CROSS RIVER – MEAT INSPECTION LAW
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LAWS OF CROSS RIVER STATE
CHAPTER M6
MEAT INSPECTION LAW
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
SECTION
- Arrangement by Commissioner for the inspection of meat.
- Presentation of animals for inspection before slaughter.
- Animals unfit for human consumption.
- Fit animals and certificate of fitness.
- Fit animals to be kept inside lairages or enclosures.
- Penalty for contravening section 2.
- Renewal and issue of licence.
- Establishment of slaughter-house by a person.
- Penalty for contravening sections 7 and 8.
- Construction of slaughter-house by Local Government.
- Slaughter-house manager and his duties.
- Slaughter-house manager in private slaughter-house.
- Inspector to supervise the slaughter of animals.
- Dressing of carcass.
- Diseased or unsound carcass.
- Marking of carcass.
- Removal of carcass prohibited.
- Penalty for contravening sections 16 and 17.
- Inspection of poultry.
- Diseased carcass of poultry.
- Inspection of fish.
- Diseased fish.
- Mode of transportation of meat.
- Inspection of meat exposed for sale.
- Destruction of animals.
- Protection of officers.
- General penalty.
- Regulations.
- Repeal.
- Interpretation.
- Citation and commencement.
SCHEDULE
CHAPTER M6
MEAT INSPECTION LAW
(1st April, 1985)
[Commencement]
- Arrangement by Commissioner for the inspection of meat
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other written Law, the Commissioner shall arrange for the inspection by a Meat Inspector (hereinafter referred to as “the Inspector”) in accordance with the provisions of this Law of—
(a) live animals to be slaughtered for sale for human consumption;
(b) slaughter-houses, their surroundings and the slaughtering therein for human consumption of animals;
(c) the carcass of every animal slaughtered for sale for human consumption;
(d) meat storage facilities and meat markets;
(e) imported meat; and
(f) all instruments used for the slaughter of animals for sale for human consumption.
- Presentation of animals for inspection before slaughter
(1) Every animal intended for slaughter for sale for human consumption shall be presented by the person who has possession of such animal to the Inspector on duty at the slaughter-house not later than twelve hours before the time of slaughter.
(2) A person shall not qualify to slaughter any animal intended for sale for human consumption unless he is a butcher registered as such in the State veterinary office.
- Animals unfit for human consumption
(1) Where the Inspector discovers on inspection that an animal is unfit for slaughter for human consumption owing to any of the diseases or conditions specified in the Schedule to this Law, the Inspector shall, after keeping the animal separate and apart from other animals, consult a veterinary officer who shall also examine the animal.
(2) If on inspection the veterinary officer confirms that the animal is unfit for slaughter, he shall order that the animal be isolated and treated before being represented for inspection.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the Inspector shall declare an animal unfit for human consumption and refer the case to the veterinary officer where—
(a) the animal is dressed by roasting with poisonous substances or material such as motor tyres, kerosene or cables; or
(b) the animal is fattened with growth hormones.
- Fit animals and certificate of fitness
(1) Any animal found fit for slaughter for human consumption may be so marked by the Inspector, who shall also issue a certificate of fitness in respect of such animal.
(2) A certificate of fitness shall lapse if the animal in respect of which the certificate was issued is not slaughtered within twelve hours after the issue of such certificate.
- Fit animals to be kept inside lairages or enclosures
Every animal passed as fit for slaughter for human consumption shall be kept inside a lairage or suitable enclosure until the time of slaughter.
- Penalty for contravening section 2
Any person who—
(a) fails to present an animal for inspection in accordance with section 2 of this Law; or
(b) causes an animal to be slaughtered for human consumption on an invalid or forged certificate of fitness, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ₦5,000.00 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
- Renewal and issue of licence
(1) Where after the coming into force of this Law—
(a) an application is made by the owner or operator of a private slaughter-house to a Local Government for a renewal of a licence to operate a slaughter-house; or
(b) an application is made by any person for a licence to establish a private slaughterhouse, the Local Government shall first obtain the approval of the veterinary officer within the area of jurisdiction of the Local Government before any such renewal or grant of a licence.
(2) The veterinary officer mentioned in subsection (1) of this section shall not approve the renewal or grant a licence under subsection (1) of this section without the prior authorization of the chief veterinary officer of the State.
- Establishment of slaughter-house by a person
(1) Nothing in section 7 above shall be construed as prohibiting any person from applying to the Chief Veterinary Officer to establish a slaughter-house.
(2) A person shall not slaughter any animal intended for sale for human consumption or dress the carcass of such animal except in a slaughter-house registered as such in the State Veterinary Office, or under a special permit issued by a veterinary officer.
- Penalty for contravening sections 7 and 8
(1) Any person who operates or establishes a slaughter-house contrary to the provisions of sections 7 and 8 above, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ₦15,000.00 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months, or to both such fine and imprisonment.
