Stockfarming: prohibition of substances with hormonal or thyrostatic action and of beta-agonists

The Committee adopted the draft report of Mr. COLLINS. The rapporteur generally welcomes the Commission's proposals for a Council Regulation on the use in stockfarming of certain substances having a hormonal or thyrostatic action and of beta-agonists. The proposals seem to achieve a sensible balance between consumer protection and scientific assessment. The rapporteur feels that the Commission proposals are intended to consolidate existing legislation and to prohibit the use of beta-agonists for all purposes other than the therapeutic treatment of horses and pets. It must be remembered that beta-agonists were first brought to our attention following outbreaks of food poisoning in Spain and elsewhere. It is vital that a ban is implemented as soon as possible in order to safeguard the consumer against further contamination. The rapporteur considers that these regulations, taking into consideration the attached amendments, are the best way of achieving the consumer protection that it is so vital to secure. The amendments introduced in the report suggest: - that the Commission considers the operation of a list for the control of chemically synthesized substances with an anabolic effect and intended for use in animals. This list would be subject to the control procedures specified in Article 4.1 of the proposal; - that any enterprise selling and/or distributing raw materials used to manufacture growth-promoting substances must keep a detailed register; - that the regulation enters into force with immediate effect, given that the original date in the Commission text has already come and gone.