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 28(2) thereof,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules^f2, and in particular Article 32(7) thereof,

Whereas:

Pursuant to Article 28(1) of Decision 90/424/EEC Community reference laboratories in the field of animal health and live animals may be granted Community aid.

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1754/2006 of 28 November 2006 laying down detailed rules for the granting of Community financial assistance to Community reference laboratories for feed and food and the animal health sector^f3 provides that the financial assistance from the Community is to be granted if the approved work programmes are efficiently carried out and the beneficiaries supply all the necessary information within certain time limits.

In accordance with Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 1754/2006 the relationship between the Commission and Community reference laboratories is laid down in a partnership agreement which is supported by a multi-annual work programme.

The Commission has assessed the work programmes and corresponding budget estimates submitted by the Community reference laboratories for the second half of the year 2008.

• Council Directive 2006/88/EC of 24 October 2006 on animal health requirements for aquaculture animals and products thereof, and on the prevention and control of certain diseases in aquatic animals^f4,

• Commission Regulation (EC) No 180/2008 of 28 February 2008 concerning the Community reference laboratory for equine diseases other than African horse sickness and amending Annex VII to Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council^f5,

• Commission Regulation (EC) No 737/2008 of 28 July 2008 designating the Community reference laboratories for crustacean diseases, rabies and bovine tuberculosis, laying down additional responsibilities and tasks for the Community reference laboratories for rabies and bovine tuberculosis and amending Annex VII to Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council^f6.

Financial assistance for the operation and organisation of workshops of Community reference laboratories should also be in conformity with the eligibility rules laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1754/2006.

In accordance with Article 3(2)(a) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 of 21 June 2005 on the financing of the common agricultural policy^f7 animal disease eradication and control programmes (veterinary measures) shall be financed from the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund. Furthermore, Article 13, second paragraph of the Regulation foresees that in duly justified exceptional cases, for measures and programmes covered by Decision 90/424/EEC, expenditure relating to administrative and personnel costs incurred by Member States and beneficiaries of aid from the EAGF shall be borne by the Fund. For financial control purposes, Articles 9, 36 and 37 of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 are to apply.

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: