Simplifications in meat inspection
- Food safety
- Food safety controls
- Official controls
Summary
The European Union (EU) has amended its rules on meat inspection in response to practical experience. In particular, it has removed the requirement to palpate the gastric and mesenteric lymph nodes of cattle, and to incise the esophagus of sheep/goats. It has also removed the difference in age requirements for post-mortem inspection of sheep and goats.
EU simplifies inspection of cattle and sheep/goat meat
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2241 of 5 November 2025 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/627 as regards post-mortem inspections of bovine animals, sheep and goats.
Update
The European Union (EU) has amended its rules on meat inspection in response to practical experience. In particular, it has removed the requirement to palpate the gastric and mesenteric lymph nodes of cattle, and to incise the esophagus of sheep/goats. It has also removed the difference in age requirements for post-mortem inspection of sheep and goats.
Impacted Products
Beef, lamb, sheep, goat meat
What is changing?
Regulation 2019/627 sets out how competent authorities must perform post-mortem official controls on animals. This new Regulation 2025/2241 makes the following amendments.
Incisions and palpations
Post-mortem inspection in slaughterhouses may involve incisions and palpations if the veterinarian carrying out controls identifies a possible risk to human health, animal health, or animal welfare. Due to the risk of cross-contamination, these incisions and palpations must only be carried out on organs that allow veterinarians to identify significant diseases. The requirement to palpate the gastric and mesenteric lymph nodes of cattle and to incise the esophagus of sheep and goats during routine post-mortem inspection is now considered unnecessary, and has been removed.
Young domestic sheep and goats
Post-mortem inspection procedures for sheep and goats differ depending on the age of the animals. Currently, the requirements change when a goat is older than 6 months, but when a sheep is older than 12 months. New data show that this distinction is not justified, and the requirements for goats and sheep should both apply from 12 months.
Why?
The EU makes efforts to simplify legislation where simplifications will not have a negative impact on food safety.
Timeline
The revised rules apply from 26 November 2025.
Background
The overall rules on compliance with food safety and animal health are laid down in the Official Controls Regulation 2017/625. This is complemented by Regulation 2019/627, which lays down specific requirements for official controls on animal products, including meat.
Regulation 2025/2241 follows the simplification carried out earlier in 2025 by Regulation 2025/1447 (see Meat inspection procedures: incisions, information, and health marks).
Resources
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/627 laying down uniform practical arrangements for the performance of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consumption.
Regulation (EU) 2017/625 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products (Official Controls Regulation).
Sources
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2241 as regards post-mortem inspections of bovine animals, sheep and goats.
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EU simplifies inspection of cattle and sheep/goat meat
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2241 as regards post-mortem inspections of bovine animals, sheep and goats.
What is changing and why?
In response to practical experience, the European Union (EU) has simplified its requirements for veterinary inspection procedures of certain animals. During routine post-mortem inspections, veterinarians will no longer have to palpate the gastric and mesenteric lymph nodes of cattle, or incise the esophagus of goats and sheep.
The EU has also removed the difference in age requirements for post-mortem inspection of goats and sheep: the requirements will now apply to both from 12 months.
Timeline
The revised rules apply from 26 November 2025.
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.