Control of milk and colostrum production holdings
Article 49
1. The official veterinarian shall verify that the health requirements for raw milk and colostrum production as laid down in Part I of Chapter I of Section IX of Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 are complied with. In particular, the official veterinarian shall verify: (a) the health status of the animals; (b) the absence of the use of prohibited or unauthorised pharmacologically active substances; and (c) that the possible presence of residues of authorised pharmacologically active substances, pesticides or contaminants does not exceed the levels laid down in Regulations (EU) No 37/2010, (EC) No 396/2005 or (EC) No 1881/2006. 2. The official controls referred to in paragraph 1 may take place at the occasion of veterinary checks carried out pursuant to Union provisions on animal or human health or animal welfare. 3. If there are grounds for suspecting that the health requirements referred to in paragraph 1 are not being complied with, the official veterinarian shall check the general health status of the animals. 4. Milk and colostrum production holdings shall undergo official controls by the competent authorities to verify that hygiene requirements laid down in Part II of Chapter I of Section IX of Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 are being complied with. These controls may involve inspections and the monitoring of controls carried out by professional organisations. If it is demonstrated that the hygiene is inadequate, the competent authorities shall verify that appropriate steps are taken to correct the situation.