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

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.

ORIGIN OF IMPORTED PRODUCTS - 2002

~100 Countries (80% EU’s)60% of fish products are imported : ~50 Third

Countries and ~ 50% EU’s

IMPORTANCE TO THE QUALITY OF RAW MATERIALS

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

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

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

 

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

LABORATORY CHECKS

differences with respect to sampling procedures

acceptability criteria

sensitivity of methods

laboratory accreditation

possibility of repeating the tests

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

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT HEALTH PROBLEMS

Illegal veterinary drug residues (Cloramphenicol and nitrofurans)

Detection of counterfeited certificates

Chemical contaminants (mycotoxins)

NUMBER OF (%)IRREGULARITY OBSERVED BY THE ITALIAN BIPs

1997-2002Year 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%

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

THE APPLICATION OF DIRECTIVE 90/675

■ organization of national checks

■ own training and updating courses of official veterinarians for BIPs

THE OUTPUTS

difference in procedures for similar situations

interventions of the EU inspectors to harmonize the inspection approach

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

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