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EU Rules for Food Import – Amman, 29 November 2010

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

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EU Rules for Food Import – Amman, 29 November 2010

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

  2. 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:

  3. 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

  4. The notion “Food” • Food of animal origin • Raw products (meat, fish, etc) • Processed products (ham, smoked fish etc) • Food of non-animal origin • Fruits, vegetables, cereals, tubers • Drinks • Others (e.g. table salt)

  5. 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. 5

  6. 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; 6

  7. 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 origin Lists of eligible countries and businesses. Country listing after inspection by FVO. Regular country audits on risk basis. Approval based on compliance or equivalence.

  8. Plants, Fruit, Vegetables No 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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’.

  11. 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 programs TAIEX programs under the ENP Aid for Trade and BTSF

  12. 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 groups Due diligence - Liability aspects in General Food Law may have furthered developments. Difficult to manage from a regulatory perspective.

  13. SPS requirements for market access There is potential for market access

  14. 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).

  15. 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:wolf-martin.maier@ec.europa.eu

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