24.3.98 Official Journal of the European Communities L 88/59 COMMISSION DECISION of 11 March 1998 on the advisory committees dealing with matters covered by the common agri- cultural policy (98/235/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Whereas the Commission should seek the views of the economic sectors and consumers on matters arising in connection with the operation of the various common organisations of the market and other areas covered by the common agricultural policy; Whereas all the economic sectors directly involved in the operation of the market organisations and affected by agricultural policy decisions, as well as consumers, should have an opportunity to participate in drafting the opin- ions requested by the Commission; Whereas relevant economic federations and consumer groups in the Member States have set up organisations at European Union level, which are thus in a position to represent those concerned in all the Member States; Whereas several agricultural advisory committees have been set up by various Commission decisions (') since 1962; Whereas, following the reform of the common agricul- tural policy in 1992, it has proved necessary to combine some committees and make provision for new ones; Whereas a study on the operation of the advisory committees has shown that there is scope for further improvements; whereas various procedures and defini- tions, the allocation of seats among the groups rep- resented and the rules for renewing the committees should therefore be adjusted; Whereas the provisions relating to the agricultural advisory committees have been amended on several occa- sions and are contained in 27 different instruments; whereas they have therefore become difficult to apply and should be consolidated in a single Decision, (") — Commission Decisions 87/70/EEC to 87/93/EEC of 7 January 1987 (OJ L 45, 14. 2. 1987, pp. 1 to 68). — Commission Decision 89/567/EEC of 20 October 1989 (OJ L 309, 26. 10. 1989, p. 39). — Commission Decision 81/195/EEC of 16 March 1981 (O] L 88, 2. 4. 1981, p. 42). — Commission Decision 90/351/EEC of 29 June 1990 (O] L 172, 5. 7. 1990, p. 33). HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 1. The following advisory committees are hereby set up under the auspices of the Commission: — the Advisory Committee on the Common Agricul- tural Policy, — the Advisory Committee on Arable Crops, — the Advisory Committee on Non-Food and Textile Crops, — the Advisory Committee on Livestock Products, — the Advisory Committee on Fruit, Vegetables and Flowers, — the Advisory Committee on Specialist Products, — the Advisory Committee on Forestry and Cork, — the Advisory Committee on Agricultural Product Health and Safety, — the Advisory Committee on Rural Development, — the Advisory Committee on Agriculture and the Environment. 2. The above committees may be consulted by the Commission on all matters relating to the common agri- cultural policy and the policy of rural development and its implementation, and in particular the common organ- isations of the market and the measures which the Commission is called on to take in that context. 3. The chairman of each committee may propose on his own initiative or at the request of any of the interest groups represented that the Commission consult his committee on any matter within its competence. Article 2 The Committees shall be composed of representatives of the following socioeconomic interest groups: agricultural producers, agricultural cooperatives, the agricultural and food-manufacturing industries, the agricultural products and foodstuffs trade, farm workers and workers in the food industry, and consumers. In specific cases, repres- entatives of other interests may be appointed. The composition of the committees shall be as set out in the Annexes hereto.