COMMISSION DECISION of 9 April 1997 amending Decision 93/25/EEC approving certain treatments to inhibit the development of pathogenic micro-organisms in bivalve molluscs and marine gastropods (Text with EEA relevance) (97/275/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 91/493/EEC of 22 July 1991 laying down the health conditions for the production and the placing on the market of fishery products (1), as last amended by Directive 96/23/EC (2), and in particular Chapter IV (IV) (2) of the Annex thereto,
Whereas Commission Decision 93/25/EEC of 11 December 1993 approving certain treatments to inhibit the development of pathogenic micro-organisms in bivalve molluscs and marine gastropods (3) introduced three types of heat treatment adequate to ensure the health of the products;
Whereas the Netherlands has suggested an alternative to the processes set out in the Annex to Decision 93/25/EEC;
Whereas this treatment has been examined and approved by the Standing Veterinary Committee;
Whereas the Annex to Decision 93/25/EEC needs to be amended to include this treatment;
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
The Annex to Decision 93/25/EEC of 11 December 1993 approving certain treatments to inhibit the development of pathogenic micro-organisms in bivalve molluscs and marine gastropods is hereby amended as follows.
The following is added under B:
'3. - steaming under pressure in an enclosed space where:
- the requirements relating to cooking time and the internal temperature of the mollusc flesh referred to at 1 above are met,
- the uniform distribution of heat in the enclosed space is guaranteed by validated methodology in the framework of the own-checks programme.`
Article 2
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 9 April 1997.