Commission Decision

of 22 December 2006

adopting certain transitional measures concerning deliveries of raw milk to processing establishments and the processing of this raw milk in Romania with regard to the requirements of Regulation (EC) Nos 852/2004 and 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of Council

(notified under document number C(2006) 6963)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2007/27/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to the Treaty of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania, and in particular Article 4(3) thereof,

Having regard to the Act of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania, and in particular Article 42 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs1 lays down general rules for food business operators on the hygiene of foodstuffs, based on hazard analysis and critical control points principles. It provides that food business operators are to comply with the structural requirements based on those principles. Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin2 supplements the rules laid down in Regulation (EC) No 852/2004. The rules laid down in Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 include specific requirements for milk processing establishments, as well as hygiene requirements concerning raw milk and dairy products.

(2)

Romania is due to accede to the Community on 1 January 2007. In preparation for that accession, milk processing establishments are undergoing the necessary structural improvements in order to comply with the structural requirements laid down in Regulation (EC) No 852/2004. Since 2004 the number of establishments in compliance with Community structural requirements has increased from 12 to 123.

(3)

However, the proportion of raw milk that complies with the hygiene requirements, laid down in Regulation (EC) No 853/2004, delivered to milk processing establishments that comply with the structural requirements of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 has only increased slightly. In 2005 out of the total production of 5,6 Mio t raw cow milk per year, 0,38 Mio t compliant raw milk was delivered to milk processing establishments.

(4)

Taking into account the current situation, it is appropriate to provide for transitional measures as regards the organisation of the milk sector in Romania.

(5)

In this respect, Annex VII, Chapter 5, Subsection I, point (c) of the Act of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania, authorises temporarily certain milk processing establishments that do not comply with the structural requirements laid down in Regulations (EC) No 852/2004 to receive deliveries of raw milk that does not comply with the relevant hygiene requirements laid down in Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 (‘non-compliant milk’).

(6)

Milk production holdings that do not comply with the hygiene requirements set out in Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 and milk processing establishments that do comply with the structural requirements set out in Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 are spread over the whole territory of Romania. Accordingly, certain of the compliant establishments receive raw milk that complies with the relevant hygiene requirements set out in Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 (‘compliant milk’) as well as non-compliant milk. Therefore, the marketing of final products from the compliant establishments should be restricted to Romania. In addition, a list of those compliant establishments should be set out in this Decision.

(7)

Furthermore, certain compliant establishments intend to process separately compliant and non-compliant milk. It is therefore necessary to establish the conditions as regards the collection and treatment of such milk and the marketing of the final products thereof. A list of those compliant establishments processing those two types of milk should also be set out in this Decision.

(8)

The transitional period granted should be limited to 18 months. The situation of the milk sector in Romania is to be reviewed before the end of that period. Accordingly, it is appropriate that Romania submit annual reports to the Commission regarding progress in the upgrading of milk production holdings supplying raw milk to compliant establishments.

(9)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion with the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1Lists of compliant establishments

Chapters I and II of the Annex to this Decision set out lists of milk processing establishments in Romania that comply with the structural requirements of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004, Annex II, Chapter II (‘compliant establishments’) and are authorized to receive and process raw milk which is not in compliance with Chapter I Part III, 3 and Chapter II Part III of Section IX of Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 (non-compliant milk).

Article 2Deliveries of non-compliant milk and processing in compliant establishments listed in Chapter I of the Annex

1

The compliant establishments listed in Chapter I of the Annex to this Decision may receive and process non-compliant raw milk.

2

As long as the establishments referred to in paragraph (1) benefit from the provisions of that paragraph products originating from compliant establishments listed in Chapter I of the Annex shall:

a

only be placed on the domestic market or used for further processing in other compliant establishments listed in Chapter I of the Annex, irrespective of the date of marketing;

b

bear a different identification mark from those provided for in Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004.

Article 3Deliveries of compliant and non-compliant milk and processing in compliant establishments listed in Chapter II of the Annex

The compliant establishments listed in Chapter II of the Annex to this Decision may receive and process raw milk which complies with the requirements set out in Chapter I, Part III, 3 and Chapter II, Part III of Section IX of Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 (‘compliant milk’) and non-compliant milk on separate production lines provided that the food business operators of such establishments:

  1. (a)

    comply with Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004;

  2. (b)

    demonstrate their capacity to comply with the following conditions, including designating the separate production lines:

    1. (i)

      to take all necessary measures to allow for the proper observance of in-house procedures for the separation of raw milk from collection up to the final production stage, including routes of milk collection, separate storage and treatment of both compliant and non-compliant milk and specific packaging and labelling of dairy products whether or not they are derived from compliant or non-compliant milk, as well as separate storage of such milk;

    2. (ii)

      to establish a procedure ensuring raw milk traceability, including the necessary documentary evidence of product movements and the accountancy for dairy products and the reconciliation of compliant and non-compliant milk with the categories of dairy products produced;

    3. (iii)

      to expose all raw milk to heat treatment at a temperature of minimum 71,7 °C for 15 seconds;

    4. (iv)

      to take all appropriate measures to ensure that identification marks referred to Annex II, Section I of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 are not used fraudulently.

Article 4Duties of competent authorities in Romania concerning compliant establishments listed in Chapter II of the Annex

1

The competent authorities in Romania shall:

a

ensure that food business operators of compliant establishments listed in Chapter II of the Annex take all necessary measures to allow for the proper observance of in-house procedures for the separation of raw milk and dairy products;

b

conduct tests and unannounced controls in compliant establishments listed in Chapter II of the Annex relating to their observance of raw milk and dairy products separation;

c

conduct tests in approved laboratories on all raw milk and finished products from compliant establishments listed in Chapter II of the Annex to this Decision to verify their compliance with the requirements of Chapter II of Section IX of Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004, including the microbiological criteria for dairy products.

2

The milk and dairy products originating in the compliant establishments listed in Chapter II of the Annex processed from non-compliant raw milk may only be placed on the domestic market or used for further processing in other such establishments or establishments listed in Chapter I and bear a different identification mark from those provided for in Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004.

3

Only dairy products, produced in compliant milk establishments listed in Chapter II of the Annex to this Decision and complying with paragraphs 1 of this Article and the requirements of Annex III, Section IX of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004, may be marketed as compliant products complying with the provisions of that Regulation.

Article 5Compliance and reports

1

Romania shall ensure the gradual compliance by the milk production holdings, referred to in Article 2(1) of this Decision, with the requirements Annex III, Section IX, Chapter I, parts II and III of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004.

2

Romania shall submit annual reports to the Commission on progress made in upgrading milk production holdings and the milk collection system.

Article 6

Milk and milk products produced under the provisions referred to in Articles 3 and 4 of the present Decision shall only be granted support under Title I, Chapters II and III, except Article 11 thereof, and Title II of Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/19993 if they carry the oval identification mark referred to in Annex II, Section I, of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004.

Article7Applicability

This Decision shall apply subject to and as from the date of the entry into force of the Treaty of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania.

It shall apply until 30 June 2008.

Article 8Addressees

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 22 December 2006.

For the Commission

Markos Kyprianou

Member of the Commission

ANNEX

CHAPTER I

List of milk processing establishments in compliance with Community structural requirements authorised to receive and process without separation compliant and non-compliant milk

1

AR 473

SC Octavian Impex SRL

Dezna, County of Arad, 317110

2

BT 17

SC Spicul 2 SRL

Dorohoi, County of Botosani, 715200

3

BT 176

SC Lacto Solomonescu SRL

Miron Costin, County of Botosani, 717466

4

BR 24

S.C. Lacta Prod SRL

Braila, County of Braila, 810224

5

CJ 7879

SC Comlact SRL

Corusu, County of Cluj, 407056

6

DB 59

SC Industrializarea Laptelui SA

Targoviste, County of Dambovita, 130062

7

NT 241

SC Pro Com Pascal SRL

Pastraveni, County of Neamt, 617300

8

NT 556

SC Stefanos SRL

Trifesti, County of Neamt, 617475

9

SB 237

SC Carpalat SRL

Mandra, County of Sibiu, 557124

10

SB 298

SC Gefa Impex SRL

Talmaciu, County of Sibiu, 555700

11

L 56

SC Camy Lact SRL

Panaci-Vatra Dornei, County of Suceava, 727405

12

VN 25

SC Vitaprod SRL

Dumitresti, County of Vrancea, 727110

13

BC 4826

S.C. Marlact SRL

Buhoci, County of Bacau, 607085

14

BH 4646

SC Abacus Trade SRL

Toboliu, County of Bihor, 417273

15

BH 2980

SC Cîmpaneii Prest SRL

Mierlău, County of Bihor, 417277

16

BT 342

SC Indagrovet SRL

Coțușca, County of Botosani, 717090

17

BT 240

SC Geny Com SRL

Vf. Câmpului, County of Botosani, 717450

18

BT 205

SC Cicos SRL

George Enescu, County of Botosani, 717170

19

BR 215

S.C. Android Trading SRL

Maxineni, County of Braila, 817090

20

BZ 0627

SC Ianis Cos Lact SRL

C.A. Rosetti, County of Buzau, 127120

21

BZ 0298

SC Camen Tas SRL

Smeeni, County of Buzau, 127595

22

CJ 4185

SC Bonas Import Export SRL

Dezmir, County of Cluj, 407039

23

CV 56

SC Milk COM SRL

Saramas, County of Covasna, 527012

24

CV 690

SC Mark SRL

Brates, County of Covasna, 527050

25

CV 234

SC Zugo SRL

Belin, County of Covasna, 527030

26

HR 383

S.C. Lactate Harghita SA

Cristuru Secuiesc, County of Harghita, 535400

27

HR 70

S.C. Primulact SRL

Miercurea Ciuc, County of Harghita, 530242

28

NT 607

S.C. D. A Secuieni

Secuieni, County of Neamt, 617405

29

OT 2836

SC Bourella Maris SRL

Babiciu, County of Olt, 237015

30

PH 6448

SC Rusara Prodcom SRL

Valea Calugareasca, County of Prahova, 107620

31

PH 212

S.C. Vitoro SRL

Ploiesti, County of Prahova, 100537

32

PH 6067

S.C. Zoe Gab SRL

Fulga, County of Prahova, 107260

33

SJ 52

SC Sanolact

Maeriste, County of Salaj, 457235

34

SV 4162

SC Malinul SRL

Malini, County of Suceava, 727350

35

SV 5355

SC Lacto Zaharia

Frumosu, County of Suceava, 727260

36

SV 6394

SC Martin's European Food Products Comimpex SRL

Bosanci, County of Suceava, 727045

37

TL 1328

SC Izacos Lact SRL

Topolog, County of Tulcea, 827220

38

VN 35

SC Monaco SRL

Vrâncioaia, County of Vrancea, 627445

39

AG 6

SC Bradet SRL

Bradulet, County of Arges, 117145

40

L 57

SC Hochland Romania SRL

Sovata, County of Mures, 545500

41

AG 4

S.C. Dincudana SRL

Bradu, County of Arges, 117148

42

BH 1705

SC Dorlact SRL

Beznea, County of Bihor, 417081

43

CS 116

SC Fabrica de Produse Lactate

Oravita, County of Caras Severin, 325600

44

NT 900

S.C. Complex Agroalimentar SRL

Bicaz, County of Neamt, 615100

45

TL 965

SC Mineri SRL

Mineri, County of Tulcea, 827211

46

CJ 41

SC Kazal SRL

Dej, County of Cluj, 405200

47

L 40

SC Napolact SA

Huedin, County of Cluj, 405400

48

SM 3876

S.C. Schwaben Molkerei

Carei, County of Satu Mare, 445100

CHAPTER II

List of milk processing establishments in compliance with Community structural requirements authorised to receive and process separately compliant and non-compliant milk

1

AB 3508

SC Unichim Romania SRL

Unirea, County of Alba, 517785

2

L 81

SC Raraul SA

Campulung Moldovenesc, County of Suceava, 725100

3

AG 5

S.C. Lactag SA Fabrica Costesti

Costesti, County of Arges, 115200

4

BC 6100

SC Depcoinf MBD SRL

Targu Trotus, County of Bacau, 607630

5

BT 60

SC Five Continents Group SRL

Rachiti, County of Botosani, 717310

6

BR 65

S.C. Brailact SRL

Braila, County of Braila, 810224

7

L 35

S.C.Danone PDPA Romania SRL

Bucuresti, 032451

8

CT 30

SC Niculescu Prod SRL

Cumpana, County of Constanta, 907105

9

CT 15

SC Nic Costi Trade SRL

Dorobantu, County Constanta, 907211

10

L 9

SC Covalact SA

Sfantu Gheorghe, County of Covasna, 520076

11

L 22

SC Dorna Lactate SA

Dorna Candrenilor — Floreni, County of Suceava, 727190

12

L 53

S.C. Friesland România SA

Carei, County of Satu Mare, 445100

13

TR 78

SC Interagro SRL

Zimnicea, County of Teleorman, 145400

14

VS 2196

SC Ilvas SA

Vaslui, County of Vaslui, 730040

15

SV 001

SC La Dorna Agri SA

Dorna Candreni, County of Suceava, 727190

16

SV 6352

SC La Dorna Chesse SA

Dorna Arini, County of Suceava, 727200

17

BH 5206

SC Prolacta SRL

Copacel, County of Bihor, 417205

18

BZ 0098

SC Meridian Agroind

Ramnicu Sarat, County of Buzau, 125300

19

CT 299

SC Nascu SRL

Indepenta, County of Constanta, 907145

20

CT 294

SC Suflaria Import Export SRL

Cheia, County of Constanta, 907277

21

MM 4758

SC Milk-Humana SRL

Baia Mare, County of Maramures, 430306

22

MM 521

SC Oblaza SRL

Birsana, County of Maramures, 437035

23

MM 725

SC Avi Seb Impex SRL

Tirgu Lapus, County of Maramures, 435600

24

TL 855

SC Deltalact SA

Tulcea, County of Tulcea, 820009