Date: 2020-04-22Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Decision No 1/2018 of the Joint Veterinary Committee set up by the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products of 12 June 2018 on amending Appendix 6 of Annex 11 to the Agreement [2020/554]
Executive Summary:
Decision No 1/2018 of the Joint Veterinary Committee amends Appendix 6 of Annex 11 to the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products. This amendment concerns the Trichinella examination of swine carcasses and meat. The decision makes permanent a derogation for Switzerland regarding Trichinella examination in low-capacity slaughter establishments and applies retroactively from 1 January 2017.
Key Points / Main Content:
Amendment of Appendix 6:
* Points 4 to 6 of the chapter "Special Conditions" in Appendix 6 of Annex 11 are replaced.
* Point 7 of Appendix 6 is deleted.
Specific Conditions for Switzerland:
* Swiss authorities guarantee that all domestic swine carcasses and meat placed on the EU market have undergone Trichinella examination.
* Switzerland uses the detection methods described in Chapters I and II of Annex I to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1375 for Trichinella examinations.
* Carcasses and meat of domestic swine, as well as related products not intended for the EU market, must be marked with a special health stamp as per Swiss regulations (DFI Ordinance). These products cannot be traded with EU Member States.
Enforcement and Implementation:
* The Decision enters into force on the day of its adoption (12 June 2018) and applies retroactively from 1 January 2017.
Impact Analysis:
European Union:
Impact: Ensures that pork imported from Switzerland adheres to specific health and safety standards regarding Trichinella.
Action Required: Acknowledge and implement the updated conditions for Swiss pork imports, as well as recognise the exclusive health stamp for products not destined for the EU market.
Swiss Confederation:
Impact: Permanently exempts Switzerland from Trichinella examination requirements for swine carcasses and meat in low-capacity slaughter establishments, provided specific conditions are met.
Action Required: Maintain a functioning Trichinella detection system, ensure all domestic pork meat for the EU market undergoes examination, apply the correct health stamp to products not destined for the EU, and comply with the detection methods outlined in the EU regulation.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: One of the parties to the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products.
Swiss Confederation: One of the parties to the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products.
Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products: A trade agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation, also referred to as the Agriculture Agreement.
Joint Veterinary Committee: A committee set up by the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products, responsible for considering matters related to Annex 11 of the agreement.
Annex 11: An annex to the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products, dealing with veterinary matters.
Trichinella: A genus of parasitic nematodes, relevant in the context of meat inspection and trade between Switzerland and the European Union. Switzerland has a derogation regarding Trichinella examination.
Bern: The city in Switzerland where the decision was signed.
Commission Implementing Regulation EU 2015/1375: A European Union regulation laying down specific rules on official controls for Trichinella in meat.
L 127/26 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union 22.4.2020
ACTS ADOPTED BY BODIES CREATED BY
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
DECISION No 1/2018 OF THE JOINT VETERINARY COMMITTEE SET UP BY THE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND THE SWISS CONFEDERATION ON TRADE IN
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
of 12 June 2018
on amending Appendix 6 of Annex 11 to the Agreement [2020/554]
THE JOINT VETERINARY COMMITTEE,
Having regard to the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural
products(1) and in particular Article 19(3) of Annex 11 thereto,
Whereas:
(1) The Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products
(‘the Agriculture Agreement’) entered into force on 1 June 2002.
(2) Under Article 19(1) of Annex 11 to the Agriculture Agreement, the Joint Veterinary Committee set up by the
Agriculture Agreement (‘the Joint Veterinary Committee’) is responsible for considering any matter arising in
connection with that Annex and its implementation, and for carrying out the tasks provided for therein.
Article 19(3) of Annex 11 authorises the Joint Veterinary Committee to amend the Appendices to that Annex, in
particular with a view to their adaptation and updating.
(3) Decision No 2/2003 of the Joint Veterinary Committee(2) amended Appendices 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11 of Annex 11
to the Agriculture Agreement for the first time.
(4) Decision No 1/2015 of the Joint Veterinary Committee(3) last amended Appendices 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 and 11 of
Annex 11 to the Agriculture Agreement.
(5) Switzerland has benefited for several successive periods from a derogation with regard to the Trichinella examination
of the carcasses and meat of domestic swine kept for fattening and slaughter in low-capacity slaughter
establishments. No case of Trichinella has been found in Switzerland for more than 50 years. Switzerland also has a
functioning detection system and has undertaken that all domestic pork meat placed on the market in the European
Union will always have been subject to examination for Trichinella in the carcasses and meat. It is therefore possible
to make the derogation permanent.
(6) In order to avoid a discontinuation of existing and well-functioning practices and to ensure legal continuity which
would not cause any foreseeable negative consequences, it is appropriate to apply this Decision retroactively with
effect from 1 January 2017.
(7) This Decision should enter into force on the day of its adoption.
(8) Appendix 6 of Annex 11 to the Agriculture Agreement should therefore be amended,
(1) OJ L 114, 30.4.2002, p. 132.
(2) Decision No 2/2003 of the Joint Veterinary Committee set up by the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss
Confederation on trade in agricultural products of 25 November 2003 regarding the amendment of Appendices 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11
of Annex 11 to the Agreement (OJ L 23, 28.1.2004, p. 27).
(3) Decision No 1/2015 of the Joint Veterinary Committee set up by the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss
Confederation on trade in agricultural products of 17 December 2015 regarding the amendment of Appendices 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10
and 11 of Annex 11 to the Agreement (OJ L 337, 23.12.2015, p. 128).22.4.2020 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union L 127/27
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Appendix 6 of Annex 11 to the Agriculture Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
1. points (4) to (6) of the chapter ‘Special Conditions’ are replaced by the following:
‘4. The Swiss authorities undertake that carcasses and the meat of domestic swine placed on the market in the
European Union will always have been subject to examination for Trichinella.
5. The detection methods described in Chapters I and II of Annex I to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU)
2015/1375 (*) are used in Switzerland for the Trichinella examinations.
6. Pursuant to the provisions of Article 8(paragraphs 1, letter a, and 3) of the DFI Ordinance of 23 November 2005 on
hygiene during the slaughter of livestock (OHyAb; RS 817.190.1) and Article 10(paragraph 8) of the DFI Ordinance
of 16 December 2016 on foodstuffs of animal origin (RS 817.022.108), carcasses and meat of domestic swine kept
for fattening and slaughter as well as meat preparations, meat products and derived processed products thereof
which are not intended for the market in the European Union shall be marked with a special health stamp in
accordance with the model specified in the last subparagraph of Annex 9 to the DFI Ordinance of
23 November 2005 on hygiene during the slaughter of livestock.
These products may not be traded with the Member States of the European Union, in accordance with the
provisions of Article 10 of the DFI Ordinance of 16 December 2016.
_____________
(*) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1375 of 10 August 2015 laying down specific rules on official
controls for Trichinella in meat (OJ L 212, 11.8.2015, p. 7).’;
2. point 7 is deleted.
Article 2
This Decision, drawn up in duplicate, shall be signed by the joint chairmen or other persons empowered to act on behalf of
the Parties to the Agriculture Agreement.
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
It shall apply retroactively with effect from 1 January 2017.
Done at Bern, 12 June 2018.
For the European Union For the Swiss Confederation
The Head of Delegation The Head of Delegation
Koen VAN DYCK Hans WYSS