Meat, Poultry and Game

We work closely with the farming industry and primary producers to make sure food is safe and authentic from the beginning of the food chain

Butcher behind a counter holding a large marbled cut of raw meat, with various packaged meats including sausages displayed in front.

In this section

Food businesses are responsible for making sure the food they sell is safe. To help them do this, they must follow a framework of rules about food safety and hygiene.

This includes the requirement that all food businesses (other than those involved in primary production, transport and storage) must have a food safety management system based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).

While the general rules (such as the HACCP requirement) set out in Retained EU Regulation 852/2004 apply to all businesses, additional specific requirements are in place for businesses handling higher risk products.

Retained EU Regulation 853/2004 lays down specific hygiene requirements that must be implemented by food businesses handling food of animal origin at all stages of the food chain. It requires that Food Business Operators place products of animal origin on the market only if they have been prepared and handled exclusively in establishments:

that meet the relevant requirements of Retained EU Regulation 852/2004,
that are specifically approved by the competent authority (unless explicitly exempt - read advice on registration and approval), and
that apply the specific controls set out by sector in Retained EU Regulation 853/2004.

Decisions on whether or not businesses require to be either approved or registered are based on the legal requirements set out in Retained EU Regulation 852/2004 and 853/2004. Approval is not required in the following circumstances:

primary production for private domestic use,
the domestic preparation, handling or storage of food for private domestic consumption,
the direct supply, by the producer, of small quantities of primary products to the final consumer or to local retail establishments directly supplying the final consumer,
the direct supply, by the producer, of small quantities of meat from poultry and lagomorphs slaughtered on the farm to the final consumer or to local retail establishments directly supplying such meat to the final consumer as fresh meat, or
hunters who supply small quantities of wild game or wild game meat directly to the final consumer or to local retail establishments directly supplying the final consumer.

We have produced guidance for all establishments requiring approval in our Approved Establishments Scottish National Protocol. Read further guidance for FSS approved establishments.

This section includes advice and guidance for businesses on how to comply with the regulations which apply to the production of red meat, pork, poultry and game, as well as requirements relating to minced meat, meat products, animal by-products and edible co-products.

If you have any other questions regarding the hygiene, production or regulatory requirements for meat, poultry and game which are not covered in the above sub-sections, please contact foodenquiries@fss.scot. Businesses should in the first instance speak to their local enforcement authority.

If your local enforcement authority is FSS please contact us.
If you are in a different local authority please contact your local enforcement authority

Meat and meat establishments

Establishments that handle, prepare or produce products of animal origin have to be approved. We carry out audit services in approved slaughterhouses, game handling establishments and cutting plants.

Meat establishment audits

Abattoir worker inspecting a cattle carcass in a cutting plant

Meat regulations

Information on the latest meat regulations for businesses.

Learn more about meat regulations

Raw pork cuts displayed on trays in a well-lit supermarket or butcher shop.

Official controls

Official controls include inspecting animals, carcasses, and offal to ensure meat facilities meet hygiene standards. We also check animal health and welfare for the Scottish Government, with our responsibilities detailed in the Scottish Manual for Official Controls.

Find out more about official controls

Hand holding a packaged tray of raw chicken in a supermarket, with multiple similar packages displayed in the background.

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