Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission^f1,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament^f2,

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee^f3,

Whereas the Community demand for, and imports of, surimi (a washed and stabilized protein gel made from minced fish) and preparations of surimi, which are intended for direct consumption, have been steadily increasing during recent years;

Whereas the Community production of surimi and preparations of surimi has grown in importance concurrently with international trends;

Whereas experience has shown that although several different species of fish with a low fat content may be used as raw material for the production of surimi, a specific identification of the raw material actually used is not easily feasible due to the final features of surimi and preparations of surimi;

Whereas at present neither surimi nor preparations of surimi are separately identified as products subject to the rules of the common fisheries policy laid down by Regulation (EEC) No 3759/92^f4;

Whereas, for that reason, the Community is not able to monitor trade in these products or the trend in market prices and whereas therefore that Regulation should be amended so as to include surimi and preparations of surimi;

Whereas the tariff nomenclature resulting from the application of Regulation (EEC) No 3759/92 is included in the Common Customs Tariff and an amendment should consequently be made to Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87^f5,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: