PURPOSE : to lay down specific rules for the organisation of official controls on products of animal origin.
LEGISLATIVE ACT : Regulation 854/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down specific rules for the organisation of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consumption. (Corrigendum to the Regulation published in OJ L139 of 30 April 2004).
CONTENT : this Regulation applies only in respect of activities and persons to which Regulation 853/2004/EC applies. It should be noted that the performance of official controls pursuant to this Regulation is without prejudice to food business operators' primary legal responsibility for ensuring food safety, as laid down in Regulation 178/2002/EC.
Official controls on the production of meat are necessary to verify that food business operators comply with hygiene rules and respect criteria and targets laid down in Community legislation. These official controls comprise audits of food business operators' activities and inspections, including checks on food business operators' own controls.
Official veterinarians will carry out audits and inspections of slaughterhouses, game handling establishments and certain cutting plants. Member States have discretion to decide which are the most appropriate staff for audits and inspections of other types of establishments.
Official controls on the production of live bivalve molluscs and on fishery products will check for compliance with the criteria and targets laid down in Community legislation. Official controls on the production of live bivalve molluscs will in particular target relaying and production areas for bivalve molluscs and the end product. Official controls on the production of raw milk will in particular target milk production holdings and raw milk upon collection.
Products of animal origin will be imported only from a third country or a part of third country that appears on a list drawn up and updated in accordance with the procedure referred to in the Regulation.
The Commission must consult the European Food Safety Authority on matters falling within the scope of the Regulation whenever necessary.
ENTRY INTO FORCE : 20/05/04. The Regulation shall apply from 01/01/2006.