12.12.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 325/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) REGULATION (EC) No 2160/2003 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 17 November 2003 on the control of salmonella and other specified food-borne zoonotic agents THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com- munity, and in particular 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 (), After consulting the Committee of the Regions, Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (), Whereas: (1)  Live animals and food of animal origin appear on the list in Annex I to the Treaty. Livestock farming and the placing on the market of food of animal origin consti- tute an important source of income for farmers. The implementation of veterinary measures aimed at raising the level of public and animal health in the Community assists the rational development of the farming sector. (2)  The protection of human health against diseases and infections transmissible directly or indirectly between animals and humans (zoonoses) is of paramount impor- tance. (3)  Zoonoses transmissible through food may cause human suffering, as well as economic losses to food production and the food industry. () O] C 304 E, 30.10.2001, p. 260. () O] C 94, 18.4.2002, p. 18. (*) Opinion of the European Parliament of 15 May 2002 (O] C 180 E, 31.7.2003, p. 160), Council Common Position of 20 February 2003 (O] C 90 E, 15.4.2003, p. 25) and Position of the European Parliament of 19 June 2003 (not yet published in the Official Journal). Council Decision of 29 September 2003. (4)  Zoonoses transmitted through sources other than food, especially from wild animal and pet animal populations, are also a matter of concern. (5)  Zoonoses present at the level of primary production must be adequately controlled to ensure that the objec- tives of this Regulation are achieved. However, in the case of primary production leading to the direct supply of small quantities of primary products, by the food business operator producing them, to the final consumer or to local shops, it is appropriate to protect public health through national law. In this case there is a close relationship between the producer and the consumer. Such production should not make a significant contribu- tion to the average prevalence of zoonoses in animal populations in the Community as a whole. The general requirements for sampling and analysis may not be prac- tical or appropriate for producers with very small numbers of animals who may be located in regions suffering from special geographical constraints. (6)  Council Directive 92/117/EEC of 17 December 1992 concerning measures for protection against specified zoonoses and specified zoonotic agents in animals and products of animal origin in order to prevent outbreaks of food-borne infections and intoxications () provided for the establishment of monitoring systems for certain zoonoses and controls on salmonella in certain poultry flocks. (7)  That Directive required Member States to submit to the Commission the national measures that they had taken to achieve the objectives of the Directive and to draw up plans for monitoring salmonella in poultry. However, Council Directive 97/22[EC (°) amending Directive 92/ 117/EEC suspended the requirement pending the review provided for in Article 15a of Directive 92/117/EEC. (*) OJ L 62, 15.3.1993, p. 38. Directive as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 806/2003 (OJ L 122, 16.5.2003, p. 1). () OJ L 113, 30.4.1997, p. 9.