Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Order)

These Regulations (which provide for the enforcement of article 28 of Council Regulation (EEC) No.2847/93 (O. J. No. L261, 20.10.93 p.1, establishing a control system applicable to the common fisheries policy) amend the Sea Fish (Marketing Standards) Regulations 1986 as follows—

(1)

articles 2, 19 and 22 to 24 of Council Regulation (EEC) 3759/92 (which replaces Council Regulation (EEC) 3796/81 O. J. No. L379, 31.12.81, p.1) on the common organisation of the market in fishery and aquaculture products are added to the specified Community provisions which must be complied with (regulations 3 and 7);

(2)

the maximum level of the fine for failing to comply with a specified Community provision, or for affixing a false label to a lot and for obstructing an authorised officer, has been increased to level 5 on the standard scale (currently £5,000);

(3)

the powers of authorised officers have been extended to include the power to effect entry into and inspection of premises where any activity regulated by Regulation 3759/92 is, or is reasonably suspected of being, carried on and to seize fish (regulation 5).

The Compliance Cost Assessment relating to these Regulations is available in the library of each House of Parliament. A copy of it can be obtained from Fisheries II Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Room 432, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR.