Amending budget 9/2009: mobilisation of the EU Solidary Fund for Italy

The Committee on Budgets adopted unanimously the report drawn up by Jutta HAUG (S-D, DE) on the draft amending budget No 9 of the European Union for the financial year 2009 which concerns the following items:

• the mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund for an amount of EUR 493 78 million in commitment and payment appropriations relating to the effects of an earthquake in Italy;
• a corresponding reduction in global payment appropriations of EUR 493 78 million from a number of specific 2009 budget lines (policy areas: 05 Agriculture and Rural Development, 07 Environment, 08 Research and 11 Maritime Affairs and Fisheries).

MEPs approve the draft amending budget No 9/2009 unamended. They take note of the fact that it is the fifth amending budget solely dedicated to the EU Solidarity Fund, in accordance with the request of the European Parliament and the Council in the joint declaration adopted during the Conciliation meeting of 17 July 2008.