Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 lays down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin for food business operators. In particular, Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 sets out requirements concerning the identification mark to be applied by food business operators on certain products of animal origin, including requirements concerning the country codes to be used by Member States and third countries.

In accordance with the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (Withdrawal Agreement) and in particular Article 5(4) of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland in conjunction with Annex 2 to that Protocol, Regulation (EC) No 853/2004, as well as the Commission acts based on it, applies to and in the United Kingdom in respect of Northern Ireland after the end of the transitional period. For that reason, it is necessary to amend the requirements laid down in Annex II to that Regulation concerning the identification mark that should be used in the United Kingdom in respect of Northern Ireland.

Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 should therefore be amended accordingly,

As the transition period provided for in the Withdrawal Agreement ends on 31 December 2020, this Regulation should apply from 1 January 2021,