L 249/48 Official Journal of the European Union 1.10.2003 COMMISSION DECISION of 24 September 2003 concerning a Community financial contribution for the eradication of ovine catarrhal fever in Italy in 2001 and 2002 (notified under document number C(2003) 3326) (Only the Italian text is authentic) (2003/677[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 Regulation (EC) No 806/2003 (3, and in particular Article 3(3) and Article 5(3) thereof, Whereas: (1) Outbreaks of ovine catarrhal fever occurred in Italy in 2001 and 2002, representing a serious danger to the Community livestock population. (2)  With a view to helping to eradicate the disease as rapidly as possible, the Community may contribute financially to eligible expenditure borne by the Member State, as provided for in Decision 90/424/EEC. (3)  Pursuant to Article 3(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1258/1999 of 17 May 1999 on the financing of the common agricultural policy (°), veterinary and plant health measures undertaken in accordance with Commu- nity rules shall be financed under the ‘Guarantee’ section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund. The auditing of these measures comes under Arti- cles 8 and 9 of the said Regulation. (4)  The payment of the financial contribution from the Community must be subject to the condition that the actions planned have been efficiently carried out and that the authorities supply all the necessary information within the time limits laid down. (5)  On 17 July 2002, Italy presented an application for the reimbursement of its costs for eradicating the disease. According to the information available, around 170 000 sheep and goats were slaughtered. (6)  Pending checks by the Commission, it is now necessary to set the amount of an advance on the Community financial assistance. This advance must be 50 % of the Community contribution based on an estimate of the cost of compensation for livestock and reimbursement of other costs. OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 19. () OJ L 122,16.5.2003, p. 1. 0J L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 103. (7)  The terms ‘swift and adequate compensation of the live- stock farmers’ used in Article 3 of Decision 90/424/EEC, ‘reasonable payments’ and §ustified payments’ and the categories of eligible expenditure under ‘other costs’ associated with the compulsory slaughter must all be defined. (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 ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 Granting of Community financial assistance to Italy In order to eradicate ovine catarrhal fever in 2001 and 2002, Ttaly is eligible for a Community financial contribution equal to 50 % of the expenses incurred for: (a) the swift and adequate compensation of the livestock farmers forced to cull their animals as part of the measures to combat the outbreaks of ovine catarrhal fever that occurred in 2001 and 2002, pursuant to the seventh indent of Article 3(2) of Decision 90/424/EEC and this decision; (b) the destruction of the contaminated animals and disinsecti- sation, under the conditions provided for in the first, second and third indents of Article 3(2) of Decision 90/ 424[EEC and this decision. Atticle 2 Definitions The following definitions apply to this decision: (a) ‘swift and adequate compensation payment, within 90 days of the slaughter of the animals, of compensation corresponding to the market value of the animals immedi- ately before they became infected or were slaughtered or destroyed;