Meat Hygiene Act 1985

Meat Hygiene Act 1985

An Act to control and regulate the operation of slaughtering works, poultry abattoirs, game meat processing works, and pet food works, to regulate the standards of hygiene and sanitation at those works, and to regulate the quality of meat, meat products, and pet food and for other purposes

Be it enacted by His Excellency the Governor of Tasmania, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and House of Assembly, in Parliament assembled, as follows:

PART I - Preliminary

1.   Short title

This Act may be cited as the Meat Hygiene Act 1985 .

2.   Commencement

(1)  This section and section 1 shall commence on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.

(2)  Except as provided in subsection (1) , this Act shall commence on such day as may be fixed by proclamation.

3.   Interpretation

[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 5 of 1990, s. 3 and Sched. 1 ][Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 75 of 1995, s. 3 and Sched. 1 ]

(1)  [Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 4 ]In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears –

abattoir includes all places and facilities used, or intended to be used, for, or in connection with, the convenience and hygiene of the persons employed at the abattoir;

abattoir animal means –

(a) a bovine animal;

(b) a sheep, pig, goat, or deer; or

(c) an animal included in a class of animals prescribed for the purposes of this definition –

that is not living in the wild;

abattoir licence means an abattoir licence referred to in section 8 ;

brand means brand, mark, or stamp, or affix a label or tag bearing a brand, mark, or stamp;

Chief Inspector means the person appointed to be, or acting in the office of, the Chief Inspector of Meat Hygiene under section 6 ;

Commonwealth inspector means an authorized officer for the purposes of the Export Control Act 1982 of the Commonwealth or the Meat Inspection Act 1983 of the Commonwealth;

covering means any stopper, glass, bottle, vessel, box, container, capsule, case, frame, or wrapper;

diseased, in relation to –

(a) meat and meat products or abattoir animals, poultry, and game intended for meat or meat products, means infected with, or affected by, a prescribed condition or in a prescribed state; or

(b) pet food or animals and birds intended for pet food, means infected with, or affected by, a prescribed condition or in a prescribed state;

false trade description means a trade description that, by reason of anything contained in or omitted from the trade description, is false or likely to mislead in a material respect as regards the meat or meat product to which it relates, and includes every alteration of a trade description, whether by way of addition, effacement, or otherwise, that makes the trade description false or likely to mislead in such a respect;

functions includes duties;

game means any animal or bird living in the wild but does not include fish;

game meat processing works means –

(a) a works that is used for producing meat or meat products from game that has been slaughtered in the wild and for storing the meat or meat products so produced; or

(b) a works that is used only for producing meat, meat products, or slaughtering products from game that has been so slaughtered –

and includes all places and facilities used, or intended to be used, for, or in connection with, the convenience and hygiene of the persons employed at that works;

game meat processing works licence means a game meat processing works licence referred to in section 8 ;

inspector means a person appointed to be an inspector under section 6 , and includes the Chief Inspector;

licence means a licence issued and in force under this Act;

licensed abattoir means a slaughtering works in respect of which an abattoir licence is in force under this Act;

licensed game meat processing works means a game meat processing works in respect of which a game meat processing works licence is in force under this Act;

licensed meat premises means meat premises in respect of which a licence is in force under this Act;

licensed pet food works means a pet food works in respect of which a pet food works licence is in force under this Act;

licensed poultry abattoir means a poultry abattoir in respect of which a poultry abattoir licence is in force under this Act;

licensed slaughterhouse means a slaughtering works in respect of which a slaughterhouse licence is in force under this Act;

meat means the whole or any part of the carcass or offal of any abattoir animal, poultry, or game that is intended for human consumption and is unprocessed otherwise than by chilling or freezing;

meat premises means a slaughtering works, poultry abattoir, game meat processing works, or pet food works;

meat product means a product –

(a) that wholly or partially is derived from meat; and

(b) that is intended for human consumption –

and includes any product which complies with paragraphs (a) and (b) and which is partially processed, prepared for further processing, or fully processed;

meat vehicle means a vehicle which is used for the conveyance of slaughtering products;

offal means the brain, thymus gland, pancreas gland, liver, spleen, kidney, heart, lung, stomach, intestine, tongue, blood, head, or tail of any slaughtered animal or bird or any part of the body of any slaughtered animal or bird which is removed in the course of dressing the body;

official mark means a mark included in a class of marks prescribed for the purposes of this definition;

official marking device means a device prescribed, or included in a class of devices prescribed, for the purposes of this definition;

pet means any carnivorous animal kept by a person;

pet food means any part, or product that is the result of the processing of any part, of the body of any animal or bird, being a part or product intended for consumption by pets;

pet food works means –

(a) a works that is used for slaughtering animals or birds for the production of pet food, for producing pet food from animals or birds so slaughtered or from carcasses of animals or birds delivered to the works, and for storing the pet food so produced; or

(b) a works that is used for producing pet food or slaughtering products from carcasses of animals or birds delivered to the pet food works –

and includes all places and facilities used, or intended to be used, for, or in connection with, the convenience and hygiene of the persons employed at that works;

pet food works licence means a pet food works licence referred to in section 8 ;

poultry means a domesticated bird;

poultry abattoir means a works that is used for slaughtering poultry for the production of meat or meat products, for producing meat or meat products from the poultry so slaughtered, and for storing the meat or meat products so produced and includes all places and facilities used, or intended to be used, for, or in connection with, the convenience or hygiene of persons employed at the poultry abattoir;

poultry abattoir licence means a poultry abattoir licence referred to in section 8 ;

premises means a building or structure or any part of a building or structure or an area of land, with or without improvements;

prescribed standard means –

(a) in relation to a licensed abattoir, a standard of construction, plant, or equipment prescribed in relation to licensed abattoirs;

(b) in relation to a licensed slaughterhouse, a standard of construction, plant, or equipment prescribed in relation to licensed slaughterhouses;

(c) in relation to a licensed poultry abattoir, a standard of construction, plant, or equipment prescribed in relation to licensed poultry abattoirs;

(d) in relation to a licensed game meat processing works, a standard of construction, plant, or equipment prescribed in relation to licensed game meat processing works; or

(e) in relation to a licensed pet food works, a standard of construction, plant, or equipment prescribed in relation to licensed pet food works;

recognized abattoir means a slaughtering works, poultry abattoir, or game meat processing works declared under section 26 to be a recognized abattoir;

records includes books, accounts, minutes, registers, deeds, writings, or documents and any other sources of information compiled, recorded, or stored in written form or on microfilm, or by electronic process, or in any other manner or by any other means;

the regulations means the regulations made and in force under this Act;

sell means –

(a) sell, barter, or exchange;

(b) agree or offer to sell, barter, or exchange;

(c) expose, store, or deliver for or on sale, barter, or exchange; or

(d) authorize, direct, cause, suffer, or permit any act referred to in paragraph (a) , (b) , or (c) ;

slaughter means to kill any animal or bird for the production of meat, meat products, or pet food;

slaughterhouse includes all places and facilities used, or intended to be used, for, or in connection with, the convenience and hygiene of the persons employed at the slaughterhouse;

slaughterhouse licence means a slaughterhouse licence referred to in section 8 ;

slaughtering product means any product (including any by-product or waste material) derived from the slaughtering of any animal or bird;

slaughtering works means –

(a) a works that is used for slaughtering abattoir animals for the production of meat or meat products, for producing meat or meat products from abattoir animals so slaughtered, and for storing the meat or meat products so produced; or

(b) a works that is used only for slaughtering abattoir animals for the production of meat, meat products, or slaughtering products –

and includes all places and facilities used, or intended to be used, for, or in connection with, the convenience and hygiene of the persons employed at that works and also includes an abattoir and a slaughterhouse;

trade description means any description, statement, pictorial representation, indication, or suggestion, either direct or indirect, which –

(a) purports to describe any meat or meat product in terms according to the custom of the trade or common repute; and

(b) is intended to be taken as an indication of –

(i) whether or not the meat or meat product has been inspected, passed, or certified as fit for human consumption;

(ii) the species of animal or bird from which the meat or meat product has been produced; or

(iii) in the case of any meat or meat product that has been packaged or covered –

(A) the place at which the meat or meat product was packaged or covered; or

(B) the species of animal or bird from which the meat or meat product contained within the package or covering was produced;

unfit for consumption by pets means unsound, unsafe, unwholesome, or otherwise unsuitable for consumption by pets for any reason including disease, defect, abnormal condition, putrefaction, decomposition, or contamination;

unfit for human consumption means unsound, unsafe, unwholesome, or otherwise unsuitable for human consumption for any reason including disease, defect, abnormal condition, putrefaction, decomposition, or contamination;

vehicle means any form of transport, whether self-propelled or not, which is used or capable of being used for the carriage of passengers or the carriage or storage of goods and includes any aircraft, ship, vessel, or hovercraft which is so used or is capable of being so used;

works includes all places, facilities, plant, and equipment used for, or in connection with, the activity carried on at the works.

(2)  A reference in this Act to –

(a) the variation of an exemption granted under section 13 (2) includes a reference to the variation or revocation of a condition of, or the imposition of a further condition on, the exemption; and

(b) the variation of a licence includes a reference to the variation or revocation of a condition of, or the imposition of a further condition on, the licence.

(3)  [Section 3 Subsection (3) inserted by No. 44 of 1988, s. 4 ]Meat shall be deemed to be unfit for human consumption if it has not been produced at a licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, licensed poultry abattoir, or licensed game meat processing works.

(4)  [Section 3 Subsection (4) added by No. 44 of 1988, s. 4 ]A meat product shall be deemed to be unfit for human consumption if it is wholly or partially derived from any meat which has not been produced at a licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, licensed poultry abattoir, or licensed game meat processing works.

4.   Application of Act

This Act applies to and in relation to any slaughtering works, poultry abattoir, game meat processing works, or pet food works, whether or not established by or pursuant to any other Act.

5.   Act not to apply to certain persons

(1)  Nothing in this Act prevents –

(a) any person slaughtering, or causing to be slaughtered, at his farm any animals belonging to him for consumption at that farm by that person, his family, guests or residents in his home, or his employees, or by animals kept by him; or

(b) any person slaughtering, or causing to be slaughtered, at his property any birds belonging to him for consumption by that person, his family, guests or residents in his home, or his employees, or by animals kept by him.

