Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:36 pm on 26 January 2021.
Thank you very much, Chair. I move the motion. The Official Controls (Animals, Feed and Food, Plant Health Fees etc.) (Wales) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 came into force on implementation period completion day, made by powers conferred to Welsh Ministers under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, in order to make the following amendments. Minor technical amendments were necessary to ensure the legislation remained operable post withdrawal to implement and enforce official controls and ensure the application of biosecurity and animal welfare rules. Secondly, this regulation also amended the Trade in Animals and Related Products (Wales) Regulations 2011 to include a provision granting an enabling power to temporarily disapply certain prohibitions and restrictions on meat preparations imported from the EU from 1 January 2021. The fix was subsequently applied via the Meat Preparations (Amendment and Transitory Modification) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021, which came into force on 6 January. Great Britain will introduce a phased approach to controls on imports from the European Union in line with UK Government's border operating model. Decisions on those conditions and on the future imports regime for Great Britain will be taken within the governance arrangements of the animal health and welfare common framework. The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee have produced reports for both regulations with no identified issues, and we will continue to work with stakeholders to review the impact of leaving the European Union on all areas, including official controls to ensure we achieve the best outcome for the people of Wales. Thank you.