Brussels, 27/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Food and Veterinary Office is planning to carry out 250 or so inspection missions in 2003 in the EU and third countries. In view of enlargement, European inspectors will pay particular attention to East European countries. The FVO also announces that it will be reviewing its practice and procedures to ensure greater respect of its reports and recommendations. The FVO is planning to carry out 134 inspections from January to July, 35 of them in the EU, 53 in East European countries and 34 in other third countries. It will focus on the following areas: food safety and animal welfare (117), animal health (8) and plant protection (9). Taking the year as a whole, 40% of inspections will be carried out in candidate countries, focussing on live animals and the origin on animal food, inspections of imports and border crossings, TSE, food hygiene controls (including pesticide and pollution residues), and plant health controls (including pesticide marketing and use). The inspectors plan to follow-up inspections in Eastern Europe last year, focussing on dairy, poultry and fisheries. Taking account of the large number of farms in these countries, the FVO will not make many visits, concentrating on providing information to the national authorities on the inspection approach to be taken.