COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
COM(89) 498 final 
Brussels, 17 October 1989 
m 
im 
:'" h Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
introducing a Community financial measure for the 
eradication of brucellosis in sheep and goats 
(presented by the Commission) 
43fe 
Explanatory Memorandum / 
Brucellosis Is not only a serious disease of sheep and goats, where It causes 
widespread losses but also of humans as well. It Is called Malta fever when 
it spreads to humans and may cause death. 
Brucellosis in sheep and goats is caused by a bacteria called Brucella 
melitensls and mainly occurs around the Mediterranean basin and Portugal. It 
has been partially controlled up to now by use of vaccination. Vaccination 
will not eradicate the disease and further steps must be taken If we are to 
rid the Community of this very serious disease. 
Within the optic of the Internal market It is essential that this disease be 
eradicated to facilitate movements of sheep and goats from South to North in 
the Community. Pressure for such movement is continually increasing. 
There are serious barriers to trade In sheep and goats milk and certain soft 
cheeses coming from Infected areas of the Community. The presence of this 
disease causes severe desruptlon to sheep and goat rearing in Infected areas 
as well as other types of llfestock production as this disease can easily 
spread to cattle pigs and horses as well as man. 
The presence of this desease decreases the productivity of livestock forming 
in an area by causing direct losses on the farm itself and by decreasing the 
range of outlets for the farm products. The eradication of brucellosis in 
sheep and goats is a requirement for the completion of the Internal market and 
Is included in the time table of the "White Book". 
it Is for these reasons that a proposal has been made to introduce Community 
financial aids for the eradication of bruceIlosis In sheep and goats, the aid 
will be primarily provided to partially compensate owners of infected sheep 
and goats who have their animais slaughtered under a National or Regional pian 
for the eradication of brucellosis In sheep and goats. 
The Commission !n its proposal has retained the Committee Regulatory proce­
dure. This choice J s Justified in this case by tne requirement not to upset 
the mechanism of management In the veterinary field, it does no* pr&judice ii>e 
preferancs of the Corliss Ion for the consultative Committee p.ocsdure. 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
introducing a Community financial measure for 
the eradication of brucellosis In sheep and goats 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and 
In particular Article 43 thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee, 
Whereas the continued presence of brucellosis In sheep and goats, particularly 
around the Mediterranean basin Is a severe threat to human and animal health; 
Whereas the continued presence of this disease prevents the free 
movement of sheep and goats; 
Whereas the eradication of this disease constitutes an essential prerequisite 
for the establishment - with regard to trade In sheep and goats and their pro­
ducts and by-products - of the internal market In sheep and goats as well as 
for Increasing the productivity of breeding and, consequently, improving the 
standard of living of persons engaged In this sector; 
Whereas infected Member States are to present a plan for the eradication of 
brucellosis In sheep and goats; 
Whereas it Is moreover necessary to lay down the conditions in which 
slaughter, Isolation, cleaning and disinfection should take place and the use 
which should be made of certain animal products; 
Whereas Community financial aid will be In the form of a reimbursement to 
Member States of a part of the slaughter premium compensating owners of in­
fected sheep and goats for the rapid disposal of such animals; 
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Whereas the eradication plans must Include measures ensuring the effectiveness 
of the action undertaken; whereas a procedure closely associating the Member 
States and the Commission should be Introduced by means of which such measures 
can be adopted and adapted as the situation develops; 
Whereas the Member States should be kept regularly Informed of the progress of 
the measures undertaken, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION : 
Article 1 
France, Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal must present a plan before 1 January 
1990 for the eradication of brucellosis (Brucella me 11 tens is) In sheep and 
goats. 
Article 2 
For the purpose of this Decision the definitions In Article 2 of Council Regu­
lation (EEC) No of on animal health conditions 
governing Intra-Communlty trade in ovine and caprine animals shall apply; in 
addition an "official brucellosis test" means any serological test as 
described In Annex C of the abovementioned Regulation or any other test that 
Is agreed following the procedure laid down in Article 12. 
Article 3 
The plans referred to in Article 1 must : 
1. indicate the centrai author ities which are to implement and co-ordinate 
the plan; 
2. ensure that the presence and suspected presence of brucellosis are com­
pulser ily and Immediately notifiable to the competent authority; 
3. provide for s registration of v> lings engaged In sheep and goat Tarming; 
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4. be so devised that at its completion the holdings are classified as offi­
cially brucellosis free or brucellosis free; 
5. ban the therapeutic treatment of brucellosis; 
6. must specify those parts of the territory In which brucellosis vaccination 
shall be carried out and those in which It shall be banned; 
7. indicate the number of holdings and animals and their geographical posi­
tion which are to be subjected to testing during each year of the plan; 
8. Indicate the national budgetary allocations for the eradication of ovine 
and caprine brucellosis and the breakdown by items of these allocations 
and In particular the estimated unit costs for slaughter compensation as 
well as estimated total costs on an annual basis for carrying out the ope­
rations; 
9. provide for the monitoring of movements of sheep and goats; 
10. provide for the Immediate and adequate compensation for the owners of 
sheep and goats which have been slaughtered because they have reacted po­
sitively to an off lea I brucellosis test or because they were suspected of 
being Infected by the competent authority. 
11. ensure that the official competent authorities carry out Investigations 
where a holding contains an animal suspected of having brucellosis, as 
soon as possible to confirm or rule out the presence of disease. 
Pending the outcome of these Investigations, the official competent autho­
rities shalI order : 
- the holding to be placed under official surveillance, 
- the prohibition of all movement Into or out of the holding unless 
authorized by the official competent authorities for the purpose of 
slaughter without delay, 
- Isolation within the holding of the suspect animals. 
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12. ensure that the orders referred to In paragraph 11 are not lifted 
until the presence or suspected presence of brucellosis In the holding 
concerned has been officially ruled out. 
13. ensure that where the presence of brucellosis Is officially confirmed in a 
holding, the official competent authority shall take appropriate measures 
to prevent any spread of the disease and shall ensure In particular that : 
- all movement Into or out of the herd In question is forbidden, unless In 
the case of outward movement authorized by the official competent autho­
rities for the purpose of slaughter without delay, 
- animals In which the presence of brucellosis has been officially con­
firmed, and animals which may have been infected by them, are Isolated 
within the herd, 
- the remaining animals are without delay submitted to an official brucel­
losis test, 
- animals In which the presence of brucellosis has been officially con­
firmed, animals which have been examined as stipulated in the third 
Indent with unfavourable results, and animals considered by the compe­
tent authorities as Infected are Isolated and marked until their 
slaughter pusuant to Article 4, 
- milk from Infected animals may only be fed to animals on the same hold­
ing after suitable heat treatment, 
- milk from non-infected animals In an Infected holding cannot be removed 
outside the Infected holding except to undergo suitable heat treatment, 
- if milk from non-Infected animals In an Infected holding Is to be made 
Into cheese on the holding then It must be subjected to suitable heat 
treatment prior to processing, 
- carcases, half-carcases, quarters, pieces and offal from infected 
animals Intended for use as feed for animals are treated In such a way 
as to avoid contamination, 
- foetuses, stili born offspring or young animals which have died from 
brucellosis or placentae are carefully disposed of and destroyed 
immediately, unless they are to be examined, 
- straw, litter or any other matter and substance which has come into 
contact with the Infected anima I(s) or with the placentae Is destroyed 
immediately, burnt or buried after soaking in disinfectant, 
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- official regulations for the control of establishments such as carcase 
disposal plants ensure that there Is no danger of the material produced 
spread Ing bruceIlosI s, 
- manure from sheds or other quarters used by the animals Is stored In a 
place inaccessible to farm animals, treated with a suitable disinfectant 
and stored for at least three weeks. Use of disinfectant is not 
required if the manure Is covered with a layer of earth. Liquid waste 
from sheds or other quarters used by the animals must be disinfected if 
It Is not collected at the same time as the manure. 
Article 4 
Member States' plans shall ensure that, animals In which the presence of 
brucellosis has been confirmed by an official burce Ilosis test and those con­
sidered by the official competent authorities following a bacteriological, pa­
thological or allergic examination are slaughtered under official supervision 
as soon as possible and not later than 30 days after their owner or person In 
charge has been officially notified of the results of the test or examinations 
and of his obligation, under the eradication plan, to deliver for slaughter 
the sheep and/or goats concerned within that time limit. 
Article S 
The plans referred to in Article 1 shall additionally ensure that : 
1. after the slaughter of the animals referred to In Article 4 and prior to 
restocking, sheds and other herd quarters, and all containers, equipment 
and other articles used for the animals are cleaned and disinfected under 
official supervision, In accordance with the Instructions given by the of­
ficial veterinarian. Re-use of pastures which have contained these 
animals must not take place for 60 days after their removal from such 
pastures, 
2. all means of transport, containers and equipment are cleaned and disin­
fected after the transport of animals from an infected holding, or of 
materials from such animals, or of materials or substances which have 
been in contact with such animals. Loading areas for such animals must be 
cleaned and disinfected after use, 
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3. the disinfectant to be used and Its concentrations are authorized by the 
official competent authority, 
4. after the slaughter of animals referred to In Article 4 and prior to re­
stocking, no animals may leave the Infected holding concerned unless au­
thorization has been given by the official competent authority for the 
purpose of slaughter without delay, 
5. official brucellosis tests are carried out on the Infected holding con­
cerned to confirm that the disease has been eliminated, 
6. the Infected holding Is not restocked with animals for breeding until the 
animals over 6 months old remaining in It for this purpose have passed one 
or more official brucellosis tests. However, for sheep and goats which 
have been vaccinated In accordance with the provisions of Council Regu­
lation (EEC) No , these tests need not be carried out until they 
are 18 months old. 
7. should brucellosis be diagnosed in a sheep or goat which 
- had returned from transhumance, 
- mixes with sheep and goats from other holdings on a regular basis for 
grazing, milking or other purposes, 
then all of the holdings which had supplied animals for transhumance or 
for grazing, milking or other purposes shall be regarded as one large 
Infected holding and shall be subjected to official brucellosis tests to 
confirm that the disease has been eliminated. 
Article 8 
The Commission shall examine the pians drawn up by the concerned Member 
States' authorities In order to ascertain whether they meet the conditions for 
their approval or whether they shculd be amended in any way. The plans 
including any amendments to them, shall be approved In accordance with the 
procedure provided for in Article 12. 
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Article 7 
The measure provided for In this Decision shall qualify for financial aid from 
the Community. 
Article 8 
1. Community financial assistance shall be granted for compensation to the 
owners of animals slaughtered In accordance with Article 4 for a period of 
three years from the date fixed by the Commission in Its decision 
approving the plans referred to In Article 1. 
2. The estimated assistance to be charged to the Community budget under the 
chapter covering expenditure relating to agriculture shall be 15 million 
ECU for the duration of the period provided for In paragraph 1. 
Article 9 
1. On condition that all the measures laid down are applied and are In com­
pliance with the plan approved pursuant to Article 12, the expenditure 
Incurred by the Member States under Article 4 shall qualify for Community 
financial aid within the limits laid down In Article 8. 
2. The Community shall reimburse the Member States 40 ecus per sheep and goat 
slaughtered under the eradication plan and the measures mentioned In 
Article 4. 
3. Detailed rules for the application of this Article shall be adopted, as 
required, In accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 12. 
Article 10 
1. Applications for payment shall relate to slaughterings by the Member 
States during the calendar year and shall be submitted to the Commission 
before 1 July of the following year. 
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2. The Commission shall decide on aid after consulting the Committee referred 
to in Article 12. 
3. Detailed rules for the application of this Article shall be adopted, as 
required, In accordance with the procedure laid down In Article 12. 
Article 11 
(1) Articles 8 and 9 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 729/70 shall apply mutatis mutandis 
Article 12 
1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Standing Veterinary Committee 
(hereinafter referred to as "the Committee"), set up by Council Decision 
68/361/EEC(2). 
2. Where the procedure laid down in this Article Is to be followed, the 
provisions set out below shall apply. 
3. The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft 
of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the 
draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the 
urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority laid 
down in Article 148(2) of the Treaty in the case of decisions which the Council 
is required to adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The votes of the 
representatives of the Member States within the committee shall be weighted 
in the manner set out in that Article. The chairman shall not vote. 
4. The Commission shall adopt the measures envisaged if they are in accordance 
with the opinion of the committee. 
(1) 0J No L 94, 28.4.1970, p. 13. 
(2) 0J No L 255, 18.10.1968, p. 23 
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5. If the measures envisaged are not in accordance with the opinion of the 
committee, or if no opinion is delivered, the Commission shall, without 
delay, submit to the Council a proposal relating to the measures to be 
taken. The Council shall act by a qualified majority. 
Article 13 
1. The Commission shall follow developments with regard to brucellosis in 
sheep and goats in the Member States and the Implementation of the eradi­
cation plans. 
The Commission shall Inform the Member States within the Committee of 
developments regularly, at least once a year, In the light of the Infor­
mation provided by the Member States' authorities, who shall submit a 
progress report to the Commission together with the applications for pay­
ment and any reports from experts who, acting on behalf of the Community 
and appointed by the Commission, have made on-the-spot visits. 
2. Should the eradication plan require amendment in the course of Its exe­
cution, a new decision approving It shall be taken In accordance with the 
procedure laid down in Article 12. 
Article 14 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 
Done at Brussels, For the Council 
The President 
FINANCIAL STATEMENT concerning: 
A proposal for a Council Decision introducing a Community financial measure for 
the eradication of brucellosis in sheep and goats (3 year programme). 
1. Budget heading : I tea : Title : 
381 Disease eradication programme within the Community 
2. legal basis : Article 43 of the Treaty 
3. Classification : , Coapulsory expend! tura/ltemttteHHri EQ^xj»» em* tone 
4. Purpose/description of the aeasure : 
To eradicate brucellosis in sheep and goats by providing financial aid for 
slaughtering infected animals within the context of a National or Regional 
plan. 
5. Method of calculation : Reimbursement of the rate of 40 ECU per slaughtered infected 
5.1 Fors of expenditure : animal 
5.2 Coaaunity contribution : 14.64 million ECU over 3 years chargeable to the EEC. 
5.3 Calculation : Compensation of owners of slaughtered animals at the rate of 40 ECU 
per animal (366.000 heads x 40 ecus « 14,64 MECU). 
Total: 14.64 million ECU over 3 years 
6. Financial iaplicattan as regards operating appropriations 
6.1 Schedule of ocvocbdieni appropriations a«k|M^ioflxyprip«*xtooiiac (a ECU) 
Year 
1990 P.M. 
1991 4.4 
19 92 * 4.96 
19 93 5.28 
19 94 P.M. ' 
following years 
Total * 14.64 
6.2 financing during current year : None 
7. Observations : 
This project is necessary to complete the internal market 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM (89) 498 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 03 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-89-494-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-54295-0 ' 0 
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