Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to the Act of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania, and in particular the first subparagraph of paragraph (f) of Section B of Chapter 4 of Annex VI thereto,

Whereas:

Bulgaria has been granted transitional periods by the Act of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania for compliance by certain milk processing establishments with the requirements of 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^f1.

The Appendix to Annex VI to the Act of Accession has been amended by Commission Decisions 2007/26/EC^f2, 2007/689/EC^f3, 2008/209/EC^f4, 2008/331/EC^f5, 2008/547/EC^f6, 2008/672/EC^f7 and 2008/827/EC^f8.

Bulgaria has provided guarantees that four milk processing establishments have completed their upgrading process and are now in full compliance with Community legislation. Three of them are allowed to receive and process compliant and non-compliant raw milk without separation. Those establishments should therefore be included in the list of Chapter I of the Appendix to Annex VI. One establishment is allowed to receive and process compliant and non-compliant raw milk in two fully separated lines. This establishment should be included in the list of Chapter II of the Appendix to Annex VI.

One milk processing establishment listed in Chapter I will process only compliant raw milk and will therefore be approved as EU milk processing establishment. This establishment should therefore be deleted from the list of Chapter I of the Appendix to Annex VI.

The Appendix to Annex VI to the Act of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania should therefore be amended accordingly.

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: