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Manual for official controls
Legal requirements and standards for approved meat establishments.
Once your premises have been approved, you will find the Manual for Official Controls (MOC) beneficial for further information.
The MOC describes the tasks, responsibilities and duties of our staff carrying out official controls in approved establishments.
Manual for Official Controls guidance
The Manual for Official Controls documentation is accurate as of 14 April 2025. Recent changes to the MOC can be found in the revision log.
Northern Ireland
The MOC describes the tasks, responsibilities and duties of DAERA officials carrying out official controls in approved establishments on behalf of us. This is maintained and updated by DAERA and can be found on their website.
References to EU legislation in FSA guidance
Directly applicable EU legislation no longer applies in GB. EU legislation retained when the UK exited the EU became assimilated law on 1 January 2024, published on legislation.gov.uk. References to any legislation in FSA guidance with ‘EU’ or ‘EC’ in the title (e.g. Regulation (EC) 178/2002) should now be regarded as assimilated law where applicable to GB. References to ‘Retained EU Law’ or ‘REUL’ should now be regarded as references to assimilated law.
For businesses moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, information on the Windsor Framework is available on GOV.UK.
The Windsor Framework was adopted by the UK and EU on 24 March 2023. The Framework provides a unique set of arrangements to support the flow of agrifood retail products from Great Britain (GB) to Northern Ireland (NI), allowing GB standards for public health in relation to food, marketing and organics to apply for pre-packed retail goods moved via the NI Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS).
England and Wales
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Temporary Operational Instructions (TOIs)
Manual for Official Controls revision log
The following revisions to Manual for Official Controls documentation have been made as of 14 April 2025.
Chapter 2.1
- Section 2.4.2 - Updates on FCI requirements for Emergency Slaughter Official Health Certification
- Section 4.2.1 - Updates on FCI requirements for Emergency Slaughter Official Health Certification
- Annexe 8 to be made public
- Annexe 15 removed
Chapter 2.2
- Section 2.1.7 - Changes made to improve clarity and accuracy when the ante-mortem inspection is carried out at the holding of provenance
- Section 2.1.8 - Minor changes made to improve clarity and accuracy of the emergency slaughter procedures
- Section 2.4.4 - Changes made to improve clarity and accuracy of the emergency slaughter procedures
- Section 2.4.5 - Changes made to improve clarity and accuracy of the emergency slaughter procedures
- Section 2.4.7 - Changes made to improve clarity and accuracy of the emergency slaughter procedures
- Section 2.4.8 - Changes made to improve clarity and accuracy of the emergency slaughter procedures
- Section 2.4.9 - Changes made to improve clarity and accuracy of the emergency slaughter procedures
- Annexe 1 Replaced with Official Health Certificate (GBHC056)
Chapter 2.3
- Various changes to reflect VEDM processes throughout the chapter
- Section 1.1.4 - Add line to confirm PDF copy of Annex 4 & 5 is Emailed to the OV
- Section 1.2.4 - Remove non-working link to BMPA GGP and insert updated link
- Section 2.2.1 - Add line to confirm AWO must hold a CoC for all species they are responsible for
- Section 3.1.2 - Amended instruction on reporting multiple captive bolt shots
- Section 3.1.3 - Amend guidance on CCTV viewing to reflect new Welsh CCTV regulations, line deleted
- Section 3.1.4 - Add new instruction on recording repeat shots. Revised guidance on reporting multiple captive bolt shots
- Section 3.1.6 - Update guidance on CCTV viewing in Wales
- Section 3.3.1 - Add guidance on contact with LA if no response from them
- Section 3.3.2 - Add guidance on collecting evidence from DOA animals and amend stocking density to floor area
- Section 3.3.3 - Amend instructions on lame cattle on presentation for slaughter. Remove paragraph on delivery of cattle with shackles and add sentence requiring the reporting of these deliveries on Annex 4
- Section 3.4.2 - Line added about recording conversations in the EDP and escalation to VEDM
- Section 3.5.3 - Added details of completion of EDP form and submission to VEDM for evaluation
- Section 3.5.4 - Clarification note for inclusion of evidence on EDP form
- Section 4.2.2 - Clarification about how to send evidence to the VEDM team
- Section 5.1 - Add guidance on CCTV in gas stun systems for England and Wales
- Section 5.2 - Add further guidance on CCTV viewing/ copy for extended periods
- Section 5.3 - Confirm that the OV should carry out CCTV enforcement without notifying VEDM team. Clarification about how to send evidence to the VEDM team
- Section 6.1.3 - Include legislation reference on emergency killing and CoC
- Section 6.1.4 - Updated list of citizenship eligible to apply for COCs
- Section 6.3.5 - Step 4 add guidance on return of CoC after retraining when holder is not working in an approved premises
- Annexe 2A - Update procedure for issuing CoC letters
- Annexe 8 - Update references to CCTV viewing and SDP authorisation
- Annexe 17 - Removed
Chapter 2.4
- Section 4.5.1 - Minor changes to the text to improve clarity and accuracy of the information
- Section 4.5.2 - Minor changes to the table to improve clarity and accuracy of the information. Added clarification on viable cyst
- Section 4.5.3 - Changes to the text to improve clarity and accuracy of the information
- Section 4.5.4 - Changes and additions to clarify permitted destinations for boning under supervision and cold treatment
- Section 4.5.5 - Changes and additions to clarify boning under supervision, transport requirements and associated forms to be completed
- Section 4.5.6 - Changes and additions to clarify instructions on releasing the meat post cold treatment and ID marking
- Section 5.6.1 - Updated link to access the Trichinella - Plant Order Form
- Annexe 6 - To be removed
Chapter 2.5
- Section 2.13.3 - Minor corrections to the text to improve clarity and accuracy of the information
- Section 2.13.3 - Note added to bring attention to the difference between deadline for passport application submission and deadline for the horse to be identified
- Section 2.13.4 - Minor text formatting changes
- Section 3.5.1 - Minor corrections to the text to improve clarity and accuracy of the information
- Section 3.5.1 - Added links to microchip checkers available for horses presented with passports originating from the UK and from the Republic of Ireland
- Section 4.10.2 - Clarification to action in case of absence of passport
- Section 4.10.2 - Clarification to retrospective microchipping requirement in NI
- Section 4.11.4 - Update customs declaration requirements for postage of passports to non-UK destinations
- Section 4.9.3 - Minor corrections to the text to improve clarity and accuracy of the information
- Section 4.9.3 - Added links to microchip checker available for horses presented with passports originating from the Republic of Ireland
- Annexe 1 - To be made available to the public
- Annexe 2 - Replaced "derogation form" by sticker issued by a PIO
- Annexe 2 - To be made available to the public
- Annexe 4 - To be made available to the public
- Annexe 6 - To be made available to the public. Also, to be made editable and eligible for electronic signature
- Annexes 3 and 5 - Remain unavailable to the public
Chapter 2.7
- Section 2.2.1 - Correct link for countries under negligible risk or controlled risk
Chapter 2.9
- Section 3 - New section to provide instruction on the Animal Health verification visits to dairy holdings
- Annexe 12 - Animal Health Dairy verification visits - letter to FBOs
- Annexe 13 - Animal Health Dairy verification visits - Aid - memoire
- Annexe 14 - Animal Health Dairy verification visits - Checklist
Chapter 2.12
- Section 3.2.3 - Added specific articles for the inspection of ruminant's heads. Details of post-mortem inspection of sheep's head deleted as they should be in the post-mortem inspection section
Chapter 4.1
- Section 1.4.4 - Clarification for audit frequency for plants following seasonal, temporary or long-term closure
- Annexe 1 - Introduction of legal requirement for frozen food under AEUL 853/2004 *sections 3.8 and 3.19 of the Aide Memoire
- Annexe 1 - Appendix 1 1. Food Safety Criteria table. Added clarification on number of samples per batch and limits for all samples (also footnotes 1 and 2)
- Annexe 1 - Appendix 1 2. Process Hygiene Criteria. Added clarification on number of samples per batch and limits for all samples (also footnotes 7 and 8)
Chapter 4.3
- Section 3 - Links to Annex 3 of this chapter for details on alternative microbiological testing methods
- Annexe 3 - New Annex: The use of alternative methods for microbiological testing
- Annexe 3.4.2, 3.8.3, 3.10.2 - Campylobacter - the current criterion accepts up to 10/50 positive samples to comply
- Annexe 2 - Campylobacter sampling in broiler carcases under the Food Process Hygiene Criteria - 2018 and 2020 recommendation removed as no longer relevant
Chapter 6
- Minor text formatting and grammar changes throughout the chapter. Added reference to Assimilated legislation throughout the chapter
- Section 8.4 – Added examples of special mark for restricted meat
- Section 8.11 - Removal of general enforcement for animal health controls. Consolidated instructions in new Section 13
- Section 9 - Change Restricted/unregulated meat for Controlled meat, to align wording to new Annexe 30 A
- Section 9.7 - Removal of general enforcement for animal health controls. Consolidated instructions in new Section 13
- Section 11 - Change Restricted meat for Controlled meat, to align wording to new Annex 30 A
- Section 11.9 - Removal of general enforcement for animal health controls. Consolidated instructions in new Section 13
- Section 12 – New section. Diseases Pre-designation - designation instructions consolidated for all relevant ND
- Section 13 - New section. Consolidated Enforcement instructions for ND controls
- Section 10.3.2 - Obsolete example of movement licence removed
- Section 10.4.4 - Removal of instructions for designation. Consolidated instructions added in new section 12
- Section 10.6.2 - Removal of general enforcement for ND controls. Consolidated instructions in new Section 13
- Section 11.1.1 Added methods of transmission of ASF
- Section 11.6.2 and 11.6.3 - Removal of instructions for designation. Consolidated instructions added in new section 12
- Section 11.7.2 - Updated instructions for handling ABP during an ASF outbreak to align them with conditions of designation
- Section 6.1.2 - Link to Clinical picture of TSE in Goats added
- Section 8.5.2 and 8.5.3 - Removal of instructions for designation. Consolidated instructions added in new section 12
- Section 8.5.4 - Updated procedures for meat tracing following AI outbreak
- Section 9.4.1 - Removal of instructions for designation. Consolidated instructions added in new section 12
- Section 9.4.3 - Updated marking of meat requirements to aling it to designation requirements included in Annexe 30 A
- Annexe 1 - Removed. Obsolete APHA form
- Annexe 2 - Removed. Obsolete APHA form.
- Annexe 3 – Removed. Obsolete APHA form.
- Annexe 4 - Latest version provided by APHA 07/17)
- Annexe 5 - Latest version provided by APHA 07/17)
- Annexe 6 - Latest version provided by APHA 07/17)
- Annexe 7 - Latest version provided by APHA 07/17)
- Annexe 9 - TB24 updated
- Annexe 10 - TB24c updated
- Annexe 11 - TB16b updated
- Annexe 12 - TB24b - withdrawn. Please remove it from the MOC.
- Annexe 14 - TB104 - withdrawn. Please remove it from the MOC.
- Annexe 15a – TB110 updated
- Annexe 18 – TB24h updated
- Annexe 28 – Updated
- Annexe 30 - Annex 30 removed, Swapped for Annex 30 - A and B . Designation for Slaughterhouses and Cutting plants covering ASF, FMD and other exotic diseases.
- Annexe 32 - TN24c updated
Chapter 7
- Section 6.4 - grammatical change and updating a hyperlink to published guidance documents
- Section 6.5 - removal of inaccurate paragraph
- Annexe 11 - to be made public facing
- Annexe 9 and 10 - deletion of annexes 9 and 10
Chapter 9
- Links updated and new forms added
Chapter 13
- Annexes - All annexes in Chapter 13 to be made available to the public
Forms
- Updated PMI 4-18
- New forms 4-15 A, B, C and 4-16
- ABP 7-1 & 7-3 updated
Revision log
Published: 11 April 2018
Last updated: 12 May 2025