The legal basis for control of imports of animal and plant material into the United Kingdom.

The movement of live animals and plants, their germplasm, food and other products derived from them ('animal and plant material') into, from and within the United Kingdom is governed by animal and plant health (sanitary and phytosanitary) laws that implement several important EC Directives. Since 1993 the Directives in force (as frequently amended) have reflected the principles of the Single European Market. The removal of internal borders has entailed the harmonisation of import requirements in EC law, so that documentary checks and physical inspections are only made at the first point of entry into the EU. Harmonised requirements for imports from third countries reflect risks of introducing harmful material to the Community as a whole rather than only to the country of entry (in this case the United Kingdom). To this end, the regulatory innovations in plant health of plant passports, protected zones and buffer zones try to balance the demands of the free market with the need for phytosanitary controls. The influence of the Single Market, however, is compounded by the effect of global trade rules through various agreements of the World Trade Organisation. Another aspect to be discussed is that controls over the importation of animal and plant material should be considered as part of environmental protection and protection of human health. This is seen in the effect and consequences of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in 2001 but also in the regulation of genetically modified organisms and controls over the importation of products from endangered species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]