The specific objective of the present BTSF programme on Food Contact Materials - Control, Marketing & Use is to spread knowledge and best practices in relation to the EU approach for the control, use and marketing of Food Contact Materials.
Under this programme, participants will better understand how to apply the official controls and respective regulations regarding the Food Contact Materials. The training will utilise presentations, site visits (in person and virtual), case studies, and discussion on best practises to ensure better enforcement of EU rules specifically with regard to:
- Control of the whole food contact materials chain and the compliance of the FCM manufacturing and importing establishments with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004.
- Examination of written materials and in particular the specifications regarding declaration of compliance for food contact materials.
- Assessment of the implementation of good manufacturing practice by FBOs, and decision taking.
The course addresses the following topics:
- Topic 1. Overview of Legal Provisions and the different Materials and articles of Food Contact Materials (LPM)
- Topic 2. Official Controls of Plants (Recycling Plant, Converting Plants and Food industry), with focus on DoC and SD (OCP)
- Topic 3. Good Manufacturing Practices and Quality Management System (GMP)
- Topic 4. National Control Plan and role of Laboratory (NCP)
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
Applicants must be staff of competent authorities with previous experience in FCM-related activities such as:
- formulation of control plans and policy
- implementation of controls
- and/or inspection of FCM premises
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 25/09/2023 | 28/09/2023 | Valencia | Spain |
| 13 | 16/10/2023 | 19/10/2023 | Porto | Portugal |
| 14 | 20/11/2023 | 23/11/2023 | Bratislava | Slovakia |
| 15 | 22/01/2024 | 25/01/2024 | Bologna | Italy |
| 16 | 04/03/2024 | 07/03/2024 | Valencia | Spain |
| 17 | 15/04/2024 | 18/04/2024 | Riga | Latvia |
| 18 | 27/05/2024 | 30/05/2024 | Riga | Latvia |
| 19 | 08/07/2024 | 11/07/2024 | Porto | Portugal |
| 20 | 09/09/2024 | 12/09/2024 | Bologna | Italy |
| 21 | 21/10/2024 | 24/10/2024 | Valencia | Spain |
The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme/Course on Food Improvement Agents are:
- How to apply the harmonised regulation, theoretical and practical training regarding common aspects to every type of FIA,
- How to apply quantum satis and carry over principles, and specific modules addressing respectively food additives, flavourings and enzymes.
- Understanding EU regulations and guidelines on food improvement agents and inspection practices
- informing regulatory and control authorities about the new approach enacted for the evaluation, authorisation and control of food additives, flavourings and enzymes.
The course addresses the following topics:
- Module A.1 Common aspects applicable to food additives, flavourings and enzymes
- Module A.2 EU provisions on food additives
- Module A.3 EU provisions on food flavourings
- Module A.4 EU provisions on food enzymes
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- Relevant technical background: participants should preferably have the necessary knowledge in the relevant legislation and controls of food improvement agents
- Relevancy to daily work: participants should, in priority, be staff of the competent authorities and be involved in the control of food products as field inspector or regulatory officer .
- Sufficient level of English language: in order to ensure the transfer of knowledge and opportunities to exchange views, participants should master the language of the training session for which they applied;
- Ability to share their experience: priority will be given to participants whose position will allow them to share with colleagues the outputs of the training sessions
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 25/03/2024 | 29/03/2024 | Athens | Greece |
| 12 | 24/06/2024 | 28/06/2024 | Riga | Latvia |
| 13 | 22/07/2024 | 26/07/2024 | Valencia | Spain |
| 14 | 02/09/2024 | 06/09/2024 | Warsaw | Poland |
| 15 | 14/10/2024 | 18/10/2024 | Budapest | Hungary |
| 16 | 02/12/2024 | 06/12/2024 | Athens | Greece |
| 17 | 13/01/2025 | 17/01/2025 | St. Julian's | Malta |
| 18 | 24/03/2025 | 28/03/2025 | Athens | Greece |
| 19 | 19/05/2025 | 23/05/2025 | Warsaw | Poland |
| 20 | 23/06/2025 | 27/06/2025 | Riga | Latvia |
BTSF Training course on Food Improvement Agents (course B).
The overall objectives of the course are:
To spread knowledge and best practices in relation to the EU approach for the evaluation, authorisation, monitoring and control of food additives, flavourings and enzymes. The programme includes new practical-oriented features to facilitate understanding of the legislation and its enforcement
The course addresses the following topics:
- Legal Framework of Food Improvement Agents
- Design of Official Controls on FIA
- Guidance documents on Food additives
- Guidance document on the classification of a food ingredient with colouring properties
- New Guidance Document of EU explaining the carry over principle
- Q/A on food flavourings
- New publication on authorised enzymes
- Annex on colouring food materials (currently developed by the JRC)
- Summary of RASFF notifications on FIA and use of RASFF Database
- Monitoring of food additives intake
- Common methodology for the gathering of information from the Member States
- Preparation of Official Controls Plans on FIA
- Objectives of control plans
- Identification and involvement of authorities in control plans, including laboratories
- Implementation of national control plans on FIA in a uniform way
- Elements to consider for prioritisation in FIA (risk coming from the use, likelihood of misleading, past records, reliability of own controls by operators or third party)
- Examples of different risk ranking tools. Identification and selectionof additives and flavourings to be consider a priority
- Description of the food chain in case of FIA, specific considerations for the identification and categorisation of food business operators to be controlled for additives, enzymes and flavourings
- Selection of the most appropriate methods for official controls on FIAs, inspection, GMP, audits of HACCP, monitoring surveys, sampling and analysis
- Implementation of official controls
- Inspection procedures, sampling strategies
- Measures to be taken in case of infringements. Follow up actions’ efficacy and effectivity of the control plan
- Definition of Indicators, collection of data and analysis of the results
- Communication strategies applicable to the official control of FIA
- Diagnostic of training needs and organisation of training plans
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- The training course is targeted at staff of the competent authorities who are involved in the planning of control activities in the field of food improvement agents, and/or are in charge of auditing in central/regional authorities.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 13/05/2024 | 17/05/2024 | Madrid | Spain |
| 6 | 04/11/2024 | 08/11/2024 | Athens | Greece |
| 7 | 17/02/2025 | 21/02/2025 | Madrid | Spain |
| 8 | 14/04/2025 | 18/04/2025 | St. Julian's | Malta |
The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme/Course on Food & feed testing Non-EU - Mycotoxins are:
- Raise awareness on all aspects related to control on Mycotoxins in food and feed.
- Underline the need of assuring correct sampling procedures to reduce the error in the analytical results.
- Improve the practical knowledge on simple and more advanced analytical methods to enhance the degree of accuracy and widen the number of substances determined
The course addresses the following topics:
- Topic 1. Introduction to mycotoxins
- Topic 2. EU and international legislation and official controls
- Topic 3. Mitigation of mycotoxins
- Topic 4. Risk assessment
- Topic 5. Sampling procedures
- Topic 6. Sample preparation
- Topic 7. Validation of analytical methods
- Topic 8. Screening methods
- Topic 9. Confirmatory methods
- Topic 10. Quality management
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
Candidates must be staff of food testing laboratories (public or private) designated to perform official mycotoxins control. Participants must commit themselves to disseminate the knowledge received during the seminar among stakeholders in their home institutions / countries. As the seminar will be conducted in English, each nominated candidate must have a good (not basic) working level of English.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 02/12/2019 | 13/12/2019 | Rome | Italy |
| 2 | 17/02/2020 | 28/02/2020 | Madrid | Spain |
| 3 |
15/06/2020 | 26/06/2020 | Madrid |
Spain - CANCELLED |
| 4 |
23/11/2020 | 04/12/2020 | Rome | Italy - CANCELLED |
| 5 | 20/02/2023 | 03/03/2023 | Rome | Italy |
| 6 | 22/05/2023 | 02/06/2023 | Madrid | Spain |
| Phase II - 1 | 23/09/2024 | 04/10/2024 | Madrid | Spain |
| Phase II - 2 | 25/11/2024 |
06/12/2024 | Rome | Italy |
| Phase II - 3 | 10/02/2025 | 21/02/2025 | Rome | Italy |
| Phase II - 4 | 10/03/2025 | 21/03/2025 | Madrid | Spain |
BTSF Training Programme on Food & feed testing-non-EU - Residues of plant protection products
The overall project objective is to develop the ability of laboratory staff and management from non-EU countries to apply the sampling and analysis methods used in official food and feed controls.
