2001/338/EC: Commission Decision of 27 April 2001 concerning certain protective measures with regard to bivalve molluscs from or originating in Peru (Text with EEA relevance) (notified under document number C(2001) 1180)

Commission Decision
of 27 April 2001
concerning certain protective measures with regard to bivalve molluscs from or originating in Peru
(notified under document number C(2001) 1180)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2001/338/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(1) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) In accordance with Article 22 of Directive 97/78/EC, the necessary measures must be adoped as regards the import of certain products from third countries where any cause likely to constitute a serious danger for animal or human health appears or is spreading.
(2) A Community inspection to Peru has shown serious deficiencies with regard to hygiene in bivalve mollusc production areas, and has demonstrated that there are insufficient guarantees about the efficiency of the controls carried out by the competent authorities.
Nevertheless, the Community inspection team has identified that the controls on eviscerated Pectinidae harvested from certain aquaculture areas and on the adductor muscles of non-aquaculture Pectinidae completely separated from the viscera and gonads, are sufficient to assure the safety of these products. There is a risk for public health with regard to the imports of bivalve molluscs from or originating in Peru, and it is thus appropriate to suspend them with immediate effect, with the exception of the Pectinidae products, under certain conditions.
(3) Considering the seriousness of the shortcomings identified during the inspection, the provisions of this Decision must be also applied to the products which have been dispatched to the Community before the entry into force of this Decision and presented for importation into the Community after its entry into force.
Furthermore, Pectinidae harvested form certain aquaculture areas and eviscerated and, the adductor muscles of non-aquaculture Pectinidae completely separated from the viscera and gonads, dispatched to the Community before the entry into force of this Decision and presented for importation into the Community after its entry into force, should be checked in order to demonstrate the absence of marine biotoxins.
(4) This Decision will be reviewed in the light of the guarantees offered by the Peruvian authorities and on the basis of the results of a further Community inspection on the spot.
(5) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,