Definitions of the European Union and the United Kingdom

Resumen

We are amending the animal and animal product import regulations in order to reflect the exit of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU). The revised regulations will treat as separate entities Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) (GB) and Northern Ireland in various lists and definitions. We are also announcing that, for an interim period, during which the UK will transition to and implement their new animal health laws and policies, the current Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service import conditions for animals and animal products from the UK will continue to apply to imports from GB. In addition, we are announcing that because of Northern Ireland's stated intent to continue to follow EU animal health regulations and policies, we intend to consider the animal health statuses of Northern Ireland to be the same animal health statuses of equivalent EU Member States, wherever appropriate. We are also updating our definition of the EU, where necessary, to include Croatia. Lastly, we are further amending the regulations to update the names of staff offices and websites, and we are making other minor changes.