Considering the specificities of the PPP area, the goals of the European legislation, as well as the overall strategy of the BTSF initiative, the following objectives for this training course have been formulated:
- Raise awareness on all aspects related to control on residues of PPP in food and feed.
- Underline the need of assuring correct sampling procedures to reduce the error in the analytical results.
- Support the application of quality management standards for the laboratories to increase their performance and reliability levels.
- Improve the practical knowledge on simple and more advanced analytical methods to enhance the degree of accuracy and widen the number of substances determined.
- Underline the need of assuring correct sampling procedures to reduce the error in the analytical results.
- Foster exchange of best practices and ideas to increase the efficacy of knowledge transfer in analytical activities.
- Encourage networking and dissemination of knowledge among the trainees.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30/09/2019 | 11/10/2019 | Athens | Greece |
| 2 | 01/06/2020 | 12/06/2020 | Stuttgart | Germany - CANCELLED |
| 3 | 05/10/2020 | 16/10/2020 | Poznan | Poland - CANCELLED |
| 4 | 01/05/2023 | 12/05/2023 | Stuttgart | Germany - CANCELLED |
| 5 | 12/06/2023 | 23/06/2023 | Poznan | Poland |
| Phase II - 1 | 13/05/2024 | 24/05/2024 | Poznan | Poland |
| Phase II - 2 | 14/10/2024 | 25/10/2024 | Athens | Greece |
| Phase II - 3 | 26/05/2025 | 06/06/2025 | Stuttgart | Germany |
BTSF Non-EU Training Programme on Food & feed testing-non-EU - Residues of veterinary medicinal products.
The Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA, formerly Chafea) organised, on behalf of the European Commission’s Health and Food Safety Directorate-General (DG SANTE), a cycle of 10 training sessions in the field of sampling and analysis methods used in the context of official food and feed controls within the “Better Training for Safer Food” initiative.
In total, 155 participants coming from selected non-EU countries in Eastern ENP and Mediterranean basin region, Central and South America, Africa and Asia have been invited during the project’s Phase 1 (2019-2020).
The overall objectives are:
- The overall project objective is to develop the ability of laboratory staff and management from non-EU countries to apply the sampling and analysis methods used in official food and feed controls. Considering the specificities of the VMP area, the goals of the European legislation, as well as the overall strategy of the BTSF initiative, the following objectives for this training course have been formulated:
- Raise awareness on all aspects related to control on residues of VMP in food and feed.
- Underline the need of assuring correct sampling procedures to reduce the error in the analytical results.
- Support the application of quality management standards for the laboratories to increase their performance and reliability levels.
- Improve the practical knowledge on simple and more advanced analytical methods to enhance the degree of accuracy and widen the number of substances determined.
- Foster exchange of best practices and ideas to increase the efficacy of knowledge transfer in analytical activities.
- Encourage networking and dissemination of knowledge among the trainees.
The course addresses the following topics:
- Topic 1: EU and international legislation, official controls and development of residues testing programmes.
- Topic 2: Import controls.
- Topic 3: Sampling, sample preparation and management.
