The European Commission can accept those amendments, which reflect the compromise text agreed between the European Parliament, the Council and Commission prior to the second reading. Specifically, they relate to:
- a technical amendment clarifying the need to proceed, in the event of the emergency slaughter of animals, to an examination of the carcase as soon as possible;
- a technical amendment, which ensures that control staff, in carrying out their tasks, have free access to the premises of food businesses;
- an obligation on Member States to ensure that there is sufficient control staff for performing meat inspection in slaughterhouses.
Greater flexibility concerning certain control activities in small businesses.
In addition, the European Parliament, proposed two amendments, limiting the possibility for slaughterhouse staff to assist the official veterinarian in carrying cut meat inspection to poultry and rabbits, excluding veal claves and fattening pigs. The Commission feels that these do not reflect the compromise text agreed between the two institutions and is therefore unable to accept them. However, in order to reach a final agreement and to avoid having to go to a conciliation procedure, the Council had accepted amendments 9 and 14 on condition the Commission issue a declaration in Annex format to the modified proposal. This too, the Commission can accept. The Annex states that:
The Commission will, as soon as possible after the entry into force of the Regulation, produce a report on slaughterhouse staff assisting in meat inspection with a view to examining whether and under what conditions the system in force at present for poultry meat and rabbit meat can be extended to other species such as fattening pigs and veal calves. The report will be accompanied by a legislative proposal as appropriate.