6. 3. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 56/25 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) laying down zootechnical and 
pedigree requirements for the marketing of purebred animals (*) 
(89/C 56/10) 
On 18 November 1988 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, 
under Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, on the 
abovementioned proposal. 
The Section for Agriculture and Fisheries, which was responsible for preparing the Com­
mittee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 1 December 1988. The Rapporteur was 
Mr Storie-Pugh. 
At its 161st plenary session (meeting of 14 December 1988), the Economic and Social 
Committee unanimously adopted the following Opinion. 
The Committee approves the Commission proposal. 
Done at Brussels, 14 December 1988. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASPRONE 
(!) OJ No C 304, 29. 11. 1988, p. 6. 
Opinion on the situation of the nuts sector in the Community 
(89/C 56/11) 
On 27 October 1988 the Economic and Social Committee, acting under the fourth paragraph 
of Article 20 of its Rules of Procedure, decided to draw up an Own-initiative Opinion on 
the situation of the nuts sector in the Community. 
The Section for Agriculture and Fisheries, which was responsible for preparing the Com­
mittee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 1 December 1988. The Rapporteur was 
Mr Margalef Masia. 
At its 261st plenary session (meeting of 14 december 1988) the Economic and Social Committee 
unanimously adopted the following Opinion. 
1. Given that: 
— the production of nuts is mostly concentrated in the 
disadvantaged, southern regions of the Community, 
— the production of nuts is of considerable importance 
economically in these areas, the cultivation of nuts offers a valid alternative to 
surplus crops such as olives and grapes, and meets 
requirements regarding protection of the environ­
ment and conservation of rural areas; it is therefore 
to be hoped that nuts may be cultivated on land 
covered by set-aside arrangements, 
the residues left after the initial processing of nuts 
No C 56/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 3. 89 
(e.g. almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts) may be used, 
at least in part, to bring about energy savings, 
the Committee would draw attention to the fact that 
there is a shortfall in nut production in the Community 
and that there is therefore considerable scope for expan­
sion in this sector. 
2. The Committee notes that the Commission 
recently submitted a set of proposals on almonds, wal­
nuts and hazelnuts aimed at improving yields and qual­
ities, in line with market demand. The proposals pro­
vide in particular for: 
a) an additional grant for setting up producers' organ­
izations; 
b) grants for setting up a revolving fund for managing 
stocks; 
c) improving varieties, cultivation and marketing of 
nuts on the basis of plans drawn up by producers' 
organizations; 
d) promoting consumption by setting up a special fund 
and laying down quality standards; 
e) improving structures, including irrigation. 
3. The Committee welcomes the Commission's 
initiative, but feels that the proposed measures do not 
go far enough, primarily because they fail to take 
account of the effects on Community production of 
massive imports from non-EEC countries (36% of 
almonds and 59 % of hazelnuts consumed in the Com­
munity). The Committee stresses the need to adhere to 
the principles of the common agricultural policy in 
Done at Brussels, 14 December 1988. order to ensure an increase in the production of nuts 
in the Community, without allowing surpluses, and 
respect for Community preferences. Account must also 
be taken of market demand, particularly with regard 
to quality. 
3.1. The Committee would urge the Commission to 
increase the production in the Community of those 
varieties and qualities of nuts for which there is a stable 
or growing market, without allowing the emergence of 
surpluses. 
3.2. The Committee endorses the proposal for finan­
cial assistance in setting up a revolving fund for the 
management of stocks, pointing out that stocks may 
consist of shelled nuts (i.e. the first stage of processing). 
3.3. The Committee would make the following rec­
ommendations: 
— the market in nuts should continue to be covered 
by Regulation (EEC) No 1035/72; 
— present subsidies to farms ranging from 25 ares to 
5 hectares should be retained and should be granted 
in all Community areas which produce nuts; 
— other types of shell-fruit (such as chestnuts, pine-
nuts, pistachios and carobs) should be included in 
the Regulation. 
3.4. Finally, in order to achieve the Commission's 
proposed objectives, measures to boost consumption 
should be supplemented by arrangements (valid for a 
number of years) with producers' organizations; these 
organizations should also receive financial support for 
the first stage of processing. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASPRONE