Food Safety Controls

Overview The importation of food products from outside the EU requires compliance with EU and UK hygiene safety, labeling and food composition regulations.  The hazard analysis and critical control point after primary production stage (HACCP) system is used.   Non-EU suppliers must have equivalent systems in place. Food businesses after primary production must work in accordance […]

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Importation and Movement

Import of live animals. There are a number of directives dealing with both the import and transit of animals.  One category of directives deals with imports from outside the EU whereas another category deal with imports between EU states.  Technically imports between EU states are described as intra EU trade whereas imports referred to imports […]

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CAP Price Support

The Common Agricultural Policy The Common Agricultural Policy consumes a large part of the EU budget, through the  European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF). The Guarantee element finances the expenditure on market organisation and rural development measures.  The Guidance element finances other rural development expenditures. The fund is administered by the Commission and by […]

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CAP Income Supports

Cohesion Funds The Cohesion Funds (2007 to 2013) support measures under the convergence objectives. The aim is to accelerate convergence in EU states where development is lagging behind by improving conditions for growth and employment. The objective of the Fund is to provide sustainable development. The ceiling on the Cohesion Fund’s contribution to public expenditure, […]

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CAP Development and Reform

Background Agriculture has been at the heart of the European Union since its foundation. This reflects the post-war food security requirement and  the strong political influence of France in the 1950s and 1960s with its large agricultural sector, relative to Germany. Agricultural competence is restated in the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union. […]

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Import & Export of Animals

General There are a number of directives dealing with both the import and transit of animals.  One category of directives deals with imports from outside the EU whereas another category deal with imports between EU states.  Technically imports between EU states are described as intra EU trade whereas imports referred to imports from outside the […]

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Intra-EU Trade

Bovine and Swine There exist intra-EU controls on trade of certain animals.  There is a directive on trade within the EU in bovine animals and swine for breeding, production, or slaughter. The transport of bovine animals and swine to another state is permitted if they do not display sign of clinical disease they have not been […]

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Animal Health

General EU laws on animal health and welfare are adopted by the Parliament and the EU Council, the latter acting by qualified majority voting. The rules usually reflect  international standards including, in particular, those  adopted by the World Organisation for Animal Health. EU funding typically covers 50 percent of the national government’s cost. EU legislation […]

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Registration of Animals

Identification and registration. There are a number of EU regulations dealing with the identification and registration of animals.  The purpose is to create a comprehensive tracing system to protect animal health and food safety. There are different regulations in respect of different species/products. Regulation in respect of the identification and registration of bovine animals and […]

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Fisheries

Context When the UK joined the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1973 it was agreed that the Member States would have exclusive national fishing rights to 12 nautical miles, unless other Member State could prove historic fishing activity between 6 to 12 miles. This changed when it was agreed under international law that countries had […]

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