Brussels, 25/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health gave its stance, last Friday, in favour of easing controls on fish imports from China, Vietnam and Pakistan, while at the same time deciding to step up inspection on certain Ukrainian dairy product and Brazilian poultry, because of doubt about the presence of antibiotic residue.
Furthermore, European veterinary experts approve the Commission's proposals aimed at opening the European market to certain fish products from several developing countries (LDC).
The results of recent control checks carried out by Member States on imports from Ukraine of skimmed milk powder and artificial milk replacer made from skimmed milk powder, intended for animal feed, have revealed the presence of chloramphenicol. The Committee therefore recommended establishing systematic checks on consignments of these products. The presence of nitrofurans has been detected on poultry meat imported from Brazil. As a result, systematic testing of all consignments of poultry meat and poultry products and preparations from Brazil has been introduced.
In the light of the results of inspection missions carried out on the spot by the Food and Veterinary Office, the Committee decided to place Costa Rica, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Suriname, Mozambique, Honduras, Kazakhstan and Greenland on the list of countries authorised to export fish products to the EU without restriction.
The Committee also decided to authorise imports of casings from Oman, gelatine from Canada, wild game meat from Greenland and fishery products from Switzerland.