Commission Regulation (EC) No 1688/2005 of 14 October 2005 implementing Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards special guarantees concerning salmonella for consignments to Finland and Sweden of certain meat and eggs   (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2005-10-14
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Finland, Sweden, animal disease, beef, egg, export (EU), health control, pigmeat, poultrymeat, research method

15.10.2005

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Official Journal of the European Union

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COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1688/2005

of 14 October 2005

implementing Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council as
regards special guarantees concerning salmonella for consignments to Finland and Sweden of
certain meat and eggs

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

(3)

(4)

(5)

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down
specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin (1), and in
particular Article 9 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

At the time of their accession, Finland and Sweden were
granted additional salmonella guarantees covering trade
in fresh meat from bovine and porcine animals, fresh
poultrymeat and table eggs which were extended to
minced meat by Council Directive 94/65/EC (2). Those
guarantees were
as
amended by the Act of Accession for Austria, Finland
food in Council
and Sweden, namely as
Directive 64/433/EEC (3),
fresh meat,
Council Directive 71/118/EEC (4) in respect of fresh poul-
trymeat and Directive 92/118/EEC (5) in respect of eggs.

in certain Directives,

in respect of

set out

regards

As
from 1 January 2006, Directives 64/433/EEC,
71/118/EEC, and 94/65/EC are to be repealed by
Directive 2004/41/EC of the European Parliament and
of
the Council of 21 April 2004 repealing certain
Directives concerning food hygiene and health conditions
for the production and placing on the market of certain
origin
products
human
of
consumption
Directives
amending
89/662/EEC and 92/118/EEC and Council Decision
95/408/EC (6). Directive 92/118/EEC is to be amended
by Directive 2004/41/EC.

animal
and

intended

Council

for

Article 4 of Directive 2004/41/EC provides that pending
the adoption of the necessary provisions on the basis of
Regulations (EC) No 852/2004 (7), (EC) No 853/2004,
(EC) No 854/2004 (8) of the European Parliament and
of the Council or Council Directive 2002/99/EC (9), the
implementing rules adopted on the basis of Directives
71/118/EEC and 94/65/EC and those adopted on the
basis of Annex II
to Directive 92/118/EEC, with the
exception of Council Decision 94/371/EC (10) are to
continue to apply mutatis mutandis.

As from 1 January 2006, new rules concerning special
guarantees for food in respect of salmonella will apply
under Regulation (EC) No 853/2004.

There is therefore a need to update and complement as
appropriate the implementing provisions provided for in
Commission Decision 95/168/EC of 8 May 1995 estab-
lishing, as regards salmonella, additional guarantees for
consignments to Finland and Sweden of certain types of
intended for human consumption (11), Council
eggs
Decision 95/409/EC of 22 June 1995 laying down the
rules for the microbiological testing by sampling of fresh
beef and veal and pigmeat
intended for Finland and
Sweden (12), Council Decision 95/411/EC of 22 June
1995 laying down the rules for the microbiological
fresh poultry
testing for salmonella by sampling of
and
meat
for
Commission Decision 2003/470/EC of 24 June 2003
on the authorisation of certain alternative methods to
be used in microbiological testing of meat intended for
Finland and Sweden (14), pursuant to the new provisions
is furthermore
of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004.
in one
to gather
appropriate
Commission Regulation
repeal Decisions
95/168/EC, 95/409/EC, 95/411/EC and 2003/470/EC.

It
the provisions

Sweden (13),

intended

Finland

and

and

all

to

(1) OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 3, as corrected by OJ L 226, 25.6.2004,

(7) OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 1, as corrected by OJ L 226, 25.6.2004,

p. 22.

p. 3.

(2) OJ L 368, 31.12.1994, p. 10. Directive as amended by Regulation

(8) OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 206, as corrected by OJ L 226, 25.6.2004,

(EC) No 806/2003 (OJ L 122, 16.5.2003, p. 1).

(3) OJ 121, 29.7.1964, p. 2012/64. Directive as last amended by the

2005 Act of Accession.

(4) OJ L 55, 8.3.1971, p. 23. Directive as last amended by the 2005 Act

of Accession.

(5) OJ L 62, 15.3.1993, p. 49. Directive as

last amended by
Commission Regulation (EC) No 445/2004 (OJ L 72, 11.3.2004,
p. 60).

(6) OJ L 157, 30.4.2004, p. 33 ,as corrected by OJ L 195, 2.6.2004,

p. 12.

p. 83.

(9) OJ L 18, 23.1.2003, p. 11.
(10) OJ L 168, 2.7.1994, p. 34.
(11) OJ L 109, 16.5.1995, p. 44. Decision as amended by Decision

97/278/EC (OJ L 110, 26.4.1997, p. 77).

(12) OJ L 243, 11.10.1995, p. 21. Decision as amended by Decision

98/227/EC (OJ L 87, 21.3.1998, p. 14).

(13) OJ L 243, 11.10.1995, p. 29. Decision as amended by Decision

98/227/EC.

(14) OJ L 157, 26.6.2003, p. 66.

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(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

(12)

Implementing provisions should also be adopted for the
new special guarantees laid down in Regulation (EC) No
853/2004 as regard minced meat from poultry.

Article 2

Sampling of meat from porcine animals

The rules relating to microbiological tests by sampling
should be drawn up laying down the sampling method,
the number of samples to be taken and the microbio-
logical method to be used for examining the samples.

excluding meat preparations

The sampling of meat from porcine animals, including minced
and mechanically
meat but
Finland and Sweden and
separated meat,
intended for
subjected to a microbiological
in
accordance with Annex I.

test, shall be carried out

In the rules on sampling methods,
it is appropriate to
make a distinction, as regards meat from bovine and
porcine animals, between carcases and half carcases, on
the one hand and quarters, cuts and smaller pieces on the
other, and, as regards meat from poultry, between whole
carcases, on the one hand, and parts of carcases and offal
on the other.

Article 3

Sampling of meat from poultry

The sampling of meat from domestic fowl, turkeys, guinea fowl,
including minced meat but excluding meat
ducks and geese,
preparations and mechanically separated meat,
intended for
Finland and Sweden and subjected to a microbiological test,
shall be carried out in accordance with Annex II.

It is appropriate to take account of international methods
for the sampling and for the microbiological examination
of samples, as reference methods, while allowing the use
of certain alternative methods that have been validated
and certified as providing equivalent guarantees.

Article 4

Sampling of the flocks of origin of eggs

The sampling of the flocks of origin of the eggs intended for
Finland and Sweden and subjected to a microbiological test
shall be carried out in accordance with Annex III.

It is necessary to update or to establish where appro-
priate the models of trade and certification documents
accompanying consignments and declaring or certifying
that the guarantees are fulfilled.

the

special

Pursuant to Article 8(2)(c) and (d) of Regulation (EC) No
should not be
853/2004,
applicable to any consignment
to a
is subject
programme recognised as equivalent to that implemented
by Finland and Sweden, or to consignments of meat
from bovine and porcine animals and eggs destined to
special treatments.

guarantees
that

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in
accordance with
Standing
Committee for the Food Chain and Animal Health,

opinion

the

the

of

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Sampling of meat from bovine animals

excluding meat preparations

The sampling of meat from bovine animals, including minced
and mechanically
meat but
and
separated meat,
intended for
subjected to a microbiological
in
accordance with Annex I.

Finland and Sweden,
test shall be carried out

Article 5

Microbiological methods

the examination of

the

for
samples

the samples
1. Microbiological
taken in accordance with Articles 1 to 4 shall be carried out
in accordance with the most recent edition of:

testing for salmonella of

(a) standard EN/ISO 6579 (15) (EN/ISO 6579); or

(b) method No 71 described by the Nordic Committee on Food

Analysis (NMKL) (16) (method No 71).

Where the results of the microbiological testing are contested
between Member States, the most recent edition of EN/ISO
6579 shall be regarded as the reference method.

However, for samples of meat from bovine and porcine
2.
animals and of meat
the following analytical
from poultry,
methods, which shall be validated by the use of meat samples
in the validation studies, may be used for the microbiological
testing for salmonella:

(15) EN/ISO 6579: Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs —

Horizontal method for the detection of Salmonella spp.

(16) NMKL method No 71: Salmonella. Detection in food.

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the most recent
methods that have been validated against
editions of EN/ISO 6579 or of method No 71 and if a
proprietary method, certified by a third party in accordance
with the protocol set out in standard EN/ISO 16140 (EN/ISO
16140) or other internationally accepted protocols.

Article 6

Documentation

Consignments of egg referred to in Article 4 shall be
2.
accompanied by a certificate complying with the model set
out in Annex V.

Article 7

Decisions 95/168/EC, 95/409/EC, 95/411/EC and 2003/470/EC
are repealed.

Article 8

1.
Consignments of meat referred to in Articles 1, 2 and 3
shall be accompanied by a trade document complying with the
model set out in Annex IV.

This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following
its publication in the Official journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 1 January 2006.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 14 October 2005.

For the Commission

Markos KYPRIANOU
Member of the Commission

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ANNEX I

Sampling rules applicable to meat or minced meat from bovine and porcine animals when intended for
Finland and Sweden

S e c t i o n A

SAMPLING METHOD

1. Carcases, half-carcases and quarters obtained from the slaughterhouse of origin (swab technique)

The non-destructive sampling method as described in ISO 17604 standard,
transport of samples must be used.

including the rules for storage and

For beef carcases, three sites must be sampled (leg, flank and neck). For pork carcases, two sites must be sampled (leg
and brisket). An abrasive sponge sampling method must be used. The sampling area must cover a minimum of
100 cm2 per site selected. Samples from the different sampling sites on the carcase must be pooled before exam-
ination.

Each sample must be duly marked and identified.

2. Quarter cuts obtained from an establishment other than the slaughterhouse of origin of the carcase, cuts and

smaller pieces (destructive method)

Pieces of tissue must be obtained by punching a sterile cork borer into the meat surface or cutting a slice of tissue of
approximately 25 cm2 with sterile instruments. The samples must be aseptically transferred into a sample container or
plastic dilution bag and then homogenised (peristaltic stomacher or rotary blender (homogeniser)). Samples of frozen
meat must remain frozen during transport to the laboratory. Samples from chilled meat must not be frozen but kept
refrigerated. Separate samples of the same consignment may be pooled as established in EN/ISO 6579 standard, up to
a maximum of 10.

Each sample must be duly marked and identified.

3. Minced meat (destructive method)

Pieces of meat must be obtained by sampling of approximately 25 g with sterile instruments. The samples must be
aseptically transferred into a sample container or plastic dilution bag and then homogenised (peristaltic stomacher or
rotary blender (homogeniser)). Samples of frozen meat must remain frozen during transport to the laboratory. Samples
from chilled meat must not be frozen but kept refrigerated. Separate samples of the same consignment may be pooled
as established in EN/ISO 6579 standard, up to a maximum of 10.

Each sample must be duly marked and identified.

S e c t i o n B

NUMBER OF SAMPLES TO BE TAKEN

1. Carcases, half-carcases, half-carcases cut into a maximum of three pieces and quarters referred to under A(1)

The number of carcases or half-carcases (units) in a consignment of which separate random samples are to be taken
must be as follows:

Consignment (number of packing units)

Number of packing units to be sampled

1-24

25-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60-89

90-199

200-499

500 or more

Number equal to the number of packing units, with a
maximum of 20

20

25

30

35

40

50

55

60

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2. Quarters, cuts and smaller pieces as referred to under A(2) and minced meat as referred to under A(3)

The number of packing units in the consignment of which separate random samples are to be taken must be as
follows:

Consignment (number of packing units)

Number of packing units to be sampled

1-24

25-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60-89

90-199

200-499

500 or more

Number equal to the number of packing units, with a
maximum of 20

20

25

30

35

40

50

55

60

Depending on the weight of the packing units, the number of packing units to be sampled may be reduced using the
following multiplication factors:

Weight of packing units

Multiplication factors

> 20 kg

× 1

10-20 kg

× 3/4

< 10 kg

× 1/2

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ANNEX II

Sampling rules applicable to meat or minced meat from poultry when intended for Finland and Sweden

S e c t i o n A

SAMPLING METHOD

1. Carcases (with the neck skin still attached)

Random samples must be evenly distributed through the whole consignment. Sampling must consist of pieces of
about 10 g of neck skin to be removed aseptically with a sterile scalpel and tweezers. Samples must be kept
refrigerated until examination. Samples may be pooled as established in EN/ISO 6579 standard, up to a maximum
of 10.

Samples must be duly marked and identified.

2. Carcases without neck skin, carcase parts and offal (Destructive method)

Pieces of tissue of about 25 g must be obtained by punching a sterile cork borer into the meat surface or cutting a
slice of tissue with sterile instruments. Samples must be kept refrigerated until examination. Samples may be pooled as
established in EN/ISO 6579 standard, up to a maximum of 10.

Samples must be duly marked and identified.

3. Minced meat (Destructive method)

Pieces of meat must be obtained by sampling of approximately 25 g with sterile instruments. Samples must be kept
refrigerated until examination. Samples may be pooled as established in EN/ISO 6579 standard, up to a maximum of
10.

Samples must be duly marked and identified.

S e c t i o n B

NUMBER OF SAMPLES TO BE TAKEN

The number of packing units in the consignment of which separate random samples are to be taken must be as follows:

Consignment (number of packing units)

Number of packing units to be sampled

1-24

25-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60-89

90-199

200-499

500 or more

Number equal to the number of packing units, with a
maximum of 20

20

25

30

35

40

50

55

60

Depending on the weight of the packing units, the number of samples may be reduced by using the following multi-
plication factors:

Weight of packing units

Multiplication factors

> 20 kg

× 1

10-20 kg

× 3/4

< 10 kg

× 1/2

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ANNEX III

Sampling rules applicable to flocks when eggs are intended for Finland and Sweden

S e c t i o n A

SAMPLING METHOD

Sampling must consist of faecal material collected according to one of the following methods:

1.

in the case of hens raised on perches or free-range:

1.1. composite samples of faeces, each sample consisting of separate samples of fresh faeces, each weighing at least
1 gram, are to be taken at random at a number of points in the building in which the hens are kept or, where
such hens have free access to more than one building on a given farm, such samples must be taken in each group
of farm buildings in which the hens are kept;

1.2. boot swabs (i.e. overboots or tubegauze ‘socks’): the surface of the boot swab must be moistened using appro-
priate recovery diluent (such as 0,8 % sodium chloride plus 0,1 % peptone in sterile dionised water), or sterile
water, or any other diluent approved by the competent authority. Farm water containing antimicrobials or
additional disinfectants must not be used. Walking around must be done in a manner which will sample
representatively all parts of the building,
including littered and slatted areas when slats are safe to walk on.
On completion of sampling, boot swabs must be removed carefully so as not to dislodge adherent material. The
two pairs of boot swabs may be pooled for analysis;

2.

in the case of laying hens in cages, such samples are to be taken from scrapers or from surface droppings in the pit.

S e c t i o n B

QUANTITY OF SAMPLES TO BE TAKEN

The quantity of samples must be as follows, depending of the sampling method used under section A:

— in case of the method referred to under 1.1.: 60 faeces samples must be taken in the building or group of farm

buildings,

— in case of the method referred to under 1.2.: 2 pairs of boot swabs must be used,

— in case of the method referred to under 2.: 60 faeces samples must be taken, or at least 60 gram of naturally mixed

faeces.

S e c t i o n C

SAMPLING FREQUENCY

The flock must be sampled within a period of two weeks before the beginning of laying and thereafter at least once every
25 weeks.

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ANNEX IV

Notes:

(a) Commercial documents shall be produced, according to the layout of the model appearing in this Annex. It shall
contain, in the numbered order that appears in the model, the attestations that are required for the transportation of
meat from bovine or porcine animals or meat from poultry, including minced meat.

(b) It shall be drawn up in one of the official languages of the EU Member State of destination. However, it may also be
drawn up in other EU languages, if accompanied by an official translation or if previously agreed by the competent
authority of the Member State of destination.

(c) The commercial document shall be produced at least in triplicate (one original and two copies). The original shall
accompany the consignment to its final destination. The receiver must retain it. The producer must retain one of the
copies and the carrier the other.

(d) The original of each commercial document shall consist of a single page, both sides, or, where more text is required it

shall be in such a form that all pages needed are part of an integrated whole and indivisible.

(e) If for reasons of identification of the items of the consignment, additional pages are attached to the document, these
pages shall also be considered as forming part of the original of the document by the application of the signature of
the responsible person, in each of the pages.

(f) When the document, including additional pages referred to in (e), comprises more than one page, each page shall be
numbered, (page number) of (total number of pages), at the bottom and shall bear the code number of the document that
has been designated by the responsible person at the top.

(g) The original of the document shall be completed and signed by the responsible person.

(h) The colour of the signature of the responsible person shall be different to that of the printing.

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Model certificate for the consignment to Finland and Sweden of eggs intended for human consumption

ANNEX V

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