5.1.2001 Official Journal of the European Communities L2/1 | (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 5/2001 of 19 December 2000 amending Regulation (EEC) No 1907/90 on certain marketing standards for eggs THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, tees as to equivalence with the technical rules and stan- dards applicable to Community procedures; this will guarantee that such eggs can be distinguished from those labelled by indicating the production method and will make subsequent labelling with misleading indica- tions unfeasible. Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2771/75 of 29 October 1975 on the common organisation of the market in eggs (), and in particular Article 2(2) thereof, (5)  Second quality or preserved eggs, Class B, account for only a minor part of the European Community market. Most of the trade is geared to supplying consumers with Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, top-quality, Class A, eggs. The classification of eggs should, therefore, be simplified and the current Classes B and C (eggs intended for industry) should be amalga- mated in a new Class B and the sale of such eggs should be exclusively for processing purposes. Whereas: (1)  Regulation (EEC) No 1907/90 (3 lays down certain marketing standards for eggs. (6)  No later than six months before the introduction of the compulsory indication of the farming method on eggs (2)  The method by which hens are farmed has become one and packs, the Commission should submit a report, of the major factors for consumers when purchasing accompanied by suitable proposals taking account of the eggs. The Commission has undertaken to propose an report's conclusions, on developments in the area of amendment of the marketing standards and to make it food hygiene rules, particularly as regards washed eggs, compulsory to indicate the farming method on eggs and and on the outcome of World Trade Organisation packs so that consumers are not liable to be misled. To negotiations, that end, clear and unambiguous compulsory labelling is the only way of ensuring that the consumer is able to make an informed choice between the various classes of egg on the basis of the farming method. Appropriate compulsory labelling is in line with the wishes expressed by consumers and consumer organisations. HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: (3)  To supplement consumer information, labelling may also indicate how the hens are fed. Artide 1 (4) It is necessary for compulsory labelling to apply to all eggs sold in the European Union and purchased by consumers outside the place of production, whether Regulation (EEC) No 1907/90 is hereby amended as follows: they are produced in the European Community or come 1. in Article 6(1): from third countries. However, in the case of eggs produced in third countries, indication of the farming (@) the third indent shall be deleted; method may be replaced by the indication ‘farming method not specified’ and by an indication of origin if b) th d ind hall b laced by the following: third country procedures do not offer sufficient guaran- (b) the second indent shall be replaced by the following —_— ) ‘— class B or “second quality or downgraded eggs () toignL (122??)2’1\1161%'511967/3’6})(0‘}9'LRlegg?a28?7_is9l9a65,t ;fngg‘)i.ed by Regula- intended for food industry undertakings approved () OJ L 173, 6.7.1990, p. 5. Regulation as last amended by Regulation in accordance with Directive 89/437/EEC and the (EC) No 818/96 (O] L 111, 4.5.1996, p. 1). non-food industry”.;