2454 final report.pdf - Agra CEAS Consulting

Evaluation of the Community Plant Health Regime: Final Report
DG SANCO Evaluation Framework Contract Lot 3 (Food Chain)
17 out of 26 MS CAs and 5 out of 24 stakeholders consider that measures to address passenger transport should be
included in the CPHR (2 MS CAs and 12 stakeholders do not know).
The MS advocating such measures consider that the introduction of passenger controls would
confer benefits in increased phytosanitary protection, including through increased public
awareness. The example of the US is given, where the introduction of border controls has
apparently resulted in more awareness and information of citizens about the risks. The costs of
such measures will depend on the level of inspections that are put in place in airports or other
points of entry. It is suggested that general prohibition could be introduced, within the existing
passenger control systems (therefore with no increase in costs), with a clear differentiation
between plants for planting, seeds, and end products.
In the animal health field, strict rules are in place since 2002 to prevent the introduction of
serious animal diseases 119 through personal consignments of milk, meat or their products. In
particular, Commission Regulation (EC) No. 206/2009 120 regulates the transport of personal
consignments of products of animal origin of a non commercial character, or small consignments
sent to private persons and ordered remotely (for example, by mail, by telephone or via the
Internet) and delivered to the consumer. The legislation forbids the transport of meat, milk and
their products, with the exemption of specific cases 121 and foresees provisions for enforcement of
these rules and for raising public awareness. In particular, provisions include the organization of
controls at EU entry points, also on a a risk based approach, and including the use of effective
detection aids, the destruction of personal consignments found to be in breach of the rules, and
mechanisms to ensure liabilities for costs or penalties. Furthermore, legislation lays down
provisions to ensure that information is provided by MS to travelers and to the general public
(including provisions for transport operators to make use of existing means of passenger
communication). To this aim, the European Commission produced in 2002 (and updated in
2009) full size posters in 35 languages for display at EU entry points 122 ; this measure is highly
advocated by MS in order to raise awareness in a harmonized manner.
Finally, MS CAs and other interviewees expressed a growing concern for other sources of
possible introduction of HOs with the development of e-commerce via the Internet. An
increasing trade in plants, including seeds, bulbs and plant products are ordered via the web and
119
One of the most dangerous diseases that could be potentially introduced into the Community is foot and mouth
disease (FMD). The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated the risk of introduction of FMD into the
Community. That evaluation clearly shows that the introduction of meat and meat products and of milk and milk
products are potential ways for the FMD virus to enter into the Community.
120
COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 206/2009 of 5 March 2009 on the introduction into the Community of
personal consignments of products of animal origin and amending Regulation (EC) No 136/2004
121
These procedures do not apply to the movements of animal products between the 27 Member States of the EU, or
for animal products coming from Andorra, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, and Switzerland.Transport of such
products up to 10 kg is allowed from Croatia. the Faeroe Islands, Greenland or Iceland,; specific categories of food
(e.g. infant food, pet feed) under certain conditions and up to 2 kg, fishery products up to 20 kg or the weight of a
fish if higher (no restrictions from Iceland and Faeroe Islands); passengers are allowed to bring up to 2 kg or certain
animal products such as honey, live oysters, live mussels and snails.
122 A specific awareness campaign also took place during the European Veterinary Week 2008 (10-16 November
2008) organised in partnership with the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe. During the Veterinary Week, there
were actions in all major EU airports, ports and border crossings to ensure that the message was conveyed
effectively to travellers by different means. In particular, posters in 34 languages were displayed, to ensure that
passengers were aware of the new rules and the reasons behind them
Food Chain Evaluation Consortium 107