Consultation letterThe European Communities Act 1972 (“the ECA”) confers powers upon DAERA to give effect to EU Regulations that do not otherwise come into direct effect in UK law. This provision enables DAERA to implement EU law through domestic legislation.
However, on the day that the UK leaves the EU, the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 will repeal the ECA and because the powers to make these changes will be removed, it is necessary to make a small number of minor changes to the legislation. The proposed Regulations make a small number of minor drafting amendments that would normally be made when the legislation was otherwise being updated. Such amendments will simply update out-of-date EU references before any future Exit Day, when such amendments will no longer be possible.
The draft Agriculture (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019 and the draft Residues (Charges and Examination) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019 amend seven pieces of Northern Ireland legislation. The legislation does not introduce any change in policy.
Copies of the consultation document can also be made available, on request, in alternative formats e.g. in large print, Braille disc, audio cassette and other languages. Please contact Darren Beggs on 02890 525031 or, for those with hearing difficulties, leave a message on the Department’s text phone (18001 028 9052 5031).
Outcome
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) sought views on the draft Agriculture (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019 and the draft Residues (Charges and Examination) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019 which make minor amendments to update outdated EU legislative references.
Key stakeholders were informed directly about the consultation which closed on 21 December 2018. There were no responses to the consultation and the Regulations will now be finalised for laying at the Assembly. When each set of legislation has been laid, they will be available to view at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/.