SANCO-D-4 International Questions (bilateral) EU Rules for Food Import – Amman, 29 November 2010 Wolf Maier, DG Health and Consumers, EU Commission

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International Questions (bilateral)International Questions (bilateral)

EU Rules for Food Import – Amman, 29 November 2010Wolf Maier, DG Health and Consumers, EU Commission

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The EU Market

• 500+ million consumers• Expect high quality food from around the globe

any time and at affordable prices;• No tolerance for risk.

Consumers demand variety.

WTO rules demand non-discrimination.

Administration cannot take chances.

We try to find a balance:

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We have spoken about the foundation

General Food Law Regulation 178/2002

Principles of Official Controls Reg. 882/2004

We also spoke about the main pillars of the EU food law.

Now we speak about imports

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The notion “Food”Food of animal origin

Raw products (meat, fish, etc)Processed products (ham, smoked fish etc)

Food of non-animal originFruits, vegetables, cereals, tubersDrinksOthers (e.g. table salt)

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EU Rules - all Food and Feed

All food business operators at all stages of production, processing, distribution, packaging, transport and cold-chain;Documented, HACCP-based self-controls;Notification of authorities, risk-based inspection.

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EU rules - Food of Animal Origin

Specific rules for food of animal origin;Covers all stages of production;Operators need authorisation; Authorisation only after inspection;

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Food Imports - Same Principles Food of non-animal origin

No country listing.Importer is liable for safety (general food law).Exceptions apply for high-risk foods (aflatoxin).

Food of animal originLists of eligible countries and businesses.Country listing after inspection by FVO.Regular country audits on risk basis.Approval based on compliance or equivalence.

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Plants, Fruit, VegetablesNo country listing

Plant Health requirements.

Residue tolerances must be met.

Entry via any border post.

For composite foods all components of animal origin must be EU eligible, even if the product is exempt from certification.

Importer is responsible and liable.

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Country Listing: Food of animal origin

Competent Veterinary Authority in-line with Regulation 882/2004.Animal health/zoonoses requirements met.Approved businesses meet EU hygiene requirements and are regularly inspected. Monitoring system for residues in place. Confirmatory inspection of the FVO.Official Certification agreed.Member States agree.

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Food businesses listing (animal origin)

Country listing establishes a relationship of trust:

Exporting country can list further businesses after inspection by own control services;

4 weeks commenting period, then automatic inclusion on list of approved establishments and eligibility for imports;

Entry via designated Border Inspection Posts.

FVO re-inspects risk-based or ‘for reason’.

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It does not matter whether or not a country is part of the EU

No discrimination: The food law either applies directly, or it must be complied with.

No short cuts:There cannot be a compromise on safety standards.

But flexibility:Objectives must be met, not the letter of the law.

And assistance:National and regional programsTAIEX programs under the ENPAid for Trade and BTSF

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Private, inofficial standards

Independent from SPS requirements.Apparently, trade needs standards.Fruit, vegetables, coffee, banana, oil.

Quality, environment, social aspects.Retailers, importers, processors and pressure groupsDue diligence - Liability aspects in General Food Law may have furthered developments.

Difficult to manage from a regulatory perspective.

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SPS requirements for market access

Contaminants Monitoring Hygiene Animal Health

Fruit + - (+) -

Potatoes + Plant health

By-products + - (+) (+)

Fresh fish + - (+) -

Aquaculture + + + +

Meat prod. + + ++ +

Fresh meat + + ++ ++

Milk prod. + + ++ ++

Animals + + (+) +++

There is potential for market access

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Bottom Line: Fortress Europe?Market access conditions are not easy, but …

One negotiation – 500 Mio consumers;

Fully harmonised import conditions for all food and feed, in-line with international standards;

No discrimination;

Training through BTSF and other programs;

Further Technical Assistance through Neighborhood Policy funds (ENP).

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Documentation on the web

General Information:http://ec.europa.eu/food/index_en.htm

Food and Veterinary Office:http://ec.europa.eu/food/fvo/index_en.html

European Food Safety Authorityhttp://efsa.europa.eu

And please feel free to contact:[email protected]

Documents

SANCO-D-4 International Questions (bilateral) EU Rules for Food Import – Amman, 29 November 2010 Wolf Maier, DG Health and Consumers, EU Commission