Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations provide for the enforcement and execution of certain specified provisions of Regulation (EC) No. 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients (OJ No. L43).
In particular these Regulations—
Designate the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State for Health to act jointly as the food assessment body in Great Britain for the purposes of Regulation (EC) No. 258/97 (Regulation 3);
Appoint food authorities to enforce and execute the provisions of Regulation (EC) No. 258/97 and of these Regulations (Regulation 4);
Specify certain provisions of Regulation (EC) No. 258/97 and establish penalties for contravening those provisions (Regulation 5 and the Schedule).
A Compliance Cost Assessment has been prepared and a copy has been placed in the library of each House of Parliament. Copies can be obtained from Room 239c, Ergon House, c/o Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR.
These Regulations come into force on 16th June 1997.