2.6.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 122/3

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Report from the Commission on food irradiation for the year 2005

(2007/C 122/03)

SUMMARY

Under Article 7(3) of Directive 1999/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 February 1999 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning foods and food ingredients treated with ionising radiation (1), the Member States have to forward to the Commission every year:

—	the results of checks carried out in irradiation facilities, in particular regarding the categories and quantities of products treated and the dose administered, and

—	the results of checks carried out at the product marketing stage and the methods used to detect irradiated foods.

In 2005, irradiation facilities had approval in 10 Member States. Eight Member States provided the information requested with respect to food categories treated, quantities or doses. As a consequence, the precise amount of foods irradiated in the EU during 2005 is not known.

Seventeen Member States reported checks on foods placed on the market. In total, 7 011 food samples were checked in 2005. About 4 % of products on the market were found to be illegally irradiated and/or not labelled. Products from Asia accounted for most of the non-compliant samples. Only six of the 287 samples found to be irradiated complied with the Regulation.

Differences between Member States regarding the results of controls can partly be explained by the choice of samples and the performance of the analytical methods used.

1.   LEGAL BASIS AND BACKGROUND

Under Article 7(3) of Directive 1999/2/EC, the Member States are required to forward to the Commission every year:

—	the results of checks carried out in irradiation facilities, in particular regarding the categories and quantities of products treated and the dose administered, and

—	the results of checks carried out at the product marketing stage and the methods used to detect irradiated foods.

The Commission publishes the results in annual reports in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This report covers the period from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2005.

Information on general aspects of food irradiation is available on the website of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection (2).

1.1.   Irradiation facilities

Under Article 3(2) of Directive 1999/2/EC, food may be irradiated only in approved irradiation facilities. For facilities in the EU, approval is given by the competent authorities of the Member States (2). The Member States have to inform the Commission of their approved irradiation facilities (Article 7(1)).

The list of authorised facilities in the Member States has been published by the Commission (3).

1.2.   Irradiated foods

The irradiation of dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings is authorised in the EU (Directive 1999/3/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 February 1999 on the establishment of a Community list of food and food ingredients treated with ionising radiation (4)). In addition, 6 Member States have notified that they maintain national authorisations for certain foods in accordance with Article 4(4) of Directive 1999/2/EC. The list of national authorisations has been published by the Commission (5).

Under Article 6 of Directive 1999/2/EC, any irradiated food or any irradiated food ingredient of a compound food must be labelled with the words ‘irradiated ’or ‘treated with ionising radiation’.

To enforce correct labelling or to detect non-authorised products, several analytical methods have been standardised by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN), following a mandate given by the European Commission.

2.   RESULTS OF CHECKS CARRIED OUT IN IRRADIATION FACILITIES

Details of the facilities in the Member states can be found at the Commission website:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/food/biosafety/irradiation/approved_facilities_en.pdf

The Member States submitted the following information:

2.1.   Belgium

Inspections by the competent authorities in 2005 confirmed the compliance of the irradiation facility IBA Mediris S.A. with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC. The Company was however requested to establish a procedure to guarantee and prove that foodstuffs not authorised for irradiation in Belgium are exported.

The following table shows the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in this facility in 2005.

Food	Amount (t) (6)	Average absorbed dose (kGy)
Shrimps	541,4	5
Frog legs	3 225,7	5
Herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings	217,8	6-9
Frozen vegetables	56,1	3
Eggs	665,1	2-3
Poultry/Game	883,9	3-5
Meat	213,7	3-5
Fish	118,2	3-7
Dried fruits	0,5	6-9
Starch	93,0	3
Plasma	46,4	6-9
Prepared dishes	75,3	3
Dried vegetables	112,8	6-9
Gum Arabic	0,5	5
Others	931,2	2-25
Total	7 279,2

2.2.   Czech Republic

Inspections by the competent authorities in 2005 confirmed the compliance of the irradiation facility Artim spol.s.r.o. with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC.

The following table shows the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in this facility in 2005.

Food	Amount (t)	Overall average absorbed radiation dose (KGy)
Dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings	85,3	4-7
Total	85,3

2.3.   Germany

During the reporting period, there were four approved irradiation facilities in Germany:

(a)   Gamma Service Produktbestrahlung GmbH, Radeberg

Inspections by the competent authorities in 2005 confirmed the compliance of the irradiation facility with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC.

