THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety
1, and in particular Article 53(1) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)Commission Implementing Decision 2011/884/EU of 22 December 2011 on emergency measures regarding unauthorised genetically modified rice in rice products originating from China and repealing Decision 2008/289/EC
2 provides for a review of the emergency measures provided therein in order to assess whether they continue to be necessary and adapted to the objective pursued.
(2)Since the entry into force of Implementing Decision 2011/884/EU, there have been 56 notifications from Member States to the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) as established by Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 concerning unauthorised genetically modified rice in rice products originating from China. Under those conditions, the emergency measures set out in Implementing Decision 2011/884/EU have to be maintained in order to prevent the placing on the market of genetically modified food and feed which is not covered by an authorisation granted in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council
3.
(3)From the experience gained by Member States in Implementing Decision 2011/884/EU and from information collected from stakeholders by the Commission, it appears also necessary to adjust some of the requirements set out in that Decision.
(4)In particular, official controls carried out by the Member States have shown that other products which may contain rice should be added to the scope of Implementing Decision 2011/884/EU. The possibility for the competent authorities to carry out physical checks on other products should also be provided.
(5)In addition, some Member States have highlighted during the review process that the requirements set out in Implementing Decision 2011/884/EU as regards the prior notification of consignments are not fully aligned with the requirements provided for in Commission Regulation (EC) No 669/2009 of 24 July 2009 implementing Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the increased level of official controls on imports of certain feed and food of non-animal origin and amending Decision 2006/504/EC
4 and, where applicable, in Commission Regulation (EC) No 136/2004 of 22 January 2004 laying down procedures for veterinary checks at Community border inspection posts on products imported from third countries
5. Regulation (EC) No 669/2009 provides the obligation for the feed and food business operators to complete Part 1 of the common entry document detailed in its Annex II when importing feed and food of non-animal origin covered in that Regulation. Similarly, Regulation (EC) No 136/2004 provides for an obligation to complete the common veterinary entry document detailed in its Annex III when importing products falling under the scope of that Regulation. In view of improving the efficiency of official controls, it is therefore appropriate to align the requirements on prior notification set out in Implementing Decision 2011/884/EU with those set in Regulation (EC) No 669/2009 and, where applicable, in Regulation (EC) No 136/2004. To avoid misunderstanding, it should also be detailed in that Decision that prior notifications should be addressed to the competent authorities at the Border Inspection Post or at the designated point of entry.
(6)Sampling methodologies play a crucial role in obtaining representative and comparable results. Annex II to Implementing Decision 2011/884/EU defines a common protocol for sampling and analysis for the control of the absence of genetically modified rice. Experience to date has shown that the majority of imports covered by the Decision are processed products. In such cases the presence of unauthorised genetically modified rice is expected to be distributed homogenously throughout the lot. In the light of those elements, it appears necessary to add an additional sampling protocol more appropriate for such products.
(7)It is necessary to provide a new transitional period for the application of the new provisions contained in this Decision in order to let food and feed business operators time to adapt to the new situation created by this Decision.
(8)The situation concerning the possible contamination of rice products with unauthorised genetically modified rice lines should continue to be reviewed regularly in order to assess whether the measures provided for in this Decision are still necessary and adapted to the objective pursued and to ensure that it takes into account new scientific and technical developments.
(9)The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: