COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0MC89) 496 final 
Brussels, 17 October 1989 
-Swiféf 
~ ^ v*v-Proposal for a 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) 
concerning game meat and rabbit meat 
• 4£ 
(presented by the Commission) 
5$seN 
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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM •i r 
A. The health rules affecting intra-Community trade in fresh meat have been 
laid down in Council Directive 64/433/EEC. Those rules have been 
partially extended to the local market by Directive 88/409/EEC. 
The health rules for fresh poultry meat have been established in 
Directive 71/118/EEC. 
In order to have a harmonious function of the internal market it is 
opportune to harmonize the health rules for rabbit and game meat. 
B. This harmonization is necessary for the following reasons : 
1. To have a uniform health guarantee in all the Community in order to 
assure a free circulation of all the goods, assuring at the same time 
a high level of protection of animal and public health. 
2. Reduce the distortion of competition between producers established in 
different countries of the Community. 
3. Have the possibility of controlling the infectious diseases present in 
wild life that could be transmitted to domesticated animals. 
C. The proposed action is the following : 
1. Environmental control of infectious and parasitic diseases of game 
animals and rabbit. 
2. Rules for veterinary inspection of game meat and rabbit meat. 
3. Hygienic rules for processing of game meat and rabbit meat. 
4. Conditions concerning equipment of establishments producing game meat 
and rabbit meat in order to allow the hygiene of the operations. 
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D. The general administrative rules being the same, a difference is made 
between specific rules concerning rabbit meat, farmed game meat and wild 
game meat in order to take account of specific health problems limited to 
each of those categories of animals. 
E. The Commission has proposed the procedure of the regulatory committee, 
since it wished to avoid disrupting the existing management machinery in 
the veterinary field. More generally, however, the Commission continues 
to prefer the advisory committee procedure. 
F. The Commission will present in a short time the health rules applicable to 
meat products prepared with game meat and rabbit meat, the health rules on 
their importation from third countries and the rules for research of 
residues in farmed game meat and meat of domestic rabbit. 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) 
concerning game meat and rabbit meat 
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 rabbit meat and game meat are included in the list of products in 
Annex II to the Treaty; whereas rabbit and game farming are generally included 
iu the farming sector; whereas this farming and the income from game consti­
tutes a source of income for part of the farming population; 
Whereas, in order to ensure the rational development of this sector and to 
increase productivity, rules concerning public health and animal health 
problems affecting production and commercialization of game meat and rabbit 
meat must be laid down at Community level; 
Whereas disparities as regards animal health and public health conditions in 
the Member States should be eliminated in order to encourage intra-Community 
trade in rabbit meat and game meat, thus contributing to the completion of the 
internal market; 
Whereas diseases transmissible to domestic animals and humans may be spread by 
game meat and rabbit meat; whereas it is necessary to lay down rules 
enabling the control of these risks; 
Whereas game meat and rabbit meat must be treated hygienically in order to 
avoid food-borne infections and incuxi.ations ; 
• i 
I 
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Whereas Counci I Directive 82/894/EEC of 21 December 1982 concerning the notification 
of animal diseases within the Community (1), as last amended by Directive 89/162/EEC (2), 
lays down the conditions for notification of animal diseases in the Community; whereas the 
appearance or presence of certain contagious animal diseases in wildlife in 
one region of the Community may present a risk to wildlife in other regions of 
the Community as well as to Community herds; whereas it is opportune to have 
for certain contagious diseases in wildlife the same information as for 
domestic animals; 
Whereas Council Directive 64/433/EEC of 26 June 1964 on health problems 
affecting intra-Community trade in fresh meat (3) as last amended by Directive 
88/657/EEC (4), lays down the health requirements for fresh meat, whereas 
farmed wildlife used for game production are kept under conditions similar to 
those used for farmed mammals and farmed birds; whereas it is opportune to 
extend to farmed game the same health rules already adapted for fresh meat and 
poultry meat; 
Whereas it is opportune to lay down exceptions for small quantities of rabbit 
meat and game meat used for local trade; 
Whereas, in respect of the organization of and the follow-up to the checks to 
be carried out by the Member State of destination and the safeguard measures 
to be implemented, reference should be made to the general rules laid down in 
Council Regulation (EEC) No of concerning veterinary checks in 
intra-Community trade in view of the completion of the internal market; 
Whereas the Commission should be entrusted with the task of adopting measures 
for applying this Regulation; whereas, to that end, provision should be made 
for procedures establishing close and effective cooperation between the 
Commission and the Member States within the Standing Veterinary Committee, 
(1) OJ No L 378, 31.12.1982, p. 58. 
