Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 94 No L 368/10 COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 94/65/EC . of 14 December 1994 laying down the reqmrements for the production and placing on the market of minced meat and meat preparations 'THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, - Having regard to the Treaty establishinig the European Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission 1), " Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament (2), Having regard to the Oplmon of the Economic and Social Committee (3), Whereas minced . meat and meat preparations are included in the list of products in Annex II to the Treaty; whereas the production of and trade in minced meat and meat preparations constitute an important source of income for part of the farmmg population; Whereas in order to ensure the rational development of the industry producing such meat and -to increase productivity, public health rules for the production and placing on the market of such meat must be laid down at Commumty level Whereas the laying down of such rules improves the protection of public health and consequently facilitates the completion of the internal market; Whereas, to achieve this purpose, it is necessary to repeal Council Directive 88/657/EEC of 14 December 1988 laying down the requirements for the production of, and trade in, minced meat, meat in pieces of less than 100 grams and meat preparations and amending Directives ‘64/433/EEC, 71/118/EEC and 72/462/EEC ("), and to replace it by this Directive; Whereas meat which has not undergone any treatment — other than cold treatment — is subject to the * requirements of Directives = 64/433/EEC () and 71/118/EEC (6); whereas products which have undergone () OJ No C 84, 2. 4. 1990, p. 120 and O] No C 288, 6. 11. 1991, p. 3. () OJ No C 183, 15. 7. 1991, p. 59. () OJ No C 225, 10. 9. 1990, p. 1. (*) OJ No L 382, 31. 12. 1988, p. 3. () OJ No L 121, 29. 7.,1964, p. 2012/64. () OJ No L 55, 8. 3. 1971, p. 23. treatment modifying the characteristics of fresh meat are regulated by Directive 77/99/EEC (7); whereas the production of other products, whether they are presented in the form of minced meat or meat preparations, should as a result be subject to the requirements of this Directive; Whereas to take account of consumption habits in some ‘Member States, and of the risk presented by some of those products if they are eaten lightly cooked, very strict requirements should be maintained for minced meat and ‘preparations which may be traded; Whereas the fundamental criterion which the Community must -adopt as regards the functioning of the internal market is that of a high standard of consumer protection;’ : * Whereas Council Directive 79/112/EEC of 18 December 1978 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs (}) and Council Directive 89/396/EEC of 14 June 1989 on indications or marks " identifying the lot to which a foodstuff belongs (°) are applicable; Whereas a system of approval should be introduced for the establishments which meet the health requirements laid down by this Directive, together with a Community inspection procedure to ensure that the conditions for such approval are observed; : - Whereas that system should be based on the ptmaple of self-monitoring by the establishments; ' Whereas health marking of meat products is the best way of satisfying the competent authority of the place of destination that a consignment complies with the provisions of this Directive; whereas the health certificate should be maintained for the purposes of verifying the - destination of certain products; Whereas the rules, principles and safeguard measures . established by Council Directive 90/675/EEC of 10 - () O] No L 26, 31. 1. 1977, p. 85. (]) OJ No L 33,8.2.1979,p. 1 °) OJ No L 186, 30. 6. 1989, p. 21. .