No C 307/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 19. 11. 84 
would have liked the Commission to have presented the 
technical implementing provisions simultaneously with 
this proposal. 
1.4. The Committee thinks that allowance should be 
made for the use of the latest inspection and control 
techniques when fixing the amount of the 
contribution. 
2. Specific comments 
Article 1 
The German text is open to misinterpretation through the 
use of the term 'Haustiere' (domestic animals/pets). The 
Committee would like it to be made clear that for the 
purposes of the Directive 'Haustiere' means 'Nutztiere' 
(livestock kept for productive purposes). 
Article 2, third indent 
The Committee considers it unacceptable that where the 
results of the not yet harmonized tests for residues are 
positive the party concerned should have to pay the full 
charge. The Committee takes the view that the Member 
States should share in the cost. 
Done at Brussels, 26 September 1984. Article 2, fourth indent 
The Committee would suggest that 'the party concerned' 
be defined with reference to Article 1 as the person on 
whose account the additional checks are carried out. 
Article 3 (1) 
With reference to its general comments, the Committee 
assumes that the level of the contribution will be such as 
to allow use of the most modern methods of analysis. 
Article 4 
To clarify the aim of this Article, the Committee would 
suggest the following wording: 
'The Member States shall ensure that adequate health 
inspection and control measures are taken. Funds at 
least equivalent to the total amount of the 
contributions shall be made available for the financing 
of these measures.' 
The Committee also thinks that it is necessary to ensure 
that the contributions are used for the purpose in 
question. 
Article 5 
The Committee considers that the Commission should be 
notified of relevant provisions of the Member States, also 
after 1 January 1986. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Francois CEYRAC 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision on the ratification of the Torremolinos 
International Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessels and the application of the provisions 
thereof by the Member States pending the entry into force of the Convention at international 
level 
(84/C 307/02) 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the European 
Communities No C 183 of 10 July 1984, page 17. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 6 July 1984 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under 
Articles 43 and 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, on the 
abovementioned proposal. 
Procedure 
The Section for Agriculture, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the 
subject, adopted its opinion on 6 September 1984 in the light of the oral report by the 
Rapporteur, Mr Morselli. 
19. 11. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 307/3 
B. OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
At its 219th plenary session (meeting of 26 September 1984) the Economic and Social 
Committee adopted the following opinion unanimously. 
1. For the reasons set out below, the Committee is in 
favour of the Council adopting this Decision proposed by 
the Commission. 
2. The Committee observes that in its 1980 
communication to the Council on the social aspects of 
fisheries policy the Commission set out guidelines for the 
health and safety of fishermen on board fishing 
vessels. 
The Economic and Social Committee was asked to issue 
an opinion on this communication. The opinion, which 
was adopted on 26 May 1981 (!), stated inter alia: policy, based on the harmonization of working 
conditions, vocational training and safety measures. 
4. Following the Council meeting on 24 May 1984, 
the Commission was asked to submit proposals dealing 
with the social aspects of the maritime fishing industry, 
particularly the question of safety. 
The Committee observes that the present draft Council 
Decision represents a first step towards the introduction 
of a social component in the fisheries policy, something 
which those working in the field have been calling for for 
many years. 
'The Committee endorses the concern expressed by the 
Commission on the need to promote measures for safety 
at work at sea, including first aid, rescue facilities and 
health care. In the opinion of the Committee, fishermen at 
sea should not be exposed to the increased risk of injury or 
loss of life at sea due to inadequate safety measures or 
rescue facilities. Apart from the need to improve safety at 
work on fishing vessels, there is also a necessity to have 
electronic equipment fitted to facilitate the location of 
vessels in distress, including survival equipment. 
The Committee welcomes, in particular, the 
Commission's intentions to present a proposal for a 
Council Directive on safety, health and the prevention of 
accidents at work in the sea fishing sector. The 
Committee hopes that this proposal will emerge soon, as 
there is an urgent need for safety measures for vessels and The Committee is pleased to note the reference to Article 
117 of the Treaty concerning the improvement and 
harmonization of living and working conditions. 
The ratification of the Torremolinos Convention by all 
the Member States and the incorporation into national 
legislation of the measures necessary for implementing 
the Convention will thus constitute the first Community 
move to harmonize social provisions in the fishing 
industry. 
5. The Committee is pleased to note that, in addition 
to the technical provisions covering the construction, 
seaworthiness and stability of vessels of more than 24 
metres long, a considerable section of the Torremolinos 
Convention (Chapters VI to X) makes a contribution to 
improving the protection and safety of seamen. 
3. The Council has not acted on the Commission's 
communication. The Committee deplores once again the 
lack of a social component in the common fisheries The Committee does, however, deplore the fact that a 
convention drawn up in 1977 has not yet been fully 
implemented throughout the Community in 1984. 
Done at Brussels, 26 September 1984. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Fran?ois CEYRAC 
(i) OJNoC 189, 30. 7. 1981.