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

PURPOSE : to fix an EU financial contribution to measures for the eradication of avian influenza and modify Decision 90/424/EEC.

LEGISLATIVE ACT : Council Decision 2006/53/EC amending Decision 90/424/EEC on expenditure in the veterinary field.

CONTENT : Council Decision 90/424/EEC envisages the possibility of granting a financial contribution from the Community to the Member States for the eradication of avian influenza caused by ‘highly pathogenic’ strains of virus. (HPA1)

Council Directive 2005/94/EC establishes compulsory surveillance and control measures also in relation with the low pathogenic viruses (LPA1), so that outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza may be prevented.

In the light of the adoption of Directive 2005/94/EC it was considered appropriate to modify Decision 90/424/EEC so that Community financial assistance may also be granted for those eradication measures carried out by the Member States to combat avian influenza virus strains of low pathogenicity that may mutate into highly pathogenic strains.

Consequently, this Decision fixes at 50% the Community co-financing rate for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI), for the costs incurred by the Member States in compensating livestock owners for the killing of poultry or other captive birds and for the destruction of animals or animal products, the cleaning and disinfection of holdings and equipment and the destruction of contaminated feedingstuffs and equipment where such equipment cannot be isinfected.

The Community may also reimburse 100% of vaccine costs and 50 % of the costs incurred in carrying out emergency vaccination.