The Fresh Meat (Import Conditions) Regulations 1996

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations, which extend to Great Britain, implement Council Directives 72/461/EEC and 72/462/EEC, as amended.

The Regulations also implement Commission Directive 94/59/EC which amends the Annexes to Council Directive 77/96/EEC on the examination for Trichinae upon importation from third countries of fresh meat derived from domestic swine.

The Regulations apply to fresh meat for human consumption obtained from bovine animals, swine, sheep, goats and solipeds (horses etc.) (regulation 2).

Exempt from the Regulations are: fresh meat for the crew and passengers on board international transport (regulation 3), personal imports (regulation 4) and fresh meat imported under authorisation, or for international organisations or visiting forces (regulation 5).

Provision is made for the transhipment through, and storage in, Great Britain of fresh meat consigned from a third country to an EEA State other than the United Kingdom (regulation 6).

The Regulations prohibit the importation of fresh meat into Great Britain except in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations (regulations 7, 8 and 9) and provide for the importation and treatment of samples and their packaging (regulation 10).

The Regulations set out certain requirements for certificates and documents needed for the purposes of the Regulations (regulation 11) and make provision regarding offences and penalties (regulation 12).

The Regulations provide that the Importation of Animal Products and Poultry Products Order 1980 and the Imported Food Regulations 1984 shall not apply to fresh meat (regulation 13) and specify which provisions of the Products of Animal Origin (Import and Export) Regulations 1996 apply for enforcement purposes (regulation 14).

As the Regulations impose no new obligations on the fresh meat industry it has not been necessary to prepare a Compliance Cost Assessment.