Protection of human health: food of animal origin, specific hygiene rules

The committee adopted the report by Horst SCHNELLHARDT (EPP-ED, D) broadly approving the Council's common position under the 2nd reading of the codecision procedure, subject to a number of mainly technical amendments. These included allowing for the possibility of extending the areas which can be governed by guidelines (as opposed to amending the legislation) and ensuring that the Commission is involved when Member States make use of their right to adapt certain provisions of the Annexes. MEPs also said that any such national measures granting exemptions to the provisions of the regulation should be subject to uniform rules and based on sound scientific findings. �