Member State veterinary experts voted in favour of transitional arrangements for Bulgarian meat and milk establishments, and an additional measure for third country products imported into Romania and Bulgaria before 1 January 2007.

Non-compliant imports of animal origin

Member States also agreed to an amendment to the transitional measures set out for products of animal origin from third countries introduced into Bulgaria and Romania before 1 January 2007. At the last Standing Committee meeting, it was agreed that non-compliant products introduced into Romania and Bulgaria before the date of Enlargement should only be allowed to be sold on their domestic markets.

Today, an added measure was agreed, whereby Bulgarian or Romanian establishments which are authorised to dispatch their products to other EU countries after Enlargement may not process the non-compliant imported products in question. This is to ensure that processed goods made from non-compliant animal products are not inadvertently put on the market elsewhere in the EU.

As previously agreed, the transitional measures for these imports will apply until 31 December 2007, by which time the products in question should be used up or else removed from the market.

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