Guidelines for the Inspection of Cattle at Sales held under the Auspices of the Society

1. The Objectives of a Society Inspection
a. Is for inspectors, acting on behalf of the Society, to inspect cattle presented before them, as per the criteria laid down by the Society from time to time.

b. To ensure that prospective purchasers have, presented before them, quality cattle that they can bid for with confidence.

c. To add value to member’s cattle.

d. To enable cattle to be sold under the terms and conditions of the Bull and Female Breeding Warranty.

e. To facilitate the Society to collect data for its records, as is considered necessary from time to time.

2. The Inspection Team
a. The Inspection Team shall be appointed by the Society, or the organising Club in consultation with the Society Secretary.

b. The inspection shall be carried out in a manner as laid down in the Society Guidelines and By Laws

3. The Inspection (General)
a. The Inspection Team shall carry out its duties in a manner that shall be a credit to the Society, in a fair, consistent and diplomatic manner.

b. All members of the Inspection Team shall be familiar with the ‘Inspection Criteria’ as laid down by the Society.

c. The Consultant Veterinary Surgeon’s decision is final in respect of, general health matters, testicle and sheath correctness, defects of a genetic nature, and what is an acceptable jaw and teeth configuration. The Chief Inspector’s decision is final in all other matters.

d. A degree of latitude shall be allowed where an animal is cutting teeth.

e. The mobility of the animal should be acceptable for practical use and not be detrimental to the breed’s reputation. Bulls with an exceptional conformation will be allowed a degree of latitude with regard to mobility, providing there is no obvious genetic defect.

f. All animals must be halter trained. In the case of a dispute the Chief Inspector shall use his/her discretion and common sense, taking due regard for safety and welfare. His/Her decision shall be final.

g. All animals must be de-horned. In the case of a dispute the Chief Inspector shall use his/her discretion and common sense, taking due regard for safety and welfare. His/Her decision shall be final.

4. The Appeals Procedure approved by Council is as follows:
a. Should a member, who's animal has failed inspection, wish to appeal against the Panels decision, the following procedure is available to that member.

b. Lodge an appeal, immediately, with the Society Secretary, if present, or if not, the Chief Inspector, with a deposit of £20 in cash. (returnable if the appeal is successful), who will then organise an ‘Independent Appeal’

c. There is no appeal against a Veterinary decision.

d. One or more independent arbitrators will be appointed by the Society ( in the case of a Club sale, in conjunction with a Club), to form an "Independent Appeals Committee"

e. After arbitration the "Independent Appeals Committee's" decision will be final.

5. The Society
a. The Society shall ensure that all its members, including those recently joined, are clearly informed of the current Inspection Criteria, as laid down by the Society; that Inspection criteria being available, on request, from the Society office.

b. Shall be responsible for ensuring that a suitable inspection team be assembled for all sales held under the auspices of the Society.

c. The Society shall ensure that the Inspection Team shall carry out its duties, at all times, in a manner that is perceived as diplomatic, fair, consistent and reasonable.

d. Shall ensure that all the necessary equipment and documentation is available to enable the inspection team to carry out its duties.

e. Shall investigate any queries or complaints arising from an inspection, ensuring that all parties concerned receive an answer or explanation promptly.

f. Shall continually monitor the inspection process and make modifications and adjustments from time to time as required.

g. Shall take all reasonable precautions to ensure that the inspection process is carried out with due regard to safety. The Society has the right to stop an Inspection if it considers that it is unsafe.

h. Shall accept no responsibility whatsoever, for an animal presented for sale at a sale, held under its auspices, the vendor being responsible for the behaviour of his/her animal at all times until the fall of the hammer.

i. Shall take whatever steps or actions it shall consider necessary, from time to time, to ensure that all inspections carried out in its name are consistent and of a high quality across all its sale venues.

6. The Vendor
a. All vendors should be aware that he/she is entering cattle into a Prestigious Sale of quality breeding cattle. Cattle not of suitable quality or condition for such a sale should be marketed elsewhere.

b. Should be fully aware of the Inspection Criteria laid down by the Society and should contact the Society Secretary in the event of clarification being needed.

c. Shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that all cattle entered for sale will conform to the criteria laid down by the Society and will be a credit to the breed.

d. Shall forward to the Auctioneer, with the entry forms the original Pedigree Certificate of all animals entered for sale.

e. Shall ensure that no animals entered for sale, to the best of his/her knowledge, provides a known health risk to other animals entered for the same sale.

f. Shall accept the decision of the Inspection panel with good grace. In the event of a disagreement the vendor shall request that the animal goes to appeal and shall pay the due fee, in cash, at the time of such a request. The decision of the Appeals committee shall be final and accepted in good grace.

g. Must not enter for sale any animal with a potentially dangerous temperament. The Society's Inspectors have the right to demand the immediate removal from the sale and the sale premises of any animal, which in their opinion demonstrates a temperament, which could be dangerous to the public.

h. Should ensure that cattle are presented for inspection within the stated times.

i. Should familiarise him/herself with the animals lot numbers prior to taking the animal forward for inspection.

7. The Chief Inspector
a. Shall, at all times, ensure that the Inspection is carried out as per the criteria laid down and in manner, expected by the Society.

b. It is the responsibility of the Chief Inspector to inform the Vendor of the decision of the Inspection Panel in a respectful and diplomatic manner.

c. It is the responsibility of the Chief Inspector to ensure that the Inspection is carried in a safe manner. The Chief Inspector in consultation with the Society Secretary, if present, has the right to stop an Inspection if it considers that it is unsafe to proceed.

d. If an animal is presented before the Inspection Panel, which is deemed a threat to safety, the Chief Inspector shall have the right to demand its immediate removal from the sale premises.

e. Shall inform the owner of a reject animal that the animal is ineligible to be entered for the Show and that whilst it cannot be sold through the ring, it is permissible for it to be sold from its pen, providing the sale is entered in the Auctioneers books.

8. The Society Secretary
a. Has the responsibility to ensure that an Inspection is carried out in a manner as laid down by the Society.

b. The Society Secretary or in his/her absence the Chief Inspector is responsible for ensuring that the auctioneers are notified, prior to the commencement of the show or sale of any animal, listed in the sale catalogue, that has been rejected or is not forward.

c. Shall undertake to resolve any disputes to the best of his/her ability, should this be not possible, the matter shall be brought to the attention of the Executive Council of the Society for their ruling. The decision of the Executive Council of the Society shall be final and binding.

9. The Auctioneers
a. Shall provide adequate cattle crush and weighing facilities for the use of the inspection team.

b. Shall provide a member of their staff, for the duration of the inspection, to issue and adhere Sale Lot Numbers to each animal entered for sale.

c. Shall provide adequate penning facilities as required by the Society or Organising club.