2000/49/EC: Commission Decision of 6 December 1999 repealing Decision 1999/356/EC and imposing special conditions on the import of peanuts and certain products derived from peanuts originating in or consigned from Egypt (notified under document number C(1999) 4232) (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 1999-12-06
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Egypt, agro-industry, groundnut, health certificate, import, originating product

L 19/46

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

25. 1. 2000

COMMISSION

COMMISSION DECISION

of 6 December 1999

repealing Decision 1999/356/EC and imposing special conditions on the import of peanuts and
certain products derived from peanuts originating in or consigned from Egypt

(notified under document number C(1999) 4232)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2000/49/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 93/43/EEC of 14 June 1993
on the hygiene of foodstuffs (1), and in particular Article 10(1)
thereof,

After consulting the Member States,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Commission Decision 1999/356/EC of 28 May 1999 on
the temporary suspension of imports of peanuts and
certain products derived from peanuts originating in, or
consigned from Egypt (2) is applicable until 1 December
1999 and should be repealed;

Peanuts originating in or consigned from Egypt had
been found to be contaminated with Aflatoxin B1 at
high levels. Sampling indicated a serious and recurring
aflatoxin contamination of peanuts originating in or
consigned from Egypt;

The Scientific Committee for Food has noted that afla-
toxins,
in particular Aflatoxin B1, are carcinogenic
substances and even at low doses, cause cancer of the
liver and in addition are genotoxic;

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1525/98 (3) amending
Regulation (EC) No 194/97 sets maximum levels for
certain contaminants and in particular aflatoxins in
foodstuffs. These limits have been exceeded to an exces-
sive amount in samples of peanuts originating in or
consigned from Egypt. The limits for Aflatoxin B1 in
ground nuts which are intended for direct consumption,
and those which may be sorted or subject to further
processing, are set in this Regulation at two and eight
parts per billion (ppb) respectively. Contamination of

(1) OJ L 175, 19.7.1993, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 139, 2.6.1999, p. 32.
(3) OJ L 201, 17.7.1998, p. 4.

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

Aflatoxin B1 at levels as high as 485 ppb have been
detected in peanuts from Egypt;

Egypt is a major exporter of peanuts to the Community
and the exposure of the population to peanuts or peanut
products contaminated with aflatoxin constitutes a
serious threat to public health within the Community;

An examination of conditions of hygiene in Egypt has
been undertaken and revealed that
improvements in
hygiene practices and the traceability of peanuts are
required. Commitments have been received from the
Egyptian authorities in particular in relation to improve-
sorting, processing,
ments
packaging and transport practices. It is therefore appro-
priate to subject peanuts or products derived from
peanuts originating in or consigned from Egypt
to
special conditions to provide a high level of protection
to public health;

in production, handling,

It is necessary that peanuts and products derived from
peanuts have been produced, sorted, handled, processed,
packaged and transported following good hygienic prac-
tices. It is necessary to establish the levels of Aflatoxin
B1 and total aflatoxin in samples taken from the
consignment immediately prior to leaving Egypt;

It is necessary for documentary evidence to be provided
by the Egyptian authorities to accompany each consign-
ment of peanuts originating in or consigned from Egypt,
sorting,
relating to the
handling, processing, packaging and transport and the
results of laboratory analysis of the consignment for
levels of Aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxin;

conditions of production,

It is necessary to submit for analyses at the port of entry
into the Community in a systematic manner,
lots of
peanuts originating in or consigned from Egypt in order
to determine the levels of contamination of peanuts of
Aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxin,

25. 1. 2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 19/47

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

1. Member States may import:
— peanuts falling within CN code 1202 10 90 in shell or

1202 20 00 shelled, whether or not broken or

— roasted peanuts falling within CN code 2008 11 92 (in
immediate packs of a net content exceeding 1 kg) or
2008 11 96 (not exceeding 1 kg)

originating in or consigned from Egypt which are intended
for human consumption or to be used as an ingredient in
foodstuffs, provided that each consignment is accompanied by
the results of official sampling and analysis, and the health
certificate in Annex I, completed, signed and verified by a
representative of the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture.

2.
Consignments may
Community through one of
Annex II.

only

be

the
the points of entry listed in

imported

into

3.
Each consignment shall be identified with a code which
corresponds to the code on the sampling results of the official
sampling and analysis and health certificate referred to in para-
graph 1.

4. Member States shall carry out documentary checks to
ensure that the requirement for the health certificate and the
sampling results referred to in paragraph 1 is complied with.

5. Member States shall undertake sampling and analysis of
consignments in a systematic manner for Aflatoxin B1 and
total aflatoxin before release onto the market from the port of

entry into the Community, and shall inform the Commission
of the results of these analyses.

Article 2

The present Decision shall be reviewed before 30 November
2000, in order to assess whether the special conditions referred
to in Article 1 provide a sufficient level of protection to public
health within the Community. The review shall also assess
whether there is a continuing need for the special conditions.

This Decision repeals Decision 1999/356/EC.

Article 3

Article 4

Member States shall take the measures concerning imports
necessary to comply with this Decision. They shall inform the
Commission thereof.

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Article 5

Done at Brussels, 6 December 1999.

For the Commission

Erkki LIIKANEN

Member of the Commission

L 19/48

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

25. 1. 2000

ANNEX I

HEALTH CERTIFICATE

for the importation into the European Community of peanuts and certain products derived from peanuts
originating in or consigned from Egypt

Consignment code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Certificate No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

According to the provisions of Commission Decision 2000/49/EC imposing special conditions on the import of peanuts
falling within CN codes 1202 10 90 (in shell) or 1202 20 00 and products derived from peanuts falling within CN codes
2008 11 92 (in immediate packs of a net content exceeding 1 kg) and 2008 11 96 (not exceeding 1 kg), originating in or
consigned from Egypt

The Minister for Agriculture

CERTIFIES:
that the peanuts of this consignment, code number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (insert consignment code number)

composed of: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

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

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

(description of consignment, product, number and type of packages, gross or net weight)

embarked at . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(embarkation place)

by . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(identification of transporter)

going to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(place and country of destination)

which comes from the establishment

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

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

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

(name and address of establishment)

have been produced, sorted, handled, processed, packaged and transported in line with good hygiene practices.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (number of samples) samples of peanuts were taken on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(date),
From this consignment,
subjected to laboratory analysis on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (date) in the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(name of laboratory),
to determine the level of Aflatoxin B1 and level of total aflatoxin contamination, and the details of sampling, methods of
analysis used and all results are attached.

Done at . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Stamp and signature of
Representative of the Ministry
of Agriculture of Egypt

25. 1. 2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 19/49

List of points of entry through which peanuts and products derived from peanuts originating in or consigned
from Egypt may be imported into the European Community

ANNEX II

Member State

Point of entry

Belgique-België

Anvers-Antwerpen

Danmark

All Danish harbours and airports and all border stations

Deutschland

Ελλάδας

España

France

Ireland

Italia

HZA Lörrach-ZA Weil am Rhein-Autobahn, HZA Stuttgart-ZA Flughafen, HZA München-
Flughafen, HZA Hof-ZA Schirnding, HZA Weiden-ZA Furth i. Wald-Schafberg, HZA
Weiden-ZA Furth i. Wald-Schafberg, HZA Weiden-ZA Waidhaus-Autobahn, Bezirksamt
Reinickendorf von Berlin, Abteilung Finanzen, Wirtschaft und Kultur, Veterinär- und
Lebensmittelaufsichtsamt, Grenzkontrollstelle, HZA Frankfurt (Oder) ZA Autobahn, HZA
Cottbus-ZA Forst-Autobahn, HZA Bremen-ZA Neustädter Hafen, HZA Bremerhaven-ZA
Container Terminal, HZA Bremerhaven-ZA Rotersand, HZA Hamburg-Freihafen-Abferti-
gungsstelle, HZA Hamburg-Freihafen-ZA Ericus-Abfertigungsstelle Südbahnhof, HZA
Hamburg-Freihafen-ZA Köhlfleetdamm, HZA Hamburg-ST Annen-ZA Altona, HZA
Hamburg-Waltershof-Abfertigungstelle, HZA Hamburg-Waltershof-ZA Flughafen, HZA
Frankfurt-am-Main-Flughafen, HZA Braunschweig-Abfertigungsstelle, HZA Hannover-
Abfertigungsstelle, HZA Lüneburg-ZA Stade, Stadtverwaltung Dresden, Lebensmittelüber-
wachungs- und Veterinäramt, Grenzkontrollstelle Dresden-Friedrichstadt (für Bahntran-
sport), Landratsamt Weisseritzkreis, Lebensmittelsüberwachungs- und Veterinäramt, Grenz-
kontrollstelle (für Straßentransport), Landratsamt Niederschlesischer Oberlausitzkreis
Lebensmittelüberwachungs- und Veterinäramt, Grenzkontrollstelle Ludwigsdorf (für Stra-
ßentransport), HZA Itzehoe-ZA Pinneberg, HZA Trier-ZA Idar-Oberstein, HZA Oldenburg-
ZA Wilhelmshaven

Athina, Pireas, Elefsis, Airport of Athens, Thessaloniki, Volos, Patra, Iraklion of Krete,
Airport of Krete, Euzoni, Idomeni, Ormenio, Kipi, Kakavia, Niki, Promahonas, Pithio,
Igoumenitsa, Kristalopigi

Algeciras (puerto), Alicante (aeropuerto, puerto), Almería (aeropuerto, puerto), Barcelona
(aeropuerto, puerto), Bilbao (aeropuerto, puerto), Cádiz (puerto), Cartagena (puerto), Gijón
(aeropuerto, puerto), Huelva (puerto), A Coruña-Santiago de Compostela (aeropuerto,
puerto), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (aeropuerto, puerto), Madrid-Barajas (aeropuerto),
Málaga (aeropuerto, puerto), Palma de Mallorca (aeropuerto), Pasajes-Irún (aeropuerto,
puerto), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (aeropuerto, puerto), Santander (aeropuerto, puerto),
Sevilla (aeropuerto, puerto), Tarragona (puerto), Valencia (aeropuerto, puerto), Vigo-Villa-
gareia (aeropuerto), Marín (puerto), Vitoria (aeropuerto), Zaragoza (aeropuerto)

Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône)
Le Havre (Seine-Maritime)

All harbours, airports and border stations

Ufficio Sanità marittima ed aerea di Ancona
Ufficio Sanità marittima ed aerea di Bari
Ufficio Sanità marittima ed aerea di Genova
Ufficio Sanità marittima di Livorno
Ufficio Sanità marittima ed aerea di Napoli
Ufficio Sanità marittima di Ravenna
Ufficio Sanità marittima di Salerno
Ufficio Sanità marittima ed aerea di Trieste

L 19/50

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Official Journal of the European Communities

25. 1. 2000

Member State

Point of entry

Luxembourg

Centre douanier, croix de Gasperich, Luxembourg

Nederland

Österreich

Portugal

Suomi-Finland

Sverige

United Kingdom

Rotterdam

Nickelsdorf, Spielfeld

Lisboa

Helsinki

Göteborg

Channel Tunnel Terminal, Dover, Felixstowe, Gatwick Airport, Goole, Grangemouth,
Harwich, Heathrow Airport, Heysham, Hull, Immingham, Ipswich, King's Lynn, Leith,
Liverpool, London (including Tilbury and Thamesport), Manchester Airport, Manchester
Container Port, Manchester including Ellesmere Port, Middlesborough, Newhaven, Poole,
Shoreham, Southampton.