"THE C.O.M. NEWS", MARCH 2006 nr. 115

ANNEX nr. 11

• What is the significance of the C.O.M. without a World Show?

Various points of view were expressed:
1. There is no C.O.M. without a World Show.
2. Contrary to the view expressed in another group of member countries, it was stated that shows are not mandatory because C.O.M. is not the organizer of the World Shows. Also, that it should be possible to consider other events and that a Congress should be held in any city irrespective of where the World Show is to take place.
3. It would be interesting to find other means through which the C.O.M. could play an important role within the European member states, in defence of our hobby, and through which breeders could have their own voice in Europe.
4. It was also considered interesting to organize two annual conferences (Congresses): one respect of the C.O.M.-B.D. elections and similarly another one for O.M.J.-E.C.
This would avoid the holding of simultaneous elections that could influence the results.

• What is considered to be the involvement and the aim of the C.O.M. as regards the problem posed by Avian Flu?

The C.O.M. could take a multinational policy action with the authorities of each country alongside that of the European authorities in Brussels. At the same time, countries should individually take the necessary action with their own authorities in order to highlight the importance of our hobby.
Each country could prepare a report specifying the importance of our hobby and pass this on to the C.O.M. that could then intervene at a world level. This would be expensive, and so a budget would need to be allocated for such a project.

• In the case of a cancellation of the World Show, the organizers will suffer a financial loss. For the C.O.M. this loss amounts to around € 25.000.

How can we assist the organizers financially and at the same time minimize our deficit?
Different opinions were expressed:
1. That the C.O.M. should acquire insurance, given that if this insurance is acquired by the organizers then the entry fees would be too expensive. And should the World Show not take place then the entry fees should be returned having deducted the insurance premium. Another solution could be the return of the entry fees on a pro-rata basis, between the organizing country, the C.O.M. and the member countries.
2. The setting up of a fund to compensate the organizers of the World Show in the case the show cannot be held. A fund of this sort would naturally be a long term plan.
3. Reference to the proposal made in Bad Salzuflen on the 27th January 2005 in respect to 30% of the total of entry fees being kept by the organizers on condition that a certificate of authority is produced to this effect.
4. That all countries contribute a percentage (€ 0,02) of the cost of each bird ring, but this proposal did not find much favour with the member countries.
C.O.M. must provide a budget, but the question remains: how is this to be achieved without affecting the member countries?

• Is there any logic in this day and age for C.O.M. to only accept French as the official language?

Amongst the present 25 E.U. member countries, the distribution of a second language is as follows: English 34%, German 12%, French 11%, Spanish and Russian 5%.
Everybody agrees to continue with French as the official language, but with the possibility of adopting the English language and eventually German too as other official languages.

A. van Roelen-Janssen
C.O.M. General Secretary