(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 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 (2) 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. Article 3 of that Regulation lays down rules on the expenditure eligible for Union financial support.

(4)

Commission Decision 2008/655/EC (3) as modified by Decision 2009/19/EC (4) granted a financial contribution by the Union towards emergency measures to combat bluetongue in France in 2007 and 2008.

(5)

On 31 March 2009, France submitted an official request for reimbursement as set out in Article 7(1) and (2) of Regulation (EC) No 349/2005.

(6)

An FVO inspection was carried out in France from 24 to 28 November 2008, which has noted some technical shortcomings. Nevertheless these shortcomings had not compromised the overall implementation of the programme nor caused additional expenditures for the Union budget.

(7)

A financial control was carried out in France from 1 to 4 December 2009 which has concluded that the expenditures presented by France were eligible.

(8)

The Commission's observations, method of calculating the eligible expenditure and final conclusions were communicated to France in a letter dated 14 July 2011.

(9)

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 France in 2007 and 2008 should now be fixed according to Article 3(2) of Decision 2008/655/EC.

(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,