(2)  Notwithstanding subsection (1) (a) , a person may, with the approval in writing of an inspector and in accordance with any directions the inspector may give, slaughter on his farm animals belonging to him for consumption elsewhere than on his farm by that person, his family, residents in his home, or his employees, or by animals kept by him.

PART II - Administration

6.   Appointment of Chief Inspector of Meat Hygiene and inspectors

(1)  [Section 6 Subsection (1) amended by No. 5 of 1990, s. 3 and Sched. 1 ]The Secretary of the Department may –

(a) appoint an employee employed in the Department who is registered as a veterinary surgeon under the Veterinary Act 1918 to be the Chief Inspector of Meat Hygiene; and

(b) appoint an employee employed in the Department who is so registered to act in the office of Chief Inspector in the absence of the Chief Inspector.

(2)  A person appointed under subsection (1) (a) or (b) may hold, or act in, as the case may be, the office of Chief Inspector in conjunction with his position in the Department.

(3)  [Section 6 Subsection (3) amended by No. 5 of 1990, s. 3 and Sched. 1 ]The Secretary of the Department may appoint such employees employed in the Department as he considers necessary to be inspectors under this Act and those employees may hold office as inspectors under this Act in conjunction with their positions in the Department.

(4)  [Section 6 Subsection (4) amended by No. 5 of 1990, s. 3 and Sched. 1 ]The Secretary of the Department may appoint a person who is a Commonwealth inspector to be an inspector under this Act.

(5)  The Governor may make an arrangement with the Governor-General of the Commonwealth with respect to any matter necessary or convenient for the purposes of an appointment referred to in subsection (4) and the exercise and discharge by a Commonwealth inspector of the powers and functions of an inspector.

(6)  The Chief Inspector may by an authority in writing authorize an employee employed in the Department to perform such of the functions, and exercise such of the powers, conferred on the Chief Inspector under this Act as may be specified in the authority, and anything done in pursuance of such an authority has the like effect as if it were done by the Chief Inspector.

(7)  [Section 6 Subsection (7) amended by No. 5 of 1990, s. 3 and Sched. 1 ]The Secretary of the Department may, by instrument in writing, authorize persons, not being employees within the meaning of the Tasmanian State Service Act 1984 , to perform such of the duties and exercise such of the powers of an inspector as are specified in the instrument of authorization.

(8)  [Section 6 Subsection (8) added by No. 104 of 1986, s. 4 ][Section 6 Subsection (8) amended by No. 5 of 1990, s. 3 and Sched. 1 ]Where, through unavoidable or unforeseen circumstances, the performance and exercise of the functions and powers of inspectors under this Act are disrupted, the Secretary of the Department shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that those functions and powers are performed and exercised.

PART III - Licences

7.   Unlicensed operations prohibited

(1)  [Section 7 Subsection (1) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person shall not operate, or cause or permit to be operated –

(a) a slaughtering works at or in any premises unless he is the holder of an abattoir licence or a slaughterhouse licence in respect of those premises;

(b) a poultry abattoir at or in any premises unless he is the holder of a poultry abattoir licence in respect of those premises;

(c) a game meat processing works at or in any premises unless he is the holder of a game meat processing works licence in respect of those premises; or

(d) a pet food works at or in any premises unless he is the holder of a pet food works licence in respect of those premises.

(1A)  [Section 7 Subsection (1A) inserted by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person who contravenes subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 5 penalty units for each day during which the offence continues.

(2)  Subsection (1) does not operate so as to require an employee of a person required by that subsection to hold a licence in respect of any premises to be the holder of a licence.

(3)  Meat premises situated in this State and registered under the Export Control Act 1982 of the Commonwealth shall be deemed to be licensed under this Act.

8.   Authority of licences

(1)  An abattoir licence while it is in force authorizes the holder to carry out on the premises in respect of which it is issued such of the prescribed works as are specified in the licence subject to and in accordance with the conditions to which the licence is subject.

(2)  A slaughterhouse licence while it is in force authorizes the holder to carry out on the premises in respect of which it is issued such of the prescribed works as are specified in the licence subject to and in accordance with the conditions to which the licence is subject.

(3)  For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) , prescribed works means –

(a) slaughtering abattoir animals for the production of meat or meat products;

(b) producing meat or meat products from abattoir animals so slaughtered;

(c) storing the meat or meat products so produced; and

(d) such other works as the Minister may approve for abattoirs or slaughterhouses.

(4)  A poultry abattoir licence while it is in force authorizes the holder to carry out on the premises in respect of which it is issued such of the prescribed works as are specified in the licence subject to and in accordance with the conditions to which the licence is subject.

(5)  For the purposes of subsection (4) , prescribed works means –

(a) slaughtering poultry for the production of meat or meat products;

(b) producing meat or meat products from the poultry so slaughtered;

(c) storing the meat or meat products so produced; and

(d) such other works as the Minister may approve for poultry abattoirs.

(6)  A game meat processing works licence while it is in force authorizes the holder to carry out on the premises in respect of which it is issued such of the prescribed works as are specified in the licence subject to and in accordance with the conditions to which the licence is subject.

(7)  For the purposes of subsection (6) , prescribed works means –

(a) producing meat or meat products from game that has been slaughtered in the wild;

(b) storing the meat or meat products so produced; and

(c) such other works as the Minister may approve for game meat processing works.

(8)  A pet food works licence while it is in force authorizes the holder to carry out on the premises in respect of which it is issued such of the prescribed works as are specified in the licence subject to and in accordance with the conditions to which the licence is subject.

(9)  For the purposes of subsection (8) , prescribed works means –

(a) slaughtering animals or birds for the production of pet food;

(b) producing pet food from animals or birds so slaughtered and from carcasses of animals or birds delivered to the pet food works;

(c) storing the pet food so produced; and

(d) such other works as the Minister may approve for pet food works.

9.   Applications for licences

(1)  A person who proposes to operate, or cause or permit to be operated, any slaughtering works, poultry abattoir, game meat processing works, or pet food works, at or in any premises, may make application to the Chief Inspector for a licence in respect of those premises.

(2)  An application for a licence –

(a) shall be in a form approved by the Chief Inspector;

(b) shall be accompanied by the prescribed application fee; and

(c) shall, in the case of an application for an abattoir licence, specify the number of animals that the applicant estimates will be slaughtered on the premises to which the application relates during the 12 month period of operation of the abattoir commencing on the day on which the licence is issued.

(3)  Where an application is made under this section in respect of any meat premises that are in existence but are not operating as meat premises at the date on which the application is made, that application shall, for the purposes of this Part, be treated as being an application in respect of meat premises which the applicant proposes to establish.

(4)  The Chief Inspector may require an applicant for a licence to furnish him with such further information as he thinks necessary in order to enable him to make a recommendation to the Minister in respect of that application.

(5)  The Chief Inspector shall forward an application for a licence, together with his recommendations in respect of the application, to the Minister.

10.   Grant of certain applications

(1)  [Section 10 Subsection (1) amended by No. 96 of 1993, s. 252 and Sched. 1 ]On receipt of an application for a licence in respect of –

(a) any meat premises which the applicant proposes to establish; or

(b) any meat premises which have been operating for a period of less than 9 months immediately preceding the day fixed by proclamation under section 2 (2) –

the Minister may, subject to this Act, determine whether the application should be granted, having regard to –

(c) the suitability of the applicant;

(d) the layout, plant, and equipment of the meat premises, or the meat premises as proposed to be established by the applicant;

(e) the location of those meat premises or the proposed location of those meat premises;

(f) the development and continuity of an efficient meat industry in this State; and

(g) any prescribed matter.

(2)  [Section 10 Subsection (2) amended by No. 104 of 1986, s. 5 ]The Minister shall not grant an application under subsection (1) in respect of an abattoir if he is of the opinion that the number of animals that would, if the application were granted, be slaughtered at that abattoir within the period of 12 months from the day on which the licence would take effect would not warrant the presence of a full time inspector at the abattoir.

(3)  The Minister shall, by notice in writing served on the applicant, advise him of his decision under this section, and, where the Minister refuses to grant the application, he shall specify in that notice the ground on which that refusal was based and that refusal shall, subject to section 19 (3) , take effect on such date as the Minister specifies, being a date not earlier than 14 days after the service of the notice on the applicant.

(4)  The Minister shall not grant an application under subsection (1) (b) unless the application is made within a period of 3 months after the day fixed by proclamation under section 2 (2) .

(5)  Where any meat premises have been operating for a period of less than 9 months preceding the day fixed by proclamation under section 2 (2) , the person operating those premises on that day is deemed to hold a licence in respect of those premises for the period commencing on that day and ending –

(a) at the expiration of 3 months from that day; or

(b) where that person makes an application within the time specified in subsection (4) of this section, when that application is granted or refused.

11.   Issue of certain licences

Where the Minister determines under section 10 that an application for a licence in respect of meat premises should be granted, and, in the case of an application in respect of meat premises which the applicant proposes to establish, subsequently is satisfied that the meat premises have been established in accordance with the proposals of the applicant, the Chief Inspector shall, upon payment of the prescribed fee, issue the applicant with a licence in respect of the meat premises to which the application relates.

12.   Grant of applications in respect of certain existing meat premises

(1)  On receipt of an application for a licence in respect of any meat premises which have been operating for a period of not less than 9 months immediately preceding the day fixed by proclamation under section 2 (2) , the Minister shall, subject to subsections (2) and (3) , grant the application.

(2)  The Minister may refuse to grant an application in respect of meat premises referred to in subsection (1) , if, in his opinion, the standards of construction, and the plant and equipment, of those premises are not suitable or adequate for the purposes for which those premises are being used or public health may be endangered by the continued operation of those premises.

(3)  The Minister shall not grant an application under this section unless the application is made within a period of 3 months after the day fixed by proclamation under section 2 (2) .

(4)  Where the Minister refuses to grant an application under subsection (2) , he shall, by notice in writing served on the applicant, advise him of that refusal, and that refusal shall, subject to section 19 (3) , take effect on such date as the Minister specifies in the notice, being a date not earlier than 14 days after the service of the notice on the applicant.

