Statutory guidance

Keeping records of sheep carcase classification

Published 2 October 2025

Applies to England

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sheep-carcase-classification/keeping-records-of-sheep-carcase-classification

The Sheep Carcase (Classification and Price Reporting) (England) Regulations 2025 were signed into law on 9 July 2025. The Sheep Carcass (Classification and Price Reporting) (Wales) Regulations 2025 are due to be signed into law later in 2025.

This guidance applies to approved slaughterhouses in England which either:

  • slaughter at least 2,000 sheep per week as a rolling annual average
  • slaughter between 1,000 and 1,999 sheep per week as a rolling annual average, and volunteer for the regulations to apply to them

Find out more about the sheep carcase classification requirements.

Slaughterhouses must keep records to show they have adhered to the rules on sheep carcase classification.

What to record

For each sheep which has been classified at your slaughterhouse, you must keep a record of:

  • the date of slaughter
  • the kill number
  • the dressing specification used
  • the cold weight of the carcase
  • the conformation class, including subdivisions, if applicable
  • the fat cover, including subdivisions, if applicable
  • the category - new season lamb or old season lamb
  • communicating the results to the supplier
  • the name, signature and classification licence number of the person who visually carried out the classification
  • the market price for each sheep purchased on a deadweight basis, if applicable
  • any supplementary payment made for the carcase, if applicable

How long to keep the records

You must keep your records for a minimum of 12 months from the end of the calendar year to which they relate.

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