2000/127/EC: Commission Decision of 31 January 2000 amending Commission Decision 1999/253/EC on protective measures with regard to certain fishery products from or originating in Kenya and Tanzania and amending the health certification for fishery products originating or proceeding from Tanzania (notified under document number C(2000) 211) (Text with EEA relevance)

COMMISSION DECISION
of 31 January 2000
amending Commission Decision 1999/253/EC on protective measures with regard to certain fishery products from or originating in Kenya and Tanzania and amending the health certification for fishery products originating or proceeding from Tanzania
(notified under document number C(2000) 211)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2000/127/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 97/78/EC of 18 December 1997 laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries(1), and in particular Article 22(6) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Following some cases involving fish poisoning on Lake Victoria suspected to be caused by the presence of pesticides in the water of the Lake Victoria and by fishery malpractice, the Commission adopted the Decision 1999/253/EC(2). This Decision foresees that following the receipt of information on the evolution of the situation and the guarantees provided by the competent authorities of Kenya and Tanzania the Decision may be reviewed.
(2) The results of an inspection visit and the guarantees provided by the official authorities in Tanzania, it is proposed to amend Decision 1999/253/EC to allow the imports of fishery products caught in Lake Victoria and coming from or originating in Tanzania.
(3) It is necessary to subject the fishery products caught in Lake Victoria to appropriated checking intended to ensure that they are healthy, such checks must be capable of detecting, in particular, the presence of pesticides. Therefore, it is necessary to add a specific mention of the appropriate check in the health certificate accompanying the fishery products imported from Tanzania and established in the Commission Decision 98/422/EC(3).
(4) Nevertheless it is necessary to allow more time to the authorities in Kenya to put in place the suitable measures of control to guarantee the safety of the fishery products. Therefore, imports of fishery products caught in Lake Victoria and coming from or originating in Kenya should remain suspended.
(5) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,