MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS

CHAPTER 67:02
MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

    SECTION

    1.    Short title

    2.    Interpretation

    3.    Appointment of inspectors, graders, etc.

    4.    Power to make regulations

    5.    Offences and penalties

    6.    Suspension of certain powers of Local Authorities where regulations apply

    7.    Suspension of certain powers of District Councils where regulations apply

3 of 1975
G.N. 183/1975

    An Act to provide for the improvement and control of the production, processing, manufacture, grading, sale, marketing and distribution of meat, and meat products and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto

1.    Short title

    This Act may be cited as the Meat and Meat Products Act.

2.    Interpretation

    (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—

    “carcase” means the carcase of any livestock and includes any part of such carcase;

    “Government mark” means a mark authorized by the Minister for use by a grader appointed under section 3 when marking a carcase in accordance with this Act;

    “grader” means any person for the time being appointed as such under section 3;

    “inspector” means any person for the time being appointed as such under section 3;

    “livestock” means cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, poultry and such other animals as the Minister may declare to be livestock pursuant to subsection (2);

    “meat” means the carcase, or offal, or any part of the carcase or offal, or any product of the carcase or offal of any livestock and, in the case of poultry, includes the eggs thereof;

    “slaughterhouse” means a place for slaughtering livestock, the meat of which is intended for human consumption, and includes any place in connexion therewith for the confinement of animals while awaiting slaughter any such place used or for keeping, or subjecting to any treatment or process, products of the slaughter of animals in such slaughterhouse.

    (2) The Minister may by Order made by notice published in the Gazette, extend the definition of “livestock” appearing in subsection (1), by declaring the said term to include such other animals as may be designated in such Order to be livestock for the purposes of this Act.

3.    Designation of inspectors, graders, etc.

    (1) There shall be inspectors for the purpose of this Act, who shall be officers in the public service, designated by the Minister.

    (2) There shall be graders for the purpose of this Act, who shall be officers in the public service, designated by the Minister.

4.    Power to make regulations

    (1) The Minister may make regulations for the better carrying out of this Act, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing such regulations may make provision—

    (a)    regulating and controlling the production manufacture, processing, marketing, distribution and sale of meat or meat products;

    (b)    prescribing minimum standards to which carcases, meat or meat products shall conform, whether as a condition of importation or exportation, or of sale within Malawi and for the seizure, detention, condemnation and destruction, either with or without compensation, of any carcases, meat or meat product considered by any grader, inspector or other prescribed person to be unfit for human consumption;

    (c)    prescribing the manner of handling, transporting, storing and packing of any carcase, meat or meat products;

    (d)    authorizing the inspection, examination sampling, analysis, treatment and control of any livestock intended for slaughter for human consumption and of the food of such livestock and prescribing conditions upon, and the manner in which, livestock and food may be taken for any such purpose, either with or without compensation;

    (e)    fixing the minimum, maximum or specific prices determined by reference to deadweight and grade or liveweight and grade, which shall be paid for livestock delivered to slaughterhouses and there tendered for sale whether for the purpose of slaughter or otherwise;

    (f)    prescribing the methods to be employed in the slaughter of animals in slaughterhouses and the implements to be used for such purposes;

    (g)    requiring the registration and licensing in such manner, and upon payment of such fees, as may be prescribed of the producers (including persons who keep poultry with a view to selling the carcases or eggs thereof for human consumption), manufacturers, processors, distributors and sellers of meat and meat products and providing for the suspension or cancellation of any such registration or licensing;

    (h)    prescribing the qualifications, powers and duties of inspectors, graders and other persons appointed to exercise powers and to perform duties under this Act, including power to enter and to remain in or upon slaughterhouses and premises used in connexion with the production, storage, processing, manufacture, grading, sale, marketing and distribution of meat and meat products for the purposes of this Act;

    (i)    requiring the production to, and authorizing the examination, inspection, analysis and testing by, officers…