Present status of the discussion on the certification of so called "Trichinella-free areas"

In the last century already, Friedrich Albert Zenker and Rudolf Virchow hav e provided the essential prerequisites for the examination of pork for Tric hinella in Germany. According to Directives 64/433/EEC and 77/96/EEC, this examination is still required in all member states of the European Union (E U) for trade between EU countries and for pork imported from third countrie s. According to Directive 64/433/EEC (Article 6, para 2), the examination of s wine for Trichinella may be dispensed with if, on the basis of epidemiologi cal studies, the stocks are found to be free from Trichinella and there is an efficient system of ante-mortem and post-mortem examination and control. However, it had been impossible to introduce these provisions into practic e due to the fact that criteria were lacking. Therefore, the Scientific Vet erinary Committee of the European Commission established a working group wh ich has elaborated a concept for the certification of Trichinella-free pig stocks. The concept includes, inter alia, definitions of the essential comp onents of "non-endemic area" and "Trichinella-free stock" and the requireme nts to be complied with for certification. Details are given on measures ta ken to control continued compliance with the certification requirements, th e reporting and documentation system and the measures to be taken when tric hinellosis is detected at a certified farm.