(a)the specimens were acquired before their inclusion on the [F1list of species of special concern]; and

(b)the activity constituting the offence—

(i)was carried out for one of the purposes listed in paragraph (3); and

(ii)was not carried out after the end of the relevant period following the inclusion of the species to which the specimen in question belongs on the [F1list of species of special concern].

[F2(2) This article applies to—

(a)an offence under article 3(1) in relation to a breach of the restrictions in—

(i)Article 7(1)(b) (keeping), (d) (transportation), (e) (placing on the market) or (f) (use or exchange) of the Principal Regulation;

(ii)where the specimens are qualifying Northern Ireland goods, Article 7(1)(a) (introduction into the territory of Great Britain) of the Principal Regulation; and

(b)an offence under article 3(4).]

(3) The purposes are—

(a)sale or transfer to a research or ex situ conservation establishment which holds a relevant permit, provided that the conditions in paragraph (4) apply;

(b)medicinal activities pursuant to a relevant permit, provided that the conditions in paragraph (4) apply;

(c)humane dispatch (in the case of animals) or destruction (in the case of plants, fungi or micro-organisms) of the specimen to exhaust the keeper's stock; or

(d)sale or transfer to a non-commercial user, provided that the conditions in paragraph (4) apply.

(4) The conditions are that, at all material times—

(a)the specimen was kept and transported in contained holding; and

(b)appropriate measures were in place to ensure that the specimen could not reproduce or escape.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b)(ii), the relevant period is—

(a)in relation to an activity carried out for a purpose mention in paragraph (3)(a) to (c), two years;

(b)in relation to an activity carried out for a purpose mentioned in paragraph (3)(d), one year.

[F3(6) In this article—

“qualifying Northern Ireland goods” has the meaning given to it from time to time in regulations made under section 8C(6) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018;

“relevant permit” means—

Transitional provisions for commercial stocksN.I.

18.—(1) It is a defence to a charge of committing an offence to which this article applies for a keeper of a commercial stock of specimens to show that—

(a)the specimens were acquired before their inclusion on the Union list; and

(b)the activity constituting the offence—

(i)was carried out for one of the purposes listed in paragraph (3); and

(ii)was not carried out after the end of the relevant period following the inclusion of the species to which the specimen in question belongs on the Union list.

(2) This article applies to—

(a)an offence under article 3(1) in relation to a breach the restrictions in Article 7(1)(b) (keeping), (d) (transportation), (e) (placing on the market) or (f) (use or exchange) of the Principal Regulation; and

(b)an offence under article 3(4).

(3) The purposes are—

(a)sale or transfer to a research or ex situ conservation establishment which holds a relevant permit, provided that the conditions in paragraph (4) apply;

(b)medicinal activities pursuant to a relevant permit, provided that the conditions in paragraph (4) apply;

(c)humane dispatch (in the case of animals) or destruction (in the case of plants, fungi or micro-organisms) of the specimen to exhaust the keeper's stock; or

(d)sale or transfer to a non-commercial user, provided that the conditions in paragraph (4) apply.

(4) The conditions are that, at all material times—

(a)the specimen was kept and transported in contained holding; and

(b)appropriate measures were in place to ensure that the specimen could not reproduce or escape.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b)(ii), the relevant period is—

(a)in relation to an activity carried out for a purpose mention in paragraph (3)(a) to (c), two years;

(b)in relation to an activity carried out for a purpose mentioned in paragraph (3)(d), one year.

(6) In this article, “relevant permit” means—

(a)for the purposes of paragraph (3)(a), a permit under—

(i)article 35(1)(a) (permits for research or ex situ conservation);

[F4(ii)any provision corresponding to article 35(1)(a) which applies in relation to Scotland; or

(iii)any provision corresponding to article 35(1)(a) which applies in relation to Northern Ireland;]

(b)for the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), a permit under—

(i)article 35(1)(b) (permits for medicinal activities);

[F5(ii)any provision corresponding to article 35(1)(b) which applies in relation to Scotland; or

(iii)any provision corresponding to article 35(1)(b) which applies in relation to Northern Ireland.]