EN   EN  
 
 
 EUROPEAN  
COMMISSION   
Brussels, XXX  
SANTE/10193/2017 CIS Rev. 2 
(POOL/G4/2017/10193/10193R2 -EN 
CIS.doc)  
[…](2018) XXX  draft  
 
COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) …/...  
of XXX  
concerning specific rules for the performance of official controls on the production of 
meat and for production and relaying areas of live bivalve molluscs in accordance with 
Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council  
(Text with EEA relevance)  
This draft has not been adopted or endorsed by the European Commission. Any 
views expressed are the preliminary views of the Commission services and may not 
in any circumstances be regarded as stating an official position of the C ommission.    
EN 0  EN    
EN 1  EN  of XXX COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) …/...  
concerning specific rules for the  performance of official controls on the production of 
meat and for production and relaying areas of live bivalve molluscs in accordance with 
Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council  
(Text with EEA relevance)  
 
   
EN 2  EN  EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM  
1. LEGAL  CONTEXT  OF THIS  DELEGATED  REGULATION  
Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council1 lays down rules 
for the performance of official controls and other control activities by the competent 
authorities of the Membe r States, in particular in relation to the production of products of 
animal origin intended for human consumption.  
This draft Delegated Regulation supplements Regulation (EU) 2017/625 concern ing official 
controls related to the production of meat (meat ins pection) and for the production and 
relaying areas of Pectinidae,  marine gastropods and Holothuroidea . 
In principle, meat inspections are carried out by the official veterinarian. This Delegated 
Regulation  provides for  a derogation from the basic requirements laid down in Regulation 
(EU) 2017/625,  and is intended to establish  the criteria and conditions for certain tasks 
relating to meat inspections in slaughterhouses and official controls in game -handling 
establishments and cutting plants, to be carried out by official auxiliaries or other staff 
designated by the competent authorities under the supervision or under the responsibility of 
the official veterinarian. It also lay s down : 
 the criteria and conditions for the perf ormance of ante -mortem inspections outside 
the slaughterhouse ; 
 the criteria and conditions for the performance of post-mortem inspections by the 
official veterinarian in the case of emergency slaughter ; 
 the specific requirements for official veterinarians,  official auxiliaries and other staff 
designated by the competent authorities ; 
 the training require d of slaughterhouse staff in order to perform certain inspection 
tasks.  
This Delegated Regulation also lays down f urther derogations concerning official cont rols for 
the production of meat from reindeer and grouse in order to continue longstanding local and 
traditional practices already  notified to and favourably assessed by the Commission and the 
Member States.  
In principle, competent authorities must  classif y production and relaying areas where live 
bivalve molluscs are harvested. This Delegated Regulation is intended to establish, by way of 
derogation from the basic requirements laid down in Regulation (EU) 2017/625, the criteria 
and conditions under which  the production and relaying areas  of Pectinidae , marine 
gastropods and Holothuride a are not to be classified.  
                                                 
1 Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on official 
controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on 
animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection 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, 60/425/EEC, 91/496/EEC, 96/23/EC,  96/93/EC and 97/78/EC and Council 
Decision 92/438/EEC (Official Controls Regulation) (OJ L 95, 7.4.2017, p. 1).   
EN 3  EN  2. CONSULTATIONS  PRIOR  TO THE  ADOPTION  OF THIS  DELEGATED  
REGULATION  
The question of who should perform meat inspections was discussed at length during the 
negotiations with the Council and the European Parliament concerning Regulation (EU) 
2017/625  at all stages of the ordinary legislative procedure.  
Nevertheless, the Commission invited representatives of the European Parliament and the 
Member Sta tes to participate in expert group meetings during the preparation of this draft 
Delegated Regulation.  
In addition, private stakeholders ’ organisations were consulted within the framework of the 
Advisory Group on the Food Chain and Animal and Plant Health.  
Finally, before adopting this Delegated Regulation  the Commission conducted  public 
consultations in an open and transparent way in accordance with the procedures laid down in 
the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law -Making2. 
