L 278/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 10. 97 COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 1 October 1997 concerning financial contribution by the Community towards the eradication of sheep pox in Greece (Only the Greek text is authentic) (97/658/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Decision 90/424/EEC of 26 June 1990 on expenditure in the veterinary field ('), as last amended by Decision 94/370/EC (3 and, in particular, Atticle 3 (3) thereof, Whereas outbreaks of sheep pox have occurred in Greece in the period November 1995 to 31 December 1996; Whereas the appearance of this disease is a serious danger to the Community’s sheep and goat population and, in order to help eradicate the disease as rapidly as possible, the Community can participate with financial assistance; Whereas, when the presence of sheep pox was officially confirmed the Greek authorities established measures within the framework of the provisions of Article 3 (2) of Decision 90/424/EEC and the provisions of Council Directive 92/119/EEC of 17 December 1992 introducing general Community measures for the control of certain animal diseases and specific measures relating to swine vesicular disease (*) as last amended by the Act of Acces- sion of Austria, Finland and Sweden; whereas such measures were notified by the Greek authorities; Whereas for the purpose of disease eradication, a village may be considered as an epidemiological unit in so far as sheep and goat farms are concerned; Whereas the conditions for Community financial assist- ance have been met; () OJ L 224, 18. 8. 1990, p. 19. () OJ L 168, 2. 7. 1994, p. 31. () OJ L 62, 15. 3. 1993, p. 69. Whereas, in order to carry out good financial manage- ment, it is necessary that Greece should send the neces- - sary supporting documents to the Commission; Whereas it is necessary to fix in advance the maximum level of Community financial aid for this action; Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 For the eradication of sheep pox in the period November 1995 to December 1996, Greece may obtain Community financial assistance. The financial contribution by the Community shall be 50 % of the cost of compensating owners for: — the slaughter and destruction of animals, — the destruction of milk, wool, and of contaminated feedingstuffs, and where it cannot be disinfected, contaminated equipment, — the cleaning and disinfection of holdings. Compensations for the measures referred to in the third indent may be made to other than owners.