4.4.2001 Official Journal of the European Communities L 94/29 COMMISSION DECISION of 29 March 2001 amending Decision 2000/418/EC as regards imports from third countries (notified under document number C(2001) 830) (Text with EEA relevance) (2001/270/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 97/78/EC of 18 December 1997 laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries (!), and in particular Article 22 thereof, Whereas: 1) Commission Decision 2000/418/EC of 29 June 2000 regulating the use of material presenting risks as regards transmissible  spongiform  encephalopathies  and amending Decision 94/474[EC (3), as last amended by Decision 2001/233/EC (?), provides for the removal and destruction of certain specified risk materials. It also imposes restrictions on the production of certain mate- rials and of certain slaughter techniques and on certain imports. It is to be reviewed in the light of new scientific evidence. The exposure of humans to the risks stemming from bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has been largely associated with the consumption of meat mechanically recovered from the bones of the head and vertebral column. However, for control reasons the prohibition on the use of bones of the head and verte- bral column from bovine, ovine and caprine animals of all ages for the production of mechanically recovered meat should be extended to all bones of those species. This should also apply to imported products. In its opinions of 6 July 2000, 12 January 2001 and 8 and 9 February 2001 on the Geographic BSE Risk of the concerned third countries, the Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) concluded that the occurrence of BSE in native cattle is only highly unlikely in the following countries:  Australia, Argentina, Botswana, Chile, Namibia, New-Zealand, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Swaziland. For all other countries for which the evaluation by the SSC has been finalised it concluded 24, 30.1.1998, p. 9. oj L 0] L 158, 30.6.2000, p. 76. oj L 84, 23.3.2001, p. 59. that the occurrence of BSE in native cattle is at best unlikely but not excluded. Preliminary results of similar studies carried out under the responsibility of the SSC further indicate that it may, for a very limited number of additional countries, conclude that the occurrence of BSE in native cattle is highly unlikely. All other third countries either sent no dossier or an incomplete dossier precluding a timely and conclusive evaluation. Therefore it was demonstrated by the SSC risk assess- ment that the risk of BSE being present in native cattle is highly unlikely only in Australia, Argentina, Botswana, Chile, Namibia, New-Zealand, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Swaziland. For all other countries that assessment either demonstrated a certain risk of BSE being present in native cattle, or could not be carried out in absence of complete data. Therefore only Australia, Argentina, Botswana, Chile, Namibia, New-Zealand, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Swaziland should be exempt from the provisions of Decision 2000/418/EC. The Commission will review the provisions for the import of products of animal origin as soon as possible in the light of additional scientific assessments, as well as the development of the recommendations of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). As before the Commission will use the information submitted in accordance with Recommendation 98/477[EC (*) of 22 July 1998 concerning information necessary to support applications for the evaluation of the epidemiological status of countries with respect to transmissible spongi- form encephalopathies. It therefore repeats its invitation to submit a dossier in accordance with that Recommen- dation for those countries that have not yet done so and will make every effort to obtain a scientific assessment within the shortest possible time of the dossier submission. Considering that a new certification regime is estab- lished, a transitional arrangement should be provided for products dispatched before the entry into force of this Decision. () O] L 212, 30.7.1998, p. 58.