Meat Inspection Regulations

made under Section 32 of the

Meat Inspection Act

S.N.S. 1996, c. 6

O.I.C. 90-180, (effective February 13, 1990) N.S. Reg. 46/1990

amended to O.I.C. 2026-144 (effective April 23, 2026), N.S. Reg. 109/2026

Table of Contents

Please note: this table of contents is provided for convenience of reference and does not form part of the regulations.
Click here to go to the text of the regulations.

Ante mortem inspection

Slaughter of animals

Post mortem inspection

Diseases and conditions

Abrasions, bruises, abscesses, suppurating sores and adhesions

Actinomycosis or actinobacillosis

Anemia

Arthritis

Brucellosis

Caseous lymphadenitis

Parasites, tapeworm cysts and trichinosis parasites

Traumatic pericarditis

Tuberculosis

Detention

Form 1—Licence for the Operation of a Meat Plant

Form 2—Application for Licence for the Operation of a Meat Plant

Form 3—Notice of Detention

Citation

1 These regulations may be cited as the Meat Inspection Regulations.

Interpretation

1A In these regulations

“Act” means the Meat Inspection Act;

“animal” means cattle, calves, sheep, swine, goats, chickens, turkeys, rabbits, game as defined in the Wildlife Act, and any other animal whether or not raised in captivity the meat of which is intended for or may be used as food;

“carcass” means the whole carcass of an animal;

“dressed carcass” means the edible parts of a carcass but does not include the edible organs;

“edible” means fit for food;

“food” means food for human consumption unless the context otherwise requires;

“inedible” means unfit for food;

“inspection legend” means the inspection legend prescribed by these regulations;

“plant” means a meat plant or meat processing plant;

“primal cut” means a short hip, steak piece, shortloin, rib or chuck cut;

“utensil” means any equipment that comes in contact with meat in a plant;

“veterinarian” means a person registered under the Veterinary Medical Act, Nova Scotia;

“veterinary inspector” means a veterinarian appointed as inspector.

Meat inspection

2 A licensee who holds a licence pursuant to the Act and the regulations shall operate any plant licensed under the Act in accordance with the Act, these regulations and any conditions imposed on their licence by an administrator.

Licences

3 An application for a licence to engage in the business of operating a meat plant shall be in Form 2 attached to these regulations and shall be accompanied by the following information:

(a) the exact geographic location of the plant and any facilities used in connection therewith or the site for the plant and facilities;

(b) particulars of the plant location or site in respect of drainage and facilities for maintenance of sanitary conditions;

(d) detailed plans showing the number of rooms, intended operation in each room, locations of main equipment and other equipment illustrating the nature and extent of the plant operation;

(e) a survey, drawing or sketch showing the location of the plant and facilities in relation to other adjacent properties;

(f) where washrooms, dressing rooms or toilet rooms are not provided in the plant, particulars of facilities available elsewhere;

(fa) the hours and days of the week that the applicant requests for slaughter to occur at the plant;

(g) such other information as an administrator requires.

4 (1) A licence issued under subsection 10(3) of the Act shall be in Form 1 attached to these regulations, and may contain such conditions or limitations as an administrator may prescribe.

(2) A licence shall continue in force until it is suspended or revoked by an administrator.

(3) A licensee wishing to surrender its licence shall give written notice to an administrator 30 days in advance of the date of surrender.

(4) A licence in Form 1 is not transferable.

(5) There is no fee for a meat plant licence or the renewal of a licence.

5 An administrator shall assign a plant number to every plant licensed under the Act and regulations.

Plants and equipment

6 Every plant shall

(a) be located in a place free from conditions that might injuriously affect the sanitary operation of the plant;

(b) be constructed and finished in such manner that the plant is capable of being maintained in a sanitary condition;

(d) be adequately ventilated; and

(e) be adequately heated.

7 (1) No poultry abattoir shall have direct interior access to a red meat plant.

(2) Poultry processing facilities shall be separate from facilities for any other meat; provided, however, that poultry product may be stored with other meat product after it has been completely processed.

8 No utensil or personal attire used in a poultry abattoir shall be used in or transferred to a red meat plant.

9 Every plant shall be equipped with

(a) a killing room for the purpose of slaughtering animals;

(b) a storage room for inedible offal, meat that is not food, condemned material and refuse;

(d) pens for the purpose of holding animals before slaughter;

(e) head inspection racks;

(f) a viscera truck or table;

(g) a hoist;

(h) a sterilizer;

(i) where poultry is processed,

(i) equipment for scalding and plucking, and

(ii) equipment for cleaning and disinfecting of all rooms and processing equipment and for cleaning and disinfecting poultry crates and transport facilities; and

(j) such other equipment of design and material as an administrator requires.

10 (1) Every plant shall be equipped with or have readily available adequate facilities for the purpose of chilling and storing dressed carcasses immediately after slaughter, and such equipment shall be conveniently placed in the appropriate sequence for slaughtering, eviscerating and chilling.

(2) Where poultry is processed in any plant, equipment in the plant shall include

(a) scalding equipment and chill tanks of rust resistant material impervious to liquids;

(b) chill tanks equipped with adequate overflows and permanently affixed direct reading thermometers, which tanks shall be capable of lowering eviscerated carcasses to a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7.2 degrees Celsius) within one hour; and

(c) storage rooms capable of holding poultry carcasses at a temperature below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7.2 degrees Celsius).

(3) Every refrigerated room in a plant shall be equipped with a direct reading thermometer of known accuracy.

11 (1) Every plant shall have, under pressure,

(a) a supply of potable hot and cold water adequate for the efficient operation of the plant; and

(b) an adequate supply of potable hot water or live steam for sterilizing purposes.

(2) Every plant shall have hand washing facilities in the killing room including a stainless steel sink with faucets operated by foot or knee pressure.

12 (1) Plant floors shall be smooth, impervious to liquids and shall bind with the wall lift for a minimum rise of six inches.

(2) All plant floors except those in dry storage and hide rooms shall be sloped to drains equipped with odour traps.

13 Every plumbing drain in a plant shall be equipped with a catch basin for removing fat and solid materials, and where the drain is from a kill room floor, it shall also have a blood pit to redirect clotting blood.

14 Every wall and ceiling in a plant shall be of smooth material impervious to liquids and shall be of a minimum height of 9 feet (2.74 meters) except in abattoirs where the minimum height shall be 11 feet (3.35 meters) to the transport rail.

15 Ceilings in refrigeration rooms in a plant shall be of smooth material and impervious to liquids.

16 Rails, racks and hooks in a plant shall be of rust-resistant metal construction or shall be iron or galvanized but kept free of rust with oil and shall not be painted.

17 In every plant, tables, benches, blocks and containers for meat intended for food shall be rust-resistant and free of any crack or crevice.

18 (1) In every plant, containers for the storage of inedible offal, meat that is not food, condemned material and refuse shall be of suitable metal, plastic or fibre glass construction and covered with insect-proof covers of the same construction.

(2) In every plant, containers that hold inedibles shall be labelled.

19 Except as otherwise provided in these regulations, in every plant utensils shall be of such material and so constructed that they are rust-resistant and can be easily cleaned and sterilized.

20 Plants shall be cleaned and sanitized immediately upon completion of the daily operations.

21 Where a plant processes poultry, all equipment, poultry crates and transport facilities shall be cleaned, disinfected and sanitized as soon as practical after arrival at the plant.

Operation of plants

22 No person shall operate a plant unless 1 of the following conditions is met:

(a) an inspector appointed under the Act is present;

(aa) if the conditions of the licence in respect of the plant allow for it, an authorized meat plant representative is present;

(b) the plant engages only in further processing or retailing and an administrator has authorized the plant to operate under random inspection.

23 No person shall use any part of a meat plant as living quarters.

24 No person shall have in a meat plant anything that is not used in the normal operation of the plant.

25 No person shall use the holding pens of a meat plant for the purpose of fattening animals.

26 The meat plant water supply shall be adequately protected against contamination and pollution.

27 (1) Every meat plant shall be kept clean, sanitary and in good repair.

(2) The floors, walls and ceilings of a plant shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.

(3) Rooms and passageways in a plant shall be kept free of condensed moisture.

(4) Rails, racks and hooks in a plant shall be

(a) arranged so as to prevent contact of a carcass or meat with a wall or floor; and

(b) kept clean, sanitary and in good repair.

(5) In every plant, tables, benches, blocks and containers for meat intended for food shall be kept clean, sanitary and in good repair.

(6) Floors in pens for holding animals shall be maintained in a dry, clean and sanitary condition.

(7) The yards of a plant shall be maintained in a clean condition and free of litter and weeds.

28 Where a plant processes game,

(a) such processing shall not take place at a time when any other meat or meat product is being processed;

(b) the processed game shall be kept separate in holding coolers from other meat processed and inspected under these regulations; and

(c) the abattoir and all equipment used in processing such game shall be cleaned, sanitized and disinfected immediately upon completion of the processing of the game.

29 All waste and drainage from the operation of a plant shall be disposed of in a sanitary manner.

30 (1) Containers for the storage of inedible offal, meat that is not food, condemned material and refuse shall be

(a) marked to identify the use to which they are put;

(b) used for no other purpose;

(d) kept in the storage room provided for that purpose; and

(e) emptied as directed by an inspector or an authorized meat plant representative.

(2) No person shall permit inedible offal, meat that is not food, condemned material or refuse to accumulate in a plant or on or near the premises of a plant except in containers that comply with these regulations.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), inedible offal and meat that is not food shall be disposed of in the manner prescribed by Section 112.

(4) If a carcass is approved as fit for food by an inspector or an authorized meat plant representative, any inedible offal and meat from that carcass that is not food and is approved by the inspector or authorized meat plant representative for the purpose of animal food in accordance with guidelines set by an administrator may be disposed of for that purpose in a manner determined by the administrator.

31 No person shall smoke, chew tobacco or spit on the floor in any room in which

(a) carcasses or meat are chilled, stored, cut, handled, prepared or packed; or

(b) meat products are produced, processed, handled or stored.

32 All outside openings capable of being open, except loading doors, shall be screened sufficiently to prevent the entry of flies or other insects.

33 Every practicable precaution shall be taken to maintain plants free of flies, rats, mice and other vermin.

34 No person shall permit a dog or cat to be in a meat plant.

35 (1) Only germicides, insecticides, rodenticides, detergents, wetting agents or other similar materials that have been approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency or the federal Department of Health shall be used in a plant.

(2) The materials mentioned in subsection (1) shall be used in a manner approved by an administrator.

36 (1) Equipment and utensils shall be

(a) cleaned at the end of each day’s use; and

(b) disinfected before each use.

(2) Utensils that have been in contact with infected materials shall be immediately cleaned and sterilized by means of hot water or live steam.

37 (1) Meat and meat products shall be handled and kept in such manner and place as to prevent contamination.

(2) Meat or meat products shall not come in direct contact with the floors or walls in a plant.

(3) Containers of meat or meat products intended for food shall not be placed in direct contact with the floor.

38 No paper or other material shall be used in direct contact with meat or meat products unless it is of such kind that

(a) remains intact and does not disintegrate from the moisture of the meat or meat products;

(b) is readily and completely removable from the meat or meat product; and

39 Inedible offal and meat that is not food shall

(a) be removed immediately from any room in which

(i) carcasses or meat are chilled, stored, cut, handled, prepared or packed, or

(ii) meat products are produced, processed, handled or stored; and

(b) be placed in the containers prescribed for that purpose.

40 Hides shall not be kept in any room in which

(a) carcasses or meat are chilled, stored, cut, handled, prepared or packed; or

(b) meat products are produced, processed, handled or stored.

41 The carcass of an animal that has been condemned on ante mortem inspection shall not be taken through or into any room in which

(a) carcasses or meat are chilled, stored, cut, handled, prepared or packed; or

(b) meat products are produced, processed, handled or stored.

42 An animal that dies while being held at a plant shall be removed forthwith, and disposed of in a manner approved by an administrator.

43 No dead animal, carcass of an animal, or part thereof shall be brought into a meat plant unless any of the following apply:

(a) the animal was slaughtered and the carcass or part was stamped or labelled in accordance with the Act or these regulations or the Safe Foods for Canadians Act (Canada) and the regulations made thereunder;

(b) the animal was slaughtered on site by humane slaughter after ante mortem inspection by an inspector or authorized meat plant representative under the Act;

(d) the animal is game which has been killed accidentally out of season and it is accompanied by a certificate under the Wildlife Act from a wildlife officer;

(e) the animal has died in transit to the plant and is brought in only for the purpose of removal of the hide, after all live animals have been processed;

(f) the entry is approved by an inspector.

44 No person shall permit the removal of or transport or deliver meat or meat products from a meat plant

(a) unless the meat or meat product

(i) is adequately protected against dust, dirt, flies, or other insects,

(ii) is handled in such manner as to prevent contamination,

(iii) does not come in direct contact with the floor, roof or walls of the vehicle in which it is to be transported or delivered, and

(iv) is transported or delivered in a vehicle that is clean, sanitary and constructed and equipped for the proper care of meat and meat products; or

(b) in a vehicle that contains inedible offal, meat that is not food, condemned material, refuse, unsanitary material or animals.

45 (1) Where an inspector finds that Section 44 is not complied with in respect of a vehicle at a plant, he shall

(a) prohibit the transportation or delivery of meat or meat products from the plant in the vehicle and may issue such directions as he considers necessary or advisable to secure compliance with Section 44; or

(b) direct the removal from the vehicle of meat or meat products therein and reinspect the meat or meat products, as the case may be.

(2) On reinspection of the meat or meat products under clause (b) of subsection (1), the inspector may issue such directions as he considers necessary or advisable to ensure that the meat or meat products comply with these regulations.

(3) If an authorized meat plant representative finds that Section 44 is not complied with in respect of a vehicle at a plant, the authorized meat plant representative must contact an administrator for direction.

Records

46 Every licensee shall maintain for twelve months, records of animals inspected at the plant including

(a) the names and addresses of the persons from whom animals were purchased or acquired;

(b) the dates of the purchase or acquisition of animals;

(d) the number of animals slaughtered and the dates of slaughter;

(e) information sufficient to

(i) identify carcasses, or carcass portions by legend, and

(ii) identify meat products by invoices or stamped cartons;

(f) such other information as an administrator requires.

Personnel

47 (1) No person shall perform work that brings him in contact with meat or meat products in a meat plant unless

(a) the person is clean;

(b) the person is free from and not a carrier of a disease or infection that may be spread through the medium of food;

(c) the person submits to such examination and tests as the local medical officer of health or an administrator requires; and

(d) the person wears clean, washable outer garments and headgear.

(2) No person who has resided in premises while a communicable disease or infection has occurred therein shall perform work that brings him in contact with meat or meat products in a meat plant, unless the person has obtained a certificate from the local medical officer of health certifying that the person is free from and not a carrier of any disease or infection that may spread through the medium of food.

48 No person shall handle meat or meat products while the person is the bearer of any substance that might contaminate the meat or meat products.

49 (1) Every meat plant shall, for the use of the employees, be provided with or have available

(a) washing facilities, including soap and running hot and cold water;

(b) clean towels for the exclusive use of each employee;

(d) adequate running-water closet-type toilet facilities.

(2) Every toilet room shall be

(a) located so that it does not open directly into any room in which

(i) meat is chilled, stored, cut, handled, prepared or packed, or

(ii) meat products are produced, processed, handled or stored;

(b) equipped with full-length doors;

(d) fully lighted.

(3) While the plant is in operation, every washroom, dressing room and toilet room shall be adequately heated.

50 Washing facilities, dressing rooms and toilet rooms shall be kept clean and sanitary.

Meat products

51 Meat products that are customarily eaten without further cooking shall be subjected to a process sufficient to destroy pathogenic bacteria, parasites and cystic forms of parasites.

52 Where meat products are subject to any cooking or other preserving process an inspector shall

(a) inspect any automatic thermal charts;

(b) perform such other tests as may be necessary to satisfy the inspector that the product has been cooked at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to destroy pathogenic bacteria, parasites and cystic forms of parasites;

(d) ensure that flammable materials used for smoking or cooking are stored and handled in a manner so as to prevent contamination.

Risk-based score

52A An administrator must assign a risk-based score to each meat plant based on criteria determined by the administrator and must determine whether the scores are considered satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

Inspection of plants

53 (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), every meat plant must be operated under the supervision of an inspector who is present at the plant.

(2) An administrator may approve a licensee to conduct slaughter at its meat plant without an inspector present if all of the following conditions are met:

(a) the meat plant has achieved and maintains a satisfactory risk-based score, as determined under Section 52A;

(b) the licensee’s licence contains conditions that permit the licensee to designate an individual as a meat plant representative and the licensee has designated 1 or more meat plant representatives;

(c) the administrator has authorized any individuals designated under clause (b) as authorized meat plant representatives;

(d) an authorized meat plant representative

(i) inspects all animals prior to slaughter,

(ii) is present for the slaughter of all animals, and

(iii) oversees the slaughter and ensures compliance with the Act and these regulations;

(e) an authorized meat plant representative maintains records and submits reports as required by the administrator.

54 Inspectors for the purposes of these regulations may be appointed as inspectors or as veterinary inspectors and they must report to an administrator.

55 The Chief Inspector and veterinary inspectors must hold a licence under the Veterinary Medical Act.

56 Every person shall comply with any direction issued by an inspector under these regulations.

56A Every employee of a meat plant must comply with any direction issued by an authorized meat plant representative for that meat plant.

57 Where any provision of the Act or these regulations or any direction of an inspector is not complied with within a meat plant, an inspector

(a) may refuse to provide inspection at the plant or to stamp with the inspection legend or label meat at the meat plant; and

(b) shall notify immediately an administrator and furnish the administrator with full particulars of the inspector’s reasons for refusing to provide inspection at the plant or for refusing to stamp with the inspection legend or label meat at the meat plant.

58 (1) Every meat plant shall provide

(a) adequate accommodation for the use of the inspector or an authorized meat plant representative; and

(b) adequate work space on the floor of the killing room for the inspector or an authorized meat plant representative during post mortem inspection by the inspector or the authorized meat plant representative.

(2) Where a plant requires inspection service for three or more days in a week, the accommodation for the inspector shall include a furnished office for exclusive use by the inspector.

59 An inspector or an authorized meat plant representative may take or cause to be taken specimens from animals, carcasses or meat products for testing purposes.

60 (1) An inspector may hold any equipment, utensil or room in a plant which, in his opinion, does not comply with these regulations.

(2) Where any equipment, utensil or room is held under subsection (1), the inspector shall attach thereto a yellow tag bearing the serial number and the words “NOVA SCOTIA HELD” and shall issue such directions as he considers necessary or advisable.

(3) Where the equipment, utensil or room that has been held under subsection (1) has been made to comply with these regulations, the inspector shall remove the tag bearing the words “NOVA SCOTIA HELD”.

(4) Where any equipment, utensil or room is held under subsection (1), no person shall

(a) remove the tag bearing the words “NOVA SCOTIA HELD”; or

(b) use such equipment, utensil or room until the inspector has removed such tag.

61 A licensee may conduct slaughter only between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, unless otherwise approved by an administrator.

62 A licensee may request an administrator’s approval for changes to the hours and days approved for slaughter at its plant, on a temporary or ongoing basis, and the request must be made in advance of the change at the following times:

(a) at least 3 business days in advance, if the requested change is for slaughter to occur on an additional or different day;

(b) at least 24 hours in advance, if the requested change is for no slaughter to be conducted on a day that slaughter was scheduled to occur, except in extenuating circumstances.

63 Except as provided in Section 64, a licensee is prohibited from conducting slaughter outside of the hours and days approved by an administrator.

64 If a licensee determines that slaughter must occur outside the hours or days prescribed by Section 61 or the hours and days approved by an administrator, the licensee must make special arrangements for inspection service in respect of the slaughter with the administrator.

65 [repealed]

66 (1) A licensee must pay a fee for any inspection service required at a time other than the days and hours prescribed by Section 61 or the hours and days that the licensee has properly notified the administrator that slaughter will occur.

(2) The fee for the inspection service mentioned in subsection (1) shall be an amount equal to the cost to the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture of providing such service.

Ante mortem inspection

67 No animal shall be taken into the killing room of a meat plant unless an inspector or an authorized meat plant representative has completed an ante mortem inspection of the animal and has approved the animal for slaughter.

68 Where these regulations prescribe that an animal be held, an inspector or an authorized meat plant representative shall

(a) attach a metal tag bearing a serial number and the words “NOVA SCOTIA HELD” to the left ear of the animal; and

(b) direct that the animal be removed to and detained in an area apart from other animals.

69 Where these regulations prescribe that an animal be slaughtered as a held animal, a veterinary inspector, Chief Inspector, inspector or authorized meat plant representative shall

(a) direct that the animal be slaughtered apart from other animals; and

(b) make the post mortem inspection of the carcass of the animal.

70 Subject to Section 113, where these regulations prescribe that an animal be condemned, a veterinary inspector, Chief Inspector, inspector or authorized meat plant representative shall

(a) attach a metal tag bearing a serial number and the words “NOVA SCOTIA CONDEMNED” to the right ear of the animal; and

(b) direct that the animal be killed and the carcass

(i) be removed immediately to the storage room for condemned material,

(ii) be denatured by a method approved by an administrator; and

(iii) be disposed of in the manner prescribed by Section 112.

71 (1) Unless otherwise approved by an authorized meat plant representative, an inspector or an administrator, a person must not place on, or remove from an animal, a tag bearing the words “NOVA SCOTIA CONDEMNED” or “NOVA SCOTIA HELD”.

(2) Unless otherwise approved by an inspector or an administrator, a person must not remove an animal that has been held or condemned by an inspector or an authorized meat plant representative from the area designated for detaining the animal by an inspector or an authorized meat plant representative.

72 (1) Where on ante mortem inspection of an animal, it appears to an inspector who is not a veterinary inspector or to an authorized meat plant representative that the animal is diseased, crippled, immature or in an advanced state of pregnancy, or that the animal shows any evidence of any other abnormal condition, the inspector or authorized meat plant representative shall

(a) hold the animal; and

(b) notify an administrator immediately.

(2) Where an administrator is notified that an animal has been held, an administrator shall arrange for an ante mortem inspection of the animal.

(3) Where an inspector or authorized meat plant representative inspects a held animal and approves the animal for slaughter, the inspector or authorized meat plant representative shall

(a) remove the tag bearing the words “NOVA SCOTIA HELD”;

(b) permit slaughter of the animal; and

73 Where an inspector or authorized meat plant representative inspects an animal and finds or suspects that the animal is affected with any disease or condition that may cause condemnation of the carcass or a part thereof on post mortem inspection, the inspector or authorized meat plant representative shall direct that the animal be slaughtered as a held animal.

74 Where an inspector or an authorized meat plant representative inspects an animal that has or may have any of the following, the inspector or authorized meat plant representative shall report the condition to an administrator for an ante mortem or post mortem inspection and the animal must be disposed of in accordance with the direction of the administrator:

(a) a temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4 degrees Celsius) or above;

(b) a prolapsed uterus;

(d) acute or chronic mastitis;

(e) any condition causing systemic septicemia;

(f) a contagious or infectious disease;

(g) a moribund condition;

(h) evidence of prolonged prostration;

(i) extensive bruising.

75 No person shall hold a sick animal for treatment at any plant.

76 No person shall remove a live animal from a plant.

77 Where an inspector or authorized meat plant representative finds that an animal is in an advanced state of pregnancy, the inspector or authorized meat plant representative shall direct that the animal

(a) be held or continue to be held, as the case may be; and

(b) shall only be slaughtered under veterinary inspection; or

78 Where an inspector or authorized meat plant representative finds that an animal has an abnormal temperature, the inspector or authorized meat plant representative shall direct that the animal

(a) be slaughtered as a held animal; or

(b) be condemned.

79 Where an inspector or authorized meat plant representative inspects an animal and, in the inspector’s or authorized meat plant representative’s opinion any of the following apply, the inspector or authorized meat plant representative shall condemn the animal:

(a) the animal is in a moribund condition;

(b) for any other reason, the meat of the animal is not fit for food.

Slaughter of animals

80 An animal shall be slaughtered by a method that produces rapid exsanguination.

81 (1) No animal shall be slaughtered unless

(a) it is rendered unconscious in accordance with a method prescribed by or authorized under Section 83

(i) immediately before slaughter, or

(ii) immediately before it is hung for the purpose of slaughter.

82 Where an animal is rendered unconscious for the purpose of slaughter, it shall be slaughtered or hung and slaughtered, as the case may be, immediately thereafter.

83 (1) For the purposes of slaughter, an animal shall be rendered unconscious

(a) by delivering a blow to the head by means of a mechanical penetrating or non-penetrating device approved by an administrator;

(b) in the case of a lamb or young calf, by delivering a blow to the head by manual means;

(i) produces rapid unconsciousness, and

(ii) has been approved by an administrator; or

(d) by applying an electrical current to the head

(i) in a manner that produces rapid unconsciousness, and

(ii) by a device approved by an administrator.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), an administrator, on such conditions as he imposes, may authorize a licensee to render an animal unconscious other than by a method prescribed by subsection (1).

84 In slaughtering an animal or rendering it unconscious, no person shall use

(a) an instrument, unless at the time the ability and physical condition of the person enable the person to use the instrument without causing the animal unnecessary pain; or

(b) a mechanically operated instrument

(i) in such manner or circumstance, or

(ii) the condition or state of repair of which is such,

as may cause the animal unnecessary pain.

85 An animal shall be prepared for slaughter and slaughtered in a manner that does not cause it unnecessary pain.

86 (1) Pens for the purpose of holding animals before slaughter shall be

(a) clean, adequately ventilated;

(b) free from sharp projections or obstructions that may injure an animal; and

(c) sufficient to keep animals from separate lots and deliveries apart from each other and in identifiable groups until ante mortem inspection, provided however, that animals from the same herd or flock may be penned together.

(2) Animals shall not be assembled in a greater number than may be held without over-crowding or risk of injury.

(3) Every ramp or incline used in assembling or moving animals for the purpose of slaughter shall

(a) be constructed in a manner that provides good ascent or descent for the animals; and

(b) be maintained in a manner that provides good footing for the animals.

(4) An electrical prod used in assembling or moving animals for the purpose of slaughter shall not be applied to the perianal region or escutcheon of an animal.

Post mortem inspection

87 An inspector or an authorized meat plant representative shall make a post mortem inspection of the carcass of an animal immediately after slaughter.

88 Where these regulations prescribe that a carcass or a part or organ thereof be held, an inspector or an authorized meat plant representative shall

(a) attach firmly thereto a yellow paper tag bearing a serial number and the words “NOVA SCOTIA HELD”; and

(b) direct that the carcass, part or organ be removed to and detained in an area designated by the inspector or authorized meat plant representative.

89 Where this regulation prescribes that a carcass or a part or organ thereof be condemned, an inspector or authorized meat plant representative shall

(a) attach firmly thereto a black paper tag bearing a serial number and the words “NOVA SCOTIA CONDEMNED”; and

(b) direct that the carcass, part or organ be

(i) removed immediately to the storage room for condemned material,

(ii) denatured by a method approved by an administrator, and

(iii) disposed of in the manner prescribed by Section 112.

90 Unless otherwise authorized by an inspector or an authorized meat plant representative, no person shall

(a) place on or remove from a carcass or a part or organ thereof a tag bearing the words “NOVA SCOTIA HELD” or “NOVA SCOTIA CONDEMNED”; or

(b) remove a carcass or a part or organ thereof that has been held or condemned from the area designated by an inspector for the detention of the carcass, part or organ.

91 (1) Subject to subsection (2), an authorized meat plant representative or an inspector who is not a veterinary inspector shall,

(a) if the inspector or authorized meat plant representative finds any ground for detaining a carcass or a part or organ thereof for inspection by a veterinary inspector, hold the carcass and notify a veterinary inspector or the Chief Inspector with

(i) a description of the carcass,

(ii) the reason for which it is held, and

(iii) the serial number of the tag bearing the words “NOVA SCOTIA HELD”; or

(b) if the inspector or authorized meat plant representative approves a carcass for food, stamp with the inspection legend or label the dressed carcass in the manner prescribed by these regulations.

(2) An authorized meat plant representative or inspector who is not a veterinary inspector may condemn

(a) a badly bruised part of a carcass;

(b) a head or organ that is affected with such localized lesions as an administrator designates, unless the inspector or authorized meat plant representative is holding the carcass of which they are part for inspection by a veterinary inspector.

92 Where an inspector or authorized meat plant representative inspects a carcass and approves the carcass or a part or organ thereof for food, the dressed carcass, part or organ, as the case may be, shall be stamped with the inspection legend or labelled in the manner prescribed by these regulations.

93 Where an inspector or authorized meat plant representative inspects a carcass and, in the inspector’s or authorized meat plant representative’s opinion, the carcass or part or organ thereof should be held for further inspection, the inspector or authorized meat plant representative

(a) hold or continue to hold, as the case may be, the carcass, part or organ; and

(b) issue such directions as the inspector or authorized meat plant representative considers necessary or advisable.

94 (1) Where an inspector or authorized meat plant representative inspects a carcass and, in the inspector’s or authorized meat plant representative’s opinion, the carcass or a part or organ thereof is not fit for food, the inspector or authorized meat plant representative shall condemn the carcass, part or organ,

(2) Where a carcass is condemned under subsection (1), the blood thereof shall be condemned.

95 An inspector may at any time reinspect in a meat plant, meat that has been stamped with the inspection legend or labelled and the provisions of these regulations apply to such reinspection.

96 No carcass or part thereof shall be inflated with air or any other gaseous substance.

97 (1) A carcass shall be chilled immediately after inspection.

(2) Poultry carcasses

(a) shall be chilled after plucking, evisceration, washing and removal of head and feet by submersion in a chilling tank of ice water for a period of time not exceeding one hour or until the dressed carcass reaches a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7.2 degrees Celsius);

(b) shall be hung after chilling in a cooled atmosphere to remove excess moisture before inspection and packaging.

98 The sternum of each carcass shall be split and the abdominal and thoracic viscera removed at the time of slaughter.

99 The head, tongue, tail, thymus gland, viscera, blood and all other parts of a carcass to be used in the preparation of food shall be held in such manner as to preserve their identity with a carcass until the post mortem inspection of the carcass has been completed.

100 Carcasses of hogs and calves shall be thoroughly washed and cleaned before any incision is made for inspection or evisceration.

101 Hair, scurf, hoofs and claws shall be removed from the carcasses of hogs.

102 Oil sacks shall be removed from the carcasses of poultry.

103 The spermatic cords shall be removed from a hog carcass and the pizzle shall be removed from every carcass.

104 Hypertrophied skin shall be removed from swine carcasses and condemned.

105 (1) The skin shall be removed from a calf carcass

(a) that is infested with larvae of the Ox warble fly; or

(b) that is extensively affected with lesions resulting from mange, ringworm or any other skin disease of a like nature.

(2) Where the lesions mentioned in clause (b) of subsection (1) are so localized and of such character that they may be readily removed, the part of the skin that is affected shall be removed.

106 (1) Lactating mammary glands shall be removed without opening the milk ducts or sinuses.

(2) All mammary glands of swine that are lactating or have been active shall be removed and condemned.

107 Hair, scurf, brains, eyes, eardrums, teeth and turbinate and ethoid bones shall be removed from heads intended for food.

108 Parotid and other salivary glands shall be removed from cheek meat intended for food.

109 The larynx, epiglottis and tonsils shall be removed from tongues intended for food.

110 Hearts shall be opened or inverted and washed before they are placed in refrigeration facilities or removed from a meat plant.

111 Edible offal intended for use as food shall be washed and inspected before packing.

112 (1) Where these regulations prescribe any of the following, an inspector or authorized meat plant representative shall direct that the animal, carcass, part, organ, inedible offal or meat that is not food be disposed of in accordance with subsection (2):

(a) that an animal be condemned and killed;

(b) that a carcass or a part or organ thereof be condemned;

(2) All of the following methods of disposition are acceptable for the purposes of subsection (1):

(a) delivery to a rendering plant, approved under the Safe Foods for Canadians Act (Canada);

(b) burying with a covering of at least 60 cm of earth;

(d) rendering in a plant that is equipped with high temperature rendering facilities approved by an administrator;

(e) any additional method approved by an administrator.

Diseases and conditions

113 Where any disease or condition is not dealt with under these regulations, the Chief Inspector or a veterinary inspector shall deal with the disease or condition in such manner as the Chief Inspector or veterinary inspector considers necessary or advisable.

114 (1) Where, on inspection, the Chief Inspector or a veterinary inspector suspects that an animal or carcass is affected with glanders, maladie du coit (dourine), anthrax, hog cholera, mange, vesicular exanthema of swine, sheep scab, rabies, scrapie or such other contagious or infectious disease as may be designated under the Health of Animals Act (Canada), the Chief Inspector or veterinary inspector shall

(a) hold the animal or carcass, as the case may be;

(b) direct that the animal or carcass be removed to and detained in an area apart from other animals or carcasses; and

(c) notify immediately an administrator and the closest district veterinarian appointed under the Health of Animals Act (Canada).

(2) Where, on inspection, the Chief Inspector or a veterinary inspector finds lesions of tuberculosis in any animal, the Chief Inspector or veterinary inspector shall notify immediately the closest district veterinarian appointed under the Health of Animals Act (Canada) and furnish the district veterinarian with such information and specimens as an administrator prescribes.

115 An animal or carcass affected with any of the following diseases or conditions shall be condemned:

(a)anaplasmosis;

(b) anthrax;

(c)azoturia;

(d) blackleg;

(e)farcy;

(f) glanders;

(g)icterus with hematuria;

(h) infectious equine anemia;

(i)hog cholera;

(j) maladie du coit (dourine);

(k)malignant catarrh;

(l) piroplasmosis;

(m)purpura hemorrhagica;

(n)pyemia;

(o) rabies;

(p)sapremia;

(q) septicemia;

(r)strangles;

(s) tetanus;

(t)toxemia;

(u) uremia;

(v) vesicular exanthema;

(w) viral encephalomyelitis.

116 Poultry affected with any of the following diseases or conditions shall be condemned:

(a)avian leukosis complex;

(b)botulism;

(c)erysipelothrix septicemia;

(d)listerellosis;

(e)ornithosis;

(f)paratyphoid septicemia;

(g) septicemia;

(h) toxemia;

(i) tuberculosis;

(j) pullorum disease.

117 Where any poultry, animal or carcass is infected with any of the following diseases or conditions and the carcass shows only localized lesions and no systematic change, the organ or portion affected shall be removed and condemned:

(a) avian pneumonitis;

(b) coccidiosis;

(d) fowl cholera;

(e) fowl pox;

(f) fowl typhoid;

(g) infectious bronchitis;

(h) infectious coryza;

(i) infectious laryngotracheitis;

(j) mycotic infections;

(k) pseudotuberculosis;

(l) trichomoniasis.

118 The carcass of an animal that is emaciated, immature or in a post-parturient state shall be condemned if any one of the following conditions are present:

Emaciation

(a) emaciation which is

(i) distinct from mere leanness,

(ii) pathological and caused by primary or secondary starvation, and

(iii) characterized by

(A) atrophy and flabby conditions of the musculature,

(B) the loss of intermuscular and internal fat resulting in the replacement thereof by a yellow jellylike substance, or

Immaturity

(b) (i) the meat

(A) has the appearance of being water-soaked,

(B) is loose, flabby, tears easily, and can be perforated with the finger, or

(ii) good muscular development as a whole is lacking, especially on the upper shank of the leg where edema is present between the muscles,

(iii) the tissue that later develops as the fat capsules of the kidneys is edematous, dull yellow or grayish red, tough and intermixed with islands of fat;

Parturition

(c) the animal has given birth to young within ten days immediately preceding slaughter, unless otherwise directed following inspection by a veterinary inspector or the Chief Inspector.

119 The carcass of an animal affected with any of the following diseases or conditions shall be dealt with in the manner prescribed hereunder:

Abnormal odours

(a) (i) where a carcass is affected with

(A) a pronounced abnormal dietary odour,

(B) a pronounced medicinal odour,

(D) an abnormal metabolic odour associated with febrile conditions,

the carcass shall be condemned,

(ii) a carcass that is mildly affected by any odour mentioned in subclause (i) shall be chilled and the disposal of the carcass shall be determined by a heating test;

Abrasions, bruises, abscesses, suppurating sores and adhesions

(b) (i) where a carcass is badly bruised or extensively affected with abrasions, abscesses, suppurating sores, or visceral adhesions the carcass shall be condemned,

(ii) where there are, without lymph gland involvement, slight, well limited abrasions, bruises, abscesses, suppurating sores or adhesions on any part of a carcass, other than the head, tongue and internal organs, the affected tissue shall be removed and condemned,

(iii) any part of a carcass or any organ that is badly bruised or extensively affected with an abscess, suppurating sore or adhesion shall be removed and condemned;

Actinomycosis or actinobacillosis

(ii) where the lesions mentioned in subclause (i) are uncomplicated and localized, the affected parts of a carcass shall be removed and condemned,

(iii) where the head is affected by lesions mentioned in subclause (i), the head, including the tongue, shall be condemned,

(iv) where the lesions mentioned in subclause (i) are slight and confined to the tongue, the tongue and corresponding lymph glands shall be removed and condemned;

Anemia

(d) where anemia is present in conjunction with another disease or condition for which no provision is made under these regulations, the Chief Inspector or a veterinary inspector shall issue such directions with respect to the disposal of the carcass as he deems necessary or advisable;

Arthritis

(e) (i) where a carcass is affected with arthritis and the condition is

(A) generalized and associated with systemic change, or

(B) characterized by the presence of periarticular abscesses and manifesting suppurative lesions in more than one joint,

the carcass shall be condemned;

(ii) where arthritis is localized and not associated with systemic change, the affected joint and corresponding lymph glands shall be removed in such manner as to avoid contamination of the remainder of the carcass, and shall be condemned;

Brucellosis

(f) (i) where the lesions resulting from brucellosis are generalized, the carcass shall be condemned,

(ii) where the lesions mentioned in subclause (i) are localized, the affected parts of the carcass shall be removed and condemned;

Caseous lymphadenitis

(g) (i) where caseous lymphadenitis

(A) is associated with emaciation or secondary change, or

(B) is extensive, not confined to the seat of primary infection, and more than one body gland is affected,

the carcass shall be condemned,

(ii) where caseous lymphadenitis is confined to one body gland, the quarter of the carcass in which such gland is located shall be removed and condemned;

Edema

(h) (i) where edema is generalized, the carcass shall be condemned,

(ii) where edema is slight and confined to the seat of origin, the affected tissues shall be removed and condemned and the remainder of the carcass, on reinspection after chilling for twelve hours, may be approved;

Inflammation

(i) (i) where the lungs, pleura, intestines, peritoneum, kidneys, uterus or meninges show active and extensive inflammation, the carcass shall be condemned,

(ii) where chronic inflammation is characterized by fibrous tissue adhesions only, the affected part or organ shall be removed and condemned,

(iii) in cases other than those mentioned in subclauses (i) and (ii), the Chief Inspector or a veterinary inspector shall issue such directions with respect to the disposal of the carcass or any part or organ thereof as he deems necessary or advisable;

Mastitis

(j) (i) where an udder is affected with mastitis and there is evidence of systemic change, the carcass shall be condemned,

(ii) where there is no evidence of systemic change, an udder affected with mastitis shall be removed and condemned;

Neoplasm

(k) (i) where any part or organ of a carcass is affected with a malignant tumor that

(A) is extensive,

(B) affects the muscles, skeleton or body lymph glands, or

(ii) where any part or organ of a carcass is affected with malignant tumor and

(A) such tumor is primary,

(B) there is no evidence of metastasis or interference with normal body functions, and

(iii) where any part or organ of a carcass is affected with a benign tumor and the remainder of the carcass is not affected, the affected part or organ shall be removed and condemned;

Omphalophlebitis

(l) (i) where any carcass is affected with omphalophlebitis and there is evidence of metastatic involvement, the carcass shall be condemned,

(ii) where there is no evidence of metastatic involvement in a carcass affected with omphalophlebitis, the umbilical region shall be removed and condemned;

Parasites, tapeworm cysts and trichinosis parasites

(m) (i) where a carcass shows evidence of infestation with parasites that are not transmissible to man, and the parasites are found to be of such character and distribution that their removal and the removal of the lesions caused by them are impracticable, the carcass shall be condemned,

(ii) where

(A) any part or organ of a carcass shows numerous lesions caused by parasites,

(B) the character of the infestation of the part or organ is such that complete removal of the parasites and of the lesions caused by them is difficult to accomplish with certainty, or

the affected part or organ shall be removed and condemned,

(iii) where the infestation of a part or organ of a carcass is so localized and of such character that the parasites and the lesions caused by them may be readily removed, the affected area of the part or organ shall be removed and condemned;

Tapeworm cysts

(n) (i) in this clause

(A) subclauses (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) apply to cysticercosis in cattle,

(B) subclauses (vi) and (vii) apply to cysticercosis in sheep, and

(ii) where the infestation is excessive or the meat is watery or discoloured, the carcass shall be condemned,

(iii) for the purpose of subclause (ii), the infestation is deemed to be excessive where incisions in various parts of the musculature expose on most of the cut surfaces two or more cysts within an area having a diameter of approximately four inches, (10.16 centimeters),

(iv) where the infestation is limited to one dead and calcified cyst, the carcass shall be approved after removal and condemnation of the cyst,

(v) where the infestation is slight or moderate, as determined by a careful examination of the heart, muscles of mastication, diaphragm and its pillars, tongue and other parts of the carcass that are visible after dressing

(A) the cyst and surrounding tissues shall be removed and condemned, and

(B) the carcass shall be

(I) held continuously in cold storage at a temperature not exceeding 14 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 10 degrees Celsius) for a period of not less than twenty days, or

(II) treated by any other method prescribed by an administrator, before the carcass may be approved,

(vi) where the infestation is of such character and distribution that the complete removal of the cysts cannot be accomplished with certainty, the carcass shall be condemned,

(vii) where the infestation is slight and all cysts can be removed, such cysts and surrounding tissues shall be removed and condemned and the carcass may be approved,

(viii) a carcass affected with cysticercus cellulosae shall be condemned;

Trichinosis

(o) (i) where an inspector has reason to believe that swine may be affected with trichinosis, he shall

(A) direct that the animals be slaughtered as held animals,

(B) submit such specimens as are necessary for the purpose of an analysis to a laboratory designated by an administrator,

(D) issue such directions as he considers necessary or advisable,

(ii) where an analysis under subclause (i) shows that trichinae are present, the carcass shall be condemned,

(iii) where an analysis under subclause (i) does not show the presence of trichinae, the Chief Inspector or a veterinary inspector may direct that the carcass shall be treated by the method prescribed by an administrator;

Pasteurellosis

(p) (i) where the lesions resulting from pasteurellosis are associated with systemic change, the carcass shall be condemned,

(ii) where the lesions mentioned in subclause (i) are localized, the affected part or organ of the carcass shall be removed and condemned;

Pigmentation

(q) (i) any liver that is affected extensively with carotenosis shall be removed and condemned,

(ii) where

(A) a carcass or part or organ thereof is affected with melanosis, porphyria or ochronosis, and

(B) such forms of pigmentation cannot be completely removed,

the affected carcass shall be condemned or the affected part or organ shall be removed and condemned, as the case may be,

(iii) where xanthomatosis results in the extensive discolouration of the musculature, the carcass shall be condemned,

(iv) where xanthomatosis is confined to any part or organ, the part or organ shall be removed and condemned,

(v) where a carcass shows

(A) any degree of icterus with parenchymatous degeneration of organs,

(B) an intense yellow or greenish-yellow discolouration,

the carcass shall be condemned,

(vi) where a carcass shows a slight icteric-like discolouration that disappears on chilling, the carcass may be approved,

(vii) for the purpose of subclause (vi), the examination of the carcass shall be made under natural light;

Pyelonephritis

(r) (i) where a carcass is affected with pyelonephritis and the condition is bilateral or associated with emaciation, the carcass shall be condemned,

(ii) where a carcass is affected with pyelonephritis and the condition is not bilateral or not associated with emaciation, the kidneys and corresponding lymph glands shall be removed and condemned;

Salmonellosis

(s) (i) where on ante mortem inspection, the Chief Inspector or a veterinary inspector suspects that an animal is infected with salmonellosis, he shall

(A) direct that such animal be slaughtered as a held animal,

(B) submit such specimens to the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory, Truro, N.S., as are necessary for the purpose of analysis,

(D) issue such directions as he considers necessary or advisable,

(ii) where an analysis under subclause (i) shows that the disease is generalized, the carcass shall be condemned, and where the analysis shows that the disease is localized, the affected part or organ shall be removed and condemned;

Skin diseases

(t) (i) where a carcass is affected with mange scab, ringworm or any other skin disease of a like nature in advanced stages and shows emaciation, cachexia or extensive inflammation of the flesh, the carcass shall be condemned,

(ii) where any disease mentioned in subclause (i) is slight, the affected parts of the carcass shall be removed and condemned;

Swine erysipelas

(u) (i) where

(A) swine erysipelas is acute, generalized, or accompanied by valvular endocarditis, or

