Chapter 12: Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy

This chapter covers detailed rules in the area of food safety, setting rules for consumer protection, hygiene and presentation of foodstuffs, controls and mechanisms for assurance of food safety etc. It also covers hygiene aspects related to processing and placing on the market of foodstuffs, particularly of food of animal origin. In addition, this acquis regulates intra-community (Union) trade of live animals and animal products, animal disease control and other aspects related to animal health and welfare. In the phytosanitary field, the acquis sets comprehensive rules regarding control of harmful organisms on plant and plant products, use of plant passport in trade of plants intended for planting, procedures for authorisation of plant protection products, quarantine measures, residues of pesticides used in plant production, marketing and qualification of seed and seedling.