17 December 1998: HEALTH - Import Controls for Fruit and Vegetables from East Africa

Import Controls for Fruit and Vegetables from East Africa

• Commission Decision (98/719/ec) of 8 December 1998 repealing Decision 98/116/EC imposing special measures for the import of fruit and vegetables originating in or consigned from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique

Commission Decision 98/116/EC of 4 February 1998 adopted special measures for the import of fruit and vegetables originating in or consigned from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique following the reporting of cholera at epidemic status in these countries.

However:

• The Scientific Committee for Food expressed an opinion in June 1998 that the risk of human illness in non-cholera regions from exposure to Vibrio cholerae from imported fruit and vegetables from areas where cholera is at endemic or epidemic levels is low.
• No cases of illness with cholera have been reported associated with the consumption of fruit and vegetables imported into the Community from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique or any other countries where cholera is at epidemic or endemic levels.
• Sampling at the point of importation into the Community of 10% of consignments of fruit and vegetables originating in or consigned from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique by the competent authorities of the Member States has revealed very low incidence of contamination with Vibrio cholerae

Decision 98/116/EC is therefore repealed by this Decision.