COMMISSION DECISION
of 20 December 1999
concerning a specific financial contribution by the Community relating to epidemiological surveillance of certain animal diseases in areas at risk in Greece
(notified under document number C(1999) 4680)
(Only the Greek text is authentic)
(2000/71/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Decision 90/424/EEC of 26 June 1990 on expenditure in the veterinary field(1), as last amended by Council Decision 94/370/EC(2) and, in particular, Article 6 thereof;
Whereas:
(1) in 1994 and in 1996 the foot-and-mouth disease virus was introduced into Greece from abroad;
(2) in 1996, 1997 and 1998 sheep pox was introduced into Greece from abroad;
(3) in 1998 and in 1999 bluetongue entered Greece from abroad;
(4) viral diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest, sheep and goat pox, bluetongue and small ruminant pest should be considered as exotic diseases on the territory of the Member States of the EU;
(5) the appearance of exotic diseases is a serious threat to the Community's livestock and the presence of these diseases causes obstacles to trade at national and international level;
(6) the Community has the possibility of providing financial assistance to Member States in order to rapidly eradicate certain animal diseases including foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest, sheep and goat pox, bluetongue and small ruminant pest;
(7) it is necessary that Greece has a high level of disease surveillance and preparedness for the eradication of exotic diseases and in particular in areas considered to be at a special epidemiological risk;
(8) an epidermo-surveillance programme entitled EVROS (Epidemo-vigilance rotational system), designed to detect foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest, sheep and goat pox, bluetongue and small ruminant pest, for areas of Greece considered as special risk areas, has been prepared by Greece;
(9) the said programme when carried out can provide valuable information on the disease situation in the areas covered by the programme;
(10) the programme has been designed for implementation in special epidemiological risk areas;
(11) in the light of the importance of a high level of preparedness at all levels engaged in disease surveillance and eradication it is appropriate to provide financial assistance to cover certain costs incurred by Greece;
(12) for budgetary reasons this Decision shall consider financial aspects for a period of 12 months;
(13) the financial assistance provided shall be up to a maximum of EUR 300000;
(14) a financial contribution from the Community shall be granted in so far as the actions provided for are carried out and provided that the authorities furnish all the necessary information within the time limits provided for;
(15) for supervisory purposes Articles 8 and 9 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 729/70 of 21 April 1970 on financing of the common agricultural policy(3), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1258/1999(4), should apply;
(16) the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
1. The epidemio-surveillance programme for foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest, sheep and goat pox, bluetongue and small ruminant pest presented by Greece is hereby approved for a period of twelve months starting on 1 January 2000. The objective and the main elements of the programme are shown in Annex I.
2. The financial assistance from the Community for the programme referred to in paragraph 1 shall be 70 % of the costs incurred by Greece and up to a maximum of EUR 300000. The financial assistance shall be provided for actions listed in Annex II.
Article 2
The financial assistance referred to under Article 1(2) shall be granted to Greece subject to:
(a) bringing into force by 1 January 2000 the laws, regulations and administrative provisions for implementing the programme;
(b) forwarding a report to the Commission every three months on the progress of the programme and the costs incurred. The information provided in the report shall cover the points shown in Annex III.
(c) forwarding a final report on the technical execution of the programme accompanied by justifying evidence as to the costs incurred by 1 April 2001 at the latest,
and provided that Community veterinary legislation has been respected.
Article 3
1. The Commission, in collaboration with the competent national authorities, may carry out on-the-spot checks to ensure that the measures and assisted expenditure have been carried out.
The Commission shall inform the Member States of the outcome of the checks.
2. Articles 8 and 9 of Regulation (EC) No 1258/1999 shall apply mutatis mutandis.
3. The financial contribution of the Community may only be granted if the programme has been implemented in line with Community rules.
Article 4
This Decision is addressed to Greece.
Done at Brussels, 20 December 1999.