L 352/58 Official Journal of the European Union 24.12.2013 COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION of 18 December 2013 on a Union financial contribution for 2013 to cover expenditure incurred by Germany, Spain, France, the Netherlands and Portugal for the purposes of combating organisms harmful to plants or plant products (notified under document C(2013) 8999) (Only the Dutch, French German, Portuguese and Spanish texts are authentic) (2013/800/EU) THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Council Directive 2000/29/EC of 8 May 2000 on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community (), and in particular Article 23(5) and (6) thereof, Whereas: (1) Pursuant to Article 22 of Directive 2000/29/EC, Member States may receive a ‘plant health control’ financial contribution from the Union to cover expenditure relating directly to the necessary measures which have been taken or are planned to be taken for the purpose of combating harmful organisms introduced from third countries or from other areas in the Union, in order to eradicate or, if that is not possible, to contain them. Germany introduced three requests for financial contribution. The first one was introduced on 30 April 2013 and relates to measures taken in 2012 to eradicate or contain Diabrotica virgifera in Rheinland-Pfalz. The outbreak of that harmful organism was detected there in August and September 2012. The second one was introduced on 30 April 2013 and relates to measures taken from August 2011 until August 2012 to control Anoplophora glabripennis in Nordrhein-Westfalen. The outbreak of that harmful organism was detected there in 2009. The third request of Germany was introduced on 24 April 2013 and relates to measures taken in 2012 to eradicate or contain Diabrotica virgifera in Baden-Wiirt- temberg. The outbreaks of that harmful organism were detected in different rural or city districts of that State (Alb-Donaukreis, Biberach, Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, Emmendingen, Karlsruhe, Konstanz, Loerrach, Rastatt and Ravensburg) in different years, ie. 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. The measures taken in those years () OJ L 169, 10.7.2000, p. 1. (10) (11) have also been the subject to co-financing in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Spain introduced four requests for financial contribution on 17 April 2013. The first one relates to measures of intensified inspections taken in 2012 in the four Autonomous Communities bordering Portugal to control Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. The second request of Spain relates to measures taken or planned for 2013 in Galicia to control Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. The outbreak of that harmful organism was detected in 2010 in the area of As Neves. The third request relates to measures taken or planned for 2013 in Catalonia to control Pomacea insularum. The outbreak of that harmful organism was detected in 2010. The fourth request of Spain relates to measures taken or planned for 2013 in Extremadura to control Bursaphel- enchus xylophilus. The outbreak of that harmful organism was detected in 2012 in the area of Valverde del Fresno. France introduced two requests for financial contribution on 30 April 2013. The first one relates to measures taken or planned from July 2012 until November 2013 to control Anoplophora glabripennis in Alsace. Measures were taken in France as a consequence of findings in July 2011 of that harmful organism in the bordering area of Germany. The second request relates to measures taken or planned from October 2012 until September 2013 to control Rhynchophorus ~ ferrugineus in the PACA region. The initial outbreaks of that harmful organism were detected in 2009. Measures taken from September 2009 until September 2012 have also been the subject of co-financing in 2010 and 2012. The Netherlands introduced one request for financial contribution on 30 April 2013. That request relates to measures taken from July until October 2012 in the area of Winterswijk to control Anoplophora glabripennis. The appearance of that harmful organism was detected on 10 July 2012.