OBJECTIVE: to establish a realiable system for the identification and
registration of bovine animals with a view to restoring consumer confidence
in their quality.
COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Regulation 820/97/EC establishing a system for
the identification and registration of bovine animals and regarding the
labelling of beef and beef products.
SUBSTANCE: the Council finally adopted a single regulation based on Article
43 of the EC Treaty.
The text provides for the introduction of the identification of all animals
born after 1 January 1998 by two eartags and by passports or identification
documents. This identification is to replace the system currently in force
under Directive 92/102/EEC not later than 1 January 2000. Provision is made
for derogations, specifically for animals born before 1 January 1998 and
bulls. The identity of each animal and its movements will be recorded on a
database in each Member State, and all information concerning the animal's
movements will be recorded in a passport that will accompany the animal
wherever it goes. Keepers of animals must also keep an up-to-date register
in which they record detailed information on the bovine animals on their
holdings.
As regards the labelling of beef and beef products, a compulsory system will
be introduced on 1 January 2000. However, this does not exclude the
possibility of a Member State deciding to apply the system merely on an
optional basis to beef sold exclusively in its territory. An optional
labelling system will remain in force until 31 December 1999. It requires
that, where an organization or operator decides to label its beef, a
specification must be submitted for approval by the competent authority of
the Member State where the production operations will take place or the
products concerned will be sold. Until 31 December 1999 each label must at
least bear an identification code which ensures a link between, on the one
hand, the identification of the carcase, quarter or pieces of meat and, on
the other hand, the individual animal or the animals concerned. The
labelling system compulsory in all the Member States from 1 January 2000
must also require indication of the Member State or third country where the
animal from which the beef is derived was born, the Member States or third
countries where the animal was raised and the Member State or third country
where it was slaughtered.
However, Member States where there is a sufficiently developed
identification and registration system for bovine animals may before 1
January 2000 impose a compulsory labelling system for beef from animals
born, fattened and slaughtered in their territory.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 7 May 1997. The regulation applies from 1 July 1997.