Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations further amend the Plant Protection Products Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/887), as amended (S.I. 1996/1940), (“the principal Regulations”) which implement in Great Britain Council Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market (“the Directive”), as amended by Commission Directive 93/71/EEC, Commission Directive 94/37/EC, Commission Directive 94/79/EC, Commission Directive 95/35/EC and Commission Directive 95/36/EC, each of which amends Annexes II and III to the Directive.

The Regulations–

(a)

amend the definition of the Directive provided in the principal Regulations in consequence of Commission Directive 96/12/EC (OJ No. L65, 15.3.96, p. 20) and Commission Directive 96/46/EC (OJ No. L214, 23.8.96, p. 18), each of which amends Annexes II and III to the Directive (regulation 3);

(b)

make certain modifications to the powers of seizure and disposal (regulation 4) and strengthen the enforcement of such powers (regulations 6 and 7);

(c)

extend the disapplication of the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (S.I. 1986/1510) to plant protection products which are approved under regulation 9 of the principal Regulations (regulation 8);

(d)

make certain minor amendments in order to clarify the principal Regulations (regulations 5 and 9).

A compliance cost assessment has been prepared and a copy has been placed in the library of each House of Parliament. Copies of the compliance cost assessment can be obtained from the Pesticides Safety Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Room 30LR8, Mallard House, Kings Pool, 3 Peasholme Green, York YO1 2PX.