Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Directive 2002/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 May 2002 on undesirable substances in animal feed^f1, and in particular Article 8(1) thereof,

Whereas:

Directive 2002/32/EC provides that the use of products intended for animal feed which contain levels of undesirable substances exceeding the maximum levels laid down in Annex I to that Directive is prohibited.

When Directive 2002/32/EC was adopted, the Commission stated that Annex I to that Directive would be reviewed on the basis of updated scientific risk assessments and taking into account the prohibition of any dilution of contaminated non-complying products intended for animal feed.

On a request from the Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) adopted an opinion relating to aldrin and dieldrin on 9 November 2005^f2.

Fish feed, containing relatively high proportion of fish oil in the formulation, was found to contain significant levels of aldrin/dieldrin. It is therefore appropriate to amend the existing provisions, based on the conclusions of the scientific opinion and available monitoring data.

On a request from the Commission, EFSA adopted an opinion relating to endosulfan on 20 June 2005^f3.

Based on the conclusions of the scientific opinion and available monitoring data, it is appropriate to amend the maximum level for endosulfan in crude vegetable oil in order to take into account to a certain extent the concentration of endosulfan in the crude vegetable oil compared to the level in the oilseed.

On a request from the Commission, EFSA adopted an opinion relating to hexachlorocyclohexanes (α, β, γ HCH) on 4 July 2005^f4 and an opinion on endrin on 9 November 2005^f5.

Based on the conclusions of the scientific opinions and available monitoring data, no modifications to the existing maximum levels as regards hexachlorocyclohexanes and endrin are necessary.

As regards aldrin, dieldrin, chlordane, DDT, endrin, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCH), the term ‘fats’ should be replaced by the terms ‘fats and oils’ to indicate clearly that all fats and oils, including animal fat, vegetable oils, fish oil, are covered.

Directive 2002/32/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: