98/321/EC: Commission Decision of 28 April 1998 concerning certain protective measures with regard to certain fishery products originating in China and amending Decision 97/368/EC (Text with EEA relevance)

COMMISSION DECISION of 28 April 1998 concerning certain protective measures with regard to certain fishery products originating in China and amending Decision 97/368/EC (Text with EEA relevance) (98/321/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 90/675/EEC of 10 December 1990 laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries (1), as last amended by Directive 96/43/EC (2), and in particular Article 19,
Whereas, on importation of fishery products originating in several processing establishments in China, the presence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus have been detected;
Whereas the presence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus are a result of poor hygienic practices during production and/or processing, and in the case of the Vibrio parahaemolyticus it could be also the result of a contamination of harvesting areas and it presents a potential risk for human health;
Whereas imports of products from the establishments concerned in China must not therefore be further allowed;
Whereas Community inspections in China and the results of checks at the Community border inspection posts have shown that potential health risks with regard to the production and processing of fishery products exists;
Whereas Commission Decision 97/368/EC of 11 June 1997 concerning certain protective measures with regard to certain fishery products originating in China (3), as amended by Decision 97/805/EC (4), provides for a ban of importation of fresh fishery products and for a requirement that frozen or processed fishery products must be systematically submitted to a microbiological examination;
Whereas Decision 97/368/EC should be reviewed before 30 June 1998 and on the ground of the current findings it is necessary to extend the measures provided in this Decision until 30 November 1998;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in conformity with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,