ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
No C 56/52 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 3. 89 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation on the granting of financial support to 
transport infrastructure projects 
(89/C 56/20) 
On 8 December 1988 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee 
under Article 75 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community on the 
abovementioned proposal. 
At its 261st plenary session (meeting of 14 December 1988) the Committee appointed Mr L.J. 
Smith Rapporteur-General and adopted the following Opinion with no dissenting votes and 
two abstentions. 
The Committee approves the proposal subject to the 
following comments. 
1. Once again the Committee regrets that the Com­
mission and the Council have made it very difficult for 
the Committee to perform its consultative duties. 
The proposal on which the Committee has been 
urgently asked for its Opinion stems from the fact 
that the Council is still unable to adopt an 'action 
programme in the field of transport infrastructure with 
a view to the completion of an integrated transport 
market in 1992'. Adoption of this programme would 
be the first step towards a real multiannual Community 
policy in the field of transport infrastructure. 
2. The Rhodes European Council of 2-3 December 
1988 acknowledged itself that the creation of major 
transport infrastructures is one method of speeding up 
the unification of the European economic area. This is 
why the Committee urges the Council to adopt the 
Commission's proposals for developing a Community transport infrastructure policy(!). The Committee 
reaffirms here its conviction that a medium-term regu­
lation would be a much better instrument than ad 
hoc measures, which are very often the result of a 
compromise rather than of an objective examination of 
real economic priorities (2). 
3. The Committee is not in a position—for lack of 
time—to assess the selection of the eleven projects 
which are eligible for Community support within the 
limits of 1988 and 1989 budgetary appropriations. 
However, in keeping with its Opinion of 16 December 
1987 referred to above, it recognizes the need to focus 
on a limited number of projects in order to prevent 
funds from being spread too thinly. 
(*) See ESC Opinions of 18 September 1986 (OJ No C 328, 
22. 12. 1986) and 23 November 1988. 
(2) See ESC Opinion of 16 December 1987 (OJ No C 35, 
8. 2. 1988). 
Done at Brussels, 14 December 1988. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASPRONE
24. 4. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 102/31 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) amending Regulation (EEC) 
No 486/85 on the arrangements applicable to agricultural products and certain goods resulting 
from the processing of agricultural products originating in the African, Caribbean and Pacific 
States (ACP) or in the overseas countries and territories (*) 
(89/C 102/16) 
On 14 December 1988 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 Economic and Social Committee decided to appoint Mr Clavel as rapporteur-general 
with the task of preparing its work on the subject. 
At its 263rd plenary session (meeting of 23 February 1989) the Economic and Social Committee 
adopted the following Opinion unanimously. 
The Committee approves the Commission proposal. 
It would, however, point out that the difference between the producer price and the consumer 
price in the EEC means that it is doubtful whether exemption from duties (loss of revenue 
for the EEC) will lead to a lower price which encourages consumption or establishes a 
preference for ACP products. 
Done at Brussels, 23 February 1989. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASPRONE 
(') OJNoC4, 6. 1. 1989, p. 7.
30. 12. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 329/59 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 69/169/EEC to increase 
in real terms the tax paid allowances in intra-Community travel^) 
(89/C 329/19) 
On 14 August 1989 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, 
under Article 99 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, on the 
abovementioned proposal. 
The Section for Industry, Commerce, Crafts and Services, which was responsible for preparing 
the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 4 October 1989. The Rapporteur 
was Mr Mourgues. 
At its 270th plenary session (meeting of 19 October 1989), the Economic and Social Committee 
adopted the following Opinion by a majority vote in favour and two dissenting votes. 
1. The Committee approves this highly satisfactory 
Directive as part of the measures to eliminate border 
controls at the Community's internal frontiers from 
1 January 1993. 
2. The most important feature of the proposal is 
to be found not in the draft Directive, but in the 