(B) a hog carcass is affected extensively with the diamond-skin form of erysipelas,

the carcass shall be condemned,

(ii) where the lesions resulting from swine erysipelas are localized or not associated with systemic change, the affected parts of the carcass shall be removed and condemned;

Telangiectasis

(v) livers affected with telangiectasis shall

(A) be condemned, or

(B) be denatured by a method prescribed by an administrator and disposed of for the purpose of animal food in the manner prescribed by an administrator;

Traumatic pericarditis

(w) (i) where

(A) traumatic pericarditis is acute or associated with systemic change, or

(B) the lesions resulting from traumatic pericarditis are diffuse with or without pus,

the carcass shall be condemned,

(ii) where the lesions resulting from traumatic pericarditis are

(A) localized, and

(B) encapsulated, if purulent, the affected part or organ shall be removed and condemned;

Tuberculosis

(x) (i) where tuberculosis is extensive or associated with emaciation, the carcass shall be condemned,

(ii) where the lesions resulting from tuberculosis are

(A) collectively small in extent,

(B) either calcified or encapsulated, and

(I) the head and the corresponding lymph glands,

(II) the abdominal cavity and the corresponding lymph glands,

(III) the thoracic cavity and the corresponding lymph glands,

the head, the affected parts or organs of the abdominal cavity or the affected parts or organs of the thoracic cavity, as the case may be, shall be condemned.

120 For the purposes of clauses (c) and (x) of Section 119, lesions are deemed to be extensive or generalized where they are present

(a) at the usual seats of primary infection and in the parts or organs of the carcass that may be reached by the organism of tuberculosis, actinomycosis or actinobacillosis only when they are carried in the systemic circulation; or

(b) in the digestive or respiratory tracts, including the lymph glands connected therewith, and in any two of the organs comprised of the spleen, kidneys, uterus, udder, ovary, testicle, adrenal gland, brain, spinal cord, or the membranes of any of them; or

121 Where these regulations provide that a part or organ of a carcass shall be removed and condemned, the remainder of the carcass may be approved for food if it is otherwise fit for food.

122 (1) Meat that has been approved for food under the Act and these regulations must be stamped with an inspection legend approved by an administrator that includes the number assigned to the plant by an administrator.

(2) Carcass portions may be stamped with a smaller or modified inspection legend approved by an administrator.

(3) [repealed]

(4) [repealed]

(5) A portion legend may be applied to

(a) retail meat cuts;

(b) cartons, packages, bags, inserts and labels approved by an administrator and which contain processed products that comply with the Act and regulations.

123 No person other than an inspector, a person authorized by an inspector or an authorized meat plant representative shall apply the inspection legend to any carcass, part, organ, cut, portion, container or carton.

124 (1) An inspector, a person authorized by the inspector or an authorized meat plant representative, shall stamp the inspection legend upon

(a) every dressed carcass, part or organ approved for food;

(b) each quarter, primal cut and abdominal area of every carcass side;

(2) Any meat that is obtained from a dressed carcass or a part or organ thereof that bears the inspection legend and is of such character or size that it is impractical to stamp the inspection legend thereon, may be placed in a container, carton or bag under the supervision of an inspector or an authorized meat plant representative who shall apply, or authorize a person to apply, the inspection legend to the container, carton or bag.

125 No meat or meat product that has been returned to a plant may be sold until it has been identified, re-inspected, and approved by an inspector.

126 Returned meat or meat product that has lost its identity, been contaminated, has been returned in an objectionable container, or is in any way unfit for food, shall be condemned and denatured.

127 (1) Where practicable, the inspection legend shall be applied by means of a metal stamp directly on to the carcass.

(2) Where it is impracticable to use a metal stamp, the inspection legend shall be applied by means of

(a) a tag attached to the carcass or a part, organ or cut thereof, or sealing the container thereof;

(b) a label applied to a container of meat or printed directly upon a plastic bag used to contain the carcass, part, organ or cut.

128 (1) An inspector or an authorized meat plant representative shall have the custody of, and be responsible for, the inspection legend stamps, tags, labels and containers, packages and bags or cartons or inserts bearing the inspection legend assigned to the plant by an administrator.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), an inspector may leave a portion inspection legend stamp in the custody of the owner of a retail or processing meat plant who has been authorized by an administrator to apply the inspection legend, and the owner shall thereafter be responsible for the security and maintenance of the inspection legend stamp.

(3) Where an administrator is advised of any infraction of security or use of a portion inspection legend stamp, he may direct an inspector to seize the stamp and forward a written report to the Chief Inspector.

129 Any ink used in a plant for marking meat shall be made from harmless ingredients and samples shall be submitted for analysis on the request of the Chief Inspector.

130 Only ink approved by an administrator shall be used to apply the inspection legend to meat.

131 (1) No person shall apply to meat or a container of meat any stamp, tag or label that is similar to the inspection legend prescribed by these regulations or any tag or label approved by an administrator.

(2) Letters or figures on any brand, stamp or device used by a licensee shall be of such style and type as to make a clear and legible impression.

Detention

132 An inspector or an authorized meat plant representative may detain any meat or meat products where the inspector or authorized meat plant representative believes on reasonable and probable grounds that there is a contravention of the Act or these regulations in respect thereof.

133 Where an inspector or an authorized meat plant representative detains meat or meat products the inspector or authorized meat plant representative shall

(a) attach thereto a red tag bearing a serial number and the words “Nova Scotia Detained”;

(b) forthwith thereafter notify the owner or the person who had possession thereof in Form 3 attached to these regulations of

(i) the detention, and

(ii) the grounds on which the inspector or authorized meat plant representative believes that there is a contravention of the Act or these regulations in respect thereof; and

(c) direct that such meat or meat products be detained in the place where they were found or be removed to another place designated by the inspector or authorized meat plant representative at the risk and expense of the owner.

134 Where an inspector or an authorized meat plant representative is satisfied that meat or meat products under detention comply with the Act and these regulations in respect thereof the inspector or authorized meat plant representative shall remove the tag and release the meat or meat products from detention.

135 Where, after a hearing, an administrator finds that there is a contravention of the Act or these regulations in respect of meat or meat products under detention, an administrator may direct that such meat or meat products be destroyed or otherwise disposed of in such manner as he considers advisable.

136 Where a person is convicted of an offence under the Act or these regulations in respect of meat or meat products that are under detention, an administrator may direct that such meat or meat products be destroyed or otherwise disposed of in such manner as he considers advisable.

137 Where meat or meat products are under detention no person shall

(a) remove the tag bearing the words “Nova Scotia Detained”; or

(b) sell, offer to sell, move, disturb, allow or cause to be moved or disturbed, receive or process such meat or meat products.

________________________________________________________________

Form 1—Licence for the Operation of a Meat Plant

Meat Inspection (Nova Scotia) Act

Licence # _____________

Under the Meat Inspection (Nova Scotia) Act and the regulations, and subject to the limitations thereof, this license is issued to

(name)

(address)

carrying on business as

(firm name)

to engage in the business of operating a meat plant for the purposes of

at (address of plant)

This licence continues in force until it is suspended or revoked in accordance with the regulations.

Plant No. ________ is assigned to this plant.

Issued at ____________, this ____ day of ________________, 19___.

__________________

(signature of issuer)

________________________________________________________________

Form 2—Application for Licence for the Operation of a Meat Plant

Meat Inspection (Nova Scotia) Act

To: An Administrator, Livestock Services Branch,

Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture

P.O. Box 550

Truro, Nova Scotia

B2N 5E3

(name of applicant)

(address)

applies for a licence to engage in the business of operating a meat plant under the Meat Inspection (Nova Scotia) Act and the regulations, and in support of this application the following facts are stated:

1. Name under which business is carried on

2. Owner of plant (if partnership, list names of all partners)

3. Business address of applicant

4. Location of plant

5. Kind and number of animals slaughtered per week

6. Hours and days of the week on which the slaughtering operation is carried out

7. Other relevant statements (attach additional pages, if necessary)

I undertake to furnish an administrator, Livestock Services Branch, details of any changes from the facts stated in this application within ten days from the date on which the changes are made.

