Approval of Activities at Meat Processing Businesses

A food business operator who wants to undertake meat processing activity must go through an approval process to ensure the proposal meets the required standards. The department carries out inspections of all new and existing meat establishments for approval under hygiene regulations.

If you wish to set up a cold store or begin slaughtering, cutting meat, re-wrapping, re-packaging, or game handling, you must first submit proposals including plans and specifications to the department’s Meat Hygiene and Animal By Products Division (MHABP).

A Notification of Intent Form should be completed by the food business operator. At this stage a formal application form for approval should not be submitted. The applicant will be advised later in the process when to submit an application for approval.

Site inspections

Meetings with the food business operator or advisors are held and inspections are carried out, as necessary, of the site of the proposed establishment or the establishment where the new activity is proposed.

The food business operator is notified of any modifications which must be made to the proposals and of any additional information which is required. When the veterinary inspector is satisfied that, in principle, the proposal complies with the requirements of the relevant legislation, the food business operator is informed it can proceed, once planning or other relevant regulations have been satisfied.

Formal application

When construction of the establishment has been completed, an on-site inspection is carried out by the veterinary inspector. If the veterinary inspector is satisfied that the structures, equipment and food safety systems comply with the legislation, the food business operator is then advised to submit a formal application for approval.

Use the forms below to begin the approval process.

For further information contact: