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Listen to this siteThursday 4 January 2007
This report concerns discussions regarding a review of the food hygiene regulations, further implementing legislation for the inspection of meat, conditions for the manufacture of gelatine, proposed Community guides to good hygiene practice and coldstores.
The European Commission explained that a review of the hygiene legislation will take place, probably resulting in proposals emerging at the end of 2008. The Commission explained they had no definitive strategy yet, but there are currently three broad options:
The Commission is likely to favour one of the first two options and plans to engage with stakeholders early in the new year. The indication is that Member States will also be asked for their views at a meeting early in the new year. The UK does not consider that the legislation needs a major overhaul.
The Commission also explained that the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) is being asked to report any issues arising from its round of missions to Member States.
Further reports on the review of the hygiene legislation will be placed on the Agency's website.
Back to topThe Commission explained the intention is that this document be an annexe to Commission Regulation 2074/2005, one of the food hygiene legislation implementing measures. For information, a pdf copy of SANCO 2696/2006 Rev 3 is available at the foot of the page.
The Commission explained that 'veal calf', 'lamb' and 'goat kid' had been replaced by 'young bovine/ovine/caprine animal' to bring into line with DG AGRI definitions. The definition of 'young ovine animal' had been amended to refer to dentition.
There was much discussion among Member States about the criteria (in Article 2) for the competent authority to adapt the requirement for the official veterinarian (OV) to be present during post-mortem inspection. A risk analysis would be necessary by the competent authority to determine which slaughterhouses could benefit from this derogation. The Commission stated the proposal had been introduced at the request of FVO which had encountered different interpretations during missions to Member States, and had requested clarification. The Commission said that its intention is to reduce the costs of official controls at small slaughterhouses to preserve their financial viability (in effect its aim was to cover low-capacity establishments, without using that term).
Discussion on 'small' and 'discontinuous slaughter' resulted in a decision not to include these terms in the Articles of the Regulation. The UK stated that the criteria were not related to food safety risks and opposed the Commission's text. An amended version of the Article, tabled by UK, was rejected.
The Commission concluded by stating that it would add a paragraph to the Recitals, indicating that the Article was aimed at reducing the financial burden on small establishments. A further revision will be circulated for discussion at the next meeting.
Back to topThe Commission outlined the European Federation's request for changes to Section XIV of Regulation 853/2004. The industry's wish was to allow for an alternative method of equivalent effect until the legislation could be changed to include a specific reference. Other updates were being sought which would bring the legislation into line with the pharmacopeia. The industry also queried the need to label product with its date of manufacture and wanted a change to the documentation requirements for raw materials.
A lack of support from some Member States with regard to the industry proposals. The Commission said that a Community Guide had been proposed but this needed to address itself to the industry rather than to Competent Authorities. The Commission Services had undertaken to produce guidance across all the relevant legislation. The Commission hoped that a Community Guide would prove the way forward and, once ready, suggested this could be considered by a restricted group of Member States.
Back to topThere was agreement to restricted groups of five Member States reviewing proposed Community Guides on wholesale markets and egg products. The handling of a proposed Community Guide on coldstores will be discussed at the next Working Group.
Back to topThe issue of controls in coldstores again arose and whether the Commission intended any action. The Commission stated that the problem was wider than meat alone and expressed a view that it is the responsibility of the recipient of goods to ensure that they received the correct information. The Commission also voiced DG Enterprise concerns not to increase burdens on industry.
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