Commentary on Sections Amendment of the Biological Weapons Act 1974 and the Chemical Weapons Act 1996 Sections 45 and 46 Customs and excise prosecutions for biological and chemical weapons offences
120.These sections permit the Customs and Excise Commissioners to enforce proceedings under the Biological Weapons Act 1974 and the Chemical Weapons Act 1996, in cases involving the movement of a biological or chemical weapon across a border. Officers of the Commissioners will be able to institute offences in England and Wales and Northern Ireland (assuming the Attorney General gives his consent under section 2 of the 1974 Act and section 31 of the 1996 Act).