Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION amending Decision 95/408/EC on the conditions for drawing up, for an interim period, provisional lists of third country establishments from which Member States are authorised to import certain products of animal origin, fishery products or live bivalve molluscs

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Council Decision 95/408/EC of 22 June 1995 sets out a simplified procedure for the drawing up of lists of third country establishments from which Member States may import fish, meat and other products of animal origin. The Decision expires on 31 December 2000.

However, the process of drawing up definitive lists of third country establishments has not yet been completed. In addition, proposed legislation to be submitted in accordance with the White Paper on Food Safety will include revised provisions for the approval of third country establishments from which Member States may import fish, meat and other products of animal origin. When adopted these provisions will replace Council Decision 95/408/EC.

To avoid a disruption to normal trade patterns, this Decision would extend the validity of Council Decision 95/408/EC to 31 December 2003.

This Decision has no financial implications for the budget of the European Community.

Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION amending Decision 95/408/EC on the conditions for drawing up, for an interim period, provisional lists of third country establishments from which Member States are authorised to import certain products of animal origin, fishery products or live bivalve molluscs

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to Council Decision 95/408/EC of 22 June 1995 on the conditions for drawing up, for an interim period, provisional lists of third country establishments from which Member States are authorised to import certain products of animal origin, fishery products or live bivalve molluscs [1] and in particular Article 9 thereof,

[1] OJ L 243, 11.10.1995, p. 17.

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission [2],

[2] OJ C , , p. .

Whereas:

(1) The interim period provided by Decision 95/408/EC ends on 31 December 2000;

(2) For administrative reasons, the drawing up of the definitive lists of third country establishments from which Member States are authorised to import certain products in accordance with the Directives on health rules applicable to those products has been delayed.

(3) The proposed revision of certain veterinary legislation as set out in the White Paper on Food Safety will include a modified regime for the approval of third country establishments from which Member States are authorised to import certain products.

(4) In order to prevent any disruptions in traditional trade patterns, the interim period during which a simplified system may be applied to the drawing up of lists of third country establishments exporting certain products of animal origin, fishery products or live bivalve molluscs should be extended.

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

In Article 9 of Decision 95/408/EC the date '31 December 2000` shall be replaced by '31 December 2003`.

Article 2

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President