Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

In article 1.2 c) EC regulation 852/2004 it says that the regulation is not applicable to producers who directly supply small quantities of primary products to the final consumer or to the local retailers who in their turn directly supply the final consumer. An almost identical regulation can be found in article 1.3 c) EC regulation 853/2004. The supply by a primary producer of small quantities of primary products, of animal origin or not, are consequently excepted from these two hygiene regulations. In article 1.3 EC regulation 852/2004 and article 1.4 EC regulation 853/2004 it says that the member states are to establish national rules in their national legislation as to the regulation of exception for small quantities.

The aim of this study was to investigate the handling of small quantities of primary products distributed locally in Sweden but also the handling of these products in other countries. Included in the study was to investigate how the supply is put in practise today; to see if and how "small quantities" and "locally" are defined but also the demands of food hygiene and the handling of fair practices in trade and protecting consumer interests, including labelling and other forms of consumer information.

After having been in contact with several professional organizations and those working with small quantities of primary products, it appeared that the interest in these questions was moderate. Even within the National Food Administration were the views concerning the limits of small amounts varied. There were voices who argued hard for the fixed and clear boundaries, while there were others who felt that the issue was self-regulating and that by fixed borders just got a rigid and difficult legislation.

As for other countries' national rules, it appeared that they attacked the issue in many different ways. There are countries that have many and clear rules for both "small quantities" and "local" while there are countries which only have provisions for a primary product, or none at all.