30. 12. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 329/11 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) on the fixing of maximum levels 
for pesticide residues in and on certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables, 
and amending Directive 76/895/EEC as regards procedural rules(1) 
(89/C 329/04) 
On 26 January 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 Protection of the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Affairs, which 
was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 
3 October 1989. The Rapporteur was Mr A. Silva. 
At its 270th plenary session (meeting of 18 October 1989), the Economic and Social Committee 
unanimously adopted the following Opinion. 
1. Introduction 
1.1. At the present stage of scientific and technologi­
cal development, pesticides are still extensively used 
in farming. For the moment, the widespread use of 
alternative systems is not feasible, largely because of 
the need to satisfy increasing world-wide demand for 
foodstuffs. 1.6. Despite high initial costs, investment in plant 
biotechnology could yield excellent results. This could 
open the way to new types of farming, by making 
productivity compatible with environmental consider­
ations, and allow the Community to become less depen­
dent on certain countries. 
1.2. However, constant and uncontrolled application 
of pesticides can entail serious risks to both human and 
animal health and the environment. Advances in genetic engineering, in tandem with work 
in other sectors, might also pave the way for a solution 
to many current environmental problems, such as the 
deforestation caused by acid rain and the pollution of 
aquifers. 
1.3. The solution might be to establish new and 
better relations between industry, providing the techni­
cal input, and agriculture. The aim would be a more 
integrated approach to pest control, linking the use 
of plant protection products with the application of 
biological techniques. 
1.4. To do this, moves should be encouraged to 
provide all those working in the sector, especially far­
mers and farmworkers, with information and training. 
The sophisticated techniques now used to deal with 
pests, and the problems raised by their growing resist­
ance to the chemicals used, call for ongoing training to 
ensure that pesticides are used both appropriately and 
safely. 
1.5. Industry should step up research into new 
methods to safeguard plant health by investigating sub­
stances and products which are less toxic and more 
rapidly degradable. 
Further support is needed at Community level, with 
major investment in agro-biotechnological research. 2. General comments 
2.1. The Commission proposal has been drawn up 
with an eye to the completion of the Internal Market, 
and aims to protect health and the environment. 
2.2. The Committee approves the proposal, subject 
to the observations which follow. 
2.3. The Committee welcomes the proposal to align 
Member States' legislation on maximum permissible 
levels for pesticide residues. The measure will be 
immediately applicable throughout the Community, 
making the movement of goods between Member States 
easier in the run-up to 1992. The Regulation will sim­
plify Community legislation on the matter by bringing 
both pre- and post-harvest maximum levels of pesticide 
residues under the same measure. 
(') OJ No C 46, 25. 2. 1989, p. 5. 2.4. The proposal provides for a special procedure, 
using a Standing Committee on plant health composed 
of representatives of the Member States, (1) for amend-
No C 329/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 12. 89 
ing the list of products covered by the Regulation, and 
(2) for establishing and amending the list of pesticide 
residues and their maximum levels as set out in Direc­
tive 76/895/EEC. It will be important to provide Mem­
ber States and the sectors concerned with sufficient time 
to adjust to changes authorized as a result of scientific 
and technological development. 
2.5. The Committee agrees that the Regulation 
should not apply to products intended for sowing or 
planting. However, because of the potential risks to 
people, animals and the environment, the Commission 
should propose special maximum residue levels for 
these cases. 
2.6. In accordance with the attitude it has always 
upheld in the past, the Committee believes that the 
Regulation should apply equally to products earmarked 
for export to third countries. 
2.7. The proposal does not apply to processed foods. 
In view of the volume of international trade in such 
foods (of both Community and non-Community origin) 
using fruit, vegetables, cereals, meat, fish, etc. all of 
which may contain pesticide residues, the Committee 
considers that legislation should be introduced in this 
sector on health grounds. 
2.8. The Committee has reservations about Article 
9. A new maximum residue level cannot be fixed auto­
matically following the discovery that an existing level 
may be dangerous. Painstaking, lengthy research is 
needed, to take account of a whole series of factors, 
before a new level can be set. 
This Article could also lead to the creation of temporary 
trade barriers at harvest time, which could not be 
altered because of the seasonal nature of product move­
ment. 
3. Specific comments 
3.1. Article 1(3) 
— item (a) should be deleted. 
3.2. Article 2(1) 
Amend to read : 
'... and breakdown or reaction products of toxicological 
relevance, included...'. 3.3. Article 6 
The proposed labelling of fruit and vegetables may not 
have the desired effect, and could actually confuse the 
consumer even further. Pesticide residues should only 
be indicated if they could affect the consumer's health. 
The Committee reiterates the need for careful labelling 
containing the necessary information and explanations. 
The following wording is suggested for the cases 
covered by Article 6: 
'post-harvest treatment with...' 
The second indent should read: 
'in the retail trade, by a notice on the packaging, in 
the case of packaged goods, or by a visible indi­
cation providing the consumer with clear infor­
mation, in the case of other goods (e.g.: pesticide).' 
Derogations could however be granted in cases where 
the standing committee considers that the residues are 
unlikely to affect consumer health. 
3.4. Articles 10 and 11 
The references to the standing committee on plant 
health and the advisory committee should be clarified, 
as regards 1) their composition and 2) the reasons for 
consulting two committees which are so different in 
character and impact. 
3.5. Article 12 
The Committee suggests that Article 12(5) be revised, 
as the 15-day deadline for action by the Council seems 
unrealistic. 
4. Annexes 
4.1. To provide consumers with more complete 
information, plant health products listed in Annex II 
of Directive 76/895/EEC could be given a series of 'P' 
numbers based on the 'E' numbering system already in 
force for ingredients in foodstuffs. The possibility of 
using other equally suitable systems should not be 
excluded. 
4.2. Other vegetable foodstuffs, such as non-roasted 
coffee and cocoa, should be added to the list in the 
Annex. 
4.3. The Committee considers that the Portuguese 
title for item l(i) ('frutos de casca rija') is incorrect and 
should be amended. The English version would not be 
affected. 
30. 12. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 329/13 
4.4. Unshelled peanuts should be included in item 
Kii). 
4.5. Olives earmarked for olive oil production 
should also be included, just as wine grapes are men­
tioned separately from table grapes. 4.6. Item 2(vi) should be amended as follows: 'whole 
product after removal of pods, or with pods, after 
removal of stems'. 
4.7. Item 6. Other types of tea should be mentioned. 
Done at Brussels, 18 October 1989. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASPRONE 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision amending Decision 88/390/EEC on special 
support for the development of agricultural statistics in Ireland 
(89/C 329/05) 
On 6 September 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 5 October 1989. The Rapporteur was 
Mr Kelly. 
At its 270th plenary session of 18 and 19 October 1989 (meeting of 18 October), the Economic 
and Social Committee adopted the following Opinion unanimously. 
1. The Committee endorses the Commission proposal. 
2. The Committee observes that the proposed Decision: 
— satisfies the Irish authority's request to reduce the costs involved in preparation of the 
register of farm holdings, as provided for in Decision 88/390/EEC (!), for the purpose of 
procuring more reliable statistics, 
— does not entail any changes in the cost already envisaged nor in the Community contri­
bution rate. 
3. However, the Committee also recommends that an attempt be made to bring the 
facilities for gathering and processing agricultural statistics in Ireland more quickly in line 
with those in other Member States, so that increasingly informed decisions can be taken in 
the light of the Community's economic problems. 
Done at Brussels, 18 October 1989. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASPRONE 
(!) OJNoL 186, 16.7. 1988.