Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (S.R. No. 340 of 2002).

When read with Annex I to the Agreement on the European Economic Area Directive 97/78/EC requires that products of animal origin which enter the European Economic Area must undergo specified veterinary checks at border inspection posts to ensure that they comply with requirements laid down by Community legislation for the protection of animal and public health. The products to which the Regulations apply are defined in regulation 2(1) and Schedule 3 and the requirements with which they must comply are listed, by reference to the relevant Community legislation, in Schedule 2. Small quantities of products intended for personal use, and trade samples and products intended for exhibition or study or analysis are exempt from all but a few of the Regulations. Regulation 4 defines the authorities who will enforce the Regulations. Part III establishes the inspection system which will apply to the generality of products. Parts IV to VIII lay down special provisions which apply to particular categories of product. Part IX deals with the calculation and payment of charges for the veterinary checks provided for in the Regulations; Part X confers on the Department and the Food Standards Agency power to prohibit the introduction of products into Northern Ireland from non-EEA countries in which there is an outbreak of animal disease; Part XI establishes offences and penalties; and Part XII deals with the form of notices and with notification of decisions.