2009/142/EC: Commission Decision of 18 February 2009 on a financial contribution from the Community towards emergency measures to combat avian influenza in the United Kingdom in 2008 (notified under document number C(2009) 977)
Date: 2009-02-18
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU aid, EU financing, United Kingdom, animal disease, bird, disease prevention, emergency aid

19.2.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 48/17

COMMISSION DECISION

of 18 February 2009

on a financial contribution from the Community towards emergency measures to combat avian
influenza in the United Kingdom in 2008

(notified under document number C(2009) 977)

(Only the English text is authentic)

(2009/142/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

Having regard to Council Decision 90/424/EEC of 26 June
1990 on expenditure in the veterinary field (1), and in particular
Articles 3(3) and 3a(1) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease of poultry
and other captive birds with a severe impact on the
profitability of poultry farming causing disturbance to
intra-community trade and export to third countries.

In the event of an outbreak of avian influenza, there is a
risk that the disease agent might spread to other poultry
holdings within that Member State, but also to other
Member States and to third countries through trade in
live poultry or their products.

Council Directive 2005/94/EC of 20 December 2005 on
Community measures for the control of avian influenza
and repealing Directive 92/40/EEC (2) sets out measures
which in the event of an outbreak have to be immedi­
ately implemented by Member States as a matter of
urgency to prevent further spread of the virus.

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

emergency measures. Pursuant
that
Decision, Member States shall obtain a financial contri­
bution towards the costs of certain measures to eradicate
avian influenza.

to Article 3a of

Article 3a(3),
first and second indents of Decision
90/424/EEC lay down rules on the percentage of the
costs
incurred by the Member State that may be
covered by the Community’s financial contribution.

to

eradicate

emergency measures

The payment of a Community financial contribution
avian
towards
influenza is subject to the rules laid down in Commission
Regulation (EC) No 349/2005 of 28 February 2005
laying down rules on the Community financing of
emergency measures and of the campaign to combat
certain
Council Decision
animal
90/424/EEC (3).

diseases

under

Outbreaks of avian influenza occurred in the United
2008.
Kingdom in
The United Kingdom took
measures,
accordance with Council Directive
in
2005/94/EC to combat those outbreaks.

The United Kingdom has fully complied with its technical
and administrative obligations as set out in Article 3(3)
of Decision 90/424/EEC and Article 6 of Regulation (EC)
No 349/2005.

On 1 August 2008 and 3 September 2008, the United
Kingdom submitted an estimate of the costs incurred in
taking measures to eradicate avian influenza.

(4)

Decision
governing
towards

90/424/EEC lays
the Community’s
specific

down

the

financial

veterinary measures,

procedures
contribution
including

(10)

The measures provided for
accordance with
Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

in this Decision are in
Standing
the

opinion

the

of

(1) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 19.
(2) OJ L 10, 14.1.2006, p. 16.

(3) OJ L 55, 1.3.2005, p. 12.

L 48/18

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

19.2.2009

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Financial contribution from the Community to the United Kingdom

A financial contribution from the Community may be granted to the United Kingdom towards the costs
incurred by that Member State in taking measures pursuant
to Article 3a(2) and (3) of Decision
90/424/EEC, to combat avian influenza in 2008.

Article 2

Addressee

This Decision is addressed to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Done at Brussels, 18 February 2009.

For the Commission

Androulla VASSILIOU
Member of the Commission