Explanatory note

designate the appropriate Minister (as defined in section 86(1)(b) of the Animal Health Act 1981) to be the competent authority for the purpose of approving staging points, and withdrawing, suspending and restoring such approvals, as necessary, in accordance with Articles 3.1, 3.3, 3.4 and 4.2 of the Council Regulation (article 3);

confer a power on a veterinary inspector enabling him to serve a notice to protect the welfare of animals that are resting at a staging point in respect of which a notice has been served suspending or withdrawing its approval (article 4);

create offences (articles 5 and 6);

provide for the enforcement of the Order (article 7); and

amend Part I of Schedule 7 to the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 (S.I. 1997/1480) by inserting a paragraph requiring that, unless the 24 hour rest referred to in paragraph 4 of Schedule 7 to the 1997 Order is taken at the place of destination, it must be taken at a staging point approved under Council Regulation (EC) No. 1255/97 (article 8).