The instrument ensures that the Northern Ireland legislation which implements EU Directives protecting the welfare of animals on-farm and the registration of establishments with laying hens will continue to be operable in Northern Ireland after the UK leaves the EU. It also ensures that the Northern Ireland legislation which provides enforcement powers (and, in some cases, stricter national rules) to support EU Regulations on the protection of the welfare of animals at the time of killing and during transport will continue to be operable and enforceable in Northern Ireland after the UK leaves the EU.