COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION of 24 February 1989 on the rules to be followed for inspections carried out in fresh meat establishments approved for the purposes of intra-Community trade (89/214/EEC)

Council Directive 64/433/EEC of 26 June 1964 on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in fresh meat(1), as last amended by Directive 88/288/EEC(2), is designed, in particular, to establish uniform health protection arrangements for meat in establishments handling fresh meat.

In accordance with Article 9 of the Directive, as amended, Commission veterinary experts must inspect facilities and check whether the requirements of the Directive, notably those of Annex I, are complied with, in order to ensure uniform application of its provisions.

Pursuant to Council Directive 72/462/EEC of 12 December 1972 on health and veterinary inspection problems upon the importation of bovine animals and swine and fresh meat from third countries(3), as last amended by Directive 88/289/EEC(4), and in particular Article 4 thereof, for the purposes of decoding whether establishments located in third countries may be listed as establishments from which the Member States are authorized to import fresh meat, the main consideration must be compliance with the provisions of Annex I to Directive 64/433/EEC.

Detailed interpretation of these technical rules drawn up in collaboration with Member States, are of definite value.

The Commissions' veterinary experts will use this interpretation including any future amendments when

inspecting approved establishments in Member States and in third countries.

Such an interpretation entails, through a more specific definition of the terms of the Directive, very rigorous production conditions. Firms in this sector have already been required to invest heavily in major technical changes because of keener competition within the Community and strict rules governing general health matters, consumer and animal protection.

In a sector which has become very sensitive, and given the prospect of adoption of the code provided for in Article

9 (1) of Directive 64/433/EEC, as amended, it will suffice for the time being to invite those working in the field in the private sector and the national authorities to follow the general line of conduct drawn up by the Commission.

For these reasons, pursuant to Article 155 of the Treaty, the Commission recommends that, where fresh meat establishments the production of which may be involved in intra-Community trade are seeking approval, the interpretation of the rules derived from Directive 64/433/EEC, and in particular Annex I thereto, set out in the Annex to this recommendation should be followed.

Done at Brussels, 24 February 1989.

For the CommissionRay MAC SHARRYMember of the Commission

(1)OJ No 121, 29. 7. 1964, p. 2012/64.

(2)OJ No L 124, 18. 5. 1988, p. 28.

(3)OJ No L 302, 31. 12. 1972, p. 28.

(4)OJ No L 124, 18. 5. 1988, p. 31.