Service
Approval of Activities at Meat Processing Businesses
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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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.
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.
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.
Notice of Intent for Meat Processing
Notification of intent to operate, or proposed changes at, a meat processing or cold store establishment for a specified activity.
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Meat Processing Application Form
Application to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for registration as a food business operator and for approval of activities at a meat processing or cold store establishment.
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For further information contact:
Meat Hygiene Section
Address:
Meat Hygiene and Animal By-products Division, Pavilion B Grattan Business Park, Portlaoise, Co Laois, R32 KW50
Phone number: