The Charges for Inspections and Controls Regulations 1997

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

1.  These Regulations give effect to Article 2 of Council Directive 85/73/EEC on the financing of veterinary inspections and controls covered by Directives 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC, 90/675/EEC and 91/496/EEC (OJ No. L162, 1.7.96, p.4). The text of Council Directive 85/73/EEC is set out in the Annex to Council Directive 96/43/EC (OJ No. L162, 1.7.96, p.1).

2.  The said Article 2 requires member States to ensure that (in accordance with Annex B to Council Directive 85/73/EEC) fees are collected to cover the costs occasioned by the inspections and controls provided for by Council Directive 96/23/EC on measures to monitor certain substances and residues thereof in live animals and animal products (OJ No. L125, 23.5.96, p.10).

3.  These Regulations—

(a) lay down provisions requiring the fees mentioned in paragraph 2 above to be paid (regulation 3);

(b) lay down provisions relating to the liability for and recovery of those fees (regulation 4);

(c) enable the appropriate Minister to require information and supporting evidence to be supplied to him for the purpose of enabling that Minister to calculate those fees and create offences of supplying false or misleading information and failing to comply with a demand to supply information (regulation 5);

(d) revoke those provisions of the Meat (Hygiene, Inspection and Examinations for Residues) (Charges) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/361, as amended) which relate to the subject-matter of these Regulations (regulation 6).

4.  Regulations 4(10), (11)(a) and (13) and 5(2) and (3) are made under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 (1972 c. 68).

5.  A regulatory appraisal has been prepared in respect of these Regulations. A copy of it has been deposited in the library of each House of Parliament.