Commission Regulation (EC) No 617/2008
of 27 June 2008
laying down detailed rules for implementing Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 as regards marketing standards for eggs for hatching and farmyard poultry chicks

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 of 22 October 2007 establishing a common organisation of agricultural markets and on specific provisions for certain agricultural products (Single CMO Regulation), and in particular Article 121(f) in conjunction with Article 4 thereof,
OJ L 299, 16.11.2007, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 510/2008 (OJ L 149, 7.6.2008, p. 61).
Whereas:
(1) As of 1 July 2008, Council Regulation (EEC) No 2782/75 of 29 October 1975 on the production and marketing of eggs for hatching and of farmyard poultry chicks is repealed by Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007.
OJ L 282, 1.11.1975, p. 100. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1791/2006 (OJ L 363, 20.12.2006, p. 1).
(2) Certain provisions and obligations laid down in Regulation (EEC) No 2782/75 have not been incorporated in Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007.
(3) Certain appropriate provisions and obligations should therefore be adopted within the framework of a Regulation laying down detailed rules for implementing Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 in order to ensure the continuity and smooth running of the common organisation of the market, and in particular marketing standards.
(4) Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 lays down the basic requirements which eggs for hatching and farmyard poultry chicks must satisfy to be marketed in the Community. For the sake of clarity, new detailed rules for the implementation of those requirements should be laid down. Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1868/77, which lays down detailed rules for the application of Regulation (EEC) No 2782/75, should therefore be repealed and replaced by a new Regulation.
OJ L 209, 17.8.1977, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1792/2006 (OJ L 362, 20.12.2006, p. 1).
(5) Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 laid down certain rules for the production and marketing of eggs for hatching and of farmyard poultry chicks. The implementation of these rules requires rules of application aimed, inter alia, at preventing the marketing of eggs removed from the incubator unless they have a special distinguishing mark, at specifying the markings to be made on eggs and the packaging of eggs for hatching and chicks, and providing for communication of the necessary information.
(6) Each establishment should be given a distinguishing registration number based on a code drawn up in each Member State so that it is possible to determine the activity in which the establishment is engaged.
(7) The collection system for data concerning intra-Community trade in and production of chicks and eggs for hatching should be adequately maintained in order to establish short-term production estimates. It is for each Member State to lay down the penalties for infringements of these provisions.
(8) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: