No C 232/78 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 8. 87 
increased import of fuels and in particular solid fuels 
from the LDCs, especially associated countries, whose 
competitive resources could be usefully developed with 
the assistance of the Community (as mentioned in 
Chapter 3.2.2. above). 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alfons MARGOT 
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the social developments in the Community — 
1986 
(87/C 232/22) 
Procedure 
On 26 June 1987 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee under Article 
198 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community on social developments in the 
Community — 1986. 
The Section for Social, Family, Educational and Cultural Affairs, which was responsible for preparing 
the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 21 May 1987 in the light of the report by 
the rapporteur, Mr Mourgues. 
At its 247th plenary session, (meeting of 2 July 1987) the Economic and Social Committee adopted the 
following opinion by 92 votes to 14 with 21 abstentions: 
1. Main features of the economic and social situation in the 
Community in 1986 
1.1. In 1986 the economic growth rate for the 
Community as a whole was 2,5 % (2,4 % in 1985). Inflation 
continued to slow down and the level of public spending as a 
percentage of GNP also fell. 
Productivity continued to rise, unit wage costs continued to 
fall ( - 1,2 %), and indices of profits and competitiveness 
continued to improve. 
1.2. These trends were accompanied by an overall 
increase in jobs of some 0,7 % (0,4 % in 1985), but all this 
did not prevent an increase of about 250 000 in the number 
of unemployed over the previous year. Unemployment 
averaged 16,1 million in 1986, i.e. 12 % of the work 
force. 
Long-term unemployment continued to rise. About 40 % of 
the unemployed had been out of work for more than a year. — continued efforts to conserve energy and develop 
renewable sources, 
— continuation of the programmes to develop competitive 
Community energy resources, at the same time ensuring 
that the environment is protected, 
Done at Brussels, 2 July 1987. 
Average unemployment among the under-25s fell from 
38,5 % in 1985 to 37,2 % in 1986. In 1986 women 
accounted for 43,6 % of the unemployed, as against 42,3 % 
in 1985. 
1.3. The Committee is aware that the general trends 
mentioned above are derived from national and regional 
trends and situations which are in some cases very different. 
This could jeopardize the Community's economic and social 
cohesion. 
It is also true that as Member States use different statistical 
definitions and methods the scope and the compatibility of 
data can be open to question. Immediate steps must therefore 
be taken to provide the interested parties with more reliable, 
readily comparable information. 
The Committee feels that the definition and implemention of 
effective policies which could curb the growth of 
unemployment, are contingent on a more thorough, detailed 
analysis of its various aspects and a better understanding of 
31. 8. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 232/79 
its structure. General figures provide only a hazy picture of 
the actual situation and its diverse facets. In particular a 
clearer view of the following categories should be sought: 
those seeking their first job; those who have lost their job; the 
long-term unemployed; and those no longer entitled to 
benefit; unemployed graduates; the under-qualified; women 
going back to work. 
These specific situations, whose nature and cause are very 
different, must be identified and analyzed so that policies to 
combat unemployment can take into account the needs of the 
different regions and categories of the population. 
1.4. The Committee notes that despite improved 
economic performance and the various efforts made by most 
Member States, particularly on unemployment (youth 
employment schemes, measures to combat long-term 
unemployment), the social situation in the Community 
remains extremely worrying and demands far-reaching 
action by the Community and the Member States, working in 
conjunction with the economic and social interest groups. 
2. Progress to date and evaluation of Community action on 
social matters 
2.1. Despite the adoption of some major measures 
(Directives on equal treatment for self-employed men and 
women, on equal treatment for men and women in social 
security schemes), the Councils of Ministers for Labour and 
Social Affairs held in 1986 (5 July and 11 December) have not 
yielded concrete decisions on major proposals on which the 
Committee has, in some cases, issued opinions some time 
ago. 
2.2. Therefore, yet again, we have to regretfully note the 
snail's pace of Community's decision-making on social 
matters. In^addition when adopted, often after many ups and 
downs and long delays, many instruments (e.g. the Directive 
on equal treatment of men and women in social security 
schemes) are too often watered-down, both as regards scope 
and the resources, particularly financial resources, with 
which the Community has to implement the actions which it 
has been instructed to carry out. Finally, it must be added 
that those Community provisions which are adopted are not 
always implemented under the optimum conditions and 
within the stipulated time-limits. 
2.3. The conclusions of the Council meeting on 22 June 
1984 (x) on a medium-term social action programme only met some of the suggestions contained in the Committee's 
opinion on the 1983 social situation (2). Nevertheless they 
include some promising guidelines. However, it must be 
noted that the lack of detailed time-tables and commitments, 
a hallmark of the first Community social action programme 
in 1974, have meant that the Commission has not always 
taken action and initiatives commensurate with the gravity of 
the social situation. 
2.4. Overall, the Committee regrets the lack of 
consistency between Member States' policies and the 
reticence of a number of Member States in following up 
Commission proposals and fully observing, within the 
proper time limits, the undertakings made within the 
Council. Criticisms regarding the difficulties of 
implementing the strategy for cooperation on growth and 
employment confirm this situation. 
2.5. As regards the future, the Committee notes the 
resolution on an action programme for employment growth 
adopted by the Council on 11 December 1986 (3). The 
Committee will be particularly keen in seeing that the 
programme is implemented within a reasonable time-scale, 
using appropriate instruments. Funds must also be provided 
to cover the Commission's measures. The Committee notes 
with interest that the Council resolution provides for the ESC 
to be consulted on proposals submitted under the 
programme, and asks the Commission to send the Parliament 
and the Committee a half-yearly written report on the 
implementation of the programme and on future work. 
3. Social dialogue, aims and results 
3.1. The Commission rightly feels that social dialogue is a 
key component of the strategy for cooperation on growth 
and employment. For its part, the Committee has always 
supported the development of a Community social dialogue 
which, at the present time, is all the more vital in that it must 
encourage growth, provide guidelines for relaunching it and 
ensure that it contributes to a significant improvement in 
employment. 
3.2. This is why the Committee is pleased that the Val 
Duchesse dialogue has been started and is continuing. Where 
common views have been expressed (Joint opinion on the 
strategy for cooperation for growth and employment 
(November 1986) and on new technologies and social 
dialogue (March 1987)), the agreements reached should be 
implemented without delay. Discussions on other important 
(») OJNoC 175,4. 7. 1984. (2) OJNoC307, 19. 11. 1984. 
(3) OJNoC340, 31. 12. 1986. 
No C 232/80 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 8. 87 
aspects, particularly relating to jobs and working conditions 
should continue and achieve tangible results. The Committee 
feels that the matters discussed at Val Duchesse need to be 
considered as a whole and an overall balance struck. 
3.3. The Committee reiterates that the social dialogue 
which must be developed at all levels and cover all the sectors 
concerned, cannot at any level be an aim in itself. The 
diversity of forums for Community-level discussions (ESC, 
Standing Committee on Employment, Val Duchesse, etc.) 
and the importance of the discussions which take place 
within them, cannot under any circumstances be used as a 
smoke-screen for the paucity of action to bring about a 
significant, sustained improvement in the employment 
situation. 
3.4. The Committee for its part feels that social dialogue 
must foster a favourable climate and must yield tangible 
results, which can be extended by concrete contractual 
measures in line with practice in the different Member States. 
This may in some cases involve amendments to legislation, 
particularly in the priority areas of level and quality of 
employment, working conditions and the vocational 
situation of employed persons. 
It is important to distinguish here between what comes under 
national or Community legislation, e.g. protection of health 
and safety at the work place and what comes under collective 
bargaining. This is the context in which the Commission and 
the Council must draw their conclusions >from the social 
dialogue. Agreements on guidelines taken at European level 
should be extended in each Member State, allowing 
negotiations to start at branch level and subsequently 
throughout companies. 
Needless to say, continued Community-level social dialogue 
on an ever-increasing scale is not intended to replace existing 
national social dialogue. Its purpose should instead be to 
stimulate the collective bargaining process, at appropriate 
levels, in the Member State. 
3.5. Similarly, and in addition to this dialogue, the 
Commission and the Council must assume the 
responsibilities vested in them by the Treaty in order that the 
Community instruments necessary to achieve the stated 
objectives can be set up, adopted and implemented, and all 
resources provided by the Single Act, used. This naturaly 
pre-supposes greater political will on the part of the Member 
States. 
3.6. In addition, the close interdependence of economic 
and social policy requires that economic growth be 
accompanied by a parallel social development. Conversely, 
social solidarity and cohesion are indispensable for economic 
growth. It is in this context that the strategy for cooperation and employment must be conceived and applied. The 
economic and social results in various Member States 
involved in this dialogue prove, if proof were needed, the 
usefulness and effectiveness of collective bargaining. 
