12. 3. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 62/49 
Done at Brussels, 20 December 1989. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASPRONE 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision introducing a Community financial measure 
for the eradication of brucellosis in sheep and goats (l) 
(90/C 62/20) 
On 14 November 1989, 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 Economic and Social Committee decided to appoint Mr Hancock as Rapporteur-General with 
the task of preparing its work on the subject. 
At its 272nd Plenary Session (meeting of 20 December 1989) the Economic and Social Committee 
adopted the following Opinion unanimously: 
1. Introductory remarks 3. Specific remarks 
1.1. Brucellosis melitensis infection is a serious disease 
causing severe financial losses to farmers and flock owners 
and can infect humans, sometimes with fatal results. 
1.2. The disease has been eliminated in seven Member 
States and now only exists in France, Greece, Italy, Spain 
and Portugal. 
1.3. Whilst animals can be vaccinated this does not 
totally prevent abortion nor the spread of the disease. Thus 
slaughter is the only policy that can provide a lasting 
solution. 
1.4. In that farmers are being forced to diversify their 
activities and the best long wool breeds and heavy milkers 
originate in the areas now subject to brucellosis, failure to 
eradicate would cause both economic disadvantage and a 
barrier to free movement within the Community. 
2. General remarks 
The general objectives of this proposed Regulation are 
consequently approved. 3.1. Article 2 
As the official brucellosis test, whilst the best presently 
available, is not as sensitive as might be desirable, the 
apparent intention of the Commission to have more 
research carried out into how this might be improved is to 
be welcomed. 
3.2. Article 3 
3(2) should specify that holders, testing laboratories, 
veterinary surgeons or other competent persons making a 
diagnosis should be jointly and severally responsible for 
making a compulsory notification; Member States should 
be urged to ensure that penalties for non-compliance are 
appropriate. 
3.2.1. 3(5). There must be concern as to how the ban on 
the therapeutic treatment of a flock, i.e. with anti-biotics, 
can be properly monitored. It is hoped that there will be 
adequate national penalties for knowingly prescribing or 
using such medicaments in this context. 
(i) OJ No C 327, 30. 12. 1989, p. 51. 3.2.2. 3(9). Permanent marking of flocks (the post-
Chernobyl marking of affected animals in the United 
No C 62/50 Official Journal of the European Communities 12. 3. 90 
Kingdom provides a precedent) is essential. Proper 
movement records must be kept and regularly monitored 
by the competent authority. 
3.2.3. 3(10). Whilst it is agreed that where say 60 % of a 
flock is infected it is better to slaughter all the animals and 
start afresh, there is a problem in that, on occasion owners 
might find it financially advantageous to have other 
animals slaughtered so placing an unnecessary burden on 
Community funds. The avoidance of this will require that 
the technical details of the procedures to be carried out are 
precisely defined. 
3.2.4. 3(13). Reference is made in indents 5, 6 and 7 to 
suitable heat treatment. The use of the term 'pasteuris­
ation' would be preferable, whilst still leaving the decision 
Done at Brussels, 20 December 1989. as to the appropriate method to be used to the national 
authorities. 
Indent 8 states that parts of infected animals used as animal 
feed should be treated in such a manner as to 'avoid 
contamination'. The indent would be clearer if this were 
augmented by 'and render it brucella free'. 
3.3. Article 5 
5(5) is somewhat imprecise in that the number of clear tests 
required is not stated. It is suggested that the text should be 
amended to read: 
'official brucellosis tests are carried out on the infected 
holding concerned to the extent necessary to confirm 
that the disease has been eliminated'. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASPRONE