Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Hof van Beroep te Brussel by judgment of that court of 25 May 2005 in 1. The Belgian State, represented by the Minister for Social Affairs, 2. The Belgian State, represented by the State Secretary for Public Health v BVBA De Backer

(Case C-234/05)

(2005/C 205/12)

Language of the case: Dutch

Reference has been made to the Court of Justice of the European Communities by judgment of the Hof van Beroep te Brussel (Brussels Court of Appeal) (Belgium) of 25 May 2005, received at the Court Registry on 27 May 2005, for a preliminary ruling in the proceedings between 1. The Belgian State, represented by the Minister for Social Affairs 2. The Belgian State, represented by the State Secretary for Public Health, and B.V.B.A. De Backer on the following question:

Is the Law of 14 July 1994 on financing for veterinary inspections compatible with Community law? Must the veterinary charges provided for in that national law be regarded as constituting both an impermissible restriction on intra-Community trade and an unlawful charge having an effect equivalent to a customs duty and/or as a measure having equivalent effect to a quantitative restriction, and consequently be regarded as an aid measure which ought to have been notified to the Commission?