L 237/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 8.9.1999 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 27 August 1999 concerning a special Community financial contribution towards the eradication of bluetongue in Bulgaria by means of vaccination in the infected regions (notified under document number C(1999) 2835) (1999/606/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 (), and in particular Article 8 thereof, (1) ~ Whereas outbreaks of bluetongue have occurred in Bulgaria in the regions of Bourgas, Jambol and Hasskovo; whereas protective measures were adopted by Commission Decision 1999/542/EC (}) with regard to imports of certain animals from Bulgaria due to an outbreak of bluetongue; (2)  Whereas the epidemic has continued to spread since the first outbreaks and the available epidemiological data do not give any reason to hope for a change in this situa- tion,; (3)  Whereas the spread of this disease in this part of Eastern Europe represents a threat to the Community and must be stopped; (4)  Whereas vaccination is the only means of combating the spread of the epidemic; whereas it also helps limit mortality in flocks in the affected areas; (5) Whereas, therefore, Bulgaria's efforts to eradicate the disease should be supported in accordance with Article 8 of Decision 90/424/EEC; () O] L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 19. () O] L 168, 2.7.1994, p. 31. () O] L 207, 6.8.1999, p. 33. (6) ~ Whereas Bulgaria has requested help from the Community with the acquisition of 100 000 doses of vaccines; (7)  Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veter- inary Committee, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 Bulgaria may obtain a financial contribution from the Community for the acquisition of 100 000 doses of blue- tongue vaccine for an emergency vaccination campaign in the provinces of Bourgas, Jambol and Hasskovo. Article 2 The financial contribution referred to in Article 1 shall be granted on condition that the Bulgarian authorities undertake to implement the following measures in the provinces referred to in Article 1: — legal provisions making vaccination compulsory within the infected zone and surrounding areas. The extent of the vaccination zone shall be determined on the basis of geographic and environmental data, — registration of owners of herds or flocks of sensitive species (animals of bovine, ovine and caprine species), — marking of vaccinated animals (ovine animals) so as to allow easy identification subsequently, — an information campaign aimed at stock keepers and veter- inarians.