The Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-And-Mouth Disease) (No. 3) (Wales) Regulations 2001

Explanatory Note

(This Note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations implement in Wales a change in the restrictions on imports and exports of certain animals and animal products in accordance with Commission Decision 2001/190/EC of 6th March 2001 amending Decision 2001/172/EC concerning certain protection measures with regard to foot-and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom (OJ No. L67, 9.3.2001, p.88).

They revoke and replace the Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (No.2) (Wales) Regulations 2001, S. I. 2001/879 (W.39).

They prohibit the import and export of specified live animals (regulation 3) and restrict the export of fresh meat, meat products, milk, milk products, semen and embryos from biungulate animals, hides and skins, and animal products (regulations 4 to 10). The veterinary certificate required for the export of these products can in some circumstances be replaced by a commercial certificate, suitably endorsed in accordance with regulation 12.

The Regulations also permit certain products in transit, and products made from pre-processed products originating outside the United Kingdom (regulation 11).

They require a certification for exports to third countries as well as to other member States (regulation 13).

They prohibit the export of equidae to other member States unless the animals are accompanied by a certificate which certifies that they have not been in a protection or surveillance zone for the 15 days prior to certification (regulation 14).

They give inspectors appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food powers to enter premises and carry out examinations (regulation 15). They empower Customs officers to stop and detain vehicles and vessels pending examination by an inspector (regulation 16) and introduce a notice procedure whereby an inspector can prohibit export of a consignment if he is not satisfied that products comply with these Regulations (regulation 17).

Obstruction is an offence (regulation 18) and company directors and others can be punished for an offence by a body corporate (regulation 19).

Breach of the regulations is, under regulation 20, punishable —

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to imprisonment not exceeding three months or to both;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both.

Certificates issued in England or Northern Ireland, or in Scotland, are valid under these Regulations (regulation 21).

The regulations are enforced in Wales by the Minister or the local authority (regulation 22).