31. 12. 82 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 346/1 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation on rules for a prohibition to import skins of 
certain sealpups and products derived therefrom into the Community 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the European 
Communities No C 285 of 30 October 1982, page 7. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 29 October 1982 the Council referred the abovementioned proposal to the Economic and 
Social Committee in accordance with Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community. 
B. OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
The Economic and Social Committee prepared its opinion on the above matter at its 
202nd plenary session held in Brussels on 24 and 25 November 1982. 
The full text of the opinion is as follows: 
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 198 
thereof, 
Having regard to the request made by the Council of the 
European Communities on 29 October 1982 for an 
opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation on rules 
for a prohibition to import skins of certain sealpups and 
products derived therefrom into the Community, 
Having regard to the decision taken by the Bureau of the 
Committee on 27 October 1982, in anticipation of the 
impending consultation, instructing the Section for 
Protection of the Environment, Public Health and 
Consumer Affairs to draw up an opinion on the 
matter, 
Having regard to the opinion adopted by the 
aforementioned Section at its 71st meeting, held on 
11 November 1982, 
Having regard to the oral report made by the rapporteur, 
Mr Zoli, Having regard to the discussions on 24 November 1982 
during the 202nd plenary session held on 24 and 25 
November 1982, 
Whereas in its opinion on the implementation in the 
Community of the Convention on International Trade in 
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 
(Washington Convention), the Committee came out in 
favour of more rigorous provisions than those of the said 
Convention in certain cases (x); 
Whereas in its opinion on imports of whale products, the 
Committee felt it appropriate to reiterate the need for a 
moratorium on whaling (2), 
HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION 
unanimously: 
1. The Committee welcomes the Commission's move 
to prohibit the import into the Community of products 
derived from baby harp and hooded seals. This action 
links up with the measures already taken by the 
Community to protect other marine animals. 
(*) OJNoC 138, 9. 6. 1981. 
H O] No C 300, 18. 11. 1980. 
No C 346/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 82 
2. However, the Committee points out that the 
proposed Regulation refers only to strong moral 
objections. The Committee would draw attention to the 
fact that the hunting of adult seals may create problems 
for the survival of the species and the preservation of a 
healthy ecological balance. Further research is needed 
into these aspects. 
3. While regretting that contact at Community level 
with the countries involved has not succeeded in bringing 
about an agreement to prohibit the killing of baby seals, 
the Committee recognizes that the only option open to the 
Commission was to propose a ban on imports for 
Done at Brussels, 24 November 1982. 
The full text of the opinion is as follows: 
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 100 
thereof, 
Having regard to the request made by the Council of the 
European Communities on 27 April 1982 for an opinion 
on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Council 
Directive 70/220/EEC relating to measures to be taken 
against air pollution by gases from positive-ignition 
engines of motor vehicles, 
Having regard to the decision taken by the Committee 
Bureau on 27 April 1982 instructing the Section for the 
Protection of the Environment, Public Health and 
Consumer Affairs to draw up an opinion on the commercial purposes; the resulting restriction of the 
market should make hunting less profitable. 
4. The Committee notes furthermore that the 
proposed Regulation, based as it is on the common 
commercial policy, cannot have a decisive effect. It 
therefore asks the Commission to continue negotiations 
with Norway and Canada to seek a satisfactory solution 
to the problem. If the import ban to be imposed by this 
proposed Regulation is ineffective in restricting the killing 
of baby seals, the Commission should encourage similar 
action at international level to induce either a moratorium 
or a total ban. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Francis CEYRAC 
Having regard to the Committee opinion on the draft 
action programme of the European Communities on the 
environment (1982 to 1986), adopted on 27 May 
1982, 
Having regard to the discussions at the 71 st meeting of the 
Section for Protection of the Environment, Public Health 
and Consumer Affairs, held on 11 November 1982, 
Having regard to the report made by the rapporteur, 
Mr von der Decken, 
Having regard to the discussions at its meeting on 
24 November 1982 (202nd plenary session of 24 and 
25 November 1982), Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Council Directive 70/220/EEC on 
the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to measures to be taken against air 
pollution by gases from positive-ignition engines of motor vehicles 
The text referred to the Committee has not yet been published in the Official Journal of the 
European Communities. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 27 April 1982 the Council referred the abovementioned proposal to the Economic and 
Social Committee in accordance with Article 100 of the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community. 
B. OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
The Economic and Social Committee prepared its opinion on the above matter at its 202nd 
plenary session held in Brussels on 24 and 25 November 1982. 
matter, (i) OJ No C 205, 9. 8. 1982, p. 28.