A representative number of samples of raw milk and colostrum collected from milk production holdings taken by random sampling must be checked for compliance with points 3 and 4 in case of raw milk and with the existing national criteria referred to in point 1(b) in case of colostrum.

the milk is checked; abnormal milk must be withheld,

Animals on milk production holdings must be subject to official controls to verify that the health requirements for raw milk production, and in particular the health status of the animals and the use of veterinary medicinal products, are being complied with.

3. Notes that 20% of the tests undertaken in 1996 for the detection of the presence of whey in skimmed-milk powder in one Member State were positive and that an audit of the Court of Auditors in another Member State found that 3 350 kg of skimmed-milk powder had been treated as eligible, despite the fact that the analysis report indicated that whey was present (point 42); notes furthermore that while the Commission, in its replies, stated that payments made for 3 350 kg of ineligible skimmed-milk powder have already been recovered, it has remained silent with regard to the first case;

2. Notes that in 4 out of 5 Member States where the Court of Auditors carried out on-the-spot checks on skimmed milk, a reliable system of control was not enforced (points 32 and 33 of the Court's observations);

If the results of the check prove that water has not been added to it, untreated milk may be used for producing heat-treated milk.