7.7.84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 179/9 
(c) Before commencing employment, persons engaged to work on or handle fresh poul-
trymeat must give an undertaking that they will inform the health authorities 
immediately of any change in their state of health which might indicate the presence of 
a contagious disease, and in particular where gastro-intestinal or respiratory symptoms 
or signs arise and in the case of skin infections. 
The employer shall supply to the health authorities any information in his possession 
concerning the health of his staff, particularly where the abovementioned symptoms or 
signs are involved. 
(d) Any person who works on or handles fresh poultrymeat must receive appropriate 
training designed to impart a sense of responsibility in the matter of food hygiene and to 
inculcate the rules of personal hygiene.' 
Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 77/99/EEC on health problems 
affecting intra-Community trade in meat products 
COM(84) 337 final 
(Submitted by the Commission to the Council on 26 June 1984) 
(84/C 179/09) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in 
particular Article 43 thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee, 
Whereas experience has shown the need to simplify the provisions of Chapter II (16) of 
Annex A to Council Directive 77/99/EEC (*), as last amended by Directive ..., 
Whereas Chapter II (17) of Annex A to Directive 77/99/EEC lays down that a medical 
certificate must be required from every person working on fresh meat or meat products 
and that the certificate must be renewed annually; 
Whereas current medical knowledge indicates that the compulsory annual medical certi­
ficate should be replaced by arrangements offering the consumer better guarantees 
against the risk of contamination by certain diseases which may be transmitted from one 
human being to another via meat or meat products, 
0) OJ No L 26, 31. 1. 1977, p. 85. 
No C 179/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 7.7. 84 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 
Article 1 
Directive 77/99/EEC is hereby amended as follows: 
1. The second paragraph of Article 22 is deleted. 
2. Annex A is amended as set out in the Annex hereto. 
Article 2 
The Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative 
provisions necessary to comply with this Directive not later than 1 January 1986. They 
shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. 
Article 3 
This Directive is addressed to the Member States. 
ANNEX 
1. Chapter II (16) is replaced by the following: 
'16. Any person who is a possible source of contamination shall be prohibited from working on 
or handling poultrymeat.' 
2. Chapter II (17) is replaced by the following: 
'17. (a) A medical certificate must be required from any person working on or handling fresh 
meat or meat products. It must attest that there is no impediment to such employment. 
It must be renewed each time the official veterinarian so requests. It must be kept at the 
disposal of the latter. 
The certificate shall be issued only after the fullest possible review of medical 
antecedents, a medical examination and, if necessary, additional examinations, in 
particular laboratory tests. 
(b) Staff who work on or handle fresh meat or meat products shall, for the duration of their 
employment, be subject to the supervision of the health authorities responsible for 
monitoring and combating contagious diseases. Where epidemiological or clinical 
reasons so require, the health authorities shall ensure that any person who may transmit 
a contagious disease to fresh meat or meat products cannot work on or handle fresh 
meat or meat products. 
(c) Before commencing employment, persons engaged to work on or handle fresh meat or 
meat products must give an undertaking that they will inform the health authorities 
immediately of any change in their state of health which might indicate the presence of 
a contagious disease, and in particular where gastro-intestinal or respiratory symptoms 
or signs arise and in the case of skin infections. 
The employer shall supply to the health authorities any information in his possession 
concerning the health of his staff, particularly where the abovementioned symptoms or 
signs are involved. 
(d) Any person who works on or handles fresh meat or meat products must receive appro­
priate training designed to impart a sense of responsibility in the matter of food hygiene 
and to inculcate the rules of personal hygiene.'