Brussels, 27/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Union has ended the tightened checks on prawns imported from Thailand, after controlling the efficiency of health measures in Bangkok. It will, however, continue to require systematic controls of poultry deliveries, explained the European Commission in a press release issued last Friday. The test intensification measures have been in force since March 2002 following the discovery by Member States' inspectors of nitrofurane residues (banned in Europe) in prawn and poultry imports from Thailand and Vietnam. Nitrofuranes are veterinary medicines whose use is banned in the meat chain because of the danger to human health (prolonged use can cause cancer).
Since 21 September 2002, the Thai authorities have been implementing an action plan which has shown results - the tests carried out by Member States since that date have shown a marked improvement in the situation, noted the Commission, also mentioning measures taken in Bangkok to ensure that all batches are systematically checked before being dispatched. It explained that the entire system had been checked by the EU delegation in Bangkok and that the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health had endorsed the plan to relax controls. The requirement for systematic tests on poultry is maintained for the moment.