98/116/EC: Commission Decision of 4 February 1998 adopting special measures for the import of fruit and vegetables originating in or consigned from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique (Text with EEA relevance)

COMMISSION DECISION of 4 February 1998 adopting special measures for the import of fruit and vegetables originating in or consigned from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique (Text with EEA relevance) (98/116/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 thereof,
Whereas cases of cholera have been reported in Eastern Africa and particularly Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique; whereas a mission of the responsible Commission services on the ground has identified a potential serious risk to health from foodstuffs from these countries;
Whereas the presence of cholera in these countries may constitute a serious risk to public health in the Community where the infectious agent Vibrio cholerae survives on foodstuffs imported from these countries; whereas it is necessary to adopt special measures at Community level concerning certain fruit and vegetables and their products likely to present a risk to health;
Whereas the World Health Organisation advises that where the transport of fruits and vegetables from areas where cholera is present, is in excess of ten days, the risk to health from these products is low; whereas therefore these measures apply mainly to products transported into the European Community by air;
Whereas it is necessary to impose special conditions on certain fruit and vegetables and their products consigned from or originating in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique;
Whereas therefore as a preliminary precaution samples of these foodstuffs should be subject to microbiological controls;
Whereas the Standing Committee for Foodstuffs (2) has been consulted on 15 January, 1998,