Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 2000/75/EC of 20 November 2000 laying down specific provisions for the control and eradication of bluetongue^f1, and in particular Article 9(2) thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision 90/424/EEC of 26 June 1990 on expenditure in the veterinary field^f2, and in particular Article 3(3), (4) and (5), second indent, thereof,

Whereas:

Outbreaks of bluetongue have occurred in France, and more particularly in Corsica, since the year 2000.

On 13 September 2004 France declared new outbreaks of bluetongue in Corsica. The presence of serotypes 2, 4 and 16 was confirmed.

Outbreaks of bluetongue represent a serious risk to the Community’s livestock population.

Various decisions, notably the latest one, Decision 2005/393/EC of 23 May 2005 on protection and surveillance zones in relation to bluetongue and conditions applying to movements from or through these zones^f3, have been adopted by the Commission in order to demarcate the protection and surveillance zones and to set out the conditions governing movements of animals from these zones.

Bluetongue is a disease transmitted exclusively by ‘mosquitoes’, therefore the only measures which are apposite, of all those provided for in Article 3(2) of Decision 90/424/EEC, are those aimed either at protecting animals against attacks from the vectors (treatment with insecticides, confining the animals indoors at the times when the vectors are active) or at preventing the spread of the epidemic through movements of animals (Decision 2005/393/EC). The slaughter of animals of susceptible species is not an apposite measure except in the case of animals clinically affected with bluetongue.

The virus continues to circulate and the protection provided by the vaccine lasts for only one year, therefore vaccination against bluetongue must be repeated each year in order to block the progression of the epidemic. Due to the evolution of the disease, it is therefore advisable to implement a vaccination campaign in the protection zones established around outbreaks of bluetongue.

1. (a)

   reduce mortality in sheep;

2. (b)

   prevent viraemia in cattle and thus enable cattle to be moved from restricted zones.

France has presented a vaccination plan which involves the use of the new inactivated vaccine (serotype 2) now available.

On 23 November 2004 France submitted a claim for reimbursement of the expenditure incurred in connection with the vaccination campaign. According to the information available, approximately 300 000 doses of inactivated vaccine (serotype 2) were purchased.

The financial contribution from the Community must be 100 % of the cost of supply of the vaccine and 50 % of the costs incurred in carrying out the vaccination. Pending checks by the Commission, it is now necessary to set the amount for payment of the first instalment of the Community financial assistance.

In accordance with Article 3(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1258/1999 of 17 May 1999 on the financing of the common agricultural policy^f4, veterinary and plant health measures undertaken in accordance with Community rules are financed by the ‘Guarantee’ section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund. The auditing of these measures comes under Articles 8 and 9 of the said Regulation.

The payment of the financial contribution from the Community must be subject to the condition that the actions planned have actually been carried out and that the authorities supply all the necessary information within the time limits laid down.

The French authorities have fulfilled all their technical and administrative obligations with regard to the measures provided for in Article 3 of Decision 90/424/EEC.

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: