Arrangements for agricultural imports following Chernobyl

Regulation (EC) No 733/2008 lays down conditions governing imports of agricultural products originating in third countries following the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power station. It promotes trade between the European Union (EU) and countries in the rest of the world whilst ensuring that consumers’ health is protected.

ACT

Council Regulation (EC) No 733/2008 of 15 July 2008 on the conditions governing imports of agricultural products originating in third countries following the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power station [See amending act(s)].

SUMMARY

This Regulation shall apply to agricultural products from third countries covered by:

• Annex I to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union;
• Regulation (EC) No 1667/2006 on glucose and lactose;
• Regulation (EC) No 614/2009 on ovalbumin and lactalbumin;
• Regulation (EC) No 1216/2009 applicable to certain goods resulting from the processing of agricultural products.

This Regulation lays down the maximum permitted radioactive contamination levels to be complied with in order for agricultural products from third countries to be offered for sale on the European Union (EU) market. The accumulated maximum radioactive level in terms of caesium-134 and -137 shall be 600 Bq/kg. For milk and foodstuffs intended for infants, the maximum radioactive level shall be much lower, namely 370 Bq/kg. The level applicable to concentrated or dried products shall be calculated on the basis of the reconstituted product as ready for consumption.

Member States shall check compliance with these maximum permitted levels, taking into account contamination levels in the country of origin. Depending on the results of the checks carried out, Member States shall take the necessary measures and inform the Commission without delay. In cases of repeated non-compliance with the maximum permitted levels, these measures may take the form of a prohibition of the import of products originating in the third country concerned.

Last updated: 03.12.2010