2000/71/EC: Commission Decision of 20 December 1999 concerning a specific financial contribution by the Community relating to epidemiological surveillance of certain animal diseases in areas at risk in Greece (notified under document number C(1999) 4680) (Only the Greek text is authentic)
Date: 1999-12-20
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU aid, Greece, animal disease, epidemiology, financial aid, health risk

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Official Journal of the European Communities

L 24/53

II

(Acts whose publication is not obligatory)

COMMISSION

COMMISSION DECISION

of 20 December 1999

concerning a specific financial contribution by the Community relating to epidemiological surveil-
lance of certain animal diseases in areas at risk in Greece

(notified under document number C(1999) 4680)

(Only the Greek text is authentic)

(2000/71/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 Council Decision 94/370/EC (2) and, in particular, Article 6
thereof;

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

in 1994 and in 1996 the foot-and-mouth disease virus
was introduced into Greece from abroad;

in 1996, 1997 and 1998 sheep pox was introduced into
Greece from abroad;

in 1998 and in 1999 bluetongue entered Greece from
abroad;

viral diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest,
sheep and goat pox, bluetongue and small ruminant pest
should be considered as exotic diseases on the territory
of the Member States of the EU;

the appearance of exotic diseases is a serious threat to
the Community's livestock and the presence of these
diseases causes obstacles to trade at national and inter-
national

level;

the Community has the possibility of providing financial
assistance to Member States in order to rapidly eradicate
foot-and-mouth
certain animal

including

diseases

disease, rinderpest, sheep and goat pox, bluetongue and
small ruminant pest;

it is necessary that Greece has a high level of disease
surveillance and preparedness for the eradication of
exotic diseases and in particular in areas considered to
be at a special epidemiological risk;

an epidermo-surveillance programme entitled EVROS
(Epidemo-vigilance rotational system), designed to detect
foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest, sheep and goat pox,
bluetongue and small ruminant pest, for areas of Greece
considered as special risk areas, has been prepared by
Greece;

the said programme when carried out can provide
valuable information on the disease situation in the areas
covered by the programme;

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

the programme has been designed for implementation in
special epidemiological risk areas;

(11)

in the light of
the importance of a high level of
preparedness at all levels engaged in disease surveillance
and eradication it is appropriate to provide financial
assistance to cover certain costs incurred by Greece;

(12)

for budgetary reasons this Decision shall consider finan-
cial aspects for a period of 12 months;

(1) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 19.
(2) OJ L 168, 2.7.1994, p. 31.

(13)

the financial assistance provided shall be up to a
maximum of EUR 300 000;

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29. 1. 2000

(14)

(15)

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;

for supervisory purposes Articles 8 and 9 of Council
Regulation (EEC) No 729/70 of 21 April 1970 on
financing of the common agricultural policy (1), as last
amended by Regulation (EC) No 1258/1999 (2), should
apply;

(16)

the measures provided for in this Decision are in accord-
ance with the opinion of
the Standing Veterinary
Committee,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The

epidemio-surveillance programme

1.
foot-and-
mouth disease, rinderpest, sheep and goat pox, bluetongue and
small ruminant pest presented by Greece is hereby approved
for a period of twelve months starting on 1 January 2000. The
objective and the main elements of the programme are shown
in Annex I.

for

2.
The financial assistance from the Community for the
programme referred to in paragraph 1 shall be 70 % of the
and up to a maximum of
costs
EUR 300 000. The financial assistance shall be provided for
actions listed in Annex II.

incurred by Greece

(b) forwarding a report to the Commission every three months
on the progress of the programme and the costs incurred.
The information provided in the report shall cover the
points shown in Annex III.

(c) forwarding a final report on the technical execution of the
programme accompanied by justifying evidence as to the
costs incurred by 1 April 2001 at the latest,

and provided that Community veterinary legislation has
been respected.

Article 3

The Commission,

1.
in collaboration with the competent
national authorities, may carry out on-the-spot checks to
ensure that the measures and assisted expenditure have been
carried out.

The Commission shall
outcome of the checks.

inform the Member States of

the

Articles 8 and 9 of Regulation (EC) No 1258/1999 shall

2.
apply mutatis mutandis.

The financial contribution of the Community may only
3.
be granted if the programme has been implemented in line
with Community rules.

Article 4

This Decision is addressed to Greece.

Article 2

Done at Brussels, 20 December 1999.

The financial assistance referred to under Article 1(2) shall be
granted to Greece subject to:

(a) bringing into force by 1 January 2000 the laws, regulations
the

implementing

for

and administrative provisions
programme;

For the Commission

David BYRNE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 94, 28.4.1970, p. 13.
(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 103.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

L 24/55

Epidemio-surveillance programme for foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest, sheep and goat pox, bluetongue and
small ruminant pest in certain areas of Greece

ANNEX I

Objective

The epidemio-surveillance programme referred to in Article 1(1) has the objective:

— to enhance disease surveillance in certain geographical areas of Greece considered to be special epidemiological risk

areas

— to initiate early and rapid disease control measures when deemed necessary.

Furthermore, it has the objective to strengthen the lines of communication between staff making observations in the field,
staff working in diagnostic laboratories and staff analysing epidemiological data at the national crisis management centre.

Main elements of epidemio-surveillance programme

The epidemio-surveillance programme is designed to detect at farm level clinical signs of exotic diseases (foot-and-mouth
disease, rinderpest, sheep and goat pox, small ruminant pest and bluetongue) and to detect the presence of antibodies for
the mentioned diseases in selectively collected blood samples. The programme takes into account that the livestock
population subjected to the surveillance for foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest, sheep and goat pox and small ruminant
pest, is kept in areas defined as zone A (special epidemiological risk area) and zone B (considerable epidemiological risk
area), respectively. The programme for bluetongue surveillance takes into account the biology of potential vectors.

The implementation of the programme shall be based on the actions and measures shown below:

A. Surveillance for foot-and-mouth disease, sheep and goat pox and small ruminant pest

1. In zone A all the villages and settlements will be subjected to a surveillance which includes:

(a) clinical inspection of 60 randomly selected sheep or goats from which six (6) animals will be randomly selected

and subjected to a thorough clinical examination;

(b) clinical

inspection of all bovine holdings;

(c) collection and serological examination of blood samples obtained from 60 randomly selected sheep and goats;

(d) monitoring of animals being moved out of zone A; all bovine, sheep and goats being moved out of zone A for
rearing or reproduction purposes shall be subject to a clinical examination prior to movement; sheep and goats
shall be subject to a serological test for foot-and-mouth disease, sheep pox and small ruminant pest;

(e) monitoring at slaughterhouses situated in zone A; a random sample of 10 % of sheep and goats slaughtered
each day shall be subjected to a serological test for foot-and-mouth disease, sheep pox and small ruminant pest.

2. In zone B, the surveillance programme will

include that:

(a) a random sample of 20 % of the villages and settlements shall be subjected to the measures listed under 1(a),

(b) and (c);

(b) a random sample of 10 % of the sheep, goats and bovines being moved out of zone B to areas not subjected to
the programme for rearing or reproduction purposes shall be subject to the measures shown in 1(d);

(c) animals brought to a slaughterhouse situated in zone B are subject to surveillance as listed under 1(e).

3. The measures described under A(1)(a), A(1)(b), A(1)(c) and A(2)(a) shall be carried out at least once every four

months.

B. Surveillance for bluetongue

The epidemio-surveillance programme for bluetongue will

include:

1. C l i n i c a l e x a m i n a t i o n o f s h e e p

Sheep subject to a clinical examination within the framework of Section A, 1(a) and 2(a) will during the months of
July to December be examined for signs and symptoms associated with bluetongue infection.

2. S e r o l o g i c a l

t e s t i n g

Sentinel bovines aged over six (6) months in groups of five to ten animals will during the period July to December
be subject to monthly serological tests. The sentinel groups of bovines shall be kept at locations situated in the
proximity of likely breeding sites of potential vectors.

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3. C o l l e c t i o n a n d i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f p o t e n t i a l b l u e t o n g u e v e c t o r s

Insects shall be collected by means of light traps placed near likely potential vector breeding sites. Collections shall
be carried out during the months of July to December with intervals of about two weeks. Insects shall be identified
and the presence, density and geographical distribution of potential vectors shall be recorded.

Management of the epidemio-surveillance programme

The department of infectious diseases of the Animal Health Directorate, the Ministry of Agriculture shall carry out the
management of the epidemo-surveillance programme referred to in Article 1(1) of this Decision.

