Luxembourg, 27/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, EU Agriculture Ministers reached a political agreement on a proposal setting general rules of hygiene applicable to foodstuff. Commissioner David Byrne welcomed the agreement reached, which confirms the Commission's idea of introducing a certain amount of flexibility for traditional products and those sold in small quantities, often on the farm itself. Furthermore, the Agriculture Council reviewed work on controlling zoonosis, and was briefed by the Commission on the latest developments regarding BSE, and adopted Presidency conclusions on the Community Veterinary Fund.
Here is a summary of the main topics dealt with under the responsibility of Mr. Byrne.
- Food hygiene: according to the compromise, Member States will be able to ask the Commission to obtain exemptions for certain traditional products (that have their own identity and are often local). In addition, for products sold to consumers or restaurants in small quantities, national rules may be applied. The proposal aims to establish procedures based on the principle of "risk analysis and controlling critical points" (RACCP) applying to all production, except primary. The Council took note of the impossibility of concluding talks relating to a second proposal on foodstuff of animal origin. The Presidency explained that the package of these two proposals would be officially approved when agreement has been reached, under the Danish Presidency, on foodstuff of animal origin.
- Zoonosis: the Council turned to progress in work on the draft directive on the monitoring of salmonella and other zoonotic agents and a draft regulation on controlling these diseases. The draft directive does not seem to pose major problems, contrary to the regulation, on which three issues remain in suspense: the deadline for implementing the control of zoonosis (several delegations point out that new measures in combating zoonosis must not be implemented before a comparative analysis of the situations in different regions has been made, as well as aligned methodology for evaluating the results put in place); - field of application (several delegations want all positive types of zoonosis to be covered, whereas others would prefer to target those positive types that cause most cases of salmonella among humans); - funding the controls (most delegations want an cost/benefit analysis of proposals and/or the putting in place of common financing rules to avoid distortion to competition).
- Veterinary fund: on the EU's Veterinary Fund, the Council adopted the Presidency conclusions which had most of their substance knocked out of them due to reservations of a budgetary order, especially raised by Sweden (the only delegation not to rally around these conclusions) and Germany. The conclusions only ask the Commission to reflect on how to involve all participants of the food chain in funding public health measures.
- BSE: as expected, four main subjects were raised. Mr. Byrne considered it better not to take safeguard measures to remedy the steep increase in the number of cases of BSE in Ireland, explaining that, given the advanced age of the animals (especially so-called "on form" cows), all led to believe that the incidence of BSE would begin to dwindle. Furthermore, according to him, account needs taking of the changes that are to occur in European and international criteria for classifying countries at risk.. France announced, to Byrne's great satisfaction, its intention to postpone (for technical reasons linked to standards in abattoirs) implementation of a national measure to lower by 12 to 6 months the age to small ruminants (ovine) beyond which their spinal cord needs removing. In the light of British and Dutch studies, France asked to find a "Community" response to enhance the safety of the intestines of small ruminants. The question of altering the age of animals (currently 12 months) for the removal of the spinal cord of cattle was only raised. The Commission is waiting for new scientific advice on this sensitive issue, before presenting a proposal, probably in the autumn.
Furthermore, the Council approved without debate: - its common position on the health policing conditions for the movement of pets (anti-rabies vaccination and verification of vaccination by a tattoo or an electronic chip for the movement of pets between Member states, even though Ireland, Sweden and the United Kingdom may continue to impose more demanding measures; a directive on controlling African Swine Fever.