accompanying financial form. This states that travel­
lers' existing allowances (Value Added Tax, VAT) for 
goods on which tax has already been paid are to be 
quadrupled (cf. penultimate recital). 
It is clear that goods generally liable to both excise 
duties and VAT are presently sold tax-free at airports, 
on ferries and aircrafts, and in the duty-free areas of 
some stations serving ports, where sales counters are 
open to all intra- and extra-Community travellers. (Air 
and sea transport is also subsidized indirectly in this 
way, thereby raising the question of competition with 
land transport.) 
(J) OJ No C 245, 26. 9. 1989, p. 5. Insofar as the levels of excise duties are to be harmon­
ized, the proposal implies that the sale of goods in duty­
free shops is destined to disappear in 1993 for persons 
travelling within the Community. 
It should be stressed that taxation is limited to newly 
purchased items and goods which exceed the set allow­
ances; it has never been charged on travellers' clothes 
and personal effects. 
3. The exceptions designed to protect the Danish 
retail trade are considered as transitional measures 
which cannot compromise the free movement of goods 
and people within the Community after 1 January 1993. 
4. Points VIb and VII of the assessment of the impact 
on competitiveness and employment give rise to reser­
vations. Community initiatives are needed as regards 
the redeployment and retraining of customs personnel 
in the Community (e.g. in the fight against drug traffick­
ing and international terrorism). 
Done at Brussels, 19 October 1989. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASI'RONK
27. 11. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 298/1 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision concluding the convention on cooperation 
on the management of water resources in the Danube basin (l) 
(89/C 298/01) 
On 10 April 1989 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, 
under Article 130S of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, on the 
abovementioned proposal. 
The Section for Protection of the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Affairs, which 
was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 
5 September 1989. The rapporteur was Mr Boisseree. 
At its 269th plenary session (meeting of 27 September 1989) the Economic and Social 
Committee adopted the following Opinion by a large majority with 1 vote against. 
1. The Economic and Social Committee welcomes the fact that the contracting parties 
directly concerned, namely the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Austria, 
have involved the European Community in the consultation and decision-making process 
regarding the abovementioned international Convention. The environmental protection and 
water management provisions which have to be complied with in the Federal Republic under 
the convention are contained in EC Directives. The contracting party on the lower reaches 
of the Danube, i.e. the Republic of Austria, will thus share the benefits of these Directives 
and any changes thereto. 
2. This indirect effect on the Community's neighbours of the high level of protection 
afforded by EC Directives is to be welcomed; pollution does not recognize international 
borders. 
3. In the Committee's view the present convention could be used as a model in comparable 
cases where the effects of pollution and relevant countermeasures are felt beyond the 
Community's frontiers. This also applies to non European Free Trade Association (EFTA) 
countries. 
Done at Brussels, 27 September 1989. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASPRONE 
(!) OJ No C 98, 19. 4. 1989.
18. 2. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 41/9 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) amending Regulation (EEC) 
No 458/80 on collective projects for the restructuring of vineyards (*) 
(91/C 41/04) 
On 28 September 1990 the Council decided, in accordance with Article 198 of the EEC 
Treaty, to ask the Economic and Social Committee for an Opinion on the abovementioned 
proposal. 
The Section for Agriculture and Fisheries, which was responsible for the preparatory work, 
adopted its Opinion on 8 November 1990. The Rapporteur was Mr Charles Pelletier. 
On 20 November 1990, at its 281st plenary session, the Economic and Social Committee 
unanimously adopted the following Opinion. 
1. The Committee considers it necessary for the measures for the restructuring of European 
vineyards to be continued, so that production can be tailored to demand within the Com­
munity, which is tending increasingly towards wines with character, particularly quality 
wines from specified regions or wines with a geographical designation. 
In addition, such restructuring is also in keeping with the interest of the Community in 
producing larger quantities of quality wines, in order to boost its exports. 
So it is advisable and necessary that the resources which have not been used in connection 
with current restructuring measures over the past ten years or so should be used for other 
restructuring measures. 
The Committee therefore supports the Commission's proposal. 
Done at Brussels, 20 November 1990. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Francis STAEDELIN 
(!) OJ No C 245, 29. 9. 1990, p. 14.
22. 7. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 191/27 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 90/44/EEC amending 
Directive 79/373/EEC on the marketing of compound feedingstuffs (*) 
(91/C 191/12) 
On 16 April 1991 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 2 May 1991. The Rapporteur was 
Mr Colombo. 
At its 287th plenary session (meeting of 29 May 1991), the Economic and Social Committee 
unanimously adopted the following Opinion. 
The Committee notes the difficulty of implementing 
the new provisions on labelling of compound feeds [laid 
down in Directive 90/44/EEC of 22 January 1990 (2)] 
by 22 January 1992. 
The Committee issued a favourable Opinion on the 
above Directive on 23 November 1988, describing it as 
(!) OJ No C 103, 19. 4. 1991, p. 18. 
(2) OJ No L 27, 31. 1. 1990, p. 35. 
Done at Brussels, 29 May 1991. 
Fran^oisSTAEDELIN 'certainly timely, especially in the run-up to the all-
important objective of the single European market (3). 
In view of the need to permit businesses in the sector 
to implement this complex piece of legislation in an 
orderly and proper fashion, the Committee endorses 
the Commission's proposal to allow compound feeds 
manufactured before 22 January 1992 with a label 
corresponding to the rules in force on that date to be 
marketed until 31 December 1992. 
(3) OJ No C 23, 30. 1. 1989, p. 10. point 2.2. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee
^112.91 Official]ournal of the European Communities ^oC^9B89 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive on the limitation of the operation of 
Chapter2aeroplanes(^) 
(91BC^9^) 
On ^0 April 1991 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, 
underArticle 84(2) of thelreatyestablishing the European Economic Community, on the 
abovementioned proposal. 
The Section for Protection of the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Affairs,v^hich 
v^as responsible for preparing the Committee^sworlo on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 
9]ulyl991.The Rapporteur v^as Air Velasco. 
At its 289th plenary session (meeting of 25 September 1991), the Economic and Social 
Committee adopted the following Opinion unanimously. 
L Introduction 2. General comments 
LI. The Committee approves the proposedDirective 
which, unlike previous proposals, is the result of a 
consensus arrived at with the official civil aviation 
organisations. 
1,2, The aim of the proposal is to phase out Chap 
ter2aircraft, which are regarded as unacceptably noisy, 
overanumber of years,If was drawn up jointly by the 
Commission and the European CivilAviation Confers 
ence(ECAC) as part of the search for an ^internationaf 
solution to the problem of aircraft noise, 
1,^, The Committee welcomes the fact that the pro 
posal accords with its Opinion of l^]uly!989 on the 
same subject(^),In this Opinion the Committee stressed 
the need for the Commission and ECACto resolve their 
differences, foraCommission environmental expert to 
attend ECAC meetings and for the measures to be 
introduced gradually, 
1,4, As all these points have been met, the Committee 
approves the proposal. 2.1, The proposed Directive will mal^eamajor con 
tribution to reducing aircraft noise levels in the vicinity 
of airports, 
2.2, TheDirectiveis consistent withthe proposals 
of other major international organisations, such as the 
lnternationalCivilAviationOrgani^ation(lCAO)and 
ECAC 
2.^, TheDirectivecallsforsubstantialinvestments 
by the European airlines atatime of economic weakness 
(almost all lost money in 1990), as it will accelerate the 
withdrawal or expensive modification of aircraft in 
service. 
2.4, This Directive will not achieve its intended ben 
efits unless the authorities in the Aiember States taloe 
measures to ensure that the land around airports is not 
used for residential purposes. 
2.5, Lhe Committee regards the proposed period of 
25 years for the useful life of an aircraft as reasonable. 
But while it maybe arguedthatsuchaperiod is suf 
ficientfor the airlines torecoup their investments, it 
should not be tal^en as a limit on the technical life 
of an aircraft which isdetermined more by useand 
maintenance than age. 
Done at Brussels, 25 September 1991,
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Council Directive 79/373/EEC on the marketing of compound feedingstuffs

(95/C 102/05)

On 13 September 1994, the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Articles 43 and 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned proposal.

The Section for Agriculture and Fisheries, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 10 January 1995. The Rapporteur was Mr Gardner.

At its 322nd Plenary Session (meeting of 25 January 1995), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following Opinion with no dissenting votes and one abstention.

1. General comments

This proposal incorporates a number of changes (mainly terminological) resulting from COM(94) 313 on the circulation of feed materials. The Committee approves this subject to the following comments.

2. Detailed comments

2.1. In Article 1-4.b) feed materials are defined as 'whether or not containing additives'. The Commission should consider adding this phrase to 1-3, since different additives are authorized for compound feeding stuffs.

2.2.

Article 1.11

The Commission has taken the standard terminology for language of labelling that is used in other texts, in particular the labelling Directive (79/112/EEC). However this has given rise to a good deal of difficulty including references to the Court of Justice.

2.2.1. For this proposal on animal feeds, the Committee therefore proposes the following wording:

'For the purpose of trade within the Community, the indications printed on the packaging, on the container or on a label attached thereto shall be given both in the language of the manufacturer of the feedingstuffs and in the language of the purchaser and the user and shall be easy to understand.'

2.3.

Article 1.12

The Committee finds it difficult to understand why the Commission has proposed changing from a Regulatory Committee to a Consultative one, knowing full well that the Council will always change this back to the regulatory procedure. The latter is more appropriate.

2.4.

Article 2

Knowing the time that it takes to get agreement on such proposals as this, the Committee thinks that it is wrong to fix a definite date. The wording should be changed to read as follows:

'Member States shall bring into force not later than two years from the date of publication of this Directive in the Official Journal of the European Communities the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with the provisions of this Directive. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.'

Done at Brussels, 25 January 1995.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Carlos FERRER
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 91/439/EEC on driving licences

(95/C 301/07)

On 6 July 1995 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 75 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Section for Transport and Communications, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 10 July 1995. The Rapporteur was Mr Donovan.

At its 328th Plenary Session (meeting of 13 September 1995), the Economic and Social Committee unanimously adopted the following Opinion.

1. Introduction

1.1. Directive 80/1263/EEC () introduced a Community model for national driving licences to facilitate the free movement of people travelling within the Community or taking up residence in a Member State other than the one where they passed their driving test.

1.2. This first directive has been replaced by Directive 91/439/EEC () which adapts the model established by Directive 80/1263/EEC to take account in particular of the harmonization of the categories of vehicles and to make it easier for everybody to 'read' the licence. It comes into effect on 1 July 1996.

1.3. The Commission now proposes to amend Directive 91/439/EEC in order to give Member States the option of issuing a driving licence in an alternative format ('credit card').

2. General comments

2.1. The Economic and Social Committee in its Opinion on 26 April 1989 () was very supportive of Directive 91/439/EEC.

2.2. In recent years some Member States have expressed interest in further enhancing this Directive.

2.3. The proposed amendments are designed principally to meet these aspirations with the optional credit card scenario and they go further to take into account possible future technological inputs as may be agreed.

2.4. The proposals are very forward looking and certainly consistent with the further development of the Single Market.

2.5. Therefore, the Committee wholeheartedly supports the Commission's proposed amendments.

Done at Brussels, 13 September 1995.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Carlos FERRER

() First Council Directive of 4. 12. 1980 on the introduction of a Community driving licence - OJ No L 375, 31. 12. 1980, p. 1. ESC Opinion in OJ No C 197, 23. 8. 1976, p. 32.

() OJ No L 237, 24. 8. 1991, p. 1.

() OJ No C 159, 26. 6. 1989, p. 21.
Opinion on the draft Council Regulation (EC) on statistical returns in respect of carriage of passengers, freight and mail by air

(96/C 39/04)

On 4 October 1995 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned draft Council Regulation (EC).

The Section for Transport and Communications, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 8 November 1995. The Rapporteur was Mr Moreland.

At its 330th Plenary Session (meeting of 22 November 1995), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following Opinion unanimously.

1. Commission proposal

1.1. The Commission believes that, at present, data collected by Eurostat has led to the establishment of a useful but an incomplete and unharmonized database. In the light of the increased demand for reliable and comparable data, the Commission proposed that Member States will collect data on a harmonized basis for the transmission to the Statistical Office of the European Communities and the Commission shall disseminate appropriate statistical results.

2. Comments

2.1. In the light of better and consistent information on air transport, the Committee welcomes the Commission proposal and consequently believes it should be adopted by the Council.

2.2. The Committee believes the following points should be taken into consideration.

2.2.1. Appropriate funding should be agreed by the Council and the European Parliament.

2.2.2. Without prejudice to commercial secrecy, there should be easy access to the collected data which should not be aggregated to such a degree as to make it of limited use.

2.2.3. In providing estimates of aircraft capacity, the Commission should take into account that airlines have varying seating configurations for similar type of aircraft.

2.2.4. The Committee welcomes the Commission's intention to avoid burdening airports and airlines with extra cost and notes the exemptions of small airports. In this context the Commission should consider excluding air-taxi services from the current definition of non-scheduled services.

2.2.5. The Committee welcomes the report proposed in Article 8 and suggests that the European Parliament and itself should receive a copy in addition to the Council.

Done at Brussels, 22 November 1995.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Carlos FERRER