COMMISSION DECISION 97/747/EC

fixing the levels and frequencies of sampling provided for by Council Directive 96/23/EC for the monitoring of certain substances and residues thereof in certain animal products

The sampling levels and frequencies for the monitoring of certain substances and residues thereof in milk, eggs, rabbit meat of wild game and farmed game and honey are set out in the Annex to this Decision, which supplements the sampling levels and frequencies set out in Annex IV to Directive 96/23/EC.

The levels and frequencies referred to in Article 1 must be complied with in the updated residue monitoring plans submitted by the Member States for 1999.

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

ANNEX

1. BOVINE MILK

A. Sampling requirements

Each official sample must be taken by the official competent authorities in such way that it is always possible to trace it back to the farm of origin of the milk.

 

The sample, according to the choise of the Member States, can be taken:

(a) either at farm level from the collection tank,

(b) or at the level of the dairy industry before the bulk tanker has discharged.

 

Derogation from the above principle of traceability to the farm of origin can be accepted for the substances or residues designated in Annexe I group B 3 (a), (b) and (c) of Council Directive 96/23/EC.

 

The samples must be taken only from raw milk.

 

The sample size will depend on the analytical methods used.

B. Sampling level and frequency

The annual number of samples is 1 per 15000 tonnes of the annual production of milk, with a minimum of 300 samples.

 

The following breakdown must be respected:

(a) 70% of the samples must be examined for the presence of residues of veterinary drugs. In this case, each sample has to be tested for at least four different compounds from at least three groups among groups A 6, B 1, B 2 (a) and B 2 (e) of Annex I to the Directive.

(b) 15% of the samples must be tested for the presence of residues designated in group B 3 of Annex I to Directive 96/23/EC.

(c) The balance (15%) must be allocated according to the situation of the Member State.

 

 

2. MILK FROM OTHER SPECIES (OVINE, CAPRINE, EQUINE)

The number of samples for these species must be determined by each Member State according to the level of production and the problems identified. The milk from these species must be included in the sampling plan as additional samples to those taken for bovine milk.

 

 

1. HEN EGGS

A. Sampling requirements

Each official sample must be taken by official competent authorities in such way that it is always possible to trace it back to the farm of origin of thee ggs.

 

The sample, according to the choise of the Member States, can be taken:

(a) either at farm level,

(b) or at the level of the packing centre.

 

The sample size is at least 12 eggs or more, according to the analytical methods used.

B. Sample level and frequency

The number of samples to be taken each year must be at least equal to 1 per 1000 tonnes of the annual production of consumption eggs, with a minimum of 200 samples. the breakdown of samples may be decided by each Member State according to the structure of its industry, particularly as regards levels of integration within it.

 

At least 30% of samples must be collected from packing centres which represent the most significant proportion of eggs supplied for human consumption.

 

The following breakdown must be respected:

70% of the samples must be tested for at least one compound from each following group: groups A 6, B 1 and B 2 (a) mentioned in Annex II to the Directive 96/23/EC.

15% of the samples must be allocated according to the situation of the individual Member State, must include some analyses for substances in group B 3 (a) of Annex I.

 

2. EGGS FROM OTHER SPECIES OF POULTRY

The number of samples for these species is to be determined by each Member States according to the level of production and the problems identified. The eggs from these species must be included in the sampling plan as additional samples to those taken for hen eggs.

 

1. RABBIT MEAT

A. Sampling requirements

One sample consists of one or more animals from the same producer, according to the requirements of the analytical methods.

 

Each official sample must be taken by official competent authorities in such way that it is always possible to trace it back to the farm of origin of the rabbits.

 

The sample, according to the structure of the rabbit production in each Member States, can be taken:

(a) either at farm level,

(b) or at the level of the registered slaughterhouses (within the maining of Council Directive 91/495/EEC⁽¹⁾).

 

Without prejudice of the provisions of Directive 96/23/EC, some additional samples of drinking water and feedingstuffs may be taken at farm level, for the control of illegal substances.

 

B. Sampling level and frequency

The number of samples to be taken each year must be equal to 10 per 300 tonnes of the annual production (dead weight) for the first 3000 tonnes of production and 1 sample for each additional 300 tonnes.

 

The following breakdown must be respected: (reference to Annex I to Directive 96/23/EC):

Group A: 30% of the total number of samples,

70% must be checked for group A 6 substances,

30% must be checked for substances of other sub-groups of group A.

Group B: 70% of the total number of samples,

30% must be checked for group B 1 substances,

30% must be checked for group B 2 substances,

10% must be checked for group B 3 substances,

the balance must be allocated according to the situation of the Member State.

 

These figures will be reviewed within two years after the adoption of this Decision.

 

2. FARMED GAME

A. Sampling requirements

The sample size will depend on the analytical methods used.

 

The samples must be taken at the processing unit level. It must be possible to trace the animals or their meat back to the farm of origin.

 

Without prejudice of the provisions of Directive 96/23/EC, some additional samples of drinking water and feedingstuffs may be taken at farm level, for the control of illegal substances.

 

B. Sampling level and frequency

The number of samples to be taken each year must at least be equal to 100 samples.

 

The following breakdown must be respected:

Group A: 20% of the total number of samples,

the majority of the samples must be analysed for compounds of group A 5 and group A 6.

Group B: 70% of the total number of samples,

 

The breakdown must be:

30% must be checked for group B 1 substances,

30% must be checked for group B 2 (a) and (b) substances,

10% must be checked for group B 2 (c) and (e) substances,

30% must be checked for group B 3 substances,

the balance (10%) must be allocated according to the experience of the Member States.

 

Member States will provide to the Commission the figures corresponding to their annual national production of farmed game meat destined for human consumption. In the light of this information, the above figures will be reviewed within one year after the adoption of this Decision.

 

3. WILD GAME

A. Sampling requirements

The sample size will depend on the analytical methods used.

 

The samples must be taken at the processing unit or at the hunting place. It must be possible to trace the animals back to the region where they were hunted.

 

B. Sampling level and frequency

The number of samples to be taken each year must at least be equal to 100 samples.

 

These samples must be taken to analyse residues of chemical elements.

 

Member States will provide to the Commission the figures corresponding to their annual national production of wild game destined for human consumption. In the light of this information, the above figures will be reviewed within one year after the adoption of this Decision.

 

A. Sampling requirements

The sample size will depend on the analytical methods used.

 

The samples can be taken at any point in the production chain, provided that it is possible to trace the honey back to the original producer.

 

B. Sampling level and frequency

The number of samples to be taken each year must at least be equal to 10 per 300 tonnes of the annual production for the first 3000 tonnes of production and one sample for each additional 300 tonnes.

The following breakdown must be respected:

Group B 1and group B 2: 50% of the total number of samples,

Group B 3 (a), (b) and (c): 40% of the total number of samples,

the balance (10%) must be allocated according to the experience of the Member States. In particular, consideration could be given to mycotoxins.