(2) OJ No L 61, 4.3.1989, p. 48. 
(3) OJ No 121, 29.7.1964, p. 2012/64. 
(4) OJ No L 382, 31.12.1988, p. 3. 
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HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 
CHAPTER I 
GENERAL RULES 
Article 1 
This Regulation lays down the requirements concerning public health and animal 
health problems affecting production and placing on the market of game meat 
and rabbit meat. 
Article 2 
For the purpose of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply: 
1. "game meat"; all parts of game suitable for human consumption; 
2. "farmed game meat": all parts of wild mammals and wild birds bred, kept 
and killed in captivity, which are suitable for human consumption; 
3. "wild game meat"; all parts of wild mammals and wild birds killed in their 
environment according to hunting rules, which are suitable for human 
consumption; 
4. "game"; land mammals, or birds, not considered as domestic and not 
referred to in Article 1(1) of Directive 64/433/EEC or in Article 1 of 
Council Directive 71/118/EEC of 15 February 1971 on health problems affecting 
trade in fresh poultry meat (1); 
5. "big game"; cloven hoofed wild mammals; 
6. "small game": wild mammals of the Leporidae family and wild game birds; 
7. "feathered game": game birds; 
8. "furred game": game mammals; 
(I) OJ No L b5, US.Oi.L-m, p. 23. 
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9. "rabbit meat": all parts of domestic rabbit which are suitable for human 
consumption; 
10. "official service": the veterinary service or any other service of 
equivalent level appointed by the Member State concerned to monitor the 
implementation of this Regulation; 
11. "area of hunting": the area where the wild game can move freely; 
12. "game processing house": an approved establishment used for dressing, 
health inspection and, if necessary, cutting of wild game carcases; 
13. "rabbit slaughterhouse"; an approved slaughterhouse used for slaughtering 
and health inspection of domestic rabbit; 
14. "country of production"; the Member State in the territory of which the 
establishment is located. 
The definitions given in Article 2 of Directive 64/433/EEC and Article 2 of 
Directive 71/118/EEC shall apply. 
CHAPTER II 
RULES RELATING TO PRODUCTION AND COMMERCIALIZATION OF GAME MEAT AND RABBIT MEAT 
Article 3 
1. The survey of the health status of game and rabbit shall be performed at 
regular intervals in each Member State. 
To this end a central service or body shall be entrusted with the task of 
collecting and exploiting the results of the health inspections carried 
out according to this Regulation, in case of diagnosis of diseases or 
conditions transmissible to humans or animals or presence of residues 
in excess of the admitted levels. 
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2. Where a disease or condition referred to in paragraph 1 is diagnosed, the 
results of the specific case shall be communicated as soon as possible to 
the official service responsible for the supervision of the herd from which 
the animals originate or, in the case of wild game, the hunting area from 
which the game originates. 
3. The official service, taking into account the epizoological situation, shall 
require specific tests on wild game in order to detect the presence of the 
diseases referred to in Annex I to Directive 82/894/EEC. 
The presence of these diseases shall be communicated to the Commission and 
to the other Member States in accordance with Directive 82/894/EEC. 
Article 4 
1. Intra-Community trade of game meat shall be subject to appropriate animal 
health rules governing intra-Community trade of fresh meat referred to in : 
(a) Counci I Directive 72/461/EEC of 12 December 1972 on health problems af fectinq 
intra-Community trade in fresh meat (1) or 
(b) Counci I Regulation (EEC) [concerning the animal health 
conditions governing intra-Community trade and importation from third 
countries of poultry fresh meat and farmed feathered game]. 
2. In addition, taking into account the presence of diseases referred to in 
Article 3(3) limitation on the use of game meat arising from specified 
hunting areas may be imposed by the official service of the Member State in 
the territory of which the disease has been found. 
3. In accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 21 additional 
requirements may be decided on. 
Article 5 
1. Member States shall supplement their plans for residues referred to in Article 
4 of Counci I Directive 86/469/EEC of 16 September 1986 concerning the examinationof 
animals and fresh meat for the presence of residues (2) in order to monitor 
wild game for contaminants present in the environment. 
(\ ) ••;.] \c L ii;l , '! . ' _ . : '-72, p. 24. 
I 1 ' OJ .%;: .. ' - . •- . _ . it. 
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2. Taking into account the results of the monitoring referred to in 
paragraph 1, limitations on the use of game meat arising from specified 
hunting areas may be imposed. 
3. In accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 21, additional 
requirements may be decided on. 
Article 6 
1. Farmed game meat obtained from big game shall fulfil the conditions referred 
to in Article 3 of Directive 64/433/EEC. 
2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, until the adoption of the rules referred 
to in Article 5(1) of Council Directive 88/409/EEC of 15 June 1988 laying 
down the health rules applying to meat intended for the domestic market and 
the levels of the fees to be charged, pursuant to Directive 85/73/EEC, in 
respect of the inspection of such meat (1), the slaughtering of farmed big 
game and cutting and storage of meat referred to in paragraph 1 can be 
performed in establishments approved by the national authorities for the 
national market, provided that such meat does not enter the intra-Community 
trade. 
3. Notwithstanding paragraph 1 the official service may authorize the 
shooting of farmed game in the place of origin where it cannot be 
transported in order to avoid any risk for the handler or to protect the 
welfare of animals. This authorization may be granted if: 
- a request is presented by the owner of animals and 
- the official service is previously informed of the date of slaughtering 
of these animals and 
- the herd is not put under restrictions following the survey performed 
according to Articles 4 and 5. 
(I) OJ No L 194, 22.07.1988, p. 28 
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4. Meat from wild pigs or other species sensitive to Trichina infestation shall 
be subjected to examination by digestion in accordance with Council Directive 
77/96/EEC of 21 December 1976 on examination for Trichinae (trichinella 
spiralis) upon importation from third countries of fresh meat derived from 
domestic swine (1). 
Article 7 
Farmed game meat obtained from feathered game shall fulfil the conditions 
referred to in Article 3 of Directive 71/118/EEC. 
Article 8 
1. Wild game meat shall: 
(a) be handled in a game processing house fulfilling the requirements of 
Annex II, Chapter III, or a slaughterhouse approved and supervised in 
accordance with Article 13; 
(b) come from wild game killed in their environment, and treated in 
accordance with Annex II, Chapter I; 
(c) be treated during and after processing in a game processing house or a 
slaughterhouse under satisfactory hygiene conditions similar to those 
provided for in Chapter IV of Annex I to Directive 64/433/EEC for big 
game and Chapter III of Annex I to Directive 71/118/EEC for small game; 
(d) be inspected post-mortem by an official veterinarian in accordance with 
Chapter II of Annex I and not have shown any change except for 
traumatic lesions which occurred during hunting or localized 
malformations or changes provided that it is established, if necessary 
by appropriate laboratory tests, that these do not render the carcase 
and offal unfit for human consumption or dangerous to human health; 
(e) bear a health mark in accordance with Chapter IV of Annex II; 
(L) OJ No L 26, 31.01.1977, p. 67. 
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(f) be stored in accordance with Chapter V of Annex II after post-mortem 
inspection under satisfactory conditions in establishments approved in 
accordance with Article 13 or in stores approved according to 
Directive 64/433/EEC;. 
(g) be transported under satisfactory hygiene conditions in accordance with 
Chapter V of Annex II; 
2. In addition to paragraph 1: 
(a) meat from wild pigs or other species sensitive to Trichina infestation 
shall be subjected to examination by one of the digestion methods 
referred to in Directive 77/96/EEC; 
(b) parts of carcases or boned meat of small game shall be obtained in 
conditions similar to those provided for in Article 3(B) of 
Directive 71/118/EEC, in establishments approved for this purpose in 
accordance with Article 13; 
(c) parts of carcases or boned meat of big game shall be obtained in 
conditions similar to those provided for in Article 3(1)(B) of 
Directive 64/433/EEC, in establishments approved for this purpose in 
accordance with Article 13. 
Article 9 
1. Rabbit meat shall: 
(a) be obtained in an establishment fulfilling the general requirements of 
Directive 71/118/EEC and approved for this purpose in accordance with 
Article 13; 
(b) come from a slaughtered animal inspected ante-mortem by an official 
veterinarian, in accordance with Annex I, Chapter I, and passed fit, as 
a result of such inspection, for slaughter; 
(<*) be treated under satisfactory hygiene conditions similar to those 
provided for in Chapter III of Annex I to Directive 7L'118/EEC; 
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(d) be inspected post-mortem by an official veterinarian in accordance with 
Chapter II of Annex I and have not shown any change except for 
traumatic lesions which occurred shortly before slaughter or localized 
malformations or changes, provided that it is established, if necessary 
by appropriate laboratory tests, that these do not render the carcase 
and offal unfit for human consumption or dangerous to human health; 
(e) bear a health mark in accordance with Chapter III of Annex I; 
(f) be stored in accordance with Chapter IV of Annex I after post-mortem 
inspection under satisfactory hygiene conditions in establishments 
approved for this purpose in accordance with Article 13 or in stores 
approved according to Directive 64/433/EEC; 
(g) be transported under satisfactory hygiene conditions in accordance with 
Chapter V of Annex I. 