- Topic 4: Methods validation.
- Topic 5: Screening methods.
- Topic 6: Confirmatory techniques and results analysis.
- Topic 7: Quality management in the laboratory.
The training is addressed to staff and management of public or private food testing laboratories designated to perform official controls on residues of VMP. The applicants must have a relevant professional and educational background, commit to disseminate the obtained knowledge among stakeholders in their home country and have a good working level of English.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 08/07/2019 | 19/07/2019 | Dublin | Ireland |
| 2 | 11/11/2019 | 22/11/2019 | Porto/Vila do Conde | Portugal |
| 3 | 23/03/2020 | 03/04/2020 | Dublin | Ireland - CANCELLED |
| 4 | 10/10/2022 | 21/10/2022 | Dublin | Ireland |
| Phase II - 1 | 11/11/2024 | 22/11/2024 | Pulawy | Poland |
| Phase II - 2 | 20/01/2025 | 31/01/2025 | Dublin | Ireland |
| Phase II - 3 | 12/05/2025 | 23/05/2025 | Porto/Vila do Conde | Portugal |
BTSF Training Programme/Course on Food fraud/ e commerce - Investigation techniques - Food fraud
The overall objectives of the course are:
- To improve knowledge and skills of control staff on specific investigation techniques used to identify food fraud (FF) or to perform official control duties on e-commerce of food and food related products, disseminating best practices and enabling the exchange of practical experience.
The course addresses the following topics:
- To give tools and techniques to design, implement and manage food fraud units.
- To promote risk based investigations.
- To spread the knowledge on methods and investigation techniques for the prevention of food fraud.
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- Officials from inspection bodies: ideally involved in planning and organizing control activities (preferably at central level) and Police investigators/ Customs.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 04/10/2021 | 08/10/2021 | Virtual Classroom | Not applicable |
| 2 | 29/11/2021 | 03/12/2021 | Virtual Classroom | Not applicable |
| 3 | 14/02/2022 | 18/02/2022 | Virtual Classroom | Not applicable |
| 4 | 02/05/2022 NEW DATES! |
06/05/2022 NEW DATES! |
Virtual Classroom - POSTPONED | ORIGINNALLY 4-8/04/2022 |
| 5 | 26/09/2022 | 29/09/2022 | Tallinn | Estonia |
| 6 | 07/11/2022 | 10/11/2022 | Sevilla | Spain |
| 7 | 17/04/2023 | 20/04/2023 | Lisbon | Portugal |
The BTSF Training Programme on Food fraud/ e-commerce - Investigation techniques: E-commerce Basic was launched in 2013, as cases of food fraud were increasing, reaching a great dissemination by the Media at the time of the famous horse meat scandal.
- Food fraud cases can affect the whole food chain, sometimes using very sophisticated techniques, to avoid being detected. Internet offers multiple choices and options; complete command of these tools should be known and used by those fighting against food fraud products sold in internet.
- The current challenge not only requires new IT tools, but a better use of the information, methods and integrate this information in a more coordinated way, using the skills and expertise of food fraud units to attend these needs, and working in collaboration among administrations, between food safety authorities, police and judicial bodies.
- It also helps to disseminate best practices for official controls when flexibility is applied.
This course focuses on General investigation and control techniques.
Officials from inspection bodies: ideally involved in planning and organizing control activities (preferably at central level) and Police investigators/ Customs.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27/09/2021 | 01/10/2021 |
Virtual Classroom | Not applicable |
| 2 | 18/10/2021 | 22/10/2021 | Virtual Classroom | Not applicable |
| 3 | 25/04/2022 | 29/04/2022 | Virtual Classroom | Not applicable |
| 4 | 15/05/2023 | 18/05/2023 | Budapest | Hungary |
The BTSF training course on Food fraud/e-commerce - Investigation techniques - E-commerce Advanced level was launched in 2013, as cases of food fraud were increasing, reaching a great dissemination by the media at the time of the famous horse meat scandal. Food fraud cases can affect the whole food chain, sometimes using very sophisticated techniques, to avoid being detected. Internet offers multiple choices and options; complete command of these tools should be known and used by those fighting against food fraud products sold in internet.
The current challenge not only require new IT tools, but a better use of the information, methods and integrate this information in a more coordinated way, using the skills and expertise of food fraud units to attend these needs, and working in collaboration among administrations, between food safety authorities, police and judicial bodies.
This course focuses on E-commerce of food.
The BTSF Training Programme on New food investigation techniques: E-commerce Advanced level is aimed to improve knowledge and skills of control staff on specific investigation techniques used to identify food fraud (FF) or to perform official control duties on e-commerce of food and food related products, disseminating best practices and enabling the exchange of practical experience.
- To provide tools and techniques to identify internet food business operating and detect those not following the legal requirements; facilitate practical training on internet trading investigation; and spread knowledge on methods to investigate in different internet platforms, and learn practical and legal requirements to undertake official controls on internet food business; and ensure that the participants have a solid understanding of channels of communication, cooperation with different administrations and market stakeholders.
Topics EC1 Legal framework for internet control, hands on IT training, EU legislation, legal aspects and control purchase, setting up an IT system for internet investigations, International cooperation and cross border cooperation, future of on-line investigations. Lectures and practical exercises with laptops.
These are the same objectives as in the course "E-commerce standard level", however the level to reach will be higher as long as the practical exercises requested. Demonstrated experience in investigating food frauds in the internet is compulsory to attend.
EU legislation and law infringements, advanced level investigation tools, setting up contacts, cross border cooperation, future of on-line investigations. Practical approach and active contributions from participants is expected.
Enforcement staff currently working in internet search or control unit; same requirements as for Course B1, and indicate having at least 3 years’ experience working in competent authorities related to Internet investigations of food frauds. To attend, participants will have to provide information of one case study in which they have participated. This ensures previous knowledge of basic IT investigation techniques in order to be able to put hands on training knowing the basic tools and experience to make basic investigations.
For the three courses, participants should be able to work and make interventions in English, and compromise to disseminate the learnings gained. Guidance on how to disseminate the knowledge will be provided during the sessions, and a follow up questionnaire will be performed to participants attending.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14/03/2022 | 18/03/2022 | Virtual Course | Not applicable |
| 2 | 13/06/2022 | 16/06/2022 | Madrid | Spain |
| 3 | 17/10/2022 | 20/10/2022 | Budapest | Hungary |
The BTSF Non-EU Training Programme on Food Fraud Non-EU overall objective is:
- to develop cooperation activities with non-EU trade partners with a view to improve the effectiveness of official control systems in relation to fraudulent practices across the agri-food chain, including Internet sales, and their ability to detect frauds.
The course addresses the following topics:
- EU Control System and consistency with international trade rules (WTO, SPS, TBT);
- Organisation of the official controls on agri-food products in the EU: legal framework and practical experiences;
- Competent Authorities and Food Business Operators’ responsibilities and rules governing trade and imports of agri-food products from non-EU countries;
- EU information management systems and e-certification;
- Good practices, procedures and requirements relating to issuance of e-certificate: practical examples;
- Overview on EU agri-food fraud policy;
- Vulnerability of the food chain to agri-food fraud;
- Agri-food fraud: competent authorities and industry prevention role; Vulnerability analyses and control prioritisation;
- Investigation techniques: introduction to criminal law related to the food area, theory and practical examples of investigation, how to use control rules to investigate a suspicion of fraud, Good practices, tools and procedures relating to investigation techniques;
- Conducting an investigation: basic rules and practical examples;
- Overview on EU digital trade and EU e-commerce policy;
- Controls on e-commerce: risk assessment, IT tools and evidence gathering, control purchase; Good practices on e-commerce surveillance for preventing threats;
- Cooperation on e-commerce (cooperation with stakeholders including trading, producer and consumer organisations and market places/selling platforms, cross-border cooperation);
- Establishing communication channels with police and judiciary authorities;
- Setting up permanent information gathering from consumers;
- Setting up permanent information gathering from "whistleblowers".
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- officials from competent authorities in non-EU countries involved in planning and organising official control activities (preferably at national/regional levels) in relation to fraudulent practices across the agri-food chain.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10/10/2022 | 13/10/2022 | Amman | Jordan |
| 2 | 30/01/2023 | 02/02/2023 | Buenos Aires | Argentina |
| 3 | 06/03/2023 | 09/03/2023 | Addis Abeba | Ethiopia |
| 4 | 24/04/2023 | 27/04/2023 | Danang | Vietnam |
| 5 | 29/05/2023 | 01/06/2023 | Astana | Kazakhistan |
| CANCELLED | ||||
| 6 | 10/07/2023 | 13/07/2023 | Bangalore | India |
| 7 | 16/10/2023 | 19/10/2023 | Casablanca | Morocco |
| 8 | 30/10/2023 | 03/11/2023 | Bogotá | Colombia |
Welcome to the BTSF Training Programme on Food hygiene-flexibility.
In order to protect food diversity and to serve consumers and the needs of small-scale producers, EU legislation provides ample possibilities to adapt the technical requirements of the Food Hygiene Package in function of the nature of the food business concerned. Information and training can be strategic tools to help the Member States to develop a better understanding of the provisions and fine-tune use of flexibility measures contained in the hygiene Regulations.
- Inspections of small processing establishments of food of animal and non-animal origin.
- Approval of food-producing/processing establishments and risk-based controls.
- Notification procedure.
- HACCP and sampling plans.
- Microbiological criteria.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20/09/2021 | 24/09/2021 | VC | VC |
| 2 | 18/10/2021 | 22/10/2021 | VC | VC |
| 3 | 29/11/2021 | 03/12/2021 | VC | VC |
| 4 | 07/02/2022 | 11/02/2022 | VC | VC |
| 5 | 21/03/2022 | 25/03/2022 | VC | VC |
| 6 | 16/05/2022 | 20/05/2022 | Turin | Italy |
| 7 | 06/06/2022 | 10/06/2022 | Vilnius | Lithuania |
| 8 | 04/07/2022 | 08/07/2022 | Viseu | Portugal |
| 9 | 17/10/2022 | 21/10/2022 | Turin | Italy |
| Cancelled | 21/11/2022 | 25/11/2022 | Barcelona | Spain |
| 10 | 16/01/2023 | 20/01/2023 | Barcelona | Spain |
| 11 | 13/02/2023 | 17/02/2023 | Turin |
Italy |
| 12 | 13/03/2023 | 17/03/2023 | Girona | Spain |
| 13 | 17/04/2023 | 21/04/2023 | Porto | Portugal |
| 14 | 08/05/2023 | 12/05/2023 | Zagreb |
Croatia |
| 15 | 05/06/2023 | 09/06/2023 | Turin |
Italy |
| 16 | 18/09/2023 | 22/09/2023 | Vilnius | Lithuania |
The BTSF Training Programme on Food hygiene and controls of meat, including derived products
The European Union (EU) has developed a wide range of measures aimed at ensuring a high standard of hygiene during food production and proper control of foodstuffs. Some of these rules apply to all food business operators, cover the entire food chain and deal with all types of food. Others are directed to competent authorities in charge of controlling the food chain.
The Commission in collaboration with Member States issued several guidance documents in order to elaborate and give practical examples of some of the complex requirements mentioned in Regulations (EC) No 852/2004 and No 853/2004, including the one concerning implementation of procedures based on the HACCP principles. Regulation 2017/625 has a general scope covering official controls over the entire food chain. It aims at ensuring a harmonised approach and creates a high level of expertise with regard to official control activities for the verification of compliance with SPS rules.
The overall objectives are:
- To know the new framework and legislative requirements in the performance of official control of animal origin, especially on food hygiene and controls of meat;
- To interpret the EU Commission’s point of view on how to best implement the new legislation;
- To harmonize enforcement of the legislation and indicate weak points of official controls in the past;
- To intervene and take part in the discussions among participants and tutors in order to promote an exchange of knowledge based on previous experience.
The topics addressed in the courses will include:
- Legislative requirements concerning registration and/or (conditional) approval of establishments and in particular low-capacity establishments;
- General and meat specific hygiene requirements and HACCP-based procedures, traceability, welfare issues and special focus on topics/peculiarities regarding steps at and beyond slaughter (minced meat, meat preparations and meat products), etc.;
- Official controls concerning primary production, inspections in slaughterhouses, game-handling and other meat establishments, peculiarities with regard to fresh meat, farmed game, wild game, emergency slaughter, risk-based inspection, use of flexibility provisions, etc.;
- Official controls concerning microbiological criteria, sampling methods, requirements for Trichinella examination and other specialised inspection procedures, etc.;
- On-the-spot visits followed by debriefing sessions within establishments involved in the production or processing of meat and/or meat products.
The training is addressed both to:
- a) officials from Competent Authorities involved in planning control activities on meat hygiene (preferably at central and/or regional level);
- b) field inspectors involved in control activities on meat hygiene, including meat inspection
The selection of participants will be carried out by the National Contact Points.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23/05/2022 | 27/05/2022 | Valencia | Spain |
| 2 | 17/10/2022 | 21/10/2022 | Valencia | Spain |
| 3 | 12/12/2022 |
16/12/2022 | Dublin | Ireland |
| 4 | 13/02/2023 | 17/02/2023 | Rome | Italy |
| 5 | 13/03/2023 | 17/03/2023 | Vienna | Austria |
| 6 | 24/04/2023 | 28/04/2023 | Muenster | Germany |
| 7 | 08/05/2023 | 12/05/2023 | Valencia | Spain |
| 8 | 05/06/2023 | 09/06/2023 | Dublin | Ireland |
| 9 | 11/09/2023 | 15/09/2023 | Muenster | German |
| 10 | 09/10/2023 | 13/10/2023 | Rome | Italy |
The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme on Food hygiene primary production - Aquatic Animals are:
- To develop a broad knowledge of different hazards (chemical, biological and physical) that can occur along the food chain;
- To provide information about problems that are inherent to specific production, processing, conservation and distribution methotds to identify non-compliance and fraudulent practices;
- To raise awarness and develop knowledge about the EU laws and ensure their correct enforcement;
- To promote a harmonised approch to the operation of EU and national control systems by sharing best practices.
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- Staff of Competent Authorities involved in official control activities.
- It should be clear from their background and professional position that the participation in the training activity is a key element for the improvement of their skills and competence for their job.
- The trainees should have the required technical skills related to the fields mentioned under.
- The course will be held in English. In order to be able to understand and actively participate in the sessions, exercises and case studies, we invite you to give priority to only register the participants who can read and speak English.
- The participants will be requested to commit themselves to use the knowledge gained from the courses and also disseminate it via different dissemination methods i.e. informing colleagues about the information received at the training, distributing (photocopying or sending via electronic way) the training material among their colleagues, preparing informative articles in the professional national or, if possible, in international journals, preparing presentations based on the training material for the National Competent Authorities’ professional trainings or other dissemination methods which could be appropriate to share the information received via the BTSF trainings.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 20/11/2023 | 24/11/2023 | Vigo | Spain |
| 4 | 12/02/2024 | 16/02/2024 | Treviso | Italy |
| 6 | 08/04/2024 | 12/04/2024 | Treviso | Italy |
BTSF Training Programme on Food hygiene primary production - domestic land animals
Training courses will consist of a mix of theoretical and practical sessions The training courses will improve practical application of the EU provisions, legislations and precautionary measures related to general hygiene rules and controls applying to food business rearing domestic land animals (e.g. cattle, pigs and poultry) or producing primary products of animal origin derived thereof.
These trainings are meant to strengthen the NCA and to ensure a harmonized approach on the implementation of legislation and official controls throughout the EU member states. Such approach ensures and maintains a high level of consumer protection and animal, promotes a harmonized approach to the operation of Community and national control systems, enhances trade of safe food and creates an equal level playing field for all food businesses.
The legislative “Food Package” dates of 2004 and as evolved ever since, adapting to the reality and answering the needs and the crisis that arose since that date. Guides to good practices were created and proven to be very useful to the Veterinary Officers/Inspectors/Official Staff of the NCA and also to the primary producers all around Europe.
A big part of the needs assessment on these fields, in terms of training, is obtained through the FVO Audits results, DG Health and Food Safety audits and inspections and from the feedback given by the MS.
Training on Official controls on this area of primary production (meat) is proven to be essential and a recurrent need to several EU countries. Once all the legislative context is explained, several specific topics on each domain will be discussed; adding to this, a wide and relevant practical content using innovative methods and tools and a field visit will give an in-depth big picture of the training subjects.
For each topic a specialized team of experts was gathered paying close attention not only to their scientific and technical knowledge but also to their training and communication competences.
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- Staff of Competent Authorities involved in official control activities.
Selection Criteria
- It should be clear from their background and professional position that the participation in the training activity is a key element for the improvement of their skills and competence for their job.
- The trainees should have the required technical skills related to the fields mentioned under.
- The course will be held in English. In order to be able to understand and actively participate in the sessions, exercises and case studies, we invite you to give priority to only register the participants who can read and speak English.
- The participants will be requested to commit themselves to use the knowledge gained from the courses and also disseminate it via different dissemination methods i.e. informing colleagues about the information received at the training, distributing (photocopying or sending via electronic way) the training material among their colleagues, preparing informative articles in the professional national or, if possible, in international journals, preparing presentations based on the training material for the National Competent Authorities’ professional trainings or other dissemination methods which could be appropriate to share the information received via the BTSF trainings.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 04/03/2024 | 08/03/2024 | Vienna | Austria |
| 11 | 14/10/2024 | 18/10/2024 | Vienna | Austria |
The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme on Food hygiene primary production - Live Bivalve Molluscs are:
- Develop a broad knowledge of different hazards (chemical, biological and physical) that can occur along the food chain;
- Provide information about problems that are inherent to specific production, processing, conservation and distribution methotds to identify non-compliance and fraudulent practices;
- Raise awarness and develop knowledge about the EU laws and ensure their correct enforcement;
- Promote a harmonised approch to the operation of EU and national control systems by sharing best practices.
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- Staff of Competent Authorities involved in official control activities.
Selection Criteria
- It should be clear from their background and professional position that the participation in the training activity is a key element for the improvement of their skills and competence for their job.
- The trainees should have the required technical skills related to the fields mentioned under.
- The course will be held in English. In order to be able to understand and actively participate in the sessions, exercises and case studies, we invite you to give priority to only register the participants who can read and speak English.
- The participants will be requested to commit themselves to use the knowledge gained from the courses and also disseminate it via different dissemination methods i.e. informing colleagues about the information received at the training, distributing (photocopying or sending via electronic way) the training material among their colleagues, preparing informative articles in the professional national or, if possible, in international journals, preparing presentations based on the training material for the National Competent Authorities’ professional trainings or other dissemination methods which could be appropriate to share the information received via the BTSF trainings.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 07/10/2024 | 11/10/2024 | Vigo | Spain |
| 12 | 25/11/2024 | 29/11/2024 | Vigo | Spain |
