Commission Decision

of 23 June 2006

establishing the Community’s financial contribution to the expenditure incurred in the context of the emergency measures taken to combat classical swine fever in Luxembourg in 2002

(notified under document number C(2006) 2410)

(Only the French text is authentic)

(2006/434/EC)

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 [1], and in particular Article 3(3) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Outbreaks of classical swine fever occurred in Luxembourg in 2002. The emergence of this disease presented a serious risk for the Community's livestock population.

(2) In order to prevent the spread of the disease and to help eradicate it as quickly as possible, the Community should contribute financially towards the eligible expenditure incurred by the Member State under the emergency measures taken to combat the disease, as provided for in Decision 90/424/EEC.

(3) Commission Decision 2003/491/EC of 3 July 2003 on a financial contribution from the Community towards the eradication of classical swine fever in Luxembourg in 2002 [2] granted a financial contribution from the Community to Luxembourg towards the expenditure incurred under the emergency measures to combat classical swine fever implemented in 2002.

(4) In accordance with that Decision, a first instalment of EUR 500000 was granted.

(5) Pursuant to that Decision, the balance of the Community contribution is to be based on the application submitted by Luxembourg on 17 July 2003, documents setting out the figures quoted in the application, and the results of the in situ checks carried out by the Commission. The amount set out in the application submitted by Luxembourg was EUR 3253235, for which the Community financial contribution may not be higher than 50 % of the total eligible expenditure.

(6) In view of those considerations, the total amount of the Community’s financial contribution to the eligible expenditure incurred associated with the eradication of classical swine fever in Luxembourg in 2002 should now be fixed.

(7) The results of the checks carried out by the Commission in compliance with the Community veterinary rules and the conditions for granting Community financial support mean the entire amount of the expenditure submitted cannot be recognised as eligible for a Community financial contribution.

(8) The Commission’s observations and method of calculating the eligible expenditure were communicated to Luxembourg in a letter dated 4 November 2005.

(9) The Commission’s final conclusions were sent to Luxembourg on 18 January 2006, taking into account the additional information sent by Luxembourg to the Commission on 15 December 2005.

(10) 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:

Article 1

The total Community financial contribution towards the expenditure associated with eradicating classical swine fever in Luxembourg in 2002 pursuant to Decision 2003/491/EC is fixed at EUR 1589734.

Since a first instalment of EUR 500000 has already been paid pursuant to Decision 2003/491/EC, the balance of EUR 1089734 shall be paid to Luxembourg.

Article 2

This Decision is addressed to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Done at Brussels, 23 June 2006.

For the Commission

Markos Kyprianou

Member of the Commission

[1] OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 19. Decision as last amended by Decision 2006/53/EC (OJ L 29, 2.2.2006, p. 37).

[2] OJ L 168, 5.7.2003, p. 23.

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