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ANNEX II

PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION BUDGET

Virology laboratory, Athen

1
1.1. Procurement of consumable materials and reagents
1.2. Maintenance of equipment
1.3. Staff remuneration (12 months × GRD 500 000)
1.4. Staff training

Foot-and-mouth disease and exotic diseases institute, Athens

2.
2.1. Procurement of permanent materials and equipment
2.2. Procurement of consumable materials and reagents
2.3. Maintenance of equipment
2.4. Staff remuneration (12 months × GRD 300 000)
2.5. Staff training

3.
Parasitology and entomology laboratory, Athens
3.1. Procurement of permanent materials and equipment
3.2. Procurement of consumable materials and reagents
3.3. Maintenance of equipment
3.4. Staff remuneration (12 months × GRD 150 000)
3.5. Staff training

(GRD)

5 000 000
5 000 000
6 000 000
3 000 000

Subtotal 1

19 000 000

5 000 000
5 000 000
5 000 000
3 600 000
3 000 000

Subtotal 2

21 600 000

5 000 000
3 000 000
1 500 000
1 800 000
700 000

Subtotal 3

12 000 000

Evros, Rodopi, Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Dodekanisa veterinary services

4.
4.1. Staff remuneration for clinical and epidemiological surveillance (50 persons × GRD 10 000)
4.2. Consumable materials
4.3. Maintenance and technical support of databases

60 000 000
5 000 000
3 000 000

Subtotal 4

68 000 000

5. National crisis management centre
5.1. Staff remuneration and control of the programme (5 persons × 240 days × GRD 10 000)
5.2. Miscellaneous expenses

12 000 000
1 000 000

Purchase of hardware and development of software

6.
6.1. Purchase of PC (13 × GRD 500 000)
6.2. Purchase of printers (13 × GRD 200 000)
6.3. Purchase of modems (13 × GRD 100 000)
6.4. Development and expansion of software
6.5. Training of staff
6.6. Maintenance of equipment

Subtotal 5

13 000 000

6 500 000
2 600 000
1 300 000
2 500 000
2 500 000
600 000

Sub-total 6

16 000 000

Grand total 149 600 000

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Technical and financial information related to implementation of an epidemio-surveillance programme, Greece

ANNEX III

SECTION A

TECHNICAL REPORT ON EPIDEMIO-SURVEILLANCE

Reporting period from . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1. Inspection of animals and insect collections

Place of action

Number of clinical

inspections of

Sheep and goats

Bovines

Number of insect
collections in light traps

Evros: Zone A:
Zone B:

Rodopi

Lesvos

Chios

Samos

Dodekanisa

Total

2. Clinical examination of animals

Place of action

Number of clinical examinations of

Randomly selected sheep
and goats

Sheep, goats and bovines prior
to movement

Evros: Zone A:
Zone B:

Rodopi

Lesvos

Chios

Samos

Dodekanisa

Total

3. Collection of blood samples

Place of action

Randomly selected
sheep and goats

Sentinel
bovines

Animals prior
to movement

Animals
at slaughter-houses

Number of blood samples collected from

Evros: Zone A:
Zone B:

Rodopi

Lesvos

Chios

Samos

Dodekanisa

Total

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4. Examination carried out at diagnostic laboratories

Place of action

Number of blood samples examined for

Foot-and-
mouth
disease

Sheep and
goat pox

Small
ruminant
pest

Blue-tongue

Number
of consignments
of insects collected
in light traps

1. Virology laboratory, Athens

2. Foot-and-mouth disease and exotic

disease institute, Athens

3. Parasitology and entomology labora-

tory, Athens

Total

5. Description of epidemiological situation (results and analysis of results from clinical inspections, clinical

examinations, serological tests and entomological examinations)

6. Name and address of reporting authority:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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SECTION B

STATEMENT ON COST INCURRED FOR EPIDEMO-SURVEILLANCE (1)

Reporting period from . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Reference number of Commission Decision providing financial assistance: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Costs incurred related to functions at/by

Costs incurred during the reporting period (national currency)

1. Virology laboratory, Athens

2. Foot-and-mouth disease and exotic disease Institute,

Athens

3. Parasitology and entomology laboratory, Athens

4. Veterinary services:

Evros

Rodopi

Lesvos

Chios

Samos

Dodekanisa

5. National crisis management centre

6. Purchase of hardware and development of software

Grand total

(1) When presenting the final report referred to in article 2(c), for each item a listing of all expenditures shall be provided together with the

copy of the supporting document.