Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Council Directive 90/675/EEC laying down the principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries ()

(95/C 301/08)

On 7 July 1995 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Articles 43 and 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Section for Agriculture and Fisheries, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 7 September 1995. The rapporteur was Mr J. Bento Gonçalves.

At its 328th Plenary Session (meeting of 13 September 1995), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following Opinion unanimously.

1. Summary of Directive 90/675/EEC

1.1. With a view to the completion of the single market, the EU institutions have, since late 1990 (Directive 90/675/EEC of 18 December 1990), sought to establish the basic principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on animal products entering EU Member States from third countries.

1.2. The EU's main aim has been, firstly, to ensure security of supply and market stability and secondly, to safeguard human and animal health.

1.3. By means of both a) the amendments to the original Directive and b) to an even greater extent, the transitional measures under Article 30 of the Directive, each of the Member States has attempted to turn the provisions of the Directive into actual operating procedures.

1.3.1. The EU's external border check points have been determined and pre-selected for this purpose, and officially recognized by the Commission. The nature and frequency of the various checks (documentary, identity and physical checks) on the quality of the products concerned - harmonized or otherwise - have been decided on and rules drawn up.

1.3.2. The process of setting up checks at the external borders of the Community's 'hinterland' is now almost complete and has even been able to benefit from exchanges of inspection officials between the various border check points.

2. Areas where objectives have not been fully achieved

2.1. Some of the principles laid down in the Directive have not yet been fully applied, because of continuing difficulties in areas such as fresh poultry and game bird meat and meat-based products, and more particularly as regards the list of establishments to be officially recognized.

2.1.1. It should be borne in mind, however, that where as yet non-harmonized sectors are concerned, products imported from third countries must meet the same requirements as those applying to the same products traded between EU Member States: the importing Member State is responsible for ensuring compliance with this principle.

Moreover, in such cases it is compulsory for:

a)

the third country involved, or part of its territory, to figure on the relevant list endorsed by the Commission and published in the EC Official Journal;

b)

the exporting country to guarantee, by means of accompanying animal and public health certificates issued for this purpose, that each consignment has been produced and checked in accordance with the rules laid down by Community law;

c)

each consignment only to be brought into the EU after documentary, identity and physical checks (including sampling) have been carried out at border check points recognized by the official veterinarians appointed for this purpose.

3. Conclusions

3.1. In the light of the above, the proposal to amend Directive 90/675/EEC by extending the deadline for adopting transitional measures to 31 December 1996 may be approved, the original deadline having run out on 30 June 1995.

3.2. The Committee also supports the amendment on the basis of the progress made in standardizing and transferring veterinary checks from national to Community level, and in the current negotiations between the Commission and a number of third countries on mutual recognition of certification agreements. The Commission feels that these agreements require reasonable technical deadlines, given their complexity.

3.3. Under these conditions, the Committee endorses the proposed amendment, while urging Commission services to complete the framework for harmonizing the sector's health standards without delay, if possible before 31 December 1996.

3.4. It is however important that the date should not be further delayed, in order to ensure both that the Union's credibility is preserved and that third countries continue to respect Community provisions.

Done at Brussels, 13 September 1995.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Carlos FERRER

() OJ No C 185, 19. 7. 1995, p. 16.