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5.7.2012 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 197/8 COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION of 4 July 2012 concerning the financing for the year 2012 of activities in the veterinary field related to the European Union's information policy and support of international organisations, to several measures necessary to ensure the application of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 and towards a pilot project on a coordinated European Animal Welfare Network 2012/C 197/04 THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities ( 1 ) (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Financial Regulation’), and in particular Articles 49(6)a and 75 thereof, Having regard to Council Decision 2009/470/EC of 25 May 2009 on expenditure in the veterinary field ( 2 ) , and in particular Articles 20, 23 and 27 thereof, Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules ( 3 ) and in particular, Article 66(1)(c) thereof, Whereas: (1) In accordance with Article 75 of the Financial Regulation and Article 90(1) of the Implementing Rules, the commitment of expenditure from the budget of the European Union 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) Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 of 23 December 2002 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities ( 4 ) (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Implementing Rules’) identifies the degree of detail considered sufficient to describe the framework set by a financing decision. (3) In accordance with Article 110 of the Financial Regulation, an annual work programme must be adopted for grants. (4) It is necessary to lay down a work programme for the activities of the European Union in the veterinary field related to information policy, support of international organisations and computerisation of veterinary procedures. (5) As the work programme in the Annexes is a sufficiently detailed framework in the meaning of Article 90(2) and (3) of Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002, the present decision constitutes a financing decision for the expenditure provided for in the work programme for grants and procurement. (6) Pursuant to Article 22 of Decision 2009/470/EC, the Union may undertake, or assist the Member States or international organisations in undertaking, the technical and scientific measures necessary for the development of Union veterinary legislation and for the development of veterinary education or training. (7) Article 19 of Decision 2009/470/EC rules that the Union shall make a financial contribution to the establishment of an information policy in the field of animal health, animal welfare and food safety in products of animal origin including the performance of studies necessary for the preparation and development of legislation in the field of animal welfare. (8) Article 19 paragraph (a)(i) of Decision 2009/470/EC provides that the Union shall make a financial contribution to the gathering and storing of all information relating to Union legislation in the field of animal health, animal welfare and food safety in products of animal origin. (9) A financial contribution is required to make the interactive database of veterinary legislation (Vetlex) established originally for Candidate Countries, potential Candidate Countries and countries under the European Neighbourhood Policy initiative available to all Member States. (10) Communication activities were put in place in previous years to promote animal health issues and the Animal Health Strategy principles to stakeholders, organisations and society as a whole. It is appropriate that these communication activities, including the horizontal ones, continue in 2012. (11) Article 27 of Council Decision 2009/470/EC provides for Union financial contribution for the implementation of national eradication/surveillance programmes. According to that same Article, the Commission shal assess these programmes. In order to provide an additional tool, external technical assistance will carry out a pre-assessment of these programmes submitted for 2013. (12) Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 lays down rules for the performance of official controls to verify compliance with rules aiming in particular at preventing, eliminating or reducing to acceptable levels risks to humans and animals, either directly or through the environment, guaranteeing fair practices in feed and food trade and protecting consumers interests, including feed and food labelling and other forms of consumer information. (13) According to Article 66(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004, the appropriations required for the financing of other measures necessary to ensure the application of this regulation shall be authorised each year within the framework of the budgetary procedure. The measures referred to in Article 66 include in particular the organisation of studies, the publication of information and the organisation of meetings and conferences. (14) The Food and Veterinary office reports on inspections performed in the years 2007-2011 on official controls in Member States on food contact materials indicated some shortcomings. In particular deficiencies were detected in the enforceability of the general safety requirements and good manufacturing practice in those areas in which no specific EU measures (‘non harmonised areas’) are adopted. Therefore a study is foreseen to be carried out in 2012 to investigate to what degree and which specific provisions would be necessary at EU level to improve enforceability of the general safety requirements and provide data on their economic, social and environmental impact (including administrative burden). (15) Communication on food and feed control can't always be linked to a specific subject. Therefore, it is appropriate to foresee some resources to horizontal communication activities related to it. (16) Along the food chain a series of risks endanger the delivery of safe and healthy food to European consumers. A study is foresen in 2012 in order to identify them across the food chain, develop and assess future scenarios and define policy responses. (17) Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union ( 5 ) requires the Union and the Member States, since animals are sentient beings, to pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals in formulating and implementing some of the Union’s policies. It is therefore appropriate to fund a pilot project that will contribute to assist the Member States and stakeholders in implementing the Union's rules on animal welfare. (18) Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 of 24 September 2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing ( 6 ) requires Member States in its Article 20 to ensure a scientific support to assist competent authorities for scientific, technical and educational expertise in order to facilitate the implementation of this animal welfare legislation. It appears appropriate that a pilot project is developed for ensuring better coordination between the national technical supports to be put in place for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 before 2013. (19) The Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council and the European Economic and Social Committee on the European Union Strategy for the protection and welfare of animals 2012-2015 ( 7 ) also envisages the possibility of establishing a European network of reference centres which could aim at ensuring that the competent authorities receive coherent and uniform technical information on the way the EU legislation should be implemented, especially in the context of outcome-based animal welfare indicators. It is therefore relevant that the Union promotes a pilot project in order to assess the feasibility and the efficiency of such network before proposing future legislation. (20) It is appropriate to maintain financing by the Union for that pilot project. In the general budget of the European Union for 2012, the budgetary authority allocated EUR 1 000 000 to a pilot project on a coordinated European Animal Welfare Network. (21) This financing decision may also cover the payment of interest due for late payment on the basis of Articles 83 of the Financial Regulation and 106(5) of the Implementing Rules. (22) For the application of this decision, it is appropriate to define the term ‧substantial change‧ within the meaning of Article 90(4) of the Implementing Rules. (23) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: TITLE I Work programme implementing Council Decision 2009/470/EC Article 1 The annual work programme for the implementation of Articles 20, 23 and 27 of Council Decision 2009/470/EC, as set out in Annex I, is hereby adopted. Article 2 The maximum contribution authorised by this Title for the implementation of the programme is set at EUR 3 254 600 to be financed from budget line 17 04 02 01 of the General Budget of the European Union for 2012. Article 3 The budget implementation of tasks related to point 2 in the Annex I may be entrusted to the following international organisation, which applies standards which offer guarantees equivalent to internationally accepted standards in its accounting, audit, internal control and procurement procedures: World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). TITLE II Work programme implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 Article 4 The annual work programme for the implementation of Article 66(1)(c), as set out in the Annex II, is hereby adopted. Article 5 The maximum contribution authorised by this Title for the implementation of the programme is set at EUR 277 650 to be financed from budget line 17 04 07 01 of the General Budget of the European Union for 2012. TITLE III Pilot project on a coordinated European Animal Welfare Network Article 6 The pilot project, as set out in the Annex III is hereby adopted. Article 7 The maximum contribution authorised by this Title for the implementation of the pilot project is set at EUR 1 000 000 to be financed from budget line 17 04 01 02 of the General Budget of the European Union for 2012. TITLE IV General provisions Article 8 The work programmes mentioned in Titles I, II and III constitute financing decisions in the meaning of Article 75 of the Financial Regulation. Article 9 1. The authorising officer may adopt any changes to each Title which are not considered substantial within the meaning of Article 90(4) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002, in accordance with the principles of sound financial management and of proportionality. 2. Cumulative changes of the allocations to the actions within each work programme not exceeding 10 % of the maximum contribution provided for in Articles 2, 5 and 7 of this Decision shall not be considered to be substantial within the meaning of Article 90(4) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002, provided that they do not significantly affect the nature and objective of the work programmes. Article 10 The appropriations mentioned in Articles 2, 5 and 7 may also cover interest due for late payment. Article 11 This Decision is addressed to the authorising officers by delegation. Done at Brussels, 4 July 2012. For the Commission John DALLI Member of the Commission ( 1 ) OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1 . ( 2 ) OJ L 155, 18.6.2009, p. 30 . ( 3 ) OJ L 165, 30.4.2004, p. 1 ; as corrected by OJ L 191, 28.5.2004, p. 1 . ( 4 ) OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 1 . ( 5 ) OJ C 83, 30.3.2010, p. 47 . ( 6 ) OJ L 303, 18.11.2009, p. 1 . ( 7 ) COM(2012) 6 final. ANNEX I Council Decision 2009/470/EC on expenditure in the veterinary field, and in particular Articles 20, 23 and 27 thereof — Work Programme for 2012 1. Introduction This programme contains six main topics for the year 2012. On the basis of the objectives given in Council Decision 2009/470/EC of 25 May 2009 on expenditure in the veterinary field, the distribution of the budget and the main actions are the following: — for grants implemented in joint management (point 2): — A Union financial contribution, for the organisation of global conferences on animal welfare, antimicrobial resistance and veterinary statutory bodies, a regional conference on animal welfare and regional seminars for new OIE delegates, focal points on veterinary products on animal welfare and on aquatic animal health, up to a maximum of EUR 660 000. — for procurement (implemented in direct centralised management) (point 3): — Use of call for tender on a contribution to enable access to the Vetlex database for administrators in Member States: EUR 150 000 (point 3.1). — Contribution towards horizontal communication related to animal health activities: EUR 49 600 (point 3.2). — Events to support ongoing policy on animal welfare and maintenance of existing communication tools: EUR 700 000 (point 3.3). — Publications and dissemination of information to promote animal health issues and the Animal Health Strategy principles: EUR 1 595 000 (point 3.4). — External pre-assessment of the eradication/surveillance programmes for 2013: EUR 100 000 (point 3.5). 2. Action under joint management Global Conferences on animal welfare, antimicrobial resistance, veterinary statutory bodies and wildlife diseases; Regional Conference on animal welfare in South America; and Regional Seminars for new OIE Delegates, Focal Points on Veterinary products, on Animal Welfare and on Aquatic Animal Health in Europe. LEGAL BASIS Article 23 of Council Decision 2009/470/EC. BUDGETARY LINE 17 04 02 01 Contributions shall be covered by a written contribution agreement 2012-2013. IMPLEMENTING ENTITY The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is an intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide. In order to improve the animal health status worldwide and consequently lower the animal disease risk in the EU, it is important that the EU approach to animal health and welfare be shared with all member countries of the OIE and that the EU actively supports Conferences and training seminars organised by the OIE in order to promote the Union's animal health and welfare policy at the occasion. The Commission and the OIE have signed on June 7, 2010 a long-term Framework Agreement (FA) laying down the administrative and financial arrangements for their cooperation (here attached), whereby the ‘European Union Contribution Agreement with an International Organisation’ (the ‘Standard Contribution Agreement’ or ‘SCA’) applies to global, regional or national programmes and actions administered by the OIE and financed or co-financed by the European Union. A thorough and complete assessment of the OIE had been done previously, through a ‘four pillar assessment’ that established that the OIE applied, in its accounting, audit, control and procurement procedures, standards that offer guarantees equivalent to internationally accepted standards. OBJECTIVES TO BE FULFILLED AND FORESEEN RESULTS To share the EU approach to animal health and welfare and veterinary public health with all members of the OIE through the promotion of the Union's policy at the occasion of conferences and training seminars organised by the OIE. Eventually to improve the animal health, welfare and veterinary public health status worldwide and lower the risk in the EU. DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES OF THE IMPLEMENTING MEASURE An overview of the different actions to be financed under this point can be found in the table below. IMPLEMENTATION Joint management MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF THE CONTRIBUTION EUR 660 000 Summary of the activities to be organised by the OIE in 2012-2013, as referred to in point 2 Activity Venue Maximum amount in EUR Indicative Dates (2012-2013) 1. Global Conferences 1.1. 3rd OIE Global Conference on Animal Welfare: ‘Implementating the OIE Standards — Addressing Regional expectations’ Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) 100 000 6-8 November 2012 1.2. OIE Global Conference on the Prudent Use of Antimicrobial Agents for Animals — International Solidarity to Fight against Antimicrobial Resistance Paris (France) 100 000 13-15 March 2013 1.3. Veterinary Statutory Bodies (VSB) — Preparation of VSB twinning programme To be confirmed 80 000 2nd semester 2013 2. Regional Conferences and Seminars 2.1. Regional Conference for the Americas on ‘Global Trade and Animal Welfare Standards’ (follow-up of 2009 conference in Brussels) South American Country 80 000 14-16 October 2013 2.2. Regional Seminar for the OIE new Delegates of Europe European country 60 000 19 May 2012 2.3. Regional Seminar for the OIE Focal Points of Europe for veterinary products European country 80 000 2nd semester 2012 2.4. Regional Seminar for the OIE Focal Points of Europe for animal welfare European country 80 000 1st semester 2013 2.5. Regional Seminar for the OIE Focal Points of Europe for aquatic animal health European country 80 000 1st semester 2013 3. Procurement The global budgetary envelope reserved in 2012 for the procurement contracts amounts to EUR 2 594 600. 3.1. Availability of Vetlex to the administrations of Member States LEGAL BASIS Article 20 of Council Decision 2009/470/EC. BUDGETARY LINE 17 04 02 01 INDICATIVE NUMBER AND TYPE OF CONTRACTS ENVISAGED One service contract. SUBJECT OF THE CONTRACTS ENVISAGED (IF POSSIBLE) The Vetlex database is an existing interactive database of all veterinary legislation managed by an outside company. The database is kept up to date within 24 hours of new legislation being published and contains the consolidated versions of the concerned legislation. The database used to be accessible to Candidate Countries, potential Candidate Countries and countries under the European Neighbourhood Policy initiative via a contract between the company and DG Enlargement of the European Commission. It is not available to Member States. The contribution foreseen will enable Vetlex to be made available to administrators in Member States. IMPLEMENTATION Direct centralised INDICATIVE TIMEFRAME FOR LAUNCHING THE PROCUREMENT PROCEDURE Third quarter of 2012. INDICATIVE AMOUNT OF THE CALL FOR TENDERS EUR 150 000 SPECIFIC CONTRACT (IF APPLICABLE) NA 3.2. Horizontal contribution towards communication related to animal health activities LEGAL BASIS Article 20 of Council Decision 2009/470/EC. BUDGETARY LINE 17 04 02 01 INDICATIVE NUMBER AND TYPE OF CONTRACTS ENVISAGED Different specific contracts using several framework contracts. SUBJECT OF THE CONTRACTS ENVISAGED (IF POSSIBLE) Horizontal contribution towards communication related to animal health activities. IMPLEMENTATION Direct centralised INDICATIVE TIMEFRAME FOR LAUNCHING THE PROCUREMENT PROCEDURE Throughout the year 2012. INDICATIVE AMOUNT OF THE CALL FOR TENDERS EUR 49 600 SPECIFIC CONTRACT (IF APPLICABLE) Several framework contracts of DG SANCO. 3.3. Events to support ongoing policy on animal welfare and maintenance of existing communication tools LEGAL BASIS Articles 20 and 23 of Council Decision 2009/470/EC. BUDGETARY LINE 17 04 02 01 INDICATIVE NUMBER AND TYPE OF CONTRACTS ENVISAGED Six service contracts using a framework contract and an open call for tender. SUBJECT OF THE CONTRACTS ENVISAGED (IF POSSIBLE) (a) Organisation or co-organisation of a maximum of three workshops for veterinary practitioners to promote EU animal welfare standards for better implementation within the EU and mutual understanding outside the EU; EUR 150 000. (b) Events to disseminate at local/regional the Farmland animal welfare websites and teacher toolbox; EUR 100 000. (c) Production of publications on animal welfare (animal welfare newsletter, brochures on animal welfare, publications/materials for events etc); EUR 50 000. (d) Study on the opportunity to provide EU consumers with the relevant information on stunning of animals; EUR 200 000. (e) Communication actions on working animals; EUR 50 000. (f) Study on education and information activities on animal welfare — This study is a follow-up action of the communication on the European Union strategy for the protection and welfare of animals 2012-2015 (COM(2012) 6 final) and will aim at establishing the need for education and information activities to the general public and consumers and possible actions that could derive from it: EUR 150 000. IMPLEMENTATION Direct centralised INDICATIVE TIMEFRAME FOR LAUNCHING THE PROCUREMENT PROCEDURE From second quarter onwards to third quarter of 2012. INDICATIVE AMOUNT OF THE CALL FOR TENDERS EUR 700 000 SPECIFIC CONTRACT (IF APPLICABLE) Conclusion of a maximum of five specific service contracts under framework contract with reference SANCO/2009/A1/005 Lot 1 and Lot 2. Conclusion of one specific service contract under framework contract with reference SANCO/2009/B1/010. The study mentioned in point (f) will be launched after an open call for tender. 3.4. Publications and dissemination of information to promote animal health issues and the Animal Health Strategy principles LEGAL BASIS Article 20 of Council Decision 2009/470/EC. BUDGETARY LINE 17 04 02 01 INDICATIVE NUMBER AND TYPE OF CONTRACTS ENVISAGED Conclusion of at least 10 specific service contracts using a framework contract. SUBJECT OF THE CONTRACTS ENVISAGED (IF POSSIBLE) (a) in order to raise the awareness of the work of the European Commission and the veterinary profession a major conference in Brussels on the subject of the ‘Economics of Animal Health’ (EUR 100 000) and one student seminar will be organised (EUR 75 000). (b) increase visibility of the European Commission's role in animal health, welfare and food safety via three main fairs (EUR 525 000) and two smaller fairs (EUR 250 000) and technical support to the fairs (EUR 200 000): Roskilde Dyrskue, 8-10 June 2012; Salone del Gusto, 25-29 October 2012; Good Food Show, 28 November-2 December 2012; International Green Week, 18-27 January 2013; Salon International de l'Agriculture 23 February-3 March 2013. Participation to such fairs will aim at reaching some 2 millions citizens with a view to make the added value and benefits of our policy for their daily lives known. (c) outline benefits of modern regulatory framework for animal health in the EU via a partnership with Euronews (EUR 270 000). The sum foreseen relates to the production of a 90 second information video and subsequent distribution on Euronews, on the importance of this legislation for the safety of the food chain, the sustainability of our resources as well as growth of the most important economic European sector: agriculture. (d) production of publication and promotional material for animal health and to update website (EUR 175 000). These publications and promotional materials will serve to reinforce our messages about the benefits of animal health to the citizens (as they relate to food safety, human health and the economy), and to support activities to promote these messages at a local level. IMPLEMENTATION Direct centralised INDICATIVE TIMEFRAME FOR LAUNCHING THE PROCUREMENT PROCEDURE Throughout 2012. INDICATIVE AMOUNT OF THE CALL FOR TENDERS EUR 1 595 000 SPECIFIC CONTRACT (IF APPLICABLE) Conclusion of +/– 10. specific service contracts under framework contract SANCO/2009/A1/005. 3.5. External pre-assessment of the eradication/surveillance programmes for 2013 LEGAL BASIS Article 27 of Council Decision 2009/470/EC. BUDGETARY LINE 17 04 02 01 INDICATIVE NUMBER AND TYPE OF CONTRACTS ENVISAGED Conclusion of at least 20 specific service contracts. SUBJECT OF THE CONTRACTS ENVISAGED (IF POSSIBLE) According to that Article 27 of Council Decision 2009/470/EC, the Commission shall assess the programmes submitted for 2013. Programmes can be submitted for 11 diseases. The aim is to look for a pre-assessment of these programmes by two external technical assistants per disease. IMPLEMENTATION Direct centralised INDICATIVE TIMEFRAME FOR LAUNCHING THE PROCUREMENT PROCEDURE May-July 2012. INDICATIVE AMOUNT OF THE CALL FOR TENDERS EUR 100 000 SPECIFIC CONTRACT (IF APPLICABLE) Conclusion of 20 specific service contracts ANNEX II Work programme for 2012 — Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 1. Introduction This programme contains three implementing measures for the year 2012. On the basis of Article 66(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 on Union financial support of measures necessary to ensure the application of the Regulation, the distribution of the budget and the main actions are the following: For procurement: — study to investigate impact of possible provisions for food contact materials to improve enforceability: EUR 125 000 (point 2.1), — contribution towards horizontal communication related to food and feed control: EUR 52 650 (point 2.2), — study of the feasibility on the identification, quantification and risk assessments of risks from production to consumption: EUR 100 000 (point 2.3). 2. Procurement The global budgetary envelope reserved in 2012 for the procurement contracts amounts to EUR 277 650. 2.1. Study to investigate impact of possible provisions for food contact materials to improve enforceability LEGAL BASIS Council Regulation (EC) No 882/2004, Article 66(1)(c) BUDGETARY LINE 17 04 07 01 INDICATIVE NUMBER AND TYPE OF CONTRACTS ENVISAGED One contract SUBJECT OF THE CONTRACTS ENVISAGED (IF POSSIBLE) Study to investigate impact of possible provisions on food contact materials to improve the enforceability of the existing general safety requirements IMPLEMENTATION Direct centralised INDICATIVE TIME-FRAME FOR LAUNCHING THE PROCUREMENT PROCEDURE Invitation letter with TOR to be sent out by September 2012; signature of contract in November 2012 INDICATIVE AMOUNT OF THE CALL FOR TENDERS EUR 125 000 SPECIFIC CONTRACT Framework service contract: evaluation, impact assessment and related services SANCO/2008/01/055 2.2. Horizontal contribution towards communication related to food and feed control, notably for the update of relevant parts of websites, and design and creation of audiovisual and printed material LEGAL BASIS Article 66(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 BUDGETARY LINE 17 04 07 01 INDICATIVE NUMBER AND TYPE OF CONTRACTS ENVISAGED Different service contract using several framework contracts SUBJECT OF THE CONTRACTS ENVISAGED (IF POSSIBLE) Horizontal contribution towards communication related to food and feed control notably for the update of relevant parts of websites, and design and creation of audiovisual and printed material IMPLEMENTATION Direct centralised INDICATIVE TIME-FRAME FOR LAUNCHING THE PROCUREMENT PROCEDURE Throughout the year 2012 INDICATIVE AMOUNT OF THE CALL FOR TENDERS EUR 52 650 SPECIFIC CONTRACT Several framework contracts 2.3. Study of the feasibility on the identification, quantification and risk assessment of risks from production to consumption LEGAL BASIS Article 66(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 BUDGETARY LINE 17 04 07 01 INDICATIVE NUMBER AND TYPE OF CONTRACTS ENVISAGED One contract SUBJECT OF THE CONTRACTS ENVISAGED (IF POSSIBLE) Study on the identification and quantification of risks, in particular economic and market risks, environmental risks, health and welfare risks from production to consumption; development and assessment of scenarios of future challenges; definition of policy responses INDICATIVE TIME-FRAME FOR LAUNCHING THE PROCUREMENT PROCEDURE During the third quarter of 2012 INDICATIVE AMOUNT OF THE CALL FOR TENDERS EUR 100 000 SPECIFIC CONTRACT Conclusion of one service contract under framework contract SANCO/2009/A1/005/Lot 2 ANNEX III Pilot project on a coordinated European Animal Welfare Network Introduction This pilot project contains one implementing measure for 2012. On the basis of the objectives given in the pilot project, the allocation of the budget is for a grant for the establishment and the functioning of a coordinated European animal welfare network (to be implemented in direct centralised management) and is set at: EUR 1 000 000. Grant for the establishment and the functioning of a coordinated European Animal Welfare Network LEGAL BASIS Pilot project within the meaning of Article 49(6) (a) of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 BUDGET LINE 17 04 01 02 PRIORITIES OF THE YEAR, OBJECTIVES TO BE FULFILLED AND EXPECTED RESULTS This action is intended to cover the setting up of a European coordinated network for animal welfare, as called for by the European Parliament resolution on the evaluation and assessment of the Animal Welfare Action Plan 2006-2010 (PE 430.922 v02-00, A7-0053/2010). It should perform the tasks referred to in the Commission communication of 28 October 2009 on options for animal welfare labelling and the establishment of a European Network of Reference Centres for the protection and welfare of animals (COM(2009) 0584). DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES OF THE IMPLEMENTING MEASURE Objective 1— Establish a network of technical, scientific and educational (vocational education) resources on animal welfare, independent from specific interests, which reflects the geographical and cultural diversity of the Union. Objective 2— Based on specific examples of the EU legislation and according scientifically established methodology, collect and analyse existing data to establish a state of play of implementation of the legislation in different parts of the EU as to benchmark the effectiveness of the actions foreseen. Objective 3— Based on specific examples of the EU legislation, develop and implement strategies based on the transfer of knowledge to competent authorities and stakeholders in order to improve the level of implementation of the legislation. Objective 4— Monitor, report and analyse the effects of the different knowledge strategies implemented by the pilot project and provide recommendations on the feasibility and the possible conditions under which the Union could support a network of reference centres for animal welfare. IMPLEMENTATION The implementation shall be carried out under centralised direct management. TIMETABLE AND INDICATIVE AMOUNT OF THE CALL(S) FOR PROPOSALS DIRECT AWARD A single call for proposals of EUR 1 000 000 shall be published in second quarter of 2012. The pilot project shall be performed within 12 months for the date of signature of the grant agreement. MAXIMUM POSSIBLE RATE OF CO-FINANCING Maximum co-financing of the eligible costs of the action will differ depending on the Member State where beneficiaries are established: — For beneficiaries registered in Member States with a GDP per capita in PPS not more than 50 % of the EU 2010 GDP per capita, the maximum co-financing rate will be of 85 % (Bulgaria, Romania). — For beneficiaries registered in Member States with a GDP per capita in PPS more than 50 % but not more than 100 % of the EU 2010 GDP, the maximum co-financing rate will be of 75 % (Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Cyprus, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and Slovakia). For the other beneficiaries of the EU, the maximum co-financing rate will be of 50 %. ESSENTIAL SELECTION AND AWARD CRITERIA Essential selection criteria : The applicants must have access to solid and adequate funding sources, so as to be able to maintain activities for the period of the project funded and to help finance the project. The applicants must have the professional skills and qualifications required to complete the proposed action. They must provide evidence of their knowledge and experience in the relevant fields and in particular in applied research and/or vocational education on animal welfare. Essential award criteria: — Soundness of the approach (15 %) — Organisation of work and stakeholders involvement (25 %) — Interest of project at European level and multiplier effect (30 %) — Efficiency and cost effectiveness of the project (30 %) FORM OF THE LEGAL COMMITMENT Written agreement.