(5)  Where any meat premises have been operating for a period of not less than 9 months preceding the day fixed by proclamation under section 2 (2) , the person operating those premises on that day is deemed to hold a licence in respect of those premises for the period commencing on that day and ending –

(a) at the expiration of 3 months from that day; or

(b) where that person makes an application within the period specified in subsection (3) of this section, when that application is granted or refused.

13.   Issue of licences in respect of certain existing meat premises

(1)  Where the Minister grants an application for a licence in respect of meat premises referred to in section 12 the Chief Inspector shall, upon payment of the prescribed fee, issue the applicant with a licence in respect of the meat premises to which the application relates.

(2)  On issuing a licence under subsection (1) , the Chief Inspector shall, by notice in writing served on the person in respect of whom the licence is issued, exempt, for the period specified in the notice, the premises in respect of which the licence is issued from compliance with any prescribed standard that the Chief Inspector is satisfied the premises do not comply with at the date on which the licence is issued, and shall specify any such prescribed standard in the notice.

(3)  [Section 13 Subsection (3) amended by No. 96 of 1993, s. 252 and Sched. 1 ]An exemption granted by the Chief Inspector under subsection (2) shall be subject to such conditions as may be specified in the notice referred to in that subsection and such conditions may include the upgrading or alteration of the layout, plant, or equipment of the meat premises within such time and in such manner as is specified in the notice.

(4)  The Chief Inspector may, by notice in writing served on the holder of a licence, vary an exemption granted by him under subsection (2) and that variation shall, subject to section 19 (4) , take effect on such date as the Chief Inspector specifies in the notice, being a date not less than 14 days after the service of the notice on the holder of the licence.

(5)  [Section 13 Subsection (5) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person granted an exemption under subsection (2) who fails to comply with, or contravenes a condition of, the exemption is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 20 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 2 penalty units for each day during which the offence continues.

(6)  Notwithstanding subsection (5) , where the holder of a licence granted an exemption under subsection (2) fails to comply with, or contravenes a condition of the exemption and the Chief Inspector is of the opinion that the failure to comply with, or contravention of, that condition has endangered or may, if continued, endanger public health, he may revoke the exemption by notice in writing served on the holder of the licence and that revocation shall, subject to section 19 (4) , take effect on such date as the Chief Inspector specifies in the notice, being a date not less than 14 days after the service of the notice on the holder of the licence.

(7)  Where a notice referred to in subsection (2) does not specify the period during which an exemption has effect, the exemption granted by the Chief Inspector under that subsection shall cease to be of any effect after the expiration of a period of 3 years from the day fixed by proclamation under section 2 (2) .

14.   Licences subject to conditions

(1)  A licence is subject to such conditions as are specified in the licence, being conditions which are determined by the Chief Inspector.

(2)  [Section 14 Subsection (2) amended by No. 96 of 1993, s. 252 and Sched. 1 ]Without limiting the generality of subsection (1) –

(a) an abattoir licence may –

(i) specify the species of abattoir animals that may be slaughtered at the abattoir;

(ii) regulate the production, packaging, and storage of meat and meat products at the abattoir;

(iii) specify conditions relating to the identification and branding of meat and meat products produced at the abattoir;

(iv) specify conditions relating to the operation of the abattoir; and

(v) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

(b) a slaughterhouse licence may –

(i) specify the minimum number of abattoir animals that shall be, and the maximum number of abattoir animals that may be, slaughtered at the slaughterhouse during the period of 12 months from the date on which the licence was issued and during each succeeding period of 12 months;

(ii) specify the species of abattoir animals that may be slaughtered at the slaughterhouse;

(iii) regulate the production, packaging, and storage of meat and meat products at the slaughterhouse;

(iv) regulate the sale and supply of meat and meat products produced at the slaughterhouse;

(v) specify the area in which meat and meat products produced at the slaughterhouse may be sold or supplied and the outlets through which meat or meat products may be supplied;

(vi) specify conditions relating to the identification and branding of meat and meat products produced at the slaughterhouse;

(vii) specify conditions relating to the operation of the slaughterhouse; and

(viii) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

(c) a poultry abattoir licence may –

(i) specify the minimum number of poultry that shall be, and the maximum number of poultry that may be, slaughtered at the poultry abattoir during the period of 12 months from the date on which the licence was issued and during each succeeding period of 12 months;

(ii) specify the species of poultry that may be slaughtered at the poultry abattoir;

(iii) regulate the production, packaging, and storage of meat and meat products at the poultry abattoir;

(iv) regulate the sale and supply of meat and meat products produced at the poultry abattoir;

(v) specify the area in which meat and meat products produced at the poultry abattoir may be sold or supplied and the outlets through which the meat and meat products may be supplied;

(vi) specify conditions relating to the identification and branding of meat and meat products produced at the poultry abattoir;

(vii) specify conditions relating to the operation of that poultry abattoir; and

(viii) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

(d) a game meat processing works licence may –

(i) specify the maximum number of game that may be used for the production of meat and meat products at the game meat processing works during the period of 12 months from the date on which the licence was issued and during each succeeding period of 12 months;

(ii) specify the species of game that may be used for the production of meat and meat products within a specified period at the game meat processing works;

(iii) specify conditions with which carcasses of game must comply on delivery to game meat processing works;

(iv) regulate the production, packaging, and storage of meat and meat products at the game meat processing works;

(v) regulate the sale and supply of meat and meat products produced at the game meat processing works;

(vi) specify conditions relating to the identification of meat and meat products produced at the game meat processing works;

(vii) specify conditions relating to the operation of the game meat processing works; and

(viii) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

(e) a pet food works licence may –

(i) specify the maximum number of animals and birds that may be slaughtered at, and the maximum number of carcasses of animals and birds that may be delivered to, the pet food works within the period of 12 months from the date on which the licence was issued and during each succeeding period of 12 months;

(ii) specify the species of animals and birds that may be slaughtered at, and the species of animals and birds from which carcasses may be delivered to, the pet food works;

(iii) specify conditions with which carcasses of animals and birds must comply on delivery at the pet food works;

(iv) regulate the production, packaging, and storage of pet food at the pet food works;

(v) regulate the sale and supply of pet food produced at the pet food works;

(vi) specify conditions relating to the operation of the pet food works;

(vii) specify conditions relating to the identification of pet food produced at the pet food works; and

(viii) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

(3)  The Chief Inspector may, by notice in writing served on the holder of a licence, vary the licence and that variation shall, subject to section 19 (4) , take effect on such date as the Chief Inspector specifies in the notice, being a date not less than 14 days after the service of the notice on the holder of the licence.

(4)  [Section 14 Subsection (4) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]The holder of a licence who fails to comply with, or contravenes a condition of, a licence is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 20 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 2 penalty units for each day during which the offence continues.

15.   Renewal of licences

(1)  A licence shall, subject to this Act, remain in force for such period as may be specified in the licence.

(2)  The holder of a licence may, within the period of 28 days before the licence held by him ceases to be in force, apply to the Chief Inspector for the renewal of the licence.

(3)  An application for the renewal of a licence –

(a) shall be in a form approved by the Chief Inspector; and

(b) shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee.

(4)  The Chief Inspector may require an applicant for the renewal of a licence to furnish him with such further information as he considers necessary to enable him to exercise his powers under this section.

(5)  On receipt of an application made under this section, the Chief Inspector may grant the application or refer the application, with his recommendations in respect of that application, to the Minister.

(6)  On receipt of an application and the recommendations of the Chief Inspector under subsection (5) , the Minister may determine whether the application should be granted, having regard to –

(a) the suitability of the applicant; and

(b) in the case of an application in respect of licensed meat premises other than licensed game meat processing works or licensed pet food works, the number of abattoir animals or poultry that he considers will be slaughtered at those premises during the period of 12 months immediately following the date on which the licence in respect of which the application is made would have ceased to be in force.

(7)  Where an application for the renewal of a licence is made before the date on which the licence would, but for this subsection, have ceased to be in force (which date is, in this subsection, referred to as "the date of expiry") and –

(a) the renewal is granted before the date of expiry – on the grant of renewal, the licence shall be in force for the period for which it is renewed commencing on the date of expiry; or

(b) the renewal is not granted or not refused before the date of expiry and the application is not withdrawn before the date of expiry –

(i) the licence shall be deemed to continue in force on and from the date of expiry until the renewal is granted or the application is withdrawn, or, where the Minister refuses to grant the renewal, the date on which that refusal takes effect, whichever first occurs; and

(ii) on the grant of the renewal, the licence shall be deemed to have taken effect on and from the date of expiry.

(8)  Where an application for the renewal of a licence is refused by the Minister, the Minister shall, by notice in writing served on the applicant, inform him of the refusal and the ground on which the refusal is based, and the refusal shall, subject to section 19 (4) , take effect on such date as the Minister specifies in the notice, being a date not earlier than 14 days after the service of the notice on the holder of the licence.

16.   Surrender of licences

(1)  The holder of a licence may surrender the licence by delivering it to the Chief Inspector together with a notification in writing to the effect that the licence is being surrendered.

(2)  The Chief Inspector shall, on receipt of a licence and notification under subsection (1) , cancel the licence.

17.   Refund of fees

Where an application for a licence or for the renewal of a licence is refused or withdrawn, or a licence is surrendered, there may be refunded to the applicant or the holder of the licence, or to a person who appears to the Chief Inspector to be entitled to it, the whole or part of the fee which has been paid by the applicant or the holder of the licence.

18.   Suspension, cancellation, and variation of licences

(1)  The Chief Inspector may, subject to subsection (5) , suspend a licence for such period as he thinks fit, or cancel a licence –

(a) if he is satisfied that the issue or the renewal of the licence was obtained improperly;

(b) if the holder of the licence has been convicted of an offence under this Act; or

(c) if he is satisfied that it should be suspended or cancelled on any prescribed ground for suspension or cancellation.

(2)  Where the Chief Inspector has suspended a licence under subsection (1) , he may extend the period of the suspension if he is satisfied that it should be extended on any prescribed ground.

(3)  A licence that is suspended under this section shall cease to be of any force or effect for the period of the suspension.

(4)  Where the Chief Inspector is satisfied that the holder of a slaughterhouse licence or poultry abattoir licence has, during the period of 12 months from the date the licence was issued or any succeeding period of 12 months, slaughtered less than the minimum number of abattoir animals or poultry, as the case may be, specified as a condition of the licence, he may, subject to subsection (5) , vary the licence.

(5)  The Chief Inspector shall not exercise his powers under subsection (1) , (2) , or (4) in relation to a licence unless he has first afforded the holder of the licence an opportunity to make submissions to him in relation to that matter.

(6)  Where a licence has been suspended, cancelled, or varied under this section, the Chief Inspector shall, by notice in writing served on the holder of the licence, inform him of the suspension, cancellation, or variation and the suspension, cancellation, or variation shall, subject to section 19 (4) , take effect on such date as the Chief Inspector specifies in the notice, being a date not earlier than 14 days after the service of the notice on the holder of the licence.

19.   Appeals

(1)  A person aggrieved by –

(a) the refusal of the Minister to grant the application of that person for a licence;

(b) the conditions of an exemption granted under section 13 (2) in respect of a licence held by him;

(c) the variation of an exemption granted under section 13 (2) in respect of a licence held by him;

(d) the revocation of an exemption granted under section 13 (2) in respect of a licence held by him;

(e) the conditions of a licence issued to him;

(f) the variation under section 14 (3) of a licence held by him;

(g) the refusal of the Minister to grant the application of that person for the renewal of a licence; or

(h) the suspension, cancellation, or variation under section 18 of a licence held by him –

may appeal to a magistrate.

(2)  An appeal under this section shall be instituted within a period of 14 days from –

(a) in the case of an appeal against the refusal of the Minister to grant an application for a licence, the service of a notice under section 10 (3) or 12 (4) ;

(b) in the case of an appeal against the conditions of an exemption granted under section 13 (2) , the service of a notice under section 13 (2) ;

(c) in the case of an appeal against the variation of an exemption granted under section 13 (2) , the service of a notice under section 13 (4) ;

(d) in the case of an appeal against the revocation of an exemption granted under section 13 (2) , the service of a notice under section 13 (6) ;

(e) in the case of an appeal against the conditions of a licence determined by the Chief Inspector under section 14 (1) , the receipt of the licence by the person to whom it is issued;

(f) in the case of an appeal against the variation of a licence under section 14 (3) , the service of a notice under that subsection;

(g) in the case of an appeal against the refusal of the Minister to grant an application for the renewal of a licence, the service of a notice under section 15 (8) ; or

(h) in the case of an appeal against the suspension, cancellation, or variation of a licence under section 18 , the service of a notice under section 18 (6) .

(3)  Where an appeal is brought under this section in respect of the refusal of the Minister to grant an application for a licence in relation to meat premises which, on the day fixed by proclamation under section 2 (2) , were in operation, the person operating those premises on that day is deemed to hold a licence in respect of those premises for the period commencing on the day the Minister refused the application and ending on the day the appeal is determined or abandoned or such later day as the magistrate may determine.

(4)  Where an appeal is brought under this section in respect of –

(a) the refusal of the Minister to grant an application for the renewal of a licence;

(b) the variation of an exemption granted under section 13 (2) ;

(c) the revocation of an exemption granted under section 13 (2) ;

(d) the variation of a licence under section 14 (3) ; or

(e) the suspension, cancellation, or variation of a licence under section 18 –

that refusal, variation, revocation, suspension, or cancellation shall not have effect until the determination or abandonment of the appeal or until such later date as the magistrate may determine.

(5)  At the hearing of an appeal under this section, the magistrate, unless he dismisses the appeal, may quash the decision of the Minister or Chief Inspector and direct the Minister or Chief Inspector, as the case may be, to take such action as he considers necessary in the matter to which the appeal relates.

(6)  The Minister or Chief Inspector shall comply with any directions given to him under subsection (5) .

(7)  The magistrate shall cause a copy of his decision in relation to an appeal under this section to be served on the parties to the appeal.

(8)  The decision of a magistrate on the hearing of an appeal under this section is final.

(9)  Subject to this section, an appeal under this section shall be instituted, heard, and determined as prescribed.

20.   Delivery of licences to Chief Inspector

(1)  The Chief Inspector may, by notice in writing served on the holder of a licence, require the holder to deliver the licence to him within the time specified in the notice.

(2)  Where the Chief Inspector receives, pursuant to a notice served under subsection (1) , a licence which has been suspended or cancelled, the Chief Inspector shall endorse on the licence a note of the fact of the suspension or cancellation.

(3)  [Section 20 Subsection (3) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]The holder of a licence shall not, without reasonable excuse, fail to comply with a notice served on him under subsection (1) .

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 2 penalty units.

(4)  A reference in subsections (1) and (3) to a licence includes a licence that has been cancelled under this Act and, in relation to any licence that has been so cancelled, a reference in those subsections to the holder of a licence is a reference to the person whose licence was cancelled.

21.   Transfer of licences

(1)  A subsisting licence may, with the consent of the Chief Inspector, be transferred for the remainder of the period of the licence to a person approved by the Chief Inspector.

(2)  A licence transferred under subsection (1) shall continue to be subject to the conditions to which it was subject immediately before the transfer.

22.   Holders of licences to keep records

(1)  The holder of a licence shall keep such records with respect to the operation of the meat premises to which the licence relates as may be prescribed and shall furnish to the Chief Inspector such returns as are prescribed.

(2)  [Section 22 Subsection (2) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person who fails to comply with subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.

(3)  An inspector may, at any reasonable time –

(a) inspect any records kept in accordance with subsection (1) ;

(b) take copies of, or extracts or notes from, those records;

(c) remove any of those records for the purpose of taking copies of those records; and

(d) require the holder of a licence or his employee to produce any of those records in his possession or under his control.

23.   Register of licences

(1)  The Chief Inspector shall cause a register to be kept of the holders of licences in force under this Part.

(2)  The register shall be made available at all reasonable times for inspection by any person.

24.   Structural alterations and additions to premises

[Section 24 Amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]The holder of a licence shall not carry out, or cause to be carried out, any structural alterations or additions to the meat premises to which the licence relates without the approval of the Chief Inspector.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 30 penalty units.

25.   Prescribed standards

[Section 25 Amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]The holder of a licence shall not operate meat premises to which the licence relates if those premises do not comply with the prescribed standards unless the premises are exempted from compliance with any of those standards under section 13 (2) .

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 30 penalty units.

26.   Recognition of slaughtering works, &c., located outside the State

(1)  If the Chief Inspector is satisfied that the standards of construction, plant, equipment, hygiene, sanitation, and inspection applying at, or in relation to, a slaughtering works, poultry abattoir, or game meat processing works located in another State or Territory of the Commonwealth are equivalent to the standards applying at, or in relation to, licensed abattoirs, licensed poultry abattoirs, or licensed game meat processing works, as the case may be, the Chief Inspector may, by notice published in the Gazette, declare that slaughtering works, poultry abattoir, or game meat processing works to be a recognized abattoir.

(2)  The Chief Inspector may, by notice published in the Gazette, amend or revoke a notice referred to in subsection (1) .

(3)  A notice published under subsection (1) or (2) is not a statutory rule within the meaning of the Rules Publication Act 1953 .

PART IV - Inspections

27.   Identification of inspectors

(1)  An inspector shall be provided by the Chief Inspector with a certificate of identification.

(2)  Where in any place an inspector is about to exercise or is in the course of exercising a power conferred on him by or under this Act and a person apparently in charge of the place, or of any work or activity carried on there, requests him to produce his certificate of identification as an inspector, it is not lawful for him to exercise or, as the case may be, to continue to exercise that power unless he produces that certificate to that person.

28.   Powers of inspectors

(1)  An inspector may –

(a) enter and remain in or on any licensed meat premises;

(b) stop, enter, and remain in or on any meat vehicle;

(c) inspect any licensed meat premises or any meat vehicle and all appurtenances to and appliances in any licensed meat premises or meat vehicle;

(d) inspect any slaughtering product, meat, meat product, or pet food in or on any licensed meat premises or any meat vehicle;

(e) open or break open any compartment, covering, or package found in or on any licensed meat premises or any meat vehicle that he suspects on reasonable grounds to contain any slaughtering product, meat, meat product, or pet food;

(f) photograph any licensed meat premises or meat vehicle or anything in or on any licensed meat premises or meat vehicle;

(g) without payment, take samples or specimens of any slaughtering product, meat, meat product, or pet food found in or on any licensed meat premises or any meat vehicle, and have them analysed; and

(h) brand, or direct the branding of, as fit for human consumption or as unfit for human consumption, or as fit for consumption by pets or as unfit for consumption by pets, as the case may be, any slaughtering product, meat, meat product, or pet food in or on any licensed meat premises or any meat vehicle.

(2)  Where an inspector suspects on reasonable grounds that there is in or on any premises, not being licensed meat premises, or any vehicle not being a meat vehicle, any slaughtering product, meat, meat product, or pet food that is intended for sale, he may perform his functions and exercise his powers under this Act in relation to the premises or vehicle as if the premises were licensed meat premises and the vehicle were a meat vehicle.

29.   Power of inspectors to require inspection or additional inspection

(1)  [Section 29 Subsection (1) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 5 ]Where an inspector suspects on reasonable grounds that any meat, meat product, or pet food on any licensed meat premises or in any meat vehicle is unfit for human consumption or unfit for consumption by pets, or both, he may, by notice in writing served on the holder of a licence in respect of those meat premises, or on the person apparently in charge of those meat premises or that meat vehicle or by direction given orally to any such holder or person, require him to submit the meat, meat product, or pet food on those meat premises or in that meat vehicle for inspection, without fee, at those meat premises or, in the case of a notice served on, or an oral direction given to, the person apparently in charge of a meat vehicle, at a place determined by the inspector, notwithstanding that the meat, meat product, or pet food has been previously inspected by an inspector.

(2)  Where a person fails to comply with a requirement given by an inspector under subsection (1) , the inspector may seize the meat, meat product, or pet food.

(3)  Any meat, meat product, or pet food seized under subsection (2) shall become the absolute property of the Crown.

30.   Condemning of animals, &c.

(1)  An inspector may condemn, as unfit for human consumption or as unfit for consumption by pets, or both, any animal or poultry, or any meat, meat product, or pet food in or on any licensed meat premises or any meat vehicle.

(2)  An inspector may direct that any meat, meat product, or pet food that is in or on any licensed meat premises or any meat vehicle be treated, in a specified manner and within a specified time, for the purpose of making or keeping it fit for human consumption or fit for consumption by pets.

(3)  Where a direction under subsection (2) is not complied with, an inspector may condemn the meat, meat product, or pet food as unfit for human consumption or as unfit for consumption by pets, or both.

(4)  Where anything is condemned under subsection (1) or (3) as unfit for human consumption or as unfit for consumption by pets, an inspector may, if he thinks fit, seize it and cause it to be destroyed or otherwise disposed of.

(5)  Anything seized under subsection (4) shall become the absolute property of the Crown.

(6)  If a person, without the permission of an inspector, removes, takes away, or otherwise deals with any meat, meat product, or pet food condemned under this Act, that person, in addition to any other punishment to which he may be liable, is guilty of an offence.

31.   Seizure

(1)  An inspector may seize –

(a) any meat, meat product, or pet food that he believes on reasonable grounds is meat, meat product, or pet food in respect of which an offence against this Act has been committed; and

(b) any matter or thing that he believes on reasonable grounds will afford evidence of the commission of an offence against this Act.

(2)  Where an inspector seizes any meat, meat product, pet food, matter, or thing under subsection (1) , he shall, as soon as practicable, serve on the owner of the meat, meat product, pet food, matter, or thing or the person from whose possession the meat, meat product, pet food, matter, or thing was seized a notice in writing informing him of the seizure.

(3)  An inspector may retain any meat, meat product, or pet food, or the matter or thing seized under subsection (1) , until the expiration of a period of 60 days after the service of the notice referred to in subsection (2) or, if proceedings for such an offence in respect of the meat, meat product, or pet food, or in respect of which the matter or thing may afford evidence, are instituted within that period, until the proceedings (including any appeal to a court in relation to those proceedings) are terminated.

(4)  The power under subsection (1) to seize any meat, meat product, or pet food includes a power to seize any covering in which the meat, meat product, or pet food is contained.

(5)  The Minister may authorize any meat, meat product, or pet food, or any matter or thing, seized under subsection (1) to be released to the owner of, or to the person from whose possession, the meat, meat product, pet food, matter, or thing was seized, either unconditionally or on such conditions as the Minister thinks fit, including, in the case of meat, meat products, or pet food, conditions as to the giving of security for payment of the value of the meat, meat product, or pet food if it is forfeited under section 32 .

(6)  [Section 31 Subsection (6) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 6 & s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]If any person, without the permission of an inspector, removes or takes away any meat, meat product, pet food, or other matter or thing seized under subsection (1) , that person, in addition to any other punishment to which he may be liable, is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units.

(7)  [Section 31 Subsection (7) added by No. 44 of 1988, s. 6 ]If any person tampers with, alters, or in any way interferes with any meat, meat product, pet food, or other matter or thing seized under subsection (1) , that person, in addition to any other punishment to which he may be liable, is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units.

32.   Forfeiture of meat, &c.

(1)  Where a court convicts a person of an offence against this Act in respect of any meat, meat product, or pet food, the court may order the forfeiture to the Crown of the meat, meat product, or pet food.

(2)  The forfeiture of any meat, meat product, or pet food under subsection (1) extends to the forfeiture of any covering in which the meat, meat product, or pet food is contained.

(3)  Any meat, meat product, or pet food forfeited under this section may be sold, or otherwise disposed of, as the Minister directs in writing signed by him.

33.   Power of inspectors to give directions and perform prescribed functions

(1)  [Section 33 Subsection (1) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 7 ]An inspector may, orally or in writing, give such directions as he thinks proper to the holder of a licence in respect of meat premises or the person apparently in charge of licensed meat premises with respect to –

(a) the preparation of animals and poultry for slaughtering, the slaughtering of animals and poultry, the production of meat or meat products, and associated procedures carried out at the licensed meat premises;

(b) the hygienic and humane management and operation of the licensed meat premises; and

(c) the loading of meat vehicles at the licensed meat premises with, or the conveyance of, any slaughtering product, meat, or meat product.

(2)  Without limiting the generality of subsection (1) , a direction referred to in that subsection may prohibit –

(a) the carrying out at any licensed meat premises of any procedure carried out at those meat premises for such period as the inspector giving the direction considers necessary to enable him to perform any of his functions or to exercise any of his powers under this Act; and

(b) the loading of any meat vehicle with, or the conveyance of, any slaughtering product, meat, or meat product –

(i) where the inspector considers that the vehicle is in an unhygienic state or is unsuitable for the conveyance of any slaughtering product, meat, or meat product; or

(ii) for such period as he considers necessary to enable him to perform any of his functions or to exercise any of his powers under this Act.

(3)  A direction referred to in subsection (1) that requires the installation or alteration of any plant or equipment has no effect unless the direction was given by or with the approval of the Chief Inspector.

(4)  Without affecting the generality of subsection (1) or any other provision of this Act, an inspector may give such directions, perform such other functions, and exercise such other powers, in respect of any licensed meat premises or any meat vehicles as are prescribed.

(5)  [Section 33 Subsection (5) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person to whom a direction referred to in this section is given who fails to comply with the direction is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 30 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 3 penalty units for each day during which the offence continues.

34.   Notice relating to condition of meat premises

(1)  Where, in the opinion of an inspector, the condition of any licensed meat premises or any procedure relating to the operation of any licensed meat premises is insanitary or unhygienic, the inspector may, by notice in writing served on the person apparently in charge of the licensed meat premises –

(a) require that person to cause that condition or procedure to be remedied by taking the steps specified in the notice within the period specified in the notice, being a period not exceeding 24 hours; and

(b) require the cessation of use of the licensed meat premises, either absolutely or as specified in the notice for a period specified in the notice, being a period not exceeding 24 hours, or until the steps so specified are taken, whichever is the shorter period.

(2)  Where, in the opinion of the Chief Inspector, the condition of any licensed meat premises or any procedure relating to the operation of any meat premises is insanitary or unhygienic, the Chief Inspector may, by notice in writing served on the person apparently in charge of the licensed meat premises –

(a) require that person to cause that condition to be remedied by taking the steps specified in the notice within the time specified in the notice; and

(b) require the cessation of use of the licensed meat premises, either absolutely or as specified in the notice, until the steps so specified are taken.

(3)  A person served with a notice under subsection (2) may apply to the Minister for review of the notice within 14 days of the service of the notice, but such application shall not affect the obligation to comply with any requirement referred to in paragraph (b) of that subsection that is included in the notice.

(4)  The Minister may, on application made under subsection (3) , confirm, vary, or set aside the notice.

(5)  [Section 34 Subsection (5) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person served with a notice under subsection (2) who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the notice is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding 5 penalty units for each day during which the offence continues.

35.   Inspection of records

An inspector may –

(a) enter and remain in or on any premises or stop, enter, and remain in or on any vehicle which are or is, or which he suspects on reasonable grounds are or is, being used –

(i) in contravention of this Act; or

(ii) for the storage or custody of any records relating to the slaughtering of animals or poultry, or the storage, distribution, sale, or conveyance of meat, meat products, slaughtering products, or pet food;

(b) search and inspect any premises or vehicle referred to in paragraph (a) for the presence of, and examine, any records referred to in paragraph (a) (ii) ;

(c) inspect and take copies of, or extracts or notes from, any of those records;

(d) remove any of those records from any premises or vehicle referred to in paragraph (a) for the purpose of taking copies of those records; and

(e) require any person found in or on any premises or vehicle referred to in paragraph (a) to produce any of those records in his possession or under his control.

36.   Imported meat, &c., may be required to be taken to licensed meat premises, &c.

(1)  Where a person brings any meat, meat product, or pet food into the State, an inspector may require that meat, meat product, or pet food to be taken to licensed meat premises for inspection by an inspector.

(2)  Where any meat, meat product, or pet food is delivered to licensed meat premises in accordance with a requirement given under subsection (1) , an inspector may perform his functions and exercise his powers in relation to that meat, meat product, or pet food.

(3)  Where a person fails to comply with a requirement given by an inspector under subsection (1) , the inspector may seize the meat, meat product, or pet food.

(4)  Any meat, meat product, or pet food seized under subsection (3) shall become the absolute property of the Crown.

37.   Obstructing inspectors

[Section 37 Amended by No. 104 of 1986, s. 6 ][Section 37 Amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person shall not –

(a) delay, obstruct, hinder, impede, threaten, or assault –

(i) an inspector in the performance of his functions or in the exercise of his powers under this Act; or

(ii) a person assisting an inspector in the performance of his functions or in the exercise of his powers under this Act; or

(b) fail to comply with any requirement made under section 35 (e) .

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.

38.   Supply of meat, &c., to inspectors

(1)  [Section 38 Subsection (1) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]Except as approved by the Minister, the owner of licensed meat premises, or an employee or agent of that owner, shall not supply any meat, meat product, or pet food to a person whom he knows is an inspector.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 30 penalty units.

(2)  An approval referred to in subsection (1) may relate to the right of the holder of a licence specified in the approval, or an employee or agent of that holder –

(a) to supply any inspector with any meat, meat product, or pet food for such period and on such conditions as may be specified in the approval; or

(b) to supply an inspector specified in the approval with any meat, meat product, or pet food on such occasion or occasions specified in the approval and on such conditions as may be so specified.

39.   Personation of inspectors

[Section 39 Amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person shall not –

(a) forge or counterfeit any written evidence of appointment, or certificate of identification, of an inspector;

(b) make use of any forged, counterfeited, or false written evidence of such an appointment or of such a certificate;

(c) personate an inspector named in any written evidence of appointment or certificate of identification; or

(d) falsely pretend to be an inspector.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 5 penalty units.

40.   Questions by inspectors

(1)  An inspector may require the holder of a licence or any person employed in or about any premises required by this Act to be licensed to answer questions relating to the observance of this Act or to any matter in connection with the performance of the inspector's functions or the exercise of his powers or the execution of this Act.

(2)  [Section 40 Subsection (2) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]Subject to subsection (3) , a person shall not, when required to answer a question under subsection (1) –

(a) refuse or fail to answer the question; or

(b) make any answer which, to his knowledge, is false or misleading in a material particular.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.

(3)  A person is not obliged to answer any question asked of him under subsection (1) unless he has first been informed by the inspector asking the question that he is required and is obliged to answer the question by virtue of this section.

(4)  A person may not refuse to answer a question asked of him under subsection (1) on the ground that his so doing might tend to incriminate him or make him liable to any penalty.

(5)  Any answer given by a person pursuant to a requirement made under subsection (1) , after he has been informed in the manner set forth in subsection (3) , shall not be admissible in evidence in any proceedings, civil or criminal, against him, other than in proceedings under subsection (2) .

(6)  Nothing in this section affects the admissibility in evidence of an answer voluntarily given by a person to a question asked by an inspector but which the inspector did not require that person to answer under this section.

41.   Demanding name and place of abode

(1)  An inspector who finds a person committing an offence against this Act or who finds a person whom, on reasonable grounds, he suspects of having committed or attempted to commit any such offence may demand from that person his name and place of abode.

(2)  [Section 41 Subsection (2) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person shall not, upon demand made under subsection (1) –

(a) fail or refuse to state his name or place of abode; or

(b) give a false name or place of abode.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 2 penalty units.

42.   Power of inspectors to enter premises with assistants

[Section 42 Amended by No. 104 of 1986, s. 7 ]In the performance of his functions or in the exercise of his powers under this Act, an inspector may be accompanied by such other persons as he considers necessary or desirable in the circumstances.

43.   Restriction on exercise of powers of inspectors

Nothing in this Part authorizes an inspector to exercise any of his powers under this Act in any portion of a building that is used for residential purposes without the permission of the occupier of that portion of the building.

PART V - Miscellaneous

44.   Act not to apply to certain animals, &c.

(1)  [Section 44 Subsection (1) amended by No. 104 of 1986, s. 8 ]The Governor may by proclamation declare that this Act or any of the provisions of this Act specified in the proclamation shall not apply to or in relation to any animal or bird, or any class of animal or bird, specified in the proclamation and intended to be slaughtered for the production of meat or meat products or any meat, meat product, or slaughtering product produced from any such animal or bird or class of animal or bird for such period as is specified in the proclamation.

(2)  [Section 44 Subsection (2) amended by No. 104 of 1986, s. 8 ]The Governor may by proclamation declare that this Act or any of the provisions of this Act specified in the proclamation shall not apply to or in relation to –

(a) any animal or bird, or class of animal or bird, specified in the proclamation intended to be slaughtered for the production of pet food;

(b) any pet food produced from any such animal or bird or class of animal or bird; or

(c) any pet food –

for such period as is specified in the proclamation.

45.   Exemption from operation of Act

(1)  [Section 45 Subsection (1) amended by No. 75 of 1995, s. 3 and Sched. 1 ]The Secretary of the Department may, by notice in writing –

(a) exempt any person, or class of persons, specified in the notice, from compliance with this Act or any provision of this Act specified in the notice; or

(b) exempt any slaughtering works, poultry abattoir, pet food works, or game meat processing works from the application of this Act or any provision of this Act specified in the notice.

(2)  An exemption granted under this section may –

(a) be permanent or for a period specified in the notice referred to in subsection (1) ; and

(b) be unconditional or subject to such conditions as may be specified in the notice.

(3)  [Section 45 Subsection (3) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person granted an exemption under subsection (1) who contravenes, or fails to comply with, any condition specified in the notice referred to in subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 10 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 1 penalty unit for each day during which the offence continues.

46.   False or misleading information

[Section 46 Amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person shall not, in making any application, furnishing any information, or keeping any record pursuant to this Act, make, or cause to be made, a statement or representation that to his knowledge is false or misleading in a material particular.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.

47.   Prohibition on slaughter of animals, &c.

(1)  [Section 47 Subsection (1) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person shall not slaughter any abattoir animal, or cause any abattoir animal to be slaughtered, for the production of meat or a meat product except at a licensed abattoir or licensed slaughterhouse.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.

(2)  [Section 47 Subsection (2) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person shall not slaughter any poultry or cause any poultry to be slaughtered for the production of meat or a meat product except at a licensed poultry abattoir.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.

(3)  [Section 47 Subsection (3) inserted by No. 44 of 1988, s. 8 ]A person shall not slaughter, or cause to be slaughtered, any animal or bird (not being game) for the production of pet food except at a licensed pet food works.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.

(4)  [Section 47 Subsection (4) inserted by No. 44 of 1988, s. 8 ]A person shall not process the carcass of any animal or bird (not being game) for the production of pet food except at a licensed pet food works.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.

(5)  [Section 47 Subsection (5) added by No. 44 of 1988, s. 8 ]Notwithstanding subsection (3) , the holder of a pet food works licence or a person who is acting for or on behalf of the holder of a pet food works licence may slaughter any animal or bird (not being game) for the production of pet food at premises, other than licensed meat premises, if –

(a) the animal or bird is slaughtered in accordance with the procedure approved by the Chief Inspector; and

(b) the carcass of the animal or bird is transported, in accordance with the procedure approved by the Chief Inspector, to licensed pet food works for processing at those works.

48.   Certain animals not to be slaughtered at abattoirs, &c.

(1)  A person shall not slaughter an animal that is not an abattoir animal at a licensed abattoir or a licensed slaughterhouse.

(2)  A person shall not slaughter an animal or a bird that is not poultry at a licensed poultry abattoir.

(3)  A person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) is guilty of an offence.

49.   Offence to slaughter at licensed abattoir when inspector not present

[Section 49 Amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 9 & s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]The holder of an abattoir licence or the person in charge of a licensed abattoir shall not cause, suffer, or permit any abattoir animal to be slaughtered at the premises in respect of which the licence has been issued, except in the presence of an inspector or a person authorized by the Chief Inspector for the purpose in relation to those premises.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.

50.   Prohibition of bringing certain products into certain licensed meat premises

(1)  A person who brings into a licensed abattoir or a licensed slaughterhouse a slaughtering product from any animal which is not an abattoir animal is guilty of an offence.

(2)  [Section 50 Subsection (2) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person shall not bring any meat into a licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, or licensed poultry abattoir unless that meat has been passed by an inspector as fit for human consumption and is certified, either orally or in writing, by an inspector as having been inspected at a level equivalent to that which applies to meat inspected at the abattoir, slaughterhouse, or poultry abattoir into which that meat is brought.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 50 penalty units.

(3)  [Section 50 Subsection (3) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person shall not bring any meat product into a licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, or licensed poultry abattoir except with the written permission of an inspector and in accordance with any conditions which the inspector may impose either orally or in writing.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

51.   Offence to bring meat, &c., into State

(1)  [Section 51 Subsection (1) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person shall not bring any meat or meat product into the State unless the meat or meat product is fit for human consumption.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 50 penalty units.

(2)  [Section 51 Subsection (2) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person shall not bring a slaughtering product that is intended for use as pet food into the State unless the slaughtering product is fit for use as pet food.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 50 penalty units.

52.   Prohibition of sale of meat, &c., in certain circumstances

(1)  [Section 52 Subsection (1) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 10 & s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person shall not sell or process for sale any meat, unless –

(a) it was produced at a licensed abattoir and passed by an inspector as fit for human consumption;

(b) it was produced in another State or a Territory of the Commonwealth at a recognized abattoir and certified by an inspector appointed by the Government of that State or Territory or by a Commonwealth inspector as fit for human consumption and having been produced in accordance with standards of hygiene approved, for the time being, by the State or Territory in which it was produced; or

(c) it was produced at a licensed slaughterhouse, a licensed poultry abattoir, or a licensed game meat processing works.

(1A)  [Section 52 Subsection (1A) inserted by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person who contravenes subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 30 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 3 penalty units for each day during which the offence continues.

(2)  [Section 52 Subsection (2) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person shall not sell any meat product unless it was produced from meat of a kind referred to in subsection (1) .

(2A)  [Section 52 Subsection (2A) inserted by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person who contravenes subsection (2) is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 30 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 3 penalty units for each day during which the offence continues.

(3)  This section does not apply in relation to any meat or meat product imported into the Commonwealth in accordance with the Quarantine Act 1908 of the Commonwealth.

53.   Prohibition of sale of meat unfit for human consumption

[Section 53 Amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]

(1)  A person shall not sell any meat or meat product if the meat or meat product was produced from any diseased animal or is for any other reason unfit for human consumption.

(2)  [Section 53 Subsection (2) added by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person who contravenes subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 25 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 2 penalty units for each day during which the offence continues.

53A.   Prohibition on keeping meat and meat products produced from diseased animals, &c.

[Section 53A Inserted by No. 44 of 1988, s. 11 ]A person shall not keep or cause to be kept on any premises used by that person for or in connection with the business of selling meat or meat products for human consumption any meat or meat product or any container containing any meat or meat product that –

(a) was produced from any diseased animal; or

(b) is for any other reason unfit for human consumption.

54.   Prohibition of producing meat, &c., unfit for human consumption

[Section 54 Amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]

(1)  The holder of a licence shall not produce for sale any meat or meat product which was produced from any animal or bird that is diseased or is for any other reason unfit for human consumption.

(2)  [Section 54 Subsection (2) added by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person who contravenes subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 20 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 2 penalty units for each day during which the offence continues.

55.   Inspection of slaughtering products

[Section 55 Amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]The holder of an abattoir licence shall not use any slaughtering product for the production of meat or meat products unless that slaughtering product has been passed by an inspector as fit for human consumption.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

56.   Prohibition of sale for human consumption of flesh or offal produced, &c., at pet food works

[Section 56 Amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]

(1)  A person shall not sell for human consumption any flesh or offal produced, processed, or stored at a pet food works or any product derived from any flesh or offal produced, processed, or stored at a pet food works.

(2)  [Section 56 Subsection (2) added by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person who contravenes subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 30 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 3 penalty units for each day during which the offence continues.

57.   Offence relating to having meat in vehicles

[Section 57 Amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 12 & s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]

(1)  A person shall not have in or on any vehicle on a public street, within the meaning of the Traffic Act 1925 , meat other than meat produced from game, unless –

(a) it was produced at a licensed abattoir and passed by an inspector as fit for human consumption;

(b) it was produced in another State or a Territory of the Commonwealth at a recognized abattoir and certified by an inspector appointed by the Government of that State or Territory or by a Commonwealth inspector as fit for human consumption and having been produced in accordance with standards of hygiene approved, for the time being, by the State or Territory in which it was produced;

(c) it was produced at a licensed slaughterhouse, a licensed poultry abattoir, or a licensed game meat processing works;

(d) it was produced from slaughtering in respect of which a person has obtained the approval in writing of an inspector under section 5 (2) and the person in charge of the vehicle in which the meat is contained or the person in that vehicle who is in possession of the meat is the person who obtained that approval, a member of his family, a resident in his home, or his employee or a member of the family of his employee; or

(e) that person has been granted an exemption in relation to this section under section 45 .

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.

(2)  [Section 57 Subsection (2) inserted by No. 44 of 1988, s. 12 ]A person shall not have in or on any vehicle on a public street, within the meaning of the Traffic Act 1925 , pet food, other than pet food produced from game, unless –

(a) it was produced at a licensed pet food works;

(b) it was produced in another State or a Territory of the Commonwealth and certified by an inspector appointed by the Government of that State or Territory or by a Commonwealth inspector as fit for consumption by pets and as having been produced in accordance with standards of hygiene approved, for the time being, by the State or Territory in which it was produced;

(c) it was produced from slaughtering in respect of which a person has obtained the approval in writing of an inspector under section 5 (2) and the person in charge of the vehicle in which the pet food is contained or the person in that vehicle who is in possession of the pet food is the person who obtained that approval, a member of his family, a resident in his home, or his employee or a member of the family of his employee; or

(d) that person has been granted an exemption in relation to this section under section 45 .

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.

58.   Offence relating to sale of certain pet foods

(1)  [Section 58 Subsection (1) substituted by No. 104 of 1986, s. 9 ][Section 58 Subsection (1) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 13 ]A person shall not sell any pet food unless –

(a) it was produced at licensed meat premises;

(b) it was produced in another State or a Territory of the Commonwealth and certified by an inspector appointed by the Government of that State or Territory or by a Commonwealth inspector as fit for consumption by pets and having been produced in accordance with standards of hygiene approved, for the time being, by the State or Territory in which it was produced; or

(c) it was produced from game and processed in accordance with the procedure approved by the Chief Inspector.

(1A)  [Section 58 Subsection (1A) inserted by No. 104 of 1986, s. 9 ]A person shall not sell any pet food unless it is identified as prescribed.

(1B)  [Section 58 Subsection (1B) inserted by No. 104 of 1986, s. 9 ][Section 58 Subsection (1B) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person who contravenes subsection (1) or (1A) is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 20 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 2 penalty units for each day during which the offence continues.

(2)  For the purposes of this section, pet food does not include dehydrated pet food or pet food contained in an hermetically sealed container.

59.   Offence relating to sale of pet food produced from diseased animal or bird

[Section 59 Amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]

(1)  A person shall not sell any pet food which was produced from a diseased animal or bird, or is, for any other reason, unfit for consumption by pets.

(2)  [Section 59 Subsection (2) added by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person who contravenes subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 10 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 1 penalty unit for each day during which the offence continues.

60.   Offences relating to branding of meat

(1)  [Section 60 Subsection (1) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person shall not brand, or cause to be branded, any meat or any container containing any meat or meat product as fit or unfit for human consumption, unless he is an inspector or is authorized to do so by an inspector.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 30 penalty units.

(2)  [Section 60 Subsection (2) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person shall not keep or cause or permit to be kept any meat, or any covering containing any meat or meat product, which has not been branded or which has been branded otherwise than in accordance with this Act, on any premises used by that person for or in connection with the business of selling meat or meat products for human consumption.

(2A)  [Section 60 Subsection (2A) added by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person who contravenes subsection (2) is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 10 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 1 penalty unit for each day during which the offence continues.

(3)  [Section 60 Subsection (3) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person shall not keep or cause or permit to be kept –

(a) any pet food which has not been dyed in accordance with this Act; or

(b) any container containing pet food where the container has not been identified as prescribed –

on any premises used by that person for or in connection with the business of selling pet food.

(3A)  [Section 60 Subsection (3A) added by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person who contravenes subsection (3) is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 10 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 1 penalty unit for each day during which the offence continues.

(4)  For the purposes of subsection (3) , pet food does not include dehydrated pet food or pet food contained in an hermetically sealed container.

61.   Official marks, &c.

[Section 61 Amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]A person shall not, without the approval of the Chief Inspector –

(a) manufacture, have in his possession, apply, alter, or interfere with an official mark;

(b) manufacture, have in his possession, or apply a mark resembling, or apparently intended to resemble or pass for, an official mark; or

(c) manufacture or have in his possession an official marking device.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 30 penalty units.

62.   False trade descriptions

(1)  A person shall not apply a false trade description to any meat or meat product.

(2)  A person shall not sell any meat or meat product to which a false trade description has been applied.

(3)  A person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) is guilty of an offence.

(4)  For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) , a false trade description shall be deemed to be applied to any meat or meat product –

(a) if it is applied to the meat or meat product;

(b) if it is applied to a covering, label, or thing used in connection with the meat or meat product; or

(c) if it is applied to a document relating to the meat or meat product or used in any other manner likely to lead to the belief that it describes or designates the meat or meat product.

63.   Indictable offences

(1)  [Section 63 Subsection (1) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]An offence under section 30 (6) , 48 , 50 (1) , or 62 is an indictable offence and, subject to this section, is punishable on conviction by a fine not exceeding 500 penalty units for a first offence and, for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding 1 000 penalty units.

(2)  Notwithstanding that an offence referred to in subsection (1) is an indictable offence, a court of summary jurisdiction may hear and determine proceedings in respect of such an offence if the court is satisfied that it is proper to do so and the defendant and the prosecutor consent.

(3)  [Section 63 Subsection (3) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]Where, in accordance with subsection (2) , a person is convicted before a court of summary jurisdiction of an offence referred to in subsection (1) , the fine that a court may impose shall not exceed 100 penalty units for a first offence and, in relation to a second or subsequent offence, shall not exceed 250 penalty units.

64.   Offences by bodies corporate

Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a body corporate and the offence is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director of or other person concerned in the management of the body corporate, or any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, he as well as the body corporate is guilty of the offence and is liable to a penalty not exceeding that prescribed for the offence unless he proves that he could not by the exercise of reasonable diligence have prevented the commission of the offence.

65.   Prosecutions for offences under Act

(1)  A prosecution for an offence under this Act shall not be instituted without the approval in writing of the Chief Inspector.

(2)  The Chief Inspector shall not give his approval under subsection (1) to the institution of a prosecution for an offence under this Act if he considers that the offence is a minor offence or that the institution of such a prosecution would not be in the public interest.

66.   Evidence

(1)  A certificate purporting to be a certificate signed by the Chief Inspector certifying –

(a) that a person is or was at the time mentioned in the certificate an inspector;

(b) that a person was or was not the holder of a licence at the time mentioned in the certificate; or

(c) that any provision set out in the certificate was, at the time mentioned in the certificate, a condition of a licence or a condition of an exemption given under this Act –

is admissible in any proceedings under this Act and shall, until the contrary is established, be evidence of the matters so certified.

(2)  [Section 66 Subsection (2) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 14 ]A certificate purporting to be signed by an inspector certifying –

(a) that any substance was meat, a meat product, pet food, a slaughtering product, or a product of a slaughtering product;

(b) that any slaughtering product was produced, processed, or stored at a pet food works;

(c) that any meat was or was not produced at any licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, licensed poultry abattoir, licensed game meat processing works, or recognized abattoir or was not passed or certified as fit for human consumption;

(d) that any meat product was produced from meat that was or was not produced at any licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, licensed poultry abattoir, licensed game meat processing works, or recognized abattoir or was not passed or certified as fit for human consumption;

(e) that any meat or meat product was, in his opinion, produced from any diseased animal or bird or was for any other reason unfit for human consumption;

(f) that any pet food was or was not produced at a licensed meat premises;

(g) that any pet food was, in his opinion, produced from any diseased animal or bird or was for any other reason unfit for consumption by pets;

(h) that any meat, meat product, or pet food was produced from a particular species of animal or bird; or

(i) that a slaughtering product was not passed as fit for human consumption –

is admissible in any proceedings under this Act and shall, until the contrary is established, be evidence of the matters so certified.

(3)  [Section 66 Subsection (3) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 14 ]If in any proceedings it is proved that any meat, meat product, or pet food was on any premises used by any person for or in connection with the business of selling meat, meat product, or pet food, it shall, unless the contrary is established, be evidence that the meat, meat product, or pet food was being offered, exposed, or stored for sale by that person.

67.   Defences

(1)  In proceedings for an offence under this Act it shall, subject to subsection (2) , be a defence for the person charged to prove –

(a) that the commission of the offence was due to a mistake, to reliance on information provided to him by, or the act or default of, another person other than his employee, or to some cause beyond his control;

(b) that he took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence; or

(c) that he –

(i) was an employee of the occupier of, or the holder of the licence in respect of, the meat premises, in relation to which the offence was committed and was acting on the instructions of that occupier or holder; or

(ii) was under the supervision of the occupier of, the holder of the licence in respect of, or the person in charge of, the meat premises in relation to which the offence was committed and was acting on the instructions of that occupier or holder.

(2)  In proceedings for an offence under this Act, a person shall not, without the leave of the court, be entitled to rely on the defence that the commission of an offence was due to the act or default of another person or to reliance on information provided to him by another person unless, not less than 7 days before the hearing, he has served on the complainant a notice in writing giving such information identifying or assisting in the identification of that other person as was then in his possession.

68.   Service of documents, &c.

(1)  Where under this Act a document or a notice is required to be served on a person, the document or notice may be served –

(a) in the case of a person who is neither a body corporate nor a firm –

(i) by delivering it to him personally;

(ii) by leaving it at that person's place of residence last known to the person required to serve the document or notice with someone who apparently resides there, or at that person's place of business or employment last known to the person required to serve the document or notice with someone who is apparently employed there, being in either case a person who has or apparently has attained the age of 16 years; or

(iii) by sending it by post to that person's place of residence, business, or employment last known to the person required to serve the document or notice;

(b) in the case of a body corporate –

(i) by delivering it to the secretary of the body corporate personally;

(ii) by leaving it at the registered office of the body corporate or at the place or principal place of business of the body corporate in Tasmania with a person apparently employed there, being a person who has or apparently has attained the age of 16 years; or

(iii) by sending it by post to the registered office of the body corporate or to the place or principal place of business of the body corporate; or

(c) in the case of a firm –

(i) by delivering it to a member of the firm personally;

(ii) by leaving it at the place or principal place of business of the firm in Tasmania last known to the person required to serve the document or notice with a person apparently employed there, being a person who has or apparently has attained the age of 16 years; or

(iii) by sending it by post to the place or principal place of business of the firm in Tasmania last known to the person required to serve the document or notice.

(2)  A reference in subsection (1) to the registered office of a body corporate includes a reference to a registered office that is outside Tasmania.

(3)  The provisions of this section are in addition to the provisions of section 528 of the Companies (Tasmania) Code .

69.   Administration

(1)  All expenses incurred in the administration of this Act shall be paid out of money to be provided by Parliament for that purpose.

(2)  All fees and penalties received under this Act shall be paid into the Consolidated Revenue.

70.   Meat Hygiene Consultative Committee

(1)  The Minister may establish a Meat Hygiene Consultative Committee (in this section referred to as "the Committee") for the purpose of consulting with him on matters relating to the licensing of meat premises under this Act.

(2)  The Committee shall consist of –

(a) a person appointed by the Minister who shall be the chairman of the Committee;

(b) a person appointed by the Minister from a list of 3 persons, being beef producers, submitted to him by the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association;

(c) a person appointed by the Minister from a list of 3 persons, being sheep producers, submitted to him by the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association;

(d) a person appointed by the Minister from a list of 3 persons submitted to him by the Meat Exporters Association of Tasmania;

(e) a person appointed by the Minister from a list of 3 persons submitted to him by the Meat and Allied Trades Federation of Australia (Tasmanian Division), being persons who are operators of licensed abattoirs or licensed slaughterhouses and who are not engaged in exporting meat outside the Commonwealth;

(f) a person appointed by the Minister from a list of 3 persons submitted to him by the Australian Meat Industry Employees Union (Tasmanian Branch); and

(g) such other persons appointed by the Minister as he considers necessary.

(3)  Schedule 1 has effect with respect to the membership and meetings of the Committee.

71.   Regulations

[Section 71 Subsection (2) amended by No. 96 of 1993, s. 252 and Sched. 1 ]

(1)  The Governor may make regulations for the purposes of this Act.

(2)  [Section 71 Subsection (2) amended by No. 104 of 1986, s. 10 ]Without limiting the generality of subsection (1) , the Governor may make regulations for or in respect of the following matters:

(a) the standards for the layout, plant, and equipment of any licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, licensed poultry abattoir, licensed game meat processing works, and licensed pet food works;

(b) the operation of any licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, licensed poultry abattoir, licensed game meat processing works, and licensed pet food works and of any plant, vehicles, or equipment in or on those premises;

(c) the hygiene of any licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, licensed poultry abattoir, licensed game meat processing works, and licensed pet food works and persons employed in the operation of those premises;

(d) the sale and supply of meat or meat products produced from meat produced at any licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, licensed poultry abattoir, and licensed game meat processing works;

(e) the requirements as to the maintenance and repair of any licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, licensed poultry abattoir, licensed game meat processing works, and licensed pet food works and of any plant or equipment in or on those premises;

(f) inspections under this Act;

(g) the functions and powers of inspectors under this Act and the conferring or imposing on inspectors of functions and powers with respect to the hygiene and humane management of animals and birds and operation of any licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, licensed poultry abattoir, licensed game meat processing works, and licensed pet food works;

(h) certificates to be given by inspectors relating to inspections made by them;

(i) the disposal of effluent, waste, and slaughtering products from any licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, licensed poultry abattoir, licensed game meat processing works, and licensed pet food works;

(j) the disposal of condemned carcasses, meat, meat products, and pet food;

(k) the quality of water and the supply of water for use in the operation of any licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, licensed poultry abattoir, licensed game meat processing works, and licensed pet food works and the payment and recovery of fees in respect of analysing or examining any such water;

(l) the holding and keeping of animals or birds prior to slaughter at any licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, licensed poultry abattoir, and licensed pet food works;

(m) the slaughter of animals and birds at any licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, licensed poultry abattoir, and licensed pet food works;

(n) the humane treatment of animals and birds prior to and during slaughter at any licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, licensed poultry abattoir, and licensed pet food works;

(o) the dressing of carcasses produced at any licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, licensed poultry abattoir, licensed game meat processing works, and licensed pet food works;

(p) the keeping and control of animals and birds at or in the vicinity of any licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, licensed poultry abattoir, licensed game meat processing works, and licensed pet food works;

(q) the use of drugs and chemicals in the treatment of animals and birds at any licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, licensed poultry abattoir, and licensed pet food works prior to slaughter;

(r) the use of drugs and chemicals on any game within a period of 28 days prior to the slaughter of that game;

(s) the identification, processing, and storage of any carcass of game prior to its delivery to licensed game meat processing works;

(t) the methods and conditions under which slaughtered game is transported from the place of slaughter to licensed game meat processing works;

(u) the identification, processing, and storage of any carcass of an animal or a bird prior to its delivery to licensed pet food works;

(v) the methods and conditions under which any carcass of an animal or a bird is transported from the place where that animal or bird was slaughtered to licensed pet food works;

(w) the conditions under which meat, meat products, and pet food may be brought into the State;

(x) the branding of meat and the labelling of coverings containing meat or meat products produced at any licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, licensed poultry abattoir, and licensed game meat processing works;

(y) the identification of pet food and the ingredients contained in that pet food;

(z) the coverings containing pet food and the labels on those coverings;

(za) the grading and trade descriptions of any meat and meat product;

(zb) the production, packaging, storage, processing, and transport of meat, meat products, and pet food at any licensed meat premises;

(zc) the analysis or examination of samples or specimens of any slaughtering product, meat, meat product, and pet food taken in accordance with this Act and the payment and recovery of fees in respect of analysing or examining such samples or specimens;

(zd) the fees payable in respect of applications for licences and renewals of licences;

(ze) the forms of notices, certificates, and other documents under this Act;

(zf) the cases in which, and the conditions upon which, duplicates of licences may be issued and the fees payable in respect of the issue of those duplicates;

(zg) the payment and recovery of fees in respect of –

(i) inspections and branding of meat and coverings containing meat or meat products;

(ii) inspections and branding of pet food and coverings containing pet food; and

(iii) inspections and branding of slaughtering products and coverings containing slaughtering products –

by inspectors;

(zh) approvals of structural alterations and additions to any licensed abattoir, licensed slaughterhouse, licensed poultry abattoir, licensed game meat processing works, and licensed pet food works;

(zi) the payment and recovery of fees for approvals given under this Act;

(zj) the keeping of records and the furnishing of returns by holders of licences;

(zk) the payment and recovery of fees in respect of inspections of licensed meat premises by inspectors;

(zl) the payment and recovery of fees for inspections carried out by inspectors other than at licensed meat premises of animals or birds or the carcasses of animals or birds intended for processing at licensed meat premises.

(3)  Regulations made under this section may be made subject to such conditions, or be made so as to apply differently according to such factors as may be specified in the regulations or according to such limitations or restrictions, whether as to time or circumstance or otherwise, as may be so specified.

(4)  [Section 71 Subsection (4) amended by No. 44 of 1988, s. 15 and Sched. 1 ]Regulations under this section may provide that it is an offence, punishable on summary conviction, for a person to contravene or fail to comply with any of the regulations and may provide in respect of any such offence for the imposition of a fine not exceeding 10 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 1 penalty unit for each day during which the offence continues.

(5)  A regulation under this section may authorize any matter or thing to be from time to time determined, applied, or regulated by any person or body specified in the regulation.

(6)  [Section 71 Subsection (6) added by No. 104 of 1986, s. 10 ]Any fee prescribed for the purposes of this Act may differ according to circumstances specified in the regulations.

SCHEDULE 1 - Provisions with Respect to Membership and Meetings of the Meat Hygiene Consultative Committee

Section 70

1.   Interpretation

In this Schedule, Committee means the Meat Hygiene Consultative Committee established under section 70 .

2.   Terms and conditions of office of members of Committee

(1) A member of the Committee –

(a) shall –

(i) be appointed for such period as the Minister thinks fit; and

(ii) hold and vacate office in accordance with the terms of his appointment or reappointment;

(b) may be removed from office by the Minister by notice in writing addressed and delivered to that member; and

(c) may at any time resign his office by notice in writing addressed and delivered to the Minister.

(2) The terms and conditions of office of a member of the Committee, with respect to matters not provided for in this Schedule, are as determined by the Minister.

3.   Change of name of organization which members of Committee represent

If an organization referred to in section 70 (2) (b) , (c) , (d) , (e) , or (f) changes its name to another name or ceases to exist under the name referred to in the relevant paragraph, the Minister may, by order, amend that paragraph –

(a) by substituting for the name of the organization that other name; or

(b) by substituting for the name of that organization the name of some other organization which he is satisfied represents substantially the same interests as those represented by the first-mentioned organization.

4.   Appointment of substitute to act during absence of member of Committee

If a member of the Committee is unable for any reason to carry out his duties as such a member for any period, the Minister may appoint a person who, in his opinion, is suitably qualified to act in place of that member during that period, and that person shall, for that period, be deemed to be a member of the Committee to act in the place of that member during that period.

5.   Convening of meetings

Meetings of the Committee may be convened by the chairman of the Committee or by any 2 or more members of the Committee.

6.   Quorum

Four members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum of the Committee.

7.   Presiding at meetings

(1) The chairman of the Committee shall preside at all meetings of the Committee at which he is present.

(2) If the chairman of the Committee is not present at a meeting of the Committee, a member of the Committee elected by the members present shall preside at that meeting.

8.   Decision of meeting

A decision carried by a majority of the votes of the members present at a meeting of the Committee shall be a decision of the Committee.

9.   Power of Committee to regulate its own procedure

Subject to this section, the procedure for the calling of meetings of the Committee and for the conduct of business at those meetings shall be as determined by the Committee.