Organic production: traceability, indications on agricultural products and foodstuffs (amend. Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91)

PURPOSE : to amend Regulation 2092/91/EEC on organic foodstuffs. LEGISLATIVE ACT : Council Regulation 392/2004/EC amending Regulation 2092/91/EC on organic production of agricultural products and indications referring thereto in agricultural products and foodstuffs. CONTENT : The Council adopted this Regulation by qualified majority, the Spanish delegation voting against it. The new Regulation provides for Community-wide protection of certain terms used to indicate to consumers that a food or feed product or its ingredients, have been obtained in accordance with the organic production methods laid down in Regulation 2092/91/EC. The protection also applies to the usual derivatives or dimunitives of these terms, whether they are used alone or combined. It also provides an inspection system for operators contracting out any of the activities of production, preparation, storing or imports from a third country. However, operators who sell organic products directly to the final consumer may be granted an exemption from the obligation to notify the activity to the competent authority and to submit their undertakings to the established inspection system. A joint statement by the Council and the Commission indicates that Annex III of the regulation could be amended by 1 July 2005 in order to adapt it o the new inspection system. In fact the inspection should be run on the basis of a prior risk analysis assessment. The Spanish delegation issued a statement regarding the use of the word "bio" as regards organic products. ENTRY INTO FORCE : 10/03/04.