(1)

In accordance with Article 75 of the Financial Regulation and Article 90(1) of the Implementing Rules, 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 eradicate avian influenza as rapidly as possible the Union should contribute financially to eligible expenditure borne by the Member States. Article 4(3), first and second indents, of that Decision identifies the percentage of Union financial contributions that can be paid to compensate the costs incurred by the Member States.

(3)

Article 3 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 349/2005 of 28 February 2005 laying down rules on the Community financing of emergency measures and of the campaign to combat certain animal diseases under Council Decision 90/424/EEC (2) sets rules on the expenditure eligible for Union financial support.

(4)

Commission Decision 2010/148/EU of 5 March 2010 on a financial contribution from the Union towards emergency measures to combat avian influenza in the Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, France and Italy in 2009 (3) provided for a financial contribution by the Union towards emergency measures to combat avian influenza, amongst others, in Spain in 2009.

(5)

Spain submitted an official request for reimbursement on 3 May 2010 as set out in Article 7(1) and (2) of Regulation (EC) No 349/2005.

(6)

Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 349/2005 makes the payment of that financial contribution from the Union 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)

An audit according to Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 349/2005 carried out by the Commission’s services did reveal only minor financial issues.

(8)

Spain has thus to this point complied with its 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.

(9)

In view of the above considerations, a first tranche of the financial support from the Union to Spain to the eligible expenditure incurred in association with the eradication of avian influenza in 2009 should now be fixed.

(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,