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 ( 1 ), as last amended by Decision 94/370/EC ( 2 ), and in particular Article 28 (2) thereof,

Whereas in Annex A to Council Directive 95/70/EC of 22 December 1995 introducing minimum Community measures for control of certain diseases affecting bivalve molluscs ( 3 ), Ifremer at La Tremblade in France is designated Community reference laboratory for bivalve mollusc diseases;

Whereas its functions and duties are set out in Annex B to Directive 95/70/EC; whereas Community aid must be conditional on accomplishment of these;

Whereas financial aid should be given to this Community reference laboratory to assist it in the execution of these functions and duties;

Whereas for budget reasons Community financial aid is granted for a period of one year;

Whereas for supervisory purposes Articles 8 and 9 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 729/70 of 21 April 1970 on financing of the common agricultural policy ( 4 ), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 1287/95 ( 5 ), should apply;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

— 70 % in advance on request from France,

— the balance following presentation of supporting technical (report) and financial documents by France. These documents must be presented before 1 ►M1   July ◄ 1998.