2003/774/EC: Commission Decision of 30 October 2003 approving certain treatments to inhibit the development of pathogenic micro-organisms in bivalve molluscs and marine gastropods (Text with EEA relevance) (notified under document number C(2003) 3984)

Commission Decision
of 30 October 2003
approving certain treatments to inhibit the development of pathogenic micro-organisms in bivalve molluscs and marine gastropods
(notified under document number C(2003) 3984)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2003/774/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 91/493/EEC of 22 July 1991 laying down the health conditions for the production and the placing on the market of fishery products(1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 806/2003(2), and in particular Chapter IV(IV)(2) of the Annex thereto,
Whereas:
(1) Commission Decision 93/25/EEC of 11 December 1992 approving certain treatments to inhibit the development of pathogenic micro-organisms in bivalve molluscs and marine gastropods(3) has been substantially amended(4). In the interests of clarity and rationality the said Decision should be codified.
(2) Bivalve molluscs and marine gastropods harvested in the areas referred to in Chapter I(1)(b) and (c) of the Annex to Council Directive 91/492/EEC of 15 July 1991 laying down the health conditions for the production and the placing on the market of live bivalve molluscs(5), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 806/2003, constitute a potential threat to consumers if they are not subjected to appropriate treatment.
(3) Spain, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands have put forward treatments to inhibit the development of pathogens in bivalve molluscs and marine gastropods.
(4) These processes are adequate to ensure the health of the products and it is not necessary therefore to subject them in advance to purification or relaying.
(5) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,