No L 45/56 Official Journal of the European Communities 14. 2. 87 COMMISSION DECISION of 7 January 1987 on the setting-up of an Advisory Veterinary Committee (87/89/EEC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, Whereas the Advisory Veterinary Committee was set up by Commission Decision 76/559/EEC (1), as last amended by Decision 81/156/EEC (2); Whereas the procedure for the replacement of members should be adjusted and account taken of a change in the representation of industry; Whereas the provisions relating to the Advisory Veterinary Committee have been amended and should therefore be consolidated; Whereas the Commission should seek the views of producers, traders and consumers on matters arising in connection with the harmonization of veterinary legislation; Whereas all the occupations directly involved in the implementation of the harmonization of veterinary legislation, and also consumers, must have an opportunity to participate in the drafting of the opinions requested by the Commission; Whereas the agricultural, industrial, commercial, workers’ and veterinarians’ associations and the consumer groups in the Member States have set up organizations at Community level, : HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 1. There is hereby established by the Commission an - Advisory Veterinary Committee, hereinafter called ‘the Committee’. 2. The Committee shall consist of representatives of organizations concerned with agriculture, industry, commerce, workers, consumers and the Veterinary Federation of the European Community. (1) O] No L 171, 30. 6. 1976, p. 37. () OJ NoL 72, 18.3.1981, p. 21. Article 2 1.  The Committee may be.consulted by the Commission on any problems concerning the harmonization of veterinary legislation. 2. The chairman of the Committee may indicate to the Commission the desirability of its consulting the Committee on any matter within the latter’s competence on which its opinion has not_been sought. The chairman shall so act at the request of any one of the interest groups represented on the Committee. Article 3 1. The Committee shall consist of 14 permanent members and a maximum of 24 non-permanent members. 2. The permanent members shall be responsible for coordinating work within their group. 3. Seats for permanent members shall be allocated as follows: — two to agricultural producers, — two to agricultural cooperatives, — two to industry, — two to commerce, — two to workers, — two to consumers. 4.  In addition, two of the seats for permanent members shall be allocated to representatives of the professional organization of veterinarians set up at Community level. 5. The interested groups listed in paragraph 3 may each appoint a maximum of four non-permanent members. Article 4 1. The permanent members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Commission upon proposals from the " following bodies: — for seats allocated under Article 3 (3): Agricultural producers: the Committee of Agricultural Organization in the European Economic Community (COPA);