8.2.2005 Official Journal of the European Union L35/1 I (Acts whose publication is obligatory) REGULATION (EC) No 183/2005 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 12 January 2005 laying down requirements for feed hygiene (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EURO- PEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity, and in particular Article 37(2) and Article 152(4)(b) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1), After consulting the Committee of the Regions, Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (2), Whereas: (1) Livestock production plays a very important part in the agricultural sector of the Community. Satisfactory results of this activity depend to a large extent on the use of safe and good quality feed. (2)  The pursuit of a high level of protection of human and ani- mal health is one of the fundamental objectives of food law, as laid down in Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Author- ity and laying down procedures in matters of food safety (?). That Regulation also lays down other common principles and definitions for national and Community food law, including the aim of achieving free movement of feed within the Community. () O] C 32, 5.2.2004, p. 97. (?) Opinion of the European Parliament of 31 March 2004 (not yet pub- lished in the Official Journal) and Council Decision of 21 December 2004. () OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1642/2003 (OJ L 245, 29.9.2003, p. 4). (3)  Council Directive 95/69/EC (*) established the conditions and arrangements applicable to certain categories of estab- lishments and intermediaries in the animal feed sector, to enable them to exercise their activities. Experience has shown that these conditions and arrangements constitute a sound basis for ensuring feed safety. That Directive also established conditions for the approval of establishments producing  certain  substances listed in  Council Directive 82/471/EEC of 30 June 1982 concerning certain products used in animal nutrition (°). (4)  Commission Directive 98/51/EC of 9 July 1998 laying down certain measures for implementing Council Directive 95/69/EC laying down the conditions and arrangements for approving and registering certain estab- lishments and intermediaries operating in the animal feed sector (), established certain measures that included arrangements for imports from third countries. (5)  Experience has also shown that it is necessary to ensure that all feed businesses, including aquaculture, operate in conformity with harmonised safety requirements and that it is necessary to conduct a general review in order to take into account the need to ensure a higher level of protec- tion of human and animal health, and of the environment. (6)  The principal objective of the new hygiene rules set out in this Regulation is to ensure a high level of consumer pro- tection with regard to food and feed safety, taking particu- lar account of the following principles: (a) that primary responsibility for feed safety rests with the feed business operator; (*) OJL332,30.12.1995, p. 15. Directive as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 806/2003 (O] L 122, 16.5.2003, p. 1). (°) OJ L 213, 21.7.1982, p. 8. Directive as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 18822003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 284, 31.10.2003, p. 1). (6) OJ L 208, 24.7.1998, p. 43.