The Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)

These Regulations make provision in Northern Ireland for the administration and enforcement of Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 of 24 September 2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing (O.J. No. L 303, 18.11.2009, p.1) (“the EU Regulation”) and certain national rules maintained or adopted under Articles 26(1) and (2) of the EU Regulation.

The Regulations revoke the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1996 (Northern Ireland) (S.R. 1996 No. 558) and amending instruments.

Part 1 is introductory and includes definitions and designates the competent authority responsible for various functions under the Regulations.

Part 2 requires persons to obtain an EU certificate of competence or temporary certificate of competence before killing animals or carrying out related operations in a slaughterhouse. Part 2 is subject to the transitional arrangements in Schedule 7, which apply until 8th December 2015.

Part 3 establishes administrative provisions for the refusal, suspension or revocation of certificates and temporary certificates of competence and for the mechanism for review by the competent authority of a decision to refuse, suspend or revoke them.

Part 4 and Schedules 1 to 4 set out national rules that have been maintained or adopted in accordance with Article 26(1) and (2) of the EU Regulation to ensure more extensive protection of animals at the time of killing.

Part 5 makes provision for the competent authority to grant derogations from the provisions of the EU Regulation in exceptional circumstances where compliance is likely to affect human health or significantly slow down the eradication of a disease.

Part 6 sets out the offences for contravening these Regulations or the EU Regulation. Regulation 26 sets out the penalties on summary conviction.

Part 7 contains provisions relating to enforcement. Inspectors, appointed by the competent authority and district councils, are given powers to require compliance with these Regulations and the EU Regulation, including powers of entry and seizure and powers to issue enforcement notices. Breaching an enforcement notice and obstructing inspectors is an offence.

Part 8 provides for consequential amendments, transitional provisions and revocations. Regulation 38 makes provision for the competent authority to review the operation and effect of the Regulations.

A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared for these Regulations and placed in the library of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Copies can be obtained from Animal Health and Welfare Policy Division, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland or from the Department's website (www.dardni.gov.uk).