No impact assessment has  been carried out, as the Delegated Regulation is not expected to 
have any  significant additional impact compared to the current rules laid down in Regulation 
(EC) No 854/2004 . Although this Delegated Regulation fixes criteria and conditions under 
which  the official veterinarian need not be present and certain official control tasks can be  
carried out by official auxiliaries or other staff designated by the competent authorities, these 
most ly reflect current practices and principles and rules already laid d own in Regulation (EU) 
2017/625 . These practices and principles  would thus remain unchanged as:  
– they are the common , efficient practices that have proven successful for a number of 
years and guarantee a proper check of health and welfare of animals as well  as a 
sound basis for ensuring the protection of human health ; 
– they are accepted and used worldwide and any reduction of the control pressure 
(perceived from our trade partners) would be detrimental to the Union ’s ability to 
export products of animal origi n for human consumption that have undergone these 
controls ; 
– taking into account the aim of equality of treatment applied to imported products of 
animal origin for human consumption, a change could lead to increased risks for 
public and animal health in the  European Union and would negatively affect the 
objectives of th is initiative.  
The outcome of the discussions on Regulation (EU) 2017/625 at the level of Council and of 
the Parliament clearly indicated the need for such a conservative approach . This w as sh own, 
for example, by that Regulation establish ing the conditions for the involvement of 
slaughterhouse staff.  
3. LEGAL  ELEMENTS  OF THE  DELEGATED  ACT  
Adopti ng a Commission Delegated Regulation pursuant to Article  18(7) of Regulation 
(EU) 2017/625 is also necessary, as Regulation (EU) 2017/625 repeals Regulation (EC) 
No 854/20043, which currently lays down specific rules for the organisation of official 
controls on products of animal origin, with effect from 14 December 2019.
                                                 
2 http://ec.europa.eu/smart -regulation/better_regulation/documents/iia_blm_final_en.pdf . 
3 Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying 
down specific rules for the organisation of official controls on products of animal origin intended for 
human consumption (OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 206).   
EN 4  EN  COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) …/...  
of XXX  
concerning specific rules for the performance of official controls on the production of 
meat and for production and relaying areas of live bivalve molluscs in accordance with 
Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European P arliament and of the Council  
(Text with EEA relevance)  
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,  
Having regard 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 March 2017 o n official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the 
application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant 
protection 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, 60/425/EEC, 91/496/EEC, 
96/23/EC,  96/93/EC and 97/78/EC and Council Dec ision 92/438/EEC (Official Controls 
Regulation)4, and in particular Article 18(7) thereof,  
Whereas:  
(1) Regulation (EU) 2017/625 lays down rules for the official controls and other offic ial 
activities performed by the competent authorities of the Member States  in order to 
verify that matters such as  food safety compl y with Union legislation at all stages of 
the production, processing and distribution process. In particular, it provides for 
official controls to be performed on products of animal origin intended for human 
consumption in order to verify compliance with the requirements laid down in 
Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council5, 
Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council6, 
Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council7 and 
Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/20098. 
                                                 
4 OJ L  95, 7.4.2017, p. 1.  
5 Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the 
hygiene of foodstuffs (OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 1).  
6 Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 Ap ril 2004 laying 
down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin (OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 55).  
7 Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 
laying down health rules as regards animal by -products and d erived products not intended for human 
consumption and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 (Animal by -products Regulation)  
(OJ L 300, 14.11.2009, p. 1).  
8 Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 of 24 September 2009 on the protection of animals at the time  
of killing (OJ L 303, 18.11.2009, p. 1).   
EN 5  EN  (2) Regulation (EU) 2017/625 repeals Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 of the European 
Parliament and of the Council9 with effect from 14 December 2019. Regulation  (EC) 
No 854/2004 currently lays down specific rules for the organisation of official controls 
on products of animal origin intended for human consumption in order to verify 
compliance with the requirements of Regulations (EC) No 852/2004 , (EC) 
No 853/2004  and (EC) No 1069/2009. It also provides 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, t aking into account 
the experience gained since the date of adoption 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 distribution.  
(4) Regulation (EU) 2017/625 provides for delegated acts to be adopted , laying down the 
criteria and conditions for derogations from certain requirements of that Regulation , so 
that ante-mortem and post -mortem inspections  can be performed  under the 
responsibi lity of the official veterinarian, instead of being performed or supervised by 
the official veterinarian . These delegated acts should also lay down the criteria and 
conditions under which  official controls may be performed by other staff designated 
by the competent authorities in cutting plants.  
(5) Ante-mortem inspection is essential for the protection of human health, animal health 
and animal welfare and therefore remain s the responsibility of the official veterinarian . 
However , certain routine tasks within a nte-mortem inspection in slaughterhouses 
might be carried out by the official auxiliary without  compromising the achievement 
of the objectives of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 are not affected,  provided  certain 
criteria and conditions are complied with.  
(6) In particular, if ante -mortem inspection has been carried out by the official 
veterinarian at the holding of provenance, more flexibility should  be given to the ante -
mortem inspection at arrival in the slaughterhouse which might be carried out under 
the re sponsibility of the official veterinarian . However, w hen no ante -mortem 
inspection took place at the holding of provenance, the delegation of tasks should only 
be allowed if the inspections are supervis ed by  the official veterinarian , subject to 
certain cr iteria and conditions  for species other than poultry and lagomorphs.  
(7) In the event of emergency slaughter, ante -mortem inspection cannot be carried out in 
the slaughterhouse. In order to  avoid  causing the animal unnecessary suffering by 
transporting it to a  slaughterhouse , and to  limit economic losses for operators and 
reduce food waste, criteria and conditions should be laid down permitting ante -mortem 
inspection to be performed outside the slaughterhouse  in the event of an emergency 
slaughter . Animals subj ect to emergency slaughter may still be fit for human 
consumption subject to a favourable meat inspection.  These inspections should 
provide maximal guarantees of the fitness for consumption when allowing emergency 
slaughter outside the slaughterhouse . 
(8) It might be more efficient to evaluate human health, animal health and animal welfare 
requirements by carrying out ante -mortem inspections at the holding of provenance 
                                                 
9 Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying 
down specific rules for the organisation of official controls on products of animal origin intended for 
human cons umption (OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 206).   
EN 6  EN  instead of in the slaughterhouse. Derogations from ante -mortem inspections in the 
slaughterh ouse should therefore be allowed in all species , subject to certain criteria.  
(9) While post -mortem inspections and auditing activities are essential to protect human 
health, animal health and animal welfare  and should therefore remain the 
responsibility of th e official veterinarian , certain tasks may be carried out by the 
official auxiliary , provided sufficient guarantees are met for these  objectives , if certain 
criteria and conditions are complied with. These criteria and conditions should allow, 
in particula r, a continuation of current practices in the case of discontinued slaughter 
in low-capacity slaughterhouses  and game -handling establishments . 
(10) When derogating from the basic requirements on ante -mortem and post -mortem 
inspection in slaughterhouses and game -handling establishments , criteria and 
conditions need to be defined. A threshold of production is a  non-discriminatory 
criteri on, focussing on the smallest establishments in accordance with Article 16(3)(a)  
of Regulation (EU) 2017/625. Since the struc ture of these establishments is different 
in Member States, this threshold should be based on the number of animals 
slaughtered or handled or on the demonstration that it represents a  limited and fixed 
percentage of the meat placed on the ma rket. Regulatio n (EC) No 1099/2009  defines 
livestock units and lays down conversion rates  to express the number of animals of a 
certain species in such livestock units. T hese provisions should be used  to set 
thresholds  and harmonize derogations from certain requirements based on the size of a 
slaughterhouse . 
(11) Certain tasks in cutting plants may be carried out by staff designated by the competent 
authority without jeopardising the objectives  of protect ing human health, animal 
health and animal welfare  if certain criteria an d conditions are complied with.  
(12) Official controls on the production of bivalve molluscs are necessary to ensure 
compliance with the criteria and targets laid down in Union legislation. In accordance 
with Part A of Chapter II of Section VII of Annex III to Regulation (EC) 
No 853/2004, l ive bivalve molluscs are to be harvested from  production areas 
classified by the competent authorities and from which they authorise the harvesting. 
Regulation (EU) 2017/625 provides for delegated acts to be adopted , laying do wn the 
criteria and conditions to determine, in relation to Pectinidae , marine gastropods and 
Holothuridea , when production and relaying areas need  not be classified.  These 
criteria and conditions should be established and should include d ata from official  
monitoring programmes  on fishing grounds . 
(13) The place where official controls are to be performed on the production of these 
Pectinidae,  marine gastropods and Holothuroidea  which are not filter feeders should 
also be established . 
(14) Regulation (EU) 2017/625 also provides for the possibility to lay down for 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 adopt national measures to enabl e the continued use of traditional 
methods or to accommodate 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 n ational measur es with s pecific derogations from 
certain requirements for official controls on the meat of reindeer and on the meat of  
EN 7  EN  grouse to the Commission and to the other Member States. Since Regulation (EU) 
2017/625 no longer allows such adaptation by national mea sures, derogations 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 achievement of the objective s of Regulation (EU) 
2017/625 . 
