CELEX: 51989PC0490
Language: en
Date: 1989-10-17
Title: 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

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                  C0MC89) 490 f i n a l
                                                  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)
 ---pagebreak---                               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.
 ---pagebreak---                                 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;
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 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
 ---pagebreak---                                          - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 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.
                                                                          =)
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 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
                                                                            *>
 ---pagebreak---                                      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.
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 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
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 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
 ---pagebreak---                                                 - 4 -
8. Melted animal fat, depending the type, shall meet the following standard:
                              BOVINES          :              PIGS              OTHER ANIMAL FAT
                   Edible Tallow       Tallow ,                      Lard for : Edible : For
                .Premier:: Other    :    for    : Edible Lard     : Refining :          .Refining
                : jus :             : Refining :
:FFA(m/m% oleic!
:acid) max      :0.75   ::1.25        3,0      !:       0,75       : 2,0       1.25     : 3,00
:Peroxyd max   ::4meq/   '4 meq/kg :: 6 meq/kg :        4 meq/kg : 6 meq/kg :4 meq/kg :10 meq/kg
                : kg
:Moisture and                                           max 0,5%
:impurities
:Odour, taste,                                          normal
:colour
9. Greaves, intended for human consumption, shall be stored
     (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
 ---pagebreak---                  F I N A N C I A L                 S T A T E M E N T
     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 tew             Title
           III B                382                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                    C.A. / P.A.
        1991
        1992
        1993                        0,034
        1994                        0,034
        1995                        0,034
        Following years
        Total                       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
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                                                                      ISSN 0254-1475
                                                              COM(89) 490 final
                                                      DOCUMENTS
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