What powers meat hygiene inspectors and Food Standards Agency officials have to demand documentation proving the age of beef carcasses, imp…

The Food Standards Agency advises that the Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) (No. 2) Regulations 1996 (as amended) provide powers for enforcement officers to ensure that meat intended for human consumption, imported or otherwise, has been derived either from cattle from a low-risk BSE country, or from cattle no more than thirty months old at slaughter, unless specifically exempted under the Beef Assurance Scheme. In addition, all meat from premises licensed under the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 must be accompanied by the appropriate health mark indicating that the meat has been subject to official veterinary controls and is therefore fit for human consumption.