Council Directive 88/660/EEC of 19 December 1988 amending Directive 80/215/EEC on animal health problems affecting intra-Community trade in meat products

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE
of 19 December 1988
amending Directive 80/215/EEC on animal health problems affecting intra-Community trade in meat products
(88/660/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas Article 4 (1) of Directive 80/215/EEC (4), as last amended by Directive 87/491/EEC(5),defines the types of treatment likely to destroy the causal agents of livestock diseases in meat products with a view to permitting intra-Community trade in such products under certain conditions;
Whereas experience gained and advances in scientific knowledge and meat technology enable a new treatment providing the requisite guarantees to be used;
Whereas the inclusion of this treatment amongst the others already prescribed should facilitate free circulation in the Community which will increase the value of production while avoiding the risk of spreading disease;
Whereas a scientific opinion has been expressed which indicates that the weight limit of five kilograms hitherto applied to such meat products may quite safely be abandoned, provided all other existing safeguards are maintained and applied,