CELEX: 51994PC0560
Language: en
Date: 1994-12-06
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION laying down the rules for the microbiological test by sampling of fresh poultrymeat intended for Finland and Sweden

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                        COM(94) 560 final
                                                        Brussels, 06.12.1994
                                    Proposal for a
                                   COUNCIL DECISION
   laying down the rules for the microbiological test by sampling of fresh poultrymeat
                            intended for Finland and Sweden
                           (presented by the Commission)
                                                                                   \
 ---pagebreak---                             EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
In application of article 5, 3 (a) of Council Directive 71/118/EECof 15 February 1971
on health problems affecting trade in fresh poultrymeatO, as amended by the Act
concerning the conditions of accession and the adjustments to the Treaties on which
the Union is founded*2), the Council acting on a proposal of the Commission shall lay
down the rules for the microbiological test by sampling of fresh poultrymeat intended
for Finland and Sweden. This should be done before the date of entry into force of the
Accession Treaty.
This proposal is presented with this objective.
The purpose of this draft Decision is to fix the sampling method, the number of
samples to be taken as well as the microbiological method for the examination of the
samples.
As concerns the sampling method, a distinction is made between carcasses on the one
hand and carcass parts and offals on the other hand. The number of samples to be
taken are based on statistical sampling schemes allowing the detection of 5 %
contamination at a 95 % of confidence level and take into account the weight of
packing units. The proposed microbiological method for the examination of the
samples refers to an international standard.
 It should be noted that the proposed provisions
 •    shall only apply after approval of operational programmes to be presented by
      Finland and Sweden;
 •    shall not apply for poultrymeat originating in an establishment which is subject to
      a programme recognised as equivalent to the one applied by Finland and Sweden.
 This draft Decision has no financial consequences on the budget of the European
 Community.
 WOJ.N°L55,8.3.l97l,p.23
 (2) OJ N° C 241, 29. 8. 1994, p. 141
 ---pagebreak---                                    PROPOSAL FOR A
                                  COUNCIL DECISION
   laying down the rules for the microbiological test by sampling of fresh poultrymeat
                             intended for Finland and Sweden
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 71/118/EEC of 15 February 1971 on health
problems affecting trade in fresh poultrymeat1, as amended by the Act concerning the
conditions of accession and the adjustments to the Treaties on which the Union is
founded, Annex I, V, E, part 1, chapter 3,3, (b)2, and in particular article 5, 3 (a),
Whereas, in order to lay down the rules for the microbiological test by sampling, it is
necessary to fix the sampling method, the number of samples to be taken as well as
the microbiological method for the examination of the samples;
Whereas, in so far as the sampling methods to be applied are concerned, it is
appropriate to make a distinction between whole carcasses on one hand and parts of
carcasses and offals on the other hand;
Whereas concerning the number of samples to be taken, it is appropriate to apply a
confidence level of 95 % to detect a prevalence of salmonella of 5 %; whereas the
weight of packing units should be taken into account;
Whereas, it is appropriate to take into account international methods for the
microbiological examination of samples;
Whereas, in conformity with article 5, paragraph 4 of Council Directive 71/118/EEC
the provisions provided for in this Decision shall apply only after approval by the
Commission of an operational programme to be presented by Finland and Sweden,
 r
   OJN°L 55, 8.3.1971, p. 23
2
  OJN°C241,29.8. 1994, p. 141
 ---pagebreak--- HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
                                      Article 1
The sampling method is laid down in Annex I.
                                      Article 2
The number of samples to be taken is laid down in Annex II.
                                      Article 3
The microbiological method for the examination of the samples is laid down in
Annex-III.
                                      Article 4
This Decision shall apply from 1 January 1995 is subject to the entry into force of the
Treaty of accession of Austria, Sweden and Finland.
                                      Article 5
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
     Done at Brussels                                           For the Council
 ---pagebreak---                                    $A^PJtNGMETHOP
1     . Carcasses (with the neçk skin still attached)
Random samples shall be evenly distributed through the consignment. Sampling shall
consist of pieces of about 10 grams of neck skin (about 3 cm x 3 cm) to be removed
aseptically with a sterile scalpel and tweezers. Samples should be kept refrigerated at
4°C until examination. For examination the samples are diluted 10 - fold in buffered
peptone water (BPW) and incubated at 37°C for 16 to 20 hours. Subsequently the
pre - enrichment broths are tested for the presence of Salmonella according to the
method described in Annex III. Portions of the pre - enrichment broths may be pooled
to a maximum of 10 for enrichment.
Samples shall be duly marked and identified.
2        Carcasses without neck - skin, carcass parts and offals
Pieces of tissue of about 25 grams are obtained by punching a sterile cork borer into the meat
surface or cutting a slice of tissue with sterile instruments. Samples should be kept
refrigerated at 4°C until examination. For examination the samples arc diluted 10- fold in
buffered peptone water (BPW) and incubated at 37 °C for 16 to 20 hours. Subsequently the
pre - enrichment broths are tested for the presence of Salmonella according to the
method described in Annex III7 Portions of the pre - enrichment broths may be pooled
to a maximum of 10 for enrichment.
Samples shall be duly marked and identified.
 ---pagebreak---                                        ANNE* »
                          NUMBER OF SAMP! .F.S TO RK T A K E N
 The number of packing units in the consignment of which separate random samples shall be
taken shall be as follows:
consignment (number of packing units)         number of packing units to be sampled
 1-24                                          number equal to the number of packing
                                               units with a maximum of 20
25-29                                          20
30-39                                          25
40-49                                          30
 50-59                                         35
 60 - 89                                       40
 90-199                                        50
 200-499                                       55
 500 or more                                   60
 Depending on the weight of the packing units the number of samples can be
 reduced by multiplication by the following multiplication values:
             Weight of
             packing units                >20 kg            10-20 kg          <10 kg
              Multiplication
              value                         x1               x 3/4              x 1/2
 ---pagebreak---                                         ANNEX III
     MICROBIOLOGICAL METHOD FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE SAMPLES
Microbiological testing of the samples for Salmonella must be carried out according to the
standard method of the International Standard Organisation, ISO 6579:1993.
 ---pagebreak---                                                                        ISSN 0254-1475
                                                                COM(94) 560 final
                                                         DOCUMENTS
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