Introductory text

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^f1, and in particular Article 20 thereof,

Whereas:

Eradication of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in small ruminants, including bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) which is considered to be the cause of the fatal variant Creutzfeld Jacob disease in humans, is of major importance for animal health and consumer’s protection.

In sheep, selection towards resistant prion protein (PrP) genes is a major tool to achieve TSE eradication. Therefore minimum requirements for the establishment of breeding programmes for resistance to TSEs in sheep have been laid down in Commission Decision 2003/100/EC^f2. Very limited information is however available on TSE resistant PrP genes in goats.

Verification of the existence of TSE resistant genotypes in goats is necessary in order to develop community legislation in the veterinary field, in particular on the control and possible eradication of TSEs in such animals.

A bi-annual survey on TSEs resistant genotypes in goats was submitted by the Cypriot authorities in 2005, with a view to obtain financial support from the Community. The objectives of the survey are to further investigate the PrP gene of the Cyprus goats in order to confirm the results of previous preliminary studies where specific PrP polymorphisms were found indicating resistance against TSEs and to evaluate the data in order to be able to determine the baseline prevalence of TSE resistant PrP genes in goats. Cyprus has a very high prevalence of TSEs in goats and is therefore the appropriate Member State to carry out such pilot project. The survey intends to start on 1 January 2006.

The survey will be executed by the Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment of Cyprus. The Community Reference Laboratory for TSE will provide scientific supervision of the survey.

Pursuant to Article 3, paragraph 2, of Council Regulation (EC) No 1258/1999^f3, 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.

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. For budgetary reasons, Community assistance is decided each year.

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^f4.

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: