ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 92/117/EEC concerning measures for protection against specified zoonoses and specified zoonotic agents in animals and products of animal origin in order to prevent outbreaks of food-borne infections and intoxications

(96/C 97/09)

On 24 November 1995, 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 11 January 1996. The Rapporteur was Mr Mayayo Bello.

At its 332nd Plenary Session (meeting of 1 February 1996), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following Opinion nem.con. with two abstentions.

1. In adopting Directive 92/117/EEC (the 'Zoonoses Directive') in 1992, the Council introduced an obligation for the Member States to collect information on the situation, communicate this information to the Commission and forward plans and national measures concerning salmonella in poultry to the Commission.

2. The Committee notes that Directive 92/117/EEC has proved difficult to implement in a number of Member States. It therefore supports the Commission's intention to carry out a thorough review of the Directive.

3. The Committee understands the Commission's reasons for requesting time to revise the Directive and to draft the essential report provided for in the new Article 15a.

4. The Committee recognizes that Directive 92/117/EEC has certain shortcomings, and regrets that some Member States have failed to comply with the Directive adequately. Inadequate control measures mean that competition is distorted between poultry producers in different countries.

5. Consumers are increasingly aware of salmonella and some countries have adopted significant provisions on this matter, which the Committee considers necessary to fulfil the obligation of the EU Treaty to contribute to the attainment of a high level of health protection.

6. The Committee points out its interest in control and protection against zoonoses, and asks that the Committee be consulted in due course on the proposed new Directive which should include appropriate provisions to ensure that the situation does not deteriorate further, especially in those countries which have implemented the Directive.

7. Given the urgent need to further and speed up the implementation of control measures against salmonella in all EU countries, the Committee recommends that the Commission and other concerned parties arrange a public conference on this subject.

Done at Brussels, 1 February 1996.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Carlos FERRER
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a Council Directive amending Council Directive 94/80/EC laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in municipal elections by citizens of the Union residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals'

(96/C 153/09)

On 7 February 1996, the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Committee instructed the Section for Social, Family, Educational and Cultural Affairs to prepare its work on the subject. In the course of its work, the Committee appointed Mr Cal as Rapporteur-General (Rule 20 of the Rules of Procedure).

At its 333rd Plenary Session (meeting of 29 February 1996), the Economic and Social Committee unanimously adopted the following Opinion.

1. Introduction

1.1. The proposal amends Directive 94/80/EC by adding references to the basic local government units in the new Member States (Austria, Finland and Sweden).

1.2. The Committee approves the proposal.

2. General comments

2.1. The Committee notes that the present proposal and the Directive being amended seek to apply Article 8b of the Treaty, which requires that 'every citizen residing in a Member State of which he is not a national shall have the right to vote and to stand as a candidate at municipal elections in the Member State in which he resides, under the same conditions as nationals of that State.'

2.2. The Committee points out with regard to the extension of voting rights at municipal elections that the requisite adjustments must be made in order to strengthen citizens' sense of involvement in the European Union and the idea of European citizenship.

2.3. The Committee emphasizes that it is important for EU citizens to participate in local affairs and municipal elections. Such participation should help to improve mutual understanding and encourage nationals of other Member States to become more closely involved in the life of their local communities, as well as helping to make the public authorities and political groups more aware of their situation.

2.4. The Committee reiterates the comments made in earlier Opinions (), and stresses the need to safeguard the principle of non-discrimination on the grounds of nationality between Community citizens, as enshrined in the Treaty and confirmed by case law ().

Done at Brussels, 29 February 1996.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Carlos FERRER

() Opinion of 14. 9. 1994 in OJ No C 393, 31. 12. 1994.

() Judgements of the Court of Justice C-92/92 and C-362/92.
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) introducing a Community aid scheme for producers of certain citrus fruits`

(96/C 212/18)

On 28 May 1996, 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 Economic and Social Committee decided to appoint Mr Mayayo Bello as Rapporteur-General for its Opinion.

