30. 1. 97 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 27/37 COMMISSION DECISION of 10 January 1997 concerning the specific financial contribution by the Community for surveillance relating to the eradication of foot-and-mouth disease in Greece (Only the Greek text is authentic) (97/86/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, Article 3 (2) and Article 11 (4) thereof, Whereas outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have occurred in Greece during the period from 3 July to 30 September 1996; Whereas the appearance of this disease is a serious danger to the Community’s livestock and, in order to help erad- icate the disease as rapidly as possible, the Community has the possibility to participate with financial assistance; Whereas, when the presence of foot-and-mouth disease 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 85/511/EEC of 18 November 1985, introducing Community measures for the control of foot- and-mouth disease (*), as last amended by the Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden; whereas such measures were notified by the Greek authorities; Whereas as a result of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in July 1996 in Greece the Commission adopted Decision 96/440/EC of 18 July 1956 concerning certain protection measures with regard to foot-and-mouth disease (*); whereas in the light of the disease situation the said Decision was repealed and the established disease protection measures amended by Commission Decision 96/526/EC of 30 August 1996 concerning certain pro- tection measures with regard to foot-and-mouth disease in Greece  and  repealing  Commission  Decision 96/440/EC (°); Whereas the foot-and-mouth disease situation requires an intensified disease surveillance; Whereas Greece by letter of 19 September 1996 has presented a programme for the surveillance of foot-and- () OJ No L 224, 18. 8. 1990, p. 19. () OJ No L 168, 2. 7. 1994, p. 31. () OJ No L 315, 26. 11. 1985, p. 11. () O] No L 181, 20. 7. 1996, p. 38. () OJ No L 221, 31. 8. 1996, p. 65. mouth disease in Rodopi; whereas this programme takes into account the provisions of Annex Il of Decision 96/526/EC; Whereas for the purpose of disease surveillance, 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 for the surveillance programme presented by Greece have been met; Whereas for supervisory purposes Articles 8 and 9 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 725/70 of 21 April 1970 on financing of the common agricultural policy (f), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 2048/88 ("), should apply; 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 1. The Greek surveillance programme for foot-and- mouth disease presented on 19 September 1996 is hereby approved. 2. For the surveillance of foot-and-mouth disease during the period 1 October 1996 to 31 December 1996, Greece may obtain Community financial assistance. The surveillance shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Annex II of Decision 96/526/EC. The financial contribution shall be 70 % of the costs related to: () OJ No L 94, 28. 4. 1970, p. 13. () OJ No L 185, 15. 7. 1988, p. 1.