Council Regulation (EEC) No 3955/87 of 22 December 1987 on the conditions governing imports of agricultural products originating in third countries following the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power-station

COUNCIL  REGULATION (EEC) No 3955/87
of 22 December 1987
on the conditions governing imports of agricultural products originating in third countries following the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power-station
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 113 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Whereas, following the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power-station on 26 April 1986, considerable quantities of radioactive elements were released into the atmosphere;
Whereas Regulation (EEC) No 1707/86 (1) fixed interim maximum permitted levels of radioactivity for all agricultural products originating in third countries and intended for human consumption, with which imports of the products must comply and in connection with which checks are carried out by the Member States; whereas that Regulation was extended for the first time by Regulation (EEC) No 3020/86 (2) and again by Regulation (EEC) No 624/87 (3) until 31 October 1987;
Whereas, without prejudice to Council Regulation (Euratom) No 3954/87 of 22 December 1987 laying down maximum permitted radioactivity levels for foodstuffs and feedingstuffs following a nuclear accident or any other case of radiological emergency (4). The Community must continue to ensure, with regard to the specific effects of the accident at Chernobyl, that agricultural products and processed agricultural products intended for human consumption and likely to be contaminated are introduced into the Community only according to common arrangements;
Whereas these common arrangements should safeguard the health of consumers, maintain, without having unduly adverse effects on trade between the Community and third countries, the unified nature of the market and prevent deflections of trade;
Whereas, since this Regulation covers all agricultural products and processed agricultural products intended for human consumption, there is no need, in the present case, to apply the procedure provided for in Article 29 of Directive 72/462/EEC (5);
Whereas compliance with the maximum permitted levels will have to be the subject of appropriate checks backed up by the possibility of prohibiting imports in cases of non-compliance;
Whereas, in order to clarify or adjust, as necessary, the measures provided for by this Regulation, a simplified procedure should be established;
Whereas adoption of this Regulation in its present form appears necessary in order to satisfy overriding and immediate requirements as mentioned in the third and fourth recitals,