CHAPTER IINTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS
Article 3Competent authorities
1
Each Member State shall designate a competent authority or competent authorities for the purpose of this Regulation and notify the Commission thereof. If a Member State designates more than one competent authority, it shall:
a
notify the Commission of the competent authority that will act as a contact point for contacts with the Commission; and
b
ensure that the competent authorities cooperate so as to guarantee the proper implementation of the requirements of this Regulation.
2
The competent authority or authorities shall be responsible in particular for:
a
drawing up the programmes provided for in Article 5(1) and preparing any amendments thereto which prove necessary, in particular in the light of data and results obtained;
b
collecting the data needed to evaluate the means used and the results obtained in carrying out the national control programmes provided for in Article 5 and for submitting those data and results yearly, including the results of any surveys undertaken, to the Commission, having regard to the rules laid down pursuant to Article 9(1) of Directive 2003/99/EC;
c
carrying out regular checks on the premises of food and, if needed, feed businesses for the purpose of checking compliance with this Regulation.