COMMISSION DECISION

of 27 August 1999

concerning a special Community financial contribution towards the eradication of bluetongue in Bulgaria by means of vaccination in the infected regions

(notified under document number C(1999) 2835)

(1999/606/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), as last amended by Decision 94/370/EC(2), and in particular Article 8 thereof,

(1) Whereas outbreaks of bluetongue have occurred in Bulgaria in the regions of Bourgas, Jambol and Hasskovo; whereas protective measures were adopted by Commission Decision 1999/542/EC(3) with regard to imports of certain animals from Bulgaria due to an outbreak of bluetongue;

(2) Whereas the epidemic has continued to spread since the first outbreaks and the available epidemiological data do not give any reason to hope for a change in this situation;

(3) Whereas the spread of this disease in this part of Eastern Europe represents a threat to the Community and must be stopped;

(4) Whereas vaccination is the only means of combating the spread of the epidemic; whereas it also helps limit mortality in flocks in the affected areas;

(5) Whereas, therefore, Bulgaria's efforts to eradicate the disease should be supported in accordance with Article 8 of Decision 90/424/EEC;

(6) Whereas Bulgaria has requested help from the Community with the acquisition of 100000 doses of vaccines;

(7) Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Bulgaria may obtain a financial contribution from the Community for the acquisition of 100000 doses of bluetongue vaccine for an emergency vaccination campaign in the provinces of Bourgas, Jambol and Hasskovo.

Article 2

The financial contribution referred to in Article 1 shall be granted on condition that the Bulgarian authorities undertake to implement the following measures in the provinces referred to in Article 1:

- legal provisions making vaccination compulsory within the infected zone and surrounding areas. The extent of the vaccination zone shall be determined on the basis of geographic and environmental data,

- registration of owners of herds or flocks of sensitive species (animals of bovine, ovine and caprine species),

- marking of vaccinated animals (ovine animals) so as to allow easy identification subsequently,

- an information campaign aimed at stock keepers and veterinarians.

Article 3

The Community financial contribution shall be 100 % of expenditure on the acquisition of the vaccine and its transport to Bulgaria, up to maximum of EUR 10000.

Article 4

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 27 August 1999.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 19.

(2) OJ L 168, 2.7.1994, p. 31.

(3) OJ L 207, 6.8.1999, p. 33.