Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order amends the Plant Health (Great Britain) Order 1993 so as to implement—

(i)

Commission Directive 96/14/EC amending certain Annexes to Council Directive 77/93/EEC on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community (OJ No. L68, 19.3.96, p.24); and

(ii)

Commission Directive 96/15/EC amending Directive 92/76/EEC recognizing protected zones exposed to particular plant health risks in the Community (OJ No. L70, 20.3.96, p.35).

The Order, which comes into force on 16th May 1996, amends the protected zones recognized in respect of various specified plant pests (articles 4 to 10). It also removes the obligation on a person engaged in activities involving the genetic modification of plant pests or genetically modified plant pests under the authority of a licence granted by the appropriate Minister to obtain additional authorisation for those activities from an inspector (article 3).