9.1.2004 Official Journal of the European Union L 5/81 COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 23 December 2003 amending Decision 2003/749/EC on a first financial contribution from the Community towards the eligible costs of the eradication of avian influenza in Belgium in 2003 (notified under document number C(2003) 5010) (Only the Dutch and French texts are authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2004/18/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 (), and in particular Articles 3(3) and 5(3) thereof, () Commission Decision 2003/749/EC of 10 October 2003 on a first financial contribution from the Com- munity towards the eligible costs of the eradication of avian influenza in Belgium in 2003 (}) provided for an advance of EUR 1,250 million for the compulsory culling of the animals and the compulsory destruction of the eggs in 2003. However, it is now possible to esti- mate with a greater degree of certainty how much compensation will be payable. Whereas: (6)  Belgium provided also data on the costs incurred for the execution of the measures imposed by Decision 2003/ (1)  Since 25 April 2003 measures have been taken to 289[EC. prevent the spread of avian influenza in Belgium pursuant to Commission Decision 2003/289/EC of 25 April 2003 concerning protection measures in relation (7)  According to the information made available, the total to avian influenza in Belgium (). estimated cost for the compensation of the owners of the animals and the eggs is EUR 6 160 017. (2) In Decision 2003/289EC, Belgium was required to ensure the preventive depopulation of poultry holdings at risk and the culling of other poultry and birds which (8)  On condition that the necessary credits are made avail- are considered to be at risk within restricted zones and able in 2003, it is appropriate for the Community to in fixed delimited zones. contribute to the costs incurred by Belgium and to increase the advance payment to EUR 3 million. (3)  Belgium took the necessary precautionary measures in order to avoid the spread of avian influenza. (9)  Belgium introduced on 4 September 2003 a justified request for the extension of the deadline for the presen- (4 Avian influenza represents a serious danger to Com- tation of the claim for the compensations granted for munity stocks. Accordingly, to prevent the spread of that disease and contribute to its eradication, the Community should contribute to eligible expenditures incurred by Belgium. It is therefore appropriate that a financial contribution from the Community should be granted to Belgium in accordance with Decision 90/424/EEC to cover the costs related to these precautionary measures taken in 2003. (") OJ L 224,18.8.1990, p. 19. Decision as last amended by Regulation the destroyed hatching eggs and culled one-day-old chickens following the restrictions imposed to the trans- port pursuant to Council Directive 90/425/EEC of 26 June 1990 concerning veterinary and zootechnical checks applicable in intra-Community trade in certain live animals and products with a view to the completion of the internal market (); the provisions of Article 3(3) should be updated accordingly. () OJ L 271, 22.10.2003, p. 19. (EC) No 806/2003 (O] L 122, 16.5.2003, p. 1). () OJ L 105, 26.4.2003, p. 24. Decision as last amended by Decision 2003/388/EC (O] L 133, 29.5.2003, p. 92). () OJ L 224, 18.8.1990, p. 2. Directive as last amended by Directive 2002/33[EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (O] L 315, 19.11.2002, p. 14).