1. Ochratoxin A
The World Trade Organisation received comments from six member countries on the draft Regulation and the associated sampling and analysis Directive for ochratoxin A. However, the comments did not require any amendments to be made to either document although the implementation date of the Regulation was changed so that it will now apply from 1 October 2001. Member States have until 31 December to tmplement the Directive. A vote was taken and a majority of Member States voted in favour of both the Regulation and Directive.
The Commission has informed us that the proposed workshop on ochratoxin A, which was referred to in my letter of 18 December, will now take place during the first week of April.
2. Aflatoxins
The draft Regulation on aflatoxins in spices had been amended to take into account a minor omission and it was, therefore, necessary to repeat the vote on this. A majority of Member States voted in favour of the Regulation. This is due to come into force on 1 July 2001 and the Directive must be implemented by 31 December 2001.