EN Official Journal of the European Union L 186/46

COMMISSION DECISION

of 16 July 2007

amending Decision 2006/140/EC as regards a financial contribution by the Community for the year 2007 relating to the survey on TSE resistant PrP genes in goats in Cyprus

(notified under document number C(2007) 3369)

(Only the Greek text is authentic)

(2007/507/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), and in particular, Article 20 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Eradication of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in small ruminants, including bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) which is considered to be the cause of the fatal variant Creutzfeld Jacob disease in humans, is of major importance for animal health and consumer’s protection.

(2) A bi-annual survey on TSEs resistant genotypes in goats was submitted by Cyprus in 2005, with a view to obtain financial support from the Community. The objectives of that survey are to further investigate the PrP gene of goats in that Member State in order to confirm the results of previous preliminary studies where specific PrP polymorphisms were found indicating resistance against TSEs and to evaluate the data in order to be able to determine the baseline prevalence of TSE resistant PrP genes in goats. Cyprus has a very high prevalence of TSEs in goats and is therefore the appropriate Member State to carry out such pilot project. The survey started on 1 January 2006.

(3) In accordance with Article 3(2)(a) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 (2) of 21 June 2005 on the financing of the common agricultural policy, animal disease eradication and control programmes (veterinary measures) are to be financed from the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund. For financial control purposes, Articles 9, 36 and 37 of that Regulation are to apply.

(4) Commission Decision 2006/140/EC of 15 February 2006 concerning a specific financial contribution from the Community relating to the survey on TSE resistant PrP genes in goats presented by Cyprus for the year 2006 (3) granted a financial contribution from the Community for the year 2006 for the study of genetic resistance to TSE in goats in that Member State.

(5) For budgetary reasons, Community assistance is decided each year. It is appropriate to grant a financial contribution from the Community for that survey to cover the year 2007. Decision 2006/140/EC should therefore be amended to cover that year.

(6) The Annex to Decision 2006/140/EC lists the financial assistance of the Community and also the means of technical and financial reporting. That annex should be amended to take account of financial assistance for the year 2007 and also changes in reporting for that year.

(7) For reasons of administrative efficiency all expenditure presented for a financial contribution by the Community should be expressed in euro. In accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005, the conversion rate for expenditure in a currency other than euro should be the rate most recently set by the European Central Bank prior to the first day of the month in which the application is submitted by Cyprus.

(8) Decision 2006/140/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.

(9) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Decision 2006/140/EC is amended as follows:

1. Article 1 is replaced by the following: ‘Article 1 1. The survey programme for TSE resistant PrP genes in goats presented by Cyprus is hereby approved for a period of 24 months starting from 1 January 2006. 2. The financial assistance from the Community for the programme referred to in paragraph 1 covers the costs (VAT excluded) incurred by Cyprus for laboratory testing up to 100 % in accordance with Chapter 1 of the Annex for the year 2006 and Chapter 3 for the year 2007. The total assistance shall be a maximum amount of EUR 47 500 for the year 2006 and EUR 103 000 for the year 2007.’

2. Article 2 is amended as follows: (a) points (b) and (c) are replaced by the following: ‘(b) forwarding an intermediate yearly financial and technical evaluation covering the first eight months of each year of the survey, at the latest two months after the end of that period; the report shall conform to the model as set out in Chapter 2 of the Annex for the year 2006 and Chapter 4 thereof for the year 2007, accompanied by justifying evidence as to the costs incurred. (c) forwarding a final yearly report for each year of the survey by 31 March 2007 at the latest for the year 2006 and 31 March 2008 at the latest for the year 2007, on the overall execution and results of the survey for the whole period during which Community financial assistance was granted; the report shall contain a technical and financial evaluation covering the years 2006 and 2007, in accordance with the model as set out in Chapter 2 of the Annex for the year 2006 and Chapter 4 thereof for the year 2007, accompanied by justifying evidence as to the costs incurred.’ (b) paragraph 2 is replaced by the following: ‘2. When the time limit provided for in paragraph 1c) are not respected, the financial contribution shall be reduced by 25 % on 1 May, 50 % on 1 June, 75 % on 1 July and 100 % on 1 September of the calendar year following the survey year concerned.’

3. Article 3 is replaced by the following: ‘Article 3 The expenditure presented by Cyprus for a financial contribution by the Community shall be expressed in euro and shall exclude value added tax and other taxes. The conversion rate for expenditure shall be the rate most recently set by the European Central Bank prior to the first day of the month in which the application is submitted by Cyprus.’

4. The Annex is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision.

Article 2

This Decision shall apply from 1 January 2007.

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to the Republic of Cyprus.

Done at Brussels, 16 July 2007. For the Commission Markos KYPRIANOU Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 19. Decision last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1791/2006 (OJ L 363, 20.12.2006, p. 1).

(2) OJ L 209, 11.8.2005, p. 1. Regulation last amended by Regulation (EC) No 378/2007 (OJ L 95, 5.4.2007, p. 1).

(3) OJ L 54, 24.2.2006, p. 44.