This Regulation lays down rules for: (a) the performance of official controls and other official activities by the competent authorities of the Member States; (b) the financing of official controls; (c) the administrative assistance and cooperation between Member States in view of the correct application of the rules; (d) the performance of controls by the Commission in Member States and in third countries; (e) the adoption of conditions to be fulfilled with respect to animals and goods entering the European Union from a third country; (f) the establishment of a computerized information system to manage information and data in relation to official controls. The objective is to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products. Therefore this Regulation shall apply to the official controls performed for the verification of compliance with the rules, whether established at European Union level or by the Member States, to apply European Union legislation, in the areas of: (a) food and food safety, integrity and wholesomeness at any stage of production, processing and distribution of food, including rules aimed at ensuring fair practices in trade and protecting consumer interests and information, and the manufacture and use of materials and articles intended to come into contact with food; (b) deliberate release into the environment of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) for the purpose of food and feed production; (c) feed and feed safety at any stage of production, processing and distribution of feed and the use of feed, including rules aimed at ensuring fair practices in trade and protecting consumer health, interests and information; (d) animal health requirements; (e) prevention and minimisation of risks to human and animal health arising from animal by-products and derived products; (f) welfare requirements for animals; (g) protective measures against pests of plants; (h) requirements for the placing on the market and use of plant protection products and the sustainable use of pesticides, with the exception of pesticides application equipment; (i) organic production and labelling of organic products; (j) use and labelling of protected designations of origin, protected geographical indications and traditional specialities guaranteed.