food chain information for cattle, sheep and goats
EU gygiene legislation providing specific
rules relating to products of animal origin requires those
operating slaughterhouses to request, receive, check and act upon
food chain information (FCI) for all animals except wild game.
This FCI provision applies to all slaughter
animals, whether sent directly to a slaughterhouse or sold through
a livestock market. The requirement has been progressively
implemented for the different animal species – with the rules in
force for poultry in 2006, pigs in 2008, calves and horses in 2009
and now from 1 January 2010 for cattle, sheep and goats.
The minimum information required is that
relating to:
- movement restrictions for TB, animal disease or public health
reasons
- withdrawal periods for veterinary medicines
- health of the animals
- safety of the derived meat
The legislation which came into force on 1
January 2010 also makes permanent the former transitional
arrangement whereby member states could derogate from the
requirement to supply FCI at least 24 hours in advance of the
animals’ arrival at the slaughterhouse. Livestock suppliers may now
provide the required information at the same time as the animal if
permitted to do so by the enforcement authorities in their member
state.
