65. Regulation (EU) of the European Parliament and of the Council No. 2017/625 - specific requirements for the performance of official controls of raw milk, milk products and fishery products in accordance with the implementing acts of Regulation (EU) No 2017/625.

What are the reasons regarding animals why official controls must take place for raw milk and dairy products?

1. Health requirements for raw milk production and animals don’t show signs of diseases (brucellosis, tuberculosis)

2. Health status of the animals is being complied with to avoid contamination of milk

3. Use of veterinary medicinal products are being complied with

   1. Absence of prohibited or unauthorised pharmacologically active substances

   2. Presence of residues of authorised pharmacologically active substances, pesticides or contaminants

What diseases must animals on milk production holdings be free from?

Infectious diseases transmittable to humans through milk, such as brucellosis and tuberculosis

What health status must animals on milk production holdings have?

Animals must be in a good general state of health and present no signs of disease that might contaminate milk or have any udder wound likely to affect the milk

What must be absent in the use of veterinary medicinal products in milk production holdings?

Prohibited or unauthorized pharmacologically active substances

What must the levels of authorized substances in raw milk comply with?

Levels laid down in Regulations (EU) No 37/2010, (EC) No 396/2005, and (EU) No 2023/915, and prescribed withdrawal periods

How often are dairy holdings visited for official controls?

Regularly and without prior notice

Who may carry out the official controls at dairy holdings?

The official veterinarian (OV)

What are the reasons regarding production hygiene why official controls must take place for raw milk and dairy products?

1. Milking equipment and premises where milk is stored, handled or cooled must be located and constructed to limit contamination of milk

2. Surfaces coming into contact with milk must be easy to clean and disinfect

3. milking, collection and transport carried out hygienically

4. Cold chain must be maintained

5. Milkers must wear clean clothes and have high degree of cleanliness

Who may carry out inspections and monitoring of professional organizations' controls at dairy holdings?

The competent authority

What must the competent authority do if hygiene is inadequate at dairy holdings?

Verify that appropriate steps are taken to correct the situation

What criteria must raw milk comply with according to the competent authority's official controls?

Plate count, somatic cell count, and antibiotic residues

What is the plate count limit for cow's milk?

≤ 100,000 per ml

What is the somatic cell count limit for cow's milk?

≤ 400,000 per ml

Which legislations are important for the official controls of fishery products?

Regulation (EC) 2019/624

Regulation (EC) 2019/627

What must official controls on fishery product production and placing on the market include?

Regular checks on hygiene conditions of landing & first sale, inspections of vessels and establishments, checks on storage and transport conditions

What elements must official controls of fishery products at all stages include?

Organoleptic examinations, freshness indicators, histamine, residues and contaminants, microbial checks, parasites, and poisonous fishery products

What are the organoleptic characteristics to verify compliance of freshness of fish?

Appearance, colour, odour, flavour, consistency;

If doubtful sample subjected to chemical tests

What are the freshness indicators in fish?

Total Basic Volatile Nitrogen (TBV-N)

Triamethylamine Nitrogen (TMA-N)

What method is used for detecting visible parasites?

Candling

What must fishery products be declared fit for human consumption comply with?

Regulation 853/2004 and 2073/2005, acceptable levels of residues and contaminants, and no derivation from poisonous fish or fish with marine biotoxins