(16) Regulation (EU) 2017/625 lays down  specific minimum requirements for the staff 
designated by the competent authorities and for the official veterinarians and for 
official auxiliaries involved in  official controls and certain other official  activities . It 
also lays down  minimum training requirements for slaughterhouse staff  involved in 
official controls and certain other control activities . 
(17) Specific minimum requirements for official veterinarians, official auxiliaries  and other  
staff designated by the competent authorities  should be laid down  in order to maintain 
high and adequate performance of their tasks and therefore ensure a high level of 
protection of consumers, animal health and animal welfare . These should includ e 
specif ic minimum training requirements.  Sufficient flexibility should be provided to 
adapt the requirement to the tasks to be performed taking  into account working 
experience.  
(18) In order to maintain high and adequate performance , appropriate minimum training 
requi rements should also be laid down for slaughterhouse staff assisting in the 
perform ance of tasks related to the official controls and other official control activities 
laid down in the Regulation.  
(19) As Regulation (EU) 2017/625 repeals Regulation (EC) 854/2004  with effect from 
14 December 2019, this Regulation should also apply from that date , 
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:  
Article 1  
Subject matter and scope  
This Regulation lays down specific rules concerning the performance of the official controls 
referred to in Article 18(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 carried out on products of animal 
origin.  
Those specific rules cover:  
(a). criteria and conditions to determine  
(i) when the ante -mortem inspection in certain slaughterhouses may be performed 
under the supervis ion or under the responsibility of an official veterinarian ; 
(ii) when the ante -mortem inspection may be performed outside the slaughterhouse 
in case of emergency slaughter ; 
(iii) when the ante -mortem inspections may be performed at the holding of 
provenan ce; 
(iv)  the guarantees to be in place for the performance of post -mortem inspections 
and auditing activities under the responsibility of the official veterinarian as 
referred to in Article 18(2)(c) and (d) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 ; 
(v) derogations fro m Article 18(6) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 regarding the 
classification of production and relaying area in relation to  Pectinidae , marine 
gastropods and Holothuroidea, ;  
EN 8  EN  (vi) where the official controls in cutting plants may be performed by staff 
designate d by the competent authorities for that purpose and who are 
appropriately trained;  
(b) the establishment of specific derogations in respect of Rangifer tarandus tarandus , 
Lagopus lagopus  and Lagopus mutus  in order to allow the continuation of 
longstanding local and traditional customs ; 
(c) the establishment of specific minimum requirements , including training requirements  
for the official veterinarian, the official auxiliary and the staff designated by the 
competent authorities , to ensure  adequate performa nce of the tasks described in 
Article 18 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 ; 
(d) appropriate minimum training requirements for slaughterhouse staff  who assist in 
perform ing the tasks described in Article 18(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 . 
Article 2  
Definitions  
The following definitions shall apply for the purpose of this Regulation:  
(1) 'slaughterhouse' means slaughterhouse 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 -domesticated cervids as defined in point 2(q) of Annex I to 
Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the Europea n Parliament and of the Council10, it 
includes round -ups intended 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) 'relaying area' means relaying area as defined in point 2.6 of Annex I of Regulation 
(EC) No 853/2004;  
(5) ‘staff designated by the competent authority’ means a pers on other than the official 
auxiliary and the official veterinarian, who is qualified in accordance with this 
Regulation to act in such a capacity in cutting plants and to whom the competent 
authority assigns the performance of specific actions;  
(6) 'risk a nalysis' means risk analysis as defined in Article 3(10) of Regulation (EC) No 
178/2002  of the European Parliament and of the Council11  
(7) 'cutting plant' means a cutting plant as defined in point 1.17 of Annex I of Regulation 
(EC) No 853/2004;  
(8) 'poultry' means poultry as defined in point 1.3 of Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 
853/2004;  
(9) 'lagomorphs' means lagomorphs as defined in point 1.4 of Annex I of Regulation 
(EC) No 853/2004;  
                                                 
10 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 spongiform 
encephalopathies (OJ L 147, 31.5.2001, p. 1)  
11  Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying 
down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety 
Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety (OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1).   
EN 9  EN  (10) 'food business operator' means a food business operator as  defined in Article 3(3) of 
Regulation (EC) No 178/2002.  
