10. 9. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 225/3 
meat preparations of an approximately 5 cm wide strip of 
the linea alba from the inguinal to the umbilical regions. 
The Committee proposes that mechanically recovered 
meat (by means of 'separation') be added to the list of meat 
parts which are not authorized in the manufacture of 
minced meat. 
The Committee proposes the words underlined should be 
added to the text of Annex 1, Chapter 3, 8. The text as 
proposed for amendment is as follows: 
'Minced meat shall not be obtained from scrap cuttings 
or scrap trimmings and shall not contain any bone 
fragments. 
In particular, it shall not be prepared from meat derived 
from the following parts of bovine animals, pigs, sheep 
or goats: 
(a) the point at which the sticking of the animal took 
place, injection areas and bone scrapings; and 
(b) in the case of products for direct consumption, 
fragments of muscles from the head, boned skin 
1. Introduction 
The present communication from the Commission is 
divided into two connected parts: first, the report on the 
rapid exchange of information arising from the use of 
consumer products, and second, the proposal for a Council 
Decision amending Decision 89/45 mainly in the context of 
Article 7. 
2. General comments 
•2.1. The Committee notes with interest and approval 
the present document from the Commission which updates meat, diaphragm and the central part of the belly 
muscles.' 
2.11. Annex 1, Chapter V, 11 
The Committee sees no need for the permanent presence of 
a representative from the official service when work is 
undertaken. Spot checks should be carried out prior to the 
start of work and during production. 
2.12. Annex I, Chapter VI, 13 
The Committee proposes the deletion of 'comminuted 
meat for industrial use'. There is also a contradiction 
between this point and Article 1 (3). 
Done at Brussels, 4 July 1990. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASPRONE 
its previous report published in 1988. This was unani­
mously approved by the Committee (2). Though the report 
is regrettably late, the Committee commends the Com­
mission's critical appraisal of the present system for 
blocking or banning products. The report analyses 
problems such as those arising from identification, 
duplication and verification, and examines possibilities for 
more effective action. 
2.2. The Committee welcomes the Annex which 
contains complete lists of the 98 named products — Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision amending Decision 89/45/EEC on a Community 
system for the rapid exchange of information on dangers arising from the use of consumer 
products (*) 
(90/C 225/02) 
On 1 June 1990 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 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 June 1990. 
The rapporteur was Mrs Williams. 
At its 278th plenary session (meeting of 4 July 1990), the Committee adopted the following opinion 
by a large majority with one vote against and one abstention. 
(*) OJ No C 135, 2. 6. 1990, p. 11. (2) OJ No C 175, 4. 7. 1988. 
No C 225/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 10. 9. 90 
whether food or non-food — which have featured in the 
system since 1988. 
2.3. It notes that the Commission's present assumption 
is that Decision 89/45/EEC will be abrogated when the 
general product safety Directive finally comes into force. 
2.4. The Committee in the meantime recommends 
further expansion, extension, and acceleration of ap­
propriate, effective and fair means of recalling products. 
2.5. The Committee notes and in general approves the 
amended Decision in which changes are restricted to 
Article 7. The most important modifications here concern 
the extension of the system until abrogation, and the 
bringing into line of the Advisory Committee with the 
general procedures for Advisory Committees foreseen in 
Decision 87/373/EEC. 
3. Specific comments 
3.1. In the third recital, the Committee points to the 
reference to the continuation of the present system 'for an 
unlimited period'. It suggests that this phrase could more 
consistently be replaced by 'until such time as the product 
safety Directive comes into force'. 
1. Introduction 
1.1. The Committee takes note of the Commission 
report on ERDF activity in 1988, and observes that it must 
be assessed in a context of transition towards the new 
Structural Funds system. 3.2. Article 7 
The Committee questions why the reference to the 
provision by the Commission of a Secretariat has been 
dropped. 
It also recommends that the clause allowing Member States 
to be accompanied by up to two experts should be restored. 
3.3. Article 8 
The Committee approves the submission of a report on the 
operation of the system, and suggests wider publication 
than that in the Official Journal of the European 
Communities alone, with circulation to all relevant, 
interested organizations. It stresses that the obligation of 
producing a report at least every two years must be 
fulfilled. 
Done at Brussels, 4 July 1990. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASPRONE 
1.2. The report comes within the general framework of 
completion of the internal market and achievement of 
economic and social cohesion (Article 130b of the Treaty), 
and the ERDF has a key part to play in improving regional 
balance (Article 130c). However, it was not possible for the 
report to expand on its usual coverage in order to give a 
more dynamic contribution to the reform process. Opinion on the European Regional Development Fund: 14th annual report (1988) from the 
Commission 
(90/C 225/03) 
On 23 May 1990 the Commission decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under 
Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, on the European 
Regional Development Fund: 14th annual report (1988) from the Commission. 
The Section for Regional Development and Town and Country Planning, which was responsible 
for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 22 May 1990. The 
rapporteur was Mr Serra Caracciolo. 
At its 278th plenary session (meeting of 4 July 1990) the Economic and Social Committee adopted 
the following opinion.