The following table shows the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in this facility in 2005.

Food	Quantity (t)	Average absorbed dose (kGy)
Dried vegetables	50,9	< 10
Herbs and seasonings	169,0	< 10
Other foodstuffs (guarana seed)	0,1	< 0
Total	220,0

101,5 ton of the foodstuffs irradiated were exported to third countries

(b)   Beta-Gamma Service GmbH&Co. KG, Wiehl

Inspections by the competent authorities in 2005 confirmed the compliance of the irradiation facility with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC.

The following table shows the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in this facility in 2005.

Food	Quantity [t]	Average absorbed dose [kGy]
Plant raw materials (dill, celery, paprika)	6,46	4-10
Dried vegetables	27,83	6-8
Total	34,29

All foodstuffs irradiated were exported to third countries

(c)   Isotron Deutschland GmbH, Allershausen

Inspections by the competent authorities in 2005 confirmed the compliance of the irradiation facility with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC.

The following table shows the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in this facility in 2005.

Food	Quantity [t]	Average absorbed dose [kGy]
Herbs	180,4	7-9
Spices	37,07	7-9
Total	217,47

All foodstuffs irradiated were exported to third countries

(d)   Gamma-Service GmbH&Co KG, Bruchsal

No food products were irradiated in this facility in 2005.

2.4.   Spain

In Spain, there are two facilities approved for the irradiation of foods.

No information has been forwarded by this Member State on the results of checks carried out in the facilities.

2.5.   France

In France, there are six facilities approved for the irradiation of foods. Inspections by the competent authorities in 2005 confirmed the compliance of the irradiation facilities with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC.

The following table shows the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in the facilities in 2005.

Food	Quantity [t]	Average absorbed dose [kGy]
Herbs, spices and dried vegetables	134,3	10
Gum arabic	133,7	3
Casein	43,5	6
Poultry	1 849,2	5
Frozen frog legs	939,8	5
Shrimps	10,5	5
Total	3 111

2.6.   Hungary

In Hungary, there is one facility approved for the irradiation of foods. Inspection by the competent authority in 2005 confirmed the compliance with the requirements of Directive 1999/2/EC.

The following table shows the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in this facility in 2005.

Food	Quantity [t]	Average absorbed dose [kGy]
Spices	34,6	4-8
Dried vegetables and fruits	11,3	3-6
Herbs	64,9	3-8
Total	110,8

2.7.   Italy

In Italy, there is one facility approved for the irradiation of foods.

No information has been forwarded by this Member State on the results of checks carried out in the facility.

2.8.   The Netherlands

During 2005 no official controls in the two Dutch facilities were carried out. The following table shows the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in the two facilities in 2005.

Products in 2005	Quantity [t] (7)
Spices/Herbs	1 141,1
Dehydrated vegetables	880,8
Poultry meat (frozen)	52,8
Shrimps (cooled)	36
Shrimps (frozen)	32,8
Frog parts	124
Egg white (cooled)	0,8
Food (8)	698,4
Samples food	32
Total	3 299,2

2.9.   Poland

In Poland, there are two facilities approved for the irradiation of foods:

The following tables show the categories and quantities of foods irradiated in 2005 in these facilities.

(a)   Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Warsaw

Food	Quantity [t]	Average absorbed dose [kGy]
Spices, dried vegetables	584,0	7-10
Dried mushrooms	79,6	5-10
Total	663,6

(b)   Institute of Applied Radiation Chemistry, Technical University of Lodz

Food	Quantity [t]	Average absorbed dose [kGy]
Herbs	23,4	7
Total	23,4

2.10.   The United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, there is one facility approved for the irradiation of foods.

The facility did not irradiate any food under the terms of its licence in 2005 and it was not inspected during 2005.

2.11.   Summary for the EU

10 Member States have facilities approved in accordance with Article 7(2) of Directive 1999/2/EC.

Eight Member States forwarded to the Commission the results of checks carried out in irradiation facilities.

The exact amount of foodstuffs irradiated in the Union can therefore not be determined.

3.   RESULTS OF CHECKS CARRIED OUT AT THE PRODUCT MARKETING STAGE AND THE METHODS USED TO DETECT IRRADIATED FOODS

The Member States submitted the following information:

3.1.   Austria

115 samples were checked for ionising radiation treatment. None were found to be irradiated.

