91997E1804

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1804/97 by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission (28 May 1997)

Subject: Restriction on the import of Gastropoda into the EU

Would the Commission confirm or deny that it intends to place restrictions on the import of Gastropoda (a large ground snail from Ghana) into the European Union?

Officials at London Heathrow Airport have indicated to a company operating in my constituency that this may be the case, and they are concerned at this forthcoming restrictions to their importing activities.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (1 July 1997)

The public health conditions for the trade in and imports of gastropoda (snails) intended for human consumption are laid down in Commission Decision 96/340/EC ((OJ L 129, 30.5.1996. )) amending Council Directive 92/118/EEC ((OJ L 62, 15.3.1993. )). This requires the authorities of a third country sending a consignment of snails to the Community to sign a health certificate, the model of which is provided in the Annex to the Decision. In signing this certificate, the authority of the third country declares that the snails have been produced in accordance with the appropriate hygiene rules, that the establishment of origin applies an own check programme and that the snails have been submitted to the required official checks. In addition, the packaging and wrapping of the snails must carry the ISO code of the country of origin and the approval number of the production establishment in indelible print.

Furthermore, Directive 92/118/EEC lays down that only third countries which appear on a Community list are authorized to send snails to the Community. This list is laid down in Part XI of the Annex to Commission Decision 94/287/EC ((OJ L 120, 11.5.1994. )). Ghana does not appear on that list, and is therefore excluded from exporting snails to the Community. However, the list of third countries can be amended. For that purpose, the authorities of a third country must prove that their products are produced in accordance with the rules of hygiene. Such request will be examined by the Commission. This may involve an inspection on the spot, so as to ensure that the products concerned are produced in accordance with the Community health requirements.