CELEX: 51979PC0078
Language: en
Date: 1979-02-22
Title: Modified proposal for COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) amending Regulation (EEC) No 2967/76 laying down common standards for the water content of frozen and deep-frozen chickens, hens and cocks (submitted to the Council by the Commission pursuant to the second paragraph of Article 149 of the EEC Treaty)

ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (79) 78
Vol. 1979/0026
 ---pagebreak--- Disclaimer
Conformément au règlement (CEE, Euratom) n° 354/83 du Conseil du 1er février 1983
concernant l'ouverture au public des archives historiques de la Communauté économique
européenne et de la Communauté européenne de l'énergie atomique (JO L 43 du 15.2.1983,
p. 1), tel que modifié par le règlement (CE, Euratom) n° 1700/2003 du 22 septembre 2003
(JO L 243 du 27.9.2003, p. 1), ce dossier est ouvert au public. Le cas échéant, les documents
classifiés présents dans ce dossier ont été déclassifiés conformément à l'article 5 dudit
règlement.
In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983
concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Economic
Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as
amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1700/2003 of 22 September 2003 (OJ L 243,
27.9.2003, p. 1), this file is open to the public. Where necessary, classified documents in this
file have been declassified in conformity with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation.
In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom 1.
Februar 1983 über die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europäischen
Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europäischen Atomgemeinschaft (ABI. L 43 vom 15.2.1983,
S. 1), geändert durch die Verordnung (EG, Euratom) Nr. 1700/2003 vom 22. September 2003
(ABI. L 243 vom 27.9.2003, S. 1), ist diese Datei der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich. Soweit
erforderlich, wurden die Verschlusssachen in dieser Datei in Übereinstimmung mit Artikel 5
der genannten Verordnung freigegeben.
 ---pagebreak---  COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                 COM(79)78 final
                                                 Brussels , 22 February 1979
                          Modified proposal for
                         COUNCIL REGULATION ( EEC )
        amending Regulation ( EEC ) No 2967/ 76 laying down common
        standards for the water content of frozen and deep-frozen
                         chickens - hens and cocks
        ( submitted to the Council by the Commission pursuant to
          the second paragraph of Article 149 of the EEC Treaty )
C0M(79 ) 78 final
 ---pagebreak---                                    EXPLANATORY MKMORAHDUT-I
                                 J
Council Regulation ( EEC) N O . 2967/76 includes two methods of chemical annly:;ir;
for determining the quantity of extraneous water in frozen fowls . In Jul.y 1978
the Commission proposed that the method described in Annex IV of this regulation
be withdrawn ( Doc . r/1957/78 ( AGRI 601 ) of 17.7.1978). Following discussion in
a Council Working Group , the Special Committee on Agriculture requested the
Commission to review and improve the method described in Annex III of the
regulation , as a condition of accepting the proposal to withdraw Annex IV . ( Doc .
s/1454 /78 ( CSA 259))» To allow time for further study and discussion, the Council
regulation was postponed until 1st April 1979 ( Reg. ( EEC ) No . 2238/78 of 26.9.78 ;
J.O. L 272 of 28.9.78 , p. 1 ).
A d -ia "result of further work and consultation , an agreement by the majority of
the scientists involved has been reached on the content of the modified Annex III
whi-ch is contained in the proposed regulation . Consequently , the Commission
proposes that Annex III of Council Regulation ( EEC) NO . 2967/76 be replaced by
that of the present regulation , and that Annex IV be withdrawn .
This proposition could be amalgamated with those already before the Council
concerning the water content of frozen fowls ( R/l737/l/77 ( AGR 475 - rev. l ), doc
S/241/78 - ( CSA 41 ) and doc . s/1753/78 ( CSA 313)).
 ---pagebreak---                                    MODIFIED PROPOSAL FOR
                                COUNCIL REGULATION ( EEC )
 amending Regulation ( EEC) NO 2967/76 laying down common standards for the
 water content of frozen and deep-frozen chickens , hens and cocks
 THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
 Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community ,
 Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2977/75 of 29 October 1975 °n "the
 common organization of the market in poultrymeat ( l ), as amended by Regulation
 ( EEC) No 369/76 ( 2), and in particular to Article 2(2) thereof ,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Whereas Council Regulation ( EEC) No 2967/76 ( 3), as last amended by Regulation ( EEC )
No 2238 / 78 ( 4 ), provides inter alia that two chemical methods of control of water
content in these products may be used , the choice being made by the Member States ;
Whereas these two methods were described in Annexes III and IV to Regulation
 ( EEC) No 2967/76 ;
Whereas an evaluation of the first results obtained from applying these methods
led to further research in specialized laboratories ;
Whereas this research has shown that the manner in which the method described in
Annex IV is applied leads to considerable differences in the results established ;
Whereas the situation must be avoided where these differences should not be slloued to
cast doubt on the effectiveness of the control such that it is challenged by the trade
or consumers ;
( 1 ) OJ No L 282,      1.11.1975 , p. 77
 ( 2 ) OJ No L 45,     21 . 2.1976 , p. 3
( 3) OJ No L 339/       8.12.1976 , p. 1 .
 (4 ) OJ No L 27 £ - 28. 9.1978. p. 1
 ---pagebreak--- T,/nereas Annex IV to Regulation ( EEC) No 2967/76 should therefore be repealed and the
appropriate amendments made to the Regulation and Annex III thereto ,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
                                        Article 1
Regulation (EEC) No 2967/76 is amended as follows :
1 . ( a ) In the first subparagraoh of Arti-cle 1(1 ), the words "the methods of analysis
           described in Annexes III and IV" shall read " the method of analysis described
           in Annex  III ".
