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2.9. Missions of the Food  and Veterinary Office in the Czech Republic

During the year 2004, two Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) missions concerning the CAFIA were carried out.

The first mission was carried out in January and its objective was to evaluate the progress with implementation of official control systems for food of plant origin, in particular concerning food hygiene, contaminants and pesticide residues. The mission team also followed up on the actions taken on the basis of recommendations made in the final report in 2003.

The following recommendations resulted from the conclusions of the mission:

• to ensure complete transposition of the Acquis before accession
• to provide precise schedules for the transposition and implementation of the Acquis
• to continue with plans to ensure adequate enforceability of the Acquis by the time of accession
• to ensure continuing training in the field of HACCP and to ensure that checks concerning the establishment of critical control points are enforced
• to designate import points for control of food of plant origin
• to ensure adequate systems are in place for the control of food of plant origin at point of import

The second mission was carried out at the turn of August and September. The objective of the mission was:

• to assess the control measures for imported products of plant origin intended to be placed into free circulation within the EU
• to monitor compliance with Commission Decisions
• to follow up on actions taken by the Czech Authorities in relation to recommendations from previous missions.

From the conclusions of the mission resulted that the Czech Republic has a well defined structure of competent authorities responsible for import controls of food of plant origin, clear import procedures and good communication pathways. The co-operation with GŘC was found to be very good. This co-operation is defined by the agreement on mutual co-operation in inspections of food of non-animal origin originating in third countries, imported to the European Union through the Czech Republic.