Transportation of ‘above temperature’ meat from red meat slaughterhouses
How to apply for authorisation to transport ‘above temperature’ meat from red meat slaughterhouses.
Hygiene legislation requires all slaughterhouses to keep meat below 7°C before it is transported. ‘Above temperature’ or ‘warm’ meat is meat that reaches 7°C and above before it’s transported to authorised establishments.
Application process
You can apply for an authorisation to transport partially chilled meat above this temperature if the requirements in Regulation 2017/1981 are met.
You can also apply for an authorisation to transport above temperature meat for the production of specific products if there is a technological reason why the meat does not need to be reduced to below the legal requirement.
Guidance designed for industry can be found below.
Important
References to EU legislation in FSA guidance
Directly applicable EU legislation no longer applies in GB. EU legislation retained when the UK exited the EU became assimilated law on 1 January 2024, published on legislation.gov.uk. References to any legislation in FSA guidance with ‘EU’ or ‘EC’ in the title (e.g. Regulation (EC) 178/2002) should now be regarded as assimilated law where applicable to GB. References to ‘Retained EU Law’ or ‘REUL’ should now be regarded as references to assimilated law.
For businesses moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, information on the Windsor Framework is available on GOV.UK.
The Windsor Framework was adopted by the UK and EU on 24 March 2023. The Framework provides a unique set of arrangements to support the flow of agrifood retail products from Great Britain (GB) to Northern Ireland (NI), allowing GB standards for public health in relation to food, marketing and organics to apply for pre-packed retail goods moved via the NI Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS).
England, Northern Ireland and Wales
To apply for an authorisation to transport warm meat you need to contact one of our Official Veterinarians. They will discuss the application process with you and requirements that need to be met.
England, Northern Ireland and Wales
After authorisation is granted
Once an authorisation has been granted it may be amended, suspended or revoked if we are not satisfied that the right conditions are being met.
Appeals process
Where an amendment, suspension or cancellation is issued, you will have the right to appeal this decision.
You can make an appeal by writing to the Approvals Team within 20 working days of the date of the notice.
During the appeals process you must stop transportation of warm meat to establishments that were previously included in your authorisation.
The appeal will be investigated by a Field Veterinary Leader and the outcome will be communicated to you and to the Official Veterinarian within 20 working days of the decision.
Revision log
Published: 18 December 2017
Last updated: 26 January 2024