Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (Scotland) Regulations 2002 (S.S.I. No. 445 of 2002).

Directive 97/78/EC, here implemented for Scotland, applies to products of animal origin - meat, fish (including shellfish), milk and products made from these, together with egg products and a large number of animal by-products, including casings, skins, bones and blood. When read with Annex I to the Agreement on the European Economic Area the Directive 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 (reg. 3). Regulation 4 defines the authorities who will enforce the Regulations. Part III establishes the inspection system which applies to the generality of products. The introduction into Scotland of products which do not comply with the Schedule 2 requirements is prohibited, unless they are being transported across Scotland (reg. 15). Regulations 21 to 28 deal with products which are rejected at inspection, are introduced illegally, or present a risk to animal or public health. 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 Scottish Ministers and the Food Standards Agency power to prohibit the introduction of products into Scotland 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 and service of notices and with notification of decisions.