Consultation letterThe 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 domestic legislation which implements and enforces EU obligations in Northern Ireland to ensure it is operable after EU Exit.
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.
‘Marked-up’ copies of the legislation which is being amended are also provided to show the impact of the proposed changes on the legislation. All proposed amendments are shown in red. In relation to the Poultrymeat Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011, these Regulations have already been amended by the Agriculture, Food and Horse (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 which will come into operation on Exit Day. A small change is made to these Regulations which amends the Poultrymeat Regulations. The marked-up copy reflects how the Poultrymeat Regulations will look on Exit Day.
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 to arrange such copies, or to discuss the consultation more generally. For those with hearing difficulties, leave a message on the Department’s text phone (18001 028 9052 5031).