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.