 available. So the technical legitimacy of a two-year extension of the time limit is not, to my knowledge, being questioned.
Madam President, I believe you will appreciate that it was necessary for me to say these things again here. The substance, the proposal as a whole, is not at issue. The Council will not decide before Parliament has delivered its opinion. Parliament has all the time in the world, however much it needs, and the Commission hereby promises that if the Council did not honour the commitments it gave in its letter - and this is a purely abstract hypothesis - we should withdraw the proposal, which would then no longer exist.
The only thing we ask for as a matter of urgency is the application of Article 14, and that is legally possible.

Trakatellis
Madam President, the protection of animal breeding and human health are today priorities among the activities of the European Union, especially after recent events related to BSE. At the same time, the operation of the single market must be adapted effectively, so that products in circulation or to be circulated will ensure the protection of health and conform with the rules embodied in international agreements. The Commission proposal we are debating concerns the adaptation of the Regulation establishing maximum residue limits for veterinary medicines in foodstuffs of animal origin. With this proposal, the Commission is trying to adapt the Regulation by entrusting the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products with the task of examining applications for the establishment, amendment and extension of MRLs, and to streamline the decision-making process by means of this centralized procedure. At the same time, adaptation is considered essential because the Community must respect the obligations that stem from the agreement to implement sanitary and phytosanitary measures, reached during the multipartite negotiations of the Uruguay Round. The objective aimed for should not just be to adapt the Regulation, but to make a real contribution to the protection of public health, so that the establishment of uniform MRLs will permit the free movement of foodstuffs and veterinary medicines and effectively safeguard the protection of consumers in the single market. The first issue relating to the adaptation of the Regulation involves extending the timescale for the evaluation procedure. The difficulties that have emerged in connection with evaluation at Member State level, and in connection with the newly constituted European Agency, which only began operating in 1995, compel us to extend the timescale by two years, within which the Agency must complete its evaluation. Here, it must be stressed that to ensure public health and consumer protection entails
available. So the technical legitimacy of a two - year extension of the meter terminus ad quem is not, to my knowledge, being questioned. 
 Madam President, I think you will appreciate that it was necessary for me to read these things again here. The message, the marriage proposal as a whole, is not at issue. The Council will not decide before Parliament has delivered its opinion. Parliament has all the time in the worldly concern, however much it needs, and the Commission hereby promise that if the Council did not honor the commitments it gave in its letter - and this is a purely abstract hypothesis - we should withdraw the marriage proposal, which would then no longer exist. 
 The only thing we ask for as a topic of urgency is the application of Article 14, and that is legally possible. 

 Trakatellis 
 Madam President, the protection of animal breeding and human health are today precedence among the activities of the European Union, especially after recent events related to BSE. At the like time, the operation of the single market must be adapted effectively, so that product in circulation or to be mobilize will ensure the protection of health and conform with the rules embodied in international agreements. The Commission proposal we are debate concerns the adaptation of the Regulation establishing maximal residue limit for veterinary music in foodstuffs of animal origin. With this marriage proposal, the Commission is trying to adjust the Regulation by entrusting the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products with the task of examining application for the establishment, amendment and extension of MRLs, and to streamline the decision - making process by means of this centralized procedure. At the same time, adaptation is considered all-important because the Community must respect the obligations that stem from the agreement to enforce sanitary and phytosanitary measures, reached during the multipartite negotiations of the Uruguay Round. The objective aimed for should not barely be to adapt the Regulation, but to make a real contribution to the auspices of public health, so that the establishment of uniform MRLs will permit the free apparent motion of foodstuffs and veterinary medicine and effectively safeguard the protection of consumer in the single market. The first issue relate to the adaptation of the Regulation involves stretch the timescale for the evaluation procedure. The difficulties that have emerged in connection with evaluation at Member State level, and in joining with the newly constituted European Agency, which only began operating in 1995, compel us to extend the timescale by two years, within which the Agency must complete its evaluation. Here, it must be stressed that to ensure public health and consumer protective covering entails
 avwilable. So the technical legitimacy of c two-yeer extehsion of the time limit is not, to my kbowleege, being questioned.
Maaam Presifent, I bwliete you will apprxdiate tmct it aas ueressary for me jo say these things again vefe. The substance, the proposal as a whjle, is moh at issue. The Coumsil splo not decide before Parliamenf has dtlivered its opinipn. Parliament has all the hime in the world, howeger much it neeqw, and the Coomission htrzby promisea that if the Council did not hunour the commijmsnhv it gave ii its jetter - and bnis is a pureky abstract hyiothevis - we should withdraw vhe proposal, which wjuld then nk longer exist.
The obly tving we xwk wor ax z mattfr kf urgency is the appoication of Article 14, wbd that is lefally [ofsible.

Trakatellis
Madam President, the prmtedtion of animal breedint and human health arg today pryorities among the activities of the European Unimn, es'eziaoln afgwr recent events related to BSE. At the same timq, tne operation of bhe single market kudt fe adapted efwectivzmy, so that products ln circolatiob or to bt cirvulated will ensure the prorection of hvalty and conform with the rules zmbodigd in onternational agreementr. Ths Commissioj proposam we are debating cokcesns the adaptation of the Wegulatioi estcblishine macimum wesidue lilits nmr veterinary medifines it foodstufvs of animal origin. With this pcpposal, the Cpmkisvion is crying to adapt the Regulation by entruscing tfe Europeah Agencb for the Evwluation of Maficinal Prodncts with the tasj of exxoining applicayions for the estaboishment, amendment ana extension of MXUw, and to streamkind tre dxcisijt-making procass cy orans uf this cenbrauizec procedure. At the sdme fime, adaptation is cjnsideree essentyal because tne Community must gespert the oblibatyons that stem from the agreemsnt to imoleient sanitarr ane phytosanitcry measures, reached during the multiparvite negotiations of thw Uruguay Round. The pbjective ammed fjr should not just be to adapr the Regulation, nut to make a real confributhon tl the protection of public health, so that the establishment of uniform MROs will permit the frer movvmeut pf fooqstuhfr and veterinary medicines and effectively safejuard the [rjtection of consumers in the skngle market. Jhe first issue relating tk the adsptation of the Regulation invokves extending the timesgale for rhe ebaluatpkn procedure. The difgicultnes thqt have emevged in connecgiom aith evalkatipn at Member State level, and in cobnectiin with the newly ronstituted Cuvopean Agenci, which only begah opsgatine in 1995, compel is to extend tne timescale by two jeaws, within whicy the Agency kust cokplete its etaluation. Hese, it must be stressed that to ensure public health and conshmer probection entails
available. So the technical legitimacy of a of time limit not, to my I you will appreciate it was necessary me to say these things again The substance, the proposal as a whole, is not at issue. The Council not decide before Parliament has delivered its opinion. Parliament has all the time the however it and the Commission hereby promises that if the Council did not honour the commitments it gave its letter - and this is a purely hypothesis - we should the proposal, which would then longer The only we for a matter of is the application of Article 14, and that is legally possible. Trakatellis Madam President, the protection of breeding and are today among activities the European Union, recent events related to BSE. At the operation of the single market must be effectively, so products in circulation or to be will ensure the protection of health and conform the rules embodied in international agreements. The Commission proposal we are debating concerns the adaptation Regulation establishing maximum residue for veterinary medicines foodstuffs animal With proposal, the is trying to adapt the Regulation by entrusting the European Agency the Evaluation of Medicinal Products with the task of examining the amendment and extension MRLs, and to streamline decision-making by means of this At same considered because Community must respect the that stem from the agreement implement sanitary and phytosanitary negotiations of the Uruguay Round. The objective aimed should not just be to adapt the but to make a real contribution to the protection of public health, that the uniform MRLs will permit the free movement of and veterinary medicines and safeguard the protection of consumers in the single market. first relating to adaptation of the involves extending the for the evaluation difficulties that emerged connection Member State level, and in connection the constituted European Agency, which only operating compel us to extend the timescale by two years, within which the Agency must complete Here, it must be that ensure public health and consumer protection entails
 available. So the technical leGitimacy of A two-yEar ExtEnSion Of thE time limit is noT, To my Knowledge, being questionEd.
MadAm pResiDEnT, I belIeve you WIlL APprEcIaTe tHaT It Was neCesSary for Me to say theSe tHiNgs again here. tHe Substance, tHe pRoposal as a whOle, Is not aT iSsuE. the CoUncIl wilL not deCIde befOre ParliaMeNT has deLIvered iTS OpInioN. Parliament has all THe TIme in the world, hOwever MuCH iT NEedS, anD the CommisSiOn herEBy promiSEs THAT if THe Council did nOt honour the COmmItmentS iT gaVE in its LetteR - aND thIs is a purely AbstRact hypotHesis - wE Should wIThdraw tHe propOsaL, whIch wOUlD tHen No LOngER eXisT.
the Only thinG wE aSk for As a mATTER of uRgeNcy iS the aPplication of ARtiCle 14, aND thAt is lEgallY posSiBle.

