COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
COM(94) 560 final 
Brussels, 06.12.1994 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
laying down the rules for the microbiological test by sampling of fresh poultrymeat 
intended for Finland and Sweden 
(presented by the Commission) 
\ 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
In application of article 5, 3 (a) of Council Directive 71/118/EECof 15 February 1971 
on health problems affecting trade in fresh poultrymeatO, as amended by the Act 
concerning the conditions of accession and the adjustments to the Treaties on which 
the Union is founded*2), the Council acting on a proposal of the Commission shall lay 
down the rules for the microbiological test by sampling of fresh poultrymeat intended 
for Finland and Sweden. This should be done before the date of entry into force of the 
Accession Treaty. 
This proposal is presented with this objective. 
The purpose of this draft Decision is to fix the sampling method, the number of 
samples to be taken as well as the microbiological method for the examination of the 
samples. 
As concerns the sampling method, a distinction is made between carcasses on the one 
hand and carcass parts and offals on the other hand. The number of samples to be 
taken are based on statistical sampling schemes allowing the detection of 5 % 
contamination at a 95 % of confidence level and take into account the weight of 
packing units. The proposed microbiological method for the examination of the 
samples refers to an international standard. 
It should be noted that the proposed provisions 
• shall only apply after approval of operational programmes to be presented by 
Finland and Sweden; 
• shall not apply for poultrymeat originating in an establishment which is subject to 
a programme recognised as equivalent to the one applied by Finland and Sweden. 
This draft Decision has no financial consequences on the budget of the European 
Community. 
WOJ.N°L55,8.3.l97l,p.23 
(2) OJ N° C 241, 29. 8. 1994, p. 141 
PROPOSAL FOR A 
COUNCIL DECISION 
laying down the rules for the microbiological test by sampling of fresh poultrymeat 
intended for Finland and Sweden 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, 
Having regard to Council Directive 71/118/EEC of 15 February 1971 on health 
problems affecting trade in fresh poultrymeat1, as amended by the Act concerning the 
conditions of accession and the adjustments to the Treaties on which the Union is 
founded, Annex I, V, E, part 1, chapter 3,3, (b)2, and in particular article 5, 3 (a), 
Whereas, in order to lay down the rules for the microbiological test by sampling, it is 
necessary to fix the sampling method, the number of samples to be taken as well as 
the microbiological method for the examination of the samples; 
Whereas, in so far as the sampling methods to be applied are concerned, it is 
appropriate to make a distinction between whole carcasses on one hand and parts of 
carcasses and offals on the other hand; 
Whereas concerning the number of samples to be taken, it is appropriate to apply a 
confidence level of 95 % to detect a prevalence of salmonella of 5 %; whereas the 
weight of packing units should be taken into account; 
Whereas, it is appropriate to take into account international methods for the 
microbiological examination of samples; 
Whereas, in conformity with article 5, paragraph 4 of Council Directive 71/118/EEC 
the provisions provided for in this Decision shall apply only after approval by the 
Commission of an operational programme to be presented by Finland and Sweden, 
rOJN°L 55, 8.3.1971, p. 23 
2OJN°C241,29.8. 1994, p. 141 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1 
The sampling method is laid down in Annex I. 
Article 2 
The number of samples to be taken is laid down in Annex II. 
Article 3 
The microbiological method for the examination of the samples is laid down in 
Annex-III. 
Article 4 
This Decision shall apply from 1 January 1995 is subject to the entry into force of the 
Treaty of accession of Austria, Sweden and Finland. 
Article 5 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 
Done at Brussels For the Council 
$A^PJtNGMETHOP 
1 . Carcasses (with the neçk skin still attached) 
Random samples shall be evenly distributed through the consignment. Sampling shall 
consist of pieces of about 10 grams of neck skin (about 3 cm x 3 cm) to be removed 
aseptically with a sterile scalpel and tweezers. Samples should be kept refrigerated at 
4°C until examination. For examination the samples are diluted 10 - fold in buffered 
peptone water (BPW) and incubated at 37°C for 16 to 20 hours. Subsequently the 
pre - enrichment broths are tested for the presence of Salmonella according to the 
method described in Annex III. Portions of the pre - enrichment broths may be pooled 
to a maximum of 10 for enrichment. 
Samples shall be duly marked and identified. 
2 Carcasses without neck - skin, carcass parts and offals 
Pieces of tissue of about 25 grams are obtained by punching a sterile cork borer into the meat 
surface or cutting a slice of tissue with sterile instruments. Samples should be kept 
refrigerated at 4°C until examination. For examination the samples arc diluted 10- fold in 
buffered peptone water (BPW) and incubated at 37 °C for 16 to 20 hours. Subsequently the 
pre - enrichment broths are tested for the presence of Salmonella according to the 
method described in Annex III7 Portions of the pre - enrichment broths may be pooled 
to a maximum of 10 for enrichment. 
Samples shall be duly marked and identified. 
ANNE* » 
NUMBER OF SAMP! .F.S TO RK TAKEN 
The number of packing units in the consignment of which separate random samples shall be 
taken shall be as follows: 
consignment (number of packing units) 
1-24 
25-29 
30-39 
40-49 
50-59 
60 - 89 
90-199 
200-499 
500 or more number of packing units to be sampled 
number equal to the number of packing 
units with a maximum of 20 
20 
25 
30 
35 
40 
50 
55 
60 
Depending on the weight of the packing units the number of samples can be 
reduced by multiplication by the following multiplication values: 
Weight of 
packing units 
Multiplication 
value >20 kg 
x 1 10-20 kg 
x 3/4 <10 kg 
x 1/2 
ANNEX III 
MICROBIOLOGICAL METHOD FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE SAMPLES 
Microbiological testing of the samples for Salmonella must be carried out according to the 
standard method of the International Standard Organisation, ISO 6579:1993. 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(94) 560 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 11 01 03 
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ISBN 92-77-83115-4 
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