Inspection Regulations (N.S. Reg. 46/1990) (just regulations regs mimeat.htm)
N.S. Reg. 46/1990
Nova Scotia — Regulations
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Meat Inspection Regulations
made under
Section 32 of the
Meat Inspection Act
S.N.S. 1996, c. 6
O.I.C. 90-180, (effective February 13, 1990) N.S. Reg. 46/1990
amended to O.I.C. 2026-144 (effective April 23, 2026), N.S. Reg. 109/2026
Table of Contents
Please note: this table of contents is provided for convenience of reference and does not form part of the regulations.
Click here to go to the text of the regulations .
Citation
Interpretation
Meat inspection
Licences
Plants and equipment
Operation of plants
Records
Personnel
Meat products
Risk-based score
Inspection of plants
Ante mortem inspection
Slaughter of animals
Post mortem inspection
Diseases and conditions
Emaciation
Immaturity
Parturition
Abnormal odours
Abrasions, bruises, abscesses, suppurating sores and adhesions
Actinomycosis or actinobacillosis
Anemia
Arthritis
Brucellosis
Caseous lymphadenitis
Edema
Inflammation
Mastitis
Neoplasm
Omphalophlebitis
Parasites, tapeworm cysts and trichinosis parasites
Tapeworm cysts
Trichinosis
Pasteurellosis
Pigmentation
Pyelonephritis
Salmonellosis
Skin diseases
Swine erysipelas
Telangiectasis
Traumatic pericarditis
Tuberculosis
Detention
Form 1—Licence for the Operation of a Meat Plant
Form 2—Application for Licence for the Operation of a Meat Plant
Form 3—Notice of Detention
Citation
1 These regulations may be cited as the Meat Inspection Regulations .
Interpretation
1A In these regulations
“Act” means the Meat Inspection Act ;
“animal” means cattle, calves, sheep, swine, goats, chickens, turkeys, rabbits, game
as defined in the Wildlife Act , and any other animal whether or not raised in
captivity the meat of which is intended for or may be used as food;
“carcass” means the whole carcass of an animal;
“dressed carcass” means the edible parts of a carcass but does not include the
edible organs;
“edible” means fit for food;
“food” means food for human consumption unless the context otherwise requires;
“inedible” means unfit for food;
“inspection legend” means the inspection legend prescribed by these regulations;
“plant” means a meat plant or meat processing plant;
“primal cut” means a short hip, steak piece, shortloin, rib or chuck cut;
“utensil” means any equipment that comes in contact with meat in a plant;
“veterinarian” means a person registered under the Veterinary Medical Act , Nova
Scotia;
“veterinary inspector” means a veterinarian appointed as inspector.
Meat inspection
2 A licensee who holds a licence pursuant to the Act and the regulations shall operate any
plant licensed under the Act in accordance with the Act, these regulations and any
conditions imposed on their licence by an administrator.
Licences
3 An application for a licence to engage in the business of operating a meat plant shall be
in Form 2 attached to these regulations and shall be accompanied by the following
information:
(
a) the exact geographic location of the plant and any facilities used in
connection therewith or the site for the plant and facilities;
(
b) particulars of the plant location or site in respect of drainage and facilities
for maintenance of sanitary conditions;
(
c) the dimensions of the plant and facilities and their capacity for proposed
operation;
(
d) detailed plans showing the number of rooms, intended operation in each
room, locations of main equipment and other equipment illustrating the
nature and extent of the plant operation;
(
e) a survey, drawing or sketch showing the location of the plant and facilities
in relation to other adjacent properties;
(
f) where washrooms, dressing rooms or toilet rooms are not provided in the
plant, particulars of facilities available elsewhere;
(fa) the hours and days of the week that the applicant requests for slaughter to
occur at the plant;
(
g) such other information as an administrator requires.
(1) A licence issued under subsection 10(3) of the Act shall be in Form 1 attached to
these regulations, and may contain such conditions or limitations as an
administrator may prescribe.
(2) A licence shall continue in force until it is suspended or revoked by an
administrator.
(3) A licensee wishing to surrender its licence shall give written notice to an
administrator 30 days in advance of the date of surrender.
(4) A licence in Form 1 is not transferable.
(5) There is no fee for a meat plant licence or the renewal of a licence.
5 An administrator shall assign a plant number to every plant licensed under the Act and
regulations.
Plants and equipment
6 Every plant shall
(
a) be located in a place free from conditions that might injuriously affect the
sanitary operation of the plant;
(
b) be constructed and finished in such manner that the plant is capable of
being maintained in a sanitary condition;
(
c) be fully lighted;
(
d) be adequately ventilated; and
(
e) be adequately heated.
(1) No poultry abattoir shall have direct interior access to a red meat plant.
(2) Poultry processing facilities shall be separate from facilities for any other meat;
provided, however, that poultry product may be stored with other meat product
after it has been completely processed.
8 No utensil or personal attire used in a poultry abattoir shall be used in or transferred to a
red meat plant.
9 Every plant shall be equipped with
(
a) a killing room for the purpose of slaughtering animals;
(
b) a storage room for inedible offal, meat that is not food, condemned material
and refuse;
(
c) where hides are salted, a hide room for that purpose;
(
d) pens for the purpose of holding animals before slaughter;
(
e) head inspection racks;
(
f) a viscera truck or table;
(
g) a hoist;
(
h) a sterilizer;
(
i) where poultry is processed,
(
i) equipment for scalding and plucking, and
(ii) equipment for cleaning and disinfecting of all rooms and processing
equipment and for cleaning and disinfecting poultry crates and
transport facilities; and
(
j) such other equipment of design and material as an administrator requires.
(1) Every plant shall be equipped with or have readily available adequate facilities for
the purpose of chilling and storing dressed carcasses immediately after slaughter,
and such equipment shall be conveniently placed in the appropriate sequence for
slaughtering, eviscerating and chilling.
(2) Where poultry is processed in any plant, equipment in the plant shall include
(
a) scalding equipment and chill tanks of rust resistant material impervious to
liquids;
(
b) chill tanks equipped with adequate overflows and permanently affixed
direct reading thermometers, which tanks shall be capable of lowering
eviscerated carcasses to a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7.2 degrees
Celsius) within one hour; and
(
c) storage rooms capable of holding poultry carcasses at a temperature below
45 degrees Fahrenheit (7.2 degrees Celsius).
(3) Every refrigerated room in a plant shall be equipped with a direct reading
thermometer of known accuracy.
(1) Every plant shall have, under pressure,
(
a) a supply of potable hot and cold water adequate for the efficient operation of
the plant; and
(
b) an adequate supply of potable hot water or live steam for sterilizing
purposes.
(2) Every plant shall have hand washing facilities in the killing room including a
stainless steel sink with faucets operated by foot or knee pressure.
(1) Plant floors shall be smooth, impervious to liquids and shall bind with the wall lift
for a minimum rise of six inches.
(2) All plant floors except those in dry storage and hide rooms shall be sloped to
drains equipped with odour traps.
13 Every plumbing drain in a plant shall be equipped with a catch basin for removing fat
and solid materials, and where the drain is from a kill room floor, it shall also have a
blood pit to redirect clotting blood.
14 Every wall and ceiling in a plant shall be of smooth material impervious to liquids and
shall be of a minimum height of 9 feet (2.74 meters) except in abattoirs where the
minimum height shall be 11 feet (3.35 meters) to the transport rail.
15 Ceilings in refrigeration rooms in a plant shall be of smooth material and impervious to
liquids.
16 Rails, racks and hooks in a plant shall be of rust-resistant metal construction or shall be
iron or galvanized but kept free of rust with oil and shall not be painted.
17 In every plant, tables, benches, blocks and containers for meat intended for food shall be
rust-resistant and free of any crack or crevice.
(1) In every plant, containers for the storage of inedible offal, meat that is not food,
condemned material and refuse shall be of suitable metal, plastic or fibre glass
construction and covered with insect-proof covers of the same construction.
(2) In every plant, containers that hold inedibles shall be labelled.
19 Except as otherwise provided in these regulations, in every plant utensils shall be of such
material and so constructed that they are rust-resistant and can be easily cleaned and
sterilized.
20 Plants shall be cleaned and sanitized immediately upon completion of the daily
operations.
21 Where a plant processes poultry, all equipment, poultry crates and transport facilities
shall be cleaned, disinfected and sanitized as soon as practical after arrival at the plant.
