PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL REGULATION ( EEC ) CONCERNING GAME MEAT AND RABBIT MEAT
Date: 1989-10-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: game meat, health control, marketing, rabbit meat

COMMISSION  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

C0MC89) 496 final 

Brussels, 17 October  1989 

Proposal  f or  a 

COUNCIL  REGULATION  (EEC) 

concerning  game  meat  and  r a b b it  meat 

(presented  by  the  Commission) 

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EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

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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 ; 

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•  i 

I 

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. 

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 

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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. 

- 4 -

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. 

RULES RELATING  TO PRODUCTION AND COMMERCIALIZATION  OF GAME MEAT AND RABBIT  MEAT 

CHAPTER  II 

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.  2 4. 
I  1 ' OJ  .%;: 

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..  ' - . 

- 6 -

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 

-  7 -

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. 

8 -

(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; 

- 9 

(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 

'<<?); 

-  1W  -

(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. 

- LI -

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. 

_ 

- 12 -

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. 

-  13 -

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. 

- 14 -

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 

-  15 -

A N N EX 

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; 

-  16 -

(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. 

-  17 -

(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, 

-  18 -

- 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. 

-  19 -

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. 

-  20  -

A N N EX 

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. 

- 21 -

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. 

VETERINARY HEALTH INSPECTION OF WILD GAME MEAT 

CHAPTER II 

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. 

GENERAL CONDITIONS FOE THE APPROVAL OF GAME PROCESSING HOUSES 

CHAPTER III 

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: 

III B 

Item: 

382 

Title: 

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 
1992 
1993 
1994 
1995 
following years 

Total 

0.034 
0.034 
0.034 
0.034 
0.034 

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