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.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ No L 268, 24. 9. 1991, p. 15.

(2) OJ No L 125, 23. 5. 1996, p. 10.

(3) OJ No L 16, 25. 1. 1993, p. 22.