COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) …/... of 1.2.2021 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/625 as regards import conditions for live snails, for composite products and for casings placed on the market for human consumption

1. European regulations listed in Annex 2 of the Northern Ireland Protocol continue to directly apply in Northern Ireland. Article 12 of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland requires the implementation and application of the provisions of Union law in respect of Northern Ireland.

2. Regulation (EU) 2017/625 (Official Controls Regulation, or ‘OCR’) of the European Parliament and of the Council lays down rules for the performance of official controls and other control activities by competent authorities, including for the establishment of requirements to be fulfilled for the entry into the Union of imported food and feed, rules on animal health and welfare and plant health and protection from third countries or regions thereof. The Regulation describes the delivery of official controls to be performed on such consignments that are intended for human consumption in order to ensure that they comply with legislation in the area of food and food safety. It is listed in Annex 2.

3. Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/625 supplements the OCR regarding requirements for the entry into the Union of consignments of certain animals and goods intended for human consumption and will be directly applicable in Northern Ireland.

This amendment of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/625 extends import conditions to live snails to ensure safe imports from Third Countries to the EU of live snails intended for human consumption. In addition, it also introduces Harmonized System codes for composite products.