Brussels, 03/07/2001 (Agence Europe) - After the favourable opinion from the Standing Veterinary Committee (SVC), the European Commission adopted, on Tuesday, a decision slightly amending the Community's financial contribution for BSE screening programmes carried out by the Member States between 1 July and 31 December 2001. It is proposed that the maximum financial participation per test be reduced to 15 euros for all bovine groups targeted (healthy when entering slaughteryard, or at risk slaughtered as a matter of urgency). From January to June, the Commission contributed up to 30 euros per test for high risk animals and 15 euros per test for cattle normally slaughtered. Thus, the total Commission contribution to these screening programmes will be EUR 65.85 million in 2001. According to estimates, 3.4 million tests on healthy animals and 640,000 tests on high risk animals should be carried out between July and December 2001.
The amount of the EU's financial participation in 2001 will be as follows for each Member State: Belgium: EUR 2.74 million; Denmark: EUR 2.20 million; Germany: EUR 17.14 million; Greece: EUR 264,000 ; Spain: EUR 3.43 million; France: EUR 18.34 million; Ireland: EUR 6.47 million; Italy: EUR 3.64 million; Luxembourg: EUR 204,000; Netherlands: EUR 5.24 million; Austria: EUR 1.74 million; Portugal: EUR 566,000; Finland: EUR 446,000; Sweden: EUR 609,000; and the United Kingdom: EUR 2.78 million.
This decision introduces the possibility of adjusting the ceiling for Community participation for each programme in the light of reports presented by the Member States. In order to facilitate such adjustment, it is suggested that the frequency of reports should be stepped up from 2 months to 1 month. Prolongation of this action is also foreseen for the year 2002. However, cofunding proposed at a maximum of 15 euros per kit (mentioned in the preliminary draft budget 2002) will be reviewed in the context of the October correcting letter. This revision will be carried out in the aim of adjusting the Community contribution to all reduction in costs linked to the rise in the number of tests carried out.