No C 339/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 91 
at EC level, in order to ensure regular information 
exchange. Existing structures should serve as a basis 
and flexible administrative procedures followed. 
5.14. The Committee feels that the following are 
suitable for improving the impact and effectiveness of 
regional policy: cooperation in the regions, improved, 
clear definition of responsibilities, involvement of all 
socio-economic groups in cooperation with the authori-
Done at Brussels, 25 September 1991. 
1. The Committee welcomes the proposal and 
approves of the introduction of the stamping out policy, 
with recourse to vaccination being very restricted. 
2. The Committee notes that Annex I refers to nine 
exotic diseases, and is pleased to see that the list can 
be extended if the need arises. 
2.1. These are highly contagious viral diseases. In 
certain circumstances, the viruses can infect humans. 
This is especially true of Rift Valley fever. These dis­
eases could cause economic disaster if they become 
established in the animal population of the Community. 
(*) OJ No C 148, 7. 6. 1991, p. 12. ties and well-organized, continual exhange of experi­
ences at national and EC level. 
5.15. The Committee expects the Commission to 
monitor carefully developments in Central and Eastern 
European countries and regions and to discuss in depth 
the impact of this on Community regions in its Fifth 
Periodic Report on the social and economic situation 
and development of the regions in the Community. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Francois STAEDELIN 
2.2. In some previous laws [e.g. Regulation (EEC) 
No 72/62], there is provision of the import of small 
quantities of food for personal use in the luggage of 
travellers from third countries. This should be reviewed. 
The Committee acknowledges the near-impossibility of 
preventing this absolutely, but suggests that this food 
should be properly certified. 
2.3. Disposal of waste food material from inter­
national transport must be rigorously supervised. 
3. The proposal to establish a properly trained epide­
miological unit in each Member State with the help of Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) introducing Community measures 
for the control of certain animal diseases (r) 
(91/C 339/06) 
On 5 June 1991 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 5 September 1991. The Rapporteur 
was Mr Scully. 
At its 289th plenary session (meeting of 25 September 1991), the Economic and Social 
Committee adopted the following Opinion unanimously. 
31. 12. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 339/13 
the Commission is welcomed. Also that each Member 
State must submit a 'Plan of Action'. 
4. It is noted that it is intended, in time, to bring all 
17 Group I diseases under this legislation, even those 
for which legislation now exists, e.g. foot & mouth, 
African swine fever, swine fever. 
5. The requirements are the least that must be 
applied by each Member State. Each country is at liberty 
to make more stringent regulations if it so desires. These 
further regulations could be abused for protection pur­
poses. Different areas have different susceptibility to 
different diseases. 
6. Compensation to the farmer must be full market 
value, at least, and must be paid immediately. This will 
ensure early notification of the disease and should help 
to prevent the disease spreading. 
All measures must be taken to prevent the spread of 
the disease. 
7. Article 4 (A) 
Recommend census of all domestic animals, not only 
of all susceptible species. 
8. Article 5 
Disposal of a large number of large animal carcasses is 
difficult. The Commission should examine the problem 
in depth and issue its findings before the necessity 
arises. 
a) Burning 
Expensive, time-consuming, and the smoke will pollute 
the atmosphere; 
Done at Brussels, 25 September 1991. b) Burial 
— problem of underground water being contaminated, 
— difficult in rocky areas to dig deep enough; 
c) Rendering 
Danger of the products getting into the animal food 
chain. 
9. Great attention must be given to wildlife. This 
could prove difficult, but it is important that a wildlife 
reservoir does not remain after the slaughter of the 
affected domestic animals. 
10. Article 10 
Rules for the protection and surveillance zones are 
noted. Some disquiet was expressed that the period of 
quarantine was far too short, especially for vector-
borne diseases, Rift Valley fever and blue tongue. 
11. Article 11 
If would be of use to have a list of disinfectants and 
insecticides published, and updated as necessary. 
12. Article 13 
Movement of vaccinated animals, or their products, 
which should be identifiable, is forbidden from the 
vaccinated areas. 
This will be reviewed, by the provisions of Article 17, 
in the light of future developments. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Francois STAEDELIN