AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

ISSUED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH

AMENDMENTS OF THE MEAT REGULATIONS MADE UNDER THE MEAT ORDINANCE 1931

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

No. 16 of 1978

	The Meat Regulations made under the A.C.T. Meat Ordinance 1931 have been amended to remove provisions which are obsolete.

	The amendments have deleted the requirement that frozen meat brought into the Territory be accompanied by a declaration that the meat has been deep-frozen at an establishment where no meat other than meat obtained from beasts slaughtered at an abattoir approved by the Commissioner of the Capital Territory Health Commission is used.  The declaration is unnecessary as permits to import meat into the Territory are only issued for export abattoirs or approved N.S.W. abattoirs.

	The amendments have also deleted the provision that meat other than frozen meat may not be brought into the Territory unless the Commissioner is given prior notification; this requirement is impracticable because of the large quantities of meat that are brought into the Territory daily and is not currently enforced.

	Finally, the amendments have deleted the requirements that the meat inspector’s certificate, which must accompany meat imported into the Territory, states whether the meat is of first or second quality under the Commerce (Meat Export) Regulations and in the case of meat other than frozen meat that the certificate also states the date of slaughter.  The first requirement is not a matter relevant to the question of whether the meat is fit for human consumption and is therefore not appropriate for inclusion in health legislation.  The second requirement is impracticable with large consignments of meat and is obsolete because of the use of modern refrigerated transport and is not currently enforced.

	The A.C.T. Legislative Assembly has agreed to these amendments to the Meat Regulations without amendment.