Dated at ____________ this _____ day of ______________, 19___.

___________________

(signature of applicant)

___________________

(title of official signing)

________________________________________________________________

Form 3—Notice of Detention

Meat Inspection (Nova Scotia) Act

To:

You are hereby advised that _____ cartons/carcasses/packages of meat/meat products found in the possession of

or in a conveyance

on _________________________________ (date) at ___________________ (time)

have been placed under detention by me in accordance with the regulations under the Meat Inspection (Nova Scotia) Act.

The grounds on which I believe there is a contravention of the Act or the regulations are as follows:

NOTE: Where meat or meat products are under detention, no person shall

(a)remove the tag bearing the words “Nova Scotia Detained”; or

(b) sell, offer to sell, move, disturb, allow or cause to be moved or disturbed, receive or process such meat or meat products.

Dated at _____________, this ____ day of _________________, 19___.

_______________

(Inspector/Authorized Meat Plant Representative)

The current consolidation of the Meat Inspection Regulations made under the Meat Inspection Act includes all of the following regulations:

The following regulations are not yet in force and are not included in the current consolidation:

N.S. Regulation	In force date*	How in force	Royal Gazette Part II Issue
46/1990	Feb 15, 1990	date specified	Mar 9, 1990
66/2026	Mar 3, 2026	date specified	Mar 20, 2026
109/2026	Apr 23, 2026	date specified	May 15, 2026

*See subsection 3(6) of the Regulations Act for rules about in force dates of regulations.

ad. = added am. = amended	fc. = fee change ra. = reassigned	rep. = repealed rs. = repealed and substituted
1........................................................	ra. as 1A 109/2026
1........................................................	ad. 109/2026
1A.....................................................	ra. from 1 109/2026; am. 109/2026 (clause lettering removed)
1A, defn. of “Act”.......................	am. 109/2026
1A, defn. of “operator”...............	rep. 109/2026
1A, defn. of “plant”.....................	ad. 109/2026
2........................................................	am. 109/2026
3(f)....................................................	am. 109/2026
3(fa)..................................................	ad. 109/2026
4(1)...................................................	am. 109/2026
4(3)...................................................	am. 109/2026
22......................................................	am. 109/2026
22(a)............................................	am. 109/2026
22(aa)..........................................	ad. 109/2026
30(1)(e).............................................	am. 109/2026
30(4).................................................	rs. 109/2026
35(1).................................................	am. 109/2026
35(2).................................................	am. 109/2026
43......................................................	am. 109/2026
43(a)............................................	am. 109/2026
43(b)............................................	am. 109/2026
43(e)............................................	am. 109/2026
45(1).................................................	am. 109/2026
45(1)(a)........................................	am. 109/2026
45(3).................................................	ad. 109/2026
52A...................................................	ad. 109/2026
53......................................................	rs. 109/2026
54......................................................	am. 109/2026
56A...................................................	ad. 109/2026
57(b).................................................	am. 109/2026
58(a).................................................	am. 109/2026³
58(b).................................................	am. 109/2026³
59......................................................	am. 109/2026
61-64.................................................	rs. 109/2026
65......................................................	rep. 109/2026
66(1).................................................	rs. 109/2026
67......................................................	am. 109/2026
68......................................................	am. 109/2026
69......................................................	am. 109/2026
70......................................................	am. 109/2026
71......................................................	rs. 109/2026
72(1).................................................	am. 109/2026
72(1)(b).......................................	am. 109/2026
72(2).................................................	am. 109/2026
72(3).................................................	am. 109/2026
72(3)(c)........................................	rs. 109/2026
73......................................................	am. 109/2026
74......................................................	am. 109/2026
74(h)............................................	am. 109/2026
74(i).............................................	am. 109/2026
77......................................................	am. 109/2026
78......................................................	am. 109/2026
79......................................................	am. 109/2026
79(b)............................................	am. 109/2026
83(2).................................................	am. 109/2026
87......................................................	am. 109/2026
88......................................................	am. 109/2026
88(b)............................................	am. 109/2026
89......................................................	am. 109/2026
90......................................................	am. 109/2026
91(1).................................................	am. 109/2026
91(1)(a)........................................	am. 109/2026⁴
91(1)(b).......................................	am. 109/2026
91(2).................................................	am. 109/2026⁵
91(2)(b).......................................	am. 109/2026
92......................................................	am. 109/2026
93......................................................	am. 109/2026 (“the veterinary inspector” replaced throughout)
94(1).................................................	am. 109/2026
108....................................................	am. 109/2026
112....................................................	ra. as 112(1) 109/2026
112(1)..........................................	ra. from 112 109/2026; am. 109/2026
112(1)(a)......................................	am. 109/2026
112(1)(b).....................................	am. 109/2026
112(1)(c)......................................	am. 109/2026
112(2)..........................................	ad. 109/2026
114....................................................	am. 109/2026 (“Animal Disease and Protection Act (Canada)” replaced throughout)
122(1)...............................................	rs. 109/2026
122(2)...............................................	rs. 109/2026
122(3)-(4).........................................	rep. 109/2026
123....................................................	am. 109/2026
124(1)...............................................	am. 109/2026
124(2)...............................................	am. 109/2026
128(1)...............................................	am. 109/2026
131(2)...............................................	am. 109/2026
132....................................................	am. 109/2026
133....................................................	am. 109/2026 (“he” replaced throughout)
133(c)..........................................	am. 109/2026
134....................................................	am. 109/2026
138-141.............................................	rep. 66/2026
Form 2..............................................	am. 109/2026
Form 3..............................................	am. 109/2026
“the Director” or “The Director” replaced throughout with “an administrator” or “An administrator”, as appropriate	am. 109/2026
“operator” replaced throughout with “licensee”.......................................	am. 109/2026
“Department of Agriculture and Marketing” replaced throughout with “Department of Agriculture”.........	am. 109/2026

	Note	Effective date
1	References to the Department of Agriculture and Marketing should be read as references to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in accordance with O.I.C. 2000-483 under the Public Service Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 376. (corrected by N.S. Reg. 109/2026)	Oct 1, 2000
2	References to the Department of Agriculture and Marketing should be read as references to the Department of Agriculture in accordance with O.I.C. 2006-121 under the Public Service Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 376. (corrected by N.S. Reg. 109/2026)	Feb 24, 2006
3	Amending instruction in N.S. Reg. 109/2026 to amend s. 58 does not specify which subsection of s. 58 to amend. Amendment applied to s. 58(1) for the purposes of this consolidation.
4	Amending instruction in N.S. Reg. 109/2026 specifies adding text after “inspector” in s. 91(1)(a), but the word “inspector” appears 3 times in s. 91(1)(a). Amendment applied to the first instance of “inspector” for the purposes of this consolidation.
5	Amending instruction in N.S. Reg. 109/2026 specifies adding text before “inspector” in s. 91(2), but the word “inspector” appears 2 times in s. 91(2). Amendment applied to the first instance of “inspector” for the purposes of this consolidation.

Note: Only regulations that are specifically repealed and replaced appear in this table. It may not reflect the entire history of regulations on this subject matter.

Meat Inspection Regulations	N.S. Reg. 46/1990
Meat Inspection Act
Note: The information in these tables does not form part of the regulations and is compiled by the Office of the Registrar of Regulations for reference only.

N.S. Regulation	Title	In force date	Repealed date
	O.I.C. 85-1197 dated November 5, 1985		Feb 15, 1990