31997D0261

COMMISSION DECISION of 3 April 1997 repealing Decision 96/662/EC concerning certain protective measures with regard to canned tuna originating in Côte d'Ivoire (Text with EEA relevance) (97/261/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard 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 Commission Decision 96/662/EC of 25 November 1996 concerning certain protective measures with regard to canned tuna originating in the Côte d'Ivoire (3) bans imports of canned tuna from a factory located there because of the presence of the botulinus toxin;

Whereas a Commission expert inspected the factory and suggested ways to improve canning hygiene;

Whereas the competent authorities gave official guarantees that the improvements called for would be introduced after the Commission expert's visit;

Whereas the cans that caused the botulism outbreak were produced and imported before the entry into force of Commission Decision 96/609/EC of 14 October 1996 laying down special conditions governing imports of fishery and aquaculture products originating in Côte d'Ivoire (4);

Whereas the measures taken to protect public health are no longer justified; whereas Decision 96/662/EC should therefore be repealed;

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

Decision 96/662/EC concerning certain protective measures with regard to canned tuna originating in Côte d'Ivoire is hereby repealed.

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, 3 April 1997.

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.

(3) OJ No L 304, 27. 11. 1996, p. 25.

(4) OJ No L 269, 22. 10. 1996, p. 37.