Explanatory Note
(This note does not form part of the Regulations)
These Regulations (which apply to England, Scotland and Wales) give effect to the provisions of Council Directive 89/556/EEC (OJ No. L302, 19.10.89, p.1) as amended by Council Directive 93/52/EEC (OJ No. L175, 19.7.93, p.21) and Commission Decision 94/113/EC (OJ No. L53, 24.2.94, p.23), as regards the export for European Economic Area trade of bovine embryos and the approval of collection, production and transfer teams and storage conditions for bovine embryos. They also provide for domestic trade in bovine embryos.
They revoke and replace the Bovine Embryo Collection and Transfer Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/2921).
The Regulations—
(a)provide for the approval of bovine embryo collection teams, production teams and transfer teams (regulations 4 to 8 and Schedules 1 to 3);
(b)provide for the allocation of a registration number for each registered team (regulation 9);
(c)specify conditions to be complied with for the collection and production of bovine embryos (regulations 10 to 12 and Schedules 4 to 7);
(d)provide for the approval of stores for bovine embryos and specify the conditions to be complied with in relation to their storage (regulations 13—19);
(e)specify the conditions to be complied with in relation to the transport and transfer of bovine embryos (regulations 20 and 21 and Schedule 8);
(f)require the use of anaesthetics in relation to the collection or transfer of bovine embryos (regulation 22);
(g)require records to be kept in relation to bovine embryos (regulations 23 and 24); and
(h)make transitional provisions (regulation 25) and specify revocations (regulation 26).
The manual of the International Embryo Transfer Society referred to in Schedules 4 and 7 of these Regulations was published by the International Embryo Transfer Society in November 1990. Copies can be obtained by post from their headquarters at 309 West Clark Street, Champaign, Illinois, U.S.A.
Contravention of the Regulations or of an approval issued under them is an offence under section 10(6) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 1984 and is punishable by imprisonment not exceeding three months or a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale or both.
A Compliance Cost Assessment in relation to these Regulations, has been placed in the libraries of each House of Parliament. Copies may be obtained from:
Animal Health (International Trade) Division
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Room C33
Government Buildings
Hook Rise South
Tolworth
Surbiton
Surrey
KT6 7NF