4. Prospects for improving the Community's 
decision-making machinery in the social sphere, under 
the Single Act 0) 
4.1. The state of the Community's decision-making 
machinery referred to above means that the Commission 
should discreetly but firmly involve the new powers provided 
by the Single Act, particularly regarding improvements in the 
work environment designed to protect workers' safety and 
health (Article 118 A), development of dialogue between 
management and labour at European level (Article 118 B) 
and the strengthening of economic and social cohesion 
(Article 130 A). 
4.2. The outcome of a number of pending proposals 
depends largely on the interpretation and application of the 
Single Act. In particular, the Committee expects the 
Commission to take immediate steps to finally break the 
deadlock on those proposals linked closely to improving the 
work environment and the protection of workers' safety and 
health. 
4.3. In addition, the Committee feels that, apart from the 
prospects which the Single Act holds out for considerably 
improving the decision-making machinery, the advent of a 
genuine Community social policy is contingent on a 
resurgence of the Commission's and the Council's political 
will and that of the Member States and of all parties 
concerned to work towards a genuine economic and social 
Community. 
5. Areas for priority action in the Community's social 
policy 
Employment 
5.1. The Committee reiterates that priority should be 
given to combating unemployment, as affirmed in the 
Community strategy for cooperation on growth and 
employment. It draws attention to the threats to social 
(*) Cf. Opinion on making a Success of the Single Act. A New 
Frontier for Europe (OJ No C 180, 8. 7. 1987). 
31. 8. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 232/81 
balance and the democratic institutions posed by rising 
unemployment, long-term unemployment and persistent 
poverty. 
5.2. The Committee feels that the investment possibilities 
arising from growth must be better geared to job creation. In 
addition, it is generally accepted that, even assuming an 
improvement in the 'growth-employment' ratio, the growth 
rates envisaged will not, at least in the immediate future, be 
sufficient to bring about a substantial reduction in 
unemployment. The Committee would stress here that the 
1986 growth rate targets were not fully met and the prospects 
for 1987 are not very rosy. The continued high level of 
unemployment could therefore make it more difficult to 
complete the internal market by 1992 under good economic 
and social conditions. 
5.3. As market forces alone have been — and will be — 
unable to generate a growth rate sufficient to achieve a 
significant and lasting improvement in the employment 
situation, other types of labour market measures aimed at 
combating unemployment must be implemented. Special 
efforts must be made to employ young people and to combat 
long-term unemployment which now hits 25 to 40 year olds 
particularly hard. 
5.4. The Committee feels that an improvement in the 
employment situation is also contingent on a selective, 
coordinated revitalization of the economy within the 
Member States. To this end, the acceleration of private 
investment especially by appropriate initiatives creating a 
favourable climate, would strengthen the competitiveness of 
the European economy and would permit job creation. 
Public capital and infrastructure investment inter alia at 
European level, would also yield new jobs. The Committee 
further points out the multiplier effects both in the economy 
and industry, which better coordinated European-level 
action would have in these areas. 
5.5. The Committee recommends a more balanced 
approach to investment combining the various types of 
investment (short and long-term, private or public, aimed at 
rationalization or creating jobs). In addition, more 
importance should be given to the qualitative aspects of 
growth, e.g. the possibilities of job creation arising from a 
health environment policy, developing the arts etc. Lastly, 
the Committee recommends that appropriate policies and 
available finances should be concentrated on job-creating 
investments rather than on purely speculative investment. 5.6. The 'supply side' policy must go hand-in-hand with a 
'demand side' policy, the latter implying an upturn in living 
standards, allowing internal consumption to be stimulated 
and geared to improving the quality of life (living and 
working conditions, public amenities, housing, etc.). 
5.7. The dynamic economic growth policy giving priority 
to combating unemployment, must be accompanied by talks 
between both sides of industry and national governments, 
designed to hammer out compromises and culminating in the 
conclusion of collective agreements which are one of the best 
ways of striking the requisite social balance. The Committee 
would, on this occasion, stress the value of social dialogue 
and collective bargaining in ensuring the necessary social 
balance. It also underlines the importance, not only on the 
social front, but also for economic performance, of proper 
negotiation procedures and the implementation at 
appropriate levels of arrangements for consulting and 
informing worker's representatives, especially now that new 
technologies affect work organization and employment. 