At its 336th Plenary Session (meeting of 30 May 1996), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following Opinion by 52 votes to 2 with 5 abstentions.

The Committee broadly welcomes the proposed regulation establishing an aid scheme for citrus fruit producers.

It approves the role to be played by producers' organizations in the proposed new regulation; the industry's negotiating power will be strengthened and it will be able to count on a more regular supply of raw materials for processing.

In the Committee's view, the reductions in the aid should perhaps be changed.

The Committee considers it necessary to establish a maximum limit of 20 % as a penalty for exceeding the threshold.

Done at Brussels, 30 May 1996.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Carlos FERRER
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) amending Regulation (EC) No 2201/96 on the common organization of the markets in processed fruit and vegetable products` (98/C 19/33)

On 15 September 1997 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 Economic and Social Committee decided to appoint Mr Sabin as rapporteur-general.

At its 349th plenary session of 29 and 30 October 1997 (meeting of 29 October) the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 82 votes in favour and 2 abstentions.

1. The Committee notes that the proposed amendment to the common organization of the markets in processed fruit and vegetables, last reformed in 1966, solely concerns the internal breakdown of the French quota for tomatoes intended for processing. It has no impact on the quotas of other Member States.

1.1. The 1996 reform of the COM reduced the total French quota by 24 000 metric tonnes. This reduction affected both the quota for tomato concentrate and the quota for 'other products`.

1.2. Similarly, the 1996 reform prevented transfer of tonnages between the various product groups, if the ceiling for one of these groups was exceeded.

1.3. The French quota for tomatoes intended for 'other products` thus did not reflect the realities of national production, since there was a difference of approximately 15 000 tonnes between actual production and the quota.

1.4. The Agriculture Council of June 1997 asked the Commission to propose a change, for the 1997/1998 and 1998/1999 marketing years, of the breakdown of the French quota between product groups, 'so as to reduce the peeled tomato group by 15 000 tonnes and increase the "other products" group by the same amount`.

2. The Commission's proposal implements the Council decision of June 1997. The proposed quota is more appropriate to the actual production of the French tomato processing sector. It does not increase the aggregate French total. Furthermore, an increase of 15 000 tonnes in the French 'other products` quota will not have an adverse impact on the other producer Member States, since France only produces 35-40 % of its processed-tomato requirements. Present figures indicate that Community quotas for the 1997 marketing year will not be fully taken up. Finally, the proposal will not cost anything and will even generate a slight saving, since peeled tomatoes received a higher premium than those to be used for 'other products`.

2.1. The Committee therefore endorses the proposal made by the Commission.

Brussels, 29 October 1997.

The President of the Economic and Social Committee

Tom JENKINS
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) on the financing of the common agricultural policy` (98/C 95/13)

On 17 December 1997 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 Economic and Social Committee decided to appoint Mr Mengozzi as rapporteur-general for its opinion.

At its 351st plenary session (meeting of 28 January 1998), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion with 74 votes in favour and five abstentions.

1. The Committee approves the Commission proposal to consolidate the regulations governing the financing of the CAP.

2. The proposed single instrument incorporates the basic regulation (EEC) No 729/70 and the numerous amendments made over the years. The exercise does not involve any changes of substance; it merely makes formal adjustments required by consolidation.

3. The Committee has frequently called for the consolidation of Community regulations, as it considers this vital for making the common agricultural policy accessible and comprehensible to people working in the sector.

Brussels, 28 January 1998.

The President of the Economic and Social Committee

Tom JENKINS
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) amending Regulation (EC) No 1868/94 establishing a quota system in relation to the production of potato starch` (98/C 129/17)

On 26 January 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 Economic and Social Committee decided to appoint Mr Lerios as rapporteur-general for its opinion.

At its 352nd plenary session held on 25 and 26 February 1998 (meeting of 26 February) the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 47 votes for, with no votes against and one abstention.

1. Gist of the Commission proposal

1.1. The aim of this proposal for a regulation is to allocate the three-yearly quota for the 1998/1999, 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 marketing years between potato starch producing Member States on the basis of the report from the Commission to the Council on the quota system for the production of potato starch, thus amending Regulation (EC) No 1868/94.

1.2. It is proposed that the present quotas be maintained for the next three years, on the understanding that the reserve quota of 104 554 tonnes for Germany be definitively included in its new quota.

1.3. If appropriate, account will be taken for each potato starch producer in each Member State of the amount by which the quota was exceeded in the marketing year 1997/1998, as provided for in Article 6 (2) of Regulation (EC) No 1868/94.

2. General comments

2.1. As indicated in point 1 above, only Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 1868/94 has been changed; the quotas of the other Member States and the margin provided for in Article 6 (2) are not affected.

2.2. The Commission report shows that the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 1868/94 are being fully complied with, in terms both of Germany's use of its reserve and the maintaining of current quotas over three years.

3. Conclusion

The ESC endorses the present Commission proposal for a Council regulation.

Brussels, 26 February 1998.

The President of the Economic and Social Committee

Tom JENKINS
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the "Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs (codified version)"

(1999/C 258/03)

On 17 May 1999 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 95 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above mentioned proposal.

The Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 1 June 1999. The rapporteur was Mr Jaschick.

At its 365th plenary session (meeting of 7 July 1999), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 98 votes to one, with four abstentions.

1. This legislative consolidation proposal was drawn up on the basis of a preliminary consolidation, in all the official languages, of Council Directive 79/112/EEC of 18 December 1978 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs and the instruments amending it. The new directive will supersede the various directives incorporated in the consolidation.

2. The Economic and Social Committee welcomes the Commission proposal, since the consolidation corresponds to the need for Community law to be clear and transparent. An examination of the text has shown that the Commission proposal contains no substantive changes, but only formal changes made necessary by the actual process of consolidation.

Brussels, 7 July 1999.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Beatrice RANGONI MACHIAVELLI
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the "Proposal for a Council Decision amending Decision 91/666/CEE establishing Community reserves of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines"

(1999/C 368/05)

On 8 September 1999 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 37 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 28 September 1999. The rapporteur was Mr Donnelly.

At its 367th plenary session (meeting of 20 October 1999), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 105 votes to one with two abstentions.

1. Gist of the Commission document

1.1. Community measures for the control of foot-and-mouth diseases provide for emergency vaccination in cases the disease become extensive.

1.2. By Decision 91/666/EEC(1) the Council established the Community reserves of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines, and designated four antigen banks in different Member States. Meanwhile, two of those four antigen banks have relinquished their commitments to provide these services to the Community.(2)

1.3. Furthermore, the need may arise to relocate perhaps on short notice and in any case without undue delay, the antigen reserves to appropriate establishments within the Community. In order to allow immediate reaction to the needs to distribute or relocate the Community reserves of foot-and-mouth disease antigen for storage at different sites, an amendment of above mentioned Decision is proposed. In particular the designation of the two institutions is eliminated and the designation of any other establishment is carried out in future by the Commission in accordance with the Standing Veterinary Committee (with the procedures laid down in Article 10 of the decision).

2. Assessment of the proposal

2.1. The protection of the health status of the EU livestock herd is of the utmost importance. The need for a new legal base, as proposed by the Commission, which allows more efficient and immediate action in order to combat foot-and-mouth diseases is convincing.

2.2. The severity of foot-and-mouth disease, which is also widespread in neighbouring regions such as Turkey or some countries in North Africa may require the need for immediate reaction and the facility to distribute or relocate the Community reserves of foot-and-mouth disease antigen vaccines. The Committee therefore supports the proposal of the Commission that provides for the application of the Standing Veterinary Committee procedures as regards the designation of the Community antigen reserves.

Brussels, 20 October 1999.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Beatrice RANGONI MACHIAVELLI

(1) OJ L 368, 31.12.1991, p. 21-25.

