The Official Controls (Temporary Measures) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2021

Statutory Instruments

2021 No. 1491

Agriculture

Animals

Food

Plant Health

The Official Controls (Temporary Measures) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2021

Made

at 11.19 p.m. on 30th December 2021

Laid before Parliament

4th January 2022

Coming into force in accordance with regulation 1(b)

The Secretary of State, having evidence of a serious disruption in the system of official controls in Great Britain, makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 141 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products(1).

In accordance with Article 144(7) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625(2), before making these Regulations, the Secretary of State has consulted such bodies and persons as appear to the Secretary of State to be representative of the interests likely to be substantially affected by these Regulations and such other bodies or persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

In accordance with the preconditions in Article 3(2B) of that Regulation, the Welsh Ministers, in relation to the application of these Regulations in relation to Wales, and the Scottish Ministers, in relation to the application of these Regulations in relation to Scotland, have consented to the Secretary of State making these Regulations.

Citation, commencement and extent

1.  These Regulations—

(a) may be cited as the Official Controls (Temporary Measures) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2021;

(b) come into force immediately before 31st December 2021;

(c) extend to England and Wales, and Scotland.

Amendment to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/466 on temporary measures to contain risks to human, animal and plant health and animal welfare during certain serious disruptions of Member States’ control systems due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

2.—(1) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/466 on temporary measures to contain risks to human, animal and plant health and animal welfare during certain serious disruptions of Member States’ control systems due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19)(3) is amended as follows.

(2) In Article 6, for “31st December 2021” substitute “1st July 2022”.

Goldsmith of Richmond Park

Minister of State

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

At 11.19 p.m. on 30th December 2021

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations are made in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 141 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, which is amended by S.I. 2020/1481. They amend Commission Implementing (EU) Regulation 2020/466 (which is amended by S.I. 2020/1481, S.I. 2021/78 and S.I. 2021/681) to extend the period of application of availability of existing easements in the system of official controls in operation in Great Britain, in order to contain risks of serious disruption to the system caused by the coronavirus pandemic, by postponing its expiry date to 1st July 2022.

The Welsh Ministers, in relation to the application of these Regulations in relation to Wales, and the Scottish Ministers, in relation to the application of these Regulations in relation to Scotland, have consented to the Secretary of State making these Regulations.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.

(1)

EUR 2017/625. Article 141 was amended by regulation 26 of S.I. 2020/1481. Regulation 3(2)(b) of that instrument inserted Article 3(2A) and (2B) (definition of “the appropriate authority”).

(2)

Article 144 was substituted by regulation 27(4) of S.I. 2020/1481.

(3)

EUR 2020/466, which is amended by S.I. 2020/1481, S.I. 2021/78 and S.I. 2021/681.