OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Council Directive 90/675/EEC laying down the principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries
Date: 1995-09-13
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: consumer protection, health control, import, third country, veterinary inspection













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51995AC0969

OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Council Directive 90/675/EEC laying down the principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries  


Official Journal C 301 , 13/11/1995 P. 0023 





Opinion on the proposal for a  Council Directive amending Council Directive 90/675/EEC laying down the principles governing the  organization of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries ()(95/C  301/08)On 7  July 1995 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee,  under Articles 43 and 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned  proposal. The Section for Agriculture and Fisheries, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work  on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 7  September 1995. The rapporteur was Mr J. Bento  Gonçalves. At its 328th Plenary Session (meeting of 13  September 1995), the Economic and Social Committee  adopted the following Opinion unanimously. 1. Summary of Directive 90/675/EEC1.1. With a view to the completion of the single  market, the EU institutions have, since late 1990 (Directive 90/675/EEC of 18  December 1990),  sought to establish the basic principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on animal  products entering EU Member States from third countries. 1.2. The EU's main aim has been, firstly, to ensure security of supply and market stability and  secondly, to safeguard human and animal health. 1.3. By means of both a) the amendments to the original Directive and b) to an even greater extent,  the transitional measures under Article  30 of the Directive, each of the Member States has  attempted to turn the provisions of the Directive into actual operating procedures. 1.3.1. The EU's external border check points have been determined and pre-selected for this  purpose, and officially recognized by the Commission. The nature and frequency of the various  checks (documentary, identity and physical checks) on the quality of the products concerned -  harmonized or otherwise - have been decided on and rules drawn up. 1.3.2. The process of setting up checks at the external borders of the Community's 'hinterland' is  now almost complete and has even been able to benefit from exchanges of inspection officials  between the various border check points. 2. Areas where objectives have not been fully achieved2.1. Some of the principles laid down in  the Directive have not yet been fully applied, because of continuing difficulties in areas such as  fresh poultry and game bird meat and meat-based products, and more particularly as regards the list  of establishments to be officially recognized. 2.1.1. It should be borne in mind, however, that where as yet non-harmonized sectors are concerned,  products imported from third countries must meet the same requirements as those applying to the  same products traded between EU Member States: the importing Member State is responsible for  ensuring compliance with this principle. Moreover, in such cases it is compulsory for: a)the third country involved, or part of its territory, to figure on the relevant list endorsed by  the Commission and published in the EC Official Journal; b)the exporting country to guarantee, by means of accompanying animal and public health  certificates issued for this purpose, that each consignment has been produced and checked in  accordance with the rules laid down by Community law; c)each consignment only to be brought into the EU after documentary, identity and physical checks  (including sampling) have been carried out at border check points recognized by the official  veterinarians appointed for this purpose. 3. Conclusions3.1. In the light of the above, the proposal to amend Directive 90/675/EEC by  extending the deadline for adopting transitional measures to 31  December 1996 may be approved, the  original deadline having run out on 30  June 1995. 3.2. The Committee also supports the amendment on the basis of the progress made in standardizing  and transferring veterinary checks from national to Community level, and in the current  negotiations between the Commission and a number of third countries on mutual recognition of  certification agreements. The Commission feels that these agreements require reasonable technical  deadlines, given their complexity. 3.3. Under these conditions, the Committee endorses the proposed amendment, while urging Commission  services to complete the framework for harmonizing the sector's health standards without delay, if  possible before 31  December 1996. 3.4. It is however important that the date should not be further delayed, in order to ensure both  that the Union's credibility is preserved and that third countries continue to respect Community  provisions. Done at Brussels, 13  September 1995. The Presidentof the Economic and Social CommitteeCarlos FERRER() OJ No C  185, 19. 7. 1995, p. 16.