title: Proposal for a Council Directive concerning the Framework Agreement on Fixed-term Work concluded by UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC

eurovoc_concepts:
arrangement of working time
employment policy
framework agreement
occupational safety
social rights

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text: COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 28. 04. 1999 COM(1999) 203 final Proposal for a COUNCIL DIRECTIVE concerning the Framework Agreement on Fixed-term Work concluded by UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC (presented by the Commission) EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM Introduction 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Fixed-term work has increased substantially over recent years, and the trend continues on national employment markets. On 29 June 1990, the Commission submitted three proposals for Council Directives on certain employment relationships (e. g. part-time, fixed-term and temporary work)1. The Economic and Social Committee gave its opinion on 20. 9. 19902, while the European Parliament gave its opinion on 24. 10. 19903. In accordance with Article 149 of the Treaty4, the Commission submitted an amended proposal5 to the Council on 7. 11. 1990, incorporating certain of the amendments suggested by Parliament. These proposals were subsequently discussed within the Council on various occasions between 1990 and 1994. Of the three proposals, only Council Directive encourage improvements in the safety and health at work of workers with a fixed- duration employment relationship or a temporary employment relationship”6 was adopted. 91/383/EEC “supplementing the measures to In July 1994, the Commission published its White Paper on the future of European social policy, in which the Commission reaffirms its determination to make progress in the social policy field and indicates, in Chapter III, that the highest priority must be to ensure that the proposals on atypical work are adopted by the Council. The conclusions of the Essen European Council emphasised the need to take steps to improve the employment situation, and called for measures aimed at “increasing the employment-intensiveness of growth, in particular by more flexible organisation of work in a way which fulfils both the wishes of employees and the requirements of competition”. As no progress had been made in the Council, the Commission decided to initiate the procedure under Article 3 of the Agreement on social policy annexed to the Protocol (No 14) on social policy annexed to the Treaty establishing the European Community. On 27 September 1995, it therefore gave its approval for consultation of the social partners under Article 3(2) of the said Agreement. COM(90) 228 final, 29. 6. 1990; OJ C 224, 8. 9. 1990, p. 8. OJ C 332, 31. 12. 1990, p. 167. OJ C 295, 26. 11. 1990, p. 112. All references to the Treaty prior to the entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam refer to the Treaty in force at the time of the action concerned. COM(90) 533 final; OJ C 305, 5. 12. 1990, p. 12. OJ L 206, 29. 7. 1991, p. 19. 2 8. 9. 10. The replies from the social partners showed that there was a broad measure of support for the fundamental guiding principle of non-discrimination of workers affected by the new, flexible forms of work, guaranteeing them the same treatment as for full-time workers with open-ended contracts. Although the respondents’ views differed considerably as to the form and appropriate level of action to be taken in this area, most of the social partners said they were prepared to play an active part in defining the principles and putting them into effect, more especially by way of collective bargaining at the appropriate level. After analysing the reactions, the Commission considered Community action advisable and decided, on 17 April 1996, to initiate the second round of consultation of the social partners provided for in Article 3(3) of the Agreement on social policy. On 19 June 1996, three organisations (UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC) announced their intention to begin negotiations. On 6 June 1997, these three organisations concluded the "European Framework Agreement on Part-Time Work" which, following the procedure under Article 4 of the Agreement on Social Policy, was subsequently implemented on a proposal from the Commission in accordance with Article 4(2) of the Agreement on social policy by Council Directive 97/81/EC of 15 December 1997. The Directive was further extended to the United Kingdom by Council Directive 98/23/EC of 7 April 1998. In the Preamble to the "European the contracting parties Framework Agreement on Part-Time Work" announced their intention to consider the need for similar agreements relating to other forms of flexible work. the three parties (UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC) On 23 March 1998, announced their intention of starting negotiations on fixed-term work. At the end of the nine-month period, they asked the Commission for a further three months by virtue of Article 3(4) of the Agreement on Social Policy. The Commission extended the negotiation period to 30 March 1999. The three organisations concluded a framework Agreement on 18 March 1999. They forwarded the agreement to the Commission, asking for it to be implemented by a Council decision on a proposal from the Commission in accordance with Article 4(2) of the Agreement on social policy. 11. The social partners requested the Commission: – to submit the framework agreement to the Council for a decision to make the provisions of the agreement binding in the Member States which are party to the Agreement on social policy annexed to the Protocol (No 14) on social policy annexed to the Treaty establishing the European Community; – to request Member States, in its proposal to implement the agreement, to adopt laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with the Council decision within two years from its adoption or ensure that the social partners establish the necessary measures by way of agreement by the end of this period; and, 3 – to make provision for Member States to have, if necessary and following consultation with the social partners and in order to take account of particular difficulties or implementation by collective agreement, up to a maximum of one additional year to comply with the decision. 12. As the first paragraph of the Preamble to the framework agreement illustrates, the agreement also intends to make an immediate contribution to the European Employment Strategy. Examination of the Agreement 13. In its Communication concerning "adapting and promoting the social dialogue at Community level"7, the Commission stressed that “before any legislative proposal implementing an agreement is presented to the Council, the Commission carries out an assessment involving consideration of the representative status of the contracting parties, their mandate and the legality of each clause in the agreement in relation to Community law, and the provisions regarding small and medium sized enterprises". Representativeness of the contracting parties and their respective mandates 14. The organisations which are signatory to the agreement are UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC. These three organisations have, since 1985, been engaged in an autonomous and voluntary process known as the “Val Duchesse” social dialogue. This has total of 13 joint opinions, 2 recommendations, 4 agreements and 5 declarations. In particular, they came up with a significant agreement in October 1991 with a view to defining the role and place of the social dialogue within the new Community framework. Articles 3 and 4 of the Agreement on social policy drew very largely on this agreement. resulted in a 15. The three organisations all meet the following criteria, as laid down in the Commission’s Communication concerning the application of the Protocol on Social Policy (point 24)8: – they are cross-industry and are organised at European level; – they consist of organisations which are themselves an integral and recognised part of Member State social partner structures, have the capacity to negotiate agreements and are representative of all Member States; – they have appropriate structures to ensure their effective participation in implementing the Agreement on social policy. 16. These three organisations are the only three general cross-industry organisations within the meaning of Annex 2 to the Commission’s 7 8 COM(98) 322 final, 20. 05. 1998; see also COM(93) 600, 14. 12. 1993. COM(93) 600, 14. 12. 1993. 4 17. Communication. The annex is updated on a regular basis following an ongoing study on representativeness. The European Court of First Instance pronounced itself on the question of representativity in its judgement of 17 June 1998 in case T-135/96 (the European union of the craft industry and of the small and medium-sized enterprises (UEAPME) against the Council) where UEAPME had challenged the legality of Directive 96/34/EC concerning the framework agreement on parental leave concluded by UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC. In its judgement the Court of First Instance investigated the procedural steps leading up to the adoption of the Directive and, secondly, made an assessment of the factual representativity of the signatory parties based upon the figures submitted to it. After having found the legislative procedure correct and the signatory parties sufficiently representative in relation to the material scope of the agreement, the CFI declared the UEAPME challenge non-admissible. UEAPME appealed this judgement but withdrew later its appeal after having concluded a cooperation agreement with UNICE on 4 December 1998. Employers’ organisations 18. The employers’ federation which is most representative of all industrial sectors and categories of enterprises is UNICE. At national the organisations affiliated to the UNICE are by far the most representative cross-industry employers’ federations. The affiliated organisations at national level are directly or indirectly involved in collective bargaining and participate in the International Labour Conference. CEEP provides significant representation of public enterprises or enterprises with public participation in the Member States. level, Trade union organisations 19. By far the most representative cross-industry trade union confederation is the ETUC. Its affiliated organisations are the most representative cross-industry its affiliated trade union confederations in all organisations at national level are directly or indirectly involved in collective bargaining and participate in the International Labour Conference. the Member States. All Conclusion 20. 21. The Commission notes that the members of these three organisations at national level have given the three a specific mandate for negotiations on fixed-term work and have ratified the framework agreement. The three organisations have concluded the framework agreement on behalf of their national members. The Commission concludes that these three organisations fulfil the condition of representativeness, which it had undertaken to verify before forwarding its proposal. “Legitimacy” of the clauses concerning the role of the non-signatory social partners and their members 5 22. 23. 24. 25. A number of other social partners who were consulted by the Commission expressed a desire to take part in the negotiations. The Commission has been informed of the exchange of letters and discussions between the signatory social partners and these others. The Commission has forwarded the framework agreement the organisations which it had previously consulted or informed, and has organised a meeting with them. to all Several organisations have underlined the flexible character of the provisions of the agreement that will allow account to be taken, when transposing it into national law, of the specific needs of certain sectors or sub-sectors. Having verified the relevant clauses, the framework agreement makes reference on a number of occasions to the "social partners" and to “national law, collective agreements or practice”, and thus very largely preserves the role of the non-signatory social partners and their members at national level. the Commission feels that Provisions regarding small and medium-sized enterprises 26. 27. 28. Article 137(2) of the Treaty provides that legislation on social policy shall avoid imposing administrative, financial and legal constraints in a way which would hold back the creation and development of small and medium-sized undertakings (or enterprises). The specific situation of SMEs was given special attention when the text of the framework agreement was drawn up. Specific reference is made to SMEs, as follows: – General consideration 11: into “Whereas consideration the need to improve social policy requirements, to enhance the competitiveness of the Community economy and to avoid imposing administrative, financial and legal constraints in a way which would hold back the creation and development of small and medium-sized undertakings”. agreement takes this Clearly, the agreement does not provide for any explicit exception to be made to the basic principle of non-discrimination in favour of SMEs. However, Clause 5, which sets out the steps to be taken to prevent abuse from the use of successive fixed-term contracts, stipulates that these measures shall be introduced "in a manner which takes account of the needs of specific sectors and or categories of workers". Furthermore, Clause 5. 1 provides for the introduction of "one or more" of three regulatory steps. This flexibility regarding the implementation of the measures to prevent abuse could obviously be used in a way which takes into account of the special needs of employers and workers in SMEs. This point is further underlined in General consideration 10 that states; "Whereas the agreement refers back to Member States and social partners for the arrangements for the application of its general principles, minimum requirements and provisions, in order to take account of the situation in each Member State, and the circumstances of 6 29. 30. 31. particular sectors and occupations, nature". including the activities of a seasonal Furthermore, clauses (2(1), 2(2), 3(2), 4(3), 5(2), 7(2)) refer to national laws, collective agreements or practice and/or to the social partners regarding the arrangements for their application. Despite not explicitly mentioning SMEs, these provisions do enable national provisions to be adopted if necessary to take account of their special needs. These provisions show that the social partners have intended to leave room for manoeuvre in the implementation of the rights and obligation under the agreement which should allow for the specific needs of both workers and enterprises in specific sectors and categories of workers and enterprises to be taken into account, not least SMEs (see also General considerations 5, 8 and 12). The Commission therefore concludes complies with the provisions enterprises. that concerning small the framework agreement and medium-sized “Legality” of the clauses of the agreement 32. the clauses of the The Commission has carefully examined each of framework agreement and does not find any provisions contrary to Community law. The fact that the agreement provides for obligations on the Member States does not undermine its legality. On the contrary, it follows from the second declaration annexed to the Agreement on social policy9 that the arrangements for applying agreements between management and labour at Community level is likely to create obligations for the Member States. The obligations imposed on Member States do not derive directly from the agreement between the social partners but from the arrangement for applying the agreement. Paragraphs 33 to 37 contain the Commission’s assessment of the content of the agreement. Assessment of the agreement 33. 9 In the light of the conclusions of the Essen European Council and of subsequent European Councils, the Commission considers Community level provisions on fixed-term work to be an important factor in seeking to strike the right balance between flexibility and security. The social partners’ contribution is positive in itself in that it guarantees that consideration is given both to business competitiveness and to the interests of workers. “The eleven High Contracting Parties declare that the first of the arrangements for application of the agreements between management and labour at Community level - referred to in Article 4(2) - will consist in developing, by collective bargaining according to the rules of each Member State, the content of the agreements, and that consequently this arrangement implies no obligation on the Member States to apply the agreements directly or to work out rules for their transposition, nor any obligation to amend national legislation in force to facilitate their implementation. ” 7 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. The Commission wholeheartedly endorses the aims of the social partners’ framework agreement and sees it as an important step in three respects. Firstly, minimum standards with regard to fixed-term work are a big step forward in creating a minimum set of fundamental rights of workers as laid down in the Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers (see in particular paragraph 7 of the Charter). Secondly, the agreement also contributes to implementing the conclusions of the Essen European Council in terms of the introduction of new, flexible ways of organising work. Such flexibility must meet the needs of enterprises and help them to become more competitive to cope with international competition. It must also take account of the interests of workers by preventing abuse arising from the use of successive fixed-term employment contracts or relationships. An agreement between the social partners on this matter as a result of negotiations between employers and workers is the right vehicle for reconciling the interests of the two parties. Thirdly, the agreement illustrates the role that the social partners can play in the European employment the 1997 Luxembourg extraordinary summit and the subsequent Council Resolutions, in particular Council Resolution on the 1999 Employment Guidelines. 10 strategy agreed at The Commission considers that all the conditions are fulfilled for forwarding a proposal designed to implement the framework agreement between the social partners by way of a Council decision. The Commission’s proposal 39. 40. 41. In its Communication of 14 December 1993, the Commission stated that “implementing an agreement concluded at Community level by means of a Council decision on a proposal from the Commission at the joint request of the social partners would give the Council no opportunity to amend the agreement. For this reason, the Commission will merely propose, following examination of the agreement between the social partners, the adoption of a decision on the agreement as concluded”. In the present case, the proposed instrument is a Directive. It therefore contains the standard clauses relating to the implementation of the Directive at national level. The Commission also took the view that “the Council decision must be limited to making binding provisions of the agreement concluded between the social partners, so the text of the agreement would not form part of the decision but would be annexed thereto”. the Commission announced that “if in Finally, accordance with the procedure set out in the last subparagraph of Article 4(2), not to implement the agreement as concluded by the social partners, the Commission will withdraw its proposal for a decision and will examine, in the Council decides, 10 Council Resolution of 9 February 1999 on the 1999 employment guidelines. 8 the light of the work done, whether a legislation instrument in the area in question would be appropriate”. 42. Hence, the Commission has not incorporated the text of the agreement in its proposal but simply annexed it thereto. Moreover, it reiterates that, if the Council amends the agreement concluded between the social partners, it will withdraw its proposal. Legal basis 43. 44. 45. Following the entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam, the provisions of the Agreement on Social Policy have been incorporated into Articles 136 - 139 of the Treaty. Article 139(2) of the Treaty provides that “agreements concluded at Community level shall be implemented, in matters covered by Article 137, at the joint request of the signatory parties, by a Council decision on a proposal from the Commission”. The agreement on fixed-term work relates to working conditions, which come under Article 137(1) of the Treaty. This is one of the areas where the Council may act by a qualified majority. As a result, Article 139(2) is the proper legal basis for the Commission’s proposal. That Article does not provide for consultation of the European Parliament on requests addressed to the Commission by the social partners. However, in accordance with the undertaking in its Communication, the Commission has kept Parliament informed about the various phases of consultation of the social partners. It is also forwarding this proposal to Parliament so that it can deliver its opinion to the Commission and the Council if it so wishes. The same applies to the Economic and Social Committee. The form the instrument is to take 46. The term “decision” within the meaning of Article 139(2) of the Treaty refers to one of the binding legislative instruments under Article 249 of the Treaty. It is up to the Commission to propose to the Council the most appropriate of the three binding instruments under the said Article (regulation, directive or decision). In this case, given the nature (framework agreement) and the is clear that the framework content of the social partners’ document, it agreement is intended to be applied indirectly by means of provisions to be transposed into national law by the Member States and/or the social partners. Hence, in that case, the most suitable instrument for its application is a Council Directive. Moreover, in accordance with the undertakings it has given, the Commission considers that the text of the agreement should not be part of the directive but should be annexed thereto. 47. The Commission’s comments on the Articles in its proposal are given below. – Article 1 9 – This article confines itself to making the framework agreement between the social partners obligatory in order to enable it to be implemented by a Council decision under Article 139(2) of the Treaty. – Articles 2 - 5 – These Articles contain the usual provisions for transposition into the national law of the Member States. – More particularly, Article 2(1) says that the provisions of the Directive prescribe only minimum requirements, giving Member States the chance to adopt stricter measures in the relevant field. – Article 2(2) is a “non-regression” standard clause that affects Member States which have, at the time of adoption of the Directive, a higher level of protection than that guaranteed by the framework agreement. What this clause means is that there should be no lowering of the general level of protection for workers when the Community Directive is adopted. However, it offers Member States the possibility of adopting different measures as required by their economic and social policies, subject to observance of the minimum requirements prescribed by the framework agreement. It is at any rate clear that the Member States’ room for manoeuvre covers only a level of protection exceeding that guaranteed by the Directive. – Article 3 obliges Member States to provide penalties which are effective, commensurate with the infringement and constitute a sufficient deterrent. In applying Community law, it is necessary, as in every legal system, on the one hand that those bearing obligations resulting from this law are dissuaded from infringing it and, on the other, that those who do not respect Community law are duly penalised. – Articles 4 and 5 contain the provisions for transposition into the national law of the Member States. Justification for the Directive in respect of subsidiarity 48. 49. The proposal for a Council Directive concerning the framework agreement on fixed-term contracts concluded by UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC complies with the principle of subsidiarity and proportionality, as laid down in Article 5 of the Treaty. As regards the principle of subsidiarity, the need to undertake Community action, is justified by the fact that the social partners, under the procedure provided for in Article 3 of the Agreement on Social Policy (Article 138 of the Treaty as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam), have agreed that it is necessary to undertake action at Community level and have requested the implementation of their Community-level agreement through a Council decision based on a proposal from the Commission, pursuant to Article 4(2) of the Agreement on social policy (Article 139(2) of the Treaty as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam). Moreover, this initiative is in keeping with the 10 conclusions of the Essen European Council of December 1994 and its follow-up and, in particular, with the Council Resolutions on the Employment Guidelines of 1998 and 1999. 11 50. The Council Directive corresponds to the requirement of proportionality in so far as it only defines the major objectives to be attained by Member States, while allowing the social partners and not the Community to decide on the content. Conclusion 51. The Council is requested to adopt the proposal for a Directive concerning the framework agreement on fixed-term work concluded by UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC. 11 Council Resolution of 15 December 1997 on the 1998 employment guidelines and Council Resolution of 9 February 1999 on the 1999 employment guidelines. 11 Proposal for a COUNCIL DIRECTIVE concerning the Framework Agreement on Fixed-term Work concluded by UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 139(2) thereof; Having regard to the proposal from the Commission12; (1) Whereas following the entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam the provisions of the Agreement on social policy annexed to the Protocol (No 14) on social policy, annexed to the Treaty establishing the European Community as amended by the Treaty of Maastricht have been incorporated into Articles 136 to 139 of the Treaty establishing the European Community; (2) Whereas management and labour (the social partners) may, in accordance with Article 139(2) of the Treaty, request jointly that agreements at Community level be implemented by a Council decision on a proposal from the Commission; (3) Whereas point 7 of the Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers provides inter alia that “the completion of the internal market must lead to an improvement in the living and working conditions of workers in the European Community. This process must result from an approximation of these conditions while the improvement is being maintained, as regards in particular (. ) forms of employment other than open-ended contracts, such as fixed-term contracts, part-time working, temporary work and seasonal work”; (4) Whereas the Council has been unable to reach a decision on the proposal for a Directive on certain employment relationships with regard to distortions of competition13, as amended14, nor on the proposal for a Directive on certain employment relationships with regard to working conditions15; (5) Whereas the conclusions of the Essen European Council stressed the need to take measures with a view to “increasing the employment-intensiveness of 12 13 14 15 OJ C. OJ C 224, 8. 9. 1990, p. 6. COM(90) 533 final; OJ C 305, 5. 12. 1990, p. 8. OJ C 224, 8. 9. 1990, p. 4. 12 growth, in particular by a more flexible organisation of work in a way which fulfils both the wishes of employees and the requirements of competition”; (6) Whereas the Council Resolution of 9 February 1999 on the 1999 Employment Guidelines invite the social partners at all appropriate levels to negotiate agreements to modernise the organisation of work, including flexible working arrangements, with the aim of making undertakings productive and competitive and achieving the required balance between flexibility and security; (7) Whereas the Commission, in accordance with Article 3(2) of the Agreement on social policy, has consulted management and labour on the possible direction of Community action with regard to flexible working time and job security; (8) Whereas the Commission, considering after such consultation that Community action was desirable, once again consulted management and labour on the substance of the envisaged proposal in accordance with Article 3(3) of the said Agreement; (9) Whereas the general cross-industry organisations the Union of Industrial and Employers’ Confederations of Europe (UNICE), the European Centre of Enterprises with Public Participation (CEEP) and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) informed the Commission on 23 March 1998 of their desire to initiate the procedure provided for in Article 4 of the said Agreement; whereas they asked the Commission, in a joint letter for a further three months; whereas the Commission complied with this request extending the negotiation period to March 30 1999; (10) Whereas the said cross-industry organisations concluded, on 18 March 1999, a framework agreement on fixed-term work; whereas they forwarded to the Commission their joint request to implement the framework agreement by a Council decision on a proposal from the Commission, in accordance with Article 4(2) of the said Agreement; (11) Whereas the Council, in its Resolution of 6 December 1994 on “prospects for a European Union social policy: a contribution to economic and social convergence in the Union”16, asked management and labour to make use of the opportunities for concluding agreements, since they are as a rule closer to social reality and to social problems; (12) Whereas the contracting parties, in the Preamble to the Framework Agreement on Part-Time work concluded on 6 June 1997, announced their intention to consider the need for similar agreements relating to other forms of flexible work; 16 OJ C 368, 23. 12. 1994, p. 6. 13 (13) Whereas the social partners wished to give particular attention to fixed-term work, while at the same time indicating that it was their intention to consider the need for a similar agreement relating to temporary agency work; (14) Whereas the contracting parties wished to conclude a framework agreement on fixed-term work setting out the general principles and minimum requirements for fixed-term employment contracts and employment relationships; whereas they have demonstrated their desire to improve the quality of fixed-term work by ensuring the application of the principle of non-discrimination, and to establish a framework to prevent abuse arising from the use of successive fixed-term employment contracts or relationships; (15) Whereas the proper instrument for implementing the framework agreement is a directive within the meaning of Article 249 of the Treaty; whereas it therefore binds the Member States as to the result to be achieved, whilst leaving them the choice of form and methods; (16) Whereas, in accordance with the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty, the objectives of this Directive cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can therefore be better achieved by the Community; Whereas this Directive limits itself to the minimum required for the attainment of those objectives and does not go beyond what is necessary for that purpose; (17) Whereas the Commission has drafted its proposal in accordance with its Communication of 14 December 199317 concerning the application of the Agreement on social policy and its Communication of 20 May 1998 on adapting and promoting the social dialogue at Community level18, taking into account the representative status of the contracting parties, their mandate and the legality of each clause of the framework agreement; for a Directive, (18) Whereas the Commission has drafted its proposal for a Directive taking into account compliance with Article 137(2) of the Treaty which provides that directives in the social policy domain “shall avoid imposing administrative, financial and legal constraints in a way which would hold back the creation and development of small and medium-sized undertakings”; (19) Whereas the Commission, in accordance with its Communication concerning the application of the Agreement on social policy, informed the European Parliament by sending it the text of the agreement, accompanied by its proposal for a Directive and the explanatory memorandum; (20) Whereas the Commission also informed the Economic and Social Committee by sending it the text of the agreement, accompanied by its proposal for a Directive and the explanatory memorandum; 17 18 COM(93) 600, 14. 12. 1993. COM(98) 322 final, 20. 5. 1998. 14 (21) Whereas the provisions of this Directive lay down minimum requirements, thus giving the Member States and/or the social partners the option of introducing more favourable provisions; (22) Whereas the implementation of this Directive should not serve to justify any regression in relation to the situation which already exists in each Member State; (23) Whereas the Member States may entrust management and labour, at their joint request, with the implementation of this Directive, as long as the Member States take all the necessary steps to ensure that they can at all times guarantee the results imposed by this Directive; (24) Whereas the implementation of the framework agreement contributes to achieving the objectives under Article 136 of the Treaty, HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: Article 1 The purpose of the Directive is to put into effect the annexed framework agreement on fixed-term contracts concluded on 18 March 1999 between the general cross- industry organisations (UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC). Article 2 1. Member States may introduce more favourable provisions than those laid down in this Directive. 2. The implementation of this Directive shall under no circumstances constitute sufficient grounds for justifying a reduction in the general level of protection of workers in the fields covered by this Directive. This shall be without prejudice to the rights of Member States and/or management and labour to lay down, in the light of changing circumstances, different legislative, regulatory or contractual arrangements to those prevailing at the time of adoption of this Directive, provided always that the minimum requirements laid down in this Directive are adhered to. Article 3 Member States shall determine the range of penalties applicable for infringements of national provisions made in implementation of this Directive and shall take all necessary steps to ensure that they are enforced. The penalties must be effective, commensurate with the infringement, and must constitute a sufficient deterrent. 15 Member States shall notify these provisions to the Commission by the date mentioned in Article 4 at the latest, and any subsequent amendment thereto in good time. Article 4 Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive within two years of its adoption, or shall ensure that, by that date at the latest, management and labour have introduced the necessary measures by agreement, the Member States being required to take any necessary measures to enable them at any time to be in a position to guarantee the results imposed by this Directive. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. Member States may have a maximum of one more year, if necessary, and following consultation with the social partners, to take account of special difficulties or implementation by a collective agreement. They shall inform the Commission forthwith in such circumstances. When Member States adopt the provisions referred to in the first paragraph, these shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference at the time of their official publication. The procedure for such reference shall be adopted by the Member States. Article 5 This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, For the Council ThePresident 16 ANNEX ETUC-UNICE-CEEP Framework Agreement on Fixed-term Work Preamble This framework agreement illustrates the role that the social partners can play in the European employment strategy agreed at the 1997 Luxembourg extra-ordinary summit and, following the framework agreement on part-time work, represents a further contribution towards achieving a better balance between "flexibility in working time and security for workers". The parties to this agreement recognise that contracts of an indefinite duration are, the general form of employment relationship between and will continue to be, employers and workers. They also recognise that fixed-term employment contracts respond, in certain circumstances, to the needs of both employers and workers. This agreement sets out the general principles and minimum requirements relating to fixed-term work, recognising that their detailed application needs to take account of the realities of specific national, sectoral and seasonal situations. It illustrates the willingness of the Social Partners to establish a general framework for ensuring equal treatment for fixed-term workers by protecting them against discrimination and for using fixed-term employment contracts on a basis acceptable to employers and workers. This agreement applies to fixed-term workers with the exception of those placed by a temporary work agency at the disposition of a user enterprise. It is the intention of the parties to consider the need for a similar agreement relating to temporary agency work. relates to the employment conditions of This agreement fixed-term workers, recognising that matters relating to statutory social security are for decision by the Member States. In this respect the Social Partners note the Employment Declaration of the Dublin European Council in 1996 which emphasised inter alia the need to develop more employment-friendly social security systems by "developing social protection systems capable of adapting to new patterns of work and providing appropriate protection to those engaged in such work". The parties to this agreement reiterate the view expressed in the 1997 part-time agreement that Member States should give effect to this Declaration without delay. In addition, it is also recognised that innovations in occupational social protection systems are necessary in order to adapt them to current conditions, and in particular to provide for the transferability of rights. The ETUC, UNICE and CEEP request the Commission to submit this framework agreement to the Council for a decision making these requirements binding in the Member States which are party to the Agreement on social policy annexed to the Protocol (No 14) on social policy annexed to the Treaty establishing the European Community. 17 The parties to this agreement ask the Commission, in its proposal to implement the agreement, to request Member States to adopt the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with the Council decision within two years from its adoption or ensure19 that the social partners establish the necessary measures by way if necessary and of agreement by the end of this period. Member States may, following consultation with the social partners, and in order to take account of particular difficulties or implementation by collective agreement have up to a maximum of one additional year to comply with this provision. The parties to this agreement request that the social partners are consulted prior to any legislative, regulatory or administrative initiative taken by a Member State to conform to the present agreement. Without prejudice to the role of national courts and the Court of Justice, the parties to this agreement request that any matter relating to the interpretation of this agreement at European level, should in the first instance, be referred by the Commission to them for an opinion. General considerations 1 2. 3. 4. 5. Having regard to the Agreement on social policy annexed to the Protocol (No 14) on social policy annexed to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 3. 4 and 4. 2 thereof; Whereas Article 4. 2 of the Agreement on social policy provides that agreements concluded at Community level may be implemented, at the joint request of the signatory parties, by a Council decision on a proposal from the Commission; Whereas, in its second consultation document on flexibility in working time and security for workers, the Commission announced its intention to propose a legally-binding Community measure; Whereas in its opinion on the proposal for a directive on part-time work, the European Parliament invited the Commission to submit immediately proposals for directives on other forms of flexible work, such as fixed-term work and temporary agency work; Whereas in the conclusions of the extra-ordinary summit on employment adopted in Luxembourg, the European Council invited the social partners to negotiate agreements to “modernise the organisation of work, including flexible working arrangements, with the aim of making undertakings productive and competitive and achieving the required balance between flexibility and security”; 19 Within the meaning of Article 2. 4 of the Agreement on social policy annexed to the Protocol (No 14) on social policy annexed to the Treaty establishing the European Community. 18 6. 7. 8. 9. Whereas employment contracts of an indefinite duration are the general form of employment relationships and contribute to quality of life of the workers concerned and improve performance; Whereas the use of fixed-term employment contracts based on objective reasons is a way to prevent abuse; Whereas fixed-term employment contracts are a feature of employment in certain sectors, occupations and activities which can suit both employers and workers; Whereas more than half of fixed-term workers in the European Union are women and this agreement can therefore contribute to improving equality of opportunities between women and men; 10. Whereas this agreement refers back to Member States and social partners for the arrangements for the application of its general principles, minimum requirements and provisions, in order to take account of the situation in each Member State, and the circumstances of particular sectors and occupations, including the activities of a seasonal nature; 11. Whereas this agreement takes into consideration the need to improve social to enhance the competitiveness of the Community policy requirements, economy and to avoid imposing administrative, financial and legal constraints in a way which would hold back the creation and development of small and medium-sized undertakings; 12. Whereas the social partners are best placed to find solutions that correspond to the needs of both employers and workers and shall therefore be conferred a special role in the implementation and application of this agreement. 19 THE SIGNATORY PARTIES HAVE AGREED THE FOLLOWING The purpose of this framework agreement is to: Purpose (clause 1) (1) (2) (1) (2) (1) (2) improve the quality of fixed-term work by ensuring the application of the principle of non-discrimination; establish a framework to prevent abuse arising from the use of successive fixed term employment contracts or relationships. Scope (clause 2) This agreement applies to fixed-term workers who have an employment contract or employment relationship as defined in law, collective agreements or practice in each Member State. Member States after consultation with the social partners and/or the social partners may provide that this agreement does not apply to: a) initial vocational training relationships and apprenticeship schemes; b) employment contracts and relationships which have been concluded within the framework of a specific public or publicly-supported training, integration and vocational retraining programme. Definitions (clause 3) For the purpose of this agreement the term “fixed-term worker” means a person having an employment contract or relationship entered into directly between an employer and a worker where the end of the employment contract or relationship is determined by objective conditions such as reaching a specific date, completing a specific task, or the occurrence of a specific event. For the purpose of this agreement, the term “comparable permanent worker” means a worker with an employment contract or relationship of an indefinite duration, in the same establishment, engaged in the same or similar work/occupation, due regard being given to qualifications/skills. Where there is no comparable permanent worker in the same establishment, the comparison shall be made by reference to the applicable collective agreement, or where there is no applicable collective agreement, in accordance with national law, collective agreements or practice. 20 Principle of non-discrimination (clause 4) (1) In respect of employment conditions, fixed-term workers shall not be treated in a less favourable manner than comparable permanent workers solely because they have a fixed-term contract or relation unless justified on objective grounds. (2) Where appropriate, the principle of pro rata temporis shall apply. (3) (4) (1) The arrangements for the application of this clause shall be defined by the Member States after consultation with the social partners and/or the social partners, having regard to Community law, national law, collective agreements and practice. Period of service qualifications relating to particular conditions of employment shall be the same for fixed-term workers as for permanent workers except where different length of service qualifications are justified on objective grounds. Measures to prevent abuse (clause 5) To prevent abuse arising from the use of successive fixed-term employment contracts or relationships, Member States, after consultation with social partners in accordance with national law, collective agreements or practice, and/or the social partners, shall, where there are no equivalent legal measures to prevent abuse, introduce in a manner which takes account of the needs of specific sectors and/or categories of workers, one or more of the following measures: (a) (b) objective reasons relationships; justifying the renewal of such contracts or the maximum total duration of successive fixed-term employment contracts or relationships; (c) the number of renewals of such contracts or relationships. (2) Member States after consultation with the social partners and/or the social partners, shall, where appropriate, determine under what conditions fixed-term employment contracts or relationships: (a) (b) shall be regarded as “successive”; shall be deemed to be contracts or relationships of an indefinite duration. 21 (1) (2) (1) (2) (3) (1) (2) (3) (4) Information and employment opportunities (clause 6) Employers shall inform fixed-term workers about vacancies which become available in the undertaking or establishment to ensure that they have the same opportunity to secure permanent positions as other workers. Such information may be provided by way of a general announcement at a suitable place in the undertaking or establishment. As far as possible, employers should facilitate access by fixed-term workers to appropriate training opportunities to enhance their skills, career development and occupational mobility. Information and consultation (clause 7) Fixed-term workers shall be taken into consideration in calculating the threshold above which workers' representative bodies provided for in national and Community law may be constituted in the undertaking as required by national provisions. The arrangements for the application of clause 7. 1 shall be defined by Member States after consultation with the social partners and/or the social partners in accordance with national law, collective agreements or practice and having regard to clause 4. 1. As far as possible, employers should give consideration to the provision of appropriate information to existing workers' representative bodies about fixed- term work in the undertaking. Provisions on implementation (clause 8) Member States and/or the social partners can maintain or introduce more favourable provisions for workers than set out in this agreement. This agreement shall be without prejudice to any more specific Community provisions, and in particular Community provisions concerning equal treatment or opportunities for men and women. Implementation of this agreement shall not constitute valid grounds for reducing the general level of protection afforded to workers in the field of the agreement. The present agreement does not prejudice the right of the social partners to conclude at including European level, agreements adapting and/or complementing the provisions of this agreement in a manner which will take account of the specific needs of the social partners concerned. the appropriate level, 22 (5) (6) The prevention and settlement of disputes and grievances arising from the application of this agreement shall be dealt with in accordance with national law, collective agreements and practice. The signatory parties shall review the application of this agreement five years after the date of the Council decision if requested by one of the parties to this agreement. FRITZ VERZETNITSCH GEORGES JACOBS ANTONIO CASTELLANO AUYANET President of the ETUC President of UNICE President of CEEP EMILIO GABAGLIO DIRK F. HUDIG JYTTE FREDENSBORG General Secretary Secretary General Secretary General of the ETUC of UNICE of CEEP March 18, 1999 23 ANNEX IMPACT ASSESSMENT FORM THE IMPACT OF THE PROPOSAL ON BUSINESS with special reference to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) Title of proposal: Proposal for a Council Directive concerning the framework agreement on fixed-term work concluded by UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC. Document reference number: 99005 The proposal: 1. Taking account of the principle of subsidiarity, why is Community legislation necessary in this area and what are its main aims? The aim of this Directive is to implement the framework agreement on fixed-term work under Article 139(2) of the Treaty. This Article provides for implementing agreements concluded by the social partners by way of a Council decision on a proposal from the Commission. The signatories have jointly asked the Commission to in accordance with its present a proposal Communication20 on the application of the Agreement on social policy, undertook a threefold analysis of the agreement. The Commission considers that all the conditions have been met (representative status of the signatories, legality of the clauses of the agreement and compliance with special provisions on SMEs) and that its proposal for a Council Directive should be adopted. to the Council. The Commission, The impact on business: 2. Who will be affected by the proposal? All enterprises and all workers may be affected by the framework agreement, irrespective of the sector or size of the enterprise concerned. 3. What will business have to do to comply with the proposal? As indicated in clause 1 of the framework agreement, enterprises will have to ensure that any discrimination vis-à-vis workers with a fixed-term employment contract or employment relationship is done away with. While the framework agreement will allow employers full recourse to fixed-term contracts in a manner which takes into account specific national and sectoral 20 COM(93) 600 final. 24 requirements (see clause 5 of the agreement), it aims at preventing the abuse of fixed- term contracts and relationships. A number of clauses refer to legislation, collective agreements or national practices, and/or to the social partners at the appropriate level, leaving plenty of room for manoeuvre for individual enterprises. Therefore, the exact requirements placed on businesses will to a large extent be determined at national, sectoral or company level. 4. What economic effects is the proposal likely to have? Implementation of the framework agreement on fixed-term work will contribute to the second priority laid down by the Essen European Council, viz. the introduction of new, flexible forms of work organisation. In the conclusions of the extra-ordinary summit on employment adopted in Luxembourg, the European Council invited the social partners to negotiate agreements to “modernise the organisation of work, including flexible working arrangements, with the aim of making undertakings productive and competitive and achieving the required balance between flexibility and security”. An agreement between the social partners on this point is the outcome of negotiations between the two sides and would seem to be the most appropriate instrument for reconciling the two sides’ interests. As this is a framework agreement, providing for considerable variation in its application, the precise economic effects can not be determined at EU-level or in advance of its implementation. These economic effects will depend on how the directive is implemented and applied at national, sectoral and company level taking into account particularly the flexibility provided under clause 5 of the agreement. However, from the statistical point of view it can be mentioned that the proportion of employees in temporary jobs or working under a fixed-term contract in the EU was 11 % for men and 13 % for women in 1997. As the agreement does not cover workers placed by a temporary work agency at the disposition of a user enterprise, the proportion of workers who work under a fixed-term employment contract or employment relationship is under 10 % of the total EU labour force although the proportion has been increasing steadily. 21 The agreement provides a balanced and flexible framework for the growing tendency to use fixed-term contracts while preventing the abuse of such contracts. In this context it should also be mentioned that in the second paragraph of the Preamble to the agreement, the two sides of industry recognise that fixed-term employment contracts respond, to the needs of both employers and workers. in certain circumstances, 5. Does the proposal contain measures to take account of the specific situation of small and medium-sized firms (reduced or different requirements, etc. )? The specific situation of SMEs was given special attention when the text of the framework agreement was drawn up. Specific reference is made to SMEs, as follows: 21 Employment in Europe 1998 –report. 25 – General consideration 11: into “Whereas consideration the need to improve social policy requirements, to enhance the competitiveness of the Community economy and to avoid imposing administrative, financial and legal constraints in a way which would hold small and medium-sized back the creation and development of undertakings”. agreement takes this Clearly, the agreement does not provide for any explicit exception to be made to the basic principle of non-discrimination in favour of SMEs. However, Clause 5, which sets out the steps to be taken to prevent abuse from the use of successive fixed-term contracts, stipulates that these measures shall be introduced "in a manner which takes account of the needs of specific sectors and or categories of workers". Furthermore, Clause 5. 1 provides for the introduction of "one or more" of three regulatory steps. This flexibility regarding the implementation of the measures to prevent abuse could obviously be used in a way which takes into account of the special needs of is further underlined in General employers and workers in SMEs. This point consideration 10 that states; "Whereas the agreement refers back to Member States and social partners for the arrangements for the application of its general principles, minimum requirements and provisions, in order to take account of the situation in each Member State, and the circumstances of particular sectors and occupations, including the activities of a seasonal nature". laws, Furthermore, clauses (2(1), 2(2), 3(2), 4(3), 5(2), 7(2)) refer to national collective agreements or practice and/or to the social partners regarding the arrangements for their application. Despite not explicitly mentioning SMEs, these provisions do enable national provisions to be adopted if necessary to take account of their special needs. These provisions show that the social partners have intended to leave room for manoeuvre in the implementation of the rights and obligation under the agreement which should allow for the specific needs of both workers and enterprises in specific sectors and categories of workers and enterprises to be taken into account, not least SMEs (see also General considerations 5, 8 and 12). Consultation 6. List the organisations which have been consulted about the proposal and outline their main views. All the representative organisations22 were given an opportunity to air their views during the first phase of consultation. They were also invited by the Commission to a consultation meeting on the framework agreement. As regards their positions, see paragraphs 22 to 25 of the explanatory memorandum. 22 In conformity with the Communication concerning the application of the Agreement on social policy: COM(93) 600, 14. 12. 1993. 26


title: Reglamento (CE) n° 875/1999 de la Comisión, de 28 de abril de 1999, por el que se fija el importe máximo de la restitución a la exportación del azúcar blanco para la trigésima sexta licitación parcial efectuada en el marco de la licitación permanente contemplada en el Reglamento (CE) n° 1574/98

eurovoc_concepts:
award of contract
export
export refund
white sugar

formats: pdf print

text: 29. 4. 1999 ES Diario Oficial de las Comunidades Europeas L 111/5 REGLAMENTO (CE) No 875/1999 DE LA COMISI(cid:222)N de 28 de abril de 1999 por el que se fija el importe m(cid:145)ximo de la restituci(cid:155)n a la exportaci(cid:155)n del az(cid:156)car blanco para la trig(cid:130)sima sexta licitaci(cid:155)n parcial efectuada en el marco de la licitaci(cid:155)n permanente contemplada en el Reglamento (CE) no 1574/98 LA COMISI(cid:222)N DE LAS COMUNIDADES EUROPEAS, Visto el Tratado constitutivo de la Comunidad Europea, Visto el Reglamento (CEE) no 1785/81 del Consejo, de 30 de junio de 1981, por el que se establece una organizaci(cid:155)n com(cid:156)n de mercados en el sector del az(cid:156)car (1), cuya (cid:156)ltima modificaci(cid:155)n la constituye el Reglamento (CE) no 1148/98 de la Comisi(cid:155)n (2), y, en particular, la letra b) del p(cid:145)rrafo segundo del apartado 5 de su art(cid:146)culo 17, Considerando que, en virtud de lo dispuesto en el Regla- mento (CE) no 1574/98 de la Comisi(cid:155)n, de 22 de julio de 1998, relativo a una licitaci(cid:155)n permanente para la deter- minaci(cid:155)n de las exacciones reguladoras y/o de las restitu- se ciones procede a licitaciones parciales para la exportaci(cid:155)n de dicho az(cid:156)car; sobre la exportaci(cid:155)n de az(cid:156)car blanco (3); Considerando que, de acuerdo con lo dispuesto en el apartado 1 del art(cid:146)culo 9 del Reglamento (CE) no 1574/98, debe fijarse en su caso un importe m(cid:145)ximo de la restitu- ci(cid:155)n a la exportaci(cid:155)n para la licitaci(cid:155)n parcial de que se trate, teniendo en cuenta en particular la situaci(cid:155)n de la evoluci(cid:155)n previsible del mercado del az(cid:156)car en la Comu- nidad y en el mercado mundial; Considerando que, previo examen de las ofertas, es conve- niente adoptar para la trig(cid:130)sima sexta licitaci(cid:155)n parcial las disposiciones contempladas en el art(cid:146)culo 1; Considerando que las medidas previstas en el presente Reglamento se ajustan al dictamen del Comit(cid:130) de gesti(cid:155)n del az(cid:156)car, HA ADOPTADO EL PRESENTE REGLAMENTO: Art(cid:146)culo 1 Para la trig(cid:130)sima sexta licitaci(cid:155)n parcial de az(cid:156)car blanco efectuada en el marco del Reglamento (CE) no 1574/98, se fija un importe m(cid:145)ximo de la restituci(cid:155)n a la exportaci(cid:155)n de 55,000 EUR/100 kg. Art(cid:146)culo 2 El presente Reglamento entrar(cid:145) en vigor el 29 de abril de 1999. El presente Reglamento ser(cid:145) obligatorio en todos sus elementos y directamente aplicable en cada Estado miembro. Hecho en Bruselas, el 28 de abril de 1999. Por la Comisi(cid:155)n Franz FISCHLER Miembro de la Comisi(cid:155)n (1) DO L 177 de 1. 7. 1981, p. 4. (2) DO L 159 de 3. 6. 1998, p. 38. (3) DO L 206 de 23. 7. 1998, p. 7


title: Verordening (EG) nr. 877/1999 van de Commissie van 28 april 1999 betreffende de afgifte van invoercertificaten voor rijst voor de aanvragen die de eerste tien werkdagen van april 1999 zijn ingediend overeenkomstig Verordening (EG) nr. 327/98

eurovoc_concepts:
import
import licence
rice
third country

text: L 111/8 NL Publicatieblad van de Europese Gemeenschappen 29. 4. 1999 VERORDENING (EG) Nr. 877/1999 VAN DE COMMISSIE van 28 april 1999 betreffende de afgifte van invoercertificaten voor r¶st voor de aanvragen die de eerste tien werkdagen van april 1999 z¶n ingediend overeenkomstig Verordening (EG) nr. 327/98 DE COMMISSIE VAN DE EUROPESE GEMEENSCHAPPEN, Gelet op het Verdrag tot oprichting van de Europese Gemeenschap, Gelet op Verordening (EG) nr. 327/98 van de Commissie van 10 februari 1998 inzake de opening en de w¶ze van beheer van bepaalde tariefcontingenten voor de invoer van r¶st en breukr¶st (1), gew¶zigd b¶ Verordening (EG) nr. 648/98 (2), en met name op artikel 5, lid 2, Overwegende dat de Commissie overeenkomstig artikel 5, lid 2, van Verordening (EG) nr. 327/98 binnen tien dagen, te rekenen vanaf de laatste dag van de term¶n waarbinnen de gegevens certificaataanvragen moeten worden meegedeeld, moet beslissen in welke mate aan de ingediende aanvragen gevolg kan worden gegeven, en de voor de volgende tranche beschikbare hoeveelheden moet vaststellen; inzake de Overwegende dat op basis van de hoeveelheden waarvoor aanvragen z¶n ingediend, moet worden voorzien in de afgifte van certificaten voor de gevraagde hoeveelheden, al dan niet verminderd, naar gelang van het geval, door toepassing van een in de b¶lage b¶ deze verordening vastgesteld percentage, HEEFT DE VOLGENDE VERORDENING VASTGESTELD: Artikel 1 1. Voor de invoercertificaataanvragen voor r¶st die de eerste tien werkdagen van april 1999 overeenkomstig Verordening (EG) nr. 327/98 z¶n ingediend en waarvan de Commissie in kennis is gesteld, worden certificaten afgegeven voor de in de aanvragen vermelde hoeveel- heden, naar gelang van het geval, verminderd door toepas- sing van de in de b¶lage vastgestelde percentages. 2. De voor de volgende tranche beschikbare hoeveel- heden z¶n in de b¶lage vastgesteld. Artikel 2 Deze verordening treedt in werking op 29 april 1999. Deze verordening is verbindend in al haar onderdelen en is rechtstreeks toepassel¶k in elke lidstaat. Gedaan te Brussel, 28 april 1999. Voor de Commissie Franz FISCHLER Lid van de Commissie (1) PB L 37 van 11. 2. 1998, blz. 5. (2) PB L 88 van 24. 3. 1998, blz. 3. 29. 4. 1999 NL Publicatieblad van de Europese Gemeenschappen L 111/9 B(cid:246)LAGE Verminderingspercentage dat moet worden toegepast op de gevraagde hoeveelheden voor de tranche van april 1999 en beschikbare hoeveelheid voor de volgende tranche: a) In artikel 2 bedoelde hoeveelheid volwitte of halfwitte r¶st van GN-code 1006 30 Oorsprong Verminderings- percentage Voor de aanvullende tranche van juli 1999 beschikbare hoeveelheid (in ton) Verenigde Staten van Amerika Thailand Australi(cid:137) Andere oorsprong 0 (1) 0 (1) 0 (1) 98,2459 (1) Afgifte voor de in de aanvraag vermelde hoeveelheid. 19 978,84 6 050,53 890 (cid:190) b) In artikel 2 bedoelde hoeveelheid gedopte r¶st van GN-code 1006 20 Oorsprong Verminderings- percentage Voor de aanvullende tranche van juli 1999 beschikbare hoeveelheid (in ton) Australi(cid:137) Verenigde Staten van Amerika Thailand Andere oorsprong (cid:190) 0 (1) 0 (1) 0 (1) (1) Afgifte voor de in de aanvraag vermelde hoeveelheid. 10 386 3 877 102 76


title: Parere del Comitato economico e sociale in merito alla «Proposta di direttiva del Parlamento europeo e del Consiglio che modifica la Direttiva 92/117/CEE riguardante le misure di protezione delle zoonosi specifiche e la lotta contro agenti zoonotici specifici negli animali e nei prodotti di origine animale allo scopo di evitare focolai di infezioni e intossicazioni alimentari"

eurovoc_concepts:
EC Directive
animal disease
animal product
food inspection
health legislation
proposal (EU)

formats: html pdf print

text: 16. 6. 1999 IT Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunità europee C 169/17 candidati all’adesione, e in particolare di quelli con zone costiere. Tale finanziamento potrebbe essere attinto dal bilan- cio proposto dal documento COM(1998) 769 def. o da altre fonti UE. 4. 4. Sarebbe inoltre opportuno che organizzazioni interna- zionali come l’IMO fossero tenute al corrente dei progressi realizzati, nella speranza che utilizzino poi il quadro di cooperazione UE come modello sul piano internazionale. Bruxelles, 28 aprile 1999. La Presidente del Comitato economico e sociale Beatrice RANGONI MACHIAVELLI Parere del Comitato economico e sociale in merito alla «Proposta di direttiva del Parlamento europeo e del Consiglio che modifica la Direttiva 92/117/CEE riguardante le misure di protezione delle zoonosi specifiche e la lotta contro agenti zoonotici specifici negli animali e nei prodotti di origine animale allo scopo di evitare focolai di infezioni e intossicazioni alimentari» (1999/C 169/08) Il Consiglio, in data 22 aprile 1999 , ha deciso, conformemente al disposto degli articoli 43 e 198 del Trattato che istituisce la Comunità europea, di consultare il Comitato economico e sociale in merito alla proposta di cui sopra. La Sezione «Agricoltura, sviluppo rurale, ambiente», incaricata di preparare i lavori del Comitato in materia, ha formulato il parere sulla base del rapporto introduttivo del relatore Nielsen, in data 8 aprile 1999. Il Comitato economico e sociale ha adottato il 28 aprile 1999, nel corso della 363a sessione plenaria, con 93 voti favorevoli e 3 astensioni, il seguente parere. 1. Introduzione 1. 1. La Direttiva 92/117/CEE del Consiglio obbliga gli Stati membri ad applicare misure per garantire la protezione contro le zoonosi e gli agenti zoonotici negli animali e nei prodotti di origine animale, allo scopo di prevenire i focolai d’infezione e d’intossicazione alimentari. La direttiva prevede un sistema di rilevazione epidemiologica delle zoonosi nonché sistemi di sorveglianza e di lotta ai fini dell’eradicazione di alcuni sierotipi invasivi di salmonella nei gruppi di pollame da riproduzione. La direttiva prevede infine l’elaborazione di programmi di controllo di agenti zoonotici diversi dalle salmonelle. La Commissione è tenuta a sorvegliare l’evolversi della situazione in questo settore e a definire, altresı`, orientamenti relativi alle misure di lotta contro le zoonosi. 1. 2. Nonostante l’adozione all’unanimità da parte del Consi- glio, ci si è ben presto resi conto che non tutti gli Stati membri erano in grado di attuare le disposizioni della direttiva. L’obbligo di macellare o di distruggere, ecc. gli allevamenti di pollame contaminati dalle salmonelle (S. enteriditis e S. typhimurium) presentava particolari difficoltà. Attualmente, la direttiva è pienamente attuata solo in quattro Stati membri, tra i quali la Svezia e la Finlandia, due paesi che nel 1995, in seguito alla loro adesione all’Unione europea, hanno avuto il diritto di esigere, a tempo indeterminato, garanzie per quanto concerne gli scambi. Malgrado nel 1997 la Direttiva 97/22/CEE abbia prolungato ulteriormente le scadenze, numerosi paesi non hanno ancora comunicato i loro programmi nazionali per la realizzazione degli obiettivi fissati dalla direttiva, né per l’attuazione delle apposite misure. 1. 3. La Commissione intende adesso modificare sostanzial- mente la politica finora portata avanti e gli obiettivi della futura strategia. Questa nuova impostazione prevede in particolare la flessibilità nella realizzazione degli obiettivi nei vari Stati membri, misure per prevenire la diffusione di agenti zoonotici mediante gli scambi, misure per evitare qualsiasi contenzioso commerciale con i paesi terzi, la conformità al principio «dal produttore al consumatore» e, per quanto concerne questo ultimo aspetto, la definizione di un «codice di buona pratica nel settore agricolo». 1. 4. All’inizio, era previsto che la Commissione presentasse, entro il 1° gennaio 1996, una relazione accompagnata da proposte di revisione della direttiva alla luce delle esperienze effettuate. termine è stato prolungato nel 1997 ma è stato ora nuovamente superato di un anno e mezzo. La Commissione si rammarica di non essere sempre in grado di presentare nuove proposte a causa del carattere complicato Il C 169/18 IT Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunità europee 16. 6. 1999 del dossier e ritiene che si debba procedere ad esami più approfonditi. In questo contesto propone che il termine venga rinviato in modo da poter presentare una relazione con le relative proposte entro il 31 marzo 2000. Gli Stati membri dovranno in seguito attuare la direttiva entro e non oltre il 31 maggio 2001. Per i paesi terzi il termine per l’attuazione delle misure, in caso di adesione all’Unione europea, è fissato a un anno dopo la loro entrata in vigore. 2. 3. Nella maggior parte degli Stati membri le uova e le carni di pollame sono le cause principali di questa malattia negli esseri umani, per la presenza di salmonelle. La S. enteridi- tis costituiva dunque anche nel 1998 un problema grave nella maggior parte degli Stati membri. La causa puo` essere probabilmente individuata nella produzione di uova per consumo e se gli orientamenti iniziali fossero stati seguiti il fenomeno avrebbe potuto essere evitato. La Commissione ha previsto contributi 1. 5. finanziari aggiuntivi per l’eradicazione e per il controllo delle malattie zoonotiche negli animali, nonché a favore di altri programmi per la prevenzione delle zoonosi. Per il 1999 il contributo è di 36 milioni di euro. Saranno inoltre creati laboratori comunitari di riferimento per le salmonelle e per l’epidemiologia delle salmonelle, incaricati di orientare i laboratori nazionali sui metodi analitici, i test comparativi, i corsi di formazione e i seminari. 2. Osservazioni di carattere generale 2. 1. Durante il dibattito sulla precedente proroga del termi- ne, nel febbraio 1996, il Comitato economico e sociale ha riconosciuto che la Direttiva 92/117/CEE conteneva delle lacune e che alcuni Stati membri non l’avevano recepita in il che comportava una distorsione della modo sufficiente, concorrenza tra gli allevatori dei vari paesi (1). Il Comitato faceva osservare inoltre che i consumatori manifestavano una crescente attenzione per il problema della salmonella e sottolineava la necessità di sforzi notevoli per ottemperare all’obbligo previsto dal Trattato di contribuire al raggiungimen- to di un grado elevato di protezione sanitaria. A tale proposito il Comitato metteva in risalto l’esigenza di sviluppare ed accelerare l’applicazione delle misure di controllo sulle salmo- nelle in tutti i paesi dell’Unione europea. Tenendo conto degli scarsi progressi da allora realizzati, queste osservazioni hanno ora la stessa rilevanza di tre anni fa. Oltre alle disposizioni di cui all’articolo 129A del 2. 2. Trattato, è stato più volte sottolineato nel corso degli ultimi anni, dopo la crisi dell’ESB, che l’Unione europea deve garantire un grado elevato di protezione dei consumatori e di sicurezza dei prodotti alimentari. Le zoonosi rappresentano uno dei problemi più importanti in questo senso. Un bilancio affidabile e comparabile del numero di casi di questa malattia e di decessi nell’Unione europea dovuti a zoonosi non esiste. Solo una minima parte dei casi di malattia viene registrata. Le zoonosi determinano notevoli spese sanitarie, perdite di produttività, sofferenze personali per le persone colpite e morti premature. Ufficiosamente si calcola che il numero di casi di malattia registrati nell’Unione europea e causati dalle salmonelle sia superiore ai 200 000 l’anno. Si stima che il numero reale dei casi di malattia sia pero` 10-15 volte più alto e le spese dirette sono valutate ad una cifra che varia tra i 2 e i 10 miliardi di euro l’anno. (1) GU C 97 del 1. 4. 1996, pag. 29. 2. 4. Nonostante la realizzazione di una serie di programmi privati, il Comitato non accetta che numerosi Stati membri non abbiano potuto dare maggiore attuazione alla direttiva dal 1992 e che la Commissione non abbia avviato molto prima procedure di natura giuridica per garantire l’attuazione delle disposizioni o presentato adeguate proposte di modifica. Questo caso illustra la pratica inaccettabile esistente nell’Unio- ne europea in materia di fissazione delle scadenze, scadenze che non vengono prese sul serio né dalle istituzioni né dagli Stati membri. In futuro occorrerà fissare scadenze il più realistiche possibile, ma che siano rispettate. 2. 5. Il Comitato invita la Commissione ad elaborare quanto prima proposte adeguate per correggere le attuali lacune e ritiene che le scadenze dovrebbero essere notevolmente più brevi di quelle proposte. Il nuovo rinvio delle scadenze potrebbe determinare negli Stati membri un atteggiamento passivo fino al 2001, ed un conseguente deterioramento della situazione. 2. 6. Numerosi tipi di zoonosi, ad esempio le salmonelle, devono essere eliminati dagli allevamenti di pollame, di suini e di bovini attraverso misure concernenti l’acquisto del bestiame, la disinfestazione delle l’acquisto di alimenti per animali, stalle, ecc. e con una migliore gestione. Inoltre, durante la macellazione occorre impedire che, ad esempio, le salmonelle presenti negli animali contaminati si diffondano dalla faringe e dalle interiora fino alla carne. Infine, sono necessarie misure agli stadi successivi della commercializzazione ed è molto importante assicurare l’igiene nelle cucine. livello della macellazione, Nella situazione attuale un’azione specifica potrebbe 2. 7. essere portata avanti al il che avrebbe come conseguenza un miglioramento sensibile delle condizioni igieniche. Per questo motivo il Comitato propone alla Commissione di agire quanto prima, in modo che gli Stati membri che non hanno ancora applicato la direttiva sulle zoonosi siano tenuti a presentare quanto prima un programma che specifichi come intendono condurre un’azione specifica per la macellazione. Dopo questo primo passo si potrebbe, considerando la natura più complessa del problema, prevedere e più tardi intraprendere un’azione relativa alla produzione primaria. Il Comitato teme tuttavia che l’elaborazione di una nuova strategia in materia, e soprattutto dei «codici di buone pratiche nel settore agricolo», richieda tempi eccessivamente lunghi. 2. 8. Per il Comitato è d’importanza decisiva che la Commis- sione pubblichi quanto prima le statistiche a disposizione in questo campo, in modo da dare alla pubblica opinione la possibilità di seguire gli sviluppi e di osservare la situazione 16. 6. 1999 IT Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunità europee C 169/19 negli Stati membri. Questa visione globale della situazione sarà contemporaneamente di stimolo alle forze del mercato, alle imprese e ai consumatori, che influiscono su tutte le fasi del processo «dal produttore al consumatore». possibile l’uso di antibiotici per prevenire la comparsa di ceppi resistenti (1). Ecco perché combattendo le zoonosi nella produzione animale si contribuirà anche ad eliminare la comparsa di batteri resistenti a diversi antibiotici noti, e questo è importante sia per la produzione animale sia per la cura delle malattie degli esseri umani. L’obiettivo perseguito dall’Unione europea è di realiz- 2. 9. zare l’armonizzazione delle disposizioni veterinarie ad un livello elevato. Non c’è proporzione tra l’azione dell’Unione europea nel campo delle zoonosi e gli sforzi intrapresi per combattere altre malattie animali contagiose, specie per quanto concerne il funzionamento del mercato interno. 2. 10. Occorre agire con rapidità per risolvere il problema derivante dall’esistenza di due necessità: da un lato il libero commercio nel mercato interno, dall’altro il consolidamento della situazione nelle regioni dell’Unione europea nelle quali i dati relativi alle zoonosi sono più soddisfacenti; in tal modo si eviterà che queste zone conoscano un deterioramento causato dall’importazione di prodotti contaminati da agenti zoonotici. Gli stati che, ad esempio, hanno ridotto al minimo la presenza di salmonelle nei prodotti animali vorranno ovviamente imporre degli obblighi di garanzia in materia di prodotti importati sia da altri Stati membri, sia da paesi terzi e sarà difficile che questi obblighi possano essere ignorati. Se il conflitto non sarà risolto si rischia di trovarsi di fronte alla necessità d’introdurre garanzie sugli scambi e, di conseguenza, alla regionalizzazione del mercato interno. Per i paesi terzi 2. 11. l’articolo 14 della direttiva sulle zoonosi prevede l’obbligo di presentare un programma che specifichi quali sono le garanzie previste in materia di zoonosi e di agenti zoonotici. Questa è una delle condizioni per essere iscritti e mantenuti nell’elenco comunitario dei paesi terzi a partire dai quali sono autorizzate le importazioni verso l’Unione europea. Nessun paese terzo ha ancora presentato, tuttavia, un programma in virtù del quale si dovrebbero bloccare formalmente tutte le importazioni provenienti dai paesi terzi. Per gli stati dell’Unione europea nei quali la situazione è migliorata o sta migliorando queste importazioni comportano il rischio di diffusione di agenti zoonotici, d’insi- curezza nei consumatori e di distorsioni ingiustificate della concorrenza. Inoltre, i paesi terzi potrebbero esigere garanzie da parte dell’Unione europea per le importazioni provenienti dai suoi Stati membri. 3. Osservazioni particolari Il Comitato ritiene che occorra procedere quanto prima 3. 1. ad una valutazione scientifica delle misure adottate dagli Stati membri per prevenire e curare le zoonosi, e cio` nel contesto della Decisione n. 2119 del Parlamento europeo e del Consiglio del 24 settembre 1998 che istituisce una rete di sorveglianza epidemiologica e di controllo delle malattie trasmissibili nella Comunità (2). Nel parere del febbraio 1996 il Comitato ha invitato la 3. 2. Commissione e le altre parti interessate ad organizzare una conferenza pubblica sul problema delle zoonosi. Il Comitato intende ora rinnovare l’appello ad organizzare una tale confe- renza per sensibilizzare maggiormente l’opinione pubblica dell’Unione europea sulle misure da adottare in materia. Questo potrebbe avvenire, ad esempio, in collegamento con i seminari regolarmente organizzati presso l’Istituto federale di protezione della salute dei consumatori e di medicina veterina- ria (BGVV) con sede a Berlino. 3. 3. Il Comitato, in quanto formato da rappresentanti dei diversi gruppi d’interesse, è particolarmente impegnato nella lotta e nella protezione contro le zoonosi. Per tale motivo chiede di partecipare alle riflessioni future in tempo utile per poter proporre adeguati miglioramenti in materia di lotta alle zoonosi, in modo che si possa raggiungere un elevato livello di protezione sanitaria senza distorcere né il commercio interno né la concorrenza tra i produttori. 3. 4. Il Comitato invita inoltre la Commissione a far sı` che venga data priorità agli aspetti relativi alla sicurezza futuri negoziati dell’alimentazione animale nell’ambito dei dell’OMC. Una strategia di controllo chiaramente definita in materia di zoonosi, applicabile nell’Unione europea, costituisce a tale proposito una delle condizioni necessarie alla posizione negoziale dell’Unione europea sul piano internazionale. 2. 12. La proposta che mira a rinviare il termine come minimo fino al 2002 mette inoltre notevolmente a dura prova la credibilità dell’Unione europea nei confronti dei paesi terzi. I paesi candidati, obbligati a riprendere «l’acquis» comunitario, avranno sicuramente anch’essi poco rispetto per le regole dell’Unione europea in questo settore d’importanza vitale, cosa che crea inevitabilmente un precedente ostacolando al tempo stesso gli sviluppi futuri. La presenza di zoonosi negli allevamenti comporta 2. 13. l’aumento del consumo di antibiotici. Numerosi organi interna- zionali sono giunti alla conclusione che occorre limitare il più 4. Conclusioni 4. 1. Tenendo conto dell’importanza sanitaria ed economica delle zoonosi, il Comitato si rammarica che la Commissione e gli Stati membri non abbiano cercato di realizzare prima gli (1) Cfr. il parere del Comitato economico e sociale del settembre 1998 sul tema «La resistenza agli antibiotici: una minaccia per la salute pubblica» (GU C 407 del 28. 12. 1998, pag. 7) e le conclusioni della Conferenza dell’Unione europea sulla minaccia microbica, svoltasi a Copenaghen nel settembre 1998. (2) GU L 268 del 3. 10. 1998. C 169/20 IT Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunità europee 16. 6. 1999 obiettivi della direttiva del 1992 e dubita anche dell’opportu- nità di un ulteriore rinvio. Viste le iniziative in corso negli Stati membri per prevenire una nuova diffusione delle zoonosi, la situazione il più occorre che la Commissione esamini rapidamente possibile e presenti quanto prima proposte il funzionamento del adeguate per farvi fronte. Altrimenti mercato interno potrebbe incontrare gravi difficoltà. E` inoltre opportuno pubblicare le statistiche esistenti e organizzare al più preso una conferenza scientifica. Infine, la definizione di una politica chiara dell’Unione europea in questo settore è d’interesse fondamentale per le relazioni con il resto del mondo. Bruxelles, 28 aprile 1999. La Presidente del Comitato economico e sociale Beatrice RANGONI MACHIAVELLI Parere del Comitato economico e sociale in merito alle «Proposte della Commissione sui prezzi dei prodotti agricoli (1999/2000)» (1) (1999/C 169/09) Il Consiglio, in data 23 marzo 1999, ha deciso, conformemente al disposto degli articoli 43 e 198 del Trattato che istituisce la Comunità europea, di consultare il Comitato economico e sociale in merito alle proposte di cui sopra. La Sezione «Agricoltura, sviluppo rurale, ambiente», incaricata di preparare i lavori del Comitato in materia, ha adottato il parere, elaborato sulla base del rapporto introduttivo del relatore Strasser, in data 8 aprile 1999. Il Comitato economico e sociale ha adottato il 28 aprile 1999, nel corso della 363a sessione plenaria, con 90 voti favorevoli, 2 contrari e 4 astensioni, il seguente parere. 1. Contenuto della proposta della Commissione 1. 2. L’evoluzione della produzione agricola 1. 1. La campagna agricola 1998 1. 1. 1. La campagna 1998 è stata caratterizzata da un netto peggioramento della situazione dei mercati agricoli di taluni prodotti. La crisi economica e finanziaria di alcuni paesi terzi ha colpito soprattutto i settori delle carni suine e delle carni bovine. Nel caso dei cereali, a seguito del succedersi di due 1. 1. 2. raccolti molto abbondanti, si è verificata una caduta dei prezzi mondiali al livello più basso dell’ultimo quinquennio. Il ritmo di crescita della domanda sui mercati mondiali ha subito un rallentamento. Le scorte d’intervento nel settore in parola, in particolare quelle di orzo e di segala, sono aumentate verso la fine del 1998 fino a raggiungere i 16 milioni di tonnellate con una conseguente flessione dei prezzi. 1. 1. 3. Mentre per gran parte dei prodotti si è registrato un calo dei prezzi, gli unici settori nei quali i prezzi sono aumentati rispetto all’anno precedente sono quelli della frutta (ad eccezione degli agrumi), del vino, delle patate e delle carni bovine. (1) GU C 59 del 1. 3. 1999, pagg. 1-27. 1. 2. 1. Con un raccolto di cereali di 208 milioni di t (+ 2,1 % rispetto al 1997), il 1998 ha segnato un nuovo primato nella produzione di cereali dovuto ad un miglioramento delle rese del 4,2 %. Anche nel settore dei semi oleosi il raccolto ha registrato un aumento del 6,5 % fino a raggiungere i 15,5 milioni di tonnellate, di cui 14,2 milioni di tonnellate sono destinati ad uso alimentare. 1. 2. 2. Si è registrata una marcata flessione nella produzione di barbabietole da zucchero (diminuzione delle superfici del 7,5 % e delle rese del 5 %) e di olio d’oliva (- 500 000 tonnellate). 1. 2. 3. Secondo il documento della Commissione, la produ- zione di latte si è ridotta leggermente (attestandosi su un livello di 120 milioni di t) e quella di carni bovine è diminuita del 4,2 % attestandosi a 7,5 milioni di t. Si stima invece che la produzione di carni suine sia 1. 2. 4. aumentata del 6,5 %, la produzione di carne di pollame del 2,1 % e la produzione di carni ovine e caprine del 2,9 %