Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION amending Decision 90/218/EEC on the placing on the market and administration of Bovine Somatotrophin ( BST )
Date: 1991-12-12
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: hormone, intensive livestock farming, meat, scientific progress

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

,COM(91)522  final 

Brussels, 12 December 1991 

Proposal  for a 

COUNCIL PECISIQN 

amending Decision 90/218/EBC on the  placing  on the market and 
admiidstratiQn of  Bovine  ScmatotrO]pnln (BST) 

(presented by the Commission) 

Explanatory ilemoranduw 

Bovine Somatotroph in 

1. 

On 27th September  1989 the Commission presented  a report to 
the  Council  and  to  the  Parliament  concerning  the 
administration  of  bovine  somatotropin  to  dairy  cows  as a 
productivity aid to milk production<1). 

It proposed  the establishment of an evaluation period up to 
the  end  of  1990  on  the  administration  of  BST  in  the 
Community.  It also  indicated that this period was considered 
to  be  the  minimum  necessary  to  assess  the  results  of  the 
ongoing studies and develop new arrangements to be adopted on 
procedures  in  relation  to  such  products.  By  its  decision 
90/218/EEC of  25th April  1990<2>  the Council  agreed  to the 
request  of  the  Commission  and  subsequently  agreed  by  its 
decision of 4th February  1991(3) that an additional  time up 
to 31 December 1991 was necessary to enable the studies under 
way to be completed and the results to be considered. 

In  the  meantime  several  studies  have  been  made  into  the 
various aspects of BST and  a  further  interim  report  in the 
matter will be presented to the Council and to the Parliament 
shortly. 

The Commission  can  indicate already  that more  time will  be 
needed  to arrive  at  definitive  conclusions.  Accordingly  it 
is proposed  that  the Council  decide  to extend  the existing 
evaluation period up to 31 December  1993.  This will enable 
the Commission to present  its further conclusions accompanied 
by proposals concerning future arrangements by 30th June 1993 
at the latest. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

The Decision would have no financial consequences. 

<D 
<2) 
(3) 

CCOM (89) 379 final] 
O.J. No L 116. 08.05.1900, p. 27 
O.J. No L 37. 09.02.1991. P. 39 

I 

Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DBCISICN 

amending Décision 90/218/KBC on the placing on the market and 
administration of Bovine Somatotrqphin (BST) 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EOROPEAN OCMMITHITIES. 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, 
and in particular Article 43 thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission1, 

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament2, 

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee3, 

Whereas by Decision 90/218/EHC of 25 Aprtil 1990 on the placing on the 
market and administration of bovine somatotrophin4, as amended by Decision 
91/61/EBC of 4 February 1991, the Council called on the Member States to 
prohibit, until 31 December 1991, the administration of bovine 
soaratotrophin on their territory by any means whatsoever to dairy cows in 
view of the fact that the consequences of such administration were not yet 
sufficiently clear; 

Whereas the tine set for studying the effects and consequences of BST  has 
proved too short; whereas the research initiated, has only been partially 
completed; whereas sufficiently representative results have not yet been 
obtained, in particular from the point of view of animal health and 
welfare; whereas in-<iepth studies should continue in order to secure the 
additional data needed;  whereas, finally, further deliberation is 
necessary regarding some aspects of consistency with other Community 
policies; 

Whereas, in order not to anticipate the results of these studies, the 
prohibition regarding the placing on the market and administration of BST 
should be extended until a later date, 

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 

1  QJ No C.. 
2  OJ NO C .. 
3  OJ NO C.. 
4  OJ NO L 116, 8.5.1990, p.27, 

-2-

Artlole 1 

Decision 90/218/EEC is ameidefl as follows: 

1. Article 1 is replaced by the following: 

"Article 1 

The Member States shall ensure that, until 31 December 1993, the placing 
on the market of bovine somatotrophin and its administration on their 
territory to dairy cows by any means whatsoever will not be authorized. " 

2. Article 4 is replaced by the following: 

"Article 4 

The Commission shall, by 30 June 1993 at the latest, present the 
European Parliament and the Council with a report on the situation 
together with proposals for future arrangements. " 

This Decision is addressed to the Member State:. 

Article 2 

Done at  ...  , 

For the Council 
The President 

< 

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