OBJECTIVE: to consolidate Council Regulation (EEC) No 1411/71 laying down additional general
rules on the common market organization in milk and extend the derogation from the requirements
on the minimum fat content of milk granted to Finland and Sweden under the Act of Accession.
SUBSTANCE: Since its entry into force, Regulation (EEC) No 1411/71 has been amended
repeatedly, and other Regulations and Directives have also been adopted which affect its field of
application.
For these reasons, the proposal checks the validity of the rules in force and consolidates the
Regulation. Some changes are laid down, for example, to take account of:
-the wishes of consumers, who are attaching growing importance to nutritional aspects of milk
proteins: the new Regulation stipulates that the natural protein content must not under any
circumstances be reduced and that milk may be enriched with fat-free dried milk ingredients,
-experience gained with health rules for the production of raw milk and milk-based products, by
incorporating these rules in the Regulation (particularly rules on the freezing point of milk and
standards for the heat treatment of milk).
Upon accession, Finland and Sweden were granted a derogation, until 31.12.1997, from the
requirements concerning minimum fat content laid down in Regulation (EEC) No 1411/71. In these
2 countries, the fat content of milk is proportionally lower than consumers elsewhere in the
Community are accustomed to. In order both to respect habits in these two countries and to avoid
any danger of confusion for industry and European consumers, the Commission proposes extending
by two years the transitional situation which is already to prevail until 31.12.1997.