WRITTEN QUESTION E-1726/96 by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission (25 June 1996)

Subject: Imports of agricultural produce in Valencian ports.

Many imports of agricultural products from third countries which do not belong to the European Union pass through the port of Valencia, e.g. wine, rice, vegetables, honey, dried fruit, tiger nuts and citrus fruit; these frequently arrive without having undergone any type of check or inspection as to whether they meet the phytosanitary standards demanded by the European Union.

In recent months, various cargos of Egyptian potatoes have been found to be carrying the bacteria responsible for 'yellow rot' (Pseudomonas solanacearum) -in the case of Valencia, in the port of Sagunto - with all the risks that this involves. The Commission Decision (96/301/EC) ((OJ L 115, 9.5.1996, p. 47. )) taking additional measures in this connection has helped to reduce the risk.

Can the Commission tell me what type of analogous control measures are envisaged for imports of these products from third countries with regard to the application of the quality standards established by the European Union, phytosanitary legislation and the minimum permitted residue levels?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (5 September 1996)

With regard to quality standards which reflect only the commercial quality aspect and not the plant health aspect, such standards have been determined for some 30 fresh fruit and vegetables. Responsibility for checking the conformity of the standards at all stages of marketing rests with the Member States and checks are to be carried out on the basis of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2251/92. ((OJ L 219, 4.8.1992. ))

With regard to plant health standards, the Commission would inform the Honourable Member that Community plant health rules were introduced in Council Directive 77/93/EEC, ((OJ L 26, 31.1.1977. )) as last amended by Commission Directive 96/14/EC. ((OJ L 68, 19.3.1996. )) These rules are based on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community. They seek principally to provide protection against quarantine organisms, specifically in association with material for planting and certain material intended for use which impinge particularly on plant health, such as wood, potatoes and citrus fruits, as well as parts of plants used for decoration (e.g. cut flowers and branches) of certain species.

Among the agricultural products referred to by the Honourable Member which are imported from third countries into the Community via the Valencia region, only citrus fruits are subject to specific phytosanitary control. Upon importation of citrus fruits, Member States are required to carry out phytosanitary checks in order to verify compliance with the requirements.

With regard to the bacterium responsible for potato yellow rot, Commission Decision 96/301/EC authorizes the Member States to provisionally take additional protective measures against the spread of pseudomonas solanacearum originating in Egypt. Such additional measures include the obligation to comply with the following requirements:

- the potatoes must come from qualified areas where the bacterium is not known to exist;

- the potatoes must have been subject to an official inspection carried out on cut tubers, tested in Egypt, and declared free of pseudomonas solanacearum;

- they must also be inspected and tested at the point of entry into the Community.

With regard to maximum pesticide residue levels, the Commission would inform the Honourable Member that Directives 76/895/EEC ((OJ L 340, 9.12.1976. )), 86/362/EEC ((OJ L 221, 7.8.1986. )), 86/363/EEC ((OJ L 221, 7.8.1986. )) and 90/642/EEC ((OJ L 350, 14.12.1990. )) stipulate the maximum pesticide residue levels permitted in numerous agricultural products and the obligation of the Member States to ensure compliance with such maximum levels through sample checks and inspections carried out in accordance with Directive 89/397/EEC on the official control of foodstuffs. The maximum levels and control rules apply to products obtained in the Community just as to those imported from third countries.

In particular, Directive 90/642/EEC requires that the Member States communicate to the Commission all useful information concerning the checks carried out each year by their national authorities and that a coordinated inspection programme be drawn up each year at Community level in the form of a Commission recommendation ((COM(95) 272 final (OJ C 201, 5.8.1995). )). Lastly, the Commission proposal envisages improving the functioning of the aforementioned four Directives and extending their scope to cover processed agricultural products and foodstuffs made up of several agricultural ingredients.