31.1.77 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 26/67 COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 21 December 1976 on the examination for trichinae (trichinella spiralis) upon importation from third countries of fresh meat derived from domestic swine (77/96/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, Having regard to.Council Directive 72/462/EEC of 12 December 1972 on health and veterinary inspection : problems upon  importation of bovine- animals- and swine and fresh meat from third countries (1), as last amended by Directive 75/379/EEC (2), and in particular Article 21 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas in Directive 72/462/EEC the Council provided ‘in Article 21 for the laying down of -the method and procedures required for detecting the presence of trichinae in fresh pigmeat; Whereas the application of Directive 72/462/EEC will not have the desired effects as long as disparities exist between the Member States as to the guarantees required in respect of the detection of trichinae upon importation of fresh meat from third countries; whereas it is therefore necessary to lay down Community arrangements in this field; Whereas, in order to protect consumer health, it is necessary that fresh pigmeat be systematically subjected to an examination using methods recognized as effective, in order to eliminate meat containing trichinae; Whereas when the examination is carried out in the exporting third country, it must be carried out in slaughterhouses  which  comply  with  certain conditions and which contain, in particular, a screening  laboratory provided with suitable equipment; Whereas in order to be able to distinguish the meat samples examined from those not examined it is necessary to provide for the affixing of a special () OJ No L 302, 31. 12. 1972, p. 28. () OJ No L 172, 3. 7. 1975, p. 17. mark to meat which has been examined with a negative result; Whereas there should be a procedure establishing close and effective cooperation between the Commission and the Member States for assessing the - advisability of permitting establishments in the third countries to carry out this examination or to work on the meat examined; whereas there should-also be a procedure for bringing the technical provisions- relating in particular to the-examination methods, the requirements concerning the screening laboratories and the procedure for marking examined meat into line with technical progress and with experience acquired; Whereas the Member States should be allowed to admit_ fresh meat which has not been screened for trichinae in the exporting third country,- provided that this meat, undergoes treatment by freezing, which - ensures that any trichinae - which may be present are rendered harmless, either in the exporting third country, or in the Member State for which the meat is intended; whereas  this treatment must nevertheless be carried out according to certain well defined procedures and establishments fulfilling certain conditions, HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: Article 1 The definitions used in this Directive are those contained in Directive 72/462/EEC. Moreover: (a) ‘fresh meat’ means fresh meat of domestic swine; (b) ‘examination’ refers to the examination to detect the presence of trichinae in fresh meat. Article 2 1. In order to be admitted to intra-Community trade, fresh meat originating in third countries which contains skeletal muscles (striated muscles) shall be