Notice of operation of licensed premises
12.—(1) Subject to the provisions of these Regulations, no person shall operate any licensed premises to produce fresh meat for sale for human consumption unless he has notified the Minister, in accordance with paragraph (2) below, of the day on which and the time and place at which they are to be operated.
(2) The notification referred to in paragraph (1) above shall be given to the Minister—
(a)if the operation is to be the slaughter of farmed game, not less than 72 hours before the time of slaughter;
(b)if the operation is to be any other description of slaughter, not less than 24 hours before that time; and
(c)for any other kind of operation, not less than 24 hours before its commencement,
unless the Minister has agreed with the person required to give the notice that he will accept notice of a shorter duration, in which case the notice shall be of the agreed duration.
(3) Where it is the regular practice in any licensed premises to operate at fixed times on fixed days and written notice of this practice has been given to and accepted by the Minister, this shall, as respects any operation in accordance with such practice, be regarded as adequate compliance with paragraph (1) above;
(4) Paragraph (1) above does not apply to the slaughter of an animal where by reason of injury or by reason of the provisions of regulation 21 or, in Scotland, 11 of the Humane Conditions Regulations it is necessary that it should be slaughtered without delay.
(5) In that case the person who but for paragraph (4) above would have been required to give a notice under paragraph (1) above must inform the Minister of the circumstances.
(6) The information must be given as soon as reasonably possible.
(7) It may be given after the animal has been slaughtered if it is not reasonably possible to give it before.