Foodlaw-Reading
Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK
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Commission Notice (2022/C 467/02), 8 December 2022
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Commission Notice on the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Official Controls Regulation) This Notice has been published in the Official Journal - OJ C 467, 8.12.2022, pages 2–32. A copy is available on this site (click on image). |
The following is the Introduction to the Notice:
INTRODUCTION
Agri-food chain legislation aims to prevent risks and to promote certain aspects of quality of production of animals and goods, both for commodities entering the European Union and those already on the market. Member States (MS) have to put in place control systems, which verify operators’ compliance with the requirements set out in agri-food chain legislation.
Regulation (EU) 2017/625 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products (Official Controls Regulation – OCR) represents a harmonised framework for the performance of such official controls and activities along the entire agri-food chain.
Since the date of application of the OCR, Member States have asked the Commission at numerous occasions to provide clarifications and advice on the practical application of certain OCR provisions, as well as provisions laid down in implementing or delegated acts adopted on the basis of the OCR. The purpose of this Commission Notice is to compile clarifications and best practices with regard to the most requested provisions in order to contribute to a harmonised understanding and application of these provisions by Member States’ competent authorities and stakeholders. This notice is without prejudice to the exclusive competence of the Court of Justice of the European Union to authoritatively interpret Union law.