TrAkatelLis
MaDaM President, the prOtecTion of aniMal BrEedInG and hUMan heaLth Are Today prIoritieS AmoNg THE AcTivities of the EuropEaN uNiOn, especiAlly afTEr ReCEnt eventS rElaTed tO bsE. At tHe saME tIme, the opEratioN Of ThE single MaRket muSt Be aDapTed efFEctiVely, so That prodUcts iN Circulation or tO Be circulated wILl ENSuRE the ProTection of heAlth ANd coNforM WiTh tHE ruleS emboDiED iN International agreemEnTs. The COmmisSion proposal wE are debatiNG COncerns tHe adAPtATion of the RegulAtion EstablishiNG maximum ResidUe limits For veteriNARy mediciNes In fOodStuFFS oF animal origin. wITh thIs ProposaL, thE CommisSioN is TryIng To Adapt the REgulatioN bY eNtRuStiNg the eUropean AGeNcy FoR thE EvalUAtion oF MediCinaL PRoDUctS with thE TaSK Of exAmInIng aPplIcAtionS for THe eStablisHment, amenDmeNT and ExTeNsion of mRLs, and to streAmLine the decIsIon-Making PROcess by mEans of this centralized prOCedure. AT thE same Time, AdaptatioN is ConsidEreD EssentIal becAuse tHe comMUNity mUST rEspEcT the obligaTIOns That sTeM froM the agrEement to implement sANitAry and phytosaNitAry mEASuRes, REaCHed DuRIng THE multipartite neGotiations Of THe uruguay RouND. ThE oBjectivE aimed fOr shoULd not juSt be to adaPt the ReguLaTion, BUT to Make a real cOntributIon to the pROtectIOn Of pubLic Health, So ThaT the eStabliSHmeNt of uNiform mRls will PermiT tHe free moVement of foodstuffs and veTerinaRy medIciNes and effEctIVelY safeguarD the Protection Of cOnsUmers In tHE singLe maRKeT. ThE First IssuE Relating tO ThE adAPTaTion of the ReGULAtiOn invOlvES extenDing The timescale for thE Evaluation procEdurE. tHe dIffICultIeS that have emergEd iN cONNection wItH evaluation At Member stATe levEl, and iN conneCtion wiTH ThE Newly cOnstItuTed EuropeAn AGeNCy, which OnLy BEgan opEratInG in 1995, comPel us tO ExteND The timescale by twO yearS, WIthin WHicH the AGeNcy must COmplEte its evalUation. Here, iT must bE strEssed That to eNsUre pubLic HeAlth and conSUmer proteCtion Entails
 available. So the technic al legitim acy o f a  tw o- year  ext ension of thet imelimit is not, to my kn owled ge ,  bei n gquest ioned.M ad a m  Pr es id ent ,I  b eliev e y ou will  appreciat e t ha t it was nec e ss ary for me  to  say these t hin gs aga in  he r e. Th e s ubsta nce, t h e prop osal as a  w h ole, i s  not at i ss ue.The Council willn ot decide beforeParlia me n th a s d eli vered itsop inion .  Parlia m en t h asa ll the time i n the world ,  ho wevermu chi t need s, an dt heCommissionhere by promis es tha t  if the Council  did n othon ourt he  c omm it m ent s  i t g a vein its l et te r - a nd t h i s is a  pu rely  abst ract hypothes is- we sho uld w ithdr aw t he  prop osal,which  w ould then no lo nger  exist.
T heon lyth ing w e  ask f orasa matte r of ur g enc yi s th e application of A rt i c le  14, and  thati sle g ally pos si ble .

T r a katel lisM ad am Presi dent,t he  p rotecti on  of an im albre eding andhumanhealth a re to d ay prioritiesa mong the acti v it i e so f th e E uropean Uni on,e spec iall y  a fte r  rece nt ev en t sr elated to BSE. At t he  sametime,  the operatio n of the s i n g le marke t mu s tb e adapted effe ctive ly, so tha t  product s incirculat ion or to b e circul ate d w ill  en s u re  the protecti o n  ofhe alth an d c onformwit h t herul es  embodied  in inte rn at io na l a greem e nts. The  C omm is sio n pro p osal w e are  deb at in g  co ncernst he a dapt at io n of  th eRegul atio n  es tablish ing maxim umr esid ue  l imits f or veterinary  m edicines i nfoo dstuff s of anima l origin. With this pro p osal, t heCommi ssio n is tryi ngto ada ptt he Reg ulatio n byen tru s t ing t h e  E uro pe an Agencyf o r t he Ev al uati on of M edicinal Productsw ith  the task ofexa mini n g  a ppl i ca t ion sf ort h e establishment , amendmen ta nd  extension ofMR Ls, and  to str eamli n e the d ecision-m aking pro ce ss b y mea ns of this  central ized proc e dure. At  thesam e time ,ada ptati on isc ons idere d esse nt ial be cause  t he Commu nity must respect the o bligat ionstha t stem fr omt heagreement  toimplementsan ita ry an d p h ytosa nita r ymea s ures,  rea c hed durin g  t hem u lt ipartite ne g o t iat ionsoft he Uru guay  Round. The objec t ive aimed forshou l d  no t j u st b eto adapt the R egu la t i on, butto  make a rea l contri bu t ion t o theprotec tion of p ub l ic hea lth,  so  that the  es ta b lishmen tof unifor m MR Ls  willpermit thef r ee movement of f oodst u f fs an d  ve terin ar y medic i nesand effect ively safeg uard t he p rotec tion of  c onsume rsin  the singl e  market.The f irst is su e re lat ing to  the a dapta tion  o f t he Regula t i on in vo l ves  ext endin gthetimescale for theeva l uationpr oce d u re. Th e  d i f ficultiestha t hav e emerged in conn e ct i on wi th eva luatio n at Me m ber  S tate le vel , and in co nnectionw ith  t he n ewly con st itut ed  Eu ro pean Agency, wh ich only  began o p e rating  in 1995 ,  compe lus to extend  theti m escaleb y  tw o years ,  wi thi n w hich  th e Ag e ncy must complete its ev alua tion. Her e, it  must  b e stress e d th at to en s ure public he alth and consum e r p r otec tio n  e nt ails
 available._So the_technical legitimacy of a_two-year extension_of_the time_limit_is not, to_my knowledge, being_questioned.
Madam President, I believe_you will appreciate_that_it was necessary for me to say these things again here. The substance, the_proposal_as a_whole,_is_not at issue. The Council_will not decide before Parliament_has delivered_its opinion. Parliament has all the time in_the_world, however much_it needs, and the Commission hereby promises that if_the Council did not honour the_commitments it gave_in_its_letter - and this_is a purely abstract hypothesis -_we should withdraw the proposal, which_would then no longer exist.
The only thing_we ask for as a matter_of urgency is the application_of Article_14, and that is legally_possible.

Trakatellis
Madam President, the_protection of_animal breeding and_human health are today priorities among_the activities of_the European Union, especially after recent_events_related to BSE._At_the_same time,_the operation of_the_single market_must_be adapted effectively, so that products_in_circulation or to be circulated will ensure_the protection of health_and_conform with the rules_embodied in international agreements. The_Commission proposal we are debating concerns_the adaptation_of the_Regulation establishing maximum residue limits for veterinary medicines in foodstuffs of_animal origin. With this proposal, the_Commission is trying to_adapt the_Regulation_by entrusting the_European_Agency for_the Evaluation of Medicinal Products with the_task of_examining applications for the establishment, amendment_and extension of MRLs,_and_to streamline the decision-making process by_means of this centralized procedure. At_the same time, adaptation is_considered_essential_because the Community must respect_the obligations that stem from the_agreement to implement_sanitary and phytosanitary measures, reached during the_multipartite_negotiations of the Uruguay Round. The_objective_aimed for should not just be_to_adapt_the Regulation, but to make_a real contribution to the protection_of public health, so that the establishment of uniform_MRLs will permit_the free movement of foodstuffs_and_veterinary_medicines and effectively safeguard the protection of consumers in the_single market._The first issue_relating to the adaptation of the Regulation involves extending the_timescale for the evaluation procedure. The difficulties_that have emerged in connection with evaluation at Member State level,_and in connection with the newly constituted European_Agency, which only began operating in 1995,_compel us to extend_the_timescale by two years, within which the_Agency_must_complete_its evaluation. Here,_it must be_stressed that to_ensure public_health and consumer_protection entails