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:

Council Decision 90/424/EEC provides for a Community financial contribution for the undertaking of technical and scientific measures necessary for the development of Community veterinary legislation and for veterinary education or training.

Commission Decision 2006/101/EC on the implementation of survey programmes for avian influenza in poultry and wild birds to be carried out in the Member States in 2006^f2 provides for the implementation in the period from February to December 2006 of such surveys subject to those survey programmes being approved by the Commission. Those surveys are to investigate the presence of infections in poultry, which could lead to a review of current Community legislation and contribute to the knowledge of the possible threats for animals and humans from the wildlife.

The survey programmes submitted by Member States have been examined by the Commission in accordance with that Decision.

The Commission has found that the survey programmes submitted by the Member States comply with Decision 2006/101/EC. Those survey programmes should therefore be approved.

In the light of the importance of those survey programmes for the achievement of Community objectives in the field of animal and public health, it is appropriate to fix the Community financial contribution at 50 % of the costs to be incurred by the Member States concerned for the measures referred to in this Decision up to a maximum amount for each survey programme.

Expenditures in relation to the survey programmes approved by this Decision that have been incurred since 1 February 2006 should also be considered eligible for co-financing by the Community.

Furthermore, it is appropriate to lay down rules for reporting the results of the surveys and for the eligibility of the costs contained in the financial claim for a Community financial contribution for the costs incurred by Member States for the implementation of the survey programmes.

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: