Explanatory note

These Regulations, which extend to England only, implement in relation to England Commission Decision 99/724/EC (OJ No. L290, 12.11.99, p. 32)— “the Commission Decision”—so far as it relates to trade between Member States of the European Community and imposes new or changed obligations on the United Kingdom.

The Commission Decision amends Annex II to Council Directive 92/118/EEC (OJ No. L62, 15.3.93, p. 49) by imposing new requirements relating to gelatine intended for human consumption. The provisions of that Directive relating to intra-Community trade are implemented by the Products of Animal Origin (Import and Export) Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/3124). These Regulations amend the 1996 Regulations to give effect to the changes made by the Commission Decision.

The Regulations also give power to food authorities in England to issue, suspend, withdraw and cancel authorisations of collection centres and tanneries which supply raw materials for the manufacture of gelatine subject to the requirements of the Commission Decision. The Food Standards Agency is required to maintain a register of premises so authorised.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment, which includes a compliance cost assessment of the effect that these Regulations have on business costs, has been prepared and placed in the Library of each House of Parliament. Copies may be obtained from the Microbiological Safety Division of the Food Standards Agency, Aviation House, 125 Kingsway, London WC2B 6NH.