ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision amending Decision 90/424/EEC on expenditure in the veterinary field (1) (94/C 148/07)

On 22 December 1993, the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Articles 43 and 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned proposal.

The Section for Agriculture and Fisheries, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 3 March 1994. The Rapporteur was Mr Hovgaard Jakobsen.

At its 314th Plenary Session on 23 and 24 March 1994 (meeting of 23 March) the Economic and Social Committee unanimously adopted the following Opinion.

1. Introduction

1.1. In February 1990 the Council asked the Committee to deliver an Opinion on this matter. The relevant proposal consolidated and rationalized earlier provisions relating to a large number of specific measures in this field and was prompted by the progressive dismantling of veterinary border checks in connection with the Single Market.

1.2. In its Opinion of 25 April 1990 (2) the Committee welcomed this proposal as it could facilitate implementation of programmes required in this field. Several of the Committee's recommendations have been heeded.

2. General comments

2.1. Since it was introduced in 1990, this measure has proved effective in curbing a number of animal diseases. The proposed changes, which of course seek to monitor expenditure more effectively, seem to place a heavy burden on applicants. As indicated in the explanatory memorandum, the intention is not to affect the level of expenditure in the veterinary sector.

2.2. Though the costs must be kept within EU budgetary limits, it is vital that the requisite resources should be available at any moment to cover current needs.

2.3. The list of diseases set out in Article 3 of the current Council Decision and the annex to Article 24 should be constantly reviewed to keep pace with existing requirements.

3. Specific comments

3.1. Article 10a: The proposed minimum threshold of ECU 10 000 for emergency measures appears acceptable from an administrative viewpoint.

3.2. Article 24: The proposed application deadlines and procedures are far too cumbersome. As in the case of allocating both public and private aid, a far smoother process is needed, along the following lines: submission of application; set period for processing and, where appropriate, approval (e.g. three months); implementation accompanied by ongoing feedback on the progress and development of the programme. In the case of possible multi-annual programmes, release of the resources required for continuation should be conditional on frequent feedback. Accounts should be supplied to the Commission within six months of the programme's completion.

Done at Brussels, 23 March 1994.

The Chairman

of the Economic and Social Committee

Susanne TIEMANN

(1) OJ No C 4, 6. 1. 1994, p. 5.

(2) OJ No C 168, 1. 7. 1990, p. 5.
Opinion on the draft Council Decision amending Council Decision 91/115/EEC establishing a Committee on Monetary Financial and Balance-of-Payments Statistics (94/C 397/19)

On 13 December 1994 the Commission decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned draft 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 6 December 1994. The Rapporteur was Mr R. Donovan.

At its 321st Plenary Session (meeting of 21 December 1994), the Economic and Social Committee adopted unanimously the following Opinion.

1. The Commission's draft amendments to the Council Decision of 25 February 1991 aim at adding new members to the Committee on Monetary, Financial and Balance-of-Payment Statistics following the establishment of the European Monetary Institute on 1 January 1994.

2. The proposed modifications being of an essentially formal nature, the Economic and Social Committee approves the draft Council decision.

Done at Brussels, 21 December 1994.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Carlos FERRER
Opinion on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive amending Directive 89/686/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to personal protective equipment

(96/C 97/02)

On 29 January 1996, the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 100a of the Treaty establishing the European 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 10 January 1996. The Rapporteur was Mr Wright.

At its 332nd Plenary Session (meeting of 31 January 1996), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following Opinion unanimously.

1. General comments

The Committee has in due time expressed its Opinion () on the substantial aspects of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Directive ().

The purpose of the draft Directive now presented by the Commission is to repeal the obligation to indicate on every item of PPE the year in which the EC marking was affixed. No aspects relating to users' health and safety will be diminished, and proper technical consultation of interested parties (which expressed their approval) has been carried on by the Commission.

The Committee approves, therefore, this proposal aimed to simplify costly administrative requirements imposed on the manufacturers.

Done at Brussels, 31 January 1996.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Carlos FERRER

() OJ No C 337, 31. 12. 1988.
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) amending Council Regulation 2686/94 establishing a special system of assistance to traditional ACP suppliers of bananas`

(96/C 204/11)

On 11 March 1996, the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Union, 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 11 April 1996. The Rapporteur was Mr Mayayo Bello.

At its 335th Plenary Session held on 24and 25 April 1996 (meeting of 24 April), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following Opinion by 96 votes to 6, with 15 abstentions.

Done at Brussels, 24 April 1996.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Carlos FERRER
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) amending Regulation (EEC) No 1442/88 on the granting, for the 1988/1989-1997/1998 wine years, of permanent abandonment premiums in respect of wine-growing areas` (97/C 133/08)

On 30 January 1997, 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 6 February 1997. The rapporteur was Mr Quevedo Rojo.

At its 343rd plenary session (meeting of 26 February 1997), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 93 votes to three, with five abstentions.

Having taken note of some Member States' delay in designating the regions to benefit from the permanent abandonment premiums in respect of wine-growing areas pursuant to the terms of Council Regulation (EC) No 1595/96 of 30 July 1996, amending the basic Council Regulation No 1442/88 of 24 May 1988, the Committee approves the Commission proposal to extend the time limit (31 December 1996) fixed for eligible producers to submit applications to the authorities designated by the Member States.

Such a measure would seem to be necessary in order not to jeopardize (i) premium payments for 1996/97 and (ii) the success of an instrument that aims to help achieve market balance in the wine-growing sector.

Brussels, 26 February 1997.

The President of the Economic and Social Committee

Tom JENKINS
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) amending Regulation (EEC) No 1442/88 on the granting, for the 1988/1989 to 1997/1998 wine years, of permanent abandonment premiums in respect of wine-growing areas` (98/C 73/13)

On 30 September 1997 the Council, acting in pursuance of Articles 43 and 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, consulted the Economic and Social Committee on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Section for Agriculture and Fisheries, which was instructed to prepare the Committee's work on the matter, adopted its opinion on 7 November 1997. The rapporteur was Mr Kienle.

At its 350th plenary session held on 10 and 11 December 1997 (meeting of 10 December) the Economic and Social Committee adopted the opinion set out below by 114 votes to one, with three abstentions.

1. Introduction

1.1. Regulation (EEC) No 1442/88 on the granting of premiums for the permanent abandonment of wine-growing areas was amended under the 1996/97 farm price round in such a way as to introduce a maximum EU quota of 25 000 ha per year over a two-year period in respect of the wine-growing area eligible for a grubbing premium. The area allocated to Germany under this scheme (50 ha per year) proved to be too small to enable it to be distributed amongst the various wine-growing areas, with the result that no use whatsoever was made of this scheme in Germany.

1.2. The proposed amendment under consideration provides for an increase of 950 ha in the area allocated to Germany and a reduction by the same amount of the 13 000 ha originally allocated to Spain.

2. Observations

2.1. The Committee welcomes the proposed amendment to Regulation (EEC) No 1442/88. This measure will make it possible for meaningful use to be made, in Germany too, of the programme for regulating wine-growing areas.

2.2. The Committee points out that the simultaneous reduction of the area allocated to Spain by the same figure of 950 ha will have no effect in that country as it has so far used only a small part of its allocation. It is assumed that the 12 050 ha allocated to Spain will be sufficient fully to meet all applications for the grubbing of vines.

2.3. The Committee welcomes the fact that the proposed amendment to Regulation (EEC) No 1442 will not require additional funds from the EU budget.

Brussels, 10 December 1997.

The President of the Economic and Social Committee

Tom JENKINS
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 92/79/EEC on the approximation of taxes on cigarettes, Directive 92/80/EEC on the approximation of taxes on manufactured tobacco other than cigarettes and Directive 95/59/EC on taxes other than turnover taxes which affect the consumption of manufactured tobacco` () (98/C 410/01)

On 3 July 1998 the Commission decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 99 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Section for Economic, Financial and Monetary Questions, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, appointed Mr Noordwal as rapporteur working alone.

At its 358th plenary session of 13, 14 and 15 October 1998 (meeting of 15 October), the Economic and Social Committee appointed Mr Noordwal as rapporteur-general and adopted the following opinion by 91 votes to one, with four abstentions.

1. Summary of the Commission's text

1.1. The proposal's aim is to make a few technical changes to the basic directives concerning taxes on cigarettes (92/79/EEC) and other tobacco products (92/80/EEC) and to the directive on taxes other than turnover taxes levied on manufactured tobacco (95/59/EC).

1.2. In particular it seeks to allow the member states greater leeway when applying excise duties, which must not be lower than 57 % of the retail selling price for the most popular cigarettes. This must, among other things, make it easier to fix these retail prices in the light of inflation and budget needs.

1.3. In addition the directive seeks to adjust the minimum rates for excise duties on cigars and other tobacco products (5 % of the retail price for cigars and cigarillos, 30 % for hand-rolling tobacco and 20 % for pipe tobacco; or ECUs 9, 24 and 18 per kilo respectively and ECUs 10, 25 and 19 per kilo from 1 January 2001) to take account of inflation.

1.4. A review is to take place every five years (instead of every two years) as previously.

2. The ESC's comments

2.1. The ESC notes that the changes proposed by the Commission to the basic directives concerning the approximation of taxes on manufactured tobacco are of a basically technical nature.

2.2. No fundamental change is planned to the structure of taxation in the sector concerned.

2.3. The technical adjustments seek basically to improve the functioning of the single market and enable the member states to manage their excise duties on cigarettes etc. bearing in mind their budget needs, their public health targets and the need to combat fraud.

2.4. The Economic and Social Committee therefore approves the proposal.

Brussels, 15 October 1998.

The President of the Economic and Social Committee

Beatrice RANGONI MACHIAVELLI

() OJ C 203, 30.6.1998, p. 16.
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the "Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) amending for the second time Regulation (EC) No 850/98 of 30 March 1998 for the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms"(1)

(1999/C 138/08)

On 23 March 1999 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 Economic and Social Committee decided to appoint Mr Chagas as rapporteur-general for its opinion.

At its 362nd plenary session (meeting of 24 March 1999), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 60 votes to four, with 10 abstentions.

1. Introduction

1.1. With Regulation (EC) 850/98, the Council adopted technical measures for the protection of juvenile marine organisms.

1.2. Provision was made in that regulation for complementary measures to be adopted by 4 May 1999 at the latest on rules for the use of mesh-size combinations.

1.3. The present proposal for a regulation amends Regulation 850/98 in the aforementioned respects; it introduces new provisions to facilitate controls, by making use of the logbook mandatory to note application of these rules and also any transboundary fishing.

2. General comments

2.1. The ESC approves the present proposal for a Regulation.

2.2. The Committee stresses that the resource conservation policy is necessary to ensure that fisheries develop smoothly as a profitable, competitive sector.

2.3. For technical conservation measures to be effective, they must be simple, workable and enforceable, and, if possible, tested inter alia by professionals in the sector.

2.4. The Committee has also recommended that the technical conservation measures must be supported by scientific and technological developments; for this reason it has advocated further research into fishing techniques, not just to find out more about the performance of current methods, but also - and above all - to allow more selective fishing gear to be introduced which prevents fish being discarded or juveniles being caught.

2.5. It is also clear that there is no point to the conservation and resource-management policy, or the series of instruments which comprise it, unless the rules are complied with. Dialogue to this effect with Member States' governments and professionals in the fisheries sector is therefore essential. Against this background, control has a key role to play: it must be effective and uniformly applied throughout the EU.

2.6. The Committee therefore has misgivings about how feasible it is for professionals, while fishing is actually being carried out, to implement the provisions set out in the new Article 4(4)(b). The ESC also has doubts about the feasibility of monitoring these new provisions.

Brussels, 24 March 1999.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Beatrice RANGONI MACHIAVELLI

(1) OJ C 11, 15.1.1999, p. 9.
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the "Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure of biological agents at work (Seventh individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)"

(2000/C 75/06)

On 21 October 1999 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion unanimously on 16 December 1999. The rapporteur was Mr Thomas Etty.

At its 369th plenary session of 26 and 27 January 2000 (meeting of 26 January), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 122 votes in favour, no votes against, and with five abstentions.

1. The Committee agrees in general terms with the Commission that it is important to simplify and clarify Community law, without affecting the level of protection. This is certainly desirable in the area of occupational safety and health legislation where the architecture of existing instruments has become, in some cases, very complicated.

2. It notes that the purpose of the consolidation operation will not involve changes of substance to the present legislation.

3. The Committee also notes that the Commission's decision of 1 April 1987 states that all legislation measures should be consolidated after no more than ten amendments (as a minimum requirement). The Directive on protection of workers from biological agents of 1990 has been amended four times in 1993, 1995, 1997 and again in 1997.

4. The Committee fully agrees with the present proposal.

5. Finally, the Committee refers to the five general recommendations regarding codifications of occupational Safety and Health Directives in its Opinion of October 20-21 last on the "Proposal for a Council Directive on the Protection of workers from the risks related to exposure of carcinogens at work (Sixth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (codified version) (COM(1999) 152 final - 98/0085 SYN)".

Brussels, 26 January 2000.

The President

of theEconomic and Social Committee

Beatrice Rangoni Machiavelli
EN Official Journal of the European Union C 48/1

Resolution of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘The situation of the Roma in the European Union’

2011/C 48/01

At the plenary session held on 15-16 September 2010 (meeting of 16 September 2010), the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following resolution by 151 votes to 22 with 28 abstentions.

1. The Committee strongly condemns discriminatory actions against the Roma or any ethnic minority groups.

2. The EESC has always strived to defend the fundamental rights of all people living in the European Union and to oppose all forms of discrimination directed at national minorities, as well as racism and xenophobia. The entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty has strengthened the regulatory and policy framework for such efforts and the instruments to implement them.

3. Moreover, the Committee has always strongly supported the right of all Union citizens and their families to move and reside freely, in accordance with EU law.

4. The Committee has always called forcefully for active social inclusion policies in favour of minorities and migrants, in particular the Roma.

5. Furthermore, the EESC wishes to express its commitment to the principle of the rule of law, according to which the responsibility for any act, including possible criminal acts, must always be individual responsibility.

6. The Committee, aware that the problems associated with the integration of the Roma are primarily a matter for the Member States concerned, nevertheless stresses the responsibility of the EU under the new treaty and the need to find a response at EU level, both to take into account the specific circumstances of the Roma populations and to ensure equal treatment throughout EU territory.

7. The Committee actively advocates the economic and social integration of the Roma population, like that of other minorities and migrants, and proposes to the EU institutions the establishment of a comprehensive strategy which is credible to the Member States in order to bring about genuine integration based on the common rights and obligations of all EU citizens. Such a strategy must be built in a participatory way by involving Roma communities and be supported by funding which is consistent with and appropriate to the major challenges at hand.
2.4.

The EESC supports the aim of the European Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities (‘EU taxonomy’) to direct investments towards sustainable projects and activities. To this end, the Commission has drawn up a set of rules to determine what can be called environmentally (green) investments. The EESC calls for developing the taxonomy in a way that take into account societal needs such as the security of supply of energy and essential raw materials and commodities, and also focus more on social sustainability aspects such as labour and human rights, while respecting Member States’ competences and various industrial relations systems and the feasibility of an objective assessment in the context of access to finance. From the start, the EESC has argued that the Green Deal can and will only be successful if it is also a social deal. Regarding the social aspects of taxonomy, the EESC is currently working on an own-initiative opinion on ‘Social taxonomy — challenges and opportunities’. The taxonomy should also be used in the context of the EU Green Bond standard. The EESC finds it important to align taxonomies internationally in the framework of the International Platform on Sustainable Finance.