R (Alec Jarrett Ltd) v Bristol Magistrates’ Court

Subject Matter

FOOD AND DRUGS — Food — Slaughter of animal — Crown Prosecution Service initiating prosecution for breach of animal welfare regulations — Whether Secretary of State having effectively assigned power to bring such prosecutions to Director of Public Prosecutions — Whether Food Standards Agency designated “competent authority” for purpose of such prosecutions to exclusion of Secretary of State — Whether Secretary of State having power to prosecute such offences — Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (c 23), s 3(2)(g) — Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/1782), regs 4(1)(c)(iii), 30(1) — Parliament and Council Regulation (EU) No 2017/625, art 138

[2025] EWHC 1674 (Admin); [2025] 1 WLR 5606; [2026] 1 Cr App R 4; [2025] WLR(D) 363, KBD