New EU rules will strengthen the whole agri-food chain, from farm to fork, setting up comprehensive controls on food safety, feed, plant health, pesticides, animal health and welfare.

The new EU regulation concerns operators at all stages of the food chain, setting up:

1.unannounced, risk-based controls in all sectors
2.better enforcement against fraudulent or deceptive practices
3.common rules for border controls carried out on animals and products imported from third countries
4.enhance cooperation and assistance between EU countries.

The new "official controls regulation" will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. The rules will be gradually phased in to give EU countries and industry the time to adapt.