98/569/EC: Commission Decision of 6 October 1998 laying down special conditions governing imports of live bivalve molluscs, echinoderms, tunicates and marine gastropods originating in Tunisia (notified under document number C(1998) 2952) (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 1998-10-06
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Tunisia, health certificate, import, mollusc, originating product, veterinary inspection

14. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 277/31

COMMISSION DECISION

of 6 October 1998

laying down special conditions governing imports of live bivalve molluscs, ech-
inoderms, tunicates and marine gastropods originating in Tunisia

(notified under document number C(1998) 2952)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(98/569/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 91/492/EEC of 15
July 1991 laying down the health conditions for the
production and the placing on the market of live bivalve
last amended by the Directive 97/
molluscs (1), as
79/EC (2), and in particular Article 9 thereof,

Whereas a Commission expert has conducted an inspec-
tion visit to Tunisia to verify the conditions under which
live bivalve molluscs, echinoderms, tunicates and marine
gastropods are produced, stored and dispatched to the
Community;

Whereas the provisions of legislation of Tunisia makes
the ‘Direction Générale de la Sante Animale (DGSA) du
Ministère de l’Agriculture' responsible for inspecting the
health of live bivalve molluscs, echinoderms, tunicates
and marine gastropods and for monitoring the hygiene
and sanitary conditions of production; whereas the same
legislation empowers DGSA to authorise or prohibit the
harvesting of bivalve molluscs, echinoderms,
tunicates
and marine gastropods from certain zones;

Whereas the DGSA and its laboratories are capable of
effectively verifying the application of the laws in force in
Tunisia;

Whereas the competent Tunisia authorities have under-
taken to communicate regularly and quickly to the
Commission data on the presence of plankton containing
toxins in the harvesting areas;

Whereas the competent Tunisia authorities have provided
official assurances regarding compliance with the require-
ments specified in Chapter V of the Annex to Directive
91/492/EEC and with requirements equivalent to those
prescribed in that Directive for
the classification of
producing and relaying zones, approval of dispatch
and production
centres

and public health control

monitoring; whereas in particular any possible change in
harvesting
the
be
Community;

communicated

zones will

to

Whereas Tunisia is eligible for inclusion in the list of
third countries fulfilling the conditions of equivalence
referred to in Article 9(3)(a) of Directive 91/492/EEC;

Whereas the procedure for obtaining the health certificate
referred to in Article 9(3)(b)(i) of Directive 91/492/EEC
must include the definition of a model certificate, the
minimum requirements
in
which it must be drafted and the grade of the person
empowered to sign it and the health mark to be affixed to
packaging;

regarding the language(s)

the production areas

Whereas, pursuant to Article 9(3)(b)(ii) of Directive 91/
492/EEC,
from which bivalve
molluscs, echinoderms, tunicates and marine gastropods
may be harvested and exported to the Community must
be designated;

Whereas, pursuant
to Article 9(3)(c) of Directive 91/
492/EEC, a list of the establishments from which the
import of bivalve molluscs, echinoderms, tunicates and
marine gastropods is authorised should be established;
whereas this list must be drawn up on the basis of a
communication from the DGSA to the Commission;
whereas it is therefore for the DGSA to ensure compli-
ance with the provisions laid down to that end in Article
9(3)(c) of Directive 91/492/EEC;

to decisions

import conditions apply without
Whereas the special
prejudice
to Council
Directive 91/67/EEC of 28 January 1991 concerning the
animal health conditions governing the placing on the
market of aquaculture and products (3), as last amended by
Directive 97/79/EC;

taken pursuant

Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in
accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary
Committee,

(1) OJ L 268, 24. 9. 1991, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 24, 30. 1. 1998, p. 31.

(3) OJ L 46, 19. 2. 1991, p. 1.

L 277/32

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

14. 10. 98

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The ‘Direction Générale de la Sante Animale (DGSA) du
Ministère de l’Agriculture'
shall be the competent
authority in Tunisia for verifying and certifying compli-
ance of live bivalve molluscs, echinoderms, tunicates and
marine gastropods with the requirements of Directive
91/492/EEC.

Article 2

Live bivalve molluscs, echinoderms, tunicates and marine
gastropods originating in Tunisia and intended for human
consumption, must meet the following conditions:

1. each consignment must be

a
numbered original health certificate, duly completed,
signed, dated and comprising a single sheet in accord-
ance with the model in Annex A hereto;

accompanied by

2. consignments must originate in the authorised produc-

tion areas listed in Annex B hereto;

3. they must be packed in sealed packages by an
approved dispatch centre included in the list in Annex
C hereto;

4. each package must bear an indelible health mark

containing at least the following information:

— country of dispatch: TUNISIA,
— the species (common and scientific names),
— the identification of the production area and the

dispatch centre by their approval number,

— the date of packing, comprising at least the day and

month.

Article 3

1. Certificates as referred to in Article 2(1) must be
drawn up in at least one official language of the Member
State where the checks are carried out.

2. Certificates must bear the name, capacity and signa-
ture of the representative of the DGSA and the latter’s
official stamp in a colour different from that of other
endorsements.

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Article 4

Done at Brussels, 6 October 1998.

For the Commission
Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

14. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 277/33

ANNEX A

HEALTH CERTIFICATE

covering live bivalve molluscs (1), echinoderms (1), tunicates (1), marine gastropods (1) originating in
Tunisia and intended for human consumption in the European Community

Reference No: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Country of dispatch: TUNISIA

Competent authority:

‘Direction générale de la santé animale (DGSA) du ministère de l’agriculture'

I. Details identifying the fishery products

— Species (scientific name): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Code number (where available): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Type of packaging: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Number of packages:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Net weight: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

— Analysis report number (where available): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

II. Origin of products

(cid:190) Authorised production area: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(cid:190) Name and official approval number of dispatch centre: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

III. Destination of products

The products are dispatched

from:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(place of dispatch)

to: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(country and place of destination)

by the following means of transport: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Name and address of dispatcher:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Name of consignee and address at place of destination: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(1) Delete where inapplicable.

L 277/34

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Official Journal of the European Communities

14. 10. 98

IV. Health attestation

— The official inspector hereby certifies that the live products specified above:

1. were harvested, where necessary relayed, and transported in accordance with the health rules laid

down in Chapters I, II and III of the Annex to Directive 91/492/EEC;

2. were handled, where necessary purified, and packaged in compliance with the requirements laid

down in Chapter IV of the Annex to Directive 91/492/EEC;

3. have undergone health controls in accordance with Chapter VI of the Annex to Directive 91/

492/EEC;

4. are in compliance with Chapters V, VII, VIII, IX, and X of the Annex to Directive 91/492/EEC and

therefore fit for immediate human consumption.

— The undersigned official inspector hereby declares that he is aware of the provisions of the Directive

91/492/EEC and Decision 98/569/EC.

Done at . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .,
(Place)

on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Date)

Official
Stamp (1)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Signature of official inspector (1)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Name in capital letters, capacity and qualifications of
person signing)

(1) The colour of the stamp and signature must be different from that of the other particulars in the certificate.

14. 10. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 277/35

ANNEX B

PRODUCTION AREAS FULFILLING THE REQUIREMENTS LAID DOWN IN CHAPTER
I(1)(b) OF THE ANNEX TO DIRECTIVE 91/492/EEC

Name

T 1

T 2

B 1

B 2

S 1

S 2

S 3

S 4

S 5

S 6

G 1

G 2

G 3

M 1

M 2

M 3

Lac de Tunis (Nord)

Canal de Tunis

Menzel Jemil

Faroua

Sfax Nord

Gargour

Guetifa

O. Maltine Nord

O. Maltine Sud

Skhira

Gabès Nord

Gabès Sud 1

Gabès Sud 2

Médenine Nord

Lagune Boughrara

Djerba Nord

ANNEX C

LIST OF ESTABLISHMENTS APPROVED FOR EXPORT TO THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY

Number

Name

Address

P.U 200

P.U 300

P.U 306

M. A. Trad

Prince Export

Port de Zarzouna-Bizerte

Port Prince-Nabeul

Médipêche el ghoul

Sidi Daoud-Nabeul