Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a Council Directive amending Council Directive 92/118/EEC of 17 December 1992 laying down animal health and public health requirements governing trade in and imports into the Community of products not subject to the said requirements laid down in specific Community rules referred to in Annex A(I) to Directive 89/662/EEC and, as regards pathogens, to Directive 90/425/EEC` (97/C 66/14)

On 11 September 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 Section for Agriculture and Fisheries, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 5 November 1996. The rapporteur was Turid Ström.

At its 340th Plenary Session on 27 and 28 November 1996 (meeting of 27 November 1996) the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 106 votes to 1, with 2 abstentions.

1. Introduction - Background to the proposal

1.1. Directive 92/118/EEC lays down animal health and public health requirements for intra-Community trade in animal products which are not subject to the said requirements in specific Community rules, inter alia, in Annex A(I) to Directive 89/662, i.e. fresh meat, meat products, egg products, etc.

1.2. Directive 92/118/EEC states that whilst the trade in animal products should be liberalized, in consideration of the significant risk of the spread of diseases to which animals are exposed, special requirements should be specified for certain products of animal origin when they are placed on the market.

1.3. The directive introduced a system for the approval and inspection of third country imports. Certain products, including untreated hides and skins of ungulates, bones, horns and hooves, with a few exceptions may only be imported into the European Union from a third country which figures on a special list and from an establishment which complies with special requirements. The authorities in the relevant countries shall provide guarantees that the requirements are met. The establishments shall be registered in a Community list.

2. Gist of the proposal

2.1. The proposal to amend Directive 92/118 EEC provides a certain simplification of current import provisions. It means, for example, that the requirement to draw up a Community list for third country establishments would be waived for certain products which are not for animal or human consumption, apiculture products, game trophies, manure, wools, etc., and honey. It would be enough for the establishment to be registered with the competent authority in the third country.

2.2. For other products such as serum, blood and blood products, milk products not intended for human consumption, pet foods, lard and rendered fats, the proposal suggests that it is enough for the establishment of origin to be included in a list drawn up, according to special procedures, by the Standing Veterinary Committee.

2.3. It also proposes drawing up the health rules applying to meat of species not covered by specific requirements, in particular reptile meat.

3. Specific comments

3.1. The Committee has, in principle, no objections to simplifying this somewhat confused directive.

3.2. The Committee feels, however, that the proposed simplification should not cover unprocessed fowl manure. A Community list must be retained for this type of manure, since it carries a considerable risk of spreading disease (salmonella, avian influenza and Newcastle disease).

Brussels, 27 November 1996.

The President of the Economic and Social Committee

Tom JENKINS