     ( b ) In the third subparagraph of Article 1(1 ), the words "the test methods set out
           in Annexes III and IV" shall read " the method of analysis described in Annex II
2. In the second subparagraph of Article 4(l ), the words "one of the methods of
       analysis described in Annexes III and IV , the choice being made by the Member
       State " shall read "the method of analysis described in Annex III ".
3 . In the first subparagraph of Article 4(2), the words "one of the methods
       described in Annexes III and IV, the choice being made by the Member State "
        shall read "the method cf analysis described in Annex III ".
4 . In the second subparagraph of Article 4(2), the words "one of the methods of
        analysis described in Annexes III and IV" shall read "the method of analysis
       described in Annex III ".
5 . The first and second paragraphs        of Article 8 are deleted .
 6. Annex III is replaced by the Annex to this Regulation .
 7 . Annex IV is repealed .
                                        Article 2
 T'nia Regulation shall enter into force on the day following its publication in
 tne Official Journal of the European Communities .
  This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all
  Momber States *                                ►
   Done at Brussels .                                           Por the Council
                                                                The President
 ---pagebreak---                                   ANNEX                                 :
                             " AMNEX III
SRiilHATION OP THE TOTAL WATER CONTENT OP CHICKENS , HENS AMD COCKS
 Object and scope
 This method shall be used to determine the total extraneous water content
 of frozen and deep-frozen chickens , hens and cocks . The method shall involv
 determination of the water and nitrogen content    of samples from the
 homogenized poultry carcase . The total water content as determined shall
 be compared with the limit value given by the calculation indicated in
 paragraph 6 to determine whether or not excess water has been taken up
 during processing. This method shall also be applicable to poultry which
 has been treated with polyphosphates or other substances the effect of
 which is to increase water retention . If the analyst suspects the presence
 of any substance which may interfere with the assessment , it shall be for
 him or her to take the necessary appropriate precautions .
 De finitions
 Water ana nitrogen contents shall be expressed in grammes .
 Pî-ineinle
 Water and nitrogen shall be determined in accordance with recognized ISO
 methods or other methods of analysis approved by the Council . .
 Apparatus and reap-ontr;
 4.1 Scales for weighing the carcases and wrappings , capable of weighing
       with an accuracy better than - 1 g.
 4.2 Meat- axe or saw for cutting carcases into pieces of appropriate size
       for the mincer .
 4.3 Heavy duty mincing machine and blender capable of homogenizing completf
       frozen or deep-frozen poultry pieces .
 '■PTE No special mincer shall be recommended . It should have sufficient powoi
       to mince frozen or deep-frozen meat and bones and should be fitted wit/
       a 4 mm-hole disc .
 ---pagebreak--- k.t. Apparatus as specified in ISO 1442 , for the determination of viator
     content .
/i.5 Apparatus as specified in ISO R 937 » for the determination of total
     nitrogen content .
Procédure
5.1 Seven carcases snail be taken at random from the quantity of poultry to
     be checked and kept at a temperature no higher than -12°G until each
     carcase is analyzed in accordance with the method described in 5*2 to xj . >.
5.2 The carcase shall be removed from the freezer and preparation carried
     out within the hour .
5.3 The carcane shall be removed from any wrapping material and weighed to the
     nearest gramme to give PI . After cutting up of the carcase into emmI .i
     pieces , the total weight of the carcase and offal shall be axljusted Tor
     the weight of wrapping material removed from the offals .
5.4 The whole carcase and all of the edible offal which is free of any vrarminf
     material but includes ice from the carcase shall be minced twice through
     4 mm-holc disc ( and , if necessary , with the use of a blender as well ) to
     obtain a homogeneous sample representative of the original carcase and
     offal . If the homogeni cation appears to be uneven , a further mincing and
     blending should be carried out to ensure thorough uniformity .
 5.5 Or.G sample per carcase of the homogenized material shall be taken and u;;o<;
      immediately to determine the water content in duplicate in accordance, with
      ISO 1442 , to give the water content 'a% *.
 5.6 One sample per carcase of the homogenized material shall also be taken .".no
      used immediately to determine the nitrogen content in duplicate in
      accordance with ISO R 937 • This nitrogen shall be expressed as 'h0/,* , and
      not converted to protein as indicated in ISO R 937 •
5*7 For routine checks , the procedures under 5«1 "to 5*6 may "be carried out
     on a homogeneous mass of all 7 carcases .
 ---pagebreak---  Calculation of results                ,
 6.1 The weight of water in the carcase sh^ll "be given by aP^ /lOO and "the
' / weight of nitrogen "by bP^/lOO.                          '
6.2   The total weight of water and of nitrogen in the seven analysed carcases
      shall be determined . The average weight of water and nitrogen shall be
      calculated .
6.3   In the case of chickens , the water content in 'grammes as determined by
      this method shall be given by 23.88 bP^/lOO + 33 , the highest
      permissible limit .
6.4   In the case of hens or cocks , the water content in grammes as determined
      by this method shall be given by 23.63 bP^/lOO + 33 , the highest
    • permissible limit .
6.5   If the average water content of the seven carcases as determined exceeds
      the value given in 6.3 ( chickens ) or 6.4 ( hens and cocks ), the carcases
      shall be assumed to contain in excess of the technically permissible
      extraneous water minimum .
 6.6  If the analysis on seven carcases gives a lower result using this method
      of analysis , the quantity of poultry subjected to the check shall be
      considered up to standard .
 6.7  The analysis results in the case of cocks , hens and chickens bearing the
      description "dry chilled poultry" may not exceed the following limits :
      Chickens        : 22,13 bPj /lOO + 56
      Cocks and hens : 21,88 bP. /lOO + 25"