44. For Article 9 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 136/2004 laying down procedures for veterinary checks at Community border inspection posts on products imported from third countries, substitute—
The appropriate authority must subject any imported hay or straw products from EU member States, Liechtenstein and Norway, and countries authorised and listed in Annex V, to the documentary checks referred to in Articles 49 and 52 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, and carried out in accordance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2130, and any other physical checks carried out in accordance with rules under Article 52 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, taking into account the origin of the products and if they may give rise to the risk of spreading infectious or contagious animal diseases.
In this Article, “appropriate authority” means the Secretary of State (in relation to England), the Welsh Ministers (in relation to Wales) and the Scottish Ministers (in relation to Scotland); but the “appropriate authority” is the Secretary of State if consent is given by:
(a)in relation to Wales, the Welsh Ministers;
(b)in relation to Scotland, the Scottish Ministers.”.