CHAPTER I

ANIMAL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO ALL STAGES OF THE PRODUCTION, PROCESSING AND DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCTS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN WITHIN THE COMMUNITY

Official veterinary controls
Article 6
1
Pending adoption of Regulations of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin and rules for controls applicable to foodstuffs and animal feed, Member States shall ensure that official animal health controls are carried out by their competent authorities to ensure compliance with this Directive, its implementing rules and any safeguard measures relating to products of animal origin adopted pursuant to this Directive. As a general rule, inspections must be unannounced and checks carried out in accordance with the provisions of Directive 89/662/EEC.
2
Pending adoption of Regulations of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin and rules for controls applicable to foodstuffs and animal feed, where infringements of animal health rules are identified, Member States shall take the necessary measures to remedy the situation in accordance with the provisions of Directive 89/662/EEC.
3
Experts from the Commission may carry out on-the-spot checks, including audits, in cooperation with the competent authorities of the Member States, insofar as is necessary for the uniform application of this Directive. The Member States in whose territory checks are made shall provide the experts with all the assistance necessary for carrying out their duties. The Commission shall inform the competent authority of the results of the checks made.
If a serious animal health risk is identified during a Commission audit or inspection, the Member State concerned shall immediately take all measures necessary to safeguard animal health. If such measures are not taken, or if they are considered to be insufficient, the Commission shall, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 12(2), take the measures necessary to safeguard animal health and inform the Member States thereof.
4
The rules for the application of this Article, and in particular those governing the procedure for cooperation with the national authorities, shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 12(2).