The first report describes the outcome of an audit carried out by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) in Croatia from 24 March to 4 April 2014.
The main objective of the audit was to evaluate the official controls related to production and storage of food of animal origin, in particular meat and meat products. This is the first audit in Croatia in the meat sector since the accession of Croatia to the European Union.
The report concludes that the CA has set up a control system covering official controls related to production and storage of food of animal origin within the scope of this audit. The CA has delegated specific tasks to authorised veterinary organisations.
While a system of controls in the meat sector has been put in place, the system for verification of effectiveness of official control is not adequate, since shortcomings can remain unnoticed for a long period of time despite the implementation of the verification system. The FVO audit team
noted significant discrepancies in control results between all levels of controls. Many of the deficiencies identified by the FVO audit team, which were obvious, remained unidentified during recent official controls.
The Central Competent Authority (CCA) has established procedures for the registration and approval of establishments and the review of compliance with the conditions of approval and for the withdrawal of approvals. The procedures for approval and its review showed weaknesses as certain establishments were approved whilst not meeting all the relevant requirements and a review failed to identify non-compliances. The upgrading of temporarily approved establishments is monitored and the deadline of compliance by the end of 2015 seems to be realistic.
Although planned, the CCA has not yet established rules allowing flexibility for certain establishments which are permanently or temporarily approved although some establishments, in particular, those with a low throughput or located in a remote area, could benefit from this.
Certain national rules have been established and implemented but were not yet notified to the Commission Services.
The second describes the outcome of an audit carried out by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) in Croatia from 24 March to 4 April 2014. The main objective of the audit was to evaluate the official controls related to production and storage of food of animal origin and in particular milk and dairy products.
The report concludes that there is a system in place for official controls in the dairy sector, which, however, is not fully adequate. Significant discrepancies in control results between all levels were noted. Similarly, the system for verification of effectiveness of official controls is not adequate, since shortcomings can remain unnoticed for a long period of time despite the implementation of the verification system.
Although planned, the Central Competent Authority (CCA) did not yet establish rules allowing flexibility for certain establishments (establishments with small capacity, – in remote areas,-supplying the local market and for traditional methods) which are permanently or temporarily approved although some establishments, in particular, those with a low throughput could benefit from it.
National measures are in place for small cheese producers that can either be approved under special conditions (retail sale only) or registered (for local markets) based on requirements that are stricter than European Union (EU) requirements.
The upgrading procedure followed in the milk sector should be adequate to ensure compliant establishments by the end of the transitional period. The quality of raw milk has improved further and is now up to 95 % compliant raw milk altogether.
Milk collection centres are only registered and not approved as required by EU legislation. In one fully approved establishment potential risks for public health were identified and the CCA was requested to take corrective measures and provide guarantees. Similarly, guarantees were
received for all other major non-compliances detected.
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