Operation of plants
22 No person shall operate a plant unless 1 of the following conditions is met:
(
a) an inspector appointed under the Act is present;
(aa) if the conditions of the licence in respect of the plant allow for it, an
authorized meat plant representative is present;
(
b) the plant engages only in further processing or retailing and an
administrator has authorized the plant to operate under random inspection.
23 No person shall use any part of a meat plant as living quarters.
24 No person shall have in a meat plant anything that is not used in the normal operation of
the plant.
25 No person shall use the holding pens of a meat plant for the purpose of fattening
animals.
26 The meat plant water supply shall be adequately protected against contamination and
pollution.
(1) Every meat plant shall be kept clean, sanitary and in good repair.
(2) The floors, walls and ceilings of a plant shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary
condition.
(3) Rooms and passageways in a plant shall be kept free of condensed moisture.
(4) Rails, racks and hooks in a plant shall be
(
a) arranged so as to prevent contact of a carcass or meat with a wall or floor;
and
(
b) kept clean, sanitary and in good repair.
(5) In every plant, tables, benches, blocks and containers for meat intended for food
shall be kept clean, sanitary and in good repair.
(6) Floors in pens for holding animals shall be maintained in a dry, clean and sanitary
condition.
(7) The yards of a plant shall be maintained in a clean condition and free of litter and
weeds.
28 Where a plant processes game,
(
a) such processing shall not take place at a time when any other meat or meat
product is being processed;
(
b) the processed game shall be kept separate in holding coolers from other
meat processed and inspected under these regulations; and
(
c) the abattoir and all equipment used in processing such game shall be
cleaned, sanitized and disinfected immediately upon completion of the
processing of the game.
29 All waste and drainage from the operation of a plant shall be disposed of in a sanitary
manner.
(1) Containers for the storage of inedible offal, meat that is not food, condemned
material and refuse shall be
(
a) marked to identify the use to which they are put;
(
b) used for no other purpose;
(
c) kept clean and in good repair;
(
d) kept in the storage room provided for that purpose; and
(
e) emptied as directed by an inspector or an authorized meat plant
representative.
(2) No person shall permit inedible offal, meat that is not food, condemned material or
refuse to accumulate in a plant or on or near the premises of a plant except in
containers that comply with these regulations.
(3) Subject to subsection (4), inedible offal and meat that is not food shall be disposed
of in the manner prescribed by
Section 112.
(4) If a carcass is approved as fit for food by an inspector or an authorized meat plant
representative, any inedible offal and meat from that carcass that is not food and is
approved by the inspector or authorized meat plant representative for the purpose
of animal food in accordance with guidelines set by an administrator may be
disposed of for that purpose in a manner determined by the administrator.
31 No person shall smoke, chew tobacco or spit on the floor in any room in which
(
a) carcasses or meat are chilled, stored, cut, handled, prepared or packed; or
(
b) meat products are produced, processed, handled or stored.
32 All outside openings capable of being open, except loading doors, shall be screened
sufficiently to prevent the entry of flies or other insects.
33 Every practicable precaution shall be taken to maintain plants free of flies, rats, mice and
other vermin.
34 No person shall permit a dog or cat to be in a meat plant.
(1) Only germicides, insecticides, rodenticides, detergents, wetting agents or other
similar materials that have been approved by the Canadian Food Inspection
Agency or the federal Department of Health shall be used in a plant.
(2) The materials mentioned in subsection (1) shall be used in a manner approved by
an administrator.
(1) Equipment and utensils shall be
(
a) cleaned at the end of each day’s use; and
(
b) disinfected before each use.
(2) Utensils that have been in contact with infected materials shall be immediately
cleaned and sterilized by means of hot water or live steam.
(1) Meat and meat products shall be handled and kept in such manner and place as to
prevent contamination.
(2) Meat or meat products shall not come in direct contact with the floors or walls in a
plant.
(3) Containers of meat or meat products intended for food shall not be placed in direct
contact with the floor.
38 No paper or other material shall be used in direct contact with meat or meat products
unless it is of such kind that
(
a) remains intact and does not disintegrate from the moisture of the meat or
meat products;
(
b) is readily and completely removable from the meat or meat product; and
(
c) does not impart any chemical or other objectionable substance to the meat
or meat product.
39 Inedible offal and meat that is not food shall
(
a) be removed immediately from any room in which
(
i) carcasses or meat are chilled, stored, cut, handled, prepared or
packed, or
(ii) meat products are produced, processed, handled or stored; and
(
b) be placed in the containers prescribed for that purpose.
40 Hides shall not be kept in any room in which
(
a) carcasses or meat are chilled, stored, cut, handled, prepared or packed; or
(
b) meat products are produced, processed, handled or stored.
41 The carcass of an animal that has been condemned on ante mortem inspection shall not
be taken through or into any room in which
(
a) carcasses or meat are chilled, stored, cut, handled, prepared or packed; or
(
b) meat products are produced, processed, handled or stored.
42 An animal that dies while being held at a plant shall be removed forthwith, and disposed
of in a manner approved by an administrator.
43 No dead animal, carcass of an animal, or part thereof shall be brought into a meat plant
unless any of the following apply:
(
a) the animal was slaughtered and the carcass or part was stamped or labelled
in accordance with the Act or these regulations or the Safe Foods for
Canadians Act (Canada) and the regulations made thereunder;
(
b) the animal was slaughtered on site by humane slaughter after ante mortem
inspection by an inspector or authorized meat plant representative under the
Act;
(
c) the animal is game killed in season;
(
d) the animal is game which has been killed accidentally out of season and it is
accompanied by a certificate under the Wildlife Act from a wildlife officer;
(
e) the animal has died in transit to the plant and is brought in only for the
purpose of removal of the hide, after all live animals have been processed;
(
f) the entry is approved by an inspector.
44 No person shall permit the removal of or transport or deliver meat or meat products from
a meat plant
(
a) unless the meat or meat product
(
i) is adequately protected against dust, dirt, flies, or other insects,
(ii) is handled in such manner as to prevent contamination,
(iii) does not come in direct contact with the floor, roof or walls of the
vehicle in which it is to be transported or delivered, and
(iv) is transported or delivered in a vehicle that is clean, sanitary and
constructed and equipped for the proper care of meat and meat
products; or
(
b) in a vehicle that contains inedible offal, meat that is not food, condemned
material, refuse, unsanitary material or animals.
(1) Where an inspector finds that
Section 44 is not complied with in respect of a
vehicle at a plant, he shall
(
a) prohibit the transportation or delivery of meat or meat products from the
plant in the vehicle and may issue such directions as he considers necessary
or advisable to secure compliance with
Section 44; or
(
b) direct the removal from the vehicle of meat or meat products therein and
reinspect the meat or meat products, as the case may be.
(2) On reinspection of the meat or meat products under clause (
b) of subsection (1),
the inspector may issue such directions as he considers necessary or advisable to
ensure that the meat or meat products comply with these regulations.
(3) If an authorized meat plant representative finds that
Section 44 is not complied
with in respect of a vehicle at a plant, the authorized meat plant representative must
contact an administrator for direction.
Records
46 Every licensee shall maintain for twelve months, records of animals inspected at the
plant including
(
a) the names and addresses of the persons from whom animals were
purchased or acquired;
(
b) the dates of the purchase or acquisition of animals;
(
c) the number and kind of animals purchased or acquired;
(
d) the number of animals slaughtered and the dates of slaughter;
(
e) information sufficient to
(
i) identify carcasses, or carcass portions by legend, and
(ii) identify meat products by invoices or stamped cartons;
(
f) such other information as an administrator requires.
Personnel
(1) No person shall perform work that brings him in contact with meat or meat
products in a meat plant unless
(
a) the person is clean;
(
b) the person is free from and not a carrier of a disease or infection that may be
spread through the medium of food;
(
c) the person submits to such examination and tests as the local medical
officer of health or an administrator requires; and
(
d) the person wears clean, washable outer garments and headgear.
(2) No person who has resided in premises while a communicable disease or infection
has occurred therein shall perform work that brings him in contact with meat or
meat products in a meat plant, unless the person has obtained a certificate from the
local medical officer of health certifying that the person is free from and not a
carrier of any disease or infection that may spread through the medium of food.
48 No person shall handle meat or meat products while the person is the bearer of any
substance that might contaminate the meat or meat products.
