Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/685 of 28 April 2022 amending Regulation (EC) No 333/2007 as regards the sampling requirements for fish and terrestrial animals (Text with EEA relevance)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/685of 28 April 2022amending Regulation (EC) No 333/2007 as regards the sampling requirements for fish and terrestrial animals(Text with EEA relevance)THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products, amending Regulations (EC) No 999/2001, (EC) No 396/2005, (EC) No 1069/2009, (EC) No 1107/2009, (EU) No 1151/2012, (EU) No 652/2014, (EU) 2016/429 and (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Regulations (EC) No 1/2005 and (EC) No 1099/2009 and Council Directives 98/58/EC, 1999/74/EC, 2007/43/EC, 2008/119/EC and 2008/120/EC, and repealing Regulations (EC) No 854/2004 and (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 89/608/EEC, 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC, 91/496/EEC, 96/23/EC, 96/93/EC and 97/78/EC and Council Decision 92/438/EEC (Official Controls Regulation)OJ L 95, 7.4.2017, p. 1., and in particular Article 34(6) thereof,Whereas:(1)Commission Regulation (EC) No 333/2007Commission Regulation (EC) No 333/2007 of 28 March 2007 laying down the methods of sampling and analysis for the control of the levels of trace elements and processing contaminants in foodstuffs (OJ L 88, 29.3.2007, p. 29). lays down the methods of sampling and analysis to be used for the control of the levels of trace elements and processing contaminants in foodstuffs.(2)In Part B of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 333/2007 specific provisions for the sampling of large fish arriving in large lots are established and pursuant to those the middle part of such fish is to be sampled. As this may have in some cases a high impact on the product, alternative sampling requirements need to be provided for, in order to allow also sampling at the head or the tail. Furthermore, uniform requirements need to be set on the part of the fish to be sampled, depending on different size of the fish, as such requirements ensure a better comparability of analytical results throughout the Union.(3)In relation to the amended sampling requirements for fish, also the definition of "lot" should be amended and a definition of "comparable size or weight" should be provided.(4)In Annex IV to Council Directive 96/23/ECCouncil Directive 96/23/EC of 29 April 1996 on measures to monitor certain substances and residues thereof in live animals and animal products and repealing Directives 85/358/EEC and 86/469/EEC and Decisions 89/187/EEC and 91/664/EEC (OJ L 125, 23.5.1996, p. 10). requirements are set out for the sampling of terrestrial animals and aquaculture products for the analysis of residues and contaminants. Directive 96/23/EC has been repealed by Regulation (EU) 2017/625, but under Article 150 of that Regulation, that Directive remains applicable until 14 December 2022. Taking into account the end of those transitional measures relating to the application of Directive 96/23/EC, such requirements need to be set out in Regulation (EC) No 333/2007 to apply from 15 December 2022.(5)Regulation (EC) No 333/2007 should therefore be amended accordingly.(6)The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: