These Regulations revoke and re-enact with changes the Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2002 (S.R. 2002 No. 340) (as amended by S.R. 2003 No. 215).

They implement for Northern Ireland Council Directive 97/78/EC (laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries) (O.J. No. L24, 30.1.98, p. 9). Commission Decision 2002/349/EC (laying down the list of products to be examined at border inspection posts under Council Directive 97/78/EC) (O.J. No. L121, 8.5.2002, p. 6) specifies the products of animal origin to which the Directive applies – meat, fish (including shellfish), milk and products made from these, together with egg products and a large number of animal by-products, including casings, skins, bones and blood – from third countries.

The products to which the Regulations apply (defined in regulation 2(1)) must comply with the requirements listed, by reference to the relevant Community legislation, in Schedule 1. Trade samples and products intended for exhibition or study or analysis are exempt from the Regulations (regulation 3(1)). Products intended for personal use which comply with the conditions in regulation 3(3), are exempt from all but a few of the regulations.

Regulations 4 and 16 define the authorities that enforce the Regulations. The Regulations make provision for their execution and enforcement by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Food Standards Agency and district councils. Regulations 7, 8 and 9 confer the necessary enforcement powers.

Part 3 establishes the inspection system which will apply to the generality of products. The introduction into Northern Ireland of products which do not comply with the Schedule 1 requirements is prohibited, unless they are being transported across Northern Ireland (regulation 15). Products must be introduced at border inspection posts, advance notice of their introduction must be given and they must be made available for inspection, together with required documentation, at a border inspection post (regulations 16 to 19). Regulations 21 to 28 deal with products which are rejected at inspection, are introduced illegally, or present a risk to animal or public health.

Parts 4 to 9 lay down special provisions which apply to particular categories of product (on-board catering supplies, products intended for free circulation in the Community, products in transit across Northern Ireland, products intended for warehousing under particular customs regimes and products exported from the Community and then returned to it).

Part 10 deals with the calculation and payment of charges for the veterinary checks provided for in the Regulations; Part 11 confers on the Department and the Food Standards Agency power to prohibit the introduction of products into Northern Ireland from non-EEA countries in which there is an outbreak of animal disease; Part 12 establishes offences and penalties and Part 13 deals with notices and with the notification of decisions.