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Report on discussions at the EU Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH) on 21 and 22 June 2005

Wednesday 29 June 2005

This was the first consideration, by the Standing Committee, of the Commission's proposal for implementing measures and transitional arrangements, the proposal for additional guarantees in respect of salmonella for Sweden and Finland, import guidance and the HACCP guidance documents, all of which relate to the package of new hygiene legislation.

The guidance to Regulations 852/2004 and 853/2004 was not discussed.

All of the relevant documents can be found at the foot of the page.

Implementing measures and transitional arrangements (SANCO/55/2005 Rev 5)
A number of Member States pressed for Annex II (on anti-microbial treatments) to be considered separately over a longer timescale. The Commission has not indicated if it will accede to this.

Of the issues of interest to the UK, the Commission appears to have accepted deletion of the other quality criteria (minced meat fat content/labelling).

On MSM, two Member States continue to press for a reduced level of calcium.

With regard to the measures on food chain information, the Commission is to complete inter-service consultation and put an amended version to SCoFCAH in July for an indicative vote.

Salmonella additional guarantees for Sweden and Finland (SANCO/3307/2004 Rev 1)
The proposal was accepted, subject to minor clarification and amendment. The proposal is currently subject to inter-service consultation and checking that it is 'TRACE' compliant. The proposal will also go to July SCoFCAH for indicative vote.

Import guidance (SANCO/1446/2005)
The Commission presented a (previously unseen) expanded document, mainly intended for third countries, which includes a wide range of import requirements. Composite products were identified as the major issue requiring resolution and the Commission intends to discuss this at the animal health SCoFCAH in early July. Member States were asked to submit further comments.

HACCP documents (SANCO/2655/2004 Rev 7 and SANCO/1515/2005)
Some Member States pressed for further working group discussion on both pieces of guidance although the Commission is keen to move ahead. It has since been agreed that a working group will look at this and at the Commission guidance on Regulations 852/2004 and 853/2004 on 4 July. Initial discussion exposes no issues of substance for Member States. The Commission will reflect further on the scope for combining the two documents.

Guidance to Regulation 852/2004 (SANCO/1513/2005) and Regulation 853/2004 (SANCO/1514/2005)
Not discussed. Those versions as amended on 14 June are available and will now be discussed further on 4 July. These documents are likely to be on the agenda for the 19 July SCoFCAH meeting.

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Contacts

Catherine Bowles
tel: 020 7276 8952
email: catherine.bowles@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

David Gray
Tel: 020 7276 8940
email: david.gray@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

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Related links

Sanco 1446 2005

Download pdf  (pdf 73KB) Sanco 1513 2005

Download pdf  (pdf 56KB) Sanco 1514 2005

Download pdf  (pdf 68KB) Sanco 1515 2005

Download pdf  (pdf 55KB) Sanco 2655 2004 Rev 7

Download pdf  (pdf 127KB) Sanco 3307 2004

Download pdf  (pdf 50KB) Sanco 55 Rev 5

Download pdf  (pdf 352KB) (External) Get Adobe Acrobat reader You may need the free Acrobat Reader to view a pdf

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