Council Regulation (EC) No 5/2001 of 19 December 2000 amending Regulation (EEC) No 1907/90 on certain marketing standards for eggs

• Published date: 05 January 2001
• Subject Matter: Eggs and poultry
• Official Gazette Publication: Official Journal of the European Communities, L 2, 05 January 2001

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Council Regulation (EC) No 5/2001 of 19 December 2000 amending Regulation (EEC) No 1907/90 on certain marketing standards for eggs

Official Journal L 002 , 05/01/2001 P. 0001 - 0003

Council Regulation (EC) No 5/2001

of 19 December 2000

amending Regulation (EEC) No 1907/90 on certain marketing standards for eggs

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2771/75 of 29 October 1975 on the common organisation of the market in eggs(1), and in particular Article 2(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1) Regulation (EEC) No 1907/90(2) lays down certain marketing standards for eggs.

(2) The method by which hens are farmed has become one of the major factors for consumers when purchasing eggs. The Commission has undertaken to propose an amendment of the marketing standards and to make it compulsory to indicate the farming method on eggs and packs so that consumers are not liable to be misled. To that end, clear and unambiguous compulsory labelling is the only way of ensuring that the consumer is able to make an informed choice between the various classes of egg on the basis of the farming method. Appropriate compulsory labelling is in line with the wishes expressed by consumers and consumer organisations.

(3) To supplement consumer information, labelling may also indicate how the hens are fed.

(4) It is necessary for compulsory labelling to apply to all eggs sold in the European Union and purchased by consumers outside the place of production, whether they are produced in the European Community or come from third countries. However, in the case of eggs produced in third countries, indication of the farming method may be replaced by the indication "farming method not specified" and by an indication of origin if third country procedures do not offer sufficient guarantees as to equivalence with the technical rules and standards applicable to Community procedures; this will guarantee that such eggs can be distinguished from those labelled by indicating the production method and will make subsequent labelling with misleading indications unfeasible.

(5) Second quality or preserved eggs, Class B, account for only a minor part of the European Community market. Most of the trade is geared to supplying consumers with top-quality, Class A...