Bivalve molluscs: minimum measures for the control of diseases

The committee approved the proposal for a Courncil directive introducing minimum Community measures needed to control diseases affecting bivalve molluscs. The aim of the proposal is to establish a system for the scientific monitoring of such diseases, which are a source of substantial losses to the industry. However, the committee failed to agree any of the changes proposed by the rapporteur, M. VARELA SUANZES-CARPEGNA including his amendment calling for the designation of two reference laboratories - instead of the single reference laboratory in the original proposal - to coordinate tests carried out by national laboratories.