14.1.2003 Official Journal of the European Communities L 8/41 COMMISSION DECISION of 30 December 2002 concerning a financial contribution for the compulsory slaughter between 1 July and 31 October 2001 of animals due to foot-and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom (notified under document number C(2002) 5491) (Only the English text is authentic) (2003/23/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 Council Decision 2001/572/EC (3), and in particular Article 11(2) and (4) thereof, Whereas: (1)  Outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease occurred in the United Kingdom in 2001. The onset of the disease repre- sents a serious danger to Community stocks. With a view to prevent the spreading of the disease and contri- bute to its eradication the Community may contribute to eligible expenditures incurred by the Member State. (2)  As soon as the presence of foot-and-mouth disease was officially confirmed, the British authorities reported that they had taken measures listed in Article 3(2) of Deci- sion 90/424[EEC and implemented immediately the rele- vant provisions of Directive 85/511/EEC (). (3)  Pursuant to Article 3(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1258/1999 (%), veterinary and plant health measures undertaken in accordance with Community rules shall be financed under the Guarantee Section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund; for financial control purposes, Articles 8 and 9 of Regu- lation (EC) No 1258/1999 apply. (4)  The financial contribution from the Community shall be granted provided that the actions planned are efficiently carried out and that the authorities supply all the neces- sary information within the time limits laid down. (5)  The financial contribution towards the eradication of foot-and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom in 2001 relating to outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease which occurred until 30 June 2001 has been fixed by Commis- sion Decision 2001/654/EC (°). (6)  Outbreaks of foot-and-mouth occurred in the United Kingdom also after 30 June 2001. A supplementary financial contribution towards the eradication of these outbreaks has to be fixed. 1 () OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 19. () OJ L 203, 28.7.2001, p. 16. () OJL 315, 26.11.1985, p. 11. () OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 103. () OJ L 230, 28.8.2001, p. 16. 5 (7)  As the amount of the eligible costs shall be paid in euro, an exchange rate has to be fixed. (8)  The measures provided for in this Decision are in accor- dance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Atrticle 1 The United Kingdom may obtain a financial contribution from the Community for the adequate compensation of owners for the compulsory slaughter of their animals under eradication measures relating to outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease which occurred between 1 July 2001 and the end of October 2001, in accordance with the provisions of Article 11 of Deci- sion 90/424/EEC. Atticle 2 1. The Community financial contribution shall be paid on the basis of: (a) the supporting documents relating to the measures taken in the period referred to in Article 1 which shall be forwarded no later than 60 days after the date on which the Member State is notified of this Decision; (b) the results of the Commission checks referred to in Article 4. 2. The documents referred to in paragraph 1 shall include a financial report. This financial report shall take account of the categories of animals destroyed, or slaughtered and destroyed in each farm due to foot-and-mouth disease. This report shall be provided in computerised form in accordance with the annex. 3. For the purposes of this Decision, ‘adequate compensa- tion’ means animals compensated at the value the animals had immediately before they became affected.