New forms of employment 
5.8. New, types of employment based on greater 
adaptability in work organization and use of manufacturing 
plant are on the increase, as indicated by recent OECD 
(Flexibility in the labour market — Paris 1986), and ILO 
(Conditions of Work Digest: Flexibility in Working Time 
Volume 5 — 2/1986) studies. This concerns inter alia 
temporary work, work at home and above all part-time 
work. The Community should undertake an in-depth 
analysis of the pros and cons of these new types of 
employment. 
5.9. While these types of employment can in some cases 
be the answer to specific problems arising from changes in 
work organization in particular sectors, and can meet the 
aspirations of some categories of workers, the Committee 
nevertheless notes that they are sometimes involuntary rather 
than voluntary, and are not always warranted in terms of 
objective work organization. This applies particularly to 
part-time-work. The Committee feels in particular, as 
stressed in an OECD report (Flexibility in the labour market 
— Paris 1986), that where part-time work is imposed, it is 
merely another aspect of under-employment. 
5.10. These types of employment, by their very nature 
and the way they are implemented are all too often 
disadvantageous, e.g. as regards social security cover, 
working conditions, vocational training and career 
prospects. In addition, they are seldom subject to relevant 
collective agreements and guarantees, and as regards labour 
legislation they do not provide the same level of protection as 
full-time employment. 
No C 232/82 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 8. 87 
5.11. In its previous opinions on part-time work (*) the 
Committee has always stressed that this could not be 
considered an alternative to a policy to expand employment, 
nor be considered separately from measures aimed at 
radically improving the employment situation and working 
conditions. 
5.12. Any increase in such employment, which must 
continue to operate on a voluntary basis, could disrupt the 
labour market and must not lead to abuse. The Committee 
stresses the need for the Council to adopt without delay the 
Draft Directives on part-time unpaid work and on temporary 
work. The Committee issued opinions on these proposals in 
1982 and 1983(2). 
5.13. Steps should also be taken to stamp out illegal and 
undeclared work which leads to unfair competition between 
firms, provides no social security cover, and jeopardizes the 
financial balance of social security schemes. 
5.14. In addition, the Committee stresses that in 
combating unemployment, steps to reduce and restructure 
working time must also be encouraged through collective 
bargaining. The Committee requests, in particular, that a 
proportion of productivity gains be used to negotiate a 
reduction in working hours, taking account of the features of 
individual sectors. 
Education and training 
5.15. As regards education, the new demands of a 
society, rapidly changing on both the technological and 
sociological fronts (greater importance attached to the 
quality of life), must encourage the quest for measures to 
prepare people better for adult and working life and the 
various aspects of a society where the work-place and actual 
concept of work itself, leisure, cultural activities etc. will 
probably have altered considerably. 
5.16. Attention must be focused on the need to gear 
education more closely to the needs and development of the 
individual, society and the economy. In particular, 
multi-disciplinary broad-based training must be 'promoted', 
access to higher education extended and illiteracy must be 
eradicated. Education must be re-thought in order to develop 
critical awareness, initiative and adaptability to the rapid and 
frequent changes which will be encountered during a 
(») OJ No C 269, 13. 11. 1978 and OJ No C 178, 15. 7. 1982. 
(2) OJ No C 178, 15. 7. 1982 and OJ No C 176, 4. 7. 1983. working life. In this connection, the Committee reiterates the 
need for greater consistency between education and training 
schemes. In addition, links should be forged between these 
schemes and the world of work in order to facilitate a 
smoother transition between education, training and 
working life. Finally, progress must be made on the mutual 
recognition of diplomas and qualifications. This, together 
with more extensive teaching language, would improve 
mobility. In this connection, the Council must be urged to 
adopt the YES programme without delay, and urge the 
Commission to lose no time in implementing the ERASMUS 
progamme. In addition, greater support should be given to 
CEDEFOP's activities concentrating on the training and job 
problems of young people with non-academic 
qualifications. 
5.17. The Committee also urges the Commission to 
continue its efforts to improve training in the whole 
Community, to achieve greater consistency between schemes 
in the different countries and to align vocational training 
qualifications in the Member States. Qualifications should be 
upgraded and better matched to current market 
requirements. Vocational training schemes should be 
provided for young people (sandwich courses, 
apprenticeships) and adult retraining and training should be 
promoted systematically (3). 
5.18. Training and the employment needs of the 
economy and society could be better matched by projecting 
skill requirements and by a more systematic, regular 
assessment of the impact of training measures, both in the 
labour market as a whole and at company level. 
5.19. Training, an investment for the future,takes on a 
special importance with technological progress which, for 
nearly all categories of workers entails considerable changes 
in work content and working methods, and in particular the 
qualifications required in some sectors (mis-match between 
jobs available and diplomas, scarcity of certain categories of 
qualified people). 
5.20. It will be necessary to consult and involve both sides 
of industry (4) more closely in implementing training 
(3) Cf. ESC opinion on Commission documents on adult training in 
firms (OJNoC180,8.7. 1987) and the action programme for 
the training and preparation of young people for adult and 
working life (OJ No C 180, 8. 7. 1987). 
(4) Cf. Opinion on the Social Aspects of the New Technologies — 
OJ No C 307, 19. 11. 1984 and Information Report. 
31. 8. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 232/83 
schemes. In fact, as detailed in the 1986/87 annual 
economic report social dialogue at all levels must also 
make proper provision for coping with the impact of 
structural and technological changes on the social 
situations and on employment. 
Protection of health and safety at the workplace 
5.21. As regards working conditions, the Committee 
regrets that, despite the Commission's laudable efforts on 
protection of health and safety at the work-place, the 
Committee's precise, detailed requests, in the two 
own-initiative opinions, for Directives on occupational 
medicine and occupational cancer, have so far gone 
unanswered. The Committee stresses the prospects offered 
by the Single Act and requests the Community authorities to 
act on them without delay. 
Safeguarding social protection 
5.22. Data available show a downward trend in spending 
on social protection as a proportion of GDP. The Committee 
is very concerned by the tendency for Member States to 
reduce their financing of social protection schemes. The 
Committee's opinion on the 1985 social situation (') 
deplored this and the trend in most Member States to solve 
problems in financing social security systems by either 
reducing social protection measures or increasing employers' 
and workers' contributions. It is important that the principle 
of genuine solidarity between the different categories of the 
population should be maintained and social protection 
should not deteriorate. 
5.23. While it is true that social security schemes are a 
charge on the public purse it should be remembered that 
safeguarding effective social protection systems helps to 
maintain social balance, safeguards democratic institutions 
and has many advantages, including economic ones. The 
Committee has already pointed out on several occasions (2) 
that social security contributions do not disappear from the 
economy. They re-appear in the form of various jobs and 
benefits which help to underpin economic activity and 
internal demand. 
5.24. The Committee would again stress that the 
discussions on social protection must also take account of 
parameters such as prospective demographic trends 
(») OJ No C 328, 22. 12. 1986. 
(2) OJ No C 343, 24. 12. 1984 and OJ No C 328, 22. 12. 
1986. (Information report CES of 19 June 1985), the tax burden on 
the different categories of the work force and inequalities in 
contributions to the financing of the various schemes. 
5.25. The reduction in resources as needs increase, leads 
to a rise in the number of persons not covered or inadequately 
covered by social security schemes. This also leads to 
inequalities, 'marginalization' of particularly vulnerable 
categories (the elderly, unemployed persons whose benefit 
has run out, the handicapped) and a rise in the number of 
persons classified as 'poor'. The Committee points out that 
those categories of persons who are already most severely 
affected by employment problems are often hit again when 
benefits are too low or when they quite simply have no social 
security cover. This trend leads from one disaster to another 
(job loss, reduction or termination of social security cover, 
problems with children's education, sub-standard 
accommodation, etc.). 
5.26. Such situations must not be allowed to continue. 
Determined action is necessary to improve the outlook for 
the most disadvantaged categories. The relegation of an 
ever-growing group of the population to below the minimum 
subsistence level dramatically highlights the serious dangers 
which arise when the principle of preventive social security is 
undermined. This preventive aspect of social security 
schemes must be maintained. It not only guarantees measures 
which are more just socially, but as pointed out in point 5.23 
it also provides advantages for the economy. 
5.27. Lastly, without overlooking existing difficulties, 
the Committee would ask the Commission not to abandon its 
efforts for a gradual alignment of social security systems. 
6. Conclusions 
6.1. The Committee reiterates that it is keen to see the 
achievement of the social policy aims detailed in Article 2 of 
the Treaty of Rome: to promote a harmonious development 
aimed at raising the standard of living of all Community 
citizens. 
