1 Ensure efficient and effective coordination between all CAs involved in official controls on food according to Article 4(3) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. GFSD organized on August 10 th, 2010 a videoconference aiming to train the representatives of the CSVFSD regarding certain issues concerning food safety field. One of the subjects discussed was strengthening the coordination between CAs in the food safety field. Was highlighted the responsibility to organize meetings with representatives of and NACP at the local level, one per trimester. Also they have the obligation to send at the central level the minute of the meetings to be able to monitor the activity of such working groups. A Draft Protocol between and was issued and the finalization is expected till the end of 2010. The scope of the Protocol is to improve the communication, collaboration and coordination between both CAs. 2 Ensure an efficient and effective coordination within the as required by Article 4(5) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. 3 Ensure that contingency plans comply with Article 4(2)(f) and 13 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. An official paper was sent to the CPHDs regarding the attending of the CPHDs staff at the quarterly meetings organized by the CSVFSDs. The two departments of the CPHDs involved in the food safety have merged according to the provision of Ministerial Order no 1078/ 27 of July 2010 for approval the regulation of organizing and functioning of CPHDs. starting to organize the working group for Contingency plan. We Page: 1
are in the stage to designate the representatives of the CAs to participate in this working group. We estimate to have the first meeting in October 2010 and to finalize the contingency plan in the first semester of 2011. 4 Ensure that CAs have appropriate and properly maintained equipment (thermometers) as required by Article 4(2)(d) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. The nominated two representatives from the central level within the working group for drafting of the contingency plans. One of the sub-points of the Audit File having as topic the assessment of the official control system regarding the food hygiene, traceability, labeling, bottled water and control at the import of non-animal food products, approved and submitted to the 42 territorial structures by the Service Note 3646/13.05.2010, is to check the existence of measurement and control means for temperature and humidity parameters, as well as to check the periodic carrying out of legal metrological control, in conformity with the provisions of the Article 4(2) d of the Regulation EC 882/2004. From the audit reports carried out by the inspectors appointed in the framework of the Inspection and Control Service at the level of the 42 territorial structures established in conformity with the provisions of the Article 4 (6) of the Regulation (CE) no 882/2004, checked and monitored by the Inspection and Control Service from the Control Service within has concluded that there are territorial structures which, because Page: 2
of the insufficient funds, did not acquire measurement and control means for the temperature and humidity parameters and other which did not carry out the periodical check of the legal metrological control. In the audit reports, recommendations have been made by the auditor on this subject and further, the audited structure presented the corrective measures and timing. FSGD has highlighted during the videoconference in September 30 th, 2010 the obligation to have appropriate and properly maintained equipment (thermometers) as required by Article 4(2) (d) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. 5 Ensure that all staff, including laboratory staff receives appropriate training to undertake their duties competently and to carry out official controls in consistently manner, particularly in assessment of HACCP and hygiene requirements according to Article 6(a) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. An official paper was sent to the CPHDs regarding the purchasing of the thermometers according to the local needs. The president of approved to carry out periodical trainings for territorial structures in a video conference system, in order to accomplish trainings, information including carrying out the official controls coherently, in conformity with the provisions of the article 6, a) of the Regulation 882/2004. There are also actions in place to organize such trainings through budget and accessing external funds. On June 23-25, 2010 SVFSL Bucharest organized a training on new Page: 3
reporting model for pesticide residues issued by EFSA. The training was attended by the representatives of counties SVFSL involved in pesticide residues testing. Also, SVFSL Bucharest will organize a training on new analytical methods for testing pesticide residues (LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS) for fruits, vegetables and cereals in the last trimester of 2010. SVFSL Bucharest has granted technical support in any issue raised by the laboratory staff from all 42 counties SVFSL. Ministry of Health organised a training on FCM and food hygiene with representatives of the counties public health departments on 8th of July 2010. At this training took part 93 specialists from CPHD. Within the Priority 1 - Improvement of structure and process of public policy management cycle Area of intervention 1.3 - Improve organizational effectiveness The Ministry of Health has submitted a project file Specific training programme for staff involved in food safety field. This project foreseen training for the s staff. In case of approval, these trainings will take place in 2011. NACP Till the end of 2010 NACP will organize a training sessions with the territorial commissaries on legislation regarding the general labeling of Page: 4
foodstuffs. 6 Ensure that all designated laboratories are accredited to EN ISO/IEC 17025 as required by Article 12(2) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. At the end of this year a meeting will take place between the representatives of FSGD and SVFSL Bucharest to discuss the list of the laboratory which will be involved in official control in 2011 for each food safety domain. Both structures will designate the official labs taking into account the evaluations performed by the SVFSL Bucharest and requirements related to accreditation provided in Article 12(2) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. A Service Note will be further approved by the president containing the list of such laboratories. SVFSL Bucharest started the validation procedure for pesticide residues tested by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS which cover the R 669/2009 matrix and other. 7 Ensure that laboratories performing official tests use the methods of analysis characterized by all criteria required by Article 11(3) and Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. Through the National Health Programme for 2010 the budget has been allotted for the accreditation process of the laboratories. SVFSL Bucharest will evaluate the official laboratory involved in testing pesticide residues, in the last trimester of 2010. It will draft an evaluation plan for 2011 at the beginning of the year. Page: 5
Within the project Specific training programme for staff involved in food safety field are foreseen trainings for the laboratories staff. 8 Ensure that the method of sampling used in the context of official controls ensures the microbiological integrity for the laboratory analysis (Article 11(7) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004). 9 Ensure that official samples are tested against criteria set out in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005. 10 Ensure that all CAs have in place procedures to verify the effectiveness of official controls according to Article 8(3)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. Within the project Specific training programme for staff involved in food safety field are foreseen trainings for the laboratories staff. The testing of official samples against criteria set out in Regulation 2073/2005 is foreseen in Surveillance and Control Programme for Food Safety for 2011 and inspector will receive appropriate training till the end of 2010. Within the project Specific training programme for staff involved in food safety field are foreseen trainings for the laboratories staff. Directorate of Inspection and Control: The service note no. 3646/13.05.2010 was sent to all territorial structures. The audit paper for the verifying of the effectiveness of official controls on food hygiene, traceability, labeling, bottled water and non-animal food Page: 6
import control is to be performed by the specialist who have expertise in this area. 11 Ensure that internal audits are carried out by and that they meet all the requirements of Article 4(6) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. 12 Ensure that the MANCP contains all the information required in Article 42(2) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. The procedures to verify the effectiveness of official controls are foreseen in the Ministerial Order no. 1277/2009 regarding the approval of the operational procedures issued by the Ministry of Health The Ministry of Health will designate the auditors according to the proposals received from the National Public Health Institute, till the end of 2010. Requirements for designation of the auditors are: audit training and experience in the field of food safety. An Addendum of the MANCP has been adopted and transmitted to the Commission in September 2010 containing the main recommendations received by the FVO experts within the opening meeting of the General Audit, as follows: last changes in the organization of the CAs, National Reference Laboratories, risk categorization and audit activities. All recommendation received in 2010 during the specific FVO Audits, related to the information required to be included in the MANCP, will be take into consideration by the working group at the elaboration of the next MANCP which will enter into force at January 1 st, 2011. Page: 7
13 Ensure, that official controls cover all the general hygiene requirements laid down in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 852/2004. 14 Ensure that HACCP system is fully assessed by CAs as required by Article 10(2)(d) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. 15 Ensure that FBO put in place, implement and maintain a permanent procedure based on the HACCP principles as required by Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 Article 5(1). Ministry of Health organised a training on FCM and food hygiene with representatives of the counties public health departments on 8th of July 2010. At this training took part 93 specialists from CPHD. Within the project Specific training programme for staff involved in food safety field are foreseen trainings for the food hygiene field. An official paper was sent to the CPHDs regarding the implementation of HACCP system in the canteens from hospital and schools establisments. The Authority has developed the following types of communication with FBO: - consultation of the stakeholders on the national and EU legislation ( website); - Consultative Council meetings; - dissemination of the brochures on food safety issues. Page: 8
The Directorate of Inspection and Control will prepare a service note that will be sent to the inspectors of Inspection and Control Services (department of food safety inspections) from the 42 territorial structures, in order to carry out inspections to verify the compliance by operators of the provisions of Article 5 (a) of Regulation EC 852/2004. The results of these inspections will be submitted to the central level for the centralizing and monitoring of the situation at the level of the 42 territorial structures. 16 Ensure that all CAs have consistent approach to the implementation of guides to GHP as required by Article 4(4) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. 17 Ensure that physical checks at the DPEs are carried out under appropriate hygiene conditions as required by Article 16(3) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. 18 Ensure that the frequency of physical checks carried out on the introduction of FNAO from TC follows requirements of Article 16(2) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. During the videoconference in September 30 th, 2010 FSGD underline the importance to have consistent approach to the implementation of guides to GHP as required by Article 4(4) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 and gave the inspectors some guidelines on this matter. A letter will be issued and transmitted to the Coordination of BIPs Directorate regarding ensuring the appropriate hygiene conditions in the sampling places at the BIPs. The frequency of physical checks is established in annually Surveillance and Control Programm for Food Safety (SCPFS) and the criteria taken into consideration are the risks associated with different types of food, the history of compliance with the requirements for the product concerned of the third country and any other relevant data available. Page: 9
The most recent discussions between the central and territorial level on this issue was organized by GFSD on September, 30 th 2010. 19 Continue with updating of procedures used for import controls and aflatoxin sampling as required by Article 8(3)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. 20 Ensure that control points for guar gum are designated as required by Article 5(5) and (6) of Regulation (EC) No 258/2010. 21 Ensure that non-compliant products sent to a third country are re-dispatched under the conditions specified in Article 21 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. 22 Ensure that customs release for free circulation always follows Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 669/2009 and Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 1152/2009. Sampling procedure of non-animal origin foodstuffs for mycotoxins testing (Cod: PS-06-DGSA) is in the process to be updated. The translation of the Guidance document for competent Authorities for the control of compliance with EU legislation on aflatoxins is in the process to be updated. Both documents will be finalized till the end of 2010. The list of the control points for guar gum will be posted on the website during the fourth quarter of 2010. A procedure in conformity with Article 21 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 is already in place and the inspectors were trained. A new training for them is foreseen in the Training Programme for 2011. Procedure regarding control at BIP-s for certain foodstuff imported from certain third country due the risk contamination with aflatoxins are in the process to be updated and completed, to be in compliance with the new EU legislation (R EC 669, R EC 1152, R EC 1151/2009, R EC 1135/2009 and R EC 258/2010). Estimated deadline is first quarter of Page: 10
2011. 23 Ensure that the sampling frequency for aflatoxins complies with Article 7(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1152/2009. 24 Ensure that samples of guar gum are taken as required by Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 258/2010. 25 Ensure that sampling frequency of Ukrainian sunflower oil comply with Article 4(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1151/2009. Procedure regarding control at BIP-s for certain foodstuff imported from certain third country due the risk contamination with aflatoxins are in the process to be updated and completed, to be in compliance with the new EU legislation (R EC 669, R EC 1152, R EC 1151/2009, R EC 1135/2009 and R EC 258/2010). Estimated deadline is first quarter of 2011. Procedure regarding control at BIP-s for certain foodstuff imported from certain third country due the risk contamination with aflatoxins are in the process to be updated and completed, to be in compliance with the new EU legislation (R EC 669, R EC 1152, R EC 1151/2009, R EC 1135/2009 and R EC 258/2010). Estimated deadline is first quarter of 2011. Procedure regarding control at BIP-s for certain foodstuff imported from certain third country due the risk contamination with aflatoxins are in the process to be updated and completed, to be in compliance with the new Page: 11
EU legislation (R EC 669, R EC 1152, R EC 1151/2009, R EC 1135/2009 and R EC 258/2010). Estimated deadline is first quarter of 2011. 26 Ensure that the scope of laboratory analysis of pesticides covers the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 669/2009. SVFSL Bucharest bought the reagents necessary for testing pesticide under R 669/2009. So far, the validation of the method is in progress and the estimated deadline is December 2010. Page: 12