Council Directive 74/409/EEC of 22 July 1974 on the harmonization of the laws of the Member States relating to honey

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE  of 22 July 1974  on the harmonization of the laws of the Member States relating to honey  (74/409/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Articles 43 and 100 thereof;
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission;
Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament;
Whereas the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States define the term "honey", specify the different varieties and lay down the requirements to be met by the product and the information which must appear on the packages or labels;
Whereas the differences existing between these laws hinder the free movement of this product and may create unfair conditions of competition;
Whereas, therefore, it is necessary at Community level to define the term "honey", to make provision for the different varieties which may be marketed under appropriate names to fix the general specific criteria for its composition, and to lay down the main information which is to appear on labels;
Whereas the choice of the methods of sampling and analysis necessary for checking the composition and characteristics of honey is an implementing measure of a technical nature ; whereas their adoption should be entrusted to the Commission in order to simplify and expedite the procedure;
Whereas in all cases in which the Council confers on the Commission authority to implement rules relating to foodstuffs, a procedure should be laid down establishing close cooperation between the Member States and the Commission within the Standing Committee on Foodstuffs set up by Council Decision No 69/414/EEC (1);
Whereas Article 3 of this Directive prohibits the use of the term "honey" for products which do not comply with the definition laid down in Article 1 (1) ; whereas, however, the immediate implementation of this ban could cause disturbance of the market where the use of the terms "Kunsthonig" or "Kunsthonning" is permitted by previous national legislation to describe a product other than honey ; whereas provision should consequently be made for an appropriate transitional period to allow the necessary changes to be made;
Whereas pending the adoption of general Community rules regarding the labelling of foodstuffs, a number of national provisions should be maintained on a transitional basis;
Whereas there are at present on the market in certain Member States honeys with various analytical characteristics ; whereas it would appear difficult to apply to them all the criteria laid down in the Annex to this Directive ; whereas, however, a more detailed study would make it possible to review the situation at a later date,