Message 001
Communication from the Commission - TRIS/(2026) 0894
Directive (EU) 2015/1535
Notification: 2026/0149/PT
Notification of a draft text from a Member State
Notification – Notification – Notifzierung – Нотификация – Oznámení – Notifikation – Γνωστοποίηση – Notificación – Teavitamine – Ilmoitus – Obavijest – Bejelentés – Notifica – Pranešimas – Paziņojums – Notifika – Kennisgeving – Zawiadomienie – Notificação – Notificare – Oznámenie – Obvestilo – Anmälan – Fógra a thabhairt
Does not open the delays - N'ouvre pas de délai - Kein Fristbeginn - Не се предвижда период на прекъсване - Nezahajuje prodlení - Fristerne indledes ikke - Καμμία έναρξη προθεσμίας - No abre el plazo - Viivituste perioodi ei avata - Määräaika ei ala tästä - Ne otvara razdoblje kašnjenja - Nem nyitja meg a késéseket - Non fa decorrere la mora - Atidėjimai nepradedami - Atlikšanas laikposms nesākas - Ma jiftaħx il-perijodi ta’ dewmien - Geen termijnbegin - Nie otwiera opóźnień - Não inicia o prazo - Nu deschide perioadele de stagnare - Nezačína oneskorenia - Ne uvaja zamud - Inleder ingen frist - Ní osclaíonn sé na moilleanna
MSG: 20260894.EN
1. MSG 001 IND 2026 0149 PT EN 20-03-2026 PT NOTIF
2. Portugal
3A. Ministério da Economia e da Coesão Territorial
Instituto Português da Qualidade, I.P.
Rua António Gião, n.º 2 2829-513 Caparica
Telefone: + 351 21 294 81 00
Correio eletrónico: not1535@ipq.pt site: www.ipq.pt
3B. Ministério da Agricultura e Mar Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária
Campo Grande n.º 50 1700-093 Lisboa
Telefone: +351 21 323 95 00
Correio eletrónico: geral@dgav.pt
Site: www.dgav.pt
4. 2026/0149/PT - C50A - Foodstuffs
5. Adaptation of the specific requirements set out in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004, of 29 April, in relation to the slaughter of animals and the preparation of game in a mobile slaughterhouse or mobile game-handling establishment.
6. Foodstuffs
7.
Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 relating to hygiene of foods: Article 10 (3) to (7)
Agricultural policies in Portugal have boosted production profitability, but have also led to a reduction in the number of slaughterhouses, especially in rural areas. As a result, many small-scale producers face long distances and high costs when it comes to having their animals slaughtered, which undermines the economic viability of their operations. Mobile slaughterhouses offer a solution to these problems, by helping to reduce transport costs, support the local economy and improve animal welfare by reducing the stress associated with transport. A similar situation applies to game, as handling establishments are few and far between, and located far from the main production areas. The establishment of mobile units will help to reduce transport distances, keep meat within the region of origin and boost local economies. Although European legislation already allows the use of mobile facilities, the national licensing regime does not adequately address this possibility. This Decree-Law therefore aims to create a specific legal framework for the licensing and operation of mobile slaughterhouses and mobile game processing units.
8. Draft decree-law adapting the specific requirements set out in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 in connection with the slaughter of animals and the preparation of game in a mobile slaughterhouse or mobile game-handling establishment.
9. In recent decades, agricultural policies in Portugal have favoured the concentration of slaughter capacity in large-scale units located in intensive production regions. This trend has led to a gradual decline in the number of active establishments in rural areas, forcing small-scale producers to travel considerable distances. This involves high transport costs, which often undermine the profitability of production and the sustainability of the family economy in low density areas.
In this context, the introduction of mobile slaughterhouses and mobile game-handling establishments represents a strategic solution. These units not only boost local trade and the local economy, but also encourage a substantive improvement in animal welfare by reducing the stress associated with loading and long-distance transport. Meanwhile, in the hunting sector, the shortage of approved establishments in hunting areas has made it difficult to add value to the meat in the region where it is produced, thereby undermining the economic potential of this resource.
Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 setting out specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin expressly provides for the slaughter and preparation of game in mobile facilities, provided that food safety requirements are complied with. However, in recognition of the specific nature of these units, Article 10(3) of this Regulation allows Member States to adopt national measures to adapt the requirements set out in Annex III thereto.
In the present case, the grounds set out in Article 10(4) (a) and (b) of this Regulation are of particular importance. They are based on two pillars which justify the measures provided for in this Decree-Law. On the one hand, it is important to address the needs of businesses in regions with specific geographical constraints and a low density of permanent establishments. To make operations in these areas viable, this Decree-Law introduces structural simplification measures, such as the exemption of animal housing facilities when slaughter is direct and immediate, or the use of alternative and effective methods for isolating sick animals that do not require heavy fixed infrastructure.
On the other hand, it is necessary to ensure that adaptations are made to the construction, design and equipment of such establishments, and recognise that the portable nature and small scale of these units require technical solutions that differ from those laid down for fixed industrial facilities in Annex III. Given the physical impossibility of ensuring the separation of areas in a reduced and mobile space, it was decided to replace the physical separation by a separation of operations over time. This approach enables critical operations—such as skinning, evisceration and the preparation of offal or intestines—to be carried out consecutively in the same area, provided that strict cleaning and disinfection measures are implemented between stages, thereby preventing any risk of cross-contamination.
10. References of the Basic Texts:
11. No
12.
13. No
14. No
15. No
16.
TBT aspects: No
SPS aspects: No
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European Commission
Contact point Directive (EU) 2015/1535
email: grow-dir2015-1535-central@ec.europa.eu
