Individual data set from the National Residue Control Plan (NRKP) for the reporting year 2020

The National Residue Control Plan for Food of Animal Origin is a programme implemented since 1989, which examines, inter alia, live livestock, meat, aquaculture products, milk, eggs and honey for residues of undesirable substances. The programme, coordinated by the BVL in Germany, is implemented in the European Union according to uniform standards. The import monitoring plan for products of animal origin from non-EU countries has been carried out uniformly since 2004. The inspection of consignments and sampling shall be carried out at the border inspection posts. In accordance with Article 4 in conjunction with Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2130, Member States are required to undergo a monitoring plan for consignments of products presented for importation. Objective of monitoring The plans are intended for preventive consumer health protection. The aim of the NRKP and the EPC is to detect the illegal use of prohibited or unauthorised substances and to monitor the proper use of authorised veterinary medicinal products. In addition, the exposure to environmental contaminants such as heavy metals and other undesirable substances is recorded. The EPC has also investigated microbiological parameters, histamine, parasites, radioactivity, additives, GMOs, marine biotoxins and other product-specific parameters since 2010. The NRKP is geared towards the control of livestock, slaughterhouses and farms receiving the unprocessed raw product. This applies in particular to farms processing milk, eggs, honey and game. The NRKP therefore makes it possible to monitor animals and animal products from the beginning of the production process. By sampling at an early stage of the production chain, products contaminated with residues can easily be traced back to the holding of origin. Sampling is targeted. This means that knowledge of local or regional circumstances is taken into account or that indications of unlawful or irregular animal treatment are investigated. The NRKP is therefore not geared towards obtaining statistically representative data. The EPC is aimed at controlling live animals and animal products supplying food when imported into the European Union via Germany. Sampling shall be carried out risk-based in accordance with the risk approach set out in Regulation (EU) 2017/625. It follows that no generally valid conclusions can be drawn from the data as to the actual exposure to undesirable substances on animal products.