Council Regulation (EEC) No 1707/86 of 30 May 1986 on the conditions governing imports of agricultural products originating in third countries following the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power-station

//  //  REGULATION (EEC) No 1707/86
of 30 May 1986
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,
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 the provisional measures adopted by Regulation (EEC) No 1388/86 (1) should be replaced by an arrangement which enables imports to be reinstated, providing that maximum permitted levels are imposed; whereas, however, these levels applicable to third countries might need to be re-examined in the light of Community decisions regarding internal permitted contamination levels;
Whereas the Community must seek to ensure 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 which 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 the subject of minimum reference levels is still in need of more thorough scientific study but it is nevertheless desirable that, for reasons of urgency and by means of an emergency procedure, interim maximum permitted limits should be established, with which imports of the products concerned must comply and in connection with which checks will be carried out by the Member States,
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 (2);
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 supplement, 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 recital,