These Regulations amend the Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (Wales) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/1387 (W.136), as amended by S.I. 2002/3011 (W.282) and S.I. 2002/3239 (W.307)) ('the principal Regulations') which implement Council Directive 97/78/EC laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries (OJ No. L24, 30.1.98, p.9).

Regulation 5 inserts a new regulation 12A into the principal Regulations which provides that the National Assembly for Wales, the Commissioners of Customs and Excise ('the Commissioners'), any local authority and the Food Standards Agency may exchange information amongst themselves and share information with enforcement authorities in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Regulation 6 makes a minor drafting change to regulation 13 of the principal Regulations.

Regulation 7 substitutes a new regulation for regulation 16 of the principal Regulations. The new regulations 16 provides that the prohibition on the introduction into Wales of products of animal origin (except at border inspection posts) is enforced at points of entry by the Commissioners instead of the local authority.

Regulation 8 amends regulation 28 of the principal Regulations to provide that the Commissioners may charge the costs of re-dispatching or destroying a product or consignment to the person on whom a notification of seizure has been served.

A regulatory appraisal has been prepared and is available on the National Assembly for Wales website (www.wales.gov.uk). Copies may be obtained from the Welsh Assembly Government, Animal Health Division, Crown Buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.