Expenditure in the veterinary field: measures to combat avian influenza, Community financial assistance (amend. Decision 90/424/EEC)

The European Parliament adopted the resolution drafted by Ilda FIGUEIREDO (GUE/NGL, PT) and amended the Commission’s proposal. (Please see the summary of 14/11/2005.) The main amendments are as follows:

-Given the existence of that risk of mutation, it is appropriate to provide for the same level of Community financial assistance for cases of both highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI). Whereas the Commission had proposed a Community co-financing rate of 50% for outbreaks of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza  and 30% for outbreaks of Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza , Parliament required a 50% co-financing rate for both types, on the grounds that it was important to eradicate the Low Pathogenic form as this can mutate into HPAI;

-the Community should pay 100% of the costs of vaccination;

- the relevant Council regulations on exceptional market support measures should be brought into line with Council Decision 90/424/EEC, as amended;

-provision must be made for financial compensation to poultry farmers whose eggs or chickens were not necessarily destroyed but were sent to "other destinations", resulting in revenue that was lower than the normal value of the eggs or poultry. The proposal should specify that "differentiation should be applied when compensation is being given for different kinds of eggs";

-a new recital states that in view of the effects which an avian-influenza epidemic could have, greater emphasis should be placed on prevention and monitoring, in particular by listing the risk areas in each country and carrying out monthly systematic serological screening, with the results to be communicated to those with direct responsibility for the matter;

-the Commission shall investigate the establishment of an European animal health fund, as budgetary provision is likely to be insufficient in the event of a new epidemic. Such a fund could cover the costs of outbreaks of contagious animal diseases. Livestock farmers and other persons and businesses affected within the European Union could contribute to such a fund;

-the Member States shall receive Community support for the development of a system designed to monitor and screen for the disease, including laboratory diagnosis, research into suitable vaccines, the drawing-up of studies, meetings of experts, the provision of information, the issue of publications and any measures aimed at assessing the impact of migratory birds on the spread of contagious diseases in Europe and at ensuring that their migratory routes are monitored;

-the Community shall support the development of measures involving cooperation with and technical support for third countries (in particular Asian ones) in order to enable preventive and screening action to be taken in the countries in which avian influenza originates.