Amending budget 7/2009: mobilisation of the EU Solidary Fund for France

PURPOSE: to present the Preliminary Draft Amending Budget (PDAB) No 7 to the 2009 budget to financially assist France following a major storm (Klaus) in January 2009 which caused severe damage.

CONTENT: PDAB 7/2009 covers the mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund for an amount of EUR 109 377 165 in commitment and payment appropriations relating to the effects of a storm affecting south-west France.

Overview: in January 2009 a major storm ("Klaus") hit France causing severe damage. Within the 10 week deadline set by Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002, the French authorities applied for financial assistance from the EU Solidarity Fund relating to the storm.

The Commission services carried out a thorough examination of the application and proposed that the application made by France relating to the storm in January 2009 be accepted as a “major disaster” and that the Solidarity Fund should be used.

Financing: the total annual budget available for the Solidarity Fund is EUR 1 billion. In 2009, EUR 11.8 million have already been earmarked for an earlier application leaving EUR 988.2 million available.

Consequently, the Commission proposes to mobilise the EU Solidarity Fund for amount of EUR 109 377 165.