Division 2.1 Fundamental aspects

Whenever official samples are taken, sampling must be unforeseen, unexpected and effected at no fixed time and on no particular day of the week — the Member States must take all the precautions necessary to ensure that the element of surprise in the checks is constantly maintained.

Sampling shall be carried out in variable intervals spread over the whole year at the establishments mentioned in paragraph 1 of Annex III of Council Directive 96/23/EC^f1. In this context it has to be considered that a number of substances is administered only in particular seasons.

Without prejudice of the regulations of the residue control plan, other available information shall be taken into consideration when choosing the samples, e.g. the use of presently unknown substances, diseases suddenly appearing in particular regions, indications of fraudulent activities etc.