51994AC1301

Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Council Directive 64/433/EEC on health conditions for the production and marketing of fresh meat () (94/C 397/08)

On 13 September 1994 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 Economic and Social Committee decided to appoint Mr Jaschick as Rapporteur-General responsible for preparing its work on the subject.

At its 320th Plenary Session (meeting of 23 November 1994), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following Opinion by a majority, with two abstentions.

INTRODUCTION

()The Commission's proposal for a Council Directive amending Council Directive 64/433/EEC on health conditions for the production and marketing of fresh meat [COM(94) 315 final] is intended to simplify the provisions for low-capacity establishments.

This objective requires:

- new provisions in accompanying documents;

- the raising of processing ceilings;

- an extension of the marketing radius;

- consideration of seasonal and regional factors.

1. General comments

1.1. The Committee endorses the Commission proposal, subject to the considerations set out below. The proposal is calculated to further the intended aim of maintaining regional operating structures. The Committee stresses that consumer health protection must not be impaired by the planned measures.

2. Specific comments

2.1.

Article 3 (1) A (f) (ii) of the original Directive

In the Committee's view the wording 'accompanying commercial document the format of which has been authorized by the official veterinarian' is unclear, and should be replaced with the following:

'accompanying commercial document containing all the information required by the official veterinarian.'

2.2.

Article 4, point A

With a view to the maintenance of regional operating structures, the Committee endorses the raising of the slaughtering ceiling from 12 to 20 per week or 600 to 1 000 per year.

2.3.

Article 4 A (3)

The Committee points out that if the former paragraph (3) is replaced and it becomes possible to grant derogations, the standard of hygiene must be maintained.

2.4.

Article 4 A (4)

The Committee endorses the removal of the restriction to local marketing.

2.4.1. In the interests of consumer health protection, meat must be transported in accordance with Annex I, Chapter XV (hygiene conditions); the word 'satisfactory' should be deleted.

2.5.

Article 4 A (5)

The Committee expressly endorses the new possibility of seasonally raising processing ceilings; in line with the subsidiarity principle, the Commission takes account of regional practices through a specific rule of this kind.

2.6.

Annex I, Chapter II, point 14(c)(i)

The Committee points out that the authorization of the supervisory authority is required for this purpose.

Done at Brussels, 23 November 1994.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Carlos FERRER

() OJ No C 224, 12. 8. 1994, p. 15.