Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Fish Labelling Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1768) (“the 2013 Regulations”) to provide for the enforcement of the consumer information requirements in Chapter IV of Regulation (EC) No. 1379/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products (“Regulation 1379/2013”), as read with Council Regulation (EC) No. 1224/2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy (“Regulation 1224/2009”).

Regulation 2 makes a number of amendments to the 2013 Regulations. The effect of the amendments is set out below.

They remove references to, and the definitions of, Council Regulation (EC) No. 104/2000 on the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2065/2001 of 22nd October 2001 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No. 104/2000 as regards informing consumers about fishery and aquaculture products. These Regulations have been repealed by Regulation 1379/2013 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 1420/2013 respectively.

Regulation 2(6) ensures that references to the 2013 Regulations in modifications made by those Regulations to the provisions of the Food Safety Act 1990 (c.16) (as they apply for the purposes of those Regulations) include the amendments made to the 2013 Regulations by these Regulations (by virtue of section 20(2) of the Interpretation Act 1978 (c.30)).

The amendments also provide that “a consumer information requirement” for the purposes of Part 3 of the 2013 Regulations is a requirement specified in Article 35 of Regulation 1379/2013 (mandatory information to be provided to consumers) as read with Article 38 (indication of catch or production area) and Article 39 (provision of voluntary information) of that Regulation.

The information to be provided identifies species of fish on sale, and explains how the fish was produced and where it was caught. In addition, it ensures that information voluntarily provided is clear and unambiguous and can be verified.

The definition of “traceability requirement” for the purposes of Part 3 of the 2013 Regulations is amended so as to take account of the requirement in Article 58(5) of Regulation 1224/2009, as amended by Article 45(2) of Regulation 1379/2013, to give the information required under Article 35 of Regulation 1379/2013; and an exemption from the traceability requirement is introduced in relation to the sale of small quantities of products directly from fishing vessels to consumers where the sale does not exceed the sterling equivalent of 50 euros per day.

A full impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business and the voluntary sectors is available at www.gov.uk/defra and is annexed to the Explanatory Memorandum which is available alongside the instrument at www.legislation.gov.uk