PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION INTRODUCING A COMMUNITY FINANCIAL MEASURE FOR THE ERADICATION OF BRUCELLOSIS IN SHEEP AND GOATS
Date: 1989-10-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU financing, brucellosis, decontamination, goat, sheep, veterinary inspection

COMMISSION  OF THE  EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

COM(89) 498 final 

Brussels, 17 October 1989 

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eradication  of  b r u c e l l o s is  in  sheep  and  goats 

introducing  a  Community  f i n a n c i al  measure  f or  the 

Proposal  f or  a 

COUNCIL  DECISION 

(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; 

-  2 -

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; 

-  3 -

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. 

- 4 -

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, 

-  5 -

- 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, 

- 6 -

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. 

-  7  -

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. 

- 8 -

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 

Articles 8 and  9 of  Council Regulation  (EEC) No 729/70 

shall apply mutatis mutandis 

(1) 

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 

-  9 -

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 

F I N A N C I AL 

S T A T E M E NT 

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  : 

381 

Title  : 

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  : 

a n i m al 

5.2  Coaaunity  contribution  :  1 4 . 64  m i l l i on  ECU  o v er  3  y e a rs  c h a r g e a b le 

to 

t he  EEC. 

5.3  Calculation  :  Compensation  of  owners  of  s l a u g h t e r ed  a n i m a ls  at 

t he  r a te  of  40  ECU 

per  a n i m al  ( 3 6 6 . 0 00  heads  x  40  ecus  «  1 4 , 64  MECU). 

T o t a l: 

1 4 . 64  m i l l i on  ECU  over  3  y e a rs 

Financial  iaplicattan  as  regards  operating  appropriations 

6. 
6.1  Schedule  of  ocvocbdieni  appropriations  a«k|M^ioflxyprip«*xtooiiac  (a  ECU) 

Year 
1990 
1991 
19  92 
19  93 
19  94 
following  years 

Total 

* 

* 

6.2 

financing  during  current  year  :  None 

P . M. 
4 .4 
4 . 96 
5 . 28 
P . M.  ' 

1 4 . 64 

7.  Observations  : 

This  p r o j e ct 

is  n e c e s s a ry 

to  complete 

t he 

i n t e r n al  m a r k et 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM (89) 498 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

03 

Catalogue number : CB-CO-89-494-EN-C 

ISBN 92-77-54295-0 

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