COMMISSION DECISION

of 28 July 1999

on financial aid from the Community towards the eradication of swine vesicular disease in Italy in 1997

(notified under document number C(1999) 2448)

(OnlytheItaliantextisauthentic)

(1999/583/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 Regulation (EC) No 1258/1999(2), and in particular Article 3 thereof,

(1) Whereas outbreaks of swine vesicular disease occurred in Italy in 1997; whereas this disease represents a serious danger to Community pig stocks; whereas with a view to contributing towards the speedy eradication of the disease the Community is able to contribute to expenditure incurred by the Member States for losses suffered;

(2) Whereas the Italian authorities have reported that they took the requisite steps, including the measures listed in Article 3(2) of Decision 90/424/EEC, as soon as the outbreak of swine vesicular disease was officially confirmed;

(3) Whereas, pending completion of checks by the Commission that, on the one hand, the Community veterinary rules have been observed and, on the other, that the conditions for a Community contribution are met, a first instalment of EUR 0,54 million should be paid;

(4) Whereas the Community financial contribution will be paid upon confirmation that the measures have been implemented and the authorities have supplied all the information requested within the time limits laid down;

(5) Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Italy may receive financial assistance from the Community relating to outbreaks of swine vescicular disease which occurred in the course of 1997.

Subject to checks, the Community's financial contribution shall be:

- 50 % of the costs incurred by Italy in compensating owners for the slaughter and the destruction of pigs and for the destruction of products obtained from pork,

- 50 % of the costs incurred by Italy in the cleaning, disinsectisation and disinfection of holdings and equipment,

- 50 % of the costs incurred by Italy in compensating owners for the destruction of contaminated feedingstuffs and equipment.

Article 2

1. Subject to the checks to be carried out, the Community contribution shall be granted after the supporting documents have been submitted.

2. The documents referred to in paragraph 1 shall be:

(a) an epidemiological report on each holding on which pigs have been slaughtered. The report shall contain information on:

(i) infected holdings:

- location and address,

- date on which the disease was suspected and the date on which it was confirmed,

- number and type of pigs slaughtered and destroyed, with date,

- method of slaughter and destruction,

- type and number of samples collected and tested when the disease was suspected; results of the tests,

- type and number of samples taken and tested during the depopulation of the infected holdings; results of the tests,

- presumed origin of the infection following complete epidemiological analysis;

(ii) holdings in contact with an infected holding:

- as in (i), first, third, fourth and sixth indents,

- infected holding (outbreak) with which contact has been confirmed or suspected; nature of the contact;

(b) a financial report including the list of beneficiaries and their addresses, the number of animals slaughtered, the date of slaughter and the amount paid out (excluding VAT and other taxes).

Article 3

1. The application for payment, together with the supporting documents referred to in Article 2, shall be submitted to the Commission before 1 October 1999.

2. However, Italy may obtain, on request, an advance of EUR 0,54 million.

Article 4

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 Council Regulation (EEC) No 729/70(3) shall apply mutatis mutandis.

Article 5

This Decision is addressed to the Italian Republic.

Done at Brussels, 28 July 1999.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 19.

(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 103.

(3) OJ L 94, 28.4.1970, p. 13.