2. In addition to paragraph 1, in the case of parts of carcases or boned meat, 
shall be obtained in conditions similar to those provided for in 
Article 3(B) of Directive 71/118/EEC, in establishments approved for this 
purpose in accordance with Article 13. 
Article 10 
Notwithstanding Articles 6(1), 7 and 8(1)(c), the placing on the market of 
small game uneviscerated and/or unskinned or unplucked and of big game 
unskinned shall be authorized provided that it is handled and stored separately from 
fresh meat, poultry meat, rabbit meat and game meat eviscerated and skinned. 
Article 11 
1. The official veterinarian may be helped by assistants placed under his 
authority and responsability 
(a) when carrying out the post mortem inspections referred to in 
Articles 6(1), 7, 8(l)(d) and 9(l)(d); 
(b) in the supervision of cut meat referred to in Articles 6(1), 7, 8(2)(b) 
.-VI.' (r) and '<<?); 
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(c) in the supervision of compliance with the requirements ot Chapter v ot 
Annex I and Chapter V of Annex II. 
2. Detailed rules governing this assistance shall, insofar as necessary, be 
determined in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 21. 
Artidle 12 
Rabbit meat or game shall not be used for human consumption if: 
(a) found to have one of the faults listed in point 10(a) of Annex 1 and 
point 14 (a) of Annex II; 
(b) originating from animals to which substances likely to make the meat 
dangerous or harmful to human health have been administered and on which 
the Scientific Veterinary Committee has expressed its opinion; 
(c) treated with ionizing or ultraviolet radiations or treated with 
tenderizers or other substances which could affect the organoleptic 
properties of the meat or colourants other than those used for health 
marking. 
Article 13 
1. Each Member State shall draw up a list of the establishments approved by 
it, each establishment having a veterinary approval number. Member 
States may approve for slaughtering and cutting of rabbit and game 
establishments approved according to Directive 71/118/EEC or Directive 
64/433/EEC, provided that those establishments are equipped for processing 
of rabbit meat and/or game meat and that those operations are performed in 
a way assuring the respect of the hygiene rules. Member States shall 
send this list to the other Member States and to the Commission. 
2. A Member State shall not approve an establishment unless compliance with 
this Regulation is assured. Member States shall withdraw approval if 
the conditions for approval cease to be fulfilled. 
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3. If a check has been made in accordance with Article 14 the Member State 
concerned shall take account of the conclusions resulting therefrom. The 
other Member States and the Commission shall be informed of the withdrawal 
of approval. 
4. Inspection and supervision of approved establishments shall be carried out 
under the responsibility of the official veterinarian who may be assisted 
in purely material tasks by staff specially trained for the purpose. The 
official veterinarian must at all times have free access to all parts of 
establishments in order to ensure that this Regulation is being complied 
with. 
The detailed rules governing this assistance shall be determined in 
accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 21. 
Article 14 
Veterinary experts from the Commission may, in so far as it is necessary to 
ensure uniform application of this Regulation, make on-the-spot checks; they 
may in particular verify whether approved establishments are actually 
complying with this Regulation. The Commission shall inform the Member States 
of the results of the investigations. 
A Member State in whose territory a check is being carried out shall give all 
the necessary assistance to the experts carrying out their duties. 
The general provisions for implementing this Article shall be determined in 
accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 21. 
Article 15 
1. The rules laid down in Council Regulation (EEC) No concerning 
veterinary checks in intra-Community trade in view of the completing of the 
internal market (1), shall apply, in particular with respect to the organiza­
tion of and the action to be taken following the checks carried out by the 
country of destination, and the safeguard measures to be applied in 
relation to health problems affecting production and distribution in the 
territory of the Community of rabbit meat and game meat. 
_ 
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Article 16 
1. Articles 6(1) and 7 shall not apply to farmed qame meat obtained by the 
farmer for his personal consumption or given directly without compensation 
to the final consumer. 
2. Article 8 shall not apply to wild game meat utilized by the hunter for his 
personal consumption or given directly without compensation to the final 
consumer. 
3. Article 9 shall not apply to rabbit meat obtained by the farmer for his 
personal consumption or given directly without compensation to the final 
consumer. 
Article 17 
1. Member States may grant exceptions: 
(a) to Articles 6(1) and 7 for farmed game meat sold directly in small 
quantities by the producer to the final consumer, provided that such 
transactions are performed in the same area in which the farm of 
production is located and that their establishments and sale points are 
regularly checked by the official service. 
(b) to Article 8(1) and (2) points (b) and (c) for wild game meat sold in 
small quantities in sale points regularly checked by the official 
service or sold in small quantities directly by the hunter to the final 
consumer. 
(ç) to Article 9 for rabbit meat sold directly in small quantities by the 
producer to the final consumer, provided that such transactions are 
performed in the same area in which the farm of production is located 
and that their establishments and sale points are regularly checked by 
the official service. 
2. In the cases referred to in paragraph 1, the meat shall be identified with a 
mark, allowing the identification of the producer or, in case of wild game, 
the hunter or the area of hunting. 
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CHAPTER III 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
Article 18 
This Regulation shall apply without prejudice to Community rules adopted in order 
to protect wildlife. 
Article 19 
The Annexes to this Regulation shall be amended by the Commission in accordance 
with the procedure laid down in Article 21 in order in particular to bring it 
into line with technological progress. 
Article 20 
Until the implementation of Community rules concerning import of game 
meat and rabbit meat from third countries, Member States apply to those 
import conditions at least equivalent to those laid down in this 
Regulation. 
Article 21 
1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Standing Veterinary Committee, set 
up by Council Decision 68/361/EEC (1), hereinafter referred to as 
the "Committee". 
2. Where the procedure laid down in this Article is to be followed, the pro­
visions set out below shalL apply. 
3. The representative of the Commission shall submit to the Committee a draft 
of the measures to be taken. The Committee shall deliver its opinion on 
the draft within a time limit which the Chairman may lay down according to 
the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority 
laid down in Article 148(2) of the Treaty in the case of decisions which 
the Council is required to adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The 
votes of the representatives of the Member States within the Committee 
shall be weighted in the manner set out in that Article. The Chairman 
shall not vote. 
(1) 0J No L 255, 18.10.1968, p. 23. 
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4. The Commission shall adopt the measures envisaged if they are in accordance 
with the opinion of the Committee. 
5. If the measures envisaged are not in accordance with the opinion of the 
Committee, or if no opinion is delivered, the Commission shall, without 
delay, submit to the Council a proposal relating to the measures to be 
taken. The Council shall act by a qualified majority. 
If, on the expiry of a period of. three months from the date of referral to 
the Council, the Council has not acted, the proposed measures shall be 
adopted by the Commission. 
Article 22 
This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 April 1990. 
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in 
al I Member States. 
Done at Brussels, For the Council 
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ANNEX I 
PUBLIC HEALTH RULES FOR RABBITS 
CHAPTER I 
•ANTE-MORTEM" HEALTH INSPECTION OF RABBITS 
1. Animals must undergo ante-mortem inspection before the beginning of daily 
slaughtering. The operator of the slaughterhouse or his agent must 
facilitate operations for performing ante-mortem health inspections and in 
particular any handling which is considered necessary. 
Each lot of animals sent for slaughter must be identified in order to allow 
the competent authority to determine its origin. 
2. Ante-mortem inspection may be restricted to detecting injuries received in 
transport if the rabbits have been inspected at the farm of origin within 
the last 24 hours and found to be healthy. In addition, the identity of 
the lot must be proved on arrival at the slaughterhouse. 
If the ante-mortem inspection at the farm of origin and at the 
slaugherhouse is not carried out by the same official veterinarian, a 
health certificate signed by an official veterinarian, stating that the 
animals have been visited and found fit for slaughtering must accompany the 
animals. 
3. The ante-mortem inspection must be carried out by the official veterinarian 
in accordance with professional rules under suitable lighting. 
4. The inspection must determine: 
(a) whether the animals are suffering from a disease which can be trans­
mitted to humans or animals, whether they show symptoms or whether 
their general condition is such as to indicate that the disease may 
occur; 
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(b) whether they show symptoms of a disease or of a disorder affecting its 
general conditions which may make the meat unfit for human consumption, 
5. Animals may not be slaughtered for human consumption where it is 
established that they suffer from the conditions referred at point 4. 
6. The animals referred to at point 4 must be killed seperately or after 
slaughter of all other rabbit and their meat disposed in a hygienic way. 
CHAPTER II 
POST-MORTEM HEALTH INSPECTION OF RABBITS 
7. Slaughtered rabbits must be inspected immediately after slaughter. 
8. The post-mortem inspection must be carried out under suitable lighting. 
9. The post-mortem health inspection must include: 
(a) visual inspection of the slaughtered animal, 
(b) where necessary, palpation and incision, 
(c) investigations of anomalies of consistency, colour, smell and, where 
appropriate, taste, 
(d) where necessary, laboratory tests. 
