Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order amends the Specified Animal Pathogens Order 1998 (S.I. 1998/463). This Order—

(a)

adds Nipah disease virus, West Nile virus and St Louis equine encephalomyelitis virus to Part 1 of the Schedule;

(b)

updates certain terms in the Schedule with those now more commonly used by the scientific community;

(c)

updates certain references to veterinary medicines legislation; and

(d)

clarifies article 4 of the Order as to which controls apply to pathogens in each Part of the Schedule.

A draft of this Order was notified to the European Commission in accordance with Directive 98/34/EC (OJ No L 204 21/07/98 p37), as amended by Directive 98/48/EC (OJ L217 05/08/98 p18).

A full regulatory impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business is available from the Information Resource Centre, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Lower Ground Floor, Ergon House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR.