EU HEAT TREATMENT REQUIREMENTS on meat

COMMUNICATION FROM THE russian federation

The following communication, received on 11 April 2014, is being circulated at the request of the Delegation of the Russian Federation.

_______________

1.  In 2010, the Rosselkhoznadzor requested to be authorized to export processed poultry meat products and raw bovine, pork and poultry meat preparations produced in the Kaliningrad region to the European Union. In addition, Russia requested revised criteria for heat treatment of finished beef and pork products. In accordance with Decision 2007/777/EC, the deliveries of finished products obtained from pigs, cattle and small ruminants were approved from the whole territory of the Russian Federation but subject to heat treatment at the temperature of at least 80°C.

2.  Following the 2010 FVO mission in the Kaliningrad region, as well as taking into account the guaranties provided by the Rosselkhoznadzor which is the Russian national competent authority, on 7 December 2012, Commission Regulation No. 1162/2012 defined the Kaliningrad region as a separate part (from the veterinary point of view) of the Russian Federation due to its geographical location. The abovementioned Regulation authorized the importation of meat products obtained from cattle, pigs and small ruminants as well as treated stomachs, bladders and intestines from the Kaliningrad region into the European Union, but only those that were subjected to the required treatment (which is specified in Part 2 of Annex II of Decision 2007/777/EC), i.e. at the temperature of at least 80°C. The European Union explained this kind of treatment by the FMD and ASF unfavourable situation in the Russian Federation.