28. 3. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 80/13 
4.4. The monitoring function of the new FAST is closely 
related to the assessment function and great importance 
should be attached to the stated aim of developing an 
adequate methodology. 
4.5. Forecasting, assessment and monitoring are of 
central importance because they constitute the core of the 
FAST research action in its role as an essential element in 
the planning process of the Community research pro­
gramme. 
5. The operation of the new FAST 
5.1. As already stated, the progressive development 
approach of the new FAST is to be welcomed and, in due 
course, the content of the work programme for 1989/1990 
and 1991/1992 should be referred to the Committee for its 
Opinion. 
5.2. Attention to the diffusion and dissemination of the 
results of FAST II is very definitely and urgently needed. 
The limited extent to which the very existence of FAST is 
known in the Member States is to be deplored, and 
immediate steps should be taken to rectify this un­
satisfactory situation. The proposal to make diffusion and 
dissemination a priority in 1988 can be endorsed. 
5.3. Further analysis of the research reports of FAST II 
will be required before they are equally useful for 
utilization in all the Member States. 5.4. In the context of diffusion, the Commission should 
simplify as far as possible the language used and avoid the 
use of unexplained acronyms. 
5.5. The actions under lines of Action II and III should 
not be confined to demands of the Commission, but should 
also respond to those emanating from the European 
Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and other 
institutional bodies. 
5.6. The response to the report of the Evaluation Group 
is something to which priority attention should be given. 
5.7. The research activities of line of Action III are also 
to be applauded. 
5.8. The attachment of visiting fellows to the new FAST 
could make an important contribution, not merely to the 
FAST work but to the Researcher's Europe, and should be 
implemented with flexibility to permit maximum partici­
pation from all the Member States. 
6. The financial provisions 
It is to be noted that the financial envelope which is 
consistent with the provisions of the Framework Pro­
gramme is modest in relation to the objectives of the new 
FAST. 
Done at Brussels, 27 January 1988. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alfons MARGOT 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive amending for the fifth time Directive 74/651/ 
EEC on the tax reliefs to be allowed on the importation of goods in small consignments of a 
non-commercial character within the Community (') 
(88/C 80/06) 
On 9 December 1987, the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under 
Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, on the above-
mentioned proposal. 
The Section for Industry, Commerce, Crafts and Services which was responsible for preparing the 
Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 6 January 1988. The Rapporteur was Mr 
Noordwal. 
At its 252nd Plenary Session (meeting of 27 January 1988) the Economic and Social Committee 
adopted the following Opinion by a unanimous vote: 
(•) OJ No C5, 9. 1.1988, p. 5. 
No C 80/14 Official jQurnal of the European Communities 28. 3. 88 
The Committee approves the present proposal, which constitutes a 'technical' adjustment of the 
amount of the tax relief for small non-commercial consignments to maintain its real value. 
The Committee would, however, have preferred a system proposed earlier by the Commission and 
unanimously approved by the Committee ('), but unfortunately rejected by the Council, setting up 
an automatic annual adaptation process. 
(») OJ No C 103, 16.4. 1984. 
Done at Brussels, 27 January 1988. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alfons MARGOT 
Opinion on the own resources Decision (') 
(88/C 80/07) 
On 15 September 1987 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under 
Article 100A of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, on the own resources 
Decision. 
The Section for Economic, Financial and Monetary Questions, which was responsible for 
preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 12 January 1988. The 
Rapporteur was Mr Pardon. 
As its 252nd Plenary Session (meeting of 27 January 1988) the Economic and Social Committee 
adopted the following Opinion by a large majority with 2 votes against. 
1. Introduction 2. General comments 
1.1. In its own-initiative Opinion of 19 November 1987 
on the Financing of the Community, the ESC expressed its 
views on certain aspects of the Commission's Communi­
cation to the Council entitled 'Making a success of the 
Single Act — a new frontier for Europe'. 
The current proposal for a Decision deals with own 
resources. It is merely the legal embodiment of some of the 
proposals contained in the above Communication. 
The Committee's basic standpoint on the Commission's 
ideas for solving the Community's financial problems is 
contained in the above-mentioned Opinion. The present 
Opinion complements that earlier Opinion and must be 
read in conjunction with it. The failure of the Copenhagen 
Summit does not change the Opinion's basic tenor. 
(') OJ No C241, 8.9. 1987, p. 3. 2.1. The worldwide stock market and monetary 
disturbances currently being experienced are aggravating 
the economic and social problems which have existed for a 
number of years, making it even more urgent for the 
Community to have the means needed for its policies. The 
Member States should not skimp in granting it those 
means. Political compromises are often necessary but in 
this case it must be ensured that they do not lead to a 
resurgence of budgetary problems in the shorter or longer 
term. 
But the Community also has a responsibility to the 
individual citizen who, ultimately, provides the finance 
which enables the Community to carry out its tasks. 
Financing should therefore be sufficient, but it should also 
be as equitable as possible, taking account of each Member 
State's ability to pay. 
2.2. The Commission maintains that a progressive 
increase in own resources up to a maximum of 1,4 % of 
Community gross national product would, by 1992,