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FOOD IMPORT CONTROL- A national perspective, Italy

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 IMPORT CONTROL- A national perspective, Italy

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  1. FOOD IMPORT CONTROL-A national perspective, Italy Romano Marabelli°, Paolo Aureli*, Agostino Macri’**, °Direction Generalof Veterinary Public Health, Food and Nutrition MINISTRY OF HEALTH *Food and **Veterinary Medicine Laboratories ISTITUTO SUPERIORE DELLA SANITA’ Rome, ITALY

  2. FOOD PRODUCTION IN ITALY • It is mainly performed by small-sized and medium-sized family run businesses • itis 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.

  3. ORIGIN OF IMPORTED PRODUCTS - 2002 • ~100 Countries (80% EU’s) • 60% of fish products are imported : ~50 ThirdCountries and ~ 50% EU’s • IMPORTANCE TO THE QUALITY OF RAW MATERIALS

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

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

  9. ASSESSMENT OF COMPLIANCE • to assure the same accuracy in the evaluation in all Border Inspection Postsit would be desirable to establish • a minimum list of laboratory tests • a harmonised overall procedure

  10. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT HEALTH PROBLEMS • Illegal veterinary drug residues (Cloramphenicol and nitrofurans) • Detection of counterfeited certificates • Chemical contaminants (mycotoxins)

  11. NUMBER OF (%)IRREGULARITY OBSERVED BY THE ITALIAN BIPs1997-2002

  12. 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

  13. THE APPLICATION OF DIRECTIVE 90/675 • organization of national checks • own training and updating courses of official veterinarians for BIPs

  14. THE OUTPUTS • difference in proceduresfor similar situations • interventions of the EU inspectors to harmonize the inspection approach

  15. 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

  16. 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

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