(1) Every meat plant shall, for the use of the employees, be provided with or have
available
(
a) washing facilities, including soap and running hot and cold water;
(
b) clean towels for the exclusive use of each employee;
(
c) adequate dressing rooms for all employees to change and store their
clothing in clean and sanitary conditions; and
(
d) adequate running-water closet-type toilet facilities.
(2) Every toilet room shall be
(
a) located so that it does not open directly into any room in which
(
i) meat is chilled, stored, cut, handled, prepared or packed, or
(ii) meat products are produced, processed, handled or stored;
(
b) equipped with full-length doors;
(
c) adequately ventilated; and
(
d) fully lighted.
(3) While the plant is in operation, every washroom, dressing room and toilet room
shall be adequately heated.
50 Washing facilities, dressing rooms and toilet rooms shall be kept clean and sanitary.
Meat products
51 Meat products that are customarily eaten without further cooking shall be subjected to a
process sufficient to destroy pathogenic bacteria, parasites and cystic forms of parasites.
52 Where meat products are subject to any cooking or other preserving process an inspector
shall
(
a) inspect any automatic thermal charts;
(
b) perform such other tests as may be necessary to satisfy the inspector that the
product has been cooked at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time
to destroy pathogenic bacteria, parasites and cystic forms of parasites;
(
c) be satisfied that cooking equipment and utensils are properly maintained;
and
(
d) ensure that flammable materials used for smoking or cooking are stored and
handled in a manner so as to prevent contamination.
Risk-based score
52A An administrator must assign a risk-based score to each meat plant based on criteria
determined by the administrator and must determine whether the scores are considered
satisfactory or unsatisfactory.
Inspection of plants
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), every meat plant must be operated under the
supervision of an inspector who is present at the plant.
(2) An administrator may approve a licensee to conduct slaughter at its meat plant
without an inspector present if all of the following conditions are met:
(
a) the meat plant has achieved and maintains a satisfactory risk-based score, as
determined under
Section 52A;
(
b) the licensee’s licence contains conditions that permit the licensee to
designate an individual as a meat plant representative and the licensee has
designated 1 or more meat plant representatives;
(
c) the administrator has authorized any individuals designated under clause (
b) as authorized meat plant representatives;
(
d) an authorized meat plant representative
(
i) inspects all animals prior to slaughter,
(ii) is present for the slaughter of all animals, and
(iii) oversees the slaughter and ensures compliance with the Act and
these regulations;
(
e) an authorized meat plant representative maintains records and submits
reports as required by the administrator.
54 Inspectors for the purposes of these regulations may be appointed as inspectors or as
veterinary inspectors and they must report to an administrator.
55 The Chief Inspector and veterinary inspectors must hold a licence under the Veterinary
Medical Act .
56 Every person shall comply with any direction issued by an inspector under these
regulations.
56A Every employee of a meat plant must comply with any direction issued by an authorized
meat plant representative for that meat plant.
57 Where any provision of the Act or these regulations or any direction of an inspector is
not complied with within a meat plant, an inspector
(
a) may refuse to provide inspection at the plant or to stamp with the inspection
legend or label meat at the meat plant; and
(
b) shall notify immediately an administrator and furnish the administrator with
full particulars of the inspector’s reasons for refusing to provide inspection
at the plant or for refusing to stamp with the inspection legend or label meat
at the meat plant.
(1) Every meat plant shall provide
(
a) adequate accommodation for the use of the inspector or an authorized meat
plant representative; and
(
b) adequate work space on the floor of the killing room for the inspector or an
authorized meat plant representative during post mortem inspection by the
inspector or the authorized meat plant representative.
(2) Where a plant requires inspection service for three or more days in a week, the
accommodation for the inspector shall include a furnished office for exclusive use
by the inspector.
59 An inspector or an authorized meat plant representative may take or cause to be taken
specimens from animals, carcasses or meat products for testing purposes.
(1) An inspector may hold any equipment, utensil or room in a plant which, in his
opinion, does not comply with these regulations.
(2) Where any equipment, utensil or room is held under subsection (1), the inspector
shall attach thereto a yellow tag bearing the serial number and the words “NOVA
SCOTIA HELD” and shall issue such directions as he considers necessary or
advisable.
(3) Where the equipment, utensil or room that has been held under subsection (1) has
been made to comply with these regulations, the inspector shall remove the tag
bearing the words “NOVA SCOTIA HELD”.
(4) Where any equipment, utensil or room is held under subsection (1), no person shall
(
a) remove the tag bearing the words “NOVA SCOTIA HELD”; or
(
b) use such equipment, utensil or room until the inspector has removed such
tag.
61 A licensee may conduct slaughter only between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday
through Friday, unless otherwise approved by an administrator.
62 A licensee may request an administrator’s approval for changes to the hours and days
approved for slaughter at its plant, on a temporary or ongoing basis, and the request must
be made in advance of the change at the following times:
(
a) at least 3 business days in advance, if the requested change is for slaughter
to occur on an additional or different day;
(
b) at least 24 hours in advance, if the requested change is for no slaughter to be
conducted on a day that slaughter was scheduled to occur, except in
extenuating circumstances.
63 Except as provided in
Section 64, a licensee is prohibited from conducting slaughter
outside of the hours and days approved by an administrator.
64 If a licensee determines that slaughter must occur outside the hours or days prescribed by
Section 61 or the hours and days approved by an administrator, the licensee must make
special arrangements for inspection service in respect of the slaughter with the
administrator.
65 [repealed]
(1) A licensee must pay a fee for any inspection service required at a time other than
the days and hours prescribed by
Section 61 or the hours and days that the licensee
has properly notified the administrator that slaughter will occur.
(2) The fee for the inspection service mentioned in subsection (1) shall be an amount
equal to the cost to the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture of providing such
service.
Ante mortem inspection
67 No animal shall be taken into the killing room of a meat plant unless an inspector or an
authorized meat plant representative has completed an ante mortem inspection of the
animal and has approved the animal for slaughter.
68 Where these regulations prescribe that an animal be held, an inspector or an authorized
meat plant representative shall
(
a) attach a metal tag bearing a serial number and the words “NOVA SCOTIA
HELD” to the left ear of the animal; and
(
b) direct that the animal be removed to and detained in an area apart from
other animals.
69 Where these regulations prescribe that an animal be slaughtered as a held animal, a
veterinary inspector, Chief Inspector, inspector or authorized meat plant representative
shall
(
a) direct that the animal be slaughtered apart from other animals; and
(
b) make the post mortem inspection of the carcass of the animal.
70 Subject to
Section 113, where these regulations prescribe that an animal be condemned,
a veterinary inspector, Chief Inspector, inspector or authorized meat plant representative
shall
(
a) attach a metal tag bearing a serial number and the words “NOVA SCOTIA
CONDEMNED” to the right ear of the animal; and
(
b) direct that the animal be killed and the carcass
(
i) be removed immediately to the storage room for condemned
material,
(ii) be denatured by a method approved by an administrator; and
(iii) be disposed of in the manner prescribed by
Section 112.
(1) Unless otherwise approved by an authorized meat plant representative, an
inspector or an administrator, a person must not place on, or remove from an
animal, a tag bearing the words “NOVA SCOTIA CONDEMNED” or “NOVA
SCOTIA HELD”.
(2) Unless otherwise approved by an inspector or an administrator, a person must not
remove an animal that has been held or condemned by an inspector or an
authorized meat plant representative from the area designated for detaining the
animal by an inspector or an authorized meat plant representative.
(1) Where on ante mortem inspection of an animal, it appears to an inspector who is
not a veterinary inspector or to an authorized meat plant representative that the
animal is diseased, crippled, immature or in an advanced state of pregnancy, or that
the animal shows any evidence of any other abnormal condition, the inspector or
authorized meat plant representative shall
(
a) hold the animal; and
(
b) notify an administrator immediately.
(2) Where an administrator is notified that an animal has been held, an administrator
shall arrange for an ante mortem inspection of the animal.
(3) Where an inspector or authorized meat plant representative inspects a held animal
and approves the animal for slaughter, the inspector or authorized meat plant
representative shall
(
a) remove the tag bearing the words “NOVA SCOTIA HELD”;
(
b) permit slaughter of the animal; and
(
c) conduct a post mortem inspection of the carcass.
