THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 on the placing on the market and use of feed, and in particular Article 32(4) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 provides for a complete revision of EU rules concerning the marketing conditions of feed materials and compound feed and its Article 32(4) allows measures in order to facilitate transition to the new rules.
(2)
The rules on labelling laid down by Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 will have to be applied as from 1 September 2010. This would imply an abrupt change and not allow a smooth transition for the feed business operators placing feed on the market. Switching the design and production of labels and the conversion of the existing machinery from one day to the other would be expensive for those businesses. The resulting burden would be disproportionate to the objective of the change. It is therefore appropriate to provide for a transitional period during which feed may be labelled in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 before 1 September 2010.
(3)
As regards feed intended for pet animals, the market consists of a huge number of different products with specific labels. Compared with the current labelling rules for pet food, only Articles 15(f), 17(1)(f) and 19 of Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 will introduce changes to the labelling of those products, representing only minor changes with no effect on safety. In order to allow a smooth transition for the feed business operators concerned, it is justified to provide for a transitional period of 1 year during which the current labels for pet food may continue to be used after 1 September 2010.
(4)
The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: