COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
,COM(91)522 final 
Brussels, 12 December 1991 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL PECISIQN 
amending Decision 90/218/EBC on the placing on the market and 
admiidstratiQn of Bovine ScmatotrO]pnln (BST) 
(presented by the Commission) 
Explanatory ilemoranduw 
Bovine Somatotroph in 
1. On 27th September 1989 the Commission presented a report to 
the Council and to the Parliament concerning the 
administration of bovine somatotropin to dairy cows as a 
productivity aid to milk production<1). 
It proposed the establishment of an evaluation period up to 
the end of 1990 on the administration of BST in the 
Community. It also indicated that this period was considered 
to be the minimum necessary to assess the results of the 
ongoing studies and develop new arrangements to be adopted on 
procedures in relation to such products. By its decision 
90/218/EEC of 25th April 1990<2> the Council agreed to the 
request of the Commission and subsequently agreed by its 
decision of 4th February 1991(3) that an additional time up 
to 31 December 1991 was necessary to enable the studies under 
way to be completed and the results to be considered. 
2. In the meantime several studies have been made into the 
various aspects of BST and a further interim report in the 
matter will be presented to the Council and to the Parliament 
shortly. 
3. The Commission can indicate already that more time will be 
needed to arrive at definitive conclusions. Accordingly it 
is proposed that the Council decide to extend the existing 
evaluation period up to 31 December 1993. This will enable 
the Commission to present its further conclusions accompanied 
by proposals concerning future arrangements by 30th June 1993 
at the latest. 
4. The Decision would have no financial consequences. 
<D CCOM (89) 379 final] 
<2) O.J. No L 116. 08.05.1900, p. 27 
(3) O.J. No L 37. 09.02.1991. P. 39 
I 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DBCISICN 
amending Décision 90/218/KBC on the placing on the market and 
administration of Bovine Somatotrqphin (BST) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EOROPEAN OCMMITHITIES. 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, 
and in particular Article 43 thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission1, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament2, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee3, 
Whereas by Decision 90/218/EHC of 25 Aprtil 1990 on the placing on the 
market and administration of bovine somatotrophin4, as amended by Decision 
91/61/EBC of 4 February 1991, the Council called on the Member States to 
prohibit, until 31 December 1991, the administration of bovine 
soaratotrophin on their territory by any means whatsoever to dairy cows in 
view of the fact that the consequences of such administration were not yet 
sufficiently clear; 
Whereas the tine set for studying the effects and consequences of BST has 
proved too short; whereas the research initiated, has only been partially 
completed; whereas sufficiently representative results have not yet been 
obtained, in particular from the point of view of animal health and 
welfare; whereas in-<iepth studies should continue in order to secure the 
additional data needed; whereas, finally, further deliberation is 
necessary regarding some aspects of consistency with other Community 
policies; 
Whereas, in order not to anticipate the results of these studies, the 
prohibition regarding the placing on the market and administration of BST 
should be extended until a later date, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
1 QJ No C.. 
2 OJ NO C .. 
3 OJ NO C.. 
4 OJ NO L 116, 8.5.1990, p.27, 
-2-
Artlole 1 
Decision 90/218/EEC is ameidefl as follows: 
1. Article 1 is replaced by the following: 
"Article 1 
The Member States shall ensure that, until 31 December 1993, the placing 
on the market of bovine somatotrophin and its administration on their 
territory to dairy cows by any means whatsoever will not be authorized. " 
2. Article 4 is replaced by the following: 
"Article 4 
The Commission shall, by 30 June 1993 at the latest, present the 
European Parliament and the Council with a report on the situation 
together with proposals for future arrangements. " 
Article 2 
This Decision is addressed to the Member State:. 
Done at ... , For the Council 
The President 
< 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(91) 522 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 03 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-91-601-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-79108-X 
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