4.1.97 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 2/21 COMMISSION DECISION of 12 December 1996 recognizing Hungary as being free from Clavibacter michiganensis (Smith) Davis et al ssp. sepedonicus (Spieckerman et Kotthoff) Davis et al (97/S/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 77/93/EEC of 21 December 1976 on protective measures against the intro- duction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community ('), as last amended by Commission Directive 96/14/EC (%), and in particular Annex III, Part A (12) thereto, Whereas under the provisions of Annex III, Part A (12) of Directive 77/93/EEC tubers of Solanum tuberosum L., other than seed potatoes and certain other potatoes speci- fied in Annex III, Part A (10) and (11), originating in certain European third countries other than those recog- nized as being free from Clavibacter michiganensis (Smith) Davis et al ssp. sepedonicus (Spieckerman et Kotthoff) Davis et al may not be introduced into the Member States; Whereas it has appeared from official information supplied by Hungary that the aformentioned harmful organism does not occur in that country, and that it has long maintained a strict control and post-entry inspection and testing procedure for the aformentioned harmful organism on imports of potatoes; Whereas it can therefore be established that there is no risk of the aforementioned harmful organism spreading; Whereas this Decision is without prejudice to any sub- sequent findings which may show that the aforemen- tioned harmful organism is present in that country; () Of No L 26, 31. 1. 1977, p. 20. () OJ No L 68, 19. 3. 1996, p. 24. Whereas the Commission will ensure that on a yearly basis Hungary makes all technical information available which is necessary to assess the aforementioned situation; Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plant Health, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 It is hereby declared that Hungary is recognized as being free from Clavibacter michiganensis (Smith) Davis et al ssp. sepedonicus (Spieckerman et Kotthoff) Davis et al. Article 2 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 12 December 1996. For the Commission Franz FISCHLER Member of the Commission