PURPOSE : to replace the existing Community legislation on detailed rules for the organisation of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consumption, thus making it more coherent, more science-based and risk-based.
CONTENT : the new elements (from new scientific advice that has become available, in particular on issues that relate to meat safety) aim to revise in a fundamental way the proposed Regulation on detailed rules for the organisation of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consumption (COD/2000/0180). The Commission therefore decided, on 11 December 2001, to withdraw the proposal contained in Document and to submit a revised proposal. This proposal contains a revised version and completely replaces the previous document.
The revision concerns mainly official controls of fresh meat. At the same time, the risk management measures for live bivalve molluscs as well as for milk and milk products, have been strengthened.
The proposed system for official controls is characterised by the following:
- it is science-based;
- it addresses all known hazards that are relevant for the safety of the meat;
- the official veterinarian plays a central role in the system;
- it consists of official audits of the systems put in place by the operator,
and also of official inspection activities;
- it clearly integrates the stable-to-table approach;
- it deals with the relevant animal health and animal welfare issues;
- the frequency and intensity of official controls is risk-based;
- it contains, for certain sectors and on certain conditions, the possibility of involvement of staff of the establishment;
- it contains training requirements for all staff carrying out official controls.