Explanatory note

These Regulations revoke and replace the Artificial Insemination of Cattle (Animal Health) (England and Wales) Regulations 1985 (S.I. 1985/1861) in so far as they apply in England. They also implement Council Directive 2003/43/EC (OJ No. L. 143, 11/6/2003, p. 23) amending Directive 88/407/EEC laying down the animal requirements applicable to intra-Community trade in and imports of semen of domestic animals of the bovine species (OJ No. L. 194, 22.7.1988, p.10).

These Regulations control the collection, processing and storage of bovine semen. They establish two regimes: one by which semen may be collected and processed for trade with other EU member States, and one by which semen may be collected for use in the UK.

Part 1 contains general provisions, including definitions and exceptions. Part 2 and Schedules 1, 2 and 8 provide for the licensing of premises as bovine semen centres (defined in regulation 2) for the quarantining of bovine animals, and the collection and storage of semen, the application and grant of bovine semen centre licences, and the approval of bovine animals from which semen may be collected at EC and domestic semen centres, and at unlicensed premises (defined in regulation 2), and for the approval of teaser animals (also defined in regulation 2).

Part 3 and Schedules 3 to 7 contain provisions relating to the collection of semen. Part 4 and Schedules 8 and 9 set out conditions for the collection, processing and storage of semen. Part 5 of the Regulations deals with their administration and enforcement.

Regulation 41 sets out the fees payable under these Regulations, which are for costs reasonably incurred. Current costs are set out at http://www.svs.gov.uk. Copies of the Regulations may be obtained from http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/about_legislation.htm.

M1M2Provisions relating to EC trade in bovine semen are also contained in the Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (England) (No. 4) Regulations 2004 and the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) (England) Regulations 2006 .

Failure to comply with these Regulations is an offence under section 10(6) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 1984 (c. 40). Section 10(4) of that Act provides powers for inspectors appointed by the Secretary of State to enforce the Regulations.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment and a transposition note setting out how the provisions of Council Directive 2003/43/EC are implemented in these Regulations have been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament. They are available from Defra, International Animal Health Division, 1a Page Street, London, SW1P 4PQ.