The European Commission is to give member states more flexibility to do official controls in the food supply chain because of coronavirus.
The Commission leaders say the crisis relating to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) represents an “exceptional and unprecedented” challenge for the capacity of member states to conduct official controls and other official activities in line with EU legislation.
There are restrictions in many countries on the movement of people to protect public health. Member states have told the Commission that as a consequence of this, the ability to send staff for official controls, as required by EU Regulation (EU) 2017/625, has been seriously impacted.
Some nations have expressed difficulties in performing official controls and other activities which require the physical presence of control staff. This includes clinical examination of animals, certain checks on products of animal origin, plant products and on food and feed of non-animal origin, and testing of samples in official laboratories designated by member states.
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