B. Ante-mortem inspection

Subject to paragraphs 4 and 5: the official veterinarian is to carry out an ante-mortem inspection of all animals before slaughter; that inspection must take place within 24 hours of arrival at the slaughterhouse and less than 24 hours before slaughter. In addition, the official veterinarian may require inspection at any other time. Ante-mortem inspection must in particular determine whether, as regards the particular animal inspected, there is any sign: that welfare has been compromised; or of any condition which might adversely affect human or animal health, paying particular attention to the detection of zoonotic diseases and diseases on List A or, where appropriate, List B of the Office International des Epizooties (World organisation for animal health, OIE). In addition to routine ante-mortem inspection, the official veterinarian is to carry out a clinical inspection of all animals that the food business operator or an official auxiliary may have put aside. In the case of emergency slaughter outside the slaughterhouse and of hunted wild game, the official veterinarian at the slaughterhouse or game handling establishment is to examine the declaration accompanying the body of the animal issued by the veterinarian or the trained person in accordance with Regulation (EC) No .../2004 Note for Official Journal: Insert No of Regulation laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin (see recital 1, 2nd Regulation). . Where provided for in Section III, Chapter II, or in Section IV, ante-mortem inspection may be carried out at the holding of provenance. In such cases, the official veterinarian at the slaughterhouse need carry out ante-mortem inspection only when and to the extent specified.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-11-04 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.