(2) The Institute for Animal Health (Pirbright-UK) and Bayer AG (Cologne-Germany).
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the "Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation on substances that deplete the ozone layer as regards the base year for the allocation of quotas of hydrochlorofluorocarbons"

(2000/C 367/09)

On 28 July 2000 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 175 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Economic and Social Committee decided to appoint Mr Sergio Colombo as rapporteur-general with the task of preparing the Committee's work on the subject.

At its 375th plenary session held on 20 and 21 September 2000 (meeting of 20 September), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 64 votes with 3 abstentions.

1. The Commission proposal

1.1. This proposal seeks to amend the recently adopted Regulation on substances that deplete the ozone layer(1) on one specific point. It aims at modifying the date currently contained in the new Regulation for determining the allocation of quotas of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs): it is proposed to base this on the most recent and representative (i.e. 1999) data rather than on 1996 figures. This modification will not lead to an increase in the total amount of HCFCs that can be imported and will therefore not entail any negative consequences for the environment. According to the Commission, maintenance of the 1996 base year could be considered arbitrary and might result in a breach of the principles of non-discrimination.

2. General comments

2.1. The Committee approves the Commission proposal.

Brussels, 20 September 2000.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Beatrice Rangoni Machiavelli

(1) This Regulation, the publication of which in the OJ is still awaited, will replace Regulation (EC) No 3093/94.
25.

Recommends that the EU should safeguard the more vulnerable members of European society. The globalisation of world markets provides additional opportunities to reinvigorate the economies of the EU. However, while supporting further economic growth that should lead to job and wealth creation, there may be sections of the European community that are unable to benefit from this growth. As a result of demographic changes and an ageing population, traditional welfare policies should adapt to these new challenges. Consequently, while exploiting the opportunities for growth, EU policies must ensure equality of opportunity, and assist social welfare structures to meet the challenges of an evolving European Single Market. This will require welfare structures, and in particular education and training, to better target those in most need while ensuring appropriate resources and incentives and to develop innovative approaches to providing effective welfare;
41.

shares the Commission's view that measures must be taken to reduce noise from rail freight transport and welcomes the measures proposed by the Commission. Retrofitting existing freight wagons with low-noise brakes looks in particular to be an effective and relatively cheap solution. The Committee feels that the technical specifications for interoperability relating to rail noise (Noise TSI) should also include noise limits for existing rolling stock and should lay down a timeframe for retrofitting. It asks the Commission to examine the possibility of also identifying and prescribing limits for abraded material from potentially dangerous brake components to prevent any long-term damage to the area along the railway track as a result of brake wear and tear. It would ask the Commission to note that modern operating techniques and capacity-enhancing infrastructure measures can be applied so that trains have less need of friction-braking. This could further enhance the energy efficiency of rail transport and further reduce both noise emissions and abrasion.
33.

On account of the specific parameters for rail lines in transport corridors, there will need to be changes in the organisation of both road and rail transport in some localities. For this reason, it is essential for local and regional authorities to be provided with appropriate financial instruments enabling them to carry out the investment and modernisation work that is required for the routes of the lines that run through these places. At the same time, the legal framework for successful property expropriation in the public interest should be simplified, so that modernisation and building plans for routes and infrastructures are not held up by the principle of appropriate compensation for expropriated property.
8.

stresses that, as the trans-European transport network is developed, with the previous project-based approach (30 priority axes) being superseded by an approach differentiating between the overall network and the main TEN-T network, steps must be taken to ensure that sufficient attention and support is still given to the EU's outlying regions, border regions and regions with difficult natural conditions, in order to improve transport connections between the heartland of the EU and neighbouring countries. Therefore, in order to ensure internal and external territorial cohesion in Europe, consideration also needs to be given, for example, to differentiating the priority links and chains in European transport policy, including the relevant funding mechanisms. A system needs to be developed that makes it clearer than before how and according to what principles the TEN-T networks are established and, if necessary, modified and extended; the priority TEN-T projects already underway should in any event be completed. Additions and extensions providing links to the network should also be included in the TEN-T main network. At the same time, better coordination of projects between the Member States should be encouraged in order to avoid unsynchronised planning and implementation and to prioritise cross-border segments;