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I Information

Commission

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Euro exchange rates (1)

3 January 2006

(2006/C 1/01)

1 euro= 

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(1)

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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Euro exchange rates (1)

2 January 2006

(2006/C 1/02)

1 euro= 

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(1)

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(2006/C 1/03)

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Belgium

Aid No: N 9/2005 and N 10/2005

Title: 

Objective: To set up a new financing system for the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain

Legal basis: 

Budget: Unspecified

Aid intensity or amount: 100 % of the cost of BSE testing and of the cost of inspections likely to prove to be directly linked to production and/or marketing; financing of certain activities/inspections not constituting State aid

Duration: Indeterminate

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Italy

Aid No: N 45/05

Title: Measures to ensure food quality and the adoption of a quality label ‘Quality with indication of origin’

Objective: With the draft Provincial Act on Measures to ensure food quality and the adoption of a quality label ‘Quality with indication of origin’ the Italian authorities would introduce an aid scheme under which support could be granted for the marketing, promotion and advertising of quality products and a quality label ‘Quality with indication of origin’. The aid scheme would apply to the following products: products satisfying the criteria laid down in Article 24a (b) of Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999, as modified by Regulation (EC) No 1783/2003, and bearing the quality label pursuant to § 3 of the draft Act; products falling under the scope of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92, i.e. products covered either by a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) or of Regulation (EEC) No 2082/92, i.e. Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG); Quality wines pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999

Legal basis: Misure per garantire la qualità nel settore dei prodotti alimentari e adozione del «marchio di qualità con indicazione di origine» (legge provinciale)

Budget: Ca EUR 3 million per year

Aid intensity or amount: Variable

Duration: Unlimited

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Spain (Navarre)

Aid No: N 48/2005

Title: Aid for the repair of damage caused by flooding

Objective: To repair the damage caused by flooding in September 2004

Legal basis: Ley Foral 9/2004 por el que se establecen medidas a favor de los afectados por las inundaciones producidas en la Comunidad Foral de Navarra y Decreto Foral 333/2004 de 25 de octubre, por el que se establecen ayudas para compensar los daños materiales en estructuras agrarias y las pérdidas de renta en las explotaciones agrarias dañadas por las inundaciones de septiembre de 2004

Budget: EUR 1 110 000

Aid intensity or amount: Less than the cost of the damage

Duration: Ad hoc aid (2005)

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: France

Aid No: N 87b/2005

Title: Aid for grubbing up vines in certain ‘appellation contrôlée’ areas

Objective: To develop the wine sector in the Loire-Atlantique department

Legal basis: Articles L 1511-5 et suivants du Code général des collectivités territoriales

Budget: EUR 2 045 000 (overall budget)

Aid intensity or amount: 

Duration: Until the 2006/07 wine year

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Spain (Cantabria)

Aid No: N 102/2004

Title: Aid to offset the effects of the 2003 drought

Objective: To compensate for agricultural losses caused by the 2003 drought in the Cantabria region

Legal basis: Proyecto de Orden por la que se regulan las ayudas por pérdidas en la agricultura ocasionadas por la sequía en 2003

Budget: EUR 7 million

Aid intensity or amount: Less than the losses suffered

Duration: Ad hoc aid

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: France

Aid No: N 204/2004

Title: Investments in agricultural holdings — Bouches-du-Rhône

Objective: Aid for investments to improve agricultural holdings

Budget: EUR 50 000 to 200 000 per year

Aid intensity or amount: 25 %

Duration: Three years

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: France

Aid No: N 216/2004

Title: Aid to reduce the number of animals in Brittany

Objective: To help absorb the organic nitrogen produced by animals

Budget: EUR 2 million in 2004

Aid intensity or amount: EUR 5 per kg of organic nitrogen absorbed

Duration: 3 years

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: France

Aid No: N 245/2005

Title: Grafting aid intended to supplement the restructuring plan for cider-apple orchards, which was approved by the Commission on 11 January 2005 (scheme No N 332/2004)

Objective: Improvement and redeployment of production

Legal basis: Articles L 621-1 et suivants du Code rural

Budget: Included in the budget of scheme No N 332/2004, as approved

Aid intensity or amount: 40 %

Duration: 4 years

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Finland

Aid No: N 285/2004

Title: Amendment of the rural development aid scheme N 679/2002

Objective: The notified aid measure introduces the following amendments to the approved aid scheme

When the aid rate fixed in Commission Decision C(2004) 457fin. of 16.3.2004 (case N 518/2003) exceeds 50 % of the eligible costs (or 60 % in case of young farmers) the aid in excess of these rates would be paid in annual instalments of equal amount during the five years following the completion of the investment. This amendment is in force until 31.12.2007.

When aid is granted at the fixed rates referred to at point 1 above as a combination of grant and subsidised loan the total funding may exceed the eligible costs. The maximum aid intensities laid down in Article 7 of the Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999, as amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 1783/2003 or, if applicable, the aid rates specified in Annex I to the above Decision on case N 518/2003 will be adhered to. Moreover, the amount in excess must be used towards the investment in question. This amendment is in force until 31.12.2007.

Eligible investment costs will be limited to those laid down in Article 4 point 4 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004.

If an investment project consists of several parts belonging together the aid intensity is that applicable to the main part of the investment.

The aid intensity of investment aid to young farmers would be raised to 60 %.

Technical changes would be introduced in national provision governing the notified aid (Government Decree on the development of rural industries)

Legal basis: A government decree (not yet issued). The decree would modify the Government Decree on the development of rural industries (Valtioneuvoston asetus maaseudun kehittämisestä)

Budget: The budget for the investment aid scheme, as amended by the present notification, has been estimated at EUR 150 million/year. The exact budgetary impact of the proposed amendment cannot be estimated yet

Aid intensity or amount: See above under ‘Objective’

Duration: Unlimited except for certain notified amendments to the existing scheme

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

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Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(2006/C 1/04)

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Spain

Aid No: N 296/2005

Title: Aid to improve production of table grapes

Objective: Structural improvement in table-grape production, consisting in uprooting and replacing table-grape plants with recommended varieties which will enhance quality and modernise production structures

Legal basis: Orden por la que se establecen las bases reguladoras para la concesión de ayudas destinadas al saneamiento de la producción de uva de mesa

Budget: EUR 12,150 million

Aid intensity or amount: The maximum rate of the aid is 20 %, irrespective of the area, and 22,5 % for young farmers during the first five years after they set up. This aid may be combined with other aid granted by the Autonomous Community on whose territory the beneficiary's holding is located, on condition that it does not exceed the ceilings of 50 % in less-favoured areas and 40 % elsewhere. Those maximum rates may be raised by 5 % for investments carried out by young farmers during the first five years after they set up

Duration: Payment of the aid is scheduled from 2005 until 2009 (inclusive)

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Italy

Aid No: N 307/2003

Title: Regional Law No. 10 of 1 April 2005‘Aid for agricultural and agri-food cooperatives’

Objective: The measure provides for the following types of aid: Start-up aid for producer organisations, investment aid, aid for technical support, aid for quality assurance systems, aid for promotion and advertising of agricultural products

Legal basis: Legge Regionale 1 aprile 2005, n. 10 ‘Interventi a favore della cooperazione agricola e agroalimentare nella regione Molise’

Budget: EUR 100 000 for 2005

Aid intensity or amount: 

Duration: Unlimited

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Italy (Calabria)

Aid No: N 313/2003

Title: Aiuti a favore degli investimenti nel settore agricolo ed agroalimentare

Objective: Aid for investments in undertakings processing and marketing agricultural products and aid for investments in the relocation of buildings in the public interest

Legal basis: Delibera della Giunta regionale n. 449 del 17 giugno 2003 concernente le disposizioni d'applicazione dell'articolo 2, comma 2, lettera b) della Legge regionale 8 luglio 2002, n. 24

Budget: EUR 2 000 000 (estimated budget) for the first year of application

Aid intensity or amount: Varies according to the measures, as set out in the letter to the Member State

Duration: Not specified.

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Italy (Friuli-Venezia Giulia region)

Aid No: N 327/2005

Title: Draft Regional Law No 125 ‘Integrated agricultural and rural development services system’

Objective: To promote the system for disseminating agricultural knowledge in order to foster the balanced development of rural areas, boost production value-added and improve the competitiveness of agricultural holdings

Legal basis: Disegno di legge: ‘Sistema integrato dei servizi di sviluppo agricolo e rurale (SISSAR)’

Budget: An amount of EUR 883 500 is planned for 2006. Subsequent amounts will be laid down in the Region's annual and triennial Finance Acts

Aid intensity or amount: For research and development activities:

For technical assistance: The intensity of the aid must under no circumstances exceed 80 % of eligible expenditure, and the total amount of aid per beneficiary per three-year period may not be more than:

Duration: 2006-12 (6 years)

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: France

Aid No: N 332/2004

Title: Restructuring of cider apple orchards

Objective: To adapt cider-apple orchards to consumer requirements through investment aid and aid to reduce production capacities.

Budget: EUR 2 497 500

Aid intensity or amount: Variable

Duration: 4 years

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Denmark

Aid No: N 343/04

Title: Tax on mineral phosphorous in feed phosphates

Objective: The county council land tax is reduced from 4,3 per mille to 3,8 per mille for land used for primary production, i.e. land used for farms, horticultural establishments, nurseries and fruit orchards, as a compensation for the introduction of a new tax on phosphorous in feed

Legal basis: Lov af 28. april 2004 om afgift på mineralsk fosfor i foderfosfater

Budget: An estimated maximum of DKK 99 000 (approx. EUR 13 300) per year

Aid intensity or amount: The ceiling creates an average tax reduction of approx. DKK 700 (about EUR 95) per holding per year

Duration: Unlimited

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Italy (Sicily)

Aid No: N 347/2004

Title: Law 185/1992: Assistance in agricultural areas having suffered damage

Objective: To compensate for damage to farming structures as a result of bad weather

Legal basis: Articolo 3, paragrafo 2, lettera c) della legge 185/1992. Deliberazione della Giunta siciliana n. 81 del 12 marzo 2004 e deliberazione della Giunta siciliana n. 93 del 19 marzo 2004

Budget: EUR 26 121 277

Aid intensity or amount: 100 % of the damage.

Duration: Measure applying a scheme approved by the Commission

Other details: Measures applying the scheme approved by the Commission under State aid C 12/B/95 (Commission Decision 2004/307/EC, 16.12.2003, OJ L 99/2004).

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Italy (Friuli-Venezia Giulia)

Aid No: N 373/2004

Title: Assistance in agricultural areas which have suffered damage (hail storm of 20 June 2004, province of Trieste)

Objective: To compensate farmers for damage to agricultural production and farming structures as a result of bad weather

Legal basis: Decreto legislativo n. 102/2004

Budget: See the approved scheme (NN 54/A/04)

Aid intensity or amount: 80 % of the damage

Duration: Measure applying an aid scheme approved by the Commission

Other details: Measure applying the scheme approved by the Commission under State aid NN 54/A/2004 (Commission letter C(2005)1622 final, dated 7 June 2005).

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Germany

Aid No: N 383/05

Title: Setting up a computerised information system for horticulture; Modification of aid No N 233/01

Objective: To obtain a sustainable improvement of the knowledge transfer and increased research efficiency in the horticulture sector

Legal basis: Zuwendungsbescheid und Änderungsbescheid auf der Grundlage der Bundeshaushaltsordnung

Budget: New budget: EUR 246 951

Aid intensity or amount: Average aid intensity of 58,3 % in 2006, 45,3 % in 2007 and 33,3 % in 2008

Duration: 1.4.2006 — 30.6.2008

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Denmark

Aid No: N 391/04

Title: Aid for the preservation of endangered species

Objective: The purpose of the aid is to support the preservation of endangered breeds and make it possible for the general public to watch those breeds. The endangered breeds that are eligible for aid are chosen by the Danish Committee for the Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources

Legal basis: § 24 i lov nr. 432 af 9. juni 2004 om husdyrbrug

Bekendtgørelse om tilskud til bevaring af husdyrgenetiske ressourcer

Budget: DKK 2 945 000 (about EUR 396 000) per year

Aid intensity or amount: Up to 100 %

Duration: Until 1 November 2007

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

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Summary information from the Member States on State aid granted in conformity with Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 of 23 December 2003 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production, processing and marketing of agricultural products

(2006/C 1/05)

Aid No: XA 1/04

Member State: Spain

Region: All the national territory

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Aid for the development of agricultural associations and amalgamation of cooperatives across the Autonomous Communities

Legal basis: Orden por la que se establecen las bases reguladoras y la convocatoria, para el año 2004, de las subvenciones destinadas al fomento del asociacionismo agrario y de la integración cooperativa de nivel suprautonómico

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Annual budget EUR 1 452 130

Maximum aid intensity: Maximum of 50 % of the costs of amalgamation or merging, but not more than EUR 30 000 per body amalgamated or EUR 60 000 per body merged.

