PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL REGULATION ( EEC ) LAYING DOWN HEALTH RULES FOR THE PRODUCTION AND PLACING ON THE MARKET OF MELTED ANIMAL FAT, GREAVES AND BY-PRODUCTS OF RENDERING FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION
Date: 1989-10-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: health control, intra-EU trade, marketing, meat, meat product

COMMISSION  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

C0MC89)  490  f i n al 

Brussels,  17  October  1989 

Proposal  for  a 

COUNCIL  REGULATION  (EEC) 

laying  down  health  rules  for  the  production  and  placing  on  the  market 

of  melted  animal  f a t,  greaves  and  by-products  of  rendering  for 

human  consumption 

(presented  by  the  Commission) 

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

The Community must adopt measures aimed at establishing  the  internal market 

during a period expiring on 31 December  1992.  The need  for free movement  of 

products of animal origin must be reconciled with  the need  to protect  public 

health. 

In addition  to the health rules for products of animal origin certain  rules 

are proposed which are exclusively necessary  for  the production and  placing  on 

the market of melted animal  fat and other products, derived by rendering of 

meat and  intended  for human consumption.  This  to ensure  that  the  conditions 

of collections and  transport  of  the  raw materials and  their  rendering are  such 

as  to ensure the wholesomeness of  the final products. 

The Commission  is proposing  for the applicatory  decisions  the Regulatory 

Committee  formula.  This choise  is justified  in this case by a desire not  to 

disrupt  the management  process  in the veterinary  field.  It is without 

prejudice  to the Commission's preference  for the Consultative  Management 

formula. 

This proposal appears in the time-table  in the Annex  to the White  Paper on 

completing  the internal market. 

Proposal  for a 

COUNCIL  REGULATION  (EEC) 

laying down health rules for the production and  placing on  the market 

of melted  animal  fat, greaves and  by-products 

of rendering  for human  consumption 

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 melted  animal  fats are  included  in  the list of  products  in Annex  II of 

the Treaty;  whereas  raw materials used  for the production of melted  animal 

fats constitute  a source of  income for part of  the farming  population; 

Whereas, in order  to ensure  rational development  of  this sector and  to 

increase productivity,  rules concerning  public health affecting  production and 

placing on the market of melted  fats, and other products of  rendering, must  be 

laid down at Community  level; 

Whereas  the Community  is to adopt measures  designed  to establish  the  internal 

market  progressively over a period  expiring  on  31 December  1992; 

Whereas  it is opportune  to apply  certain health  rules already  laid down  in 

Council Regulation  (EEC) No 

(products of animal  origin)(l); 

whereas  it is necessary  to lay down additional  harmonized  health  rules  for  the 

production and placing on  the market  of melted  animal  fat and other  products, 

derived  from  rendering  of  animal tissues; 

- 2 -

Whereas provisions should be made for procedures establishing close and 

effective cooperation between the Commission and the Member States within 

the Standing Veterinary Committee, 

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION : 

Article 1 

This Regulation lays down health rules for the production and placing on the 

market of melted animal fat, greaves and by-products of rendering for human 

consumption. 

Article 2 

1. The definitions laid down in Article 2 of Council Regulation (EEC) 

No 

(Products of animal origin) shall apply. 

2. In addition, for the purpose of this Regulation the following definitions 

shall apply : 

(a) "raw materials" : meat, including bones, obtained from animal species 

referred to in Articles 2(1)  of Council Regulation  (EEC) No 

(fresh meat)(2) and  of Council Regulation  (EEC) No 

(poultry 

meat)(3); 

(b) "melted animal fat" : fat melted down from raw materials; 

(c) "premier jus" ; melted animal fat obtained by rendering at low 

temperature of fresh fat of heart, caul, kidney and mesentery of bovine 

animals; 

(d) "greaves" : the protein containing residue of rendering, after partial 

separation of fat and water; 

(2) 
(3) 

V 

-  3 -

(e)  "by-products" : other products derived during or directly  after 

rendering or derived  from greaves. 

Article 3 

Melted  animal  f a t,  greaves  and  by-products  of  rendering  shall  satisfy  the  require 
ments  laid  down  in  Articles  17  and  18  of  Council  Regulation  (EEC)  No 

(products of animal  origin). 

Article  4 

In addition  to Article 3 melted  animal  fat, greaves  and  by-products  of  rendering  must 

have been prepared  : 

(a) in an establishment  approved  by  the competent  authority.  The  establish 

ment and centres  for collection of raw materials must  meet  the require 

ments of Chapter  I of  the Annex; 

(b) in accordance with  the additional  requirements  laid down  in Chapter  II of 

the Annex. 

Article 5 

1.  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  8. 

-  4 -

2.  The Member  State concerned  shall  take all measures necessary  to take 

account of  the results of  the checks  referred  to in paragraph  1.  If the 

Member  State fails to take those measures, the Commission may, in 

accordance with the procedure  laid down  in Article  7, prohibit  the  placing 

on the market of products coming  from an establishment  which no  longer 

complies with  the provisions of  this Regulation. 

Article 6 

The Annex to this Regulation  shall be amended  in accordance with  the  procedure 

laid down in Article 8. 

Article 7 

1.  Where  the procedure  laid down  in this  Article is to be  followed, matters 

shall be referred without  delay by  its Chairman, either on his own 

initiative or at  the request  of a Member  State, to the Standing  Veterinary 

Committee(hereinafter  called  "the Committee") set up by Council  Decision 

68/361/EEC (A). 

2.  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. 

3.  The Commission  shall adopt  the measures  envisaged  if  they are  in 

accordance with  the opinion of  the  Committee. 

4.  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. 

(4) OJ No L 255, 18.10.1968, p. 23. 

- 5 -

If on the expiry of a period of fifteen days from the date of referral to 

the Council, the Council has not acted, the proposed measures shall be 

adopted by the Commission. 

Article 8 

1.  Where the procedure laid down in this Article is to be followed, the 

following provisions shall apply. 

2.  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. 

3.  The Commission shall adopt the measures envisaged if they are in 

accordance with the opinion of the Committee. 

4.  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. 

=) 

- 6 -

Article  9 

This Regulation  shall enter  into force on the thirtieth day  following  that 

of  its publication  in the Official  Journal of the European  Communities. 

It shall apply from  1 January 1993. 

This Regulation  shall be binding  in its entirety and directly  applicable  in 

all Member  States. 

Done at Brussels 

For  the Council 

*> 

ANNEX 

CHAPTER I 

REQUIREMENTS FOR ESTABLISHMENTS COLLECTING OR PROCESSING RAW MATERIALS 

1.  Centres for the collection of raw materials and further transport to 

processing establishments shall satisfy the general requirements, laid 

down in the Annex, Chapter I, of Council Regulation (EEC) No 

(Products of animal origin) and shall be provided with a cold store to 

store raw materials at an internal temperature of 7°C or less, unless the 

raw materials are collected and rendered within the time limits laid down 

in Chapter II. 

2.  The processing establishment must have at least : 

(a) a cold store, unless the raw materials are collected and rendered 

within the time limits laid down in Chapter 11(3); 

(b) a room or place to receive raw materials; 

(c) an installation to facilitate the visual inspection of raw materials; 

(d) if appropriate, an installation to crush raw materials; 

(e) equipment for the rendering of raw materials by heat or pressure or 

other appropriate method; 

(f) containers or tanks in which the fat can be kept in liquid state; 

(g) apparatus for plastification or crystallisation of the fat to 

facilitate market preparation and packaging, unless the establishment 

dispatches liquid melted animal fat only; 

(h) a dispatch room, unless the establishment dispatches melted animal fat 

only by means of tankers; 

(i) water-tight containers for the disposal of raw materials, not fit for 

human consumption; 

(j) if appropriate,  suitable equipment for the preparation of products 

consisting of melted animal fat, together with other foodstuffs and/or 

seasonings ; 

(k) in case the greaves are used for human consumption, suitable 

facilities ensuring hygienic collection, wrapping and packaging. 

-  2 -

CHAPTER  II 

ADDITIONAL  HYGIENE REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO THE  PREPARATION 

OF MELTED ANIMAL  FAT, GREAVES AND  BY-PRODUCTS 

1. Raw materials shall originate  from animals which were after  ante and 

postmortem  inspection  found  fit  for human  consumption. 

2. The  raw materials  shall consist  of adipose  tissues or bones  found  fit  for 

human consumption and which are  reasonably  free from blood  and  impurities. 

It must not show signs of deterioration and must  be obtained  under  hygienic 

circumstances. 

3. (a) For the preparation of melted  animal  fat, only adipose  tissues or 

bones, collected  at  slaughterhouses, cutting  plants or meat  processing 

establishments  shall be used.  Raw materials  shall be  transported  and 

stored until  rendering  in hygienic conditions and at an  internal 

temperature  of  7°C or less; 

(b) by way of derogation  from  (a) raw materials may be stored  and 

transported  unrefrigerated  provided  that  they are rendered  within  12 

hours after  the day of  slaughter. 

