Brussels, 06/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - Safeguard measures will shortly be adopted by the European Commission with regard to Bowland Dairy Products Ltd, a British dairy where infringements of Community hygiene and food safety legislation have been established. The Commission is also considering infringement proceedings against the UK for its lack of action on this issue.
“This is the first time that the European Commission has taken safeguard measures against an individual company,” Philip Tod, spokesman for Markos Kyprianou, the Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner, told press. The date for the commencement of the infringement proceedings has not yet been determined by the College of Commissioners, but will soon be decided.
Bowland Dairy marketed curd cheese produced from raw milk unfit for human consumption, because it contained antibiotic residues or was contaminated with substances such as detergents or dyes, according to an inspection carried out in June 2006 by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO). Among other illegal practices of which it was guilty, Bowland Dairy Products Ltd distributed milk that was past its sell-by date to retailers. As soon as it became aware of these serious infringements of Community legislation, the Commission called on British Authorities and the operators concerned to take all necessary measures to prevent the marketing of such products. A follow-up inspection carried out in September revealed that, despite intense discussions between the Commission and the British authorities, the problem had not been resolved.
It was agreed that Member States will ban Bowland Dairy curd cheese from their markets and will trace and destroy any curd cheese from this dairy that may be in circulation. This safeguard measure was backed by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health on 6 October. Once formally adopted by the Commission in the next few days, the ban will have immediate effect and will remain in force until the British food safety authority has shown that it has taken the measures to ensure that there is no risk to human health, and it has changed its procedures with regards to what it demands for antibiotic testing in milk.
In November, the FVO will inspect the British dairy sector, and if similar practices are found elsewhere in the UK, the Commission will take further measures. (an)