Explanatory note

These Regulations are made in exercise of the powers conferred by paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 2, and paragraph 21 of Schedule 7, to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 in order to address failures of retained EU law to operate effectively and other deficiencies arising from the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

They make provision supplementary to that made by regulation 4(8)(b) of the Animal Welfare (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 in relation to certificates of competence needed in order to kill animals or carry out related operations in a slaughterhouse. Regulation 4(8)(b) of those Regulations amends Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing, to omit the requirement in Article 21(4) to recognize certificates of competence issued in any member State.

Regulation 2 of these Regulations amends the Animal Health and Welfare (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 to ensure that, consistently with the arrangements under the Common Travel Area with the Republic of Ireland, after exit day an individual wishing to apply for a certificate of competence may rely on approved training and examination undertaken in the Republic of Ireland.

The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to these Regulations. As a result, it was not considered necessary to carry out a regulatory impact assessment as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with these Regulations.