. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/EEC/147
7 January 2002
(02-0084)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
If applicable, name of local government involved:           
2. Agency responsible:  European Commission, Directorate-General for Health and
Consumer Protection
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where
applicable).  Star anise falling within CN code 0909 10 00  Regions or countries likely to
be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:  European Communities and countries
trading with the European Communities
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:  Draft Commission Decision  laying
down special conditions on the import from third countries of star anise  (8 pages)
5. Description of content:
• Consignments of star anise ( Illicium verum ) imported into the European
Communities, for human consumption or to be used as an ingredients in foodstuffs,will be subjected at random to sampling and analysis prior to release for free
circulation. Any consignment of imported Star anise should not contain "Japanese
star anise" ( Illicium anisatum,  also known as Illicium religiosum , Illicium
japonicum , shikimmi  and skimmi .).
• The competent authorities in third countries should provide documentary evidence
to accompany each consignment of star anis e originating in or consigned from their
countries, in which it is stated that the presence of "Japanese star anise" ( Illicium
anisatum ) is excluded and that the products is only constituted by star anise
(Illicium verum ).
• The results of this measure will be evaluated after a short period of time and the
measures amended if appropriate.
6. Objective and rationale:  [  X ] food safety,  [     ] animal health,  [     ] plant protection,
[    ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [     ] protect territory from
other damage from pests           
7. Nature of the urgent problem(s):  The botanical variety known as Japanese star anise
(Illicium anisatum,  also known as Illicium religiosum , Illicium japonicum , shikimmi  and
skimmi ), is scientifically recognized as highly poisonous and therefore is not fit for human
consumption.  Analyses of  consignments of Star anise from certain third countries haverevealed also the presence of Japanese star anise.  The presence of Japanese star anise  has
been linked to some cases of food poisoning in the European Communities.G/SPS/N/EEC/147
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8. An international standard, guideline or recommendation does not exist [  X ].
If an international standard, guideline or recommendation exists, give its appropriate
reference and briefly identify deviations:           
9. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  SANCO/4538/2001
Rev.3
10. Date of entry into force/period of application (as applicable):  On the day following its
publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.
11. Texts available from/and agency or authority designated to handle comments:
[    ] National notification authority, [  X ] EC enquiry point or address, fax number
and E-mail address (if available) of other body: