Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Bovine Semen (Wales) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1040) (W. 110) (“the 2008 Regulations”) which control the collection, processing and storage of bovine semen. The 2008 Regulations 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 United Kingdom.

The 2008 Regulations implement Council Directive 88/407/EEC laying down the animal health 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), as last amended by Council Directive 2008/73/EC (OJ No L 219, 14.8.2008, p. 40).

In particular, regulations 4 and 6 provide that the use of teaser cows does not require approval at unlicensed semen collection centres.

Regulations 3, 5, 7 and 11 (amending regulations 2, 16, 24 and Schedule 7 respectively of the 2008 Regulations) relate to unlicensed processing premises where semen collected either at unlicensed premises or at a domestic collection centre and not intended for intra-Community trade may be processed subject to supervision by an EC collection centre veterinarian.

A regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.