31.5.79 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 133/27 COUNCIL DECISION of 24 May 1979 on financial aid from the Community for the eradication of African swine fever in Spain (79/509/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commis- ston (1), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parlia- ment (2), Whereas the Community should take all appropriate measures to protect itself against the appearance of African swine fever on its territory ; Whereas to this end the Community has undertaken, and continues to undertake, action designed to contain outbreaks of this type of disease far from its frontiers by helping countries affected to reinforce their preventive measures; whereas for this purpose Community subsidies have already been granted to Spain ; Whereas these measures have unquestionably made an effective contribution to the protection of Commu- nity livestock, especially through the creation and maintenance of a buffer zone north of the river Ebro ; Whereas, however, in the opinion of the Spanish authorities themselves, the measures so far imple- mented must be reinforced if the fundamental objec- tive of eradicating the disease from the entire country is to be achieved ; Whereas the Spanish authorities have asked the Community to contribute to the expenses necessary for the efficient implementation of a total eradication programme ; Whereas a favourable response should be given to this request by granting aid to Spain, having regard to the undertaking given by that country to protect the Community against African swine fever and to elimi- nate completely this disease by the end of a five-year eradication plan; Whereas this eradication plan must include certain measures which guarantee the effectiveness of the action taken, and it must be possible to adapt these (') OJ No C 44, 17. 2. 1979, p. 6. () O] No C 127, 21. 5. 1979, p. 88. measures to developments in the situation by means of a procedure establishing close cooperation between the Member States and the Commission ;- Whereas it is necessary to keep the Member States regularly informed as to the progress of the action undertaken, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 The Community shall make a financial contribution to the eradication of African swine fever in Spain. Article 2 The contribution shall be given on the condition that the Spanish authorities establish an eradication plan designed to result in the elimination of the disease within five years and satisfying the conditions laid down in Article 3, and that this plan is approved in accordance with Article 4. This plan must be put into operation no later than the date laid down by the Commission in its Decision approving the plan. Article 3 The eradication plan mentioned in Article 2 must include the immediate slaughter and destruction of all pigs on those holdings where a case of African swine fever is diagnosed and in those holdings which as a result of an epidemiological enquiry can be consid- ered as contaminated and in addition provide in parti- cular for: (a) the disinfection of, and elimination of insects and vermin from, the holding after the elimination of the pigs; (b) a delay before repopulation of clean holdings and a health control of pigs before they are introduced into these holdings; (c) the establishment throughout the country of a strict movement control of pigs, including those destined for slaughter; (d) the obligation to slaughter pigs in establishments under permanent veterinary control ;