These Regulations, which extend only to Scotland, implement provisions of Council Directive 99/78/EC (O.J. No. L 24, 30.1.98, p.9) by amending the Products of Animal Origin (Import and Export) Regulations 1996 (“the principal Regulations”) so as to extend the powers of authorised officers as regards products of animal origin which have been imported otherwise than in accordance with animal or public health conditions.

The effect of the amendments made by these Regulations is to confer on authorised officers of the Scottish Ministers, the Food Standards Agency or a local authority the power– i in respect of intra-community trade, to prohibit the movement of products of animal origin which they have reasonable grounds for believing do not comply with animal or public health conditions relating to import into Great Britain or the European Community (regulation 2(2)) (products detained under this power may, under regulation 16(4) of the principal Regulations be ordered to be destroyed, re-exported or used for specified purposes); and ii in respect of imports from third countries, to require the destruction or re-export of products of animal origin which they have reasonable grounds for believing do not comply with animal or public health conditions relating to import (regulation 2(3)).