DENNIS CRYER Veterinary Meat Hygiene Adviser Food Standards Agency

Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2076/2005 Laying down transitional arrangements for the implementation of Regulations (EC) No. 853/2004, (EC) No. 854/2004 & (EC) No. 882/2004. Amending Regulations (EC) No. 853/2004 & (EC) No. 854/2004.

Regulation (EC) No. 2076/2005 Provision has been made for a transitional period during which certain requirements laid down in the Regulations can be progressively implemented. The transitional period should in principle last for 4 years, but could where justified, be shorter. As a standard arrangement, it should continue to be possible to place on the market products produced before the application of the new rules.

Transitional Arrangements By way of derogation from Article 1 (3)(d) and without prejudice to Article 1 (4) of Regulation 853/2004. The provisions laid down in that Regulation shall not apply to the direct supply, by the producer, of small quantities of meat from poultry and lagomorphs slaughtered on the farm to the final consumer or to local retail establishments directly supplying such meat to the final consumer.

Transitional Arrangements Placing of food of animal origin on the national market pending the approval of establishments. FBOs who before 1 Jan 2006 were allowed to place food of animal origin on their national market may continue to do so using a national mark that cannot be confused with the marks provided for in Article 5(1) of Regulation 853/2004 until the competent authority has approved the establishments.

Transitional Arrangements Wrapping, packaging and labelling materials bearing pre-printed health or identification marks. Food Business Operators (FBOs) may continue to use stocks of wrapping, packaging and labelling materials bearing pre-printed health or identification marks purchased prior to 1 Jan 2006 until 31 Dec 2007.

Transitional Arrangements Marking equipment. Food Business Operators (FBOs) and competent authorities may continue to use marking equipment with which they were equipped on 31 Dec 2005 until it’s replacement, or the end of the transitional period, provided the approval number remains unchanged.

Transitional Arrangements Food Chain Information - particularly the requirement to supply information 24 hrs in advance of animals arriving for slaughter. By way of derogation from the requirements laid down in Section III of Annex II to Regulation 853/2004, Member States shall progressively implement these requirements in various sectors. In the poultry sector FCI requirements apply immediately. In the pig sector FCI is required by the end of the second year of transition. In the equine and veal calf sectors FCI is required by the end of the third year.

Transitional Arrangements Meat of farmed non domestic ungulates (farmed game). Regulation 853/2004 Section III Annex III point 3(j) requires the OV or approved veterinarian to sign the favourable ante-mortem certificate accompanying the farmed game to the slaughterhouse. Directive 91/495 allows the signature of the veterinary service. The provision of 91/495 should be maintained during the transitional period.

Transitional Arrangements Compositional criteria and labelling requirements for minced meat. Section V of Annex III Regulation 853/2004 requires the assessment of fat content and connective tissue/meat protein ratio. Pending the outcome of this assessment it is appropriate to maintain current criteria laid down originally Directive 94/65.

Transitional Arrangements Training of slaughterhouse staff assisting with official controls. Regulation 854/2004 requires training of authorised slaughterhouse staff in the same way as the official auxiliaries. During the transitional period it is appropriate to allow time for planning and organisation of additional training and qualification of authorised slaughterhouse staff.

Transitional Arrangements Internationally recognised certification of establishments using authorised slaughterhouse staff shall not be required during the transitional period. Provided the establishment demonstrates that it has begun certification in accordance with international standards such as relevant EN ISO standards on quality management and food safety.

Transitional Arrangements Model certificate for meat from farmed non domestic ungulates (farmed game). The model certificate set out in Annex III to Directive 91/495 may be used for the transportation of farmed game from the farm to the slaughterhouse.

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