COMMISSION DECISION of 28 November 1997 approving the programme for the eradication of rabies for 1998 presented by Belgium and fixing the level of the Community's financial contribution (Only the French and Dutch texts are authentic) (98/39/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 Decision 94/370/EC (2), and in particular Article 24 thereof,

Whereas Decision 90/424/EEC provides for the possibility of financial participation by the Community in the eradication and surveillance of rabies;

Whereas it is now desirable to introduce full-scale eradication measures in infected Member States and adjacent third countries in order to prohibit the re-entry of rabies;

Whereas, by letter, Belgium has submitted a programme for the eradication of rabies;

Whereas after examination of the programme it was found to comply with all Community criteria relating to the eradication of the disease in conformity with Council Decision 90/638/EEC of 27 November 1990 laying down Community criteria for the eradication and monitoring of certain animal diseases (3), as amended by Directive 92/65/EEC (4);

Whereas this programme appears on the priority list of programmes for 1998 for the eradication and surveillance of animal diseases which can benefit from financial participation from the Community and which was established by Commission Decision 97/681/EC (5);

Whereas in the light of the importance of the programme for the achievement of Community objectives in the field of animal health, it is appropriate to fix the financial participation of the Community at 50 % of the costs incurred by Belgium up to a maximum of ECU 200 000;

Whereas 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;

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

The programme for the eradication of rabies presented by Belgium is hereby approved for the period from 1 January to 31 December 1998.

Article 2

Belgium shall bring into force by 1 January 1998 the laws, regulations and administrative provisions for implementing the programme referred to in Article 1.

Article 3

1. Financial participation by the Community shall be at the rate of 50 % of the costs of implementing the programme by Belgium up to a maximum of ECU 200 000.

2. The financial contribution of the Community shall be granted subject to:

- forwarding a report to the Commission every three months on the progress of the programme and the costs incurred,

- forwarding a final report on the technical execution of the programme accompanied by justifying evidence as to the costs incurred by 1 June 1999 at the latest,

- and provided that Community veterinary legislation has been respected.

Article 4

This Decision is addressed to the Kingdom of Belgium.

Done at Brussels, 28 November 1997.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 224, 18. 8. 1990, p. 19.

(2) OJ L 168, 2. 7. 1994, p. 31.

(3) OJ L 347, 12. 12. 1990, p. 27.

(4) OJ L 268, 14. 9. 1992, p. 54.

(5) OJ L 286, 18. 10. 1997, p. 11.