21. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 124/3 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision introducing a Community financial measure 
for the eradication of Infectious Haemopoietic Necrosis (IHN) of salmonids in the 
Community (*) 
(90/C 124/02) 
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 Section for Agriculture and Fisheries, which was responsible for preparing the Com­
mittee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 9 March 1990. The Rapporteur was 
Mr Augusto Silva. 
At its 275th plenary session (meeting of 28 March 1990), the Economic and Social Committee 
unanimously adopted the following Opinion. 
1. Introduction 
1.1. IHN is a disease affecting salmonids in aquacul-
ture and watercourses. 
1.2. IHN was identified as a viral disease in the USA 
in 1953, and first appeared in its present form in the 
1960s. Most cases have been recorded on the west coast 
of the USA and Canada. 
1.3. The disease appeared in Europe in 1987, and 
the little information available suggests that it affected 
farms in two Member States. 
1.4. There is no treatment for IHN: any fish which 
contract it and survive, remain carriers of the virus and 
can thus pass on the disease. Other creatures such as 
birds can also be carriers. 
2. General comments 
2.1. The Committee endorses the objectives set out 
in this proposal, the aim of which is to organize an 
epidemiological survey to collate the data necessary for 
the Commission to draw up a plan of action for the 
eradication of IHN. There is, however, a reservation 
that there may be insufficient resources available at 
national level in all countries to ensure that the survey 
is sufficiently comprehensive for its results to be mean­
ingful. 
2.2. The Committee emphasizes the importance of 
this measure in view of the fact that the Community 
has no precise information as to the extent and serious­
ness of this disease, nor is much known about its effects, 
even in those Member States where cases have been 
registered. 
2.2.1. In addition, scientific research tends to suggest 
that other species could also contract the virus. 2.3. The Committee stresses the fact that although 
IHN has never been known to affect humans, it can 
seriously affect salmonid farming businesses and thus 
the income of people financially dependent on them. 
3. Specific comments 
3.1. Article 1 
3.1.1. The date for submission of plans, 1 January 
1990, must be revised. 
3.2. Article 2 
3.2.1. This Article refers to definitions in a regulation 
which is still only at the planning stage. 
3.2.2. The Committee reserves the right, if necessary, 
to issue another Opinion once it has seen the definitions 
in question. 
3.2.3. The Committee nevertheless highlights the 
need for strict animal health controls to monitor trade 
in animals and aquaculture products. 
3.2.4. Given that the major outbreaks of IHN have 
been outside the Community, particular attention 
should be paid to imports from third countries of 
salmonids, gametes and eggs. 
3.3. Article 3 (4) 
3.3.1. It is recommended that the number of samples 
taken must depend not only on the animal health situ­
ation, but also on the production system. 
3.3.2. It should be specified in the text that sampling 
must be carried out by official animal health authorities. 
t1) OJ No C 327, 30. 12. 1989, p. 59. 3.3.3. Member States' national plans should include 
provisions for samples taken from wild stocks. 
No C 124/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 90 
3.4. Article 3 (5) 
3.4.1. The first line should begin: 'the transfer of 
samples to an approved public or private laboratory, 
not necessarily located in that Member State, ...'. 
3.5. Article 5 
3.5.1. The Commission text should read as follows: 
'The measure provided for in this Decision shall 
qualify for adequate financial aid from the Com­
munity'. 
Done at Brussels, 28 March 1990. 
1. General comments 
1.1. The Committee welcomes the proposed har­
monization of the rules for the disposal of cadavers, 
slaughter by-products and other animal waste. The aim 
is to prevent the spread of pathogens in the environment 
and the animal production chain, and to make it poss­
ible for low-risk animal waste to circulate freely in the 
Community. 
(!) OJ No C 327, 30. 12. 1989, p. 76. 3.5.2. The report on the results of this survey should 
be communicated to the Council, the European Parlia­
ment and the Economic and Social Committee. 
3.6. Article 12 
3.6.1. In the first paragraph replace 'eradiction plan 
is being applied' with 'survey is being conducted'. 
3.7. Article 13 
3.7.1. To ensure that the eradication programmes 
are successful, and to encourage farmers to report the 
disease, financial compensation should be available for 
farmers obliged to destroy stocks. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASPRONE 
1.2. The Committee's premise is that the proposed 
criteria are of a high standard. They will thus ensure 
adequate consumer protection. 
1.3. The Committee thinks that the scope of the 
proposed rules must be sufficiently comprehensive. 
Because of this, a review of their legal basis is proposed. Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) laying down the veterinary rules 
for the disposal and processing of animal waste, for its placing on the market and for the 
prevention of pathogens in feedstuffs(1) 
(90/C 124/03) 
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 Section for Agriculture and Fisheries, which was responsible for preparing the Commit­
tee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 9 March 1990. The Rapporteur was 
Mr Wick. 
As its 275th plenary session (meeting of 28 March 1990) the Economic and Social Committee 
adopted the following Opinion unanimously.