96/662/EC: Commission Decision of 25 November 1996 concerning certain protective measures with regard to canned tuna originating in Côte d'Ivoire (Text with EEA relevance)

COMMISSION DECISION of 25 November 1996 concerning certain protective measures with regard to canned tuna originating in Côte d'Ivoire (Text with EEA relevance) (96/662/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to the Council Directive 90/675/EEC of 10 December 1990 laying down the principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries (1), as last amended by Directive 96/43/EC (2), and in particular Article 19 thereof,

Whereas there have been cases in the Community of humans being poisoned by botulinum;

Whereas the investigation traced this poisoning to tins of tuna imported from a factory in Côte d'Ivoire;

Whereas the presence of botulinum toxin constitutes a serious danger for human health; whereas the necessary protective measures should be adopted swiftly at Community level;

Whereas imports of canned tuna from this plant should be suspended until the Côte d'Ivoire authorities provide the requisite health guarantees;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Member States shall ban imports of canned tuna originating in the 'Conserves Internationales de Côte d'Ivoire` plant, No 120PP.

Article 2

Member States shall amend the measures that they apply to imports to comply with this Decision. They shall inform the Commission thereof.

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 25 November 1996.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ No L 373, 31. 12. 1990, p. 1.

(2) OJ No L 162, 1. 7. 1996, p. 1.