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Published: 2021
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ISBN-13: 9789276399797
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This Report provides an overview of the results of increased official import controls carried out by Member States of the European Union (EUMSs) on certain food and feed of non-animal origin from certain third countries, in accordance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EC) No 669/2009 from 25 January 2010 until it was repealed by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 with effect from 14 December 2019. Food and feed subject to an increased level of official controls upon their entry into the EU were listed in Annex I to the Regulation. Controlled hazards comprised pesticide residues, mycotoxins, pathogenic microorganisms, and other hazards including contaminants, such as heavy metals, and additives. This Annex was reviewed periodically - on 31 occasions - by the European Commission (EC) to react swiftly to new available information, such as the outcome of identity and physical checks, including laboratory analysis, submitted by the EUMSs. 55 product groups/products within a product group, were de-listed by the Commission mainly due to action taken by third countries; and 71 new products/product groups were listed. For the majority of de-listed products, the control regime went back to the pre-listing situation (risk-based controls and no harmonised frequency at EU level). For one product, emergency measures were put in place. For 19 products/product groups, the frequency of checks was reduced, while it was incremented for 21 products/product groups. Between 2010 and 2019, around 924.000 consignments of listed feed and food of non-animal origin were presented at EU borders. Over 117.700 were sampled for laboratory analysis, of which 6334 were found in breach of EU legislation and prevented from entering the EU market. 88.401 laboratory analysis were carried out on 721.140 consignments of commodities such as peppers, tea, beans and peas and other vegetables and fruits, listed for the contamination risk of pesticide residues, corresponding to 78% of the total number of consignments of listed food and feed having reached EU borders between 2010 and 2019, and 75% of the total number of laboratory analysis performed by EUMSs. The non-compliance rate of 4,8% found is the third highest. 15.165 laboratory analysis were carried out on 105.821 consignments of commodities such as groundnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, dried spices, dried grapes and dried vine fruits listed for the contamination risk of aflatoxins, corresponding to 13% of the checked consignments. The non-compliance rate of 7,4% is the second highest. The highest non-compliance rate of nearly 10% was reported for pathogenic microorganisms such as Salmonella and norovirus, for which a limited number of commodities are listed, including herbs and spices, and as of 2014 and 2017, betel leaves and Sesamum seeds respectively. 44.599 consignments, corresponding to less than 5% of the total number of consignments of listed food and feed, were presented at EU borders and were subject to 6.465 laboratory analysis. Finally, 7734 laboratory analysis were carried out on commodities listed for other hazards, corresponding to 5,7% of the total number of consignments, with a non-compliance rate of 3,8%. The new set of harmonised rules on import controls of food and feed of non-animal origin set in Regulation (EU) 2017/625 and Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 allow for simplification and modernisation of the European Union legal framework. The latter consolidates legal acts concerning reinforced controls and emergency measures establishing special import conditions and suspension of imports of food and feed from certain third countries. The lists of food and feed concerned are established and regularly reviewed on the basis of a known or emerging risk or because there is evidence of widespread serious non-compliance with the Union agrifood chain legislation.
