No C 112/30 Official Journal of the European Communities 7. 5. 90 
lement other interventions in a comprehensive general 
framework, on the concentration of schemes and on 
the choice of areas. 
3.10. The procedure for submitting operational pro­grammes, as laid down in Article 5, is too vague. 
3.11. Member States are to be responsible for draw­
ing up operational programmes. Provision should also 
be made for broad participation by regional and local 
authorities and by economic and social interest groups. 
Done at Brussels, 1 March 1990. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASPRONE 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision concerning safeguard measures in the 
veterinary field in the framework of the Internal Market (l) 
(90/C 112/11) 
On 14 November 1989, the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, 
under Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, on the 
abovementioned proposal. 
The Section for Agriculture and Fisheries, which was responsible for preparing the Commit­
tee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 21 February 1990. The rapporteur was 
Mr Storie-Pugh. 
At its 274th plenary session on 28 February and 1 March 1990 (meeting of 28 February) the 
Economic and Social Committee adopted the following Opinion unanimously. 
1. General comments 
1.1. The Committee welcomes the measures outlined 
in the proposal and in particular supports the view: 
1.1.1. That restrictions must be imposed by Member 
States in which an outbreak or suspected outbreak of 
serious disease occurs; 
1.1.2. That in order to give Member States the 
appropriate guarantees it is necessary to provide for 
stricter control by the Commission. 
1.2. The Committee is pleased to note that some of 
the reservations it expressed in an earlier Opinion dated 
14 December 1988 (2) are now met. 
1.3. Nevertheless the Committee is of the view that 
a more constructive and meaningful opinion could have 
(J) OJ No C 327, 30. 12. 1989, p. 37. 
(2) OJ No C 56, 6. 3. 1989, p. 20. been given if the overall strategy of animal health 
control, as opposed to compliance with the aim of 
liberalizing the free movement of animals, were more 
widdely known and understood; and thus all legislation 
could be interpreted and viewed in the context of such 
a strategy. 
1.4. Two rather self-evident points arise: 
— First, it is a truism that these measures will only 
work in practise if the general level of the efficiency 
of animal health control measures is increased 
throughout the Community, demanding an 
informed, dedicated and honest approach through 
all levels including members of the veterinary pro­
fession, producers, transporters; and that appropri­
ate penal measures are invoked for non-compliance. 
— Secondly, an overall and real 'sense of urgency' 
must be induced in the reaction of both the Com­
mission and the veterinary services of the Member 
7.oE90 Officiai]ournai of the European Communities ^oC112^1 
states, if potential disaster is to beprevented by 
vigorous action at the earliest stage of an outbreak 
of disease. 
Otherwise confidence in the measures of this proposal 
will be lost. 
2. specific comments 
2.1. A^r^^^^^ 
It is very important that the envisaged list of diseases 
which are considered asbeingaserious threat to anP 
malsandof animaldiseases transmissibletoman be 
Done at Brussels, 28 February 1990. 
1. General comments 
1.1. The Community has already decided that trade 
in breeding and production animals should be from 
enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) free herds only after 
l]ulyl990. 
1.2. This proposal allows a system of recognising 
EBL freedom of herds in regionsor countries where 
previous surveyevidence exists, without theneedfor 
systematic testing of all herds. 
^o^o^i7,^mm^D.u drawn up assoonaspossible. It is tobehoped that 
this list would be modified in the light of experience. 
2.2. Arr^7^r^r^eo 
Bearing in mind that some diseases of animals have an 
incubation period of considerably less thanle^ days, it 
must be possible for Member states to invoke Articled 
oftheTreaty. 
2.3. A^^9 
It is essential that the provisions relating to safeguard 
measures in the veterinary field which are to be repealed 
arelistedbefore this proposal foraCouncil Decision 
takes effect. 
1.3. The present amendment isasimplistic but prag 
matic approach toadifficult problem. 
1.4. It is recognised that EBL is a chronicdisease 
withalong pathogenesis, and sometimesalong silent' 
period, during which no signs of infection may be 
present.There may be no immunological reactions for 
periods of unknown duration. Thismakesit difficult 
to clear an animal, acattleherd and a whole cattle 
population byafew tests. Long observation periods are 
needed. 
IBo. Flence a clear guidance should be given for 
importation from third countries. 
1.^. It is noticed that theseproposed rules will be 
reviewed atalater date. Opinion on the proposal foraCouncil Directive amending Directive ^4B432BEEC as regards 
enzootic bovine leukosis^) 
(90BC 112^12) 
On 22]anuaryl990,the Council decided to consult the Economic and ^ocialCommittee, 
under Article 198 of theTreatyestablishingtheEuropean Economic Community,onthe 
abovementioned proposal. 
The section for Agriculture and Fisheries,which was responsible for preparing the Commit 
tee's workonthesubject,adopteditsOpinionon 21 February 1990.The rapporteur was 
Mr^toriePugh. 
At its 274th plenary session on 28 February andlMarch 1990 (meeting of 28 February) the 
Economic and social Committee adopted the following Opinion unanimously.