These Regulations prescribe fees to be paid to the Department of the Environment in connection with the issue of certain permits and certificates by the Department in pursuance of the Community obligations of the United Kingdom under Council Regulation (EC) No. 338/97 (OJ No. L61, 3.3.97, p.1) (“the Principal Regulations”) on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein.

The services in connection with which fees are prescribed in these Regulations are as follows: a the evaluation and processing of an application for an import permit under Article 4 of the Principal Regulation (item 1 of the Schedule to these Regulations); b the evaluation and processing of an application for an export permit or re-export certificate under Article 5 of the Principal Regulation (item 2 of the Schedule to these Regulations).

The fees are set out in the Schedule to these Regulations, which must be read with the Notes at the end (regulation 3(3)). Provision is made for the waiver of the fee, at the Department’s discretion, where the import, export or re-export to which the application relates is not for commercial purposes and conservation benefits will accrue to the species to which the application relates (regulation 3(2)). The time at which the prescribed fees must be paid is governed by regulation 4.

A compliance cost assessment has been prepared in respect of both these Regulations and the Principal Regulation. Copies of this assessment can be obtained from the Department of the Environment, Room 806, Tollgate House, Houlton Street, Bristol BS2 9DJ. A copy has been placed in both Houses of Parliament.