WRITTEN QUESTION E-1709/03

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 May 2003)

Subject: Operation of meat markets in Greece

Articles in the Greek press are expressing concerns regarding the hygiene rules applied in Greece's meat markets. What are the most recent reports from the technical experts at the Commission who have visited Greece and what are their main conclusions? In which meat markets and fish markets have serious problems been identified in connection with the application of hygiene rules? What is the timetable for forthcoming visits by Commission monitors to Greece, and what is their main focus of interest?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(9 July 2003)

Inspectors from the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) have carried out the following missions to the Rendi meat market in Athens:

- DG(SANCO)/8513/200214 17 January 2002;

- DG(SANCO)/8644/200215 19 July 2002.

Reports of the outcome of these missions may be found at the Health and Consumer Protection Directorate General website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/inspections/index_en.html

These missions found a number of serious deficiencies in the layout, structure and operation of the Market, together with failings in the official control systems.

An FVO mission, DG(SANCO)/8660/2002, on the traceability of beef and beef products, was carried out in Greece on 26 November 6 December 2002. During this mission the opportunity was taken by the inspection team to visit the Market to review the actions taken in response to the earlier missions by the Greek authorities.

During the above-mentioned mission, the FVO inspection team noted that some structural and maintenance deficiencies had been addressed. However, many of the outstanding issues remained, and the team considered that a risk to consumer health from conditions in the Market could not be precluded.

The Commission services have been in very close contact with the Greek authorities with a view to achieving the necessary improvements in the Market. This issue was raised at a high level meeting between the Commission's services and the Greek authorities in February 2003. In their response to the issues raised during this meeting, which was received in May 2003, the Greek authorities deemed considerable progress to have been made in respect of the infrastructure of, and controls over, the Market. They stated that, as a consequence, the operation of the establishments within the Market had been upgraded. They also provided details of the timetable for the construction of the new Market premises, which is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2005.

A further FVO mission to Greece is planned for 21-25 July 2003. This will review the situation in Rendi Market and evaluate progress since the last mission. It will also examine the situation in other parts of the red meat sector in some regions of Greece. The mission will also allow Commission services to assess the actions described in the response from the Greek authorities. The Commission has made it clear that delays in closing non-compliant establishments within the existing Market are unacceptable and that urgent action is needed to achieve acceptable hygiene and operational standards. Protection of consumer health must be given the highest priority. Subject to the outcome of this mission, the Commission will decide on what further action is needed, which may include the institution of infringement proceedings.

No other meat market has been visited by the FVO in Greece. However, two fish wholesale markets were inspected during a FVO mission (DG(SANCO)/3164/2001, 29 January to 9 February 2001) on fishery and live bivalve mollusc production. There were some deficiencies in the hygiene and maintenance of both markets, and structural and equipment deficiencies in one (there was a plan for the reconstruction of the latter premises). In addition, official controls were not performed as required by Community legislation. However, these deficiencies were not considered to be sufficiently serious to jeopardise consumer health. Following the FVO mission, the Greek authorities gave guarantees as to the corrective actions taken to address the identified deficiencies which the Commission will continue to monitor.