2002/250/EC: Commission Decision of 27 March 2002 concerning the extension of the protective measures provided by Decision 2001/699/EC, with regard to the fishery and aquaculture products imported from Vietnam (Text with EEA relevance) (notified under document number C(2002) 1303)

Commission Decision
of 27 March 2002
concerning the extension of the protective measures provided by Decision 2001/699/EC, with regard to the fishery and aquaculture products imported from Vietnam
(notified under document number C(2002) 1303)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2002/250/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety(1), and in particular Article 53(1) thereof,
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(2), and in particular Article 22(1) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Under Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 it is provided that the Commission shall adopt the appropriated measures where it is evident that food imported from a third country is likely to constitute a serious risk to human health, animal health or the environment.
(2) Under Directive 97/78/EC the necessary measures must be adopted as regards the import of certain products from third countries where any cause likely to constitute a serious risk to animal or human health appears or is spreading.
(3) Following the detection of chloramphenicol in certain aquaculture and fishery products imported from Vietnam, the Commission adopted Decision 2001/699/EC, concerning certain protective measures with regard to certain fishery and aquaculture products intended for human consumption and originating in China and Vietnam(3).
(4) Following the application of controls provided by Decision 2001/699/EC the presence of nitrofurans has been detected in shrimps imported from Vietnam and intended for human consumption.
(5) Since the presence of nitrofurans on foods presents a potential risk for human health the controls checks provided by Decision 2001/699/EC shall be extended to detect the presence of this substance, or his metabolites, to all consignments of shrimps imported from Vietnam.
(6) Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 has set up the Rapid Alert System for Food, and recourse to it is appropriate for implementing the mutual information requirement laid down in Directive 97/78/EC.
(7) This Decision shall be reviewed in the light of information and guarantees provided by the competent authorities of Vietnam and on the basis of the results of the test carried out by Member States.
(8) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,