Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to the Treaty of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania^f1, and in particular Article 4(3) thereof,

Having regard to the Act of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania^f2 and in particular Article 42 thereof,

Whereas:

From 1 January 2007, products of animal origin obtained in Bulgaria and Romania (the new Member States), will have to be placed on the market in compliance with the relevant Community rules in particular as regards the structure of and hygiene in establishments and the control and the health marking of the products.

In particular, those products will be subject to the requirements laid down in Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs^f3 and Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin^f4.

Certain products of animal origin obtained in Bulgaria and Romania before 1 January 2007 may be in stock after this date. However, those products of animal origin may not comply with all the Community veterinary requirements.

In order to facilitate the transition from the existing regime in Bulgaria and Romania to that resulting from the application of the Community veterinary legislation, it is appropriate to lay down transitional measures for the marketing of those products.

Those measures should take account of the origin of those products of animal origin as well as the stocks of packaging and packing and labels material bearing printed marks.

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: