Next year, the European Commission plans to carry out 144 audits in the areas of food and feed safety, animal health, animal welfare, plant health and import controls. In addition, 8 “fact-finding visits” will be scheduled.

This is set out in the relevant audit programme for 2027 published by the European Commission, aimed at Member States, third countries that export or intend to export to the Union, and candidate countries.

Of the 144 planned audits, the target for 2027 is to carry out 58 on-site audits relating to exports from third countries. This represents an increase of 107% compared to the number carried out in 2025.