Food Law News - EU - 2002
Commission Press Release (IP/02/143), 25 January 2002
RESIDUES - EU Standing Veterinary Committee agrees on suspension of imports of products of animal origin from China
The Standing Veterinary Committee (SVC) voted today in favour of a Commission proposal to suspend the import into the EU of Chinese products of animal origin intended for human consumption or for use in animal feed. This suspension will enter into force shortly with the adoption of a Commission Decision. Products already on route will be allowed into the EU but will be subject to increased controls and testing by Member States. The main products affected by the suspension in volume terms are honey, rabbit meat, poultry and crustaceans such as shrimps and prawns. A recent mission of the EU's Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) revealed serious deficiencies of the Chinese residue control system and problems related to the use of banned substances in the veterinary field. EU directives stipulate that necessary measures must be taken for imports of products from third countries which are likely to constitute a serious danger to human or animal health (directives 97/78/EC and 95/53/EC for animal nutrition). The Commission will re-examine the situation together with Member States before the end of February. The Commission intends to work urgently with the Chinese authorities with a view to putting in place the necessary measures to allow trade to resume.
FVO inspection to China
Inspectors from the EU's Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) visited China in November 2001 to evaluate the control of residues in live animals and animal products. Member States were informed about the findings and conclusions of the FVO visit at the SVC meeting in December. In the light of further discoveries of banned substances, the Commission now considers that a safeguard measure is warranted.
Chinese exports to the EU
Chinese products affected by the ban are rabbit meat, poultry meat, honey, molluscs, crustaceans, frozen shrimps and prawns, and pet food. In 2000 those imports were worth € 327.7 million. The following products will not be affected by the ban: fishery products from open sea fishing (except crustaceans) and casings. The import of those products from China into the EU was worth € 400.4 million in 2000.
The decision will be reviewed in the light of any further information offered by the competent Chinese authorities and on the basis of the results of any further FVO inspections necessary.
Background Note: Chloramphenicol in shrimps
There have been chloramphenicol residues in samples from shrimps and prawns imported from China. The presence of chloramphenicol in food presents a potential risk for human health. It is a potent, broad-spectrum antibiotic drug, which is banned for use in food producing animals in the EU since 1994. It is used in human medicine only in serious situations.
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