According to 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, it is for the food business operator to remove tonsils after post mortem inspection.

Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 lays down requirements for the production of colostrum. It should therefore be subject to official controls.

Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 establishes general principles to be followed for certificates accompanying imports of products of animal origin from third countries. In particular, it requires certificates to be drawn up at least in the official language of the third country of dispatch and the Member State of entry. Due to many practical and operational problems already raised by this double requirement, it is more appropriate to limit these requirements to the basic principle of an obligation to draw up certificates at least in the official language or languages of the Member State of entry. However, due to its interest in certain situations, provision allowing the third country of dispatch to use its official language should be maintained as one possibility in supplement to the above principle. Annex VI should be amended accordingly.

Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 should be amended accordingly.

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