The Animal Health (Poultry Compartments and Animal Gatherings) (Fees) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2022

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order amends—

(a) the Poultry Compartments (Fees) (Wales) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1781) (W. 170) (“the Poultry Compartments Fees Order”); and

(b) the Animal Gatherings (Fees) (Wales) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/645) (W. 119) (“the Animal Gathering Fees Order”).

This Order revokes provisions in the Poultry Compartments Fees Order which currently provide for Value Added Tax (VAT) to be added to fees charged under that Order. It also uplifts fees payable to the Welsh Ministers for services provided by the Animal and Plant Health Agency in relation to the Animal Gathering Fees Order.

Article 2 amends the Poultry Compartments Fees Order to omit the words “+ VAT” each time they occur in the table in the Schedule, so that VAT is no longer payable in respect of the fees set out in the table.

Article 3 amends the Animal Gatherings Fees Order to substitute a new Schedule providing for increased fees for the licensing of premises for animal gatherings. The new Schedule provides as follows.

(a) Table 1 sets out fees payable for the licensing of premises for animal sales or collection centres that are not exempt under article 3(4). Column 2 provides for an interim increase for applications received and renewals undertaken on or before 30th November 2023. Column 3 applies to applications received and renewals undertaken after 30th November 2023 and provides for a further increase. The fees set out in column 3 represent the following percentage increases to the current fees (rounded to the nearest integer): 48% (row 3), 65% (row 4), 57% (row 5) and 42% (row 6).

(b) Table 2 sets out fees payable for the licensing of premises for shows or exhibitions that are not exempt under article 3(4). Column 2 provides for an interim increase for applications received and renewals undertaken on or before 30th November 2023. Column 3 applies to applications received and renewals undertaken after 30th November 2023 and provides for a further increase. The fees set out in column 3 represent the following percentage increases to the current fees (rounded to the nearest integer): 107% (row 3), 67% (row 4), 85% (row 5), 55% (row 6) and 46% (row 7).

(c) Table 3 sets out additional fees payable for the licensing of premises. Column 2 provides for an interim increase for veterinary visits undertaken on or before 30th November 2023. Column 3 applies to veterinary visits undertaken after 30th November 2023 and provides for a further increase. The fees set out in column 3 represent the following percentage increases to the current fees (rounded to the nearest integer): 84% (rows 3 and 4), 38% (row 5) and 5% (row 6).

Article 4 makes transitional provision so that these amendments do not apply in relation to an application made before the coming into force of this Order.

The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to this Order. As a result, a regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with this Order. A copy can be obtained from the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.