Sheep carcase classification inspections, compliance and enforcement
Published 2 October 2025
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2025
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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.
What to expect during an inspection
Slaughterhouses will receive unannounced visits from Rural Payments Agency (RPA) inspectors. This is to make sure that they are complying with the regulations.
What the inspector will do
Some of the checks the inspector is likely to carry out include:
- re-weighing carcases
- checking carcases are dressed in-line with a recognised specification
- checking carcases are correctly classified, and the classification is recorded
- checking your reported deadweight price information, if applicable
- making sure the labels are accurate
- making sure all records are accurate and are kept for the specified time
- making sure you are notifying carcase suppliers correctly
- checking the classifiers’ licences
If the inspector finds any problems, they may undertake follow-up visits. They can take action against you for not complying with the regulations.
What you must do
Slaughterhouse operators must:
- give RPA inspectors all reasonable assistance and information they need to carry out the inspection
- make sure records are kept for 12 months from the end of the year they relate to
- make records available for inspection
- not deny entry to your premises for an inspection
- not obstruct an inspector, including by giving false information
If you breach the regulations
Where there is reason to believe that a breach has taken place, RPA may issue an informal written warning. This will:
- say why it believes a breach has taken place
- advise what steps should be taken
- warn of possible future action
RPA can issue a compliance or monetary penalty notice without first giving a warning letter. This would normally be:
- if a high proportion of the carcases inspected are involved
- if you have committed a breach before
- for serious breaches relating to a failure to notify, records or labelling
In most other cases, RPA will give you an informal written warning before issuing you with a notice.
You may receive more than one written warning or notice if an inspector finds more than one problem on a visit.
In most cases, the inspector will issue notices during their visit. RPA aims to issue all other notices and written warnings within 14 days of finishing the inspection.
Compliance notices
Compliance notices are issued if the inspector has reason to believe you have breached the regulations.
The notice will tell you what breach has been committed and the measures you must take to put things right.
Monetary penalty notices
Monetary penalty notices are issued if the inspector is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that you have breached the regulations.
A monetary penalty notice imposes a fine of up to £50,000. It will tell you what breach has been committed. It will also explain how and when the penalty must be paid. There are consequences for late payment or failure to pay.
Deciding the appropriate enforcement action
RPA will decide the appropriate enforcement action to take. This will be based on the severity of any breach and whether it is a first, or subsequent, offence.
The table below shows the 3 breach levels and the action which RPA would usually take. The table is for guidance only. There are several factors which RPA may consider when deciding the appropriate enforcement action to take.
| Breach level | 1st offence | 2nd offence | 3rd offence | Subsequent offence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | warning letter | compliance notice | monetary penalty of up to £25,000 | monetary penalty of up to £50,000 |
| Level 2 | warning letter | compliance notice | monetary penalty of up to £35,000 | monetary penalty of up to £50,000 |
| Level 3 | compliance notice | monetary penalty of up to £40,000 | monetary penalty of up to £50,000 | monetary penalty of up to £50,000 |
Level 1 offences are typically low risk issues, or issues affecting less than 25% of carcases witnessed during an inspection visit.
Level 2 offences are typically medium risk issues, or issues affecting between 25% and 50% of carcases witnessed during an inspection visit.
Level 3 offences are typically high-risk issues, or issues affecting more than 50% of carcases witnessed during an inspection visit.
Other factors which RPA may take into account include, but are not limited to:
- seriousness of the offence
- duration of non-compliance
- history of non-compliance
- financial gain made by the person as a result of non-compliance
- previous action taken by RPA to help the person comply with the regulations
- compliance with advice given, and action taken to repair or reduce the non-compliance
- any co-operation or willingness given to the RPA by the person responding to the non-compliance
Reporting to other enforcement bodies
Inspectors may find potential breaches or offences which are outside of RPA’s remit. In these cases, RPA may forward information to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) or other enforcement bodies, as appropriate.