Brussels, 16/08/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has adopted four decisions aimed at authorising the payment of 400 million euro to several Member States affected by the foot-and-mouth crisis, so as to refund compensations paid to farmers following the slaughter of their animals. The United Kingdom receives 355 million euro, the Netherlands receives 39, France 3.3 and Ireland 2.7.
A Commission press release, which recalls that the Community covers 60% of "eligible costs" incurred by Member States in the context of this crisis, stipulates that:
- these advances take into account Commission estimates of the average value of the animals slaughtered, or their value as declared by the national authorities (where it is lower);
- the final and total amount of the compensation to Member states will not be fixed until the Commission has further pursued financial and veterinary inspections in the Member States concerned, and until Member States have introduced their official and final claims. (See EUROPE of 13 July, op. 12, on the protection measures against foot-and-mouth approved by the EU's Standing Veterinary committee on 11 July, which had passed down a favourable opinion on the advances to the countries concerned.).
