Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) amending Regulation (EEC) No 2075/92 on the common organization of the market in raw tobacco'
C 73/70 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 9. 3. 98 Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the ‘Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) amending Regulation (EEC) No 2075/92 on the common organization of the market in raw tobacco’ (98/C 73/20) On 3 November 1997 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Articles 43 and 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal. The Economic and Social Committee decided to appoint Mr Kallio as rapporteur-general for its opinion. At its 350th plenary session (meeting of 10 December 1997), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion with 73 votes in favour, 35 votes against and eight abstentions. 1. Introduction 2. ESC comments The purpose of this proposed regulation is to extend the present market organization arrangements by a year in order to allow the lead-in time needed for the reform of the common organization of the market in tobacco announced by the Commission. Reform would therefore be implemented from the 1999 harvest. Brussels, 10 December 1997. The ESC can accept temporary extension of the present organization of the tobacco market as proposed by the Commission. However, it hopes that changes to EU agricultural policy will apply to all products. The Committee feels that the Commission should submit a proposal for reform of the tobacco sector as soon as possible. Changes in tobacco production and in society’s expectations must also be taken into consideration. The President of the Economic and Social Committee Tom JENKINS APPENDIX to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee The following text from the section opinion was rejected in favour of an amendment in the course of the debate: ‘The ESC feels that extending the present organization of the tobacco market as proposed by the Commission is justified. However, it hopes that changes to EU agricultural policy are to have an equal effect on all products. Changes in tobacco production must also be taken into consideration when working out market arrangements. The Committee feels that the Commission should submit a proposal for reform of the tobacco sector as soon as possible. ’ Result of the vote For: 51, against: 49, abstentions: 15