29.10.2014

An audit was carried out by the Food and Veterinary Office in Israel, from 10 to 19 June 2014. The objectives of the audit were to evaluate whether the official controls systems for poultry meat, products derived there from and egg products destined for export to the European Union (EU) can provide equivalent guarantees to those required by EU legislation. The report concludes that there is a well organised official control system covering the production chain of poultry meat and products derived there from intended for export to the EU. Overall the system is capable of ensuring that these exports to the EU meet most of the relevant standards. The CAs follow suitable procedures for the listing of establishments and the certification of products for EU export. The system is supported by the use of an electronic database and an extensive network of official procedures which are both adequately implemented at all administrative levels.
The establishments visited are under adequate official supervision and, in general, comply with EU requirements.
Nevertheless some weaknesses in the system were observed. Some discrepancies between EU legislation and the Israeli standards applied to EU export products were noted.
A control system covering the exports of egg products to the EU is in place. However it was not possible to evaluate its implementation as, at the moment of the audit, there was no establishment eligible for exporting egg products to the EU.
The report includes a number of recommendations addressed to the Israeli competent authorities aimed at rectifying the identified shortcomings and enhancing the control system in place.