2003/660/EC: Commission Decision of 19 September 2003 concerning a financial contribution by the Community towards the eradication of Newcastle disease in Denmark in 2002 (notified under document number C(2003) 3302)

Commission Decision
of 19 September 2003
concerning a financial contribution by the Community towards the eradication of Newcastle disease in Denmark in 2002
(notified under document number C(2003) 3302)
(Only the Danish text is authentic)
(2003/660/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 Regulation (EC) No 806/2003(2), and in particular Articles 4(2) and 5(3) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Outbreaks of Newcastle disease occurred in Denmark in 2002, and the emergence of this disease poses a serious threat to Community livestock.
(2) In order to help eradicate the disease as rapidly as possible, the Community may contribute to the eligible expenditure incurred by the Member State, under the conditions laid down in Article 4(2) of Decision 90/424/EEC.
(3) Pursuant to Article 3(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1258/1999 of 17 May 1999 on the financing of the common agricultural policy(3), veterinary and plant health measures undertaken in accordance with Community rules are to be financed under the Guarantee section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund. Financial control of these measures comes under Articles 8 and 9 of the above Regulation.
(4) Payment of the Community financial contribution must be subject to the condition that the planned activities were actually implemented and that the authorities provide all the necessary information within the deadlines set.
(5) On 14 March 2003, Denmark submitted a rough estimate of the costs incurred in taking measures to eradicate the disease. The estimated amount is DKK 58 million.
(6) It is now time to set the amount of an advance on the Community financial contribution, pending checks to be carried out by the Commission. This advance must be equal to 50 % of the Community contribution, established on the basis of the estimated costs of compensation for the slaughter of animals and other costs.
(7) It is necessary to define the term "swift and adequate compensation of the livestock farmers", used in Article 3(2) of Decision 90/424/EEC, as well as the terms "reasonable payments" and "justified payments" and the categories of expenditure eligible under "other costs" associated with the compulsory slaughter of animals and the compulsory destruction of eggs.
(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,