(11) 'domestic ungulates' 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' 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.  
(16) 'establishment' means an establishment as defined in Article 2(c) of Regulation (EC) 
No 852/2004;  
(17) ‘Low-capacity slaughterhouse ’ means a slaughterhouse designated by the competent 
authority on the ba sis of a risk analysis, in which the slaughter activities do not take 
place during the entire working day or on consecutive  working days of the week.  
(18) ‘Low-capacity game -handling establishment ’ means a game -handling establishment 
designated by the comp etent authority on the basis of a risk analysis, in which the 
game handling activities do not take place during the entire working day or on 
consecutive  working days of the week ; 
(19) 'livestoc k unit' means a livestock unit as defined  in Article 17(6) of R egulation (EC) 
No 1099/2009;  
(20) 'small wild game ' means small wild game  as defined in point 1. 7 of Annex I of 
Regulation (EC) No 853/2004;  
(21) 'game -handling establishment' means a game -handling establishment as defined in 
point 1.18 of Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004;   
(22) 'dispatch 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 de fined in point 2.1 of Annex I of  
Regulation (EC) No 853/2004;  
(24) 'processing' means processing as defined in Article 2(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) 'primary production' means pr imary production  as defined in Article 3(17) of 
Regulation (EC) No 178/2002;  
(27) 'milk production holding ' means a milk production holding  as def ined in point 4.2  of 
Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 .  
EN 10  EN  Article 3  
Criteria and conditions establishing w hen ante -mortem inspections in certain 
slaughterhouses may be performed by an official auxiliary  
1. By way of derogation from Article 18(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, ante -
mortem inspections may be performed by an official auxiliary  under the superv ision 
of the official veterinarian on species other than poultry and lagomorphs, provided 
that the procedures applied in the slaughterhouse comply with the following criteria 
and conditions:  
(a) the tasks within ante -mortem inspections are of a purely practica l nature and 
only concern one or more of the following:  
(i) verification  that the food business operator complies with requirements 
related to food chain information and  to the animal ’s identity check ; 
(ii) the preselection of animals showing possible abnormalities as regards 
human health, animal health and animal welfare  requirements ; 
(b) the official veterinarian is immediately informed  by the official auxiliary 
performing the inspection when possible abnormalities are observed  or 
suspected and the offici al veterinarian then carries out the ante-mortem 
inspection in person; and 
(c) the official veterinarian regularly verifies that the official auxiliary is carrying 
out his/her tasks properly . 
2 By way of derogation from Article 18(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017 /625, ante -
mortem inspections may be performed on all species by an official auxiliary in a 
slaughterhouse under the responsibility of the official veterinarian, provided that the 
following criteria and conditions are met: 
(a) an ante-mortem inspection has alr eady been carried out by the official 
veterinarian at the holding of provenance in accordance with Article 5;  
(b) the official veterinarian is immediately informed by the official auxiliary 
performing the inspection when possible abnormalities are observed  or 
suspected and the official veterinarian then carries out the ante-mortem 
inspection in person;  
and 
(c) the official veterinarian regularly verifies that the official auxiliary is carrying 
out his/her tasks properly . 
3. The derogations in p aragraphs 1 and 2 sh all not apply:  
(a) to animals that undergo emergency slaughter as referred to in Chapter 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 caprine animals from holdings 
that have not been declared officially fre e of brucellosis  or the officially free 
status  of which  has been suspended;   
EN 11  EN  (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/EEC12 in which animal 
health restrictions are appli ed in accordance with Union legislation;  
(f) to animal s subject to stricter controls due to  the spread of  emerging diseases or 
particular diseases  listed by the World Animal Health Organisation . 
Article 4  
Criteria and conditions establishing when ante -mortem i nspections may be performed 
outside the slaughterhouse in the case of emergency slaughter  
By way of derogation from Article 18(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, the official 
veterinarian may perform ante-mortem inspections outside the slaughterhouse  in the case of 
emergency 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 Chapter 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)  [SANTE /10281/2018 ]13 shall be issued for animals fit for slaughter. The health 
certificate shall accompany the animals to the slaughterhouse  or be sent in advance in a ny 
format . Any observations relevant for subsequent meat inspection shall be recorded in the 
health certificate.  
Article 5  
General c riteria and conditions laying down when ante -mortem inspections may be 
performed at the holding of provenance  
1. By way of derogation from Article 18(2)(a) and (b) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, 
the competent authority may allow  ante-mortem inspections on animals intended for 
slaughter to be performed at the holding of provenance in accordance with the 
criteria and conditions la id down in paragraph  2 and Article 6.  
2. The following 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  facilitated  by the food business 
operator if required;  
(c) ante-mortem inspections at the holding of provenance shall comprise a physical 
examination of the animals to determine 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 occurred ; 
                                                 
12 Council Directive 64/432/EEC of 26 June 1964 on animal health problems affecting intra -Community 
trade in bovine animals and swine (OJ 121, 29.7.1964, p. 1977) . 
13 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) …./…. of ../../…. laying down model official certificates 
for certain animals and goods and amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/759 as regards model 
certificates  (OJ L …, ../../…., p. )   
EN 12  EN  (ii) they show general behaviour al disturbance, signs of disease or 
abnormalities which may make the meat of such animals unfit for human 
consumption ;  
(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 related to animal welfare, including 
excessive dirtiness;  
(v) they are fit for transport.  
(d) the checks and ante -mortem inspection at the holding of provenance referred to 
in (a) , (b) and (c) shall be carried out by an official veterinarian ; 
(e) the animals fit for slaughter shall be properly identified and separated from 
other animals and sent to the slaughterhouse  directly from the holding of 
provenance ; 
(f) a health certificate as set out in Part I of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation 
(EU) [SANTE /10281/2018 ] shall be issued for animals fit for slaughter. The 
health certificate shall accompany the animals to the slaughterhouse  or be sent 
in advance in any format . Any observations relevant for subsequent meat 
inspection shall be recorded in the health  certificate . 
3. At the slaughterhouse the following additional checks  shall be carried out  in 
accordance with Article 18(2)(a) and (b) of Regulat ion (EU) 2017/625 and Article 3 
of this Regulation : 
(a) regular verification of the food business operators' obligation to ensure 
that the animals are identified  properly ; 
(b) regular verification  that animal welfare rules have been complied with 
during transport and at arrival in the slaughterhouse 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 3 days, or 28 days in cases 
referred to in Article 6(5), from the date of issue of the health certificate referred to 
in paragrap h 2(f): 
(a) where the animals have not been dispatched from the holding of 
provenance to the slaughterhouse, an additional ante-mortem inspection 
shall be carried out and a new h ealth certificate shall be issued;  
(b) where the animals are already on their way to  or are at the 
slaughterhouse, the slaughter may be authorised as soon as the reason for 
the delay has been assessed, provided that the animals undergo a n 
additional  ante-mortem inspection in accordance with Article 11 of 
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) [SANTE /10194/2017 ]14. 
                                                 
14 Commission Implement ing Regulation (EU) …./…. of ../../…. laying down uniform practical 
arrangements for the performance of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human 
consumption in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and  of the 
Council and amending Commission Regulation (EC) No 2074/2005 as regards official controls  (OJ L 
…, ..:../…., p. …)   
EN 13  EN  Article 6 
Species specific c riteria and conditions laying down when ante -mortem inspections may 
be performed at the holding of provenance  
 1. The competent authorities shall apply the specific criteria and conditions laid down 
in this Article in the relevant cases of poultry and farmed game . 
2. In the case of poultry reared for the production of ‘foie gras ’ and delayed eviscerated 
poultry slaugh tered at the holding of provenance, the certificate completed in 
accordance with the model health certificate set out in Part II of Annex IV of 
Implementing  Regulation  (EU)  [SANTE /10281/ 2018 ], accompanying the 
uneviscerated carcasses to the slaughterhouse or cutting plant or be sent in advance 
in any format, shall be used 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 provenance in accordance 
with point 3 of Section III of Annex III to Regulation (EC) No  853/2004, the 
certificate completed in accordance with the model health certificate set out in Part 
III of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) [SANTE /10281/ 2018 ] shall 
accompany the animals to the slaughterhouse or be sent in advance in any format, 
instead of the certificate referred to in point 2(f) of Article  5; 
4. In the case of farmed game slaughtered at the holding of provenance in accordance 
with point 3(a) of Section III of Annex III to Regulation (EC) No  853/200 4: 
(a) a certificate completed in accordance with the model health certificate set out 
in Part IV of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 
[SANTE /10281/ 2018 ] shall accompany the animals to the slaughterhouse  or be 
sent in advance  in any format , instead of the certificate referred to in point 2(f) 
of Article  5; 
(b) the official veterinarian shall regularly verify th at those carrying out the 
slaughter and bleeding  properly perform their tasks . 
