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COUNCIL DIRECTIVE

of 28 February 1985

amending for the 23rd time Directive 64/54/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning the preservatives authorized for use in foodstuffs intended for human consumption

(85/172/EEC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN

COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 100 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),

Whereas Directive 64/54/EEC (4), as last amended by Directive 84/458/EEC (5), sets out a list of preservatives the use of which is authorized for the protection of foodstuffs intended for human consumption against deterioration caused by micro-organisms;

Whereas the Commission proposal currently under review aims, on the one hand, to add to the list of authorized preservatives potassium bisulphite and natamycin and, on the other hand, to authorize thiabendazol for surface treatment of citrus fruit and bananas, without any time limit;

Whereas, pending a Council decision on the whole of this proposal and without prejudice to current discussions on this subject, the authorization for thiabendazol should, as a precautionary measure, be extended on a transitional basis from 16 March to 31 December 1985 in order to avoid any interruption in the traditional trade flows concerning citrus fruit and bananas,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Article 1

In No E 233 (c) of section I of the Annex to Directive 64/54/EEC, '16 March 1985' is hereby replaced by '1 January 1986'.

Article 2

The Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive and shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.

Article 3

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 28 February 1985.

For the Council

The President

G. ANDREOTTI

(1) OJ No C 330, 17. 12. 1981, p. 7.

(2) OJ No C 125, 17. 5. 1982, p. 147.

(3) OJ No C 178, 15. 7. 1982, p. 4.

(4) OJ No 12, 27. 1. 1964, p. 161/64.

(5) OJ No L 256, 26. 9. 1984, p. 19.