The Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) (Scotland) Regulations 2007

PART III Annual Membership Fee

14.  There shall be two rates for the annual membership fee; a higher rate which includes the cost of an annual inspection by a veterinary inspector who is a member of the State Veterinary Service, and a lower rate which does not include the cost of such an inspection.

15.  The lower rate shall be payable–

(a) the first time the annual membership fee is paid (the cost of the first annual inspection having been included in the registration fee); and

(b) in subsequent years where the operator of the establishment has elected for the inspection to be carried out by a veterinary inspector who is not a member of the State Veterinary Service (in which case the cost of the inspection is payable directly to the veterinary inspector by the operator).

16.  The Scottish Ministers shall–

(a) determine the two rates of the annual membership fee on the basis of available information as to the cost attributable to each establishment of the items listed in paragraph 18; and

(b) publish the current rates of the annual membership fee on the website of the Scottish Executive.

17.  The annual membership fee shall be payable to the Scottish Ministers in respect of each establishment and shall be non refundable.

18.  The items referred to in paragraph 16(a) are–

(a) salaries and fees, together with overtime payments and employers' national insurance and superannuation contributions, of–

(i) any person directly involved in the administration of the scheme (including corresponding with and responding to queries from members, producing guidance, and arranging inspections of establishments);

(ii) any person engaged in managing the administration of the scheme; and

(iii) any veterinary inspector who is a member of the State Veterinary Service who carries out the annual inspection of an establishment or additional inspections;

(b) recruiting and training the staff referred to in sub paragraph (a);

(c) travel and related incidental expenses incurred in the administration of the scheme (including inspections of establishments), except where incurred by a person attending his normal place of work;

(d) office accommodation, equipment and services for staff referred to in sub paragraph (a), including depreciation of office furniture and equipment and the cost of information technology and stationery;

(e) provision of protective clothing and equipment, where applicable, used in carrying out inspections of establishments, and laundering, cleansing or disinfecting such protective clothing;

(f) provision of payroll and personnel services in connection with the employment of staff referred to in sub paragraph (a); and

(g) any other incidental expenses incurred in connection with the administration of the scheme.

19.  The items listed in paragraph 18 shall not include any expense which relates to the administration of, travel to and from, and attendance at the inspections insofar as that expense is recoverable under paragraph 9 of Part I of this Schedule.