27. 11. 96 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 304/25 COMMISSION DECISION of 25 November 1996 concerning certain protective measures with regard to canned tuna originating in Cote d’Ivoire (Text with EEA relevance) (96/662/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to the Council Directive 90/675/EEC of 10 December 1990 laying down the principles governing the organization of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries ("), as last amended by Directive 96/43/EC (%), and in particular Article 19 thereof, Whereas there have been cases in the Community of humans being poisoned by botulinum; Whereas the investigation traced this poisoning to tins of tuna imported from a factory in Cote d’lvoire; Whereas the presence of botulinum toxin constitutes a serious danger for human health; whereas the necessary protective measures should be adopted swiftly at Com- munity level; Whereas imports of canned tuna from this plant should be suspended until the Céte d’Ivoire authorities provide the requisite health guarantees; Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 Member States shall ban imports of canned tuna origin- ating in the ‘Conserves Internationales de Céte d'Ivoire’ plant, No 120PP. Article 2 Member States shall amend the measures that they apply to imports to comply with this Decision. They shall inform the Commission thereof. Article 3 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 25 November 1996. For the Commission Franz FISCHLER Member of the Commission o L 373, 31. 12. 1990, p. 1. oL 162, 1. 7. 1996, p. 1. Q0 st ZZ