Diapositiva%201

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FOOD IMPORT CONTROL-A national perspective, Italy
Romano Marabelli, Paolo Aureli, Agostino
Macri, Direction General of Veterinary
Public Health, Food and Nutrition MINISTRY OF
HEALTH Food and Veterinary Medicine
Laboratories ISTITUTO SUPERIORE DELLA
SANITA Rome, ITALY
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FOOD PRODUCTION IN ITALY

• It is mainly performed by small-sized and
  medium-sized family run businesses
• it is deeply rooted in the food tradition of the
  territory
• the output of these food businesses is low
• the qualitative level is high also under the
  hygiene and health points of view, due to the
  possibility of performing an accurate control at
  all stages that entails a considerable effect on
  food exports
• the strong reduction of certain agricultural
  activities has led to an increase in the use of
  raw materials imported from other countries,
  making it more difficult to perform a direct
  control on their hygiene and health quality.

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ORIGIN OF IMPORTED PRODUCTS - 2002

• 100 Countries (80 EUs)
• 60 of fish products are imported 50 Third
  Countries and 50 EUs
• IMPORTANCE TO THE QUALITY OF RAW MATERIALS

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VERIFICATION OF THE COMPLIANCE AT THE IMPORT
STAGE

• it is necessary to have updated
• common assessment criteria on emerging hazards
• adequate control networks to prevent the
  introduction of risk factors in the food
  production chain

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COMMON INTERESTS AMONG THE EU COUNTRIES

• build up an efficient information network not
  only between the central authorities but also
  between the local services in charge of checking
  imported goods to foster a quick notification of
  violations found and a verification of the
  control procedures for a possible implementation

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EU STRATEGY FOR THE CHECKS ON IMPORTED PRODUCTS

• food of animal origin can enter the European
  Union only if
• they come from specifically approved Third
  Countries (List of Third Countries)
• they meet the health requirements established at
  Community level (health certificate)
• they come from approved establishments
• the outcome of the checks at the EU borders was
  favourable
•  

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VETERINARY CHECKS AT BORDER INSPECTION POSTS
(BIPS)

• Documentary and identity checks
• Physical (or material) checks
• Laboratory checks ( random)
• consignments may be
• Accepted ( DVCE is issued)
• Rejected

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LABORATORY CHECKS

• differences with respect to
• sampling procedures
• acceptability criteria
• sensitivity of methods
• laboratory accreditation
• possibility of repeating the tests

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ASSESSMENT OF COMPLIANCE

• to assure the same accuracy in the evaluation in
  all Border Inspection Posts it would be desirable
  to establish
• a minimum list of laboratory tests
• a harmonised overall procedure

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THE MOST SIGNIFICANT HEALTH PROBLEMS

• Illegal veterinary drug residues (Cloramphenicol
  and nitrofurans)
• Detection of counterfeited certificates
• Chemical contaminants (mycotoxins)

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NUMBER OF ()IRREGULARITY OBSERVED BY THE ITALIAN
BIPs 1997-2002
Year N Rejections of rejections
1997 493 0,6
1998 320 0,4
1999 255 0,3
2000 300 0,3
2001 331 0,4
2002 422 0,5
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NATURE OF THE IRREGULARITIES

• lack of health certificate or origin from a
  country subjected to a ban
• presence of pathogenic micro-organisms
• active substance residues
• environmental contaminants

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THE APPLICATION OF DIRECTIVE 90/675

• organization of national checks
• own training and updating courses of official
  veterinarians for BIPs

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THE OUTPUTS

• difference in procedures for similar situations
• interventions of the EU inspectors to harmonize
  the inspection approach

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The new BIPs

• Decrease in the beneficial effects produced by
  the buffer zone
• direct exposition of MSs to the current health
  emergencies coming from Central and Far Eastern
  Countries
• need to acquire the Community inspection
  awareness by the new inspectors who are
  technically well skilled

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CONCLUSIONS

• an EU legal status for border inspectors
• an adequate wage
• a centralised training
• setting up a Superior School for Border
  Inspectors under the aegis of the Commission