Opinion on the effects of the use of bovine somatotropin on milk production in the regions of the European Union (95/C 210/15)

At its 5th plenary session held on 15 November 1994, the Committee of the Regions, in accordance with Article 198c of the Treaty on European Union, unanimously adopted its Own-initiative Opinion on the effects of the use of bovine somatotropin on milk production in the regions of the European Union. The Rapporteur was Mr Bocklet.

Recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST)

1. BST is a protein, produced naturally by the pituitary gland, which controls cow milk production. It can also be obtained by genetic engineering techniques, in the form of recombined bovine somatotropin (rBST) which differs only slightly from natural BST. Under normal administration conditions rBST cannot be detected in milk and its proper use therefore cannot be monitored.

2. Injected rBST can increase milk yields by up to 20 %. However, animal health problems frequently arise. rBST injections have raised the hormone level to physical limits. rBST thus degrades cows to milking machines and causes avoidable pain. On animal protection grounds, this is unacceptable.

3. The impact on metabolism has been insufficiently researched. It is not possible to obtain a full picture of the changes in milk composition which can be caused by rBST, but there is already evidence that a deterioration in milk quality is to be expected.

4. The use of rBST will deprive small farms of their economic basis and lead to the development of agrobusiness production units. 25,000 to 30,000 farms in the EU will be enough to fill the milk quota of approximately 100 million tons, rather than the present 1.2 million. As a consequence milk production will gravitate to areas with favourable production conditions and low environmental standards and cows will mostly be kept indoors. At the same time extensive areas in disadvantaged regions which have hitherto lived off dairy farming will be abandoned and hence lose their specific character and regional cultural value. This at a time when the EU and the Member States are implementing structural measures to promote rural areas and stabilize them socially and economically.

5. The use of rBST would benefit only a few farms while the high external costs of landscape preservation are borne by public money. Farmers who refuse to use rBST on ethical grounds will lose competitiveness.

6. The vast majority of consumers do not want to drink milk from rBST-treated herds. Farmers' associations are also opposed. The use of rBST will increase the pressure on the milk market and will not promote production curbs. On the contrary, there is a serious danger that the market organization system will be undermined.

7. The Committee of the Regions therefore calls

- on the EU Council to extend the moratorium on the authorization of rBST until 31 March 2000, i.e. the expiry date of the guaranteed quantities arrangements for milk;

- on the European Commission to draw up forthwith its own Directives on performance enhancers; rBST must not be assessed on the basis of veterinary medicine laws;

- for the establishment of a practicable examination and detection procedure for every substance which a manufacturer wishes to market;

- on the EU Council to commission independent organizations to research thoroughly the impact on animal metabolism. It is also necessary to carry out a comprehensive well-grounded assessment of the technological consequences and costs for individual farms and Member States, taking into consideration ecological and environmental repercussions.

Done at Brussels, 15 November 1994.

The Chairman

of the Committee of the Regions

Jacques BLANC