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 Articles 3(3) and 3a(1) thereof,

Whereas:

Decision 90/424/EEC lays down the procedures governing the Community’s financial contribution towards specific veterinary measures, including emergency measures. Pursuant to Article 3a of that Decision, Member States may obtain a Community financial contribution towards the costs of certain measures to eradicate avian influenza.

Article 3a(3) of Decision 90/424/EEC lays down rules on the percentage of the costs incurred by Member States that may be covered by the Community’s financial contribution.

Commission Regulation (EC) No 349/2005 of 28 February 2005 laying down rules on the Community financing of emergency measures and of the campaign to combat certain animal diseases under Council Decision 90/424/EEC^f2, following the amendment of Decision 90/424/EEC by Decision 2006/53/EC^f3, no longer covers avian influenza. It is therefore necessary to expressly provide in the present Decision that the granting of a financial contribution to the United Kingdom is subject to compliance with certain rules laid down in Regulation (EC) No 349/2005.

Outbreaks of avian influenza occurred in the United Kingdom in 2007. The emergence of that disease represents a serious risk to the Community’s livestock population. The United Kingdom took measures, as referred to in Article 3a(2) of Decision 90/424/EEC, to combat those outbreaks.

The United Kingdom has fully complied with its technical and administrative obligations as set out in Articles 3(3) and 3a(2) of Decision 90/424/EEC and Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 349/2005.

The United Kingdom submitted to the Commission information on the costs incurred on 13 December 2007, and has continued to provide all necessary information on costs of compensation and operational expenditure.

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: