 9(2), r 12(2), r 18(2), r 26(2)); and the validity of infringement notices served by inspectors (Part 7). Each of these regulatory nodes could be the subject of judicial review or prosecution challenges depending on the facts, the grounds of challenge and the availability of administrative remedies and review.

Enforcement choices that can produce legal disputes. The dual path of administrative penalties and preserved court prosecution can create choice points for enforcement; whether an inspector issues an infringement notice or the Director of Public Prosecutions (or equivalent) decides to institute court proceedings can be disputed in particular cases, and that decision itself may attract procedural or policy critique though the Regulations do not provide an internal appeal mechanism for refusal to issue an infringement notice.

Records and evidence. The Regulations impose specific recordkeeping and return obligations (r 58) and require licensees to carry and produce licences on request (r 21, r 30). Failure to maintain such records or produce licenses can be the factual foundation for enforcement action, and thus disputes will likely centre on documentary evidence, inspector witness accounts, and compliance with service procedures (r 57). Given the Regulation’s attention to detail in service and notice requirements, procedural deficiencies in inspector practices could be a frequent subject of judicial scrutiny if prosecutions or appeals progress to court.

Practical note for litigators. In the absence of internal litigation references, litigators must build cases from the statute and subordinate instrument text, administrative record, compliance documentation and any contemporaneous guidance from the Chief Inspector or relevant Department. The Regulations’ cross‑references to the Act and to external instruments (Export Control Act 1982, Australian Standards) mean that relevant evidence in disputes will often extend beyond the Territory Regulations themselves.

Precise labelling thresholds and visual requirements. Regulation 44 prescribes different labelling requirements depending on pack size. Containers of 10 kg or less require letter heights of at least 8 mm and a description of contents (r 44(1)); containers of more than 10 kg require lettering at least 25 mm high, plus a distinct yellow band not less than 50 mm wide applied around four sides of the container (r 44(2)(a)-(b)). Small operators handling mixed pack sizes must maintain multiple label templates and packaging materials; failure to apply the correct size or band is an express offence (r 44(3); maximum penalty 20 penalty units, Infringement Notice Penalty 0.8 penalty unit).

Strict prohibition on importing pet meat into an establishment. Multiple provisions bar processing, packing, storing, dispatching or selling pet meat that was imported into the establishment as pet meat (r 4, r 15, r 28). Operators that accept delivered pet meat and then process it face a specific bar unless the meat derived from animals slaughtered at that establishment; the text does permit meat from licensed sources under certain conditions (see the exceptions in r 9(2)(a)-(b) and r 39(2)(a)-(b)), but the default prohibition is strict and repeatedly enforced across licence classes.

Blue dye concentration specified. Where pet meat is required to be dyed blue, the Regulations specify both the dye and the dilution: Brilliant Blue FCF, one part dry active dye to 500 parts water, and the dye must be applied on all surfaces or dispersed throughout ground/minced meat (r 45). Using a different dye or incorrect dilution breaches the regulation; inspectors can enforce this under the Infringement Notice scheme.

Distinct offences and inconsistent penalty units. The Regulations use a mixture of explicit Infringement Notice Penalty annotations at the foot of many regulations and a fallback penalty grid in r 52. Some duties carry small penalty unit amounts (0.8 units for producing a licence on request r 21, r 30), whereas Schedule 2 lists several Act offences with 8 penalty units (Schedule 2 Items 1-8, 10, 13-18). Practitioners must check both the specific regulation and r 52 and Schedule 2 to determine the exposure. The reprint’s amendment history shows that penalty allocations have changed over time, so relying on an old understanding of penalty severity risks underestimating exposure.

Transportable unit planning overlay. A transportable pet meat processing unit must be inspected and approved by the Chief Inspector for any place at which it is to operate, and operations cannot commence unless the Chief Inspector has been notified of the location and an inspection has occurred (r 43(1)-(2)). Additionally, if a Division under the Planning Act 1999 applies to an area, that area must be endorsed on the licence before processing can occur (r 43(3)). Operators of mobile units must satisfy both health inspectors and planning requirements before starting, so reliance on a single approval is insufficient.

Timeframes for refrigeration and boning. Pet meat slaughter licences impose time limits: boning out must begin within 30 minutes after slaughter and the meat must be placed under refrigeration within 4 hours of boning out (r 32(b), r 32(e)). These short timeframes impose operational tempo and logistical constraints on small or remote operators that may lack immediate refrigeration capacity.

Inspector presence and notice windows. Licensees must give one month’s notice to the Chief Inspector before recommencing operations if none have taken place in the previous six months (r 59). Where an inspector’s presence is required for an operation, the licensee must notify at least seven days before (r 60). These are procedural gotchas: failure to give proper notice exposes a licensee to maximum penalties and to inspection denial or operational interruption.

Hygiene and pest control specifications. Pet meat processing licence holders must control insects, birds, rodents and other pests and must place waste in specified containers and remove waste daily, cleaning and disinfecting as directed (r 37(b), r 37(e)). The Regulations are prescriptive about immediate cleaning and disinfecting of utensils and equipment (r 32(g); r 37(c)). Non‑compliance is an express basis for enforcement (Infringement Notice Penalty: 2 penalty units in many places).

Carcass marking rules for human consumption. Domestic abattoir licences require official establishment marks on carcasses in specified places depending on species (r 8(1)(a)-(d)), and the mark must be placed only with an edible food dye permitted under relevant food law (r 8(2)). Misplacing marks or using improper dyes is an offence with an Infringement Notice Penalty of 2 penalty units.

Age limitation on issuing infringement notices. An inspector may not serve an infringement notice unless the person is, or is reasonably believed to be, over 16 years old (r 49(2)). That detail can be significant in workplace scenarios where labour under 16 may be present; inspectors must use other enforcement tools in those circumstances.

Export certificates rely on Chief Inspector satisfaction. Regulation 63 allows the Chief Inspector to issue export certificates where satisfied of the matter a foreign authority requires. The Regulations do not set a time limit or stated criteria for satisfaction; exporters needing certification should anticipate possible administrative processing time and the need to provide documentary proof.

Record and return timing. Licensees must provide returns within the "approved time and in the approved form" for the Chief Inspector’s purposes regarding species and numbers slaughtered, processed or stored (r 58). The Regulations do not define "approved time" or "approved form" in‑text, so licensees must obtain that administrative guidance from the Chief Inspector or departmental instruments. Failure to supply returns exposes the licensee to 0.8 penalty units.

Checklist of immediate operational requirements (by regulation citations)

Ensure licensed premises compliance
- Conduct slaughtering, processing, packing and storage only at the establishment named on the licence where the relevant licence condition so requires (r 6, r 17, r 25, r 36, r 46).
- If operating a transportable pet meat processing unit, secure Chief Inspector approval for each location and ensure the site is inspected before commencing operations (r 43(1)-(2)), and confirm planning endorsement where a Planning Act Division applies (r 43(3)).
Maintain and produce licences on request
- Carry a copy of the licence when conducting game meat or pet meat slaughter operations and produce it to an inspector on request (r 21, r 30). These carry an infringement notice penalty if breached.
Segregate and label pet meat
- Do not process, pack, store, dispatch or sell pet meat imported into the establishment as pet meat (r 4, r 15, r 28), unless the meat originates from an authorised source that satisfies the exceptions in r 9(2), r 39(2) or similar provisions.
- Before dispatching, ensure pet meat is in cartons or individual packs and labelled in accordance with r 44: small packs (<=10 kg) require at least 8 mm lettering and content description (r 44(1)); larger consignments require 25 mm lettering, a distinct yellow band not less than 50 mm wide around four sides, and content description (r 44(2)). Ensure labels are not misleading (r 44(3)).
Dyeing and marking
- Where pet meat must be dyed, apply Brilliant Blue FCF at one part dye to 500 parts water to all surfaces or dispersed through minced/ground meat (r 45).
- For carcasses intended for human consumption under a domestic abattoir licence, mark specified carcass locations with an official establishment mark using an edible food dye permitted under relevant food law (r 8(1)-(2)).
Hygiene and equipment maintenance
- Follow the pet meat hygiene duties: do not use diseased animals (r 32(a)), bleed immediately and begin boning out within 30 minutes, place meat under refrigeration within 4 hours after boning out (r 32(b), r 32(e)), handle and transport meat to avoid contamination (r 32(d), r 32(f)), clean and disinfect utensils immediately after use (r 32(g); r 37(c)), and maintain equipment in a condition that will not contaminate meat (r 32(h); r 37(g)).
- Ensure pest control measures are active inside processing establishments (r 37(b)) and waste is handled in the prescribed manner (r 37(e)).
Construction and facility standards
- Confirm the establishment meets Schedule 1 construction standards: enclosure, durable smooth surfaces, adequate drainage to save‑alls, self‑closing doors or fly repellent air current curtains, rooms with hot and cold water and cleaning provision, handwashing basins and suitable drying equipment (r 38; Schedule 1). Keep equipment surfaces durable and easily cleaned (Schedule 1, items 2-3).
Inspection and quality assurance
- If no approved quality assurance program is in force under the Act, ensure carcasses or meat for human consumption are inspected by or under the direction of an inspector before sale or dispatch (r 7).
- Where a licence specifies a standard or code of practice, ensure operations are carried out in accordance with that standard (r 10, r 13, r 19, r 22, r 27, r 34, r 40, r 47).
Returns, notifications and communications
- Provide returns in the approved form and time regarding species, numbers and types of animals slaughtered, processed or stored (r 58).
- If operations have not occurred in the previous six months, give not less than one months notice to the Chief Inspector before recommencing (r 59).
- Where an inspector’s presence is required for operations, notify the Chief Inspector at least seven days before (r 60).
- Advise the Chief Inspector of any change to your postal address within 28 days of the change (r 61).
Transport requirements
- Transport carcasses or meat for human consumption in accordance with the Australian Standard for Transportation of Meat for Human Consumption or any substituting standard approved by the Minister under s 72 of the Act (r 62).
Export certification

If export to a particular country requires certification of matters relating to meat or meat products, apply to the Chief Inspector and be prepared to show documentary evidence to satisfy the Chief Inspector so a certificate can be issued (r 63).

Responding to inspections and infringement notices

Ensure internal records and evidence of compliance are available for inspector review. If issued an infringement notice, the notice will set out particulars and advise a 28 day payment period; paying according to the notice expiates the offence (r 50, r 55).
Be aware that payment of an infringement notice does not stop the possibility of prosecution and that prosecution is preserved under r 56.

Practical implementation steps

Develop a compliance checklist mapping each licence condition that applies to your operation and assign responsible staff for each duty (labelling, refrigeration, cleaning, returns, inspections).
Inventory and document sources of meat and vet suppliers for documentary evidence that meat was produced under a corresponding law or Commonwealth export control, in case the "all steps" exception is relied upon (r 9(2), r 12(2), r 18(2), r 26(2)).
Prepare label templates that meet r 44 size and content specifications, and a packaging policy to segregate pet meat consignments.
Procure and document refrigeration capacity sufficient to place meat under refrigeration within four hours after boning out as required for pet meat (r 32(e)).
Review facility construction against Schedule 1 and plan remedial works where surfaces, drainage or door treatments fail to meet the listed standards (r 38; Schedule 1).
Maintain a calendar for notification windows: one month for recommencement notices, seven days for inspector presence, 28 days for returning to an infringement notice payment window.
For transportable unit operators, secure inspector approval and verify the licence endorsement for planning areas where applicable (r 43).
Train staff on disease signs listed in Schedule 3 and incorporate halting rules where animals present listed symptoms to avoid slaughtering unfit animals (r 31; r 64).

Record retention and audit readiness

Keep copies of all licences, approvals, inspection reports and export certificates on file and readily producible upon inspector request (r 21, r 30, r 63).
Document the steps taken to verify that meat from external sources was produced under a corresponding law or Export Control Act premises where you rely on the exceptions in the locality rules (r 9(2), r 12(2), r 18(2), r 26(2)).

By following the regulatory text’s specified duties and maintaining documentary evidence for exceptions and approvals, operators can align operational practice with the explicit obligations in the Regulations.

MEAT INDUSTRIES REGULATIONS 1997

Plain English Summary

Deep Dive

What it does

Current sections

MEAT INDUSTRIES REGULATIONS 1997

Source text: opening excerpt

1 MEAT INDUSTRIES REGULATIONS 1997

Main concepts

Who it affects

Key duties and rights

Penalties and enforcement

How it interacts with other laws

Amendment history

Litigation history

Gotchas

How to comply