TRADER NOTICE REF MHS 3 / 2006

Subject: Salmonella Guarantees for Exports

to Finland and Sweden

-  Model Commercial Document for Meat Exports

To the Management at Meat Processing Establishments

Background

Commission Regulation 1688 /2005[1] [ http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_271/l_27120051015en00170028.pdf ] [a PDF version of this Regulation is attached to the end of this notice] repeals the previous EU legislation on salmonella guarantees for meat and egg exports to Finland and Sweden and introduces new rules concerning the special guarantees for food in respect of salmonella for export to these countries.

On introduction of this Regulation there is no longer a requirement for veterinary certification. The major change is with the introduction of a model commercial document which must accompany the consignment.

Your attention is drawn to the following main requirements: -

·  a model commercial document which must accompany the consignments of

meat products,

[Annex IV of Regulation 1688 / 2005 sets out the procedures for the production of and completion of this document.]

·  compliance with Declaration 6 of the model commercial document,

·  the sampling requirements as required under Articles 1 to 3 in respect of meat from bovine, porcine and poultry , including minced meat from these species, but excluding meat preparations and mechanically separated meat, and

·  compliance with the microbiological methods for the examination of the samples.

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

In order to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Commission Regulation the following measures must be implemented:

·  Plant management must have in place a SOP to take account of these export requirements.

·  Plant management must ensure that the commercial document is completed and signed by a responsible person.

Given the introduction of this legislation veterinary health certificates for products covered by this Regulation are not required and accordingly no certificates will be supplied for consignments to Finland and Sweden.

Plant Management must ensure that the amended SOP is made available to the Veterinary Office. Auditable records must be kept to provide evidence of compliance with the legislation. Records should be retained for a period of 3 years [Reg. of S.I. No. 910 of 2005].

Copies of this trader notice may be printed from the Department’s website - www.agriculture.gov.ie - select heading “AGRI FOOD INDUSTRY ”, scroll down to “TRADE AND EXPORTS”, select “APPROVED MEAT ESTABLISHMENTS”, select “Trader Notices”.

______

Liam Walsh

Assistant Principal Officer

Meat Hygiene Section

Meat Hygiene and Animal By Products Division

Agriculture House

6 February 2006

The Department of Agriculture and Food does not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided, nor does it accept responsibility for any use made thereof. Users should therefore take all necessary precautions before using this information, which they use entirely at their own risk.

[1] OJ L 271 of 15. 10. 2005, p. 17