The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the 2018 Act) will repeal the European Communities Act 1972 (the ECA) on the day the UK leaves the European Union (EU). The 2018 Act also converts EU law as it stands at the moment of exit, into UK domestic law and preserves UK laws made under the ECA to implement EU obligations.
Powers in the 2018 Act enable amendments to be made to EU Law to ensure that such legislation can work properly in the context of the UK no longer being a member of the EU. The 2018 Act also allows for amendments to be made to the domestic legislation (Statutory Rules) that implements and enforces EU obligations, in order to ensure it remains operable after EU Exit. The Eggs and Chicks Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 is one such Statutory Rule (SR).
The 2018 Act limits the changes that can be made to legislation to those that ensure operability of the legislation post EU Exit. The proposed amendments therefore do not introduce new policy and are simply minor drafting amendments that seek to ensure the legislation continues to operate in the same way on Exit Day as it does now.
A ‘marked-up’ copy of the legislation that is being amended is also provided to illustrate the impact of the proposed changes on the legislation; proposed amendments are shown in red.
The SR has already been amended by the Agriculture, Food and Horse (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, which will come into operation on EU Exit Day. The marked-up copy of the SR, which is for drafted for illustrative purposes only, reflects how the legislation will look on Exit Day.
Copies of the consultation can also be made available, on request, in alternative formats e.g. in large print, Braille disc, audio cassette and other languages. Please contact John Terrington on 028 9037 8510 to arrange such copies, or to discuss the consultation more generally.
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