Opinion on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision adopting an action plan 1995-1999 to combat cancer within the framework for action in the field of public health (95/C 210/08)

On 13 July 1994 the Council of Ministers decided to consult the Committee of the Regions on the above-mentioned proposal.

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

Having regard to Article 3(o) which refers to a contribution to the attainment of a high level of health protection;

Having regard to Article 3(b) which stipulates that, in areas which do not fall within its exclusive competence, the Community shall take action, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, only if and insofar as the objectives of the proposed action cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can therefore, by reason of the scale of effects of the proposed action, be better achieved by the Community;

Having regard to Article 129 of the Treaty which refers to the ensuring of a high level of human health protection;

Having regard to the Communication of the Commission concerning the fight against cancer in the frame of action in the field of public health;

Having regard to the proposal for a Parliamentary and Council Decision for the adoption of an action plan 1995-1999 for the fight against cancer in the frame of action in the field of public health;

ADOPTED

unanimously the following Opinion, presented by Mr Boehm, at its plenary session on 28 September 1994.

1. The Committee of the Regions endorses continuation of the Europe against Cancer programme. Closer cooperation among the Member States, particularly in research, is essential to combat this disease.

2. This is the Commission's first specialized programme under the recently adopted framework for action in the field of public health. It is not clear what priority the cancer programme has in the special framework. There is a lack of a framework programme which would provide a binding overall approach to the public health field.

3. The principle of subsidiarity should be strictly observed in implementing this action plan. It is clear from the proposal's recitals that the Commission starts from an incorrect interpretation of subsidiarity. Under Article 3B, the precondition for involvement of the European Community is that the aims of the measures concerned cannot be adequately achieved by the Member States and can therefore, by reason of the scale or effects of the proposed action, be better achieved by the Community.

Moreover, the wording and implementation of individual measures must always respect the limits of Article 129. In particular, the field of treatment and health care may not be covered.

4. The Committee of the Regions asks that the Member States be given the power of co-decision in the implementation of the programme. A management committee should therefore be set up in place of the proposed advisory committee. So that the Member States can participate effectively, the Commission will need to provide information on a regular and timely basis.

In addition, the regions must be more closely involved, so that the implementing measures decided by the Commission and the Member States take account of regional particularities and these measures can be better coordinated with regional projects. To that end it is necessary for the regions to be informed in good time of planned measures at all stages of the programme.

The Committee of the Regions therefore calls upon the Commission to maintain close contact with Commission 8 of the Committee of the Regions and keep it informed of the implementation of the action plan.

5. Finally, the content of the programme should be further improved by the following changes and shifts of emphasis:

- Because of the increasing incidence of breast, prostate and skin cancer these types of cancer ought to receive special attention in all fields of action.

- Promotion of health at the workplace should be covered in the planning and promotion of preventive measures in the field of public health.

- Research should be carried out on the effect of psychological factors in the emergence of cancer, and strategies for overcoming them should be developed.

- Experience in the field of general public cancer prevention and in health education shows that awareness of the 'proper' lifestyle is not enough to make people forego the use of tobacco and/or alcohol. Steps should therefore be taken to promote research into the possibility of motivating adults and particularly young people to adopt a lifestyle which is not self-destructive.

- A comparative assessment of screening in various countries of the European Union should be carried out.

- Comparative studies of tumours occuring in families should be promoted.

- Therapy studies with the aim of evaluating existing data, and studies of the incidence of secondary tumours, should be included in the programme.

- Studies and research work on possible carcinogenic effects of weak radiation emissions from nuclear power plants and power lines should be promoted and adequately funded.

- Finally, the action plan should take more account of regional and local aspects of cancer prevention. It is becoming increasingly clear that environmental influences play a considerable role in cancer cases. It is therefore suggested that studies be carried out to show the differing regional incidence of tumours in relation to socio-economic factors.

Done at Brussels, 28 September 1994.

The Chairman

of the Committee of the Regions

Jacques BLANC