Action brought on 10 October 2011 - Belgium v Commission

(Case T-538/11)

Language of the case: Dutch

Parties

Applicant: Kingdom of Belgium (represented by: C. Pochet and J. Halleux, Agents, and by L. Van den Hende, lawyer)

Defendant: European Commission

Form of order sought

The applicant claims that the Court should:

annul the 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));

order the Commission to pay the costs.

Pleas in law and main arguments

In support of the action, the applicant relies on one plea in law.

First plea in law, alleging infringement of Article 107(1) TFEU.

The measures implemented by Belgium do not entail a selective advantage for farmers, slaughterhouses and entities that process, handle, sell or trade in bovine animal products that are subject to compulsory BSE testing under the applicable legislation.

____________