21. 5. 79 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 128/9 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision reviewing the second multiannual research 
and development programme for the European Economic Community in the environmental 
field (indirect action) adopted by Decision 76/311/EEC 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the European 
Communities No C 173 of 20 July 1978, page 3. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 17 July 1978 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 164th -
plenary session held in Brussels on 19 and 20 December 1978. 
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 17 July 1978 for an 
opinion, 
Having regard to the decision which the Bureau took on 
11 July 1978, in anticipation of an impending referral, 
instructing the Section for Protection of the 
Environment, Public Health and Consumer Affairs to 
draw up an opinion and report on the matter, 
Having regard to the opinion issued by the Section for 
Protection of the Environment, Public Health and 
Consumer Affairs at its 43 rd meeting, held on 
12 December 1978, 
Having regard to the oral report made by the 
rapporteur, Mrs Heuser, 
Having regard to the discussions at its meeting on 
19 December 1978 (164th plenary session of 19 and 20 
December), 
Whereas the Commission proposal seeks to secure the 
requisite funds for the continuation of the multiannual 
research programme which was adopted on 15 March 
1976; Whereas the Economic and Social Committee's opinion 
of 27 November 1975 called for much larger funds to 
ensure that the research programme was implemented 
on schedule; 
Whereas the Advisory Committee on Programme 
Management for Environmental Research has 
recommended: (i) an extension of the overall 
programme in line with Commission proposals and (ii) 
an increase in funds, 
HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION 
by 66 votes to six, with nine abstentions: 
1. The Committee applauds the Commission proposal. 
It is necessary, indeed vital, to pursue current research 
and to implement the new projects contained in the four 
research areas covered by the multiannual research 
programme. 
2. The Committee itself is extremely interested in the 
investigation of certain pollutants such as asbestos. It is 
currently drafting a study on the health and 
environmental hazards of asbestos use. 
3. The Committee also reiterates its call for research 
into noise pollution, particularly in towns and cities, at 
work and in recreational areas. 
No C 128/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 79 
4. The Committee trusts that the increase in funds to 
20-8 million EUA will be enough to allow the 
programme to be completed and, in particular, to 
permit a more satisfactory response to research needs 
and remove the financial constraints which often lead to 
some projects being axed, despite their ecological value. 
5. The Committee welcomes the measures proposed 
under heading C, 'Implementation'. They will make it 
possible to take better informed decisions in the light of project evaluation and to adapt the programme to 
scientific knowledge acquired in the course of research. 
6. In general, the Committee would once again 
reiterate a position that it has repeatedly expressed in 
the past, The important thing is to prevent all types of 
pollution which exceeds admissible limits and 
consequently to concentrate environmental research on 
the identification of pollutants, thus enabling them to be 
fought more effectively. 
Done at Brussels, 19 December 1978. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Fabrizia BADUEL GLORIOSO 
ANNEX 
to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee 
The following passage in the Section opinion was modified following the adoption of an amendment: 
Page 3, point 6 
'In general, the Section would once again reiterate a position expressed repeatedly by the Committee 
in the past. The important thing is to prevent all types of pollution and consequently to concentrate 
environmental research on the identification of pollutants, thus enabling them to be fought more 
effectively.' 
Voting 
For: 50; against: 31; abstentions: 6. 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 77/101/EEC on the 
marketing of straight feedingstuffs 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the European 
Communities No C 294 of 8 December 1978, page 4. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 6 December 1978 the Council referred the above mentioned proposal to the Economic 
and Social Committee in accordance with Article 47 and 198 of the Treaty establishing the 
European Economic Community.