1999/368/EC: Commission Decision of 4 June 1999 on protective measures with regards to contamination by dioxins of products intended for human or animal consumption derived from bovine animals and pigs (notified under document number C(1999) 1538) (Text with EEA relevance)

COMMISSION DECISION
of 4 June 1999
on protective measures with regards to contamination by dioxins of products intended for human or animal consumption derived from bovine animals and pigs
(notified under document number C(1999) 1538)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(1999/368/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 89/662/EEC of 11 December 1989 concerning veterinary checks in intra-Community trade with a view to the completion of the internal market(1), as last amended by Directive 92/118/EEC(2), and in particular Article 9(3) thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 90/425/EEC of 26 June 1990 concerning veterinary and zootechnical checks applicable in intra-Community trade in certain live animal and products with a view to the completion of the internal market(3), as last amended by Directive 92/118/EEC, and in particular Article 10(3) thereof,
(1) Whereas following information on contamination on poultry products with dioxin the Commission adopted Decision 1999/363/EC(4); whereas this Decision establishes, in particular, that the Belgian authorities shall investigate possible distribution of contaminated feedingstuffs with dioxins to other farm animals and inform without delay the Commission and other Member States and concerned third countries of the results of such investigation;
(2) Whereas, on 2 June 1999, the Belgian authorities informed the Commission that they had placed under restriction approximately 500 pig holdings which may have received contaminated feedingstuff; whereas, on 3 June 1999, they also informed the Commission that contaminated feedingstuffs had been distributed to a number of bovine holdings as well;
(3) Whereas the body of toxicological and epidemiological evidence today have led the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to consider TCDD a class 1 carcinogen (highest class in IARC ranking);
(4) Whereas, in the light of the above, it is necessary to take similar measures as those laid down by Decision 1999/363/EC to protect consumers from risks associated to products derived from pigs and bovine animals; whereas, however, the Belgian authorities have not yet taken action on pigs and bovine animals and derived products similar to those applied in the case of poultry; whereas it is therefore not appropriate to set and end-date for the application of measures in respect of pigs and bovine animals and products derived therefrom; whereas, consequently, these measures should apply to pigs and bovine animals reared in Belgium starting from 15 January 1999, and products derived therefrom; whereas these measures should not apply to products derived from animals which have not been reared in holdings place under restrictions by the Belgian authorities or which are not contaminated by dioxins following the results of analysis;
(5) Whereas the Commission may, in collaboration with the Member State concerned, pending the meeting of the Standing Veterinary Committee, take safeguard measures with regards to live animals and products of animal origin originating in that Member State,