L 27436 Official Journal of the European Union 19.10.2011 COMMISSION DECISION of 27 July 2011 concerning the State aid for financing screening of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) in bovine animals implemented by Belgium (State aid C 44/08 (ex NN 45/04)) (notified under document C(2011) 5457) (Only the French and Dutch texts are authentic) (2011/678EU) THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 108(2) thereof (1), Having invited interested parties to submit their comments in accordance with that Article (?), (6) Additional information was provided by the Belgian authorities by letters of 16 September 2004 and 22 February 2007, registered on 20 September 2004 and 22 February 2007 respectively. By letter of 26 November 2008 the Commission informed Belgium of its decision to initiate the procedure provided for in Article 108(2) of the TFEU in respect of that measure. The decision was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (°). The Whereas: Commission invited interested parties to submit their comments on the measure in question. 1. PROCEDURE (1) Following complaints received in January and February (8 By letter of 19 December 2008, registered on 2004, the Commission undertook a preliminary exam- ination of the aid granted by Belgium to cover the costs of screening tests for BSE in bovine animals. 26 December 2008, Belgium asked for an extension to the deadline for reply. That extension was granted by letter of 13 January 2009. Belgium provided comments by letter of 25 February 2009, registered on 6 March 2009. (2)  Following those complaints, the Commission sent a letter to the Belgian authorities on 27 January 2004, asking for information on the measure in question. At the same (9 The Commission did not receive any comments from time, an aid measure to finance screening for TSE in interested parties. animals was notified by the Belgian authorities in accordance with Article 108(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) (by letter of o ) 23 January 2004, registered on 28 January 2004) and (10) By letter of 17 July 2009 the Commission asked Belgium entered under the number N 54/04. additional questions relating to the comments submitted by Belgium. By letter of 4 September 2009, registered on 8 September 2009, Belgium asked for an extension to (3)  The Belgian authorities provided written information to the deadline for reply. Belgium’s reply reached the the Commission by letters of 6 February 2004 and Commission by letter of 16 October 2009, registered 14 May 2004, registered on 11 February 2004 and on 20 October 2009. 19 May 2004 respectively. (4 By letter of 19 July 2004 the Commission informed (11)  Two meetings took Place between the Belgian authorities Belgium that the measure had been transferred to the ;I(l)do the}) C;)(r)r;)r;nsswn, on 2 October 2009 and register of non-notified aid under the number NN ctober ’ 45/04, since it had become apparent that part of the funds had already been paid out. (12)  Following those meetings, additional information was sent by Belgium on 14 December 2009, registered on (5  An informal meeting between the Belgian authorities and 16 December 2009. Following the simultaneous enquiry the Commission took place on 1 September 2004. by the Belgian competition authorities concerning possible agreements between the laboratories, reply deadline extension requests were submitted by Belgium on 21 January 2010, 29 September 2010 and 17 January 2011. Those extensions were granted by the Commission. () From 1 December 2009 Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty have respectively become Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). In both cases the provisions are identical in substance. For the purposes of this Decision, references to Articles 107 and 108 TFEU shall be understood as being to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty. () OJ C 11, 16.1.2009, p. 8. (®) See footnote 2.