Report of meeting of Standing Committee of the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH): 16 February 2009

• Guidance documents on the implementation of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 852/2004 (SANCO/1731/2008 Rev 6) and (EC) 853/2004 (SANCO/1732/2008 Rev 6)
  These documents were adopted by consensus.
• Industry guide to good practice for salmonella in broiler chickens
  Limited discussion. Part C (slaughterhouse practice) will be discussed further in a previously convened restricted group of Member States (MS). Other comments from MS on all parts of the guide welcomed.
• Industry guide to Good Hygiene Practice in pullet rearing and egg laying flocks
  Limited discussion. Further MS comments still welcome. Intention to put this to March SCOFCAH. (Broiler guide will follow later).
• Heat decontamination techniques
  Statement previously notified to MS Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs) will be annexed to the minutes of the Committee as a statement of the agreed position on this. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opinion to be sought on an MS study.
• Update presentation on latest state of play with salmonella in US peanut butter
  No discussion of this factual presentation - not reported further.
• Presentation on Better Training for Safer Food
  Lengthy presentation on the three years of this programme’s operation and the Commission’s intentions for future years.
• Approved establishments
  Lists of approved establishments were not being maintained in the agreed format. Issue to be alerted to MS CVOs to ensure action taken to correct this.

• Crocodile meat
  Clarification sought for plans for harmonised controls.
  Crocodile meat: the Commission confirmed it does intend to introduce harmonised requirements. The subject features in its reflections paper and will be discussed at the next Working Group meeting (date to be arranged following cancellation of 2 March meeting)
• Accreditation of laboratories undertaking Trichinella testing
  Issue raised as to whether the current derogation to allow laboratories to become accredited is to be extended.
  Laboratory accreditation: the Commission reminded Member States that this was dealt with by a new unit in DG SANCO. It had not been the Commission’s intention to extend the current derogation. A letter had been sent to CVOs seeking (by November 2008) information on the state of play on accreditation. This information was being evaluated and the Commission would revert to the issue.

Guidance document on the implementation of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 852/2004 (SANCO/1731/2008 Rev 6) and (EC) 853/2004 (SANCO/1732/2008 Rev 6)
The Commission explained the changes which had been made to the drafts, following consultation with the legal services. A further change was suggested to the guide to Regulation 853/2004. In section 3.1, final paragraph, the reference to 'national Health mark' was changed to 'national mark'. Both guides were therefore adopted by consensus.

Discussion on a Guide of Good Hygiene Practice for the Prevention and Control of Microbiological Infections focussed on Salmonella control of chickens reared for meat
The Commission reminded MS that the guides were 'owned' by industry. Further urgent comments from MS were sought on the document, particularly Section C. The Commission intended to convene a restricted working group in March to consider this further. Membership would be drawn from those MS who had previously participated in the group.

Discussion on a Community Guide for Good Hygiene Practices in pullet rearing and egg laying flocks
Some issues remained in relation to co-grazing of mixed poultry species and the steps to be taken following infection (section 3.2). A version will be sent to the stakeholders for consideration. The intention was to put the guide to the March meeting of SCOFCAH for agreement.

State of play on heat decontamination techniques
The Commission indicated that the statement in relation to steam decontamination of carcasses, which had been circulated to CVOs would be attached to the minutes of this meeting as an agreed statement by the EU of the legal position in relation to this technique. There is a problem in relation to issue concerning recycling of the water used. EFSA was to be asked to consider two studies.

A query was raised as to why use was not being made of Article 3(2) of Regulation 853/2004 in relation to steam decontamination. The Commission indicated that this was because steam was not considered to be a different substance from water and therefore no positive clearance was needed.

After some MS comments on practices the Commission concluded that heat contamination techniques were not substitutes for good hygiene practice, and that the statement would be appended to the minutes.

Information on the programme 'Better Training for Safer Food' 2009-2010
A presentation was given on the three years of the programme’s existence. The long term aim was to reach a steady state of 6,000 participants a year at a budget of 15M euros. For the years 2009-2010, the intention was to expand the EC element of the programme to include training on food contact materials and (subject to agreement) animal by-products. The programme for third country (non-EU country) training would also continue with an additional element around GMO analysis. Another significant element would be training for Africa, delivered with funding from the Community development budget. A final report would be available in early March.

Information on listing of EU establishments
The Commission explained that very few MS were fully meeting their obligations to list approved premises using the agreed codes and for those lists to be on a website linked to the Commission website. All MS were asked to ensure their links were working, and to notify the Commission of any changes. CVOs would be contacted and asked to ensure that action was taken to rectify matters.