According to the ESC, a strong and efficient authority for the monitoring and inspection of veterinary and phytosanitary matters was vital for the smooth functioning of the single market and for strengthening consumer protection. This authority should be invested with full powers that would enable it to verify that Community directives were being properly applied and to check that obligations towards third countries were being met. However, the Committee was not convinced of the need to convert the present office into an agency. It took the view that the office should be strengthened by a larger and permanent workforce, unless it could be demonstrated beyond doubt that the establishment of such an agency would yield clear benefits for public health and consumer protection and for the food industry in general. However, the Committee did accept the principles being proposed in respect of the powers and main areas of competence of such an agency, though was of the opinion that one of the conditions for setting-up such a body was that it should be funded by the budget. The authority responsible for the inspections had to be provided with sufficient resources to be able to operate in an efficient and effective manner.

The Council studied the proposal for a regulation that had been put forward by the Commission and, following the debate, decided to adopt the following conclusions: ‘The Council 1) takes note of the assurance given by the Commission that the relocation of the OVPIC to Ireland, in accordance with the Council decision of 29 October 1993, will be completed as soon as possible. It also notes that the premises required for this relocation will be provided by the Irish Government in agreement with the Commission and under a leasing contract. In the event that an agency is set up, the lease shall be transferred to this body; 2) resolves that all necessary steps shall be taken to ensure the smooth operation of the OVPIC during the relocation phase; 3) resolves that the proposal for establishing an agency shall be reviewed when Parliament’s opinion is known, without prejudging the position of the Member States; 4) takes note of the current situation in respect of the staff of the Commission’s veterinary service and calls on the Commission to take the steps that are needed to ensure that an adequate workforce is in place to enable the Office to carry out its tasks in an efficient manner, so that the Community is able to perform its inspection work.’ The Commission indicated that it could not fully support these conclusions. Questions to do with the funding of the Office, and if need be of the Agency, had been referred back to the Permanent Representatives Committee for re-examination.