Commission Implementing Decision of 15 December 2011 on a financial contribution from the Union towards certain measures to eradicate foot-and-mouth disease in wild animals in the south-east of Bulgaria in 2011-2012 (notified under document C(2011) 9225) (Only the Bulgarian text is authentic) (2011/855/EU)

Article 1 U.K.

1. A financial contribution from the Union may be granted to Bulgaria towards the costs incurred by this Member State in taking measures pursuant to Article 8, Article 14(4)(c), Article 19, Article 22, Article 31(1), Article 35(1) and Article 36(1) of Decision 2009/470/EC to control and eradicate foot-and-mouth disease in wild animals in the south-east of Bulgaria in 2011 in accordance with the eradication plan approved by Decision 2011/493/EU.

The first paragraph constitutes a financing decision in the meaning of Article 75 of the Financial Regulation.

2. The total amount of the Union contribution shall not exceed EUR 890 000.

3. Only costs incurred in carrying out the measures detailed in the Annex between 4 April 2011 and 3 April 2012 and paid by Bulgaria before the 5 August 2012, shall be eligible for co-financing by means of a financial contribution by the Union at the maximum rate for the specific activities indicated in the Annex.

Article 2 U.K.

1. The expenditure submitted by Bulgaria for a financial contribution by the Union shall be expressed in euro and shall exclude value added tax and all other taxes.

2. Where the expenditure of Bulgaria is in a currency other than euro, Bulgaria shall convert it into euro by applying the most recent exchange rate set by the European Central Bank prior to the first day of the month in which the application is submitted by the Member State.

Article 3 U.K.

1. The financial contribution by the Union for the implementation of the plan referred to in Article 1 shall be granted provided that Bulgaria:

(a) implements the eradication plan referred to in Article 1 effectively and in accordance with the relevant provisions of Union law, including Directive 2003/85/EC, and rules on competition and on the award of public contracts;

(b) forwards to the Commission by 31 January 2012 at the latest an intermediate report on the technical execution of the eradication plan, in accordance with paragraph 5 of Part B of Annex XVIII to Directive 2003/85/EC, accompanied by an intermediate financial report covering the period from 4 April 2011 to 31 December 2011;

(c) forwards to the Commission by 15 September 2012 at the latest a final report on the technical execution of the eradication plan accompanied by justifying evidence as to the costs paid by Bulgaria and the results attained during the period from 4 April 2011 to 3 April 2012;

(d) does not submit further requests for other contributions from the Union for the measures detailed in the Annex, and has not previously submitted such requests.

2. Where Bulgaria does not comply with paragraph 1, the Commission may reduce the financial contribution by the Union having regard to the nature and gravity of the infringement and to the financial loss for the Union.

Article 4 U.K.

1. Bulgaria shall ensure that the competent authority keeps for a period of seven years a certified copy of the supporting documents relating to the activities receiving the Union’s financial contribution in accordance with Article 1, in particular invoices, salary statements, attendance records and documents relating to the shipment of samples and to missions.

2. Bulgaria shall record the expenditure submitted to the Commission in its cost accounting system and keep all original documents for seven years for audit purposes.

3. The supporting documents referred to in paragraph 1 shall be sent to the Commission on request.

Article 5 U.K.

This Decision is addressed to the Republic of Bulgaria.

Done at Brussels, 15 December 2011.

For the Commission

John Dalli

Member of the Commission