COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION

of 16 May 2013

establishing the financial contribution by the Union to the expenditure incurred in the context of the emergency vaccination plans against bluetongue in Belgium in 2007 and 2008

(notified under document C(2013) 2799)

(Only the French and Dutch texts are authentic)

(2013/221/EU)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Decision 2009/470/EC of 25 May 2009 on expenditure in the veterinary field(1), and in particular Article 3(3), (4) and second indent of (6),

Having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union(2) (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Financial Regulation’), and in particular Article 84 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) In accordance with Article 84 of the Financial Regulation and Article 94 of the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/2012 of 29 October 2012 on the rules of application of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union(3) (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Rules of Application’), the commitment of expenditure from the Union budget shall be preceded by a financing decision setting out the essential elements of the action involving expenditure and adopted by the institution or the authorities to which powers have been delegated by the institution.

(2) Decision 2009/470/EC lays down the procedures governing the financial contribution from the Union towards specific veterinary measures, including emergency measures. With a view to helping to eradicate bluetongue as rapidly as possible the Union should contribute financially to eligible expenditure borne by the Member States. The second indent of Article 3(6) of that Decision lays down rules on the percentage that must be applied to the costs incurred by the Member States.

(3) Commission Regulation (EC) No 349/2005 of 28 February 2005 lays down rules on the Community financing of emergency measures and of the campaign to combat certain animal diseases under Council Decision 90/424/EEC(4). Article 3 of that Regulation lays down rules on the expenditure eligible for Union financial support.

(4) Commission Decision 2008/655/EC(5) granted a financial contribution by the Union towards emergency measures to combat bluetongue in Belgium in 2007 and 2008.

(5) On 6 April 2009, Belgium submitted an official request for reimbursement as set out in Article 7(1) and 7(2) of Regulation (EC) No 349/2005. The Commission’s observations, method of calculating the eligible expenditure and final conclusions were communicated to Belgium in a letter dated 7 July 2011. Belgium agreed to it on 4 August 2011.

(6) The payment of the financial contribution from the Union must be subject to the condition that the planned activities were actually implemented and that the authorities provided all the necessary information within the set deadlines.

(7) The Belgian authorities have fully complied with their technical and administrative obligations as set out in Article 3(4) of Decision 2009/470/EC and Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 349/2005.

(8) In view of the above considerations, the total amount of the financial support from the Union to the eligible expenditure incurred associated with the eradication of bluetongue in Belgium in 2007 and 2008 should now be fixed according to Article 3(2) of Decision 2008/655/EC.

(9) A first tranche of EUR 3 328 215,15 and a second tranche of EUR 4 550 004,85 have already been paid.

(10) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The financial contribution from the Union towards the expenditure associated with eradicating bluetongue in Belgium in 2007 and 2008 is fixed at EUR 7 881 826,95. It constitutes a financing decision in the meaning of Article 84 of the Financial Regulation.

Article 2

Having regard to the total Union contribution of EUR 7 881 826,95, the balance of the financial contribution fixed at EUR 3 606,95 remains to be paid.

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to the Kingdom of Belgium.

Done at Brussels, 16 May 2013.

For the Commission

Tonio BORG

Member of the Commission

(1)  

OJ L 155, 18.6.2009, p. 30

.

(2)  

OJ L 298, 26.10.2012, p. 1

.

(3)  

OJ L 362, 31.12.2012, p. 1

.

(4)  

OJ L 55, 1.3.2005, p. 12

.

(5)  

OJ L 214, 9.8.2008, p. 66

.