Commission Memos (MEMO/06/345 and MEMO/06/346), 26 September 2006
The following are relevant extracts from two separate memos
Romania
Food safety - Building-up of rendering collection and treatment facilities in line with the EU laws and standards on TSE and animal by-products
Since May, Romania has signed tendering contracts for the collection and treatment of dead animals and animal products. This is a clear step forward. However, the planned deadlines of late November 2006 for the modernisation and construction of the required rendering plants are very tight, as this requires the approval by the Romanian veterinary authorities and notification to the Commission. Restrictions on the use of certain animal by-products will be imposed, if, prior to accession, Romania fails to set up an adequate collection system and treatment of dead animals and animal by-products throughout the country and to complete the upgrading of the rendering establishments,
Food safety is a main concern for all EU citizens. Food products must fully respect all EU requirements. If Romania is not ready before accession, the Commission will apply measures to ensure that no risk materials enter the internal market.
Classical swine fever, an infectious disease is present in Romania. The country is currently not allowed to export pigs, pig meat and certain pig meat products to the EU. This ban will be continued until the disease has been eradicated.
In addition, the list of agri-food establishments which are currently not allowed to sell their products in EU member states because they do not yet meet all the EU requirements will be updated by the date of accession.
Bulgaria
Food safety - Building-up of rendering collection and treatment facilities in line with EU laws and standards on TSE and animal by-products
Bulgaria also made substantial progress with regard to the collection and treatment of dead animals and animal by-products in the context of, in particular, transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE). The necessary measures to ensure the protection of public health have been adopted. However, Bulgaria needs to guarantee the effective implementation of the necessary measures in the context of TSE.
Food safety is a main concern for all EU citizens. Food products must fully respect all EU requirements. If Bulgaria is not ready before accession, the Commission will apply measures to ensure that no risk materials enter the internal market.
Classical swine fever, an infectious animal disease, is present in parts of Bulgaria. The country is currently not allowed to export pigs, pig meat or related products to the EU. These problems are likely to persist beyond accession. Therefore the current measures will be maintained after accession to protect the pig production in the EU until the disease has been eradicated.