For management expenditure during the first five years, decreasing from 100 % to 20 %, but not more than 5 % of the value of sales in each year

Date of implementation: From the date of publication in the Spanish Official Gazette and entry into force

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 2004

Objective of aid: Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004.

Eligible costs

The expenses referred to in this point are not eligible where those expenses are supported by aid provided for under the relevant common market organisations for the operation of producer groups.

Sector(s) concerned: Agricultural sector. Arable and livestock subsectors

Name and address of the granting authority: MAPA. Dirección General de Desarrollo Rural. C/ Alfonso XII, 62. E-28071 Madrid

Web address: www.mapya.es

Aid No: XA 7/04

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: England

Title of Aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Farm Business Advice Service in England

Legal basis: This is a non-statutory service, participation in which is voluntary. The Agriculture Act 1986 (section 1) provides the legal base for the provision by Government of advice in connection with any agricultural activity

Annual Expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Planned funding for the service will be up to GBP 7 million for the next financial year 2004/05

Maximum aid intensity: 100 %

Date of implementation: From 1 April 2004. This is an extension of the existing four year service which began in October 2000 following State aid approval and which was originally due to end on 31 March 2004. The original service was approved by the Commission on 19 October 2000 as UK State Aid 241/2000

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31 March 2005

Objective of aid: The primary objective is aid to SMEs. The on-going aim of the scheme is to encourage farmers faced with fundamental changes in their market place and industry to think like business people and take strategic decisions about the future of their businesses. The service will fund an average of three days of an adviser's time (and no more than five days) at a cost of no more than GBP 410 per day (excluding VAT) to up to 5 000 farmers in England over the next year. Eligible costs will therefore be consultancy fees in line with Article 14(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004

Sectors concerned: Agriculture. All farm types may apply for business advice under the service providing the applicant spends a minimum of 75 % of their time working on their core farming business. The advice may cover diversification into processing and marketing activities, as well as production

Name and address of the granting authority: Administered by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Defra

Ergon House

Horseferry Road

London SW1P 2AL

United Kingdom

The Small Business Service (an agency of the Department of Trade and Industry) is responsible for the day-to-day management

Small Business Service

Rural Issues Team

L1 St Mary's House

C/O Moorfoot

Shefffield S1 4PQ

United Kingdom

Web-address: www.defra.gov.uk/farm/fbadvice/fbas/index.htm

Aid No: XA 10/04

Member State: Spain

Region: Autonomous Community of Cantabria

Title of aid scheme/Name of company receiving individual aid measure: Aid for setting up/adapting Cleaning and Disinfection Centres for road vehicles used for animal transport

Legal basis: Orden de la Consejería de Ganadería, Agricultura y Pesca por la que se regulan y convocan ayudas a la instalación y adecuación de Centros de Limpieza y Desinfección de vehículos destinados al transporte por carretera de animales en la Comunidad Autónoma de Cantabria para el ejercicio de 2004

Planned annual expenditure under the scheme/Total amount of individual aid granted to companies: EUR 184 000

Maximum aid intensity: Aid can be granted to cover a maximum of 40 % of the total eligible amount. The aid intensity may be up to a maximum of 50 % for investment in disadvantaged areas or in installations used for processing and marketing agricultural products. The ceiling for each individual aid measure will be EUR 60 000

Date of application: 

Duration of the scheme/individual aid measure: Indefinite

Purpose of the aid: To encourage the establishment of Cleaning and Disinfection Centres in order to build a basic network of establishments for improving the health and hygiene conditions of livestock transport.

The aid will be granted under Articles 4 and 7 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004.

The following will be considered to be eligible expenditure

Sector or sectors concerned: The scheme covers the production, processing and marketing of beef, sheepmeat, horsemeat, pigmeat, poultry, etc.

Name and address of the authority granting the aid: Consejería de Ganadería, Agricultura y Pesca de la Comunidad Autónoma de Cantabria

Website: http://boc.gobcantabria.es/boc/

Aid No: XA 13/04

Member State: Spain

Region: Castile and Leon

Title of aid scheme/Name of company receiving individual aid measure: Line 02- Aid for SMEs active in processing and marketing

Legal basis: Capítulo II Sección 2a de la Orden AYG/458/2004, de 29 de marzo, de regulación y convocatoria de ayudas a la transformación y comercialización de los productos agrarios, silvícolas y de la alimentación en Castilla y León (Boletín Oficial de Castilla y León no 63 de 1 de abril de 2004)

Planned annual expenditure under the scheme/Total amount of individual aid granted to companies: EUR 20 000 000

Maximum aid intensity: 

Date of application: 

Duration of the scheme/individual aid measure: Aid can be granted under this scheme until December 2006

Purpose of the aid: The objective is to grant aid for investment in the processing and marketing of agricultural products made by SMEs, as specified in Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004.

To this end, in accordance with Article 7(3) of that Regulation, eligible expenditure can include

Sector or sectors concerned: The scheme covers the processing and marketing of agricultural products in all sectors, i.e. it is not limited to any specific agricultural products. For the purposes of this scheme, the term ‘agricultural product’ is understood to mean the definition laid down in Article 2(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 and the term ‘processing of an agricultural product’ is understood to mean the definition laid down in Article 2(3) of that Regulation.

The scheme explicitly excludes investment related to the processing of agricultural products listed in Annex I of the EC Treaty into products that are not included in that Annex

Name and address of the authority granting the aid: 

Website: http://www.jcyl.es/industriasagrarias

Other information: No aid will be granted under this scheme which contravenes any prohibitions or restrictions laid down by any of the Community market-organisation regimes, as specified in Article 7(6) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004.

Similarly, as stipulated in Article 7(7)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004, no aid will be granted for the manufacture or marketing of products which imitate or substitute for milk and milk products.

Furthermore, in accordance with Article 7(7)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004, no aid will be granted for processing or marketing activities in the sugar sector.

Finally, in accordance with Article 1(4)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004, aid granted under this scheme will not be contingent on the use of domestic over imported goods

Aid No: XA 14/04

Member State: Spain

Region: Castile and Leon

Title of aid scheme/Name of company receiving individual aid measure: Line 11 — Business development of companies processing and marketing agricultural products.

Legal basis: Capítulo II Sección 11a de la Orden AYG/458/2004, de 29 de marzo, de regulación y convocatoria de ayudas a la transformación y comercialización de los productos agrarios, silvícolas y de la alimentación en Castilla y León (Boletín Oficial de Castilla y León no 63 de 1 de abril de 2004)

Planned annual expenditure under the scheme/Total amount of individual aid granted to companies: EUR 1 000 000

Maximum aid intensity: 

Date of application: 

Duration of the scheme/individual aid measure: Aid can be granted under this scheme until December 2006

Purpose of the aid: The objective is to grant aid to small and medium-sized companies active in processing and marketing agricultural products which undertake one of the following actions

To facilitate the process of succession and the passing on to successive generations of control in small and medium-sized family businesses in the agricultural product processing and marketing sector, funding can be obtained under this scheme to help with the costs of any outside consultancy needed to draw up a ‘family agreement’, defined as a document which regulates professional, economic and family relations within the company with the goal of ensuring its continued prosperity across successive generations of the family.

The costs eligible for aid would be fees for technical and external consultancy work needed to carry out a preliminary analysis of the business and then the drawing up of the agreement.

This measure is part of the aid provided for under Article 14(2)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004.

To help small and medium-sized family businesses active in processing and marketing agricultural products to market their products, funding is available under this scheme for the purchase or lease-purchase of IT equipment, including software, up to its market value; other costs connected with a leasing contract (taxes, lessor's margin, interest refinancing costs, overheads, insurance charges, etc.) will not be eligible for aid; in this case the purchase of second-hand equipment will not be eligible for aid.

The acquisition of patents and licences for the use of IT programmes and technical fees, up to 12 % of the expenditure referred to in the previous paragraph, will also be eligible for aid.

This measure is part of the aid provided for under Article 7(3)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004.

Sector or sectors concerned: The scheme covers the processing and marketing of agricultural products in all sectors, i.e. it is not limited to any specific agricultural products. For the purposes of this scheme, the term ‘agricultural product’ is understood to mean the definition laid down in Article 2(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 and the term ‘processing of an agricultural product’ is understood to mean the definition laid down in Article 2(3) of that Regulation.

The scheme explicitly excludes investment related to the processing of agricultural products listed in Annex I of the EC Treaty into products that are not included in that Annex.

Name and address of the authority granting the aid: 

Website: http://www.jcyl.es/industriasagrarias

Other information: No aid will be granted under this scheme which contravenes any prohibitions or restrictions laid down by any of the Community market-organisation regimes, as specified in Article 7(6) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004.

Similarly, as stipulated in Article 7(7)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004, no aid will be granted for the manufacture or marketing of products which imitate or substitute for milk and milk products.

Furthermore, in accordance with Article 7(7)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004, no aid will be granted for processing or marketing activities in the sugar sector.

Finally, in accordance with Article 1(4)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004, aid granted under this scheme will not be contingent on the use of domestic over imported goods

Aid No: XA 15/04

Member State: Finland

Location: Finnish assisted areas C1-C4

Title of aid scheme: Start-up aid for young farmers

Legal basis: Valtioneuvoston asetus maaseudun kehittämisestä (609/2000), 35 pykälä, 42 pykälä ja 87 pykälä

Estimated annual cost of the aid scheme (as aid granted, EUR million): 

The expenditure on start-up aid for young farmers amounts in total to some EUR 107,52 million in the period 2004-07.

Payment of start-up aid

Start-up aid is paid for three years from installation.

The interest subsidy is paid for the term of the loan.

The supplementary aid is paid in the fourth, fifth and sixth years after installation.

The aid is paid up to the maximums set out below. The aid, including supplementary aid, is paid as a subsidy without discounting its face value at grant.

Maximum amount of aid: The start-up aid granted in subsidy form is EUR 25 000, while the interest subsidy is up to a maximum of EUR 25 000.

Start-up aid of EUR 30 000 can be granted to livestock holdings and horticulture-under-glass holdings, however, and an interest subsidy of up to EUR 30 000 can be granted to young farmers, if livestock rearing or horticulture production equivalent to at least 20 units is carried out on the holding within three years of installation. These size units are laid down in Annex I to Council of State Decree No 609/2000. A further condition for the grant of aid is that the beneficiary makes use of the advisory services provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1783/2003 on rural development, as amended, for the first three full calendar years after installation.

In addition to the livestock farms and horticulture-under-glass holdings meeting the abovementioned criteria, young farmers may also be granted EUR 25 000 in supplementary aid (subsidy).

A livestock or horticulture holding can therefore receive a maximum subsidy of EUR 55 000 and an interest subsidy of EUR 30 000

Date of introduction: From 17.5.2004

Duration of aid scheme or individual aid: The aid scheme will be in force until the end of 2007

Purpose of the aid: The purpose of the start-up aid for young farmers is to assist SMEs in the livestock-rearing and horticulture sectors. The aid is granted under Article 8 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 and is based on Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 on support for rural development and paragraph 7.2 of the Community Guidelines for State aid in the agriculture sector.

Sectors concerned: Agriculture: livestock rearing and horticulture-under-glass

Name and address of the authority granting the aid: Each Employment and Economic Development Centre (there are twelve of them) grants start-up aid to young farmers in the geographic area for which it is responsible.

Etelä-Pohjanmaan TE-keskus

Huhtalantie 2

FIN-60220 Seinäjoki

Etelä-Savon TE-keskus

Mikonkatu 3 ja 5, PL 164

FIN-50101 Mikkeli

Kaakkois-Suomen TE-keskus

Salpausselänkatu 22, PL 1041

FIN-45101 Kouvola

Kainuun TE-keskus

Kalliokatu 4

FIN-87100 Kajