II 
(Non-legislative acts) 
REGUL ATIONS 
COMMISSION DELEGA TED REGUL ATION (EU) 2019/624 
of 8 Febr uary 2019 
concer ning specif ic rules for the perfor mance of official controls on the production of meat and 
for production and relayi ng areas of live bivalv e molluscs in accordance with Regulation (EU) 
2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council 
(Text with EEA relevance) 
THE EUR OPEAN COMMISSION, 
Having regar d to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, 
Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 Marc h 2017 on 
official controls and other official activities performe d to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal 
health and welfa re, plant health and plant prote ction products, amending Regulations (EC) No 999/2001, (EC) 
No 396/2005, (EC) No 1069/2009, (EC) No 1107/2009, (EU) No 1151/2012, (EU) No 652/2014, (EU) 2016/429 and 
(EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Regulations (EC) No 1/2005 and (EC) 
No 1099/2009 and Council Directives 98/58/EC, 1999/74/EC, 2007/43/EC, 2008/119/EC and 2008/120/EC, and 
repealing Regulations (EC) No 854/2004 and (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, 
Council Directives 89/608/EEC, 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC, 91/496/EEC, 96/23/EC, 96/93/EC and 97/78/EC and Council 
Decision 92/438/EEC (Off icial Controls Regulation) (1), and in particular Article 18(7) thereof, 
Whereas: 
(1)  Regulation (EU) 2017/625 lays down rules for the official controls and other official activities performe d by the 
compet ent author ities of the Member States in order to verify that matte rs such as food safet y compl y with 
Union legislation at all stages of the production, processing and distr ibution process. In particular , it provides for 
official controls to be performed on products of animal origin intende d for human consump tion in order to 
verify compl iance with the requirements laid down in Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament 
and of the Council (2), Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3), 
Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4) and Council Regulation (EC) 
No 1099/2009 (5). 
(2)  Regulation (EU) 2017/625 repeals Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 of the European Parliament and of the 
Council (6) with effect from 14 December 2019. Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 currently lays down specifi c rules 17.5.2019 L 131/1 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN     
(1)OJ L 95, 7.4.2017, p. 1. 
(2)Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 Apr il 2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs (OJ L 139, 
30.4.2004, p. 1). 
(3)Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 Apr il 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for 
food of animal origin (OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 55). 
(4)Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 laying down health rules as regar ds 
animal by-products and derived products not intended for human consump tion and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 (Animal 
by-products Regulation) (OJ L 300, 14.11.2009, p. 1). 
(5)Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 of 24 Sept ember 2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing (OJ L 303, 18.11.2009, 
p. 1). 
(6)Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 Apr il 2004 laying down specific rules for the 
organisation of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consump tion (OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 206). for the organisation of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consump tion in order 
to verify compl iance with the requirements of Regulations (EC) No 852/2004, (EC) No 853/2004 and (EC) 
No 1069/2009. It also provi des for the possibility to grant certain derogations from those requirements. 
(3)  The rules laid down in this Regulation should ensure a continuation of the requirements currently laid down in 
Regulation (EC) No 854/2004, taking into account the exper ience gained since the date of adoptio n of that act, 
as well as new scientific evidence and notified national rules to ensure the continued use of traditional methods 
at any stage of food production, processing and distr ibution. 
(4)  Regulation (EU) 2017/625 provid es for delegat ed acts to be adopt ed, laying down the criteria and conditions for 
deroga tions from certain requirements of that Regulation, so that ante-mor tem and post-mor tem inspections can 
be performe d under the responsibility of the official veterinar ian, instead of being performe d or super vised by the 
official veterinar ian. These delegat ed acts should also lay down the criteria and conditions under whic h official 
controls may be performe d by other staff designat ed by the compet ent author ities in cutting plants. 
(5)  Ante -mor tem inspection is essential for the prot ection of human health, animal health and animal welfare and 
theref ore remains the responsibility of the official veter inar ian. However , certain routine tasks within ante- 
mor tem inspection in slaughterhouses might be carried out by the official auxiliar y without compromisi ng the 
achi evement of the objectives of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, provided certain criteria and conditions are compl ied 
with. 
(6)  In particular , if ante-mor tem inspection has been carried out by the official veteri narian at the holding of 
proven ance, more flexibility should be given to the ante-mor tem inspection at arrival in the slaughter house 
whic h might be carried out under the responsibility of the official veter inar ian. However , when no ante-mor tem 
inspection took place at the holding of proven ance, the delegatio n of tasks should only be allowed if the 
inspections are super vised by the official vete rinar ian, subject to certain criteria and conditions for species other 
than poultr y and lagomor phs. 
(7)  In the event of emerge ncy slaughter , ante-mor tem inspection cannot be carried out in the slaughter house. In 
order to avoid causing the animal unnecessar y suffering by transpor ting it to a slaughterh ouse, and to limit 
economic losses for operat ors and reduce food waste, criteria and conditions should be laid down permitting 
ante-mor tem inspection to be performed outside the slaughte rhouse in the event of an emergency slaughter . 
Animals subject to emerge ncy slaughter may still be fit for human consump tion subject to a favourable meat 
inspection. These inspections should provi de maximal guarant ees of the fitness for consump tion when allowing 
emerg ency slaughter outside the slaughter house. 
(8)  It might be more efficient to evaluate human health, animal health and animal welfa re requirements by carrying 
out ante-mor tem inspections at the holding of proven ance inste ad of in the slaughterhouse. Derog ations from 
ante-mor tem inspections in the slaughter house should theref ore be allowed in all species, subject to certain 
criteria. 
(9)  While post-mor tem inspections and auditing activities are essential to prot ect human health, animal health and 
animal welf are and should theref ore remain the responsibility of the official veteri narian, certain tasks may be 
carried out by the official auxiliar y provi ded suffi cient guarant ees are met for these objectives and if certain 
criteria and conditions are compl ied with. These criteria and conditions should allow, in particular , 
a continuation of current practices in the case of discontinuous slaughter in low-capacity slaughter houses and 
low-capacity game-handling establishments. 
(10)  Certain criteria and conditions need to be defined for derogating from the basic requirements on ante- mor tem 
and post-mor tem inspection in slaughter houses and game-handling establishments. A threshold of production is 
a non-discr iminato ry criterion, focussing on the smallest establishments in accordance with Article 16(3)(a) of 
Regulation (EU) 2017/625. Since the structure of these establishments varies between Member States, this 
threshold should be based on the number of animals slaughtere d or handled or on the demonstration that the 
threshold represents a limited and fixed percentage of the meat placed on the mark et. Regulation (EC) 
No 1099/2009 defines livestoc k units and lays down conversion rates to express the number of animals of 
a certain species in such livest ock units. These provi sions should be used to set thresholds and harmonise 
deroga tions from certain requirements based on the size of a slaughter house. 
(11)  Certain tasks in cutting plants may be carried out by staff designat ed by the compet ent author ities without 
jeopardising the objectives of prote cting human health, animal health and animal welf are if certain criteria and 
conditions are compl ied with. 17.5.2019 L 131/2 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN     (12)  Offi cial controls on the production of bivalve molluscs are necessar y to ensure compl iance with the criteria and 
target s laid down in Union legislation. In accordance with Part A of Chapt er II of Section VII of Annex III to 
Regulation (EC) No 853/2004, live bivalve molluscs are to be harveste d from production areas classif ied by the 
compet ent author ities and from whic h they author ise the harvesting. Regulation (EU) 2017/625 provid es for 
delegat ed acts to be adopt ed, laying down the criteria and conditions to determi ne, in relation to Pectinidae, 
mar ine gastropods and Holothuroid ea, when production and relaying areas need not be classified. 
(13)  The place where official controls are to be perf ormed on the production of these Pectinidae, mar ine gastropods 
and Holothuro idea whic h are not filter feeders should also be established. 
(14)  Regulation (EU) 2017/625 also provid es for the possibility to lay down specific derogations for official controls 
in respect to Rangifer tarandus tarandus (reindeer), Lagopus lagopus and Lagopus mutus (grouse) in order to allow the 
continuation of longstanding local and traditional customs and practices. 
(15)  In accordance with Article 17(3) of Regulation (EC) No 854/2004, Member States were allowed to adop t national 
measures to enable the continued use of traditional methods or to accommodat e the needs of food business with 
a low throughput or that are situated in regions that are subject to special geographic constraints. On this basis, 
Sweden and Finland have notified national measures with specific derogat ions from certain requirements for 
official controls on the meat of reindeer and on the meat of grouse to the Commission and to the other Member 
States. Since Regulation (EU) 2017/625 no longer allows such adapt ation by national measures, derog ations 
should be laid down in this Regulation for official controls covering reindeer and grouse in order to allow the 
continuation of longstanding local and traditional customs and practices which do not affect the achi evement of 
the objectives of Regulation (EU) 2017/625. 
(16)  Regulation (EU) 2017/625 lays down specif ic minimum requirements for the staff designat ed by the compet ent 
author ities and for the official veteri narians and for official auxiliar ies involved in official controls and certain 
other official activities. It also lays down minimum training requirements for slaughterh ouse staff involved in 
official controls and certain other control activities. 
(17)  Specific minimum requirements for official veteri narians, official auxiliar ies and other staff designat ed by the 
compet ent author ities should be laid down in order to maintain high and adequate performance of their tasks 
and theref ore ensure a high level of protection of consumers, animal health and animal welfa re. These should 
include specifi c minimum training requirements. Sufficient flexibility should be provided to adap t the 
requirement to the tasks to be performe d taking into account working exper ience. 
(18)  In order to maintain high and adequate performance, appropr iate minimum training requirements should also be 
laid down for slaughterhouse staff assisting in the performa nce of tasks relat ed to the official controls and other 
official control activities laid down in the Regulation. 
(19)  As Regulation (EU) 2017/625 repeals Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 with effect from 14 December 2019, this 
Regulation should also apply from that date, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGUL ATION: 
Article 1 
Subject matter and scope 
This Regulation lays down specifi c rules concer ning the performa nce of the official controls referred to in Article 18(1) 
of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 carried out on products of animal origin. 
Those specif ic rules cover: 
(a)  criteria and conditions to determine 
(i)  when the ante-mor tem inspection in certain slaughter houses may be perf ormed under the super vision or under 
the responsibility of an official veteri narian; 
(ii)  when the ante-mor tem inspection may be performe d outside the slaughte rhouse in case of emerg ency slaughter; 
(iii)  when the ante-mor tem inspections may be performed at the holding of provenance; 17.5.2019 L 131/3 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN     (iv)  the guarant ees to be in place for the performa nce of post-mor tem inspections and auditing activities under the 
responsibility of the official veteri narian as refer red to in Article 18(2)(c) and (d) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625; 
(v)  deroga tions from Article 18(6) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 regar ding the classif ication of production and 
relaying areas in relation to Pectinidae, mar ine gastropods and Holothuroidea; 
(vi)  where the official controls in cutting plants may be perf ormed by staff designat ed by the compe tent author ities 
for that purpose and who are appropr iately trained; 
(b)  the establishment of specific derogations in respect of Rangife r tarandus tarandus, Lagopus lagopus and Lagopus mutus 
in order to allow the continuation of longstanding local and traditional customs and practices; 
(c)  the establishment of specifi c minimum requirements, including training requirements for the official veteri narian, 
the official auxiliar y and the staff designate d by the compe tent author ities, to ensure adequate performa nce of the 
tasks descr ibed in Article 18 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625; 
(d)  the establishment of appropr iate minimum training requirements for slaughter house staff who assist in performin g 
the tasks descr ibed in Article 18(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625. 
Article 2 
Def initions 
The followi ng definitions shall apply for the purpose of this Regulation:  
(1) ‘slaught erhouse ’ means slaughte rhouse as defined in point 1.16 of Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004;  
(2) ‘holding of provenance ’ means the holding where the animals were last reared. In the case of semi-domesticat ed 
cervids as defined in point 2(q) of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of the 
Council (7), it includes round-ups intende d to select animals for slaughter;  
(3) ‘production area’ means a production area as defined in point 2.5 of Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004;  
(4) ‘rela ying area’ means a relaying area as defined in point 2.6 of Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004;  
(5) ‘staff designated by the compet ent author ities’ means a person other than the official auxiliar y and the official 
veterinar ian, who is qualified in accordance with this Regulation to act in such a capacity in cutting plants and to 
whom the compet ent author ities assign the performance of specific actions;  
(6) ‘risk analysis ’ means risk analysis as defined in Article 3(10) of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European 
Parliament and of the Council (8);  
(7) ‘cutting plant’ means a cutting plant as defined in point 1.17 of Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004;  
(8) ‘poultr y’ means poultr y as defined in point 1.3 of Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004;  
(9) ‘lagomor phs’ means lagomor phs as defined in point 1.4 of Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004;  
(10) ‘food business operat or’ means a food business operat or as defined in Article 3(3) of Regulation (EC) 
No 178/2002;  
(11) ‘domestic ungulate s’ means domestic ungulates as defined in point 1.2 of Annex I of Regulation (EC) 
No 853/2004;  
(12) ‘meat’ means meat as defined in point 1.1 of Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004;  
(13) ‘farmed game’ means farmed game as defined in point 1.6 of Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004;  
(14) ‘final consumer ’ means a final consumer as defined in Article 3(18) of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002;  
(15) ‘retail’ means retail as defined in Article 3(7) of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002; 17.5.2019 L 131/4 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN     
(7)Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2001 laying down rules for the prevention, 
control and eradication of certain transmissible spongif orm encephalopathies (OJ L 147, 31.5.2001, p. 1). 
(8)Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 Januar y 2002 laying down the general principles and 
requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safet y Authority and laying down procedures in matt ers of food safet y 
(OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1). (16) ‘establishment’ means an establishment as defined in Article 2(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004;  
(17) ‘Low- capacity slaughterhouse’ means a slaughte rhouse designated by the compet ent author ities on the basis of 
a risk analysis and in which slaughtering take s place only during part of the working day or takes place during the 
whole working day but not on each working day of the week;  
(18) ‘Low- capacity game-handling establishment’ means a game-handling establishment designated by the compet ent 
author ities on the basis of a risk analysis and in which game- handling takes place only during part of the working 
day or takes place during the whole working day but not on each working day of the week;  
(19) ‘livestoc k unit’ means a livest ock unit as defined in Article 17(6) of Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009;  
(20) ‘small wild game ’ means small wild gam e as defined in point 1.7 of Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004;  
(21) ‘gam e-handling establishment’ means a game-handling establishment as defined in point 1.18 of Annex I of 
Regulation (EC) No 853/2004;  
(22) ‘dispatc h centre’ means a dispatch centre as defined in point 2.7 of Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004;  
(23) ‘bivalve molluscs’ means bivalve molluscs as defined in point 2.1 of Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004;  
(24) ‘processing’ means processing as defined in Article 2(1)(m) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004;  
(25) ‘viscera’ means viscera as defined in point 1.12 of Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004;  
(26) ‘primar y production’ means primar y production as defined in Article 3(17) of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002;  
(27) ‘milk production holding’ means a milk production holding as defined in point 4.2 of Annex I of Regulation (EC) 
No 853/2004. 
Article 3 
Criter ia and conditions establishing when ante-mor tem inspections in certain slaughterhouses may 
be perfor med by an official auxiliar y 
1. By way of derog ation from Article 18(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, ante-mor tem inspections may be 
performed by an official auxiliar y under the super vision of the official veteri narian on species other than poultr y and 
lagomor phs, provided that the procedures applied in the slaughterh ouse compl y with the following criteria and 
conditions: 
(a)  the tasks within ante-mor tem inspections are of a purely practical nature and only concer n one or more of the 
followi ng: 
(i)  verification that the food business operator compl ies with the requirements related to food chain information 
and to the animal's identity check; 
(ii)  the preselection of animals showing possible abnor malities as regar ds human health, animal health and animal 
welfare requirements; 
(b)  the official veteri narian is immediately informed by the official auxiliar y perf orming the inspection when possible 
abnor malities are obser ved or suspect ed and the official veterinar ian then carries out the ante- mor tem inspection in 
person; and 
(c)  the official veter inar ian regularly verifies that the official auxiliar y is carrying out his/her tasks properly . 
2. By way of derog ation from Article 18(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, ante-mor tem inspections may be 
performed on all species by an official auxiliar y in a slaughte rhouse under the responsibility of the official veteri narian, 
provid ed that the following criteria and conditions are met: 
(a)  an ante-mor tem inspection has already been carried out by the official veterinar ian at the holding of provenance in 
accordance with Article 5; 
(b)  the official veteri narian is immediately informed by the official auxiliar y perf orming the inspection when possible 
abnor malities are obser ved or suspect ed and the official veterinar ian then carries out the ante- mor tem inspection in 
person; 
and 
(c)  the official veter inar ian regularly verifies that the official auxiliar y is carrying out his/her tasks properly . 17.5.2019 L 131/5 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN     3. The derogations in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply: 
(a)  to animals that undergo emergency slaughter as referred to in Chapt er VI of Section I of Annex III to Regulation 
(EC) No 853/2004; 
(b)  to animals suspected of having a disease or condition that may adversely affect human health; 
(c)  to bovine animals from herds that have not been declared officially free of tuberculosis or the officially free status of 
which has been suspended; 
(d)  to bovine animals from herds and to ovine and capr ine animals from holdings that have not been declared officially 
free of brucellosis or the officially free status of whic h has been suspended; 
(e)  in the case of an outbreak of animal diseases to animals coming from a region as defined in Article 2 of Council 
Directive 64/432/EEC (9) in whic h animal health restr ictions are applied in accordance with Union legislation; 
(f)  to animals subject to stricter controls due to the spread of emerging diseases or particular diseases liste d by the 
World Org anisation for Animal Health. 
Article 4 
Criter ia and conditions establishing when ante-mor tem inspections may be perfor med outside the 
slaughterhouse in the case of emergency slaughter 
By way of derog ation from Article 18(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, the official veteri narian may perform ante- 
mor tem inspections outside the slaughterhouse in the case of emerg ency slaughter , only in the case of domestic 
ungulates and subject to compliance with the requirements for emergency slaughter laid down in points (1), (2) and (6) 
of Chapt er VI of Section I of Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004. 
A model health certificate as set out in Annex V to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/628 (10) shall be 
issued for animals fit for slaughter . The health certificate shall accompan y the animals to the slaughterhouse or be sent 
in advance in any format. Any obser vations relevant for subsequent meat inspection shall be recorded in the health 
certificate. 
Article 5 
General criter ia and conditions laying down when ante-mor tem inspections may be perfor med at 
the holding of provenance 
1. By way of derogat ion from Article 18(2)(a) and (b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, the compet ent author ity may 
allow ante-mor tem inspections on animals intended for slaughter to be performe d at the holding of provenance in 
accordance with the criteria and conditions laid down in paragraph 2 and Article 6. 
2. The followi ng criteria and conditions shall be applied for all species: 
(a)  checks on records or documentation at the holding of provenance, including verification of the food chain 
information, shall be carried out; 
(b)  individual examination of the animals shall be facilitat ed by the food business operat or if required; 
(c)  ante-mor tem inspections at the holding of provenance shall compr ise a physical examination of the animals to 
determi ne whether: 
(i)  they have a disease or condition which may be transmitted to animals or humans through handling or 
consuming the meat of such animals, or whether they are behaving, individually or collectively , in a manner 
indicating that such a disease has occur red; 
(ii)  they show general beha vioural disturbance, signs of disease or abnor malities which may mak e the meat of such 
animals unfit for human consum ption; 17.5.2019 L 131/6 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN     
(9)Council Directive 64/432/EEC of 26 June 1964 on animal health problems affec ting intra-Community trade in bovin e animals and 
swine (OJ 121, 29.7.1964, p. 1977). 
(10)Commission Implementin g Regulation (EU) 2019/628 of 8 Apr il 2019 concer ning model official certificates for certain animals and 
goods and amending Regulation (EC) No 2074/2005 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/759 as regar ds model certificates (see 
page 101 of this Official Jour nal). (iii)  there is evidence or reason to suspect that the animals may contain chemical residues in excess of the levels laid 
down in Union legislation, or residues of forbidden substances; 
(iv)  they show signs indicating problems relat ed to animal welf are, including excessive dirtiness; 
(v)  they are fit for transpor t. 
(d)  the chec ks and ante-mor tem inspection at the holding of proven ance refer red to in (a), (b) and (c) shall be carried 
out by an official veteri narian; 
(e) the animals fit for slaughter shall be properly identif ied and separated from other animals and sent to the slaugh ­
terhouse directly from the holding of proven ance; 
(f)  a health certificate as set out in Part I of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/628 shall be issued for 
animals fit for slaughter . The health certificate shall accompan y the animals to the slaughterhouse or be sent in 
advance in any format. Any obser vations relevant for subsequent meat inspection shall be recorded in the health 
certificate. 
3. At the slaughterhouse the follo wing additional chec ks shall be carried out in accordance with Article 18(2)(a) 
and (b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 and Article 3 of this Regulation: 
(a)  regular verification of the food business operators' oblig ation to ensure that the animals are identif ied properly ; 
(b) regular verification that animal welf are rules have been complied with during transpor t and at arrival in the slaugh ­
terhouse and whether there are signs of any condition which might adversely affect human or animal health. 
4. In the event that the animals are not slaughtered within three days, or 28 days in cases referred to in Article 6(5), 
from the date of issue of the health certificate refer red to in paragraph 2(f): 
(a)  where the animals have not been dispatched from the holding of proven ance to the slaughterh ouse, an additional 
ante-mor tem inspection shall be carried out and a new health certificate shall be issued; 
(b)  where the animals are already on their way to or are at the slaughterh ouse, the slaughter may be author ised as soon 
as the reason for the dela y has been assessed, provi ded that the animals undergo an additional ante-mor tem 
inspection in accordance with Article 11 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/627 (11). 
Article 6 
Species specif ic criter ia and conditions laying down when ante-mor tem inspections may be 
perfor med at the holding of provenance 
1. The compet ent author ities shall apply the specific criteria and conditions laid down in this Article in the relevant 
cases of poultr y and farmed game. 
2. In the case of poultr y reared for the production of ‘foie gras’ and of dela yed eviscerated poultr y slaughtered at the 
holding of proven ance, the certificate compl eted in accordance with the model health certificate set out in Part II of 
Annex IV of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/628, shall accompan y the uneviscerat ed carcasses to the slaugh ­
terhouse or cutting plant or be sent in advance in any format, instead of the certificate referred to in point 2(f) of 
Article 5. 
3. In the case of farmed game slaughtered at the holding of proven ance in accordance with point 3 of Section III of 
Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004, the certificate compl eted in accordance with the model health certificate set 
out in Part III of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/628 shall accompan y the animals to the slaugh ­
terhouse or be sent in advance in any format, inste ad of the certificate referred to in point 2(f) of Article 5. 
4. In the case of farmed game slaughtere d at the holding of provenance in accordance with point 3(a) of Section III 
of Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004: 
(a)  a certificate compl eted in accordance with the model health certificate set out in Part IV of Annex IV to 
Imp lementing Regulation (EU) 2019/628 shall accompan y the animals to the slaughter house or be sent in advance 
in any format, instead of the certificate refer red to in point 2(f) of Article 5; 
(b)  the official veteri narian shall regularly verify that those carrying out the slaughte r and bleeding properly perform 
their tasks. 17.5.2019 L 131/7 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN     
(11)Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/627 of 15 March 2019 laying down unif orm practical arrangements for the 
perf ormance of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consump tion in accordance with Regulation (EU) 
2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Regulation (EC) No 2074/2005 as regar ds official 
controls (see page 51 of this Official Jour nal). 5. By way of derogat ion from Article 5(4), Member States may allow slaughter of farmed game until 28 days from 
the date of issue of the health certificate referred to in Article 5(2)(f) if: 
(a)  only small quantities of the farmed game meat are directly supplied by the producer to the final consumer or to 
local retail establishments directly supplying to the final consumer ; and 
(b)  not more than 50 animals are slaughtered per year and per holding of provena nce. 
Article 7 
Criter ia and conditions for the perfor mance of pos t-mor tem inspections under the responsibility 
of the official veter inar ian, referred to in Article 18(2)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 
(1) Post-mor tem inspections refer red to in Article 18(2)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 may be performe d by an 
official auxiliar y under the responsibility of the official veterinar ian, subject to compliance with Chapt er II of Annex II to 
this Regulation, when the followi ng criteria and conditions are met : 
(a)  the slaughter or game-handling activities are carried out in a low-capacity slaughterh ouse or game-handling 
establishment which slaughters or handles: 
(i)  less than 1 000 livest ock units per year; or 
(ii)  less than 150 000 poultr y, lagomor phs and small wild game per year; 
(b)  the compet ent author ity may increase the thresholds laid down in point (a) ensur ing that the derogat ion is applied 
in the smallest slaughterh ouses and game handling establishments compl ying with the definit ion of low-capacity 
slaughterh ouse or game-handling establishment and provi ded that the combined annual production of these 
establishments does not exceed 5 % of the total amount of fresh meat produced in a Member State: 
(i)  for the species concer ned; 
(ii)  of all ungulates together ; 
(iii)  of all poultr y together ; or, 
(iv)  of all birds and lagomor phs together; 
in such case, the compet ent author ities shall notify this derogat ion and the evidence to suppor t it in accordance with 
the procedure laid down in Directive (EU) 2015/1535 of the European Parliament and of the Council (12); 
(c)  the establishment concer ned has sufficient facilities to store meat with abnor malities separately from other meat 
until the official veteri narian can inspect the meat with abnor malities in person; 
(d)  the official veterinar ian is present in the establishment at least once a day, including regularly during slaughter 
activities; 
(e)  the compet ent author ity has put in place a procedure to assess on a regular basis the performa nce of official 
auxiliar ies in these establishments, including: 
(i)  monitoring individual performa nce; 
(ii)  verifying documentation on inspection findings and compari ng it with the corresponding carcasses; 
(iii)  checks of carcasses in the storage room; 
(f)  a risk analysis has been carried out by the compet ent author ity, taking at least account of the followi ng elements: 
(i)  the number of animals slaughtere d or handled per hour or per day; 
(ii)  the species and class of animals slaughter ed or handled; 
(iii)  the throughput of the establishment ; 
(iv)  the histor ical performa nce of slaughter or handling activities; 
(v)  the effectiveness of any additional measures in the food chain taken to guarant ee the food safety of animals 
intended for slaughter; 17.5.2019 L 131/8 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN     
(12)Directive (EU) 2015/1535 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 Sept ember 2015 laying down a procedure for the 
provi sion of information in the field of technical regulations and of rules on Information Society services (OJ L 241, 17.9.2015, p. 1). (vi)  the effectiveness of the hazard analysis and critical control point (HA CCP)-based procedures; 
(vii)  audit records; 
(viii)  the compet ent author ity's histo rical records of ante-mor tem and post-mor tem inspections. 
(2) For the purpose of point (a) (i) of paragraph 1, the conversion rates laid down in Article 17(6) of Regulation (EC) 
No 1099/2009 shall be used. However in case of ovine and capr ine animals and small (< 100 kg life weight) Cervidae 
a conversion rate of 0,05 livestoc k units, and in case of other large game a conver sion rate of 0,2 livestoc k units shall be 
used. 
Article 8 
Perfor mance of post-mor tem inspections by the official veter inar ian 
Post-mor tem inspection shall be perf ormed by the official veteri narian in the following cases: 
(a)  animals that undergo emerg ency slaughter as referred to in Chapt er VI of Section I of Annex III to Regulation (EC) 
No 853/2004; 
(b)  animals suspected of having a disease or condition that may adversely affect human health; 
(c)  bovine animals from herds that have not been declared officially free of tuberculosis; 
(d)  bovine , ovine and capr ine animals from herds that have not been declared officially free of brucellosis; 
(e)  outbreak of animal diseases for which animal health rules are laid down in Union legislation. This concer ns animals 
susceptible to the particular disease in question that come from the particular region as defined in Article 2(2)(p) of 
Directive 64/432/EEC; 
(f)  when stricter controls are necessar y to take account of emerging diseases or particular diseases listed by the World 
Org anisation for Animal Health; 
(g)  in case of derogation on the timing of post-mor tem inspection in accordance with Article 13 of Implementing 
Regulation (EU) 2019/627. 
Article 9 
Criter ia and conditions for the perfor mance of auditing activities in slaughterhouses and 
game-handling establishments 
The auditing activities refer red to in Article 18(2)(d)(iii) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 may be performe d in slaughter ­
houses and game-handling establishments by official auxiliar ies under the responsibility of the official veterinar ian only 
as regar ds the collection of information on good hygiene practices and HACCP -based procedures, and subject to 
compl iance with Chapt er II of Annex II to this Regulation. 
Article 10 
Criter ia and conditions for the perfor mance of official controls including auditing activities in 
cutting plants 
Offi cial controls refer red to in Article 18(2)(d), including auditing activities, in cutting plants may also be performe d 
by other staff designated by the compet ent author ities, by way of derogation from the requirements laid down in 
Article 18(2)(d) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, provid ed that the compet ent author ities regularly chec k the work of such 
staff. Performance of these activities is subject to compliance with Chapt er III of Annex II to this Regulation. 
Article 11 
Official controls on Pectinidae and mar ine gastropods and Holothur oidea, which are not filter 
feeders, that are harvested from production areas which are not classif ied in accordance with 
Article 18(6) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 
By way of deroga tion from Article 18(6) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, the classificat ion of production and relaying 
areas is not required in relation to the harvesting of Pectinidae, mar ine gastropods and Holothuro idea, which are not filter 
feeders, when the compet ent author ities carry out official controls on such animals in fish auctions, dispatch centres and 
processing establishments. 17.5.2019 L 131/9 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN     Such official controls shall verify compl iance with: 
(a)  the health standards for live bivalve molluscs set out in Chapt er V of Section VII of Annex III to Regulation (EC) 
No 853/2004; 
(b)  the specifi c requirements for Pectinidae and mar ine gastropods and Holothuro idea whic h are not filter feeders, that are 
harveste d outside the classif ied production areas, set out in Chapt er IX of that Section. 
Article 12 
Specif ic derogations in respect of Rangif er tarandus tarandus, Lagopus lagopus and Lagopus mutus, 
as provided for in Article 18(7)(h) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 
1. In accordance with Article 18(7)(h) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, the followi ng specific derogations from the 
official control requirements for Rangife r tarandus tarandus (reindeer) that are laid down in Article 18 of that Regulation 
may be granted by Sweden and Finland in respect of the areas of those Member States listed in Annex I to this 
Regulation without affecting the achievement of the objectives of that Regulation: 
(a)  by way of derogat ion from Article 18(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, official controls shall not be required on 
meat derived from Rangif er tarandus tarandus, where it is directly supplied by the producer in small amounts to the 
final consumer or to local retail establishments directly supplying the final consumer ; 
(b)  by way of derogat ion from Article 18(2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, an ante-mor tem inspection is not mandat ory 
for stray reindeer slaughter ed in sing le cases between 1 May and 30 Sept ember ; 
(c)  by way of derog ation from Article 18(2)(c) and (3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, slaughterhouse staff who have 
received training appropr iate to this task in accordance with Article 14 may inspect: 
(i)  abdominal viscera excl uding liver and kidne ys; 
(ii)  genital organs; 
(iii)  udder . 
2. By way of derog ation from Article 18(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, official controls shall not be required on 
meat derived from Lagopus lagopus and Lagopus mutus (grouse), where they are killed by snar ing in the Swedish counties 
of Nor rbotten, Västerbott en and Jämtland and the Swedish municipality of Älvdalen in Dalar na county during the winter 
hunting season. 
Article 13 
Specif ic minimum requirements for the official veter inar ian, the official auxiliar y and the staff 
designated by the competent author ities 
1. Official veterinar ians performing task s provid ed for in Article 18 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 shall comply with 
the minimum specific requirements set out in Chapt er I of Annex II to this Regulation. 
By way of derogation from the rules laid down in points 1 to 6 of Chapt er I of Annex II, Member States may lay down 
specific rules for: 
(a)  official veteri narians working on a part-time basis who are responsible for inspecting small businesses or only 
carrying out official controls at primar y production, in particular controls in milk production holdings and ante- 
mor tem inspections outside slaughter houses; and 
(b)  veteri nary students having successfully passed an exam on the subjects refer red to in point 3 of Chapt er I of 
Annex II and who are temporar ily working at a slaughter house in the presence of an official veterinar ian. 
2. Veterinar ians already appoint ed as official veteri narians before the date of application of this Regulation shall have 
adequate knowledg e of the subjects referred to in point 3 of Chapt er I of Annex II to this Regulation. Where necessar y, 
the compet ent author ity shall ensure that such kno wledge is obtained through continuing training activities. 
3. Official auxiliar ies performi ng the tasks provided for in Article 18 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 shall compl y with 
the minimum specific requirements set out in Chapt er II of Annex II to this Regulation. 
4. Staff designate d by the compet ent author ities performin g the tasks provided for in Article 18 of Regulation (EU) 
2017/625 shall compl y with the minimum specific requirements set out in Chapt er III of Annex II to this Regulation. 17.5.2019 L 131/10 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN     Article 14 
Minimum training requirements for slaughterhouse staff 
Slaughter house staff assisting in the perf ormance of tasks relat ed to official controls and other control activities in 
accordance with Article 18(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 shall be trained to the satisf action of the compet ent 
author ities. They shall also compl y with the minimum training requirements set out in Chapt er II of Annex II to this 
Regulation to the extent relevant for their assistance task s. 
Article 15 
Entr y into force and applicability 
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day followi ng that of its publication in the Official Journal of the 
European Union. 
It shall apply from 14 December 2019. 
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member State s. 
Done at Brussels, 8 Febr uary 2019. 
For the Commission 
The President 
Jean-Claude JUNCK ER  17.5.2019 L 131/11 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN     ANNEX I 
SPECIFIC DER OGA TIONS FOR THE INSPECTION OF MEA T DERIVED FROM REINDEER (RANGIFER 
TARANDUS TARANDUS) 
The specif ic derogat ions refer red to in Article 12(1) shall only apply in the follo wing areas: 
(a)  In Sweden: 
(i)  the county of Nor rbotten; 
(ii)  the county of Västerb otten; 
(iii)  the county of Jämtland; 
(iv)  the county of Västern orrland; 
(v)  the Älvdalen municipality in the county of Dalar na; 
(vi)  the municipalities of Nordanstig, Hudiksv all and Söderhamn in the county of Gävleborg. 
(b)  In Finland, as they were allowed on 31 December 2014: 
(i)  the county of Lapland excep t for the municipalities of Kemi, Keminmaa and Tornio; 
(ii)  the counties of Nor th Ostrobothnia and Kainuu: 
—  the municipalities of Kuusamo, Taivalk oski, Pudasjär vi, Suomussalmi and Hyrynsalmi; 
—  in the municipality of Oulu: the area of the former Yli-Ii municipality and the area to the north of the River 
Kiiminkijoki in the former Ylikiiminki municipality ; 
—  in the municipality of Ii: the area of the former Kuivaniemi municipality ; 
—  in the municipalities of Puolanka and Utajär vi: the areas to the north of the River Kiiminki joki and regional 
road 891 (Hyr ynsalmi-Puolanka).  17.5.2019 L 131/12 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN     ANNEX II 
SPECIFIC MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OFFICIAL VETERINARIAN , THE OFFICIAL AUXILIAR Y 
AND THE STAFF DESIGNA TED BY THE COM PETENT AUTHORITIES 
CHAPTER I 
OFFICIAL VETERINARIANS 
1.  The compet ent author ities may appoint as an official veterinar ian only veterinar ians who have passed a test 
meeting the requirements set out in point 3. 
2.  The compe tent author ities must mak e arrang ements for the test for candidates applying to be appointed as an 
official veteri narian. 
3.  The test must demonstrate knowledg e of the following subjects, specifi cally targe ted to the tasks of official 
veterinar ian and to the extent necessar y depending on the veteri narian's back ground and qualifi cations while 
avoiding any duplication of tests on the kno wledge and skills required for veteri nary surgeon in accordance with 
Article 38(3) of Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (1): 
(a)  national and Union legislation on human health, food safety , animal health, animal welf are and phar maceutical 
substances; 
(b)  principles of the common agricultural policy , mark et measures, expor t refunds and fraud detection, including 
the global context: World Trade Org anisation sanitar y and phytosanitar y agreement, Codex Alimentar ius, the 
World Org anisation for Animal Health; 
(c)  essentials of food processing and food technology ; 
(d)  principles, concep ts and methods of good manufactur ing practice and quality management; 
(e)  pre-har vest quality manag ement (good farming practices); 
(f)  promotion and use of food hygiene, food-relate d safety (good hygiene practices); 
(g)  principles, concep ts and methods of risk analysis; 
(h)  principles, concep ts and methods of HACCP , use of HACCP throughout the food production food chain; 
(i)  auditing and verification of compl iance with the requirements referred to in points a) to h); 
(j)  prevention and control of food-bor ne hazards to human health; 
(k)  population dynamics of infection and into xication; 
(l)  diagnostic epidemiology ; 
(m)  monitori ng and surveillance system s; 
(n)  principles and diagnostic applications of moder n testing methods; 
(o)  information and communication technology when relevant as working tools; 
(p)  data-handling and applications of biostatistics; 
(q)  inve stigations of outbreak s of food-bor ne diseases in humans; 
(r)  relevant aspects concer ning transmissible spongif orm encephalopathies (TSEs); 
(s)  animal welfare at the level of production, transpor t and slaughter; 
(t)  environmental issues relat ed to food production (including waste manage ment); 
(u)  precautionar y principle and consumer concer ns; 
(v)  principles of training personnel working in the production chain; 17.5.2019 L 131/13 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN     
(1)Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professio nal qualifi ­
cations (OJ L 255, 30.9.2005, p. 22). (w)  health rules as regards animal by-products and derived products; 
(x)  fraud aspects. 
Candidat es may acquire the required kno wledge as part of their basic veterinar y training, or through training 
under taken or professional exper ience acquired after qualifying as veterinar ians. 
If the compet ent author ities are satisfied that a candidate has acquired all the required kno wledge as part of 
a university degree, or through continuing education resulting in a postgraduat e qualifi cation, professional 
exper ience or other qualifications, it shall waive the requirement for a test. If the candidate has partly acquired the 
required knowle dge, the compet ent author ities shall arrang e for tests differ ent from those refer red to in point 2 to 
take account of candidates' backg round. 
4.  The official veterinar ian must have aptitude for multidisciplinar y cooperation. 
5.  Each official veteri narian must undergo practical training for a probationar y period of at least 200 hours before 
starting to work independently . Relevant training during vete rinar y studies may be included in the probationar y 
period. Dur ing this period the probationer is to work under the super vision of existing official veteri narians in 
slaughter houses, cutting plants and on holdings. The training must concer n the auditing of Good Hygiene Practices 
and procedures based on the HACCP principles in particular . 
6.  The official veteri narian must keep up-to-dat e and keep abreast of new developments through regular continuing 
education activities and profess ional literature in the areas refer red to in point 3. The offici al veteri narian must, 
wherever possible, under take annual continuing education activities. 
7.  Mutual recognition of the tests for official veterinar ians between Member States must apply , when professionals 
mov e cross-border or wish to establish themselves in another Member State. In such case the tests must be limited 
to subjects, essential for human health and animal health prot ection in the Member States of emplo yment, but not 
covered by the tests in the Member State of origin. 
CHA PTER II 
OFFICIAL AUXILIAR Y 
1.  Only people who have undergone training and passed a test in accordance with the requirements set out in point 5 
are allowe d to carry out the task s of an official auxiliar y. 
2.  The compet ent author ities shall mak e arrang ements for the tests refer red to in point 1. To be eligible for these 
tests, candidates must prove that they have received: 
(a)  at least 500 hours of training, including at least 400 hours of practical training, covering the areas referred to 
in point 5; and 
(b)  any additional training required to enable official auxiliar ies to under take their duties compet ently . 
3.  The practical training referred to in point 2(a) must take place in slaughte rhouses, game-handling establishments 
and/or cutting plants under the super vision of an official veteri narian. 
4.  Training and tests must concer n principally red meat or poultr y meat. However , people who undergo training for 
one of these two cate gories and pass the test must only be required to undergo abridged training to pass the test 
for the other catego ry. The training and tests must cover wild game, farmed gam e and lagomor phs, where 
appropr iate. 
5.  Training for official auxiliar ies must cover, and tests must conf irm knowle dge of, the followi ng subjects: 
(a)  in relation to holdings: 
(i)  theoretical part: 
—  backg round relat ed to the farming industr y organisation, production methods, international trade 
standards for animals; 
—  good livestoc k husbandr y practices; 17.5.2019 L 131/14 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN     —  basic knowledg e of diseases, in particular zoonoses by viruses, bacte ria and parasites; 
—  monitori ng for disease, use of medicines and vaccines, residue testing; 
—  hygiene and health inspection; 
—  animal welf are on the farm and during transpor t; 
—  envi ronmental requirements — in buildings, on farms and in general; 
—  relevant laws, regulations and administrative provisions; 
—  consumer concer ns and quality control; 
(ii)  practical part: 
—  visits to holdings of different types and using different rear ing methods; 
—  visits to production establishments; 
—  obser vation of the loading and unloading of animals; 
—  laboratory demonstrations; 
—  veteri nary checks; 
—  documentation; 
(b)  in relation to slaughter houses, gam e-handling establishments and cutting plants: 
(i)  theoretical part: 
—  backg round related to meat industr y organisation, production methods, intern ational trade standards 
for food and slaughter and cutting technology ; 
—  basic knowledg e of hygiene and good hygi enic practices, and in particular industr ial hygiene, slaughter , 
cutting and stora ge hygiene, hygiene at work; 
—  basic knowledg e of HACCP and the audit of HACCP -based procedures; 
—  animal welf are on unloading after transpor t and at the slaughter house; 
—  basic knowledg e of the anatom y and physiology of slaughter ed animals; 
—  basic knowledg e of the pathology of slaughtered animals; 
—  basic knowledg e of the pathological anat omy of slaughtered animals; 
—  relevant knowledg e concer ning TSEs and other important zoonoses and zoonotic agents, as well as 
impor tant animal diseases; 
—  knowledg e of methods and procedures for the slaughter , inspection, preparation, wrapping, packag ing 
and transpor t of fresh meat ; 
—  basic knowledg e of microbiology ; 
—  ante- mor tem inspection; 
—  sampli ng and analysis for Trichinella; 
—  post-mor tem inspection; 
—  administrative tasks; 
—  knowledg e of the relevant laws, regulations and administrative provisions; 
—  sampli ng procedure; 
—  fraud aspects; 
(ii)  practical part: 
—  animal identification; 
—  age chec ks; 17.5.2019 L 131/15 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN     —  inspection and assessment of slaughter ed animals; 
—  ante- mor tem inspection at the slaughterhouse; 
—  post-mor tem inspection in a slaughter house or game-handling establishment ; 
—  sampli ng and analysis for Trichinella; 
—  identif ication of animal species by examining typical parts of the animal; 
—  identifying and commenting on parts of slaughtere d animals in which chang es have occur red; 
—  hygiene control, including the audit of the good hygiene practices and the HACCP -based procedures; 
—  recording the results of ante-mor tem inspections; 
—  sampli ng; 
—  traceability of meat ; 
—  documentation such as evaluation of food chain information and record reading. 
6.  The compe tent author ities may decide to reduce training and tests as regards: 
(a)  the theoretical part if the offici al auxiliar y demonstrate s suffi cient education on specifi c bullet points laid down 
in point 5(a)(i) or (b)(i) of this Chapt er; 
(b)  the practical part if the official auxiliar y demonstrates sufficient working exper ience on specifi c bullet points 
laid down in point 5(a)(ii) or (b)(ii) of this Chapt er. 
7.  The official auxiliar y must have aptitu de for multidisciplinar y cooperation. 
8.  Offi cial auxiliar ies must keep up-to -date and abreast of new developments through regular continuing education 
activities and profes sional literature. The official auxiliar y must, wherever possible, under take annual continuing 
training activities. 
9.  If official auxiliar ies carry out only sampling and analysis in connection with examinations for Trichinella and 
microbiological criteria, the compet ent author ities are only required to ensure that they receive training appropr iate 
to these tasks. 
10.  Mutual recognition of the tests for official auxiliar ies between Member States must apply , when professionals mov e 
cross-border or wish to establish themselves in another Member State. In such case the tests must be limite d to 
subjects, essential for human health and animal health protection in the Member States of emplo yment, but not 
covered by the tests in the Member State of origin. 
CHAPTER III 
STAFF DESIGNA TED BY THE COMP ETENT AUTHORITIES 
1.  The compet ent author ities may only appoint staff who have undergone training and passed a test in accordance 
with the requirements set out in point 5 of this Chapt er. 
2.  The compet ent author ities must make arrangements for the test referred to in point 1. To be eligible for this test, 
candidates must prove that they have received: 
(a)  at least 500 hours of training including at least 400 hours of practical training covering the areas refer red to in 
point 5; and 
(b)  any additional training required to enable staff designated by the compe tent author ities to under take their 
duties compet ently . 
3.  The practical training refer red to in point 2(a) must take place in cutting plants, under the super vision of an official 
veterinar ian. 
4.  Training and tests must concer n principally red meat or poultr y meat. However , people who undergo training for 
one of these two cate gories and pass the test must only be required to undergo abridged training to pass the test 
for the other catego ry. The training and tests must cover wild game, farmed gam e and lagomor phs, where 
appropr iate. 17.5.2019 L 131/16 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN     5.  Training for staff designated by the compet ent author ities must include, and tests must conf irm knowledg e of, the 
follo wing subjects in relation to cutting plants: 
(i)  theoretical part: 
—  backg round relat ed to meat industr y organisation, production methods, international trade standards for 
food and cutting technology ; 
—  thorough kno wledge of hygiene and good hygienic practices, and in particular industr ial hygiene, cutting 
and storage hygiene, hygiene at work; 
—  thorough knowledg e of HACCP and the audit of HACCP -based procedures; 
—  relevant knowledg e concer ning TSEs and other important zoonoses and zoonotic agents; 
—  knowle dge of methods and procedures for the preparation, wrapping, packa ging and transpor t of fresh 
meat ; 
—  basic knowledg e of microbiology ; 
—  administrative tasks; 
—  knowle dge of the relevant laws, regulations and administrative provisions; 
—  sampli ng procedure; 
—  fraud aspects; 
(ii)  practical part: 
—  inspection and assessment of slaughter ed animals; 
—  hygiene control, including the audit of the good hygiene practices and the HACCP -based procedures; 
—  sampli ng; 
—  traceability of meat ; 
—  documentation. 
6.  The compe tent author ities may decide to reduce training and tests as regards: 
(a)  the theoretical part if the staff designat ed by the compe tent author ities demonstrates suffi cient education on 
specifi c bullet points laid down in point 5(i) of this Chapt er; 
(b)  the practical part if the staff designated by the compet ent author ities demonstrate s sufficient working 
exper ience on specifi c bullet points laid down in point 5(ii) of this Chapt er. 
7.  The staff designated by the compet ent author ities must have an aptitude for multidisciplinar y cooperation. 
8.  Staff designat ed by the compet ent author ities must keep up-to -date and abreast of new developments through 
regular continuing education activities and professional literature. The staff designat ed by the compet ent author ities 
must, wherever possible, under take annual continuing training activities. 
9.  Mutual recognition of the tests for other staff designat ed by compet ent author ities between Member State s must 
apply , when profe ssionals move cross-border or wish to establish themselves in another Member State . In such 
case the tests must be limited to subjects, essential for human health and animal health protection in the Member 
State s of emplo yment, but not covered by the tests in the Member State of origin.  17.5.2019 L 131/17 Official Jour nal of the European Union EN