5. By way of derogation from Article 5(4), Member States ma y 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 slaughter ed per year and per holding of 
provenance . 
Article 7 
Criteria and conditions for the performance of post -mortem inspections under the 
responsibility of the official veterinarian, referred to in  Article 18(2)( c) of Regulation 
(EU) 2017/625  
(1) Post-mortem inspections referred to in Article 18(2)(c) of Regulat ion (EU) 2017/625 
may be performed by an official auxiliar y under the responsibility of the official 
veterinarian , subject to compliance with Chapter II of Annex II to this Regulation , 
when  the following criteria and conditions  are met :  
EN 14  EN  (a) the slaughter or ga me-handling activities are carried out in a low-capacity 
slaughterhouse or game -handling establishment  which slaughter s or handl es: 
(i) less than 1 000 livestock units per year ; or 
(ii) less than 150 000 poultry , lagomorphs  and small wild game  per year ; 
(b)  the competent authority may increase the threshold s laid down in point (a)  
ensuring that the derogation is applied in the smallest slaughterhouses and 
game handling establishments complying with the definition of  low-capacity 
slaughterhouse or game -handling  establishment  and provided 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 concerned ;  
(ii) of all ungulates together ;  
(iii) of all poultry t ogether; or,  
(iv) of all birds and lagomorphs together;  
in such case, the competent authorities shall notify this derogation and th e 
evidence to support it in accordance with the procedure laid down in Directive 
(EU) 2015/1535 of the European Parliament an d of the Council ; 
(c) the establishment concerned has sufficient facilities to store meat with 
abnormalities separately from other meat until the official veterinarian can 
inspect the meat with abnormalities in person ;  
(d) the official veterinarian is present in the establishment at least once a day , 
including regularly during slaughter activities ; 
(e) the competent authority has put in place a procedure to assess on a regular 
basis the performance of official auxiliaries in these establishments, including:  
(i) monito ring individual performance ; 
(ii) verif ying 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 competent authority, taking at le ast 
account of the following elements:  
(i) the number of animals slaughtered or handled per hour or per day;  
(ii) the species and class of animals slaughtered or handled;  
(iii) the throughput of the establishment;  
(iv) the historical performance of slaughter or handling activities;  
(v) the effectiveness of any additional measures in the food chain taken to 
guarantee the food safety of animals intended for slaughter;  
(vi) the effectiveness of the hazard analysis and critical control point 
(HACCP )-based procedures ; 
(vii) audit records;  
(viii)  the competent authority ’s historical records of ante -mortem and post -
mortem inspections.   
EN 15  EN  (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 caprine animals  and small (< 100 kg life weight) Cervidae  a conversion 
rate of 0.05 li vestock units, and in case of other large g ame a conversion rate of 0.2 
livestoc k units shall be used.  
Article 8 
Performance of post -mortem inspections by the official veterinarian  
Post-mortem inspection shall be performed by the official veterinarian in the following cases:  
(a) animals  that undergo emergency slaughter as referred to in Chapter 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 caprine 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 concerns animals susceptible to the particular disease in 
question that come from the particular region as defined in Article 2(2)(p) of 
Council Directive 64/432/EEC;  
(f) when stricter controls are necessary to take account of emerging diseases or 
particular diseases listed by the World Animal Health Organisation ; 
(g) in case of derogation on the timing of post -mortem inspection in accordance 
with Art 13 of Implementing Regulation (EU) [SANTE/10194/2017].  
Article 9 
Criteria and conditions for the performance of au diting activities  in 
slaughterhouses and game -handling establishments   
The a uditing activities referred to in Article 18(2)(d)(iii) of Regulation (EU)  2017/625 may be 
performed in slaughterhouses and game -handling establishments by official auxiliaries und er 
the responsibility of the official veterinarian only as regards the collection of information on 
good hygiene practices and HACCP -based procedures , and subject to compliance with 
Chapter II of Annex II to this Regulation  
Article 10  
Criteria and conditio ns for the performance of official controls  including  auditing 
activities  in cutting plants   
Official controls referred to in Article 18(2)(d), including auditing activities, in cutting plants 
may also be performed by other staff designated by the competen t authorities, by way of 
derogation from the requirements laid down in Article 18(2)(d) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 , 
provided that the competent authorities regularly check the work of such staff. Performance of 
these activities is subject to compliance wi th Chapter III of Annex II to this Regulation .  