(c) by way of derogation  from  (a) raw materials, collected  at  retail  shops, 

or in premises adjecent  to sales points, where  the cutting  and  the 

storage of meat or poultry meat  is performed  for the only  purpose of 

supplying  the final  consumers  directly, may be used  for  the  preparation 

of melted animal  fat, provided  they are  in satisfactory  hygienic 

condition and properly  packed.  When  collected  daily  the  temperature 

requirements  laid down  in  (a) and  (b) must  be  respected. 

If the raw materials are not  collected  daily  it must  be  refrigerated 

immediately  after  it has been  obtained. 

4. Vehicles and  containers  for  the collection and  transport  of  raw materials 

must have smooth internal  surfaces, easy  to wash, clean and disinfect  and 

vehicles must be adequately  covered.  Vehicles  for  refrigerated  transport 

must have been designed  in such a way  that  the  temperature  required  can be 

maintained  throughout  the period  of  transport. 

4o 

- 3 -

5. Before rendering raw materials shall be inspected on the presence of meat, 

unfit for human consumption, or extraneous matters.  When present these 

must be removed. 

6. Raw materials shall be rendered by heat, pressure or other appropriate 

method, followed by a separation of the fat by décantation, centrifugation 

or filtration.  The use of dissolvents is prohibited. 

7. Melted animal fat, which is prepared in accordance with points (1),  (2), 

(3), (5) and (6) of this Chapter may be refined in the same or another 

establishment to improve its physico-chemical quality when the fat for 

refining satisfies the standard laid down in paragraph 8. 

AA 

- 4 -

8. Melted animal fat, depending the type, shall meet the following standard: 

BOVINES 

: 

PIGS 

OTHER ANIMAL FAT 

Edible Tallow 
:  Other 

.Premier: 
:  jus  : 

Tallow  , 
:  for 
: 
: Refining : 

Edible Lard 

Lard for : 
Refining : 

: 

Edible : 

For 
.Refining 

:FFA(m/m% oleic! 
:acid) max 

:0.75  : 

:1.25 

3,0 

! 
: 

0,75 

: 

2,0 

1.25 

: 3,00 

:Peroxyd max  : 

:4meq/ 
: kg 

'4 meq/kg : 

: 6 meq/kg : 

4 meq/kg 

:Moisture and 
:impurities 
:Odour, taste, 
:colour 

max 0,5% 

normal 

9. Greaves, intended for human consumption, shall be stored 

: 6 meq/kg 

:4 meq/kg 

:10 meq/kg 

(i) when rendered at a temperature of 70°C or less : at a temperature of less than 7*C 

for a period not exceeding 24 hours or at -18°C or less; 

(ii) when rendered at a temperature of more than 70°C and the greaves have a moisture 

content of 10% (m/m) or more : at a temperature of less than 7°C for a period not 

exceeding 48 hours or at -18°C or less; 

(iii) when rendered at a temperature of more than 70°C and the greaves have a moisture 

content of less than  10% (m/m) : no specific requirement. 

-1Z 

F I N A N C I AL 

S T A T E M E NT 

Concerning:  Draft  proposal  for  a  Council  Regulation  laying  down health  rules  for  the 
production  and placing  on the  sarket  of  animal  fat,  greaves  and  by-products  of 
rendering  for  husan consumption. 

1.  Budget  heading 

I II  B 

I tew 
382 

Title 
Inspection In Agriculture 

2. 

Legal  basis 
Article 43 of the Treaty 

3.  Classification :  Non-coipuIsory expenditure 

4.  Purpose / description of the weasure 

Verification of the application of the Regulation  (Art. 10) 

5.  Method of calculation 

5.1. Fori of expenditure : Mission expenses 

5.2. Coiwunlty contribution : 100 % 

5.3. Calculation 

200 wlssion days per year at ECU 170 per day (current cost of inspections) 
ECU 34,000 per year. 

6.  Financial  lip Heat Ion as regards operating appropriations 

6.1. Schedule of 

appropriations 

(ECU si 11 ion) 

Year 
1991 
1992 
1993 
1994 
1995 
Following years 

Total 

C.A. / P.A. 

0,034 
0,034 
0,034 

0.102 

6.2. Financing during current year : NIL 

Observations : 
This proposai  also calls for one additional  A7/6 post. 
The Budget Coiilttee will decide under which  Itew this expenditure will be charged 
when the 1990 draft budget  Is drawn up. 

13 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(89) 490 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

03  05 

Catalogue number : CB-CO-89-456-EN-C 

ISBN 92-77-53665-9 

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iv