10. (a) Rabbit shall be declared totally unfit for human consumption where the 
"post mortem" inspection reveals the following: 
- diseases transmissible to man or animals; 
- malignant or multiple tumours; multiple abscesses; 
- extensive parasite infestation in the subcutaneous or muscle tissues; 
- presence of residues of forbidden substances or in excess of 
admitted levels; 
- poisoning; 
- extensive injuries or extensive bloody or serous imbibition; 
- anomalies as regards colour, smell or taste; 
anomalies as regards consistency, particularly oedema or severe 
emaciation. 
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(b) Parts of slaughtered animals which show localized lesions or contami­
nations not affecting the health of the rest of the meat shall be 
declared unfit for human consumption. 
(c) The results of the "ante-mortem" and "post-mortem" health inspections 
shall be recorded by the official veterinarian and, where diseases 
transmissible to humans or animals referred to in Article 4 or where 
the presence of residues are found, these shall be communicated to the 
official service authorities responsible for supervision of the herd 
from which the animals originated, as well as to the person 
responsible for the herd in question. 
CHAPTER III 
HEALTH MARKING 
11. The health marking must be made under the responsibility of the official 
veterinarian, who shall keep and maintain for that purpose: 
(a) instruments for marking the health marking on meat, to be handed over 
to the assistant staff only at the actual time of marking and for the 
length of time necessary for this purpose; 
(b) labels and wrappers where these already bear one of the marks or of 
the seals referred to in No 12. These labels, wrappers and seals 
shall be handed over in the required number to the assistant staff at 
the time when they must be used. 
12.1. The health marking shall consist of the following: 
(a) - on the upper part, the first letters in latin script (in capitals) 
of the name of the exporting country i.e. B, DK, D, EL, ESP, F, 
IRL, I, L, NL, P, UK, 
- in the centre, the veterinary approval number of the slaughter­
house or, where appropriate, the cutting premises, 
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- on the lower part, one of the following sets of initials: CEE, 
EEG, EWG, EOF, EEC or EOK, 
- the letters and figures must be 0.2cm high 
or 
(b) - an oval 6.5 x 4.5 cm containing the information listed in (a); the 
letters must be 0.8 cm high and the figures 1.1 cm high. 
2. The material used for marking must meet all hygiene requirements and the 
information refered to in point 1 shall appear on it in perfectly 
legible form. 
3. (a) The health marking referred to in point 1(a) must be made: 
- on unwrapped carcases by means of a seal containing the 
information*listed in point 1(a); 
- on or visibly beneath wrappers or other packaging of packed 
carcases; 
- on or visibly beneath wrappers or other packaging of parts of 
carcases or offal packed in small quantities. 
(b) The health marking referred to in point 1(b) must be made on large 
packaging. 
4. Where a health marking appears on the wrapper or packaging in accordance 
with point 3; 
- it must be applied in such a way that it is destroyed when the 
wrapper or packaging is opened, or 
- the wrapper or packaging must be sealed in such a way that it 
cannot be re-used after opening. 
CHAPTER IV 
STORAGE 
13. After post-mortem inspection rabbit meat must be chilled or frozen and 
kept at a temperature which may not at any time exceed +4°C if chilled and 
-12°C if frozen. 
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CHAPTER V 
TRANSPORT 
14. The rabbit meat must be dispatched in such a way that during transport it 
is protected from anything liable to contaminate it or to affect it 
unfavourably, having regard to the duration and conditions of transport 
and to the means of transport employed. In particular, vehicles used for 
this transport must be equipped in such a way as to ensure that the 
temperatures laid down at point 13 are not exceeded. 
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ANNEX II 
PUBLIC HEALTH RULES FOR WILD GAME 
CHAPTER I 
HEALTH AND HYGIENE RULES TO BE RESPECTED 
DURING KILLING AND TRANSPORT TO GAME PROCESSING HOUSE OF WILD GAME 
1. Wild game should be killed according to the rules approved by the official 
service for the protection of animal health, of public health, of the 
environment and the wildlife. 
2. Hunters 
noting any unusual conditions observed during hunting, evisceration and 
bleeding of the animal, should report to the veterinary inspector any such 
anomalies, if necessary in writing. 
3. Game carcases must be bled and the abdominal viscera removed in a hygienic 
way, as soon as possible after shooting. However, with the consent of the 
official service, carcases of small game may be conveyed as soon as 
possible to the game processing house without having had the abdominal 
viscera removed or having been bled. 
4. Taking into account the environmental conditions the official service may 
prescribe that the removal of the abdominal viscera is performed in larder 
easy to clean and disinfect. 
5. The correlation between carcases and offal referred to in point 12 must be 
ensured until the veterinary inspection. 
6. Game carcases must be hygienically transported to the game processing 
house, where necessary, in refrigerated trucks. 
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7. The temperature of the game carcasses must be reduced to 4*C for small 
game or +7° for big game as soon as possible. The official service, 
taking into account the environmental situation, may require that the 
carcases are put in refrigerated rooms within a period of 12 hours after 
killing, in order to avoid spoilage. 
8. Game carcases should be presented for inspection no later than 24 hours 
after the killing. However, the official service may decide that a 
supplementary period is allowed if the conditions of handling, chilling 
and transport are such that the game carcases will not deteriorate on 
account of the further time allowed. 
CHAPTER II 
VETERINARY HEALTH INSPECTION OF WILD GAME MEAT 
9. All game carcases must be inspected by an official veterinarian to ensure 
that it does not show lesions due to diseases transmissible to humans or 
animals. 
10. The official veterinarian must ensure that inspection is carried out under 
efficient and hygienic conditions. 
11. The official veterinarian must note and take into account observations 
referred to at point 2 which have been made during hunting, evisceration 
and bleeding of the game carcases, which have been reported by the hunter, 
and the health situation of the hunting area, according to Articles 3, 4 
and 5. , 
12. The official veterinarian must examine the game carcases, the trachea and 
lungs, the heart, the liver, the kidneys and the spleen. 
For small game uneviscerated, taking into account the environmental health 
situation of the hunting area from which the animals originate, the health 
inspection can be performed on a sample established by the official 
service. 
- 22 -
13. In the course of the examination, the inspector must pay particular 
attention to: 
(a) signs consistent with natural death, death by trapping or of a disease 
state at the time of death; 
(b) indication of decomposition; 
(c) signs of disease transmissible to man or animals; 
(d) presence of parasites, particularly in the subcutaneans or muscular 
tissues. 
Carcases of wild pigs in particular must undergo an investigation for 
trichinosis under the supervision and the responsibility of the 
official veterinarian. This investigation must be carried out in 
accordance with one of the digestion methods indicated for pig meat in 
Directive 77/96/EEC; 
(e) investigation of anomalies in consistency, colour, smell and, where 
appropr i ate, taste ; 
(f) presence of visible contamination. 
When it is necessary for the purpose of the health inspection, the 
official veterinarian may require the skinning and cutting of the game 
carcases. 
14. (a) A wild game meat shall be declared totally unfit for human consumption 
where the health inspection reveals the following: 
- diseases transmissible to humans or animals; 
- malignant or multiple tumours; multiple abscesses; 
- extensive parasite infestation in the subcutaneous or muscle tissues; 
- presence of residue of forbidden substances or in excess of the 
admitted levels; 
- poisoning; 
- signs consistent with natural death, death by trapping or of a 
disease stated at the time of death; 
- extensive injuries or extensive bloody or serous imbibition; 
- decomposition processes, such as heating, particularly after delayed 
discovery or evisceration; 
- distinct anomalies as regards colour, smell, taste; 
- distinct anomalies as regards consistency, particularly oedema or 
severe emaciation; 
- soiling which cannot be removed even by thorough cleaning. 
- 23 -
(b) Parts of game carcases which show localized lesions or contaminations 
not affecting the health of the rest of the meat shall be declared 
unfit for human consumption. 
(c) The results of the health inspections shall be recorded by the 
official veterinarian and, where diseases transmissible to humans or 
animals referred to in Article 3 or the presence of residues are 
found, communicated to the official service authorities responsible 
for supervision of the hunting area from which the animals originated, 
as well, if appropriate, to the person responsible for this hunting 
area. 
CHAPTER III 
GENERAL CONDITIONS FOE THE APPROVAL OF GAME PROCESSING HOUSES 
15. Beyond the general conditions for the approval of establishments, referred 
to in Annex I of Directive 64/433/EEC, the approved game processing houses 
must have at least: 
(a) chilling or refrigerating rooms large enough, for receiving and 
holding small game carcases at a temperature of +4*C and big game 
carcases at a temperature of +7*C, pending inspection and prior to 
processing; 
(b) working rooms for completing evisceration and skinning or feathering 
of game carcase with sufficient separation between the clean and dirty 
parts. These rooms must be equipped with adequate facilities for the 
veterinary health inspection referred to in Chapter II of this Annex; 
(c) a separate cutting room, if the cutting is performed in the establish­
ment; 
(d) a room for wrapping and packaging, if such operations are performed in 
the establishment unless the conditions provided for in point 62 of 
Chapter XI of Annex I to Directive 64/433/EEC are fulfilled; 
- 24 -
(e) equipment enabling hygienic handling of the game carcases; 
(f) a room or rooms suitably equipped for carrying out an examination for 
trichinella where such a test is carried out in the establishment. 
CHAPTER IV 
HEALTH MARKING FOR WILD GAME 
16. Health marking must be carried out under the responsibility of the 
official veterinarian. For this purpose, he shall keep and maintain: 
(a) the instruments intended for game meat health marking which he may 
hand over to assistants only at the time of marking and for the length 
of time required for this purpose; 
(b) the labels and wrapping material when marked as provided for in this 
chapter. The labels and wrapping material shall be given to the 
assistants at the time when they are to be used and in the required 
number. 
17. The health mark must be either: 
(a) an oval mark at least 6.5 cm wide by 4.5 cm high bearing the following 
information in perfectly legible characters: 
- on the upper part, the initials of the country in the territory of 
which the establishment is located (i.e. one of the following: B, 
DK, D, EL, ESP, F, IRL, I, L, NL, P, UK); 
- followed by the veterinary approval number of the establishment and 
the letter G, 
or; 
- 25 -
(b) an oval mark at least 6.5 cm wide by 4.5 cm high bearing the following 
information in perfectly legible characters: 
- on the upper part, the name of the country in the territory of which 
the establishment is located; 
- in the centre, the veterinary approval number of the establishment 
and the letter G, and 
- on the lower part, one of the following sets of initials: CEE, EEG, 
EWG, EOF, EEC or EOK. 
The letters must be at least 0.8 cm high and the figures at least 
1,1 cm high. 
The health mark may, in addition, include an indication of the 
official veterinarian who carried out the health inspection of the 
meat, or; 
(c) a seal large enough for the following information to appear in 
perfectly legible characters: 
- on the upper part, the initials of the country in the territory of 
which the establisments is located (i.e. one of the following B, DK, 
D, EL, ESP, F, IRL, I, L, NL, P, UK) 
followed by the veterinary approval number of the establishment and 
the letter "G"; 
- on the lower part, one of the following sets of initials: CEE, EEG, 
EWG, EOF, EEC or EOK; 
- the letters and figures must be at least 0.2 cm high. 
18. Carcases of big game must be stamped in ink or hot branded with the health 
mark referred to in point 17(a) or (b) at least in four places, on the 
shoulders and on the external surface of the thighs or marked with the 
seal referred to in point 17(c). 
Carcases of small game must be marked with the health mark referred to in 
point 17(c). 
19. Cuts of game meat or carcases of small game wrapped must be marked with 
the health mark referred to in point 17(a) or (b) apposed on the wrapping 
and the packaging. 
Game meat wrapped in small portions must be marked with the health mark 
referred to in point 17(c) apposed on the wrapping. 
- 26 -
CHAPTEK V 
STORAGE 
20. After inspection big game meat must be chilled or frozen and kept at a 
temperature which may not at any time exceed +7*C if chilled and -12*C if 
frozen. 
21. After inspection small game meat must be chilled or frozen and kept at a 
temperature which may not at any time exceed +4*C if chilled and -12*C if 
frozen. 
CHAPTER VT 
TRAMSPORT 
22. Game meat must be dispatched in such a way that during transport it is 
protected from anything liable to contaminate it or to affect it 
unfavourably, having regard to the duration and conditions of transport 
and to the means of transport employed. In particular, vehicles used to 
transport game meat must be equipped in such a way as to ensure that the 
temperatures laid down at points 20 and 21 are not exceeded. 
FINANCIAL STATEMENT concerning: 
Draft Council Regulation affecting game meat and rabbit meat 
1. Budget heading: Item: Title: 
III B 382 Inspection in Agriculture 
2. Legal basis: 
Article 43 of the Treaty 
T. Classification: IIMIHIfla^elllleWNon-compulsory expenditure 
4. Purpose/description of the measure: 
Verification of the implementation of the Regulation (Article 14) 
5. Method of calculation 
5.1 Form of expenditure: Mission expenses 
5.2 Community contribution: 100% 
5.3 Calculation: 200 days of mission per year at 170 ECU per day 
(actual cost of inspections) 
• 34 000 ECU per year 
6. Financial implication as regards operating appropriations 
6.1 Schedule of appropriations (m ECU) 
Year 
1991 0.034 
1992 0.034 
1993 0.034 
1994 0.034 
1995 0.034 
following years 
Total 0.170 
6.2 Financing during current year: None 
Observations: 
For the implementation of this regulation in addition 
2 supplementary posts A7/6 are necessary 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM (89) 496 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 03 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-89-502-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-54367-1 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg