The Pig Carcase (Grading) Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2006

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations, which apply in relation to Scotland only, amend the provisions of the Pig Carcase (Grading) Regulations 1994 (S.I. 1994/2155) (“the 1994 Regulations”). The 1994 Regulations provide for the administration and enforcement of the Community system for grading pig carcases established by Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3220/84 (O.J. No. L 301, 20.11.84 p.1) as amended, the detailed rules for which are set out in Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 2967/85 (O.J. No. L 285, 25.10.85, p.39) as amended (“the Commission Regulation”).

Commission Decision (EC) No. 2004/370 (O.J. No. L 116, 22.4.2004, p.32) set out specific rules for the grading of pig carcases in the UK. This Decision has now been amended by Commission Decision (EC) No. 2006/374 (O.J. No. L 142, 30.05.2006, p.34) to remove some of the rules specific to the UK. These Regulations, at regulation 2(2)(b), update the definition of “the Commission Decision” in the 1994 Regulations to incorporate these amendments.

The 1994 Regulations are also amended to–

(a) update the reference to “the appropriate Minister” (regulation 2(2)(a));

(b) update the reference to “the Commission Regulation” to refer to the Regulation as amended (regulation 2(2)(c));

(c) correct the definition of “pig carcase” (regulation 2(2)(d));

(d) provide for carcases to be weighed in an alternative way as provided by Article 2(2) of the Commission Regulation (regulation 2(3)(a));

(e) provide for carcases to be marked in an alternative way as permitted by Article 4(3) of the Commission Regulation (regulation 2(3)(b));

(f) provide for notices to be served by fax and other forms of electronic communication (regulation 2(4)); and

(g) update regulation 11(7) to refer to the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (regulation 2(5)).

A full Regulatory Impact Assessment has not been prepared for this instrument as it has no impact on the costs of business.