73 Where an inspector or authorized meat plant representative inspects an animal and finds
or suspects that the animal is affected with any disease or condition that may cause
condemnation of the carcass or a part thereof on post mortem inspection, the inspector or
authorized meat plant representative shall direct that the animal be slaughtered as a held
animal.
74 Where an inspector or an authorized meat plant representative inspects an animal that
has or may have any of the following, the inspector or authorized meat plant
representative shall report the condition to an administrator for an ante mortem or post
mortem inspection and the animal must be disposed of in accordance with the direction
of the administrator:
(
a) a temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4 degrees Celsius) or above;
(
b) a prolapsed uterus;
(
c) a retained placenta;
(
d) acute or chronic mastitis;
(
e) any condition causing systemic septicemia;
(
f) a contagious or infectious disease;
(
g) a moribund condition;
(
h) evidence of prolonged prostration;
(
i) extensive bruising.
75 No person shall hold a sick animal for treatment at any plant.
76 No person shall remove a live animal from a plant.
77 Where an inspector or authorized meat plant representative finds that an animal is in an
advanced state of pregnancy, the inspector or authorized meat plant representative shall
direct that the animal
(
a) be held or continue to be held, as the case may be; and
(
b) shall only be slaughtered under veterinary inspection; or
(
c) be condemned.
78 Where an inspector or authorized meat plant representative finds that an animal has an
abnormal temperature, the inspector or authorized meat plant representative shall direct
that the animal
(
a) be slaughtered as a held animal; or
(
b) be condemned.
79 Where an inspector or authorized meat plant representative inspects an animal and, in the
inspector’s or authorized meat plant representative’s opinion any of the following apply,
the inspector or authorized meat plant representative shall condemn the animal:
(
a) the animal is in a moribund condition;
(
b) for any other reason, the meat of the animal is not fit for food.
Slaughter of animals
80 An animal shall be slaughtered by a method that produces rapid exsanguination.
(1) No animal shall be slaughtered unless
(
a) it is rendered unconscious in accordance with a method prescribed by or
authorized under
Section 83
(
i) immediately before slaughter, or
(ii) immediately before it is hung for the purpose of slaughter.
82 Where an animal is rendered unconscious for the purpose of slaughter, it shall be
slaughtered or hung and slaughtered, as the case may be, immediately thereafter.
(1) For the purposes of slaughter, an animal shall be rendered unconscious
(
a) by delivering a blow to the head by means of a mechanical penetrating or
non-penetrating device approved by an administrator;
(
b) in the case of a lamb or young calf, by delivering a blow to the head by
manual means;
(
c) by exposure to carbon dioxide gas in a manner that
(
i) produces rapid unconsciousness, and
(ii) has been approved by an administrator; or
(
d) by applying an electrical current to the head
(
i) in a manner that produces rapid unconsciousness, and
(ii) by a device approved by an administrator.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), an administrator, on such conditions as he
imposes, may authorize a licensee to render an animal unconscious other than by a
method prescribed by subsection (1).
84 In slaughtering an animal or rendering it unconscious, no person shall use
(
a) an instrument, unless at the time the ability and physical condition of the
person enable the person to use the instrument without causing the animal
unnecessary pain; or
(
b) a mechanically operated instrument
(
i) in such manner or circumstance, or
(ii) the condition or state of repair of which is such,
as may cause the animal unnecessary pain.
85 An animal shall be prepared for slaughter and slaughtered in a manner that does not
cause it unnecessary pain.
(1) Pens for the purpose of holding animals before slaughter shall be
(
a) clean, adequately ventilated;
(
b) free from sharp projections or obstructions that may injure an animal; and
(
c) sufficient to keep animals from separate lots and deliveries apart from each
other and in identifiable groups until ante mortem inspection, provided
however, that animals from the same herd or flock may be penned together.
(2) Animals shall not be assembled in a greater number than may be held without
over-crowding or risk of injury.
(3) Every ramp or incline used in assembling or moving animals for the purpose of
slaughter shall
(
a) be constructed in a manner that provides good ascent or descent for the
animals; and
(
b) be maintained in a manner that provides good footing for the animals.
(4) An electrical prod used in assembling or moving animals for the purpose of
slaughter shall not be applied to the perianal region or escutcheon of an animal.
Post mortem inspection
87 An inspector or an authorized meat plant representative shall make a post mortem
inspection of the carcass of an animal immediately after slaughter.
88 Where these regulations prescribe that a carcass or a part or organ thereof be held, an
inspector or an authorized meat plant representative shall
(
a) attach firmly thereto a yellow paper tag bearing a serial number and the
words “NOVA SCOTIA HELD”; and
(
b) direct that the carcass, part or organ be removed to and detained in an area
designated by the inspector or authorized meat plant representative.
89 Where this regulation prescribes that a carcass or a part or organ thereof be condemned,
an inspector or authorized meat plant representative shall
(
a) attach firmly thereto a black paper tag bearing a serial number and the
words “NOVA SCOTIA CONDEMNED”; and
(
b) direct that the carcass, part or organ be
(
i) removed immediately to the storage room for condemned material,
(ii) denatured by a method approved by an administrator, and
(iii) disposed of in the manner prescribed by
Section 112.
90 Unless otherwise authorized by an inspector or an authorized meat plant representative,
no person shall
(
a) place on or remove from a carcass or a part or organ thereof a tag bearing
the words “NOVA SCOTIA HELD” or “NOVA SCOTIA
CONDEMNED”; or
(
b) remove a carcass or a part or organ thereof that has been held or
condemned from the area designated by an inspector for the detention of the
carcass, part or organ.
(1) Subject to subsection (2), an authorized meat plant representative or an inspector
who is not a veterinary inspector shall,
(
a) if the inspector or authorized meat plant representative finds any ground for
detaining a carcass or a part or organ thereof for inspection by a veterinary
inspector, hold the carcass and notify a veterinary inspector or the Chief
Inspector with
(
i) a description of the carcass,
(ii) the reason for which it is held, and
(iii) the serial number of the tag bearing the words “NOVA SCOTIA
HELD”; or
(
b) if the inspector or authorized meat plant representative approves a carcass
for food, stamp with the inspection legend or label the dressed carcass in the
manner prescribed by these regulations.
(2) An authorized meat plant representative or inspector who is not a veterinary
inspector may condemn
(
a) a badly bruised part of a carcass;
(
b) a head or organ that is affected with such localized lesions as an
administrator designates, unless the inspector or authorized meat plant
representative is holding the carcass of which they are part for inspection by
a veterinary inspector.
92 Where an inspector or authorized meat plant representative inspects a carcass and
approves the carcass or a part or organ thereof for food, the dressed carcass, part or
organ, as the case may be, shall be stamped with the inspection legend or labelled in the
manner prescribed by these regulations.
93 Where an inspector or authorized meat plant representative inspects a carcass and, in the
inspector’s or authorized meat plant representative’s opinion, the carcass or part or organ
thereof should be held for further inspection, the inspector or authorized meat plant
representative
(
a) hold or continue to hold, as the case may be, the carcass, part or organ; and
(
b) issue such directions as the inspector or authorized meat plant
representative considers necessary or advisable.
(1) Where an inspector or authorized meat plant representative inspects a carcass and,
in the inspector’s or authorized meat plant representative’s opinion, the carcass or a
part or organ thereof is not fit for food, the inspector or authorized meat plant
representative shall condemn the carcass, part or organ,
(2) Where a carcass is condemned under subsection (1), the blood thereof shall be
condemned.
95 An inspector may at any time reinspect in a meat plant, meat that has been stamped with
the inspection legend or labelled and the provisions of these regulations apply to such
reinspection.
96 No carcass or part thereof shall be inflated with air or any other gaseous substance.
(1) A carcass shall be chilled immediately after inspection.
(2) Poultry carcasses
(
a) shall be chilled after plucking, evisceration, washing and removal of head
and feet by submersion in a chilling tank of ice water for a period of time
not exceeding one hour or until the dressed carcass reaches a temperature of
45 degrees Fahrenheit (7.2 degrees Celsius);
(
b) shall be hung after chilling in a cooled atmosphere to remove excess
moisture before inspection and packaging.
98 The sternum of each carcass shall be split and the abdominal and thoracic viscera
removed at the time of slaughter.
99 The head, tongue, tail, thymus gland, viscera, blood and all other parts of a carcass to be
used in the preparation of food shall be held in such manner as to preserve their identity
with a carcass until the post mortem inspection of the carcass has been completed.
100 Carcasses of hogs and calves shall be thoroughly washed and cleaned before any
incision is made for inspection or evisceration.
101 Hair, scurf, hoofs and claws shall be removed from the carcasses of hogs.
102 Oil sacks shall be removed from the carcasses of poultry.
103 The spermatic cords shall be removed from a hog carcass and the pizzle shall be
removed from every carcass.
104 Hypertrophied skin shall be removed from swine carcasses and condemned.
(1) The skin shall be removed from a calf carcass
(
a) that is infested with larvae of the Ox warble fly; or
(
b) that is extensively affected with lesions resulting from mange, ringworm or
any other skin disease of a like nature.
(2) Where the lesions mentioned in clause (
b) of subsection (1) are so localized and of
such character that they may be readily removed, the part of the skin that is
affected shall be removed.
(1) Lactating mammary glands shall be removed without opening the milk ducts or
sinuses.
(2) All mammary glands of swine that are lactating or have been active shall be
removed and condemned.
107 Hair, scurf, brains, eyes, eardrums, teeth and turbinate and ethoid bones shall be
removed from heads intended for food.
108 Parotid and other salivary glands shall be removed from cheek meat intended for food.
109 The larynx, epiglottis and tonsils shall be removed from tongues intended for food.
110 Hearts shall be opened or inverted and washed before they are placed in refrigeration
facilities or removed from a meat plant.
111 Edible offal intended for use as food shall be washed and inspected before packing.
(1) Where these regulations prescribe any of the following, an inspector or authorized
meat plant representative shall direct that the animal, carcass, part, organ, inedible
offal or meat that is not food be disposed of in accordance with subsection (2):
(
a) that an animal be condemned and killed;
(
b) that a carcass or a part or organ thereof be condemned;
(
c) that inedible offal and meat that is not food be disposed of.
(2) All of the following methods of disposition are acceptable for the purposes of
subsection (1):
(
a) delivery to a rendering plant, approved under the Safe Foods for Canadians
Act (Canada);
(
b) burying with a covering of at least 60 cm of earth;
(
c) incineration by a method approved by an administrator;
(
d) rendering in a plant that is equipped with high temperature rendering
facilities approved by an administrator;
(
e) any additional method approved by an administrator.
Diseases and conditions
113 Where any disease or condition is not dealt with under these regulations, the Chief
Inspector or a veterinary inspector shall deal with the disease or condition in such
manner as the Chief Inspector or veterinary inspector considers necessary or advisable.
(1) Where, on inspection, the Chief Inspector or a veterinary inspector suspects that an
animal or carcass is affected with glanders, maladie du coit (dourine), anthrax, hog
cholera, mange, vesicular exanthema of swine, sheep scab, rabies, scrapie or such
other contagious or infectious disease as may be designated under the Health of
Animals Act (Canada), the Chief Inspector or veterinary inspector shall
(
a) hold the animal or carcass, as the case may be;
(
b) direct that the animal or carcass be removed to and detained in an area apart
from other animals or carcasses; and
(
c) notify immediately an administrator and the closest district veterinarian
appointed under the Health of Animals Act (Canada).
(2) Where, on inspection, the Chief Inspector or a veterinary inspector finds lesions of
tuberculosis in any animal, the Chief Inspector or veterinary inspector shall notify
immediately the closest district veterinarian appointed under the Health of Animals
Act (Canada) and furnish the district veterinarian with such information and
specimens as an administrator prescribes.
115 An animal or carcass affected with any of the following diseases or conditions shall be
condemned:
(a)anaplasmosis;
(
b) anthrax;
(c)azoturia;
(
d) blackleg;
(e)farcy;
(
f) glanders;
(g)icterus with hematuria;
(
h) infectious equine anemia;
(i)hog cholera;
(
j) maladie du coit (dourine);
(k)malignant catarrh;
(
l) piroplasmosis;
(m)purpura hemorrhagica;
(n)pyemia;
(
o) rabies;
(p)sapremia;
(
q) septicemia;
(r)strangles;
(
s) tetanus;
(t)toxemia;
(
u) uremia;
(
v) vesicular exanthema;
(
w) viral encephalomyelitis.
116 Poultry affected with any of the following diseases or conditions shall be condemned:
(a)avian leukosis complex;
(b)botulism;
(c)erysipelothrix septicemia;
(d)listerellosis;
(e)ornithosis;
(f)paratyphoid septicemia;
(
g) septicemia;
(
h) toxemia;
(
i) tuberculosis;
(
j) pullorum disease.
117 Where any poultry, animal or carcass is infected with any of the following diseases or
conditions and the carcass shows only localized lesions and no systematic change, the
organ or portion affected shall be removed and condemned:
(
a) avian pneumonitis;
(
b) coccidiosis;
(
c) enterohepatitis;
(
d) fowl cholera;
(
e) fowl pox;
(
f) fowl typhoid;
(
g) infectious bronchitis;
(
h) infectious coryza;
(
i) infectious laryngotracheitis;
(
j) mycotic infections;
(
k) pseudotuberculosis;
(
l) trichomoniasis.
118 The carcass of an animal that is emaciated, immature or in a post-parturient state shall be
condemned if any one of the following conditions are present:
Emaciation
(
a) emaciation which is
(
i) distinct from mere leanness,
(ii) pathological and caused by primary or secondary starvation, and
(iii) characterized by
(
A) atrophy and flabby conditions of the musculature,
(
B) the loss of intermuscular and internal fat resulting in the
replacement thereof by a yellow jellylike substance, or
(
C) diminution of the size of the organs;
Immaturity
(b) (
i) the meat
(
A) has the appearance of being water-soaked,
(
B) is loose, flabby, tears easily, and can be perforated with the
finger, or
(
C) is grayish red in colour;
(ii) good muscular development as a whole is lacking, especially on the
upper shank of the leg where edema is present between the muscles,
(iii) the tissue that later develops as the fat capsules of the kidneys is
edematous, dull yellow or grayish red, tough and intermixed with
islands of fat;
Parturition
(
c) the animal has given birth to young within ten days immediately preceding
slaughter, unless otherwise directed following inspection by a veterinary
inspector or the Chief Inspector.
