The Zoonoses (Monitoring) (Scotland) Regulations 2007

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations make provision in Scotland for the administration and enforcement of Directive 2003/99/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the monitoring of zoonoses and zoonotic agents, amending Council Decision 90/424/EEC and repealing Council Directive 92/117/EEC.

Regulation 4 provides inspectors with powers of entry for the purpose of monitoring for specified zoonoses (diseases which are transmissible between animals and humans), zoonotic agents and antimicrobial resistance to zoonotic agents. It also provides powers of entry to monitor for other zoonoses, zoonotic agents or any agent of an infection which may be transmissible between animals and humans, if the epidemiological situation so requires.

Regulation 5 sets out what inspectors may do after entering premises, and includes the right to take samples, examine records and make inquiries of any person.

Regulation 6 requires food business operators involved in primary production to preserve isolates that have been tested for a zoonosis and to keep the results of those tests and provide them to the Scottish Ministers on demand.

Regulation 7 provides that Scottish Natural Heritage must be consulted in certain circumstances before the commencement of a programme for monitoring of zoonoses in wild animals.

Regulation 8 creates offences and sets out the applicable penalty.

Regulation 9 relates to offences by corporate bodies.

Regulation 10 provides for enforcement by the local authority or by the Scottish Ministers where the Scottish Ministers so direct.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment and Transposition Note has been prepared and placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. Copies may be obtained from the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department, Pentland House, 47 Robb’s Loan, Edinburgh EH14 1TY.