(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 helping to eradicate foot-and-mouth disease as rapidly as possible the Union should contribute financially to eligible expenditure borne by the Member States. Article 14(4) of that Decision lays down rules on the percentage that must be applied to 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 Implementing Decision 2011/730/EU of 9 November 2011 on a financial contribution from the Union towards emergency measures to combat foot-and-mouth disease in Bulgaria in 2011 (3) granted a financial contribution by the Union towards emergency measures to combat foot-and-mouth disease in Bulgaria in 2011. An official request for reimbursement was submitted by Bulgaria on 9 December 2011 and 24 January 2012, as set out in Articles 7(1) and 7(2) of Regulation (EC) No 349/2005.

(5)

The payment of the financial contribution from the Union is to 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.

(6)

Bulgaria has in accordance with Article 14(3) of Decision 2009/470/EC without delay informed the Commission and the other Member States of the measures applied in accordance with Union legislation on notification and eradication and the results thereof. The request for reimbursement was, as required in Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 349/2005, accompanied by a financial report, supporting documents, an epidemiological report on each holding where the animals have been slaughtered or destroyed and the results of respective audits.

(7)

The Commission’s observations, method of calculating the eligible expenditure and final conclusions were communicated to Bulgaria on 19 June 2012. Bulgaria agreed by e-mail dated 20 June 2012.

(8)

Consequently the total amount of the financial support from the Union to the eligible expenditure incurred in connection with the eradication of foot-and-mouth disease in Bulgaria in 2011 can now be fixed.

(9)

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