119 The carcass of an animal affected with any of the following diseases or conditions shall
be dealt with in the manner prescribed hereunder:
Abnormal odours
(a) (
i) where a carcass is affected with
(
A) a pronounced abnormal dietary odour,
(
B) a pronounced medicinal odour,
(
C) a urine or abnormal sexual odour, or
(
D) an abnormal metabolic odour associated with febrile
conditions,
the carcass shall be condemned,
(ii) a carcass that is mildly affected by any odour mentioned in subclause
(
i) shall be chilled and the disposal of the carcass shall be determined
by a heating test;
Abrasions, bruises, abscesses, suppurating sores and adhesions
(b) (
i) where a carcass is badly bruised or extensively affected with
abrasions, abscesses, suppurating sores, or visceral adhesions the
carcass shall be condemned,
(ii) where there are, without lymph gland involvement, slight, well
limited abrasions, bruises, abscesses, suppurating sores or adhesions
on any part of a carcass, other than the head, tongue and internal
organs, the affected tissue shall be removed and condemned,
(iii) any part of a carcass or any organ that is badly bruised or extensively
affected with an abscess, suppurating sore or adhesion shall be
removed and condemned;
Actinomycosis or actinobacillosis
(c) (
i) where lesions resulting from actinomycosis or actinobacillosis are
generalized, the carcass shall be condemned,
(ii) where the lesions mentioned in subclause (
i) are uncomplicated and
localized, the affected parts of a carcass shall be removed and
condemned,
(iii) where the head is affected by lesions mentioned in subclause (i), the
head, including the tongue, shall be condemned,
(iv) where the lesions mentioned in subclause (
i) are slight and confined
to the tongue, the tongue and corresponding lymph glands shall be
removed and condemned;
Anemia
(
d) where anemia is present in conjunction with another disease or condition for
which no provision is made under these regulations, the Chief Inspector or a
veterinary inspector shall issue such directions with respect to the disposal
of the carcass as he deems necessary or advisable;
Arthritis
(e) (
i) where a carcass is affected with arthritis and the condition is
(
A) generalized and associated with systemic change, or
(
B) characterized by the presence of periarticular abscesses and
manifesting suppurative lesions in more than one joint,
the carcass shall be condemned;
(ii) where arthritis is localized and not associated with systemic change,
the affected joint and corresponding lymph glands shall be removed
in such manner as to avoid contamination of the remainder of the
carcass, and shall be condemned;
Brucellosis
(f) (
i) where the lesions resulting from brucellosis are generalized, the
carcass shall be condemned,
(ii) where the lesions mentioned in subclause (
i) are localized, the
affected parts of the carcass shall be removed and condemned;
Caseous lymphadenitis
(g) (
i) where caseous lymphadenitis
(
A) is associated with emaciation or secondary change, or
(
B) is extensive, not confined to the seat of primary infection, and
more than one body gland is affected,
the carcass shall be condemned,
(ii) where caseous lymphadenitis is confined to one body gland, the
quarter of the carcass in which such gland is located shall be
removed and condemned;
Edema
(h) (
i) where edema is generalized, the carcass shall be condemned,
(ii) where edema is slight and confined to the seat of origin, the affected
tissues shall be removed and condemned and the remainder of the
carcass, on reinspection after chilling for twelve hours, may be
approved;
Inflammation
(i) (
i) where the lungs, pleura, intestines, peritoneum, kidneys, uterus or
meninges show active and extensive inflammation, the carcass shall
be condemned,
(ii) where chronic inflammation is characterized by fibrous tissue
adhesions only, the affected part or organ shall be removed and
condemned,
(iii) in cases other than those mentioned in subclauses (
i) and (ii), the
Chief Inspector or a veterinary inspector shall issue such directions
with respect to the disposal of the carcass or any part or organ thereof
as he deems necessary or advisable;
Mastitis
(j) (
i) where an udder is affected with mastitis and there is evidence of
systemic change, the carcass shall be condemned,
(ii) where there is no evidence of systemic change, an udder affected
with mastitis shall be removed and condemned;
Neoplasm
(k) (
i) where any part or organ of a carcass is affected with a malignant
tumor that
(
A) is extensive,
(
B) affects the muscles, skeleton or body lymph glands, or
(
C) is accompanied by evidence of metastasis, the carcass shall be
condemned,
(ii) where any part or organ of a carcass is affected with malignant tumor
and
(
A) such tumor is primary,
(
B) there is no evidence of metastasis or interference with normal
body functions, and
(
C) there is no secondary change, the affected part or organ shall be
removed and condemned,
(iii) where any part or organ of a carcass is affected with a benign tumor
and the remainder of the carcass is not affected, the affected part or
organ shall be removed and condemned;
Omphalophlebitis
(l) (
i) where any carcass is affected with omphalophlebitis and there is
evidence of metastatic involvement, the carcass shall be condemned,
(ii) where there is no evidence of metastatic involvement in a carcass
affected with omphalophlebitis, the umbilical region shall be
removed and condemned;
Parasites, tapeworm cysts and trichinosis parasites
(m) (
i) where a carcass shows evidence of infestation with parasites that are
not transmissible to man, and the parasites are found to be of such
character and distribution that their removal and the removal of the
lesions caused by them are impracticable, the carcass shall be
condemned,
(ii) where
(
A) any part or organ of a carcass shows numerous lesions caused
by parasites,
(
B) the character of the infestation of the part or organ is such that
complete removal of the parasites and of the lesions caused by
them is difficult to accomplish with certainty, or
(
C) the parasitic infestation renders the affected part or organ unfit
for food
the affected part or organ shall be removed and condemned,
(iii) where the infestation of a part or organ of a carcass is so localized
and of such character that the parasites and the lesions caused by
them may be readily removed, the affected area of the part or organ
shall be removed and condemned;
Tapeworm cysts
(n) (
i) in this clause
(
A) subclauses (ii), (iii), (iv) and (
v) apply to cysticercosis in cattle,
(
B) subclauses (vi) and (vii) apply to cysticercosis in sheep, and
(
C) subclause (viii) applies to cysticercosis in swine,
(ii) where the infestation is excessive or the meat is watery or
discoloured, the carcass shall be condemned,
(iii) for the purpose of subclause (ii), the infestation is deemed to be
excessive where incisions in various parts of the musculature expose
on most of the cut surfaces two or more cysts within an area having a
diameter of approximately four inches, (10.16 centimeters),
(iv) where the infestation is limited to one dead and calcified cyst, the
carcass shall be approved after removal and condemnation of the
cyst,
(
v) where the infestation is slight or moderate, as determined by a
careful examination of the heart, muscles of mastication, diaphragm
and its pillars, tongue and other parts of the carcass that are visible
after dressing
(
A) the cyst and surrounding tissues shall be removed and
condemned, and
(
B) the carcass shall be
(
I) held continuously in cold storage at a temperature not
exceeding 14 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 10 degrees
Celsius) for a period of not less than twenty days, or
(II) treated by any other method prescribed by an
administrator, before the carcass may be approved,
(vi) where the infestation is of such character and distribution that the
complete removal of the cysts cannot be accomplished with
certainty, the carcass shall be condemned,
(vii) where the infestation is slight and all cysts can be removed, such
cysts and surrounding tissues shall be removed and condemned and
the carcass may be approved,
(viii) a carcass affected with cysticercus cellulosae shall be condemned;
Trichinosis
(o) (
i) where an inspector has reason to believe that swine may be affected
with trichinosis, he shall
(
A) direct that the animals be slaughtered as held animals,
(
B) submit such specimens as are necessary for the purpose of an
analysis to a laboratory designated by an administrator,
(
C) hold the carcasses of the animals, and
(
D) issue such directions as he considers necessary or advisable,
(ii) where an analysis under subclause (
i) shows that trichinae are
present, the carcass shall be condemned,
(iii) where an analysis under subclause (
i) does not show the presence of
trichinae, the Chief Inspector or a veterinary inspector may direct that
the carcass shall be treated by the method prescribed by an
administrator;
Pasteurellosis
(p) (
i) where the lesions resulting from pasteurellosis are associated with
systemic change, the carcass shall be condemned,
(ii) where the lesions mentioned in subclause (
i) are localized, the
affected part or organ of the carcass shall be removed and
condemned;
Pigmentation
(q) (
i) any liver that is affected extensively with carotenosis shall be
removed and condemned,
(ii) where
(
A) a carcass or part or organ thereof is affected with melanosis,
porphyria or ochronosis, and
(
B) such forms of pigmentation cannot be completely removed,
the affected carcass shall be condemned or the affected part or organ
shall be removed and condemned, as the case may be,
(iii) where xanthomatosis results in the extensive discolouration of the
musculature, the carcass shall be condemned,
(iv) where xanthomatosis is confined to any part or organ, the part or
organ shall be removed and condemned,
(
v) where a carcass shows
(
A) any degree of icterus with parenchymatous degeneration of
organs,
(
B) an intense yellow or greenish-yellow discolouration,
the carcass shall be condemned,
(vi) where a carcass shows a slight icteric-like discolouration that
disappears on chilling, the carcass may be approved,
(vii) for the purpose of subclause (vi), the examination of the carcass shall
be made under natural light;
Pyelonephritis
(r) (
i) where a carcass is affected with pyelonephritis and the condition is
bilateral or associated with emaciation, the carcass shall be
condemned,
(ii) where a carcass is affected with pyelonephritis and the condition is
not bilateral or not associated with emaciation, the kidneys and
corresponding lymph glands shall be removed and condemned;
Salmonellosis
(s) (
i) where on ante mortem inspection, the Chief Inspector or a veterinary
inspector suspects that an animal is infected with salmonellosis, he
shall
(
A) direct that such animal be slaughtered as a held animal,
(
B) submit such specimens to the Veterinary Pathology
Laboratory, Truro, N.S., as are necessary for the purpose of
analysis,
(
C) hold the carcass of such animal, and
(
D) issue such directions as he considers necessary or advisable,
(ii) where an analysis under subclause (
i) shows that the disease is
generalized, the carcass shall be condemned, and where the analysis
shows that the disease is localized, the affected part or organ shall be
removed and condemned;
Skin diseases
(t) (
i) where a carcass is affected with mange scab, ringworm or any other
skin disease of a like nature in advanced stages and shows
emaciation, cachexia or extensive inflammation of the flesh, the
carcass shall be condemned,
(ii) where any disease mentioned in subclause (
i) is slight, the affected
parts of the carcass shall be removed and condemned;
Swine erysipelas
(u) (
i) where
(
A) swine erysipelas is acute, generalized, or accompanied by
valvular endocarditis, or
(
B) a hog carcass is affected extensively with the diamond-skin
form of erysipelas,
the carcass shall be condemned,
(ii) where the lesions resulting from swine erysipelas are localized or not
associated with systemic change, the affected parts of the carcass
shall be removed and condemned;
Telangiectasis
(
v) livers affected with telangiectasis shall
(
A) be condemned, or
(
B) be denatured by a method prescribed by an administrator and
disposed of for the purpose of animal food in the manner
prescribed by an administrator;
Traumatic pericarditis
(w) (
i) where
(
A) traumatic pericarditis is acute or associated with systemic
change, or
(
B) the lesions resulting from traumatic pericarditis are diffuse with
or without pus,
the carcass shall be condemned,
(ii) where the lesions resulting from traumatic pericarditis are
(
A) localized, and
(
B) encapsulated, if purulent, the affected part or organ shall be
removed and condemned;
Tuberculosis
(x) (
i) where tuberculosis is extensive or associated with emaciation, the
carcass shall be condemned,
(ii) where the lesions resulting from tuberculosis are
(
A) collectively small in extent,
(
B) either calcified or encapsulated, and
(
C) confined to
(
I) the head and the corresponding lymph glands,
(II) the abdominal cavity and the corresponding lymph
glands,
(III) the thoracic cavity and the corresponding lymph glands,
the head, the affected parts or organs of the abdominal cavity or the
affected parts or organs of the thoracic cavity, as the case may be,
shall be condemned.
120 For the purposes of clauses (
c) and (
x) of
Section 119, lesions are deemed to be
extensive or generalized where they are present
(
a) at the usual seats of primary infection and in the parts or organs of the
carcass that may be reached by the organism of tuberculosis, actinomycosis
or actinobacillosis only when they are carried in the systemic circulation; or
(
b) in the digestive or respiratory tracts, including the lymph glands connected
therewith, and in any two of the organs comprised of the spleen, kidneys,
uterus, udder, ovary, testicle, adrenal gland, brain, spinal cord, or the
membranes of any of them; or
(
c) numerous lesions of tuberculosis, actinomycosis or actinobacillosis are
distributed uniformly throughout both lungs.
121 Where these regulations provide that a part or organ of a carcass shall be removed and
condemned, the remainder of the carcass may be approved for food if it is otherwise fit
for food.
(1) Meat that has been approved for food under the Act and these regulations must be
stamped with an inspection legend approved by an administrator that includes the
number assigned to the plant by an administrator.
(2) Carcass portions may be stamped with a smaller or modified inspection legend
approved by an administrator.
(3) [repealed]
(4) [repealed]
(5) A portion legend may be applied to
(
a) retail meat cuts;
(
b) cartons, packages, bags, inserts and labels approved by an administrator and
which contain processed products that comply with the Act and regulations.
123 No person other than an inspector, a person authorized by an inspector or an authorized
meat plant representative shall apply the inspection legend to any carcass, part, organ,
cut, portion, container or carton.
(1) An inspector, a person authorized by the inspector or an authorized meat plant
representative, shall stamp the inspection legend upon
(
a) every dressed carcass, part or organ approved for food;
(
b) each quarter, primal cut and abdominal area of every carcass side;
(
c) portion cuts.
(2) Any meat that is obtained from a dressed carcass or a part or organ thereof that
bears the inspection legend and is of such character or size that it is impractical to
stamp the inspection legend thereon, may be placed in a container, carton or bag
under the supervision of an inspector or an authorized meat plant representative
who shall apply, or authorize a person to apply, the inspection legend to the
container, carton or bag.
125 No meat or meat product that has been returned to a plant may be sold until it has been
identified, re-inspected, and approved by an inspector.
126 Returned meat or meat product that has lost its identity, been contaminated, has been
returned in an objectionable container, or is in any way unfit for food, shall be
condemned and denatured.
(1) Where practicable, the inspection legend shall be applied by means of a metal
stamp directly on to the carcass.
(2) Where it is impracticable to use a metal stamp, the inspection legend shall be
applied by means of
(
a) a tag attached to the carcass or a part, organ or cut thereof, or sealing the
container thereof;
(
b) a label applied to a container of meat or printed directly upon a plastic bag
used to contain the carcass, part, organ or cut.
(1) An inspector or an authorized meat plant representative shall have the custody of,
and be responsible for, the inspection legend stamps, tags, labels and containers,
packages and bags or cartons or inserts bearing the inspection legend assigned to
the plant by an administrator.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), an inspector may leave a portion inspection
legend stamp in the custody of the owner of a retail or processing meat plant who
has been authorized by an administrator to apply the inspection legend, and the
owner shall thereafter be responsible for the security and maintenance of the
inspection legend stamp.
(3) Where an administrator is advised of any infraction of security or use of a portion
inspection legend stamp, he may direct an inspector to seize the stamp and forward
a written report to the Chief Inspector.
129 Any ink used in a plant for marking meat shall be made from harmless ingredients and
samples shall be submitted for analysis on the request of the Chief Inspector.
130 Only ink approved by an administrator shall be used to apply the inspection legend to
meat.
(1) No person shall apply to meat or a container of meat any stamp, tag or label that is
similar to the inspection legend prescribed by these regulations or any tag or label
approved by an administrator.
(2) Letters or figures on any brand, stamp or device used by a licensee shall be of such
style and type as to make a clear and legible impression.
Detention
132 An inspector or an authorized meat plant representative may detain any meat or meat
products where the inspector or authorized meat plant representative believes on
reasonable and probable grounds that there is a contravention of the Act or these
regulations in respect thereof.
133 Where an inspector or an authorized meat plant representative detains meat or meat
products the inspector or authorized meat plant representative shall
(
a) attach thereto a red tag bearing a serial number and the words “Nova Scotia
Detained”;
(
b) forthwith thereafter notify the owner or the person who had possession
thereof in Form 3 attached to these regulations of
(
i) the detention, and
(ii) the grounds on which the inspector or authorized meat plant
representative believes that there is a contravention of the Act or
these regulations in respect thereof; and
(
c) direct that such meat or meat products be detained in the place where they
were found or be removed to another place designated by the inspector or
authorized meat plant representative at the risk and expense of the owner.
134 Where an inspector or an authorized meat plant representative is satisfied that meat or
meat products under detention comply with the Act and these regulations in respect
thereof the inspector or authorized meat plant representative shall remove the tag and
release the meat or meat products from detention.
135 Where, after a hearing, an administrator finds that there is a contravention of the Act or
these regulations in respect of meat or meat products under detention, an administrator
may direct that such meat or meat products be destroyed or otherwise disposed of in such
manner as he considers advisable.
136 Where a person is convicted of an offence under the Act or these regulations in respect
of meat or meat products that are under detention, an administrator may direct that such
meat or meat products be destroyed or otherwise disposed of in such manner as he
considers advisable.
137 Where meat or meat products are under detention no person shall
(
a) remove the tag bearing the words “Nova Scotia Detained”; or
(
b) sell, offer to sell, move, disturb, allow or cause to be moved or disturbed,
receive or process such meat or meat products.
________________________________________________________________
Form 1—Licence for the Operation of a Meat Plant
Meat Inspection (Nova Scotia) Act
Licence # _____________
Under the Meat Inspection (Nova Scotia) Act and the regulations, and subject to the limitations
thereof, this license is issued to
(name)
(address)
carrying on business as
(firm name)
to engage in the business of operating a meat plant for the purposes of
at (address of plant)
This licence continues in force until it is suspended or revoked in accordance with the
regulations.
Plant No. ________ is assigned to this plant.
Issued at ____________, this ____ day of ________________, 19___.
__________________
(signature of issuer)
________________________________________________________________
Form 2—Application for Licence for the Operation of a Meat Plant
Meat Inspection (Nova Scotia) Act
To: An Administrator, Livestock Services Branch,
Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 550
Truro, Nova Scotia
B2N 5E3
(name of applicant)
(address)
applies for a licence to engage in the business of operating a meat plant under the Meat
Inspection (Nova Scotia) Act and the regulations, and in support of this application the
following facts are stated:
1. Name under which business is carried on
2. Owner of plant (if partnership, list names of all partners)
3. Business address of applicant
4. Location of plant
5. Kind and number of animals slaughtered per week
6. Hours and days of the week on which the slaughtering operation is carried out
7. Other relevant statements (attach additional pages, if necessary)
I undertake to furnish an administrator, Livestock Services Branch, details of any changes from
the facts stated in this application within ten days from the date on which the changes are made.
Dated at ____________ this _____ day of ______________, 19___.
___________________
(signature of applicant)
___________________
(title of official signing)
________________________________________________________________
Form 3—Notice of Detention
Meat Inspection (Nova Scotia) Act
To:
You are hereby advised that _____ cartons/carcasses/packages of meat/meat products found in
the possession of
or in a conveyance
on _________________________________ (date) at ___________________ (time)
have been placed under detention by me in accordance with the regulations under the Meat
Inspection (Nova Scotia) Act.
The grounds on which I believe there is a contravention of the Act or the regulations are as
follows:
NOTE: Where meat or meat products are under detention, no person shall
(a)remove the tag bearing the words “Nova Scotia Detained”; or
(
b) sell, offer to sell, move, disturb, allow or cause to be moved or disturbed,
receive or process such meat or meat products.
Dated at _____________, this ____ day of _________________, 19___.
_______________
(Inspector/Authorized Meat Plant Representative)
Legislative History
Reference Tables
Meat Inspection Regulations
N.S. Reg.
46/1990
Meat Inspection Act
Note: The
information in these tables does not form part of the regulations and is
compiled by the Office of the Registrar of Regulations for reference only.
Source Law
The current consolidation of the Meat Inspection Regulations made under the Meat Inspection Act includes all of the following regulations:
N.S.
Regulation
In force
date*
How in force
Royal Gazette
Part II Issue
46/1990
Feb 15, 1990
date specified
Mar 9, 1990
66/2026
Mar 3, 2026
date specified
Mar 20, 2026
109/2026
Apr 23, 2026
date specified
May 15, 2026
The following regulations are not
yet in force and are not included in the current consolidation:
N.S.
Regulation
In force
date*
How in force
Royal Gazette
Part II Issue
*See subsection 3(6) of the Regulations Act for
rules about in force dates of regulations.
Amendments by Provision
ad. = added
am. = amended
fc. = fee change
ra. = reassigned
rep. = repealed
rs . = repealed and substituted
Provision affected
How affected
1 ........................................................
ra. as 1A 109/2026
1 ........................................................
ad. 109/2026
1A .....................................................
ra. from 1 109/2026 ; am. 109/2026 (clause lettering
removed)
1A, defn . of “Act” .......................
am.
109/2026
1A, defn . of “operator” ...............
rep. 109/2026
1A, defn . of “plant” .....................
ad. 109/2026
2 ........................................................
am.
109/2026
3(f) ....................................................
am.
109/2026
3(fa) ..................................................
ad. 109/2026
4(1) ...................................................
am.
109/2026
4(3) ...................................................
am.
109/2026
22 ......................................................
am. 109/2026
22(a) ............................................
am. 109/2026
22(aa) ..........................................
ad. 109/2026
30(1)(e) .............................................
am. 109/2026
30(4) .................................................
rs . 109/2026
35(1) .................................................
am.
109/2026
35(2) .................................................
am.
109/2026
43 ......................................................
am.
109/2026
43(a) ............................................
am.
109/2026
43(b) ............................................
am.
109/2026
43(e) ............................................
am.
109/2026
45(1) .................................................
am.
109/2026
45(1)(a) ........................................
am.
109/2026
45(3) .................................................
ad. 109/2026
52A ...................................................
ad. 109/2026
53 ......................................................
rs . 109/2026
54 ......................................................
am.
109/2026
56A ...................................................
ad. 109/2026
57(b) .................................................
am.
109/2026
58(a) .................................................
am.
109/2026 3
58(b) .................................................
am.
109/2026 3
59 ......................................................
am.
109/2026
61-64 .................................................
rs . 109/2026
65 ......................................................
rep. 109/2026
66(1) .................................................
rs . 109/2026
67 ......................................................
am.
109/2026
68 ......................................................
am.
109/2026
69 ......................................................
am.
109/2026
70 ......................................................
am.
109/2026
71 ......................................................
rs . 109/2026
72(1) .................................................
am.
109/2026
72(1)(b) .......................................
am.
109/2026
72(2) .................................................
am.
109/2026
72(3) .................................................
am.
109/2026
72(3)(c) ........................................
rs . 109/2026
73 ......................................................
am.
109/2026
74 ......................................................
am.
109/2026
74(h) ............................................
am.
109/2026
74(i) .............................................
am.
109/2026
77 ......................................................
am.
109/2026
78 ......................................................
am.
109/2026
79 ......................................................
am.
109/2026
79(b) ............................................
am.
109/2026
83(2) .................................................
am.
109/2026
87 ......................................................
am.
109/2026
88 ......................................................
am.
109/2026
88(b) ............................................
am.
109/2026
89 ......................................................
am.
109/2026
90 ......................................................
am.
109/2026
91(1) .................................................
am.
109/2026
91(1)(a) ........................................
am.
109/2026 4
91(1)(b) .......................................
am.
109/2026
91(2) .................................................
am.
109/2026 5
91(2)(b) .......................................
am.
109/2026
92 ......................................................
am.
109/2026
93 ......................................................
am.
109/2026 (“the veterinary inspector” replaced throughout)
94(1) .................................................
am.
109/2026
108 ....................................................
am.
109/2026
112 ....................................................
ra. as 112(1) 109/2026
112(1) ..........................................
ra. from 112 109/2026 ; am. 109/2026
112(1)(a) ......................................
am.
109/2026
112(1)(b) .....................................
am.
109/2026
112(1)(c) ......................................
am.
109/2026
112(2) ..........................................
ad. 109/2026
114 ....................................................
am.
109/2026 (“ Animal Disease and Protection Act (Canada)” replaced
throughout)
122(1) ...............................................
rs . 109/2026
122(2) ...............................................
rs . 109/2026
122(3)-(4) .........................................
rep. 109/2026
123 ....................................................
am.
109/2026
124(1) ...............................................
am.
109/2026
124(2) ...............................................
am.
109/2026
128(1) ...............................................
am.
109/2026
131(2) ...............................................
am.
109/2026
132 ....................................................
am.
109/2026
133 ....................................................
am.
109/2026 (“he” replaced throughout)
133(c) ..........................................
am.
109/2026
134 ....................................................
am.
109/2026
138-141 .............................................
rep. 66/2026
Form 2 ..............................................
am.
109/2026
Form 3 ..............................................
am.
109/2026
“ the Director” or “The
Director” replaced throughout with “an administrator” or “An administrator”,
as appropriate
am.
109/2026
“operator” replaced throughout with “licensee” .......................................
am.
109/2026
“Department of Agriculture and Marketing” replaced
throughout with “Department of Agriculture” .........
am.
109/2026
Note that changes to headings are not
included in the above table.
Editorial Notes and Corrections
Note
Effective
date
References to the Department of Agriculture and
Marketing should be read as references to the Department of Agriculture and
Fisheries in accordance with O.I.C. 2000-483 under the Public Service Act ,
R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 376.
(corrected by N.S. Reg. 109/2026)
Oct 1, 2000
References to the Department of Agriculture and
Marketing should be read as references to the Department of Agriculture in
accordance with O.I.C. 2006-121 under the Public Service Act , R.S.N.S.
1989, c. 376. (corrected by N.S. Reg. 109/2026)
Feb 24, 2006
Amending instruction in N.S. Reg. 109/2026 to amend s.
58 does not specify which subsection of s. 58 to amend. Amendment applied to
s. 58(1) for the purposes of this consolidation.
Amending instruction in N.S. Reg. 109/2026 specifies
adding text after “inspector” in s. 91(1)(a), but the word “inspector”
appears 3 times in s. 91(1)(a). Amendment applied to the first instance of
“inspector” for the purposes of this consolidation.
Amending instruction in N.S. Reg. 109/2026 specifies
adding text before “inspector” in s. 91(2), but the word “inspector” appears 2
times in s. 91(2). Amendment applied to the first instance of “inspector” for
the purposes of this consolidation.
Repealed and Superseded
N.S.
Regulation
Title
In force
date
Repealed
date
O.I.C. 85-1197 dated November 5, 1985
Feb 15, 1990
Note: Only
regulations that are specifically repealed and replaced appear in this
table. It may not reflect the entire
history of regulations on this subject matter.