CELEX: 51991PC0375
Language: en
Date: 1990-10-25
Title: Amendment to the proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION ( EEC ) laying down the health rules for the production and placing on the market of meat products

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMVIUNITIES
                                     C0M(9 D 3 7 5 final
                                     Brussels, 25 October 1991
                 Amendment to the proposal for a
                     COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC)
        laying down the health rules for the production and
               placing on the market of meat products
     (presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 149(3)
                        of the EEC-Treaty)
 ---pagebreak---                                             ->f
                                  EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
On   12  February   1990,   the Commission    sent to  the  Council  a proposal  for   a
Regulation   laying down the health rules for the production and placing on the
market of meat products^ 1 ).
 In  response   to  the   opinion   delivered   by Parliament   during  its sitting   of
              2
9 July 1991^ ),    the Commission    has decided, pursuant    to Article 149(3) of   the
Treaty, to amend its original proposal.
(1) OJ No L 84, 02.05.1990, p. 89
(2) 0J No L .. .
 ---pagebreak---                                               n  AO
               AMENDMENT TO THE PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC)
                  laying down the health rules for the production and
                         placing on the market of meat products
                               (Presented by the Commission
                     pursuant to Article 149(3) of the EEC Treaty)
On 12 February 1990, the Commission presented the above proposal to the Council.
In   response   to   the  opinion   of  Parliament  delivered   during    its  sitting   of
9 July 1991, the following amendments are hereby made to the initial proposal:
1. The following recitals are added:
    "Whereas the Commission     should be provided with adequate resources to carry
    out its supervisory role;
    Whereas the Commission has agreed to submit a proposal         to the Council     for a
    general  framework directive on food hygiene and food safety as soon as pos-
    sible, and preferably before the end of 1991;"
2. Article 1(2) is replaced by the following:
    "2. Without prejudice to the provisions of Council Regulation (EEC) No. ... of
                  (laying down general health rules applicable to the production and
         placing on the market of products of animal        origin and specific heaith
         rules   applicable    to   certain   products   of  animal     orig:n)( 1 );  this
         Regulation shall not apply to the preparation and storage of rc«at products
         in retail   shops or   in premises adjacent    to points of sale, where such
         preparation and storage are preformed solely for the purpose of supplying
         the   final   customer   directly.   Where   necessary,    the   Commission,    in
         accordance with    the procedure   laid down  in Article 11, shall     adopt   the
         rules necessary to ensure uniform application of the activities referred
         to in this paragraph."
( 1 ) 0 J No ...
 ---pagebreak---                                               2-
3. The following indent is added to point 14 of Article 2:
   "-  Council  Regulation     (EEC) No.   ... of            laying down general      health
       rules applicable to the production and placing on the market of products
       of animal origin and specific health rules applicable to certain products
       of animal origin."
4. The following paragraph is added to article 4:
   "3. The Council, acting on a proposal from the Commission, and having consult-
       ed Parliament, shall take, before 31 December 1991, a decision concerning
       the incorporation     into meat products of starch or proteins of animal or
       vegetable origin and the maximum percentages which may be authorized from
       a technological viewpoint."
5. Article 6(1) is replaced by the following:
   "1. Experts   from   the Commission    shall  make on-the-spot     checks   in order   to
       monitor   the application of      this Regulation. They     shall,   in particular,
       verify whether establishments are actually complying with this Regulation.
       The  Commission    shall   inform   the Member   States   of   the results    of  the
       invest igat ion.
       A Member State in whose territory a check is being carried out shall give
       all necessary assistance to the experts in carrying out their duties."
6. The following paragraph is added to Article 7:
   "4. Derogations    shall   apply  only   where  they   are  consistent    with   Council
       Regulation    (EEC) No.    ... of            laying   down   general   health   rules
       applicable   to the production      and placing on    the market    of products of
       animal origin and specific health rules applicable to certain products of
       animal origin."
 ---pagebreak--- 7. In Annex A, Chapter   I (2)(a)   is replaced by the following:
   "(a) A sufficient number of facilities for cleaning and disinfecting hands and
        facilities for cleaning tools with hot water. Taps must not be hand or
        arm operable. For washing hands, the facilities must        have hot and cold
        running water or water premixed to a suitable temperature, cleaning and
        disinfecting products and hygienic means of drying hands."
8. In Annex A, Chapter I (5) is replaced by the following:
   "5. A refrigeration plant to keep the internal temperature of the meat, minced
       meat, meat   products or meat    preparations at the  levels required   by the
       Regulations referred to in Article 2(14) and this Regulation.
       This plant shall   include a system for draining off condensed water without
       any possibility of contamination of the meat, minced meat, meat products
       or meat preparations. The condensed water must be evacuated directly by a
       closed pipe connected to the waste water sewer;"
9. In Annex A, Chapter II (2) is replaced by the following:
   "2. Work  rooms and working    instruments and equipment   shall   not be used for
       purposes other   than work on meat, minced     meat, meat   products  and meat
       préparât ions.
       However, they may be used for the preparation of other foodstuffs either
       simultaneously or at different times, once authorization has been obtained
       from the competent authority, provided that all appropriate measures are
       taken to prevent contamination of the products covered by this Regulation
       or adverse changes in them."
 ---pagebreak--- 10. In Annex 1, Chapter      II (6) is replaced by the following:
    "6. Detergents, disinfectants and similar substances shall be used             in such a
        way that equipment, working instruments, meat, minced meat, meat products
        and meat     preparations     are not  adversely  affected.   Their   use   shall   be
        followed by thorough        rinsing of such equipment     and working    instruments
        with potable water. Products for maintenance and cleaning shall be kept
         in a separate,     lockable place    in order to avoid any risk of foodstuffs
        being contaminated;"
11. In Annex A, Chapter IV (4)(f) is replaced by the following:
    "(f) hygiene measures must         be taken  in order   to prevent    any  risk of     the
          mutual contamination of products which, having first undergone different
          treatment, are handled in the same wrapping and packaging room.
    (g)   immediately   after packaging, the meat products shall         be placed      in the
          storage rooms provided for the purpose."
12. In Annex A, Chapter VI (1), second subparagraph is replaced by the following:
    "Meat   products which      can be kept   at ambient  temperature may     be stored     in
    stores   outside    the    establishment   approved  for   the   manufacture    of    meat
    products, provided      that   the competent  authority has established      that    these
    stores    comply   with    conditions   equivalent   to   those   laid   down    in   this
    Régulât ion."
13. In Annex B, Chapter I (1)(f) is replaced by the following:
    "(f) a room for cleaning moveable equipment such as hooks and containers, and
          a lockable room or cupboard for the storage of cleaning and maintenance
          tools and products."
 ---pagebreak---                                          - 5 -
14. In Annex B, Chapter   II (1)(d) is replaced by the following:
    "(d) the   thermometers  of   heating  equipment    are  regularly    and  frequently
         checked against calibrated thermometers."
15. In Annex B, Chapter II (4) is replaced by the following:
    "4. Member States may allow the use of recirculated water for cooling heat-
        processed containers. Such water must       be filtered and have either been
        properly   disinfected  with   chlorine  or   undergone   some   other  treatment
        approved   in accordance with the procedure      laid down   in Article 11. The
        purpose of such treatment     is to make the recirculated water comply with
        the standards laid down in Annex l(E) to Directive 80/778/EEC so that it
        cannot contaminate the products and does not constitute a hazard to human
        health. The recirculated water shall circulate        in closed circuit sealed
        off from direct accès to potable water pipes so that           it cannot be used
        for other purposes."
16. In Annex B, Chapter III (2)(a), second subparagraph        is replaced by the fol-
    lowing:
    "These   controls  shall   cover   utensils,   fittings,    machinery,    staff,  raw
    materials and products at all stages of production."
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                                                              COM(91) 375 final
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                                                             ISBN 92-77-76230-6
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