CELEX: 51989PC0496
Language: en
Date: 1989-10-17
Title: PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL REGULATION ( EEC ) CONCERNING GAME MEAT AND RABBIT MEAT

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                    C0MC89) 496 final
                                                    Brussels, 17 October 1989
 -Swiféf
   ~ ^ v*v-                       Proposal f o r a
                             COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC)
                      concerning game meat and r a b b i t meat
   • 4£
                          (presented by the Commission)
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 ---pagebreak---                                                                              •i r
                            EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
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.
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 2 -
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.
 ---pagebreak---                                    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 ;
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                             • i
                                                                                              I
                                         - 2 -
 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 3 -
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
                                    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.
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 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.
                                    CHAPTER II
RULES RELATING TO PRODUCTION AND COMMERCIALIZATION OF GAME MEAT AND RABBIT MEAT
                                     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.
 ---pagebreak---                                                     - 5 -
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 ' O J .%;:    .. ' - .            •- . _ . it.
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 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
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                          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;
 ---pagebreak---                                          - 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  '<<?);
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 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.
_
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                         - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 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
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 15 -
                                   A N N E X   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;
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                         - 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,
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 20 -
                                 A N N E X    I I
                        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.
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 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.
                                   CHAPTER II
                 VETERINARY HEALTH INSPECTION OF WILD GAME MEAT
 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 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.
                                   CHAPTER III
          GENERAL CONDITIONS FOE THE APPROVAL OF GAME PROCESSING HOUSES
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;
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 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;
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 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.
 ---pagebreak---   FINANCIAL STATEMENT           concerning:
  Draft Council Regulation affecting game meat and rabbit meat
 1. Budget heading:             Item:                          Title:
       III B                    382                            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                   0.034
                                1992                   0.034
                                1993                   0.034
                                1994                   0.034
                                1995                   0.034
                                following years
                                Total                  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
 ---pagebreak---                                                                       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
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