17.—(1) A person shall not –
(a)introduce a product into Northern Ireland from a third country; or
(b)introduce into Northern Ireland an Article 9 product whose border inspection post of destination is in Northern Ireland,
unless notice of its introduction has been given in accordance with this regulation to the official veterinary surgeon at a border inspection post designated and approved for veterinary checks on that product and a copy of it has been sent to the office of the Commissioners responsible for the area in which that border inspection post is situated.
(2) Where the border inspection post of introduction and the border inspection post of destination of an Article 9 product are both in Northern Ireland, a person shall not present the product to a border inspection post unless notice of its presentation has been given in accordance with this regulation to the official veterinary surgeon at a border inspection post of destination designated and approved for veterinary checks on that product and a copy of it has been sent to the office of the Commissioners responsible for the area in which that border inspection post is situated.
(3) The notice referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) –
(a)shall be in the form set out as Part I of the common veterinary entry document in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No. 136/2004;
(b)may be supplied in electronic form;
(c)shall be in English and also in an official language of the country of destination in the relevant territories referred to in the notice, if other than the United Kingdom;
(d)shall arrive at the border inspection post –
(i)at least six working hours, in the case of a product introduced by air; and
(ii)at least one working day, in any other case,
before the product is presented to the official veterinary surgeon at the border inspection post pursuant to regulation 18; and
(e)in the case of a notice given to a border inspection post of destination, shall specify what checks have been carried out at the border inspection post of introduction.
(4) In paragraph (3) “working hours” means hours during which, and “working day” means a day on which, the border inspection post is open for the presentation of products to the official veterinary surgeon pursuant to regulation 18.