EN 16  EN  Article 11 
Official controls on Pectinidae and marine gastropods and Holothuroidea, which are not 
filter feeders, that are harvested from  production areas  and which are not classified in 
accordance with Article 18(6) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625  
By way of derogation from Article 18(6) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, the classification of 
production and relaying areas is not required in relation to the harvesting of  Pectinidae, 
marine gastropods and Holothuroidea, which are not f ilter feeders,  when the competent 
authorities carry out official cont rols on such animals in fish auctions, dispatch centres and 
processing establishments.  
Such official controls shall verify  compliance with:  
(a) the health standards for live bivalve molluscs set out in Chapter V  of Section VII of 
Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004;  
(b) the specific requirements for  Pectinidae  and marine gastropods and Holothuroidea  
which are not filter feeders,  that are harvested outside  the classified production areas , 
set out in Chapter IX of that Section.  
Article 12 
Specific derogations in respect of  Rangifer 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 following 
specific derogations from the official control requirements  for Rangifer tarandus 
tarandus (reindeer)  that are laid down in Article 18 of that Regula tion may be 
granted by Sweden and Finland in respect of the areas of those Member States listed 
in Annex I to this Regulation  without  affect ing the achievement of the objectives of 
that Regulation : 
(a) by way of derogation from Article 18(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, official 
controls shall not be required on meat derived from Rangifer 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 derogation from Article 18(2) of Regulation (EU)  2017/625, an ante-
mortem inspection is not mandatory for stray reindeer slaughtered in single 
cases between 1 May and 30 September ; 
(c) by way of derogation from Article 18(2)(c) and (3) of Regulation 
(EU)  2017/625, slaughterhouse staff  who have  receiv ed training appropriate to 
this task in accordance with Article 14 may inspect : 
i. abdominal viscera excluding liver and kidneys;  
ii. genital organs;  
iii. udder.  
2. By way of derogation 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 snaring in the Swedish counties of 
Norrbotten, Västerbotten and Jämtland and the Swedish municipality of Älvdalen in 
Dalarna county during the winter hunting season.   
EN 17  EN  Article 13 
Specific minimum requirements for the official veterinarian, the official auxiliary and 
the staff designated by the competent authorities  
1. Official veterinarians performing tasks provided for in Article 18 of Regulation 
(EU)  2017/625 shall comply with the minimum specific requirements set out in 
Chapter I of Annex II to this Regulation.  
By way of derogation from  the rules  laid down in point s 1 to 6 of Chapter I of 
Annex  II, Member States may lay down specific rules for : 
(a) official veterinarians working on a part -time basis who are responsible for 
inspecting small businesses or only carrying out official controls at primary 
production , in parti cular  controls  in milk and colostrum production holdings  
and ante-mortem inspections outside slaughterhouse s; and 
(b) veterinary students having successfully passed an exam on the subjects  referred 
to in point 3 of Chapter I of Annex II  and who  are temporarily working at a 
slaughterhouse in the presence of an official veterinarian . 
2. Veterinarians already appointed as official veterinarians before the date of 
application of this Regulation shall have adequate knowledge of the subjects referred 
to in paragraph 3 of Chapter I of Annex II to this Regulation. Where necessary, the 
competent authority shall ensure that such knowledge is obtained through continuing 
training activities.  
3. Official auxiliaries performing  the tasks provided for in Artic le 18 of Regulation 
(EU)  2017/625 shall comply with the minimum specific requirements set out in 
Chapter II of Annex II to this Regulation.  
4. Staff designated by the competent authorities performing the tasks provided for in 
Article  18 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 shall comply with the minimum specific 
requirements set out in Chapter III  of Annex II to this Regulation.  
Article 14 
Minimum training requirements for slaughterhouse staff  
Slaughterhouse staff assisting in the performance of tasks related to official controls and other 
control activities in accordance with Article 18(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 shall be 
trained to the satisfaction of the competent authorities . They shall also  comply with the 
minimum training requirements set out in Chapter II of Annex II to this Regulation to the 
extent relevant for their assistance tasks.  
Article 15 
Entry into force and applicability  
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following 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 States.   
EN 18  EN  Done at Brussels,  
 For the Commission  
 The President  
 Jean -Claude JUNCKER