2003/607/EC: Commission Decision of 18 August 2003 laying down special conditions governing imports of fishery products from Slovakia (Text with EEA relevance) (notified under document number C(2003) 2975)

Commission Decision
of 18 August 2003
laying down special conditions governing imports of fishery products from Slovakia
(notified under document number C(2003) 2975)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2003/607/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 Article 11 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Slovakia is an acceding State to the Community. An inspection has been carried out in this country on behalf of the Commission to verify the conditions under which fishery products are produced, stored, marketed and dispatched to the Community.
(2) The requirements of Directive 91/493/EC have been transposed into the legislation of Slovakia.
(3) In particular, the "State Veterinary and Food Administration (SVFA)" is capable of effectively verifying the implementation of the legislation in force.
(4) The SVFA has provided official assurances regarding compliance with the standards for health controls and monitoring of live freshwater finfish, from aquaculture, intended for direct human consumption, as set out in Chapter V of the Annex to Directive 91/493/EEC and regarding the fulfilment of hygienic requirements equivalent to those laid down by that Directive.
(5) It is appropriate to lay down detailed provisions concerning fishery products imported into the Community from Slovakia, in accordance with Directive 91/493/EEC. These provisions should include that only live freshwater finfish from aquaculture intended for direct human consumption may be authorised for imports into the Community.
(6) It is also necessary to draw up a list of approved establishments. This list should be drawn up on the basis of a communication from the SVFA to the Commission.
(7) It is appropriate for the present Decision to be applied three days after its publication providing for the necessary transitional period.
(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,