(1)

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 (2) supplements the animal health rules laid down in Regulation (EU) 2016/429, as regards the entry into the Union, and the movement and handling after entry into the Union, of consignments of certain animals, germinal products and products of animal origin. In particular, Articles 162 and 163 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 lay down specific requirements for the entry into the Union of products of animal origin contained in composite products. Articles 162 and 163 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 do not provide specific requirements for colostrum-based products contained in composite products. This Regulation should therefore clarify the requirements that apply for the entry into the Union of those products when contained in composite products in accordance with the rules applicable to the entry into the Union of colostrum-based products provided for in Article 153 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692.

(2)

Gelatine and collagen fall within the definition of ‘meat products’ provided for in Article 2, point (44), of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 and therefore only consignments of gelatine and collagen complying with the requirements for entry into the Union of meat products are permitted to enter the Union. However, gelatine and collagen contained in shelf-stable composite products pose a very low animal health risk due to the treatments they undergo during their processing. For this reason, composite products containing only these kind of meat products should be added to the list of composite products covered by the derogation provided for in Article 163 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 and therefore not be required to be accompanied by an animal health certificate, but only be required to be accompanied by a declaration instead.

(3)

In accordance with Article 163 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 shelf-stable composite products not containing meat products are to be accompanied by a declaration prepared and signed by an operator. The processed products of animal origin must however be subject to a strict risk-mitigating treatment that ensures their safety from the animal health point of view. Nevertheless, it would appear disproportionate to require such strict risk-mitigating treatments to dairy products that originate from countries that are authorised for the entry into the Union of raw milk or dairy products. For those third countries, the requirements should be proportionate to the risk posed by the country of origin and the guarantees provided by the competent authorities should be considered. Therefore, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 should be amended to allow the entry into the Union of shelf-stable composite products containing dairy products that originate from third countries listed for the entry into the Union of raw milk and dairy products not subject to a risk-mitigating treatment, without undergoing any specific risk-mitigating treatment. In addition, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 should also be amended to allow the entry into the Union of shelf-stable composite products containing dairy products that originate from third countries listed for the entry into the Union of dairy products subject to a risk-mitigating treatment, if they have undergone a risk-mitigating treatment in accordance with Article 157 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692.

(4)

Dairy products that have undergone strict risk-mitigating treatments and egg products contained in shelf-stable composite products only represent a limited risk, both from an animal and public health point of view. Therefore, those goods should be permitted to enter the Union if they come from a third country, territory or zone thereof which is not listed for the entry into the Union of the particular species and category of products of animal origin, but is listed for the entry into the Union of either meat products, dairy products or egg products.

(5)

To avoid undue administrative burden for the entry into the Union of consignments of composite products posing a low animal health risk, it should be permitted that the operator responsible for the entry into the Union of the consignments signs the declaration referred to in Article 163 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692.

(6)

The rules provided in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 supplement those laid down in Regulation (EU) 2016/429. As those rules are interrelated, they are laid down together in one single act. In the interest of clarity and for their effective application, it is appropriate for the rules amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 to be also laid down in a single delegated act providing a comprehensive set of requirements for the entry into the Union of products of animal origin.

(7)

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(8)

As Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 applies from 21 April 2021, in the interest of legal certainty, this Regulation should enter into force as a matter of urgency,

(1)

Article 162 is amended as follows:

(2)

Article 163 is replaced by the following: