Introduction to the new
audit series on
organic farming
and
PDO/PGI/TSG
FVO, Unit F5 – Giovanni Saccarola
Food and Veterinary Office,
Health and Consumers Directorate-General
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Background
• The FVO carried out between 1999 and 2004 in total 16
audits on organic farming: 7 MSs and 9 TCs.
• Special Report of the ECA(1) on OF:
• "The Commission has not given enough priority to supervision
activities, including audits, to ensure the proper functioning of the
Member States’ control systems."
• "As regards imports, the Commission should ensure adequate
supervision of the countries included in the list of those
recognised as being equivalent for organic production"
(1) Special Report No 9-2012
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Background
• Based on a Memorandum of Understanding between DG
SANCO and DG AGRI the FVO started a new series of
audits on organic production and PDO/PGI/TSG
(Geographical Indications – GIs)
• First pilot audit on OF to Austria: Nov. 2011.
• First pilot audit on GIs to Hungary: Dec. 2011.
• Audits in 2012:
• OF: Portugal, Poland, India
• PDO/PGI/TSG: UK
• Audit Programme 2013:
• OF: 10 audits (7 MSs, 2 TCs, 1 CB)
• PDO/PGI/TSG: 3 (all MSs)
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Planning and performance of
OF audits
• Duration:8-10 working days.
• FVO team: 2-3 FVO inspectors + National Expert
• Scope of the audits:
• 2 Control Bodies: headquarter level.
• Importer and CAs in charge of import controls and
import authorisations.
• Visits to certified operators in at least two regions
covering: production, processing and trade.
• Traceability exercise for 1-2 organic product.
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Planning and performance of
GIs audits
• Duration:8-10 working days.
• FVO team: 2-3 FVO inspectors + National Expert
• Scope of the audits:
• 2 regions where at least one product with GIs has been
entered into the relevant register
• In these regions, meetings with responsible service(s)
• Visits to producer, processor and preparer of product
with GIs
• Visit to retail outlet of product with GIs
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EU legislation on organic farming
and GIs and Reg. 882/2004
• The control systems for organic farming and GIs
are placed under the umbrella of Regulation (EC)
No 882/2004 on Official Food and Feed Controls.
• Article 41 concerning the MANCP is relevant.
• However, information concerning the control
system for organic farming and GIs in most cases
not available or dispersed.
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What a MANCP should include?
General information on the structure and organisation
of the system of official controls.
• Description of the designated CAs, their responsibilities and
resources available
• Information on delegated control bodies
• Description of the supervision activities of delegated control
bodies
• Coordination arrangements in case of more than one control
body/authority involved
• Description of the risk base approach used
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What an annual report should
include?
Information about the implementation of the control
system
• Any relevant change occurred during the previous year
• List of operators and control bodies involved
• Official controls planned and delivered (routine controls and
additional ones)
• Non compliances found and follow-up
• Result of supervision activities
• Conclusion on the control system (overall performance)
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More info concerning MANCP and annual reports (for
organic farming):
•
EC Working Document on official controls on organic sector (July
2011): section 12 on "reporting requirements regarding official controls
performed in the organic sector".
http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/organic/files/eu-policy/datastatistics/control_guidelines_version_08072011_en.pdf
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Thank you!
FVO contact points (Unit F4)
• Bernd Winkler (organic farming) Bernd.WINKLER@ec.europa.eu
• Mary Fitzgeral (PDO/PGI/STG): Mary.FITZGERALD@ec.europa.eu
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