SL(6)650 – The Sheep Carcass (Classification and Price Reporting) (Wales) Regulations 2025
Background and Purpose
The Sheep Carcass (Classification and Price Reporting) (Wales) Regulations 2025 (“the Regulations”) are made using powers in the Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023 and provide for mandatory classification and price reporting of sheep carcasses by larger approved slaughterhouses (regulated slaughterhouses which slaughter at least 2,000 sheep per week on average). There are currently four abattoirs in Wales which would be subject to the Regulations.
The Welsh Government’s Explanatory Memorandum (EM) provides that the Regulations will ensure the sheep market operates with greater transparency so that producers will understand whether they are receiving a fair price for their slaughtered animals. The EM also explains that mandatory carcass classification and price reporting schemes have been in place in the beef and pork sectors for many years. The introduction of a mandatory scheme for the sheep sector is intended to bring the sheep sector in line with those sectors as closely as possible.
The EM provides that these Regulations will be implemented in line with similar legislation already introduced by DEFRA in England and those being considered in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Procedure
Draft Affirmative.
The Welsh Ministers have laid a draft of the Regulations before the Senedd. The Welsh Ministers cannot make the Regulations unless the Senedd approves the draft Regulations.
Technical Scrutiny
The following point is identified for reporting under Standing Order 21.2 in respect of this instrument.
1. Standing Order 21.2(vii) - that there appear to be inconsistencies between the meaning of its English and Welsh texts.
In regulation 2 (interpretation), for the meaning of “carcass” in the English text, the Regulations correctly refer to “Annex 2” to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2019/627 of 15 March 2019. The Welsh text refers to “Atodlen 2” which translates as “Schedule 2”, and there is therefore a different meaning between the English and Welsh texts. The correct term to be used for “Annex” is “Atodiad”, in line with TermCymru.
Merits Scrutiny
The following two points are identified for reporting under Standing Order 21.3 in respect of this instrument.
2. Standing Order 21.3(ii) - that it is of political or legal importance or gives rise to issues of public policy likely to be of interest to the Senedd.
Paragraph 4 of the Welsh Government’s Explanatory Memorandum provides that:
The Sheep Carcase (Classification and Price Reporting) (England) Regulations 2025 (“England Regulations”) were made on 9th July 2025 and the Welsh regulations will have practical effect on the same date as the England Regulations to ensure continuity across the two countries.
The coming into force date for these Regulations is 28 January 2026, which is later than the date the England Regulations come into force, on 12 January 2026 (subject to exceptions specified in regulation 1(3)). The Welsh Government is asked to explain why these Regulations come into force two weeks after the England Regulations.
3. Standing Order 21.3(ii) - that it is of political or legal importance or gives rise to issues of public policy likely to be of interest to the Senedd.
This Committee’s report on the Agriculture (Wales) Bill (now the Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023) highlighted concerns regarding provisions which engage the principle of mutual recognition established by the UK Internal Market Act 2020 (“UKIMA”). The Welsh Government is asked to explain whether the effectiveness in Wales of any of the provisions in these Regulations will be dependent on, or affected by, any of the requirements of UKIMA.
The Welsh Government’s Explanatory Memorandum to these Regulations does not refer to UKIMA but does refer to ensuring “continuity across the two countries” (England and Wales). What assessment, if any, has the Welsh Government made of the legislative position in Scotland and Northern Ireland in relation to the classification and price reporting of sheep carcasses, and the impact any divergence in equivalent regulations may have on the effect of these Regulations in Wales?
Welsh Government response
A Welsh Government response is required.
Legal Advisers
Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
1 October 2025