51994AC0384

Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision amending Decision 90/424/EEC on expenditure in the veterinary field (1) (94/C 148/07)

On 22 December 1993, the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Articles 43 and 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned proposal.

The Section for Agriculture and Fisheries, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 3 March 1994. The Rapporteur was Mr Hovgaard Jakobsen.

At its 314th Plenary Session on 23 and 24 March 1994 (meeting of 23 March) the Economic and Social Committee unanimously adopted the following Opinion.

1. Introduction

1.1. In February 1990 the Council asked the Committee to deliver an Opinion on this matter. The relevant proposal consolidated and rationalized earlier provisions relating to a large number of specific measures in this field and was prompted by the progressive dismantling of veterinary border checks in connection with the Single Market.

1.2. In its Opinion of 25 April 1990 (2) the Committee welcomed this proposal as it could facilitate implementation of programmes required in this field. Several of the Committee's recommendations have been heeded.

2. General comments

2.1. Since it was introduced in 1990, this measure has proved effective in curbing a number of animal diseases. The proposed changes, which of course seek to monitor expenditure more effectively, seem to place a heavy burden on applicants. As indicated in the explanatory memorandum, the intention is not to affect the level of expenditure in the veterinary sector.

2.2. Though the costs must be kept within EU budgetary limits, it is vital that the requisite resources should be available at any moment to cover current needs.

2.3. The list of diseases set out in Article 3 of the current Council Decision and the annex to Article 24 should be constantly reviewed to keep pace with existing requirements.

3. Specific comments

3.1. Article 10a: The proposed minimum threshold of ECU 10 000 for emergency measures appears acceptable from an administrative viewpoint.

3.2. Article 24: The proposed application deadlines and procedures are far too cumbersome. As in the case of allocating both public and private aid, a far smoother process is needed, along the following lines: submission of application; set period for processing and, where appropriate, approval (e.g. three months); implementation accompanied by ongoing feedback on the progress and development of the programme. In the case of possible multi-annual programmes, release of the resources required for continuation should be conditional on frequent feedback. Accounts should be supplied to the Commission within six months of the programme's completion.

Done at Brussels, 23 March 1994.

The Chairman

of the Economic and Social Committee

Susanne TIEMANN

(1) OJ No C 4, 6. 1. 1994, p. 5.

(2) OJ No C 168, 1. 7. 1990, p. 5.