Food analysed	Number of analysed samples: 115		CEN method used
	Result: non-irradiated	Result: irradiated, not correctly labelled
Basil	3	0	EN 1788 EN 13751
Chilli	1	0	EN 1788 EN 13751
Curry	1	0	EN 1788 EN 13751
Curcuma	1	0	EN 1788 EN 13751
Marjoram	2	0	EN 1788 EN 13751
Oregano	3	0	EN 1788 EN 13751
Paprika	7	0	EN 1788 EN 13751
Pepper	6	0	EN 1788 EN 13751
Rosemary	2	0	EN 1788 EN 13751
Thyme	4	0	EN 1788 EN 13751
Cinnamon	1	0	EN 1788 EN 13751
Herbal tea	47	0	EN 1788 EN 13751
Chicken	13	0	EN 1786
Duck	15	0	EN 1786
Goose	9	0	EN 1786
TOTAL	115	0
Total in % of analysed samples	100	0

3.2.   Belgium

In total, 148 samples were analysed. None were found to be irradiated.

Food analysed	Number of analysed samples: 148		CEN method used
	Result: non-irradiated	Result: irradiated, not correctly labelled (origin)
Frozen peeled decapitated shrimps	15	0	EN 1785 or EN 1788
Dried herbs and spices	5	0	EN 1785 or EN 1788
Frog legs	14	0	EN 1785 or EN 1788
Fresh strawberries	14	0	EN 1785 or EN 1788
Grated cheese	100	0	EN 1785 or EN 1788
Total	148	0
Total in % of analysed samples	100	0

3.3.   Cyprus

No analytical checks were performed in 2005.

3.4.   Czech Republic

In total, 78 samples were analysed. 8 samples were positive for irradiation and were not correctly labelled.

Food analysed	Number of analysed samples: 78		CEN method used
	Result: non-irradiated	Result: irradiated, not correctly labelled
Spices	28	2	EN 1788
Herbal tea products	20	3	EN 1788
Food supplements	7	3	EN 1788
Instant noodles	2	0	EN 1788
Fresh fruits	9	0	EN 1788
Poultry	2	0	EN 1788
Cacao powder	2	0	EN 1788
Total	70	8
Total in % of analysed samples	90	10

3.5.   Germany

3 945 food samples were examined. 141 of these, i.e. 3.6 %, were non-compliant: 93 samples were incorrectly labelled and 48 were found to have been illegally irradiated.

Two samples were legally irradiated and correctly labelled.

The infringements are distributed very unevenly over product categories. In the group ‘Asian noodle snacks, party snacks, pizza, TV snacks’, 42 of 113 samples (37 %) had been illegally irradiated and/or were not correctly labelled. The same was true for 32 % of soups and sauces.

It should be noted that products from Asia accounted for most of the non-compliant samples.

Food analysed	Number of analysed samples: 3945		CEN method used
	Result: non-irradiated	Result: irradiated, but irradiation unauthorised and/or not correctly labelled
Milk/milk products	52	0	EN 1788 EN 1787
Cheese with herbs	56	0	EN 1788 EN 1784 EN 1787 EN 13751
Butter with herbs	32	0	EN 1787 EN 1788 EN 1788 mod.
Eggs, egg products	5	0	EN 1784 mod.
Meat (including frozen meat, except poultry, game)	23	0	EN 1784 mod. EN 1786
Meat products (except sausages)	39	0	EN 1784 EN 1784 mod. EN 1786
Sausages	65	0	EN 1786 EN 1788 EN 1787
Poultry	151	0	EN 1786
Game	6	0	EN 1786 EN 1784
Fish and fisheries products	133	9	EN 1786 EN 1788
Crustaceans, shellfish, mussels and other aquatic animals including their products	225	6	EN 1786 EN 1788.L 12.01-1
Pulses	27	0	EN 1788
Soups, sauces	96	47	EN 1375 EN 1787 EN 1788 EN 13751
Cereals and cereal products	54		EN 1787 EN 1788
Oil seeds	103	0	EN 1787 EN 1788
Nuts	148	0	EN 1375 EN 1784 EN 1787 EN 1788
Potatoes, parts of plants with high content of starch	19	0	EN 1787 EN 1788
Fresh vegetables, salad	53	0	EN 1787 EN 1788 EN 13751
Dried vegetables, vegetable products	70	0	EN 1375 EN 1787 EN 178 EN 13751 (Screening) L 00.00-42 ESR
Mushrooms, fresh	20	0	EN 1788 EN 1375
Mushrooms, dried or mushroom products	173	2	EN 1375 EN 1787 EN 1788 EN 13751 (Screening)
Fresh fruits	169	0	EN 1787 EN 1788 PSL
Dried fruits or fruit products	101	0	EN 1787 EN 13708
Cacao powder	24	0
Teas, tea-like products	161	8	EN 1788 EN 1787 EN 13751 EN 13751 (Screening)
Ready-to-serve meals	35	4	EN 1786 EN 1787 EN 1788 EN 13751 (Screening)
Spices, including preparations and seasoning salt	1 385	8	EN 1784 EN 1787; EN 1788 EN 1375 EN 13751 (Screening) EN 13788
Herbs	133	0	EN 1787 EN 1788
Dry prepared meals	52	3	EN 1787 EN 1788
Asian noodle snacks, party snacks, pizza, TV snacks	71	42	EN 1787 EN 1788
Food supplements	99	9	EN 1375 EN 1787 EN 1788 EN 13751 EN 13751 + EN 1788
Other	18	3	EN 1787 EN 1788
Total	3 798	141
Total in % of analysed samples	96,4	3,6

3.6.   Denmark

No analytical checks were performed in 2005.

3.7.   Estonia

No analytical checks were performed in 2005.

3.8.   Greece

In total, 54 samples were analysed. None were found to be irradiated.

Food analysed	Number of analysed samples: 54		CEN method used
	Result: non-irradiated	Result: irradiated
Herbs and spices	32	0
Tea	12	0
Fish and molluscs	10	0
Total	54	0
Total in % of analysed samples	100	0

3.9.   Spain

No information has been forwarded by this Member State on the results of checks carried out at the marketplace.

3.10.   Finland

In total 274 samples were analysed. A total of 246 samples of dried spices and herbs were analysed. 6 samples were found to contain irradiated material. 21 food supplements were analyzed and 7 tested positive for irradiation.

None of the positive samples were adequately labelled and the irradiation facilities had no EU approval.

Food analysed	Number of analysed samples: 274		CEN method used
	Result: non-irradiated	Result: irradiated, not correctly labelled
Dried spices and herbs	240	6	EN 13751 EN 1788
Food supplements	14	7	EN 13751 EN 1788
Fruits and berries	7	0
Total	261	13
Total in % of analysed samples	95	5

3.11.   France

In total, 86 samples were analysed. 6 samples of herbs were positive for irradiation and not correctly labelled.

Food analysed	Number of analysed samples: 86		CEN method used
	Result: non-irradiated	Result: irradiated
Spices and herbs	22	0
Food supplements	21	0
Tea and infusions	11	0
Dried mushrooms	9	1
Shrimps	10	0
Fruits and vegetables	7	0
Frogs legs	5	5
Total	80	6
Total in % of analysed samples	93	7

Samples were screened for abnormally low microbiologic contamination and in that case, analysed with the CEN Method 1788.

3.12.   Hungary

In total, 141 samples were analysed. 7 samples of herbs were positive for irradiation, of which 4 were correctly labelled.

Food analysed	Number of analysed samples: 141		CEN method used
	Result: non-irradiated	Result: irradiated, not correctly labelled
Herbs	38	0	EN 1788
Tea	96	3	EN 1788
Total	134	3
Total in % of analysed samples	95	2

3.13.   Ireland

In 2005, 459 samples were analysed. 20 samples were positive for irradiation, and were not correctly labelled.

Food analysed	Number of analysed samples: 459		CEN method used
	Result: non-irradiated	Result: irradiated, not correctly labelled
Noodles	61	14	EN13751 for screening, confirmation by EN1788
Prawns	4	0
Sauces, mustards & soups	28	3
Seasonings/Stocks	22	1
Fresh fruit	13	0
Herbs & spices	169	2
Coffee and tea (including herbal teas)	41	0
Seeds	29	0
Dried fruit and vegetables	6	0
Flavourings	9	0
Food supplements	44	0
Miscellaneous	13	0
Total	439	20
% of total analysed	96	4

3.14.   Italy

In total, 112 samples were analysed. 5 samples of herbs were positive for irradiation and were not correctly labelled.

Food analysed	Number of analysed samples: 112		CEN method used
	Result: non-irradiated	Result: irradiated, not correctly labelled
Spices, herbs and vegetable extracts	107	5	EN 13784/2002 EN 13751 EN 1788
Total	107	5
Total in % of analysed samples	100	5

3.15.   Latvia

No analytical checks were performed in 2005.

3.16.   Lithuania

In total, 12 samples were analysed, none of which tested positive for irradiation

Food analysed	Number of analysed samples: 40		Method used
	Result: non-irradiated	Result: irradiated
Spices and herbs	5	0	LST EN 13783:2004
Tea	7	0	LST EN 13783:2004
Total	12	0
Total in % of analysed samples	100	0

3.17.   Luxembourg

In total, 40 samples were analysed, none of which tested positive for irradiation

Food analysed	Number of analysed samples: 40		CEN method used
	Result: non-irradiated	Result: irradiated
Spices	10	0	EN 1788
Potatoes	10	0	EN 1788
Tea	10	0	EN 1788
Onion	10	0	EN 1788
Total	40	0
Total in % of analysed samples	100	0

3.18.   Malta

No analytical checks were performed in 2005.

3.19.   The Netherlands

In Total 792 samples analysed of which 31 samples proved to be irradiated. None of the irradiated samples were correctly labelled as such.

Food analysed	Number of analysed samples: 792		CEN method used
	Result: non-irradiated	Result: irradiated
Cereal products	72	0	EN 13751 EN 1788
Dried vegetables	53	0	EN 13751 EN 1788
Dried legume	43	0	EN 13751 EN 1788
Dried fruit	215	0	EN 13751 EN 1788
Seed	5	0	EN 13751 EN 1788
Shrimps	54	0	EN 13751 EN 1788
Mixed herbs	20	2	EN 13751 EN 1788
Herbs & spices	199	3	EN 13751 EN 1788
Dietary supplements	100	26	EN 13751 EN 1788
Total	761	31
Total in % of analysed samples	96	4

3.20.   Poland

In total, 120 samples were analysed. 4 samples tested positive for irradiation, none of which were correctly labelled.

Food analysed	Number of analysed samples: 120		CEN method used
	Result: non-irradiated	Result: irradiated, not correctly labelled
Dried herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings	48	4	EN 1788
Potatoes	10	0	EN 1788
Onion and garlic	16	0	EN 1788
Poultry	4	0	EN 1788
Unshelled nuts	25	0	EN 1788
Prawns, fish	13	0	EN 1788
Total	116	4
Total in % of analysed samples	97	3

3.21.   Portugal

No analytical checks were performed in 2005.

3.22.   Sweden

During the year 2005, six samples, mainly poultry meat, have been taken. The method used to analyse irradiated food was according EN 1784.

The six samples analysed were not irradiated.

3.23.   Slovakia

In total, 56 samples were analysed, none of which tested positive for irradiation

Food analysed	Number of analysed samples: 40		method used
	Result: non-irradiated	Result: irradiated
Pistachio, different kind of nuts	43	0	GC
Cheese	9	0	GC
Duck	4	0	GC
Total	56	0
Total in % of analysed samples	100	0

3.24.   Slovenia

During the year 2005, ten samples, herbs and spices were analysed, none of them tested positive for being irradiated.

3.25.   The United Kingdom

The Food Standards Agency is aware of 657 products that were sampled by UK local enforcement authorities in 2005 and analysed using standardised detection tests for irradiated food. Of these 657 samples, 42 (six percent) were found to be irradiated. The 101 samples reported as ‘inconclusive ’were identified as intermediate using CEN method EN13751:2002 and were not analysed further; or were samples of ‘low sensitivity ’such that the mineral grain fraction of the samples was insufficient to carry out accurate analysis.