(2) Where the offence is committed by a body corporate, the body corporate shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ₦20,000.00.
- Construction of slaughter-house by Local Government
(1) Where a Local Government is desirous of constructing a slaughter-house, the Local Government shall, in writing, inform the Veterinary Officer in charge of the Local Government Area and the Veterinary Officer shall thereupon provide the specifications of the building and site for the construction of the slaughter-house and the Local Government shall comply with such specifications.
(2) Any Local Government which fails to comply with the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ₦20,000.00.
- Slaughter-house manager and his duties
(1) There shall be a slaughter-house manager (hereinafter referred to as “the Manager”) for each slaughter-house established by a Local Government and the Manager shall be appointed by the relevant Local Government.
(2) The Manager appointed under subsection (1) of this section shall be in charge of the slaughter-house and shall ensure that the slaughter-house is maintained in good and proper sanitary condition to the satisfaction of the Inspector.
(3) For the purpose of this Law, the proper sanitary condition of a slaughter-house shall be deemed not to be maintained if the slaughter-house is not kept efficiently lighted, ventilated, cleansed, drained and provided with sufficient water supply or if any filth, refuse or anything likely to affect the quality and cleanliness of the meat is allowed to remain therein.
- Slaughter-house manager in private slaughter-house
(1) An owner or operator of a private slaughter-house shall within three months after the coming into effect of this Law, employ a slaughter-house Manager.
(2) The duties of a Manager of a private slaughter-house shall be the same as those specified in section 11 above and all Managers shall be subject to the supervision of Inspectors.
(3) Any owner or operator of a private slaughter-house who fails to comply with the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall forfeit his licence and shall be prohibited from using such premises as a slaughter-house.
- Inspector to supervise the slaughter of animals
The Inspector shall supervise the slaughter for human consumption of animals at the slaughter-house and shall ensure that such animals are slaughtered in a humane and hygienic manner.
- Dressing of carcass
(1) Every person who slaughters for human consumption or causes to be slaughtered in a slaughter-house any animal for sale shall ensure that the carcass is dressed immediately after the animal has been slaughtered and that the provisions of subsection (2) of this section are complied with.
(2) The carcass shall be dressed and treated in such a manner as not to prevent or hinder inspection in accordance with this Law and in particular—
(a) where back bleeding ensues upon the slaughter of an animal the pleura shall not be completely detached from the carcass until the Inspector authorises the removal;
(b) no action shall be taken which might alter or destroy any evidence of disease except on the instructions of the Inspector;
(c) the offal other than the feet of any animal shall, after removal from carcass, be so kept as to remain readily identifiable with the carcass until that carcass has been inspected by the Inspector;
(d) the feet of any animal shall be kept available for inspection in the slaughter-house until the Inspector authorises their removal; and
(e) any blood intended for human consumption shall be collected and placed in a clean receptacle provided for that purpose and shall be so kept as to remain readily identifiable with the carcass from which it was collected until the carcass has been inspected by the Inspector.
- Diseased or unsound carcass
Where on the inspection of the carcass or offal of any animal it appears that any part is or may be diseased or unsound, the Inspector shall cause the diseased or unsound part to be removed and destroyed in the presence of the person who has possession thereof and where the whole carcass appears to be diseased or unsound, the Inspector shall invite or seek the opinion of a veterinary officer.
- Marking of carcass
(1) Where after inspection in accordance with this Law the Inspector is satisfied that a carcass or part of a carcass is fit for human consumption, he shall mark that carcass, or, as the case may be, that part of the carcass, with a mark of the kind authorised by the Commissioner.
(2) It shall be an offence punishable under this Law for any person not authorised by the Commissioner to mark any carcass in accordance with subsection (1) of this section.
- Removal of carcass prohibited
No person shall remove, or cause or permit to be removed from a slaughter-house any blood intended for human consumption or any carcass or part of a carcass or any offal until the same has been inspected in accordance with the provisions of this Law and in the case of any for human consumption by the Inspector, until it has been marked in accordance with this Law.
- Penalty for contravening sections 16 and 17
Any person who—
(a) marks any carcass contrary to subsection (2) of section 16 above; or
(b) acts contrary to the provisions of section 17; or
(c) hinders or obstructs a Veterinary Officer or the Inspector in the course of his duties, shall be guilty of an offence and liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding ₦10,000.00 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
- Inspection of poultry
(1) The Inspector may at all reasonable hours during the day enter upon and inspect private premises where poultry is slaughtered for human consumption or dressed or preserved for sale to members of the public.
(2) If at the expiration of the notice prescribed in subsection (2) of this section the owner or occupier of the premises fails to heed the warning, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ₦10,000.00 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
- Diseased carcass of poultry
(1) The Inspector shall from time to time inspect the carcass and offal of poultry intended for sale for human consumption.
(2) Where on inspection of poultry it appears to the Inspector that any part of the carcass or offal is diseased or unsound, the Inspector shall cause the diseased or unsound carcass or offal to be removed and destroyed.
(3) Where on inspection of poultry, five or more carcass appear to be diseased or unsound the Inspector shall invite or seek the veterinary officer’s opinion for condemnation.
- Inspection of fish
(1) The Inspector may at all reasonable hours during the day enter upon and inspect boats and private premises where fish are processed, stored, packed and treated for sale for human consumption.
(2) Where the Inspector finds that the premises or boat are not kept in sanitary or hygienic condition, he shall give the owner of the premises or boat notice to do so within a period of seven days.
(3) If at the expiration of the notice prescribed in subsection (2) of this section the owner of the premises fails to comply with the notice, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ₦10,000.00 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
- Diseased fish
(1) The Inspector shall from time to time inspect fish intended for sale for human consumption.
(2) Where upon inspection, it appears to the Inspector that a fish is diseased or unsound, the Inspector shall cause the diseased or unsound fish to be removed and destroyed.
(3) Where on inspection, some fish appear to be diseased or unsound the Inspector may invite or ask the veterinary officer’s opinion on such fish for condemnation.
(4) It shall be an offence under this Law for any person to use chemicals such as gamaline to catch fish intended for sale for human consumption.
- Mode of transportation of meat
Any person who transports meat from the place of slaughter to the place of sale other than in a clean van or container properly covered shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ₦10,000.00.
- Inspection of meat exposed for sale
The Inspector may at all reasonable hours during the day, inspect meat exposed for sale to members of the public.
- Destruction of animals
Where a person has in his possession an animal or the carcass of such animal declared unfit for human consumption, that person or his agent shall be permitted to view the removal and destruction of such animal or carcass.
- Protection of officers
A veterinary officer or the Inspector shall not be liable for any act done or omission made in lawful exercise of his duties under this Law.
- General penalty
(1) Every person who commits an offence under this Law for which no penalty is provided is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ₦2,000.00 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
(2) Where the offence is committed by a body corporate, the body corporate shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ₦10,000.00.
- Regulations
The Commissioner may, subject to the provisions of this Law, make regulations for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of this Law and for the due administration thereof.
- Repeal
Section 14 of the Public Health Law, Cap. 90 of the Laws of Cross River State, to the extent that it deals with the inspection of carcass, meat and poultry exposed for sale is hereby repealed.
- Interpretation
In this Law unless the context otherwise requires—
“animal” means cow, goat, pig, poultry, sheep, fish, any edible aquatic animal, and such other animals as may be specified by the Commissioner by regulation;
“blood” means blood derived from an animal;
“carcass” means the body of a dead animal;
“Commissioner” means the Commissioner responsible for Agriculture and Natural Resources;
“duty” includes function and power;
“Local Government” includes a municipality;
“meat” means the flesh of an animal;
“meat inspector” means any trained animal health superintendent or assistant employed by the Government of Cross River State and authorised by the Chief Veterinary Officer to conduct meat inspection;
“meat market” means any approved shed, store or shop where a slaughtered animal is exposed for sale;
“meat storage facilities” includes cold room or store, deep freezer, refrigerator or any place where a slaughtered animal meant for sale is stored;
“offal” means any part of a dead animal removed from the carcass in the process of dressing it;
“poultry” includes every edible bird;
“sale” includes offer or exposure for sale or having in possession for sale;
“slaughter-house” means a place for slaughtering animals, the flesh of which is intended for human consumption, any places available in connection therewith for the confinement of animals while awaiting slaughter there or for the dressing of the bodies of slaughtered animals;
“Veterinary Officer” means any veterinary officer employed by the Cross River State Government.
- Citation and commencement
This Law may be cited as the Meat Inspection Law.
SCHEDULE
[Section 3]
Anthrax Degeneration
Abscesses Distomatsis
Actinomycosis Dropsy
Arthritis Emaciation, Pathological
Anoplasmosis Erysipelas
Babesiosis Foot-and-mouth disease
Blackquarter Heart-water
Bluetongue Immaturity-stillborn or unborn carcass
Bruising, extensive and severe Cysticercosis Inflammation
Caseous lymphadenitis Jaundice
Contamination Leptospirosis
Decomposition Leukemia
Malformation Pleurisy
Malignant catarrhal fever Pneumonia and Pleuro- pneumonia
Mastitis Polyarthritis
Malenosis Pyaemia, including joint-ill
Metritis Rabies
Mucosal disease complex Rinderpest
Dedema Sarcocystosis
Odour, associated or otherwise prejudicial to health Salmonellosis Septicaemia Swine fever
Parturient paresis Tetanus
Pericarditis Toxaemia
Pigmentation Transit fever
CHAPTER M6
MEAT INSPECTION LAW
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION
No Subsidiary Legislation
