EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 70/53

(2004/C 70 E/056)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1626/03

by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 May 2003)

Subject: Consumer protection in relation to eggs and egg products imported from the US

In light of the health precautions in place in the EU in relation to the production of eggs, how does the Commission intend to ensure the same level of consumer protection in relation to eggs and egg products that are imported from the USA?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(30 June 2003)

The existing legislation in place is already designed to ensure that both imported and domestically produced eggs and egg products offer equivalent levels of safety. Recent checks carried out in Belgium have brought to light the presence of residues of banned substances in egg products, including in products imported from the United States. The Commission is, in accordance with the normal practice in such cases, pursuing these findings with the authorities in the United States. In addition, the Commission has requested Member States to carry out an increased level of testing on egg products, of both Union and third country origin, for banned substances. Member States already have to carry out on a routine basis sampling in the egg sector, mainly to check for banned substances, in accordance with the provisions laid down by Council Directive 96/23/EC (1) and Commission Decision 97/747/EC (2).

Discussions have taken place with the Member States in the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health and the situation will continue to be closely monitored, especially in the light of the results of the increased testing requested by the Commission. The Commission especially took the opportunity to remind Member States to sensitise all producers and traders of egg powder to the need to apply hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) to their activities and to consider as a critical control point the control of residues in the raw/starting materials. From a general point of view, Community legislation imposes a series of health and supervisory requirements, designed to ensure that imported animals and products meet standards at least equivalent to those required for production in, and trade between, Member States. Directive 92/118/EEC of 17 December 1992 (3) lays down the health conditions for the import of eggs and egg products. According to its provisions, these products must come from a third country appearing on the list provided for in Part VIII of Commission Decision 94/278/EC (4). In addition, they must fulfil the conditions laid down in Commission Decision 97/38/EC of 18 December 1996 setting specific public health requirements for imports of egg products for human consumption and be accompanied by a health certificate referred to in that Decision (5).

Furthermore, in accordance with the provisions laid down by Council Directive 97/78/EC, of 18 December 1997, laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries (6), each consignment of eggs and egg products intended to be imported from the United States into one of the Member States, must undergo a documentary, an identity and a physical check, including possible laboratory checks, to verify if the products offer the same level of consumer protection required by the relevant Community legislation.

(1) Council Directive 96/23/EC of 29 April 1996 on measures to monitor certain substances and residues thereof in live animals and animal products and repealing Directives 85/358/EEC and 86/469/EEC and Decisions 89/187/EEC and 91/664/EEC, OJ L 125, 23.5.1996.

(2) Commission Decision 97/747/EC of 27 October 1997 fixing the levels and frequencies of sampling provided for by Council Directive 96/23/EC for the monitoring of certain substances and residues thereof in certain animal products, OJ L 303, 6.11.1997.

(3) Directive 92/118/EEC of 17 December 1992 laying down animal health and public health requirements governing trade in and imports into the Community of products not subject to the said requirements laid down in specific Community rules referred to in Annex A (I) to Directive 89/662/EEC and, as regards pathogens, to Directive 90/425/EEC, OJ L 62, 15.3.1993.

(4) Commission Decision 94/278/EC of 18 March 1994 drawing up a list of third countries from which Member States authorise imports of certain products subject to Council Directive 92/118/EEC, OJ L 120, 11.5.1994.

(5) OJ L 14, 17.1.1997.

(6) OJ L 24, 30.1.1998.