Considerations on COM(2013)576 - Maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination of food and feed following a nuclear accident or any other case of radiological emergency - Main contents
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This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2013)576 - Maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination of food and feed following a nuclear accident or any other case of ... |
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| document | COM(2013)576  |
| date | August 6, 2013 |
(2) Council Directive 96/29/Euratom of 13 May 1996 lays down basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionizing radiation[15].
(3) Following the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power-station on 26 April 1986, considerable quantities of radioactive materials were released into the atmosphere, contaminating foodstuffs and feedingstuffs in several European countries to levels significant from the health point of view. Measures were adopted[16] to ensure that certain agricultural products are only introduced into the Union according to the common arrangements which safeguard the health of the population while maintaining the unified nature of the market and avoiding deflections of trade.
(4) Council Regulation (Euratom) No 3954/87[17] lays down maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination to be applied following a nuclear accident or any other case of radiological emergency which is likely to lead or has led to significant radioactive contamination of food and feed. Those maximum permitted levels are still in line with the latest scientific advice as presently available internationally.
(5) Following the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power station on 11 March 2011, the Commission was informed that radionuclide levels in certain food products originating in Japan exceeded the action levels in food applicable in Japan. Such contamination may constitute a threat to public and animal health in the Union and therefore measures were adopted imposing special conditions governing the import of feed and food originating in or consigned from Japan, in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health.
(6) There is a need to set up a system allowing the European Atomic Energy Community, following a nuclear accident or any other case of radiological emergency which is likely to lead or has led to a significant radioactive contamination of food and feed, to establish maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination in order to protect the population.
(7) Maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination should apply to food and feed originating in the Union or imported from third countries according to the location and circumstances of the nuclear accident or the radiological emergency.
(8) The Commission is to be informed of a nuclear accident or of unusually high levels of radioactivity according to Council Decision 87/600/Euratom of 14 December 1987 on Community arrangements for the early exchange of information in the event of radiological emergency[18], or under the IAEA Convention on early notification of a nuclear accident of 26 September 1986.
(9) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by the Member States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers[19].
(10) The examination procedure should be used for the adoption of acts rendering applicable the pre-established maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination of food and feed.
(11) The Commission should adopt immediately applicable implementing acts where, in duly justified cases relating to certain radiological emergencies which are likely to lead or have led to a significant radioactive contamination of food and feed, imperative grounds of urgency so require.
(12) In order to take into account that diets of infants during the first six months period of life may vary significantly, and to allow for uncertainties in the metabolism of infants during the second six months period of life, there is a benefit in extending the application of lower maximum permitted levels for foods for infants, to the whole first 12 months of age.
(13) In order to facilitate the adaptation of maximum permitted levels, in particular with regard to scientific knowledge, procedures for establishing the maximum permitted levels should include the consultation of the Group of Experts referred to in Article 31 of the Treaty,
(14) Compliance with the maximum permitted levels should be the subject of appropriate checks.