Food analysed	Number of analysed samples: 657			CEN method used
	Result: non-irradiated	Result: Inconclusive	Result: irradiated
Dried herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings	267	36	20	EN 13751:2002; EN 1778:2001
Cous Cous and dried seasonings	3	0	0	EN 13751:2002; EN 1778:2001
Dried soup mixes	23	2	0	EN 13751:2002
Noodles and dried seasonings A	84	9	10	EN 13751:2002; EN 1778:2001
Rice and dried seasonings	2	0	0	EN 13751:2002
Pasta and dried seasonings	2	0	0	EN 13751:2002; EN 1778:2001
Mushrooms and edible fungi (dried and fresh)	4	0	0	EN 13751:2002; EN 1778:2001
Dried fruit	16	0	0	EN 13751:2002
Fresh fruit	22	1	0	EN 13751:2002
Vegetables including onions	19	3	1	EN 13751:2002
Herbal teas	5	0	2	EN 13751:2002; EN 1778:2001
Seafood i.e. shellfish, prawns, shrimps and fish	16	11	3	EN 13751:2002; EN 1778:2001
Dried food ingredients	28	12	1	EN 13751:2002
Nuts	1	0	0	EN 13751:2002
Food supplements	18	27	5	EN 13751:2002; EN 1778:2001
Miscellaneous B	4	0	0	EN 13751:2002; EN 1778:2001
Total	514	101	42
Total in % of analysed samples	78	16	6

3.26.   Summary for the EU

The following table summarises the samples analysed and the results obtained for the EU as a whole:

Member State	Number of samples non-irradiated	Number of samples irradiated	% of samples irradiated, not correctly labelled
AT	115	0	0
BE	148	0	0
CY	NAC	NAC	NAC
CZ	70	8	10
DE	3 798	143 (9)	3,6
DK	NAC	NAC	NAC
EE	NAC	NAC	NAC
EL	54	0	0
ES	NI	NI	NI
FI	264	13	5
FR	80	6	7
HU	134	7 (*)	2
IE	439	20	4
IT	107	5	5
LV	NAC	NAC	NAC
LT	12	0	0
LU	40	0	0
MT	NAC	NAC	NAC
NL	761	31	4
PL	116	6	4
PT	NAC	NAC	NAC
SE	6	0	0
SK	56	0	0
SI	10	0	0
UK	514 (10)	42	6
Total	6 724	281	4,0
NI : No information has been forwarded by the Member State. NAC : No analytical checks were performed in 2005.

4.   CONCLUSIONS

4.1.   Results of checks carried out in irradiation facilities

Directive 1999/2/EC requires the Member States to inform the Commission about the results of checks in irradiation facilities, the categories and quantities of foods irradiated and the average doses applied.

In 2005, irradiation facilities had approval in 10 Member States.

Eight of the 10 Member States provided the information requested with respect to the food categories treated.

Due to this incomplete reporting, the precise amount of foods irradiated in the EU during 2005 is not known.

4.2.   Results of checks carried out at the product marketing stage

In 2005, 16 Member States performed analytical checks and submitted the requested data. Four Member States informed the Commission that they did not perform analytical checks during the period covered by the present report.

The information submitted shows that during 2005, 4 % of samples were illegally irradiated and/or not correctly labelled. Of the 287 samples proven to be irradiated, only 6 were legally irradiated and correctly labelled.

The infringements are unevenly distributed over product categories. Products imported from Asia, especially Asian-type noodles and food supplements are particularly concerned. It should be noted that in 2005, there were no facilities in Asia approved by the European Community.

The Commission expects that the member States continue to focus controls on these products and that Member States will take the appropriate measures.

Differences between Member States regarding the results of controls could partly be explained by the choice of the samples and the performance of the analytical methods used.

4.3.   Deadline for the submission of the results of checks for the 2006 report

The deadline for submitting to the Commission the results of checks performed in 2006, as required under Article 7(3) of Directive 1999/2/EC, is 30 April 2007.

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(1)  OJ L 66, 13.3.1999, p. 16. Amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003 (OJ L 284, 31.10.2003, p. 1).

(2)  http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/food/biosafety/irradiation/index_en.htm

(3)  OJ C 187, 7.8.2003, p. 13.

(4)  OJ L 66, 13.3.1999, p. 24.

(5)  OJ C 112, 12.5.2006, p. 6.

(6)  Amounts reported in kg.

(7)  The amounts have been reported as ‘boards ’with an average weight per board of 800 kg.

(8)  Products intended for exports to third countries.

(9)  Germany and Hungary found respectively 2 and 4 samples that were legally irradiated and correctly labelled.

(10)  The UK classified 101 samples as inconclusive.

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