The Pig Carcase Grading Scheme: inspections
Information for abattoirs on what to expect during inspections for the Pig Carcase Grading Scheme.
Applies to England and Wales
Livestock and Meat inspectors from the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will visit abattoirs who must comply (meet) with the Pig Carcase Grading Scheme. They will not give advance notice of their visits.
What the inspector will do
The inspector will check that the abattoir is fully compliant with the scheme regulations.
They will:
- re-weigh carcases to check you’ve recorded the weight accurately if we are unable to re-weigh carcases we will record carcase weights at the scale instead.
- inspect carcases to check they’re dressed according to the EU specification and marked and/or documented correctly
- use their own probe to check the meat has been correctly graded
- inspect records to make sure you’re recording the right information and keeping them for 12 months from the year they relate to.
If the inspector finds any problems, they may make follow-up visits and RPA may take enforcement action against you for not meeting with the pig carcase grading regulations.
What you must do
As an abattoir operator you must give inspectors all reasonable assistance and information needed to carry out the inspection.
You must make sure records are available for inspection.
You must not deny entry to your premises for an inspection or obstruct an inspector (including by giving false information). If you do, you’re committing an offence under Part 5 of The Carcase Classification and Price Reporting (England) Regulations 2018 or The Carcase Classification and Price Reporting (Wales) Regulations 2018, which could lead directly to prosecution, and a possible fine or imprisonment.
Updates to this page
Last updated 16 November 2018 + show all updates
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Text reviewed and updated
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First published.