Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION amending Council Decision 90/424/EEC on expenditure in the veterinary field

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) is a viral disease that was considered exotic to the Community until an outbreak occurred in Scotland in May 1998. The disease was already present in Norway for about 10 years and in Canada since 1997. It provokes important losses in Salmon farms.

The disease control measures in case of an outbreak are laid down in Council Directive 93/53/EEC. This Directive imposes compulsory slaughter of all fish in infected farms, in accordance with a scheme established by the competent authority.

Bluetongue is a vector borne viral disease of sheep, goats, cattle and other ruminants. Until 1998 the disease was considered exotic to the Community, when it occurred in Greece. During the year 2000, the disease has spread to Italy (Sardinia, Sicily, Calabria), France (Corsica) and Spain (Balearic Islands). The Council has adopted control measures on 14 November 2000 (Commission proposal COM(1999)368 final), which take into account the epidemiology of this vector born disease.

In order to assist the aquaculture and sheep farming sectors, it is proposed to extend the scope of Council Decision 90/424/EEC to include ISA and bluetongue as diseases for which a financial contribution can be granted. Under the regime proposed, the Member States concerned shall present to the Commission a programme indicating all financial and technical details necessary to make an evaluation of the programme. These programmes must be approved by the Commission prior to granting a financial contribution. The financial contribution can be granted for different control actions related to the control of diseases, including costs of sampling and sample analysis, vaccination schemes, the control of vectors of bluetongue, the slaughter of animals, etc.

With regard to the bluetongue, the level of the financial contribution is fixed at 50% of the costs incurred in the Member State by way of compensation for owners for the slaughter of the animals.

With regard to ISA, Council Regulation (EC) N° 2792/1999 of 17 December 1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector, and in particular its Article 15(3)(g) is the appropriate legal basis for that purpose. The level of financial participation conforms to the general provisions of the Structural Funds, i.e. up to 75% of the cost incurred in the Member State in Objective 1 Regions, respectively up to 50% in other Regions.

Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION amending Council Decision 90/424/EEC on expenditure in the veterinary field

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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/EEC [2], and in particular Article 24(1) thereof,

[1] OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 19.

[2] OJ L 168, 2.7.1994, p. 33.

Having regard to the proposal of the Commission [3],

[3] OJ L

Whereas:

(1) Decision 90/424/EEC provides for the possibility of a financial contribution from the Community for the eradication and monitoring of the diseases contained in the list annexed to that Decision.

(2) The list may be supplemented or amended to take account of developments in the health situation in the Community.

(3) Infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) is a new disease that appeared for the first time in the Community in 1998 which has the potential of causing important losses for the salmon farming industry.

(4) Whereas it is important that ISA is controlled so as to prevent its further spread to other areas.

(5) Bluetongue is an arthropod-borne viral disease of sheep, goats, cattle and other ruminants.

(6) In 1998 bluetongue entered from abroad the territory of the European Union and spread via infected vectors.

(7) Certain areas of the European Union must, due to climatic conditions, be considered as bluetongue high risk areas.

(8) Decision 90/424/EEC provides for emergency measures caused by bluetongue outbreaks; a Community financial contribution is also required for monitoring and certain control measures including vaccination in bluetongue high risk areas or in areas where the disease is endemic.

(9) In the light of these developments, ISA and bluetongue should be added to the list in question so that a Community financial contribution can be obtained for the implementation of programmes for the eradication and monitoring of these diseases.

(10) In order to be eligible for a Community financial contribution, the relevant requirements of Decision 90/424/EEC and, with regard to ISA Council Directive 93/53/EEC introducing minimum Community measures for the control of certain fish diseases [4], as last amended by the Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden, must be respected.

[4] OJ L 175, 19.7.1993, p. 23.

(11) Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 of 17 December 1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector [5] and in particular Article 15, paragraph 3(g) thereof, is the appropriate legal basis for ensuring a financial assistance with regard to Infectious Salmon Anaemia; therefore the provisions of Title III of Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds [6] are applicable by derogation to those provided for under article 24, paragraphs 5, 6, second sentence, 8 and 9 of Decision 90/424/EEC.

[5] OJ L 337, 30.12.1999, p. 10.

[6] OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 1.

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The following indents shall be added to group 1 of the Annex to Decision 90/424/EEC:

"- Infectious salmon anaemia (ISA)*

- Bluetongue in endemic or high risk areas"

* Disease control actions for ISA are eligible for a Community financial contribution under Article 15(3)(g) of Regulation (EC) N° 2792/1999 only. For such actions the provisions of Title III of Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds are applicable by derogation to those provided for under article 24, paragraphs 5, 6, second sentence, 8 and 9 of Decision 90/424/EEC.

Article 2

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President