Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive amending Directive 64/432/EEC on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in bovine animals and swine` () (98/C 235/13)

On 9 March 1998 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Articles 43 and 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Section for Agriculture and Fisheries, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 12 May 1998. The rapporteur was Mr Pricolo.

At its 355th plenary session (meeting of 27 May 1998), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 106 votes to four, with five abstentions.

1. Foreword

1.1. The BSE crisis caused widespread alarm and sapped consumer confidence in beef and beef products. The Community was quick to devise a legislative response, and in April 1997 the Council adopted Directive 97/12/EC. This directive updated Directive 64/432/EEC by setting up a computerized database on bovine animals and swine and their movements.

1.2. In tandem with the adoption of Directive 97/12/EC, on 21 April 1997 the Council approved Regulation (EC) No 820/97 establishing a system for the identification and registration of bovine animals and regarding the labelling of beef and beef products.

1.3. The aim of these instruments was twofold: firstly, to enable Member States quickly and effectively to exchange information on the identity of animals, their movements and the farms concerned; secondly, to introduce ear-tags and animal passports as a way of tracing the farms or other establishments through which the animal had passed.

1.4. It should be noted that the two instruments, which are closely interlinked, form part of the machinery enabling appropriate communication between the farmer and the database, and full use of the base itself.

2. The Commission proposals

2.1. The Commission's proposed amendment makes the Standing Veterinary Committee (Commission/Committee procedure) responsible for devising implementing rules for the operation of the computer databases.

2.2. The proposal thus concerns procedural rather than substantive changes, designed to involve one of the Commission's advisory bodies in the administration of this area.

3. Comments

3.1. The Committee notes that one year after the adoption of Directive 97/12/EC and Regulation (EC) No 820/97, the computer database giving an animal's identity, farm and movements is obviously not yet operative.

3.2. The fact that the Commission is now proposing the establishment of implementing rules for the computer database on bovine animals and swine leads the Committee to think that Community rules in this field have not been properly applied hitherto.

3.3. This delay casts doubt on the credibility of the Community and/or national authorities and hardly helps to restore consumer confidence.

3.4. The Committee asks the Commission to present a progress report on EU-wide implementation of both Directive 97/12/EC and Regulation (EC) No 820/97.

3.4.1. The Committee also asks that interested parties be guaranteed appropriate access to the computerized data network. Here the Committee is thinking of farmers', traders' and consumer organizations which have a special interest recognized by their Member State.

3.5. Nevertheless, given that the computerized system has not yet been properly implemented, the Committee supports the Commission proposal on the grounds that the overriding concern remains the protection of public health.

3.5.1. However, the Committee deeply regrets that the Community rules on health problems in intra-Community trade in bovine animals have not been fully implemented, and again calls on the Commission to draw up the report mentioned in 3.4 above and submit it to the other EU institutions.

Brussels, 27 May 1998.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Tom JENKINS

() OJ C 100, 2.4.1998, p. 23.