2005/245/: Commission Decision of 18 March 2005 concerning a specific financial contribution by the Community relating to the surveillance programme of campylobacter in broilers presented by Sweden for the year 2005 (notified under document number C(2005) 759)

22.3.2005 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 75/40
COMMISSION DECISION
of 18 March 2005
concerning a specific financial contribution by the Community relating to the surveillance programme of campylobacter in broilers presented by Sweden for the year 2005
(notified under document number C(2005) 759)
(Only the Swedish text is authentic)
(2005/245/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), and in particular Articles 19 and 20 thereof;
Whereas:
(1) The protection of human health against diseases and infections directly or indirectly transmissible from animals to man (zoonoses) is of paramount importance.
(2) A multi-annual national surveillance programme of campylobacter in broilers was submitted by the Swedish authorities in 2000, with a view to obtaining financial support from the Community. The aim of the programme is to estimate the baseline prevalence both in primary production and in the food chain, and to progressively reinforce implementation of hygienic measures in farms with a view to lowering the prevalence at farm level and subsequently along the food chain. The programme was approved by the Commission and Community financial assistance afforded to it for an appropriate period of time within a maximum of four years, to cover certain costs incurred by Sweden and to collect valuable technical and scientific information. The programme started from 1 July 2001.
(3) For budgetary reasons, Community assistance is decided each year. By Commission Decisions 2001/29/EC (2), 2001/866/EC (3), 2002/989/EC (4) and 2003/864/EC (5), the Community provided financial assistance respectively for the second semester of the year 2001 and for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004.
(4) The Swedish authorities presented on 28 May 2004 a programme for Community financial assistance during 2005, and a revised programme on 2 and 17 November 2004. On this basis, it appears appropriate to extend by six months the total period for financial assistance by the Community beyond the initially agreed total period of four years, thus providing assistance for the period 1 January to 31 December 2005. The financial assistance provided by the Community for this period should be fixed up to a maximum of EUR 160 000.
(5) Pursuant to Article 3(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1258/1999 (6), veterinary and plant health measures undertaken in accordance with Community rules shall be financed under the Guarantee Section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund; for financial control purposes, Articles 8 and 9 of Regulation (EC) No 1258/1999 apply.
(6) A financial contribution from the Community shall be granted in so far as the actions provided for are effectively carried out and provided that the authorities furnish all the necessary information within the time limits provided for.
(7) There is a need to clarify the rate to be used for the conversion of the payment applications submitted in national currency as defined in Article 1(d) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2799/98 of 15 December 1998 establishing agrimonetary arrangements for the euro (7).
(8) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health.