Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a Council decision concerning the placing on the market and administration of bovine somatotrophin (BST) and repealing Council Decision 90/218/EEC'
Date: 1999-12-09
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: cattle, dairy cow, hormone, market approval, veterinary legislation

C 51/96

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

23.2.2000

Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the ‘Proposal for a Council decision
concerning the placing on the market and administration of bovine somatotrophin (BST) and
repealing Council Decision 90/218/EEC’

(2000/C 51/22)

On 9 November 1999, the Council of the European Union decided to consult the Economic and Social
Committee, under Article 37 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned
proposal.

The Economic and Social Committee decided to appoint Mr Nielsen as rapporteur-general with the task
of preparing the Committee’s work on the subject.

At its 368th plenary session (meeting of 9 December 1999), the Economic and Social Committee adopted
the following opinion by 46 votes with two abstentions.

1. Background

1.1.
Since 1990 the Member States may not grant authoris-
ation for placing on the market or administration in any
form, of bovine somatotrophin (BST) to dairy cows on their
territory (1). This moratorium expires at the end of 1999.

Further to the Protocol on protection and welfare of
1.2.
animals annexed to the Treaty, the European Convention for
the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes and the
report of 10 March 1999 by the Scientific Committee on
Animal Health and Animal Welfare,
the Commission is
proposing a permanent ban from 1 January 2000 on authoris-
ation to place on the market or in any way administrate bovine
somatotrophin (BST) to dairy cows. Undertakings buying,
producing or marketing BST substances are required to keep
registers detailing quantities etc.; on request, these must be
made available to the authorities. The decision does not affect

(1) Council Decision 90/218/EEC (OJ L 116, 8.5.1990, p. 27), as last
amended by Decision 94/936/EC (OJ L 366, 31.12.1994, p. 19).

the Member States’ production and imports of BST for
purposes of its export to third countries.

The Commission points out, among other things, that
1.3.
it has not been proved scientifically or on the basis of
experience, that BST is not detrimental to animal health or
welfare. On the other hand, there is proof that BST can have
harmful effects in the shape of clinical mastitis, food and leg
disorders, reproduction capacity and reactions at the injection
site. Apart from the fact that these disorders may cause animals
pain, there is a risk of infecting other cows and hence causing
a deterioration in the overall health of the herd.

2. The ESC’s comments

The ESC fully endorses both the Commission’s pro-
2.1.
posal for a ban on the use of BST and the Commission’s
arguments. However, the ESC considers that the Commission
should indicate more precisely the degree of harm to animal
health as set out in the scientific report.

Brussels, 9 December 1999.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Beatrice RANGONI MACHIAVELLI