(This note is not part of the Regulations.)
These Regulations revoke and re-enact with changes the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 (S.R. 1995 No. 52) as amended by the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 (S.R. 1997 No. 87).
They contain a new provision for animals imported for slaughter to be slaughtered without undue delay (regulations 6 and 15).
They implement those Community measures which were omitted from the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 or have been adopted since those Regulations were made.
They remove the provision for the direct importation into Northern Ireland of certain live animals through the border inspection post at Belfast International airport (regulation 15).
They introduce new provisions affecting transporters, dealers and owners of assembly centres who handle cattle and pigs. These provisions are designed to further reduce the risk of disease being spread while cattle and pigs are being moved across the Community. The provisions mainly relate to improved record keeping requirements (regulations 7, 8 and 12).