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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 99-03-22
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Spokesman's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi du Porte-Paroleb
22/03/99
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Rapport relatif à l'importance économique des mesures dans le domaine
de la santé et de la sécurité
[02] Former Yugoslavia : Commission clears humanitarian aid worth euro 69
million
[03] Soudan : la Commission approuve l'octroi d'une aide humanitaire d'un
montant de 13,5 millions d'euros
[04] Scientists are uncertain on consequences of BST-usage in dairy cows
for public health
[01] Rapport relatif à l'importance économique des mesures dans le domaine
de la santé et de la sécurité
Un nouveau rapport de l'Agence européenne pour la santé et la sécurité au
travail donne un premier aperçu global sur la manière dont les instruments
économiques peuvent améliorer la santé et la sécurité au travail dans les
Etats membres de l'Union européenne. M. Padraig Flynn, Commissaire
européen chargé de l'Emploi et des Affaires sociales, a déclaré que ce
rapport fournirait une meilleure appréciation sur la manière dont les
considérations économiques sont prises en compte dans l'élaboration de la
politique de santé et de sécurité au sein des Etats membres. "Je suis
persuadé que l'argument en faveur de meilleures normes de santé et de
sécurité sur le lieu de travail sera renforcé si les décideurs sont mieux
informés des coûts réellement engendrés par l'insuffisance de telles normes
et sur la manière dont il est possible de réduire les coûts en question", a-
t-il ajouté.
[02] Former Yugoslavia : Commission clears humanitarian aid worth euro 69
million
The European Commission has cleared a package of humanitarian aid worth
euro 69 million for victims of conflict in Former Yugoslavia. The aid,
managed by the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO), was approved
unanimously by Member States at their last Humanitarian Aid Committee. It
will enable international humanitarian organisations and non-governmental
organisations to carry out programmes over the coming year. The bulk of
the money is earmarked for Bosnia and Herzegovina (euro 56.5 million). The
balance is split between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) (euro 7.6
million) and Croatia (euro 5 million). Humanitarian aid for victims of the
crisis in Kosovo is being managed in separate decisions.
[03] Soudan : la Commission approuve l'octroi d'une aide humanitaire d'un
montant de 13,5 millions d'euros
La Commission européenne a approuvé un ensemble d'actions d'aide
humanitaire d'un montant de 13,5 millions d'euros en faveur des victimes du
conflit au Soudan. L'aide, gérée par l'Office humanitaire de la Communauté
européenne (ECHO), assurera le soutien de quelque 30 programmes (santé, eau,
sécurité alimentaire) au cours de l'année prochaine. Pratiquement tous ces
programmes sont placés sous les auspices de l'opération "Survie au Soudan",
le cadre des Nations Unies assurant une aide aux victimes de la guerre dans
ce pays.
[04] Scientists are uncertain on consequences of BST-usage in dairy cows
for public health
One week after scientists of the European Union (EU) stated in their
opinion that bovine somatotrophin (BST) should not be used in dairy cows on
animal welfare grounds, a second scientific opinion hints at potential
risks of BST on public health. BST is a synthetic, genetically engineered
substance based on a cow's naturally occurring growth hormone. It is
injected into dairy cows usually every two weeks to increase milk
production. In its report of 15/16 March the Scientific Committee on
Veterinary Measures relating to Public Health points out that the use of
BST in dairy cows does not lead to a residue problem in the animal's body
but could increase Insuline Growth Factor I (IGF-I) levels in milk. IGF-I
is a cellular growth factor which exerts a broad variety of physiological
functions. Recently, epidemiological studies indicated that IGF-I is
associated with an increased relative risk of breast and prostate cancer.
However, further research to specify the role of IGF-I in cancer
development is needed. In addition, the amount of IGF-I in milk of treated
cows is not known at present. The independent scientists refer also to
potential secondary risks of the use of BST, such as an increase in
allergic reactions and to an increased use of antimicrobial substances, as
a consequence of the treatment of BST related mastitis (infection of the
udder). The latter might result in residue formation in milk and in the
selection of resistant bacteria. An EU moratorium prohibiting the
marketing and use of BST expires on 31 December 1999. The two scientific
reports will provide an essential basis for the review of this prohibition.
The report will shortly be available on the website under the following
address : http//europa.eu.int/comm/dg24/health/scv/ outcome_en.html.
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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