21. 3. 83 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 77/5 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive introducing Community measures for the 
control of foot-and-mouth disease 
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 22 September 1982 the Council referred the abovementioned proposal to the Economic and 
Social Committee in accordance with Article 43 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 204th 
plenary session held in Brussels on 26 and 27 January 1983. 
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 43 
thereof, 
Having regard to the request made by the Council of the 
European Communities on 22 September 1982 for an 
opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive 
introducing Community measures for the control of 
foot-and-mouth disease, 
Having regard to the decision taken by its Bureau on 
23 November 1982 instructing the Section for 
Agriculture to draw up an opinion on the matter, 
Having regard to the opinion adopted by the Section for 
Agriculture at its 240th meeting held on 6 January 
1983, 
Having regard to the report submitted by the rapporteur, 
Mr Wick, 
Having regard to its earlier work on the matter, 
Having regard to the discussions on 26 January 1983 
during the 204th plenary session held on 26 and 
27 January 1983, 
HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION 
by 98 votes to one with 15 abstentions: 
The Committee approves the proposal subject to the 
following comments and suggestions: 
1. General comments 
The Committee welcomes the proposed introduction of 
harmonized Community measures to control foot-and-mouth disease. The useful report drawn up as part of the 
preparatory work makes it clear that the control measures 
employed by the Member States still differ sharply. 
The extent of slaughtering on the outbreak of 
foot-and-mouth disease varies from Member State to 
Member State, mainly because it takes account of the 
practise of systematically vaccinating certain susceptible 
animals one a year (e.g. all cattle in one Member State). 
Vaccination is banned in the United Kingdom, Ireland 
and Denmark. All cattle are vaccinated once a year in 
France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands 
and the Federal Republic of Germany. In some Member 
States slaughtering is the rule, even though systematic 
vaccinations are a regular practice. Annual vaccinations 
are also carried out systematically in some of the 
Community's neighbours (Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, 
German Democratic Republic, Spain). In others (Austria, 
Bulgaria, Turkey), animals in certain areas are 
vaccinated. In Portugal vaccination is voluntary. 
The Committee endorses the statement in the report on 
foot-and-mouth disease that views on the basic principles 
of systematic prevention by vaccination differ fairly 
sharply from Member State to Member State. The 
Committee points to the difficulties which would arise in 
the Community if the systematic annual vaccinations 
carried out in a number of Member States were to 
stop. 
Vaccination as a control measure can be done away with 
when the planned protection belt around the Community 
(e.g. Iberian peninsula, south-eastern Europe) is 
established - if necessary with Community help. 
The differing views on the best way to control and prevent 
foot-and-mouth disease are reflected in the discussion on 
the draft Directive. These differences are due to the 
varying circumstances and risks in the Member States, 
including the problem of protecting export markets. 
No C 77/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 3. 83 
2. Specific comments 
Article IS 
In the third line, 'extensive' should be replaced by 
'expanding'. 
Article 17 
In the second line of the German version, insert 'standigen 
VeterinarausschufS' after 'unverziiglich den' (does not 
apply to English version). 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Francois CEYRAC 
APPENDIX 
to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee 
Rejected amendment 
The following amendment, presented in accordance with the Rules of Procedure, was rejected by the 
Committee during plenary session discussions: 
Page 3 
Delete the last two paragraphs of 'General comments'. 
Reasons 
The implication of these concluding paragraphs is a qualified approval and an attempt to transfer what was 
hitherto a national responsibility as a charge on Community funds. 
The cost of implementation of the Directive will vary in each Member State and must be influenced by the 
vigilance of control. 
National responsibility would be the best stimulant to avoid excessive costs. 
Voting 
For: 14, Against: a large majority, Abstentions: 12. The problems raised can only be solved without 
distortions of competition and discrimination between 
producers in the various Member States if the European 
Community assumes its responsibilities and finds the 
money to combat foot-and-mouth disease from its own 
coffers. 
The Committee makes approval of the Commission 
proposal conditional upon the Council accepting 
Community financing. 
Done at Brussels, 26 January 1983.