Globalised Trade Safe Food BVL symposium on the challenges of 2011 Berlin - Ludwig Erhard Haus November 2010

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1 BVL symposium on the challenges of 2011 Berlin - Ludwig Erhard Haus November 2010 «: The Commission s View» Patrick Deboyser Advisor to the Director General DG Health & Consumers EUROPEAN COMMISSION

2 Outline of talk Global trade World trade in agricultural and fishery products EU export and import statistics Imports v. consumption Safe food Food has to be safe irrespective of origin Different commodities different risks different controls Products of animal origin Border controls Coming soon : Commission report

3 Global trade In 2009 the economic crisis took its toll with a sharp decline of 13% in the value of global agricultural trade. After several years of consecutive growth, EU agricultural trade also went into reverse. Exports suffered an 8% drop in value compared to 2008, as opportunities for EU exporters were limited by the economic slowdown in key markets. The impact on EU imports was even greater declining by 13%. Trade also slowed down for the EU s trading partners: US exports declined by 14% in 2009, while Brazil s exports dropped 6%.

4 Market share of world agricultural EPORTS

5 Market share of world agricultural IMPORTS

6 EU trade in fish and fishery products

7 Market share EU main of world agricultural agricultural IMPORTS EPORTS

8 EU main agricultural EPORTS

9 Globalised trade The EU is largely self-sufficient in most food products, and total imports of agricultural products amount to only a small fraction of total production and consumption probably less than 5 %. EU agricultural imports only represent an important part of total consumption of certain commodities : for which there is little or no EU production (e.g. tea, coffee, tropical fruits and spices), or for which EU production falls short of demand (e.g. animal feed). In contrast, the EU is increasingly dependent on imports of fish and fishery products to meet its needs: in 2008, the EU imported 16 billion worth of fish and fishery products, accounting for more than 60 % of its fish consumption.

10 Safe food The primary EU role in relation to the import of food is to ensure that these imports are safe: all food products placed on the EU market must be safe, irrespective of origin. The second role is to ensure the effective operation of the internal market, whereby trade should be maximised whilst ensuring the safety of the food supply chain. There is a comprehensive body of harmonised EU legislation in place to support both of these roles.

11 Regulation 852/2004 Hygiene: General Regulation 178/2002 General Food Law Procedures EFSA Controls: General Regulation 882/2004

12 Different commodities Different risks Different controls

13 Different commodities Products of animal origin (meat, fish, milk, eggs, etc.) are considered to represent a high risk because they can be vectors for the transmission of diseases to both livestock and humans. Live plant and plant products are also considered to be of high risk due to the introduction of new pests and plant diseases. Certain food of non-animal origin for which a known or emerging risk is identified are also subject to specific controls (e.g. nuts). Most food chain products are considered not to pose an intrinsic risk (e.g. canned, processed, dried products, composite food, many fruit and vegetables).

14 Regulation 852/2004 Hygiene: General Regulation 853/2004 Hygiene: products of animal origin Regulation 178/2002 General Food Law Procedures EFSA IMPORT CONDITIONS Controls: General Regulation 882/2004 Controls: products of animal origin Regulation 854/2004

15 Products of animal origin Products of animal origin can only enter the EU: through approved border inspection posts (BIPs) if companied with an official certificate. Official certification is based on the recognition of the competent authority of the non-eu country by the European Commission. The competent authority of a non-eu country will only be recognised if: It has the necessary legal powers and resources; It is able to ensure credible inspection and controls throughout the production chain.

16 Products of animal origin Bovine Ovine Swine Equine Poultry Fish Milk Eggs Rabbit Honey Bangladesh China Indonesia India Indonesia Malaysia Pakistan Philippines Singapore Thailand Vietnam

17 Products of animal origin Imports are only authorised from approved establishments such as: processing plants, fishing vessels, cold stores which have been: inspected by the competent authority of the exporting country found to meet EU requirements notified to the Commission and placed on the EU list of approved establishments published on the SANCO website.

18 Products of animal origin List of approved establishments

19 Border controls Each consignment is subject to: a documentary check, an identity check and, as appropriate, a physical check.

20 Border controls Documentary check, Purpose: to examine the accompanying document (e.g. official certificate) Frequency: always

21 Border controls Identity check Purpose: To ensure that the accompanying document (e.g. official certificate) tally with the product itself Frequency: always May include checks: on the seals of the containers on the dates of the documents that country and establishment of origin are clearly marked

22 Border controls Physical check Purpose: To ascertain that the products satisfy the requirements of EU legislation and are fit to be used for the purpose specified in the accompanying certificate or document Frequency: depends on the risk profile of the product and on the results of previous checks May include: checks on packaging and temperature sensory examinations (smell, colour) laboratory tests to detect residues, pathogens, contaminants, evidence of deterioration, etc.

23 Border controls Consignments which are found to be compliant with EU legislation are in free circulation in the EU. They may be: Placed on the market or used for food or feed production. Used for industrial purpose. Re-exported to a 1/3 country. Consignments which are found to be not compliant with EU legislation shall be: either destroyed or, under certain conditions, re-dispatched within 60 days.

24 Other controls EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) FVO (Food and Veterinary Office) inspections to EU Member States and Third Countries

25

26 Commission report to the Council and the European Parliament on the effectiveness and consistency of sanitary and phytosanitary controls on imports of food, feed, animals and plants

27 DG Health & Consumers EUROPEAN COMMISSION Thank you!