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| UECBV Workshop “Farm-To-Fork Strategy: optimizing the framework and conditions for carcass transport for more impact on sustainability in the EU” |
15 June 2022
UECBV Workshop “Farm-To-Fork Strategy: optimizing the framework and conditions for carcass transport for more impact on sustainability in the EU”
On 2nd June 2022, the UECBV, in cooperation with the European Commission/DG SANTE, brought together 50 representatives from national authorities, the scientific community and European meat business associations to successfully exchange on “Farm-To-Fork Strategy: optimizing the framework and conditions for carcass transport for more impact on sustainability in the EU” during a workshop held under the label of the French Presidency.
The event aimed at:
- sharing feedback on the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2017/1981*
- sheding light on certain regulatory provisions, based on examples from Food Business Operators.
- presenting the results of 3 scientific studies from France, The Netherlands and Denmark, and exchanging views with all those present.
- considering adjustments to the legislation for a better implementation of the derogation*, taking into account food safety issues as well as environmental and socio-economic issues.
The workshop concluded that the Regulation* is useful and used by various Member States – although with some need for further fine tuning as there are possibilities to improve logistics and alternative scenarios for transportation (without compromising food safety) which result in greater sustainability on topics such as energy and food spoilage. The workshop allowed for a constructive exchange, with concrete clarifications on certain technical issues.
The resulting proposals will be considered, and next steps prepared. Practical common guidelines could also be explored to enhance consumer confidence and verify compliance between Food Business Operators and competent authorities.
UECBV Secretary General Karsten Maier said: “This successful workshop comes only a few weeks after the favourable opinion from the Standing Committee on the “UECBV guide on sharing good practices in slaughter hygiene”. It is another example of the constructive and responsible actions the meat sector is taking as part of the Farm-to-Fork via Factory approach.”
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*Background
In November 2017, Regulation (EU) 2017/1981 amended Annex III to Regulation (EC) 853/2004 (Section I Chapter VII Point 3) by introducing a derogation from the obligation to chill carcasses to a core temperature of 7°C before transport. This flexibility, based on two EFSA opinions (6 March 2014 and 8 June 2016), allows meat to be transported more quickly after slaughter, thus facilitating trade in fresh meat within the Union.
A few years after implementation, an evaluation conducted in various Member States showed that, due to several reasons, Food Business Operators had difficulties making use of the derogation. To address these difficulties, the UECBV exchanged with the Commission services to explore opportunities to make the derogation more practical. Some scientific studies took place in DK, FR and NL.
For the Doc in pdf: Click HERE
On 2nd June 2022, the UECBV, in cooperation with the European Commission/DG SANTE, brought together 50 representatives from national authorities, the scientific community and European meat business associations to successfully exchange on “Farm-To-Fork Strategy: optimizing the framework and conditions for carcass transport for more impact on sustainability in the EU” during a workshop held under the label of the French Presidency.
The event aimed at:
- sharing feedback on the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2017/1981*
- sheding light on certain regulatory provisions, based on examples from Food Business Operators.
- presenting the results of 3 scientific studies from France, The Netherlands and Denmark, and exchanging views with all those present.
- considering adjustments to the legislation for a better implementation of the derogation*, taking into account food safety issues as well as environmental and socio-economic issues.
The workshop concluded that the Regulation* is useful and used by various Member States – although with some need for further fine tuning as there are possibilities to improve logistics and alternative scenarios for transportation (without compromising food safety) which result in greater sustainability on topics such as energy and food spoilage. The workshop allowed for a constructive exchange, with concrete clarifications on certain technical issues.
The resulting proposals will be considered, and next steps prepared. Practical common guidelines could also be explored to enhance consumer confidence and verify compliance between Food Business Operators and competent authorities.
UECBV Secretary General Karsten Maier said: “This successful workshop comes only a few weeks after the favourable opinion from the Standing Committee on the “UECBV guide on sharing good practices in slaughter hygiene”. It is another example of the constructive and responsible actions the meat sector is taking as part of the Farm-to-Fork via Factory approach.”
- - - - -
*Background
In November 2017, Regulation (EU) 2017/1981 amended Annex III to Regulation (EC) 853/2004 (Section I Chapter VII Point 3) by introducing a derogation from the obligation to chill carcasses to a core temperature of 7°C before transport. This flexibility, based on two EFSA opinions (6 March 2014 and 8 June 2016), allows meat to be transported more quickly after slaughter, thus facilitating trade in fresh meat within the Union.
A few years after implementation, an evaluation conducted in various Member States showed that, due to several reasons, Food Business Operators had difficulties making use of the derogation. To address these difficulties, the UECBV exchanged with the Commission services to explore opportunities to make the derogation more practical. Some scientific studies took place in DK, FR and NL.
For the Doc in pdf: Click HERE