6.2. With this in mind, the Community urges the 
Commission to promote a selective, coordinated policy to 
stimulate the economy. This implies greater political 
determination by the Member States to combat 
unemployment and maintain social protection cover. 
No C 232/84 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 8. 87 
special effort should be made to assist regions (including 
frontier regions 0)) affected by a sharp decline in a single 
dominant industry. In this connection, and against the 
background of the reform of the structural funds, the 
Committee stresses the need for better coordination between 
Social Fund and ERDF expenditure. 
6.4. The Committee urges the Commission to follow the 
guidelines contained in the Single European Act in order to 
complete the internal Community market by 1992 and secure 
a corresponding development in Community social 
policy (2). However, effective implementation of these 
guidelines is contingent on the Member States affirming their 
political will. 
i1) Cf. Committee opinion being drawn up on cross-frontier labour 
market problems. 
(2) Cf. ESC Information report being drawn up on social aspects of 
the internal market. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alfons MARGOT 
APPENDIX 
I. The following amendments for which more than 25 % of the votes cast were favourable were defeated during 
the debate: 
Point 3.2. 
Delete second sentence and substitute: 
'Where common views have been expressed the dialogue should be continued and agreements reached at the 
domestic level within Member States.' 
Reason 
Social dialogue at the Community level should be reflected in parallel developments at national level and should not 
override the autonomy of social institutions in Member States. 
Voting: 
For: 34, Against: 69, Abstentions: 6. 
Point 3.3., first sentence 
Delete 'which must be developed ... all the sectors concerned'. 
Voting: 
For: 36, Against: 68, Abstentions: 12. 6.3. The Committee also recommends the Commission, 
in connection with the reform of structural funds, to re-direct 
some instruments of Community policy in order to promote 
economic and social cohesion within the Community. 
In this connection, the operation of the European Social 
Fund must be reviewed, account being taken inter alia of 
Article 56 of the ECSC Treaty. The European Social Fund 
should be adequately funded (it accounts for only 7 % of the 
Community budget), so that it can play a greater, more 
effective role in helping to develop vocational training and 
re-training and enable Community workers to cope better 
with the challenges of technological development. 
This reform should, lastly, involve both sides of industry 
more closely in ESF projects (development of consultation 
procedures, information programmes). 
In order to reduce regional disparities within the 
Community, ERDF funds should also be increased, and a 
Done at Brussels, 2 July 1987. 
31. 8. 87 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 232/85 
Point 3.4., first paragraph 
Delete from 'which can be extended' (line two) to the end of the paragraph ('. . . of employed persons'). 
Reasons 
Social dialogue is a matter for the parties which are involved in it, and it is they alone who should decide the nature, 
content and scope of their action. Mixing such concepts as social dialogue, collective bargaining and legal reform 
will inevitably create serious confusion. 
Voting: 
For: 38, Against: 73, Abstentions: 8. 
Point 3.4., first and second sentences 
Delete: 'This may in some cases involve amendments to legislation' in the second sentence of the first paragraph and 
change the full stop at the end of the first sentence into a comma. 
Voting: 
For: 32, Against: 64, Abstentions: 16. 
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the maximum permitted radioactivity levels for 
agricultural products and drinking water (]) 
(87/C 232/23) 
On 25 May 1987 the Commission of the European Communities decided, in accordance with the 
Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and, in particular, Article 31 thereof, 
to consult the Economic and Social Committee on the maximum permitted radioactivity levels for 
agricultural products and drinking water. 
The Committee decided to appoint Mr Sai'u rapporteur-general for preparing its work on the 
matter. 
At is 247th plenary session (meeting of 2 July 1987), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the 
following opinion by 45 votes to 22, with nine abstentions. 
The Economic and Social Committee approves the Commission's proposals concerning maximum 
permitted radioactivity levels for agricultural products and drinking water. 
But the Committee wishes to qualify its support with the following general and specific 
comments: 
1. General comments 
1.1. The Committee would point out that the 
Commission's proposals must not be considered in isolation. 
(») OJNoC 174, 2. 7. 1987, p. 6. They are part of a permanent system for establishing limits 
for the radioactive contamination of drinking water and 
agricultural products in the case of a nuclear accident put 
forward by the Commission in January 1987 in a draft 
proposal for a Council Regulation, on which the Committee 
has been consulted.