7. 3. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 56/25 
third paragraph of point 1, allowing alternate represen­
tatives. 
A copy of the management board's annual general 
report (point 6) should also be sent to the Economic 
and Social Committee. 
4.7. Membership of the Scientific Committee (Article 
7) should be increased to include at least three members 
appointed by the European Parliament and three by the 
Economic and Social Committee. 
Done at Brussels, 15 November 1989. 
1. The Committee approves the Commission pro­
posal, which seeks to ban the administration of bovine 
somatotrophin (BST) in the Community until 31 
December 1990. 
2. The Committee feels that the following factors 
demonstrate the complexity of this issue: (1) the socioe­
conomic implications of the administration of BST for 
(a) production structures and (b) production factors 
(particularly labour); (2) the impact on the supply of 
and demand for milk, dairy products and meat; (3) the 
reaction of organizations representing Europe's con­
sumers, producers, industry, science, and animal wel­
fare groups. The Commission's request for more time 
to carry out an in-depth study of the matter is thus 
justified. The Committee supports the European Parlia-
(!) OJ No C 272, 25.10.1989, p. 9. 4.8. Article 8 (finanicial provisions) should be 
redrafted, particularly in respect of the order in which 
the various operations (budget estimate, accounts, etc.) 
are given. 
4.9. In Article 9 (cooperation with other bodies) 
consideration should be given to the possibility of coop­
erating with technical and scientific institutions/organ­
izations in the Member States and with non-govern­
mental bodies operating in this sector. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASPRONE 
ment's call for the creation of a legal framework to 
cover genetically engineered growth accelerators and 
yield enhancers. 
2.1. In this respect, the Committee welcomes the 
Commission's decision to set up a detailed study, due 
to be completed by October 1990, into the overall 
impact of growth enhancers in animal production, 
embracing not only the economic aspects (in terms 
of productivity), but also socioeconomic factors and 
research and consumer interests. 
2.2. The Commission should publish the facts as 
determined by the CVMP in addition to its next report 
to Council and Parliament. 
3. However, the Committee deplores the fact that 
during the evaluation period the Commission does not Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision concerning the administration of bovine 
somatotrophin (BST) (l) 
(90/C 56/08) 
On 12 October 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 Section for Agriculture and Fisheries, which was responsible for preparing the Committee 
work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 31 October 1989. The rapporteur was Mr Silva. 
At its 271st plenary session held on 15 and 16 November 1989 (meeting of 15 November) 
the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion with no votes against 
three abstentions. 
No C 56/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 7. 3. 90 
intend to ban the import of BST (with the exceptions 
set out in Article 2) or products derived from BST-
treated animals. This appears inconsistent with the 
thinking behind the proposed Decision and with Com­
munity milk producers' and consumers' interests. 4. Lastly, the Committee urges the Commission to 
refer its proposal on the abovementioned legal frame­
work to the Committee in good time, so that it can 
assess this major issue in sufficient detail. 
Done at Brussels, 15 November 1989. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASPRONE 
APPENDIX 
(Article 43 (4) of the Rules of Procedure) 
During the Plenary Session debate, the following amendment was rejected: 
Delete Point 3. 
Reason 
Owing to extreme time pressure the Section was unable to consider the 18-page report to the Council and to 
Parliament which forms part of COM(89) 379. This report gives a detailed evaluation of all the factors 
involved, including Community producers' and consumers' interests and concludes that 'it is not the intention 
to prohibit imports of BST or BST-treated animals during the evaluation period'. 
Apart from the weighty reasons for this conclusion given by the Commission such a prohibition would be 
illegal under GATT rules. 
Voting 
For: 23. Against: 58. Abstentions: 15.