These Regulations implement in relation to Wales Commission Decision 99/724/EC (OJ No. L290, 12.11.99, p.32) - “the Commission Decision” - so far as it relates to trade between Member States of the European Community and imposes new or changed obligations on the United Kingdom.

The Commission Decision amends Annex II to Council Directive 92/118/EEC (OJ No. L62, 15.3.93, p.49) by imposing new requirements relating to gelatine intended for human consumption. The provisions of that Directive relating to intra-Community trade are implemented by the Products of Animal Origin (Import and Export) Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/3124). These Regulations amend the 1996 Regulations to give effect to the changes made by the Commission Decision.

The Regulations also give power to food authorities in Wales to issue, suspend, withdraw and cancel authorisations of collection centres and tanneries which supply raw materials for the manufacture of gelatine subject to the requirements of the Commission Decision. The Food Standards Agency is required to maintain a register of premises so authorised.

A Regulatory Appraisal of these Regulations has been prepared pursuant to section 65 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (1998 c. 38) and copies may be obtained from the Food Standards Agency (Wales), 1st Floor, Southgate House, Wood Street, Cardiff, CF10 1EN.