COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
COM(94) 539 final 
Brussels, 06.12.1994 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
laying down the rules for the microbiological test by sampling in the establishment of 
origin for poultry for slaughter intended for Finland and Sweden 
(presented by the Commission) 
EXPLANATORYMEMORANDUM 
In application of article of article 10b of Council Directive 90/539/EEC of 15 October 
1990 on animal health conditions governing intra-Community trade in, and exports 
from third countries of, poultry and hatching eggsO), 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 poultry for slaughter 
intended for Finland and Sweden. This testing regards salmonella and in particular the 
serotypes not mentioned in Annex II, Chapter III (A) of the Directive. 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. The proposed method is based on the opinion of the Scientific Veterinary 
Committee. 
The number of samples to be taken is based on statistical sampling schemes allowing 
the detection of 5 % contamination at a 95 % of confidence level. 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 slaughter poultry from a holding 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. 
OOJl^LSOS.Sl. JO. 1990, p. 6 
<2> OJ N° C 241,29. 8. 1994, p. 136 
PROPOSAL FOR A 
COUNCIL DECISION 
laying down the rules for the microbiological test by sampling in the establishment of 
origin for poultry for slaughter 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 90/539/EEC of 15 October 1990 on animal health 
conditions governing intra-Community trade in, and exports from third countries of, 
poultry and hatching eggs1, 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 2, A, 4, (c)2, and in particular article 10b, 1, 
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, as regards the range of the test and the methods to be adopted, it is 
necessary to refer to the opinion of the Report of the Scientific Veterinary Committee 
of 10.6.1994; 
Whereas, in conformity with article 10b, paragraph 2 of Council Directive 
90/539/EEC, the provisions provided for in this Decision must take into account the 
operational programme submitted by Finland and Sweden, 
1 OJN°L303,31. 10. 1990, p. 6 
2 OJ N° C 241,29, 8. 1994, p. 136 
1 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1 
The sampling method is laid down in point 1 of the Annex. 
Article 2 
The number of samples to be taken is laid down in point 2 of the Annex. 
Article 3 
The microbiological method for the examination of the samples is laid down in 
point 3 of the Annex. 
Article 4 
This Decision shall apply from 1 January 1995 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 
AMHEX 
1. Sampling method 
The flock must be sampled within 14 days before slaughter. The samples to be taken shall 
comprise pooled litter or faeces samples made up of separate samples of fresh litter or faeces 
each weighing not less than 1 g, taken at random from a number of sites in the building in 
which the birds are kept, or, where the birds have free access to more than one building on a 
particular holding, from each group of buildings on the holding in which birds are kept. 
2. Number of samples to be taken 
The number of sites from which separate faeces or litter samples are to be taken in order to 
make a pooled sample shall be as follows: 
Number of birds kept in a building number of faeces or litter samples to be taken in the 
building or group of buildings on the holding 
1-24 number equal to the number of 
units with a maximum of 20 
25-29 20 
30-39 25 
40-49 30 
50-59 35 
60-89 40 
90-199 50 
200-499 55 
500 or more 60 
3. Microbiological method for the examination of the samples 
Microbiological testing of the samples for SalmoneHa must be carried out according to the 
standard method of the International Standard Organisation, ISO 6579:1993. 
i-
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(94) 539 final 
DOCUMENTS 
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ISBN 92-77-82908-7 
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