06/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission formally adopted, on Tuesday, a decision instituting, until the end of the year, a special purchase system for the destruction or storage of carcasses of cows above thirty months that have passed screening tests for bovine encephalopathy spongiform (BSE). This system, aimed at re-establishing a certain balance in the market for bovine meat, was voted by qualified majority last 16 March by the management committee (see EUROPE of 19.20 March, p.10). The Community will contribute to the proportion of 70% to the acquisition of these carcasses, the remainder being taken on by the Member States. This decision must enter into force three days after the publication of the act in the Official Journal, which is expected in the coming days.