31.12. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 382/35 COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 19 December 1988 amending Directive 80/215/EEC on animal health problems affecting intra-Community trade in meat products (88/660/EEC) 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 (1), Having regard  to the: opinion- of the European Parliament (2), Having regard to the: opinion. of the Economic and Social Committee (3), Whereas Article 4 (1) of Directive 80/215/EEC (4), as last amended by Directive 87/491/EEC (5), defines the types of treatment likely to destroy the causal agents of livestock diseases in meat products with a view to permitting intra-Community trade in such products under certain conditions; Whereas experience - gained and advances in scientific knowledge and meat technology enable a new treatment providing the requisite guarantees to be used; Whereas the inclusion of this treatment amongst the others already prescribed should facilitate free circulation in the Community ‘which will increase the value of production while avoiding the risk of spreading disease; Whereas a scientific opinion -has been expressed which " indicates that the weight limit of five kilograms hitherto applied ‘to such meat products may quite safely be abandoned, provided all other existing safeguards are maintained and applied, (1) O)J No C 273, 22..10. 1988, p. 9. (%) Opinion delivered on 16 December 1988 (not yet published in - the Official Journal). - (3) ‘Opinion delivered on 14 December 1988 (not yet published in the Official Journal). . (*) OJ No1-47,21. 2. 1980, p. 4. (%) OJ No L 279, 2. 10. 1987, p. 27. HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: Article 1 Article 4 (1) (a) (ii), second indent, of Directive 80/215/EEC is hereby amended as follows: : 1. the second indent is abolished; 2. inthe first sub-indent of the former fourth indent, ‘during which the temperature must be at least 70 °C . .".’ reads ‘during which the centre temperature must be at least 70 °C.. .. Article 2 Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive not later than 1 April 1989. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. Article 3 This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 19 December 1988 For the Council The President Y. POTTAKIS