WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1557/96 by Josu IMAZ SAN MIGUEL to the Commission. Plant-health checks on imports
Date: 1996-06-17
Institutions: European Parliament, IMAZ SAN MIGUEL
Subjects: agricultural product, application of EU law, citrus fruit, import, originating product, parasitology, plant disease, plant health control, plant health legislation, third country













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91996E1557

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1557/96 by Josu IMAZ SAN MIGUEL to the Commission. Plant-health checks on imports  


Official Journal C 345 , 15/11/1996 P. 0083 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1557/96 by Josu Imaz San Miguel (PPE) to the Commission (17 June 1996)Subject: Plant-health checks on importsIn view of the need to establish proper checks on imports of certain agricultural products as a consequence of the liberalization of the world market (GATT, preferential agreements, etc.,) and given the widespread impact of pests and diseases which, introduced from other countries, affect certain typical Community products, such as the cancrosis which affects citrus fruits in Mediterranean countries, has the Commission considered increasing plant-health checks on imported products? Does the Commission think that it would be practical (and, if so, worthwhile) for EU technicians and/or experts to be posted to countries from which certain agricultural products with a high risk of contamination are imported? Is the Commission planning to take any action in respect of the various pests and diseases which affect citrus fruit in Mediterranean countries?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (5 July 1996)The Commission is aware of the risks of pests and diseases being brought in with imports of citrus fruits from non-EC countries.Measures to protect the Community against the introduction and spread of organisms harmful to plants or plant products are provided for in Council Directive 77/93/EEC, ((OJ L 26, 31 January 1977. )) as amended, Annex III of which lists items - including citrus fruit plants - which may not be brought into any Member State.Annex IV of the Directive sets out the requirements to be imposed by Member States on the introduction and movement of plants and plant products, particularly those from outside the Community. A number of special requirements apply to citrus fruits, including rules designed to prevent cancrosis (xanthomonas campestris, all citrus pathogens), and Member States have to check consignments of citrus fruits to ensure compliance with these rules.The Commission recognizes the need to tighten up the rules on citrus fruit entering the Community, particularly with regard to cancrosis, in the light of new scientific knowledge, and is currently reviewing the requirements.In the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Office it is able to consult experts either employed directly by it or seconded from Member States for a fixed term or on an ad hoc basis, who are mandated by the Council, acting on a proposal from the Commission, to carry out various tasks which may include visits to non-member countries to assess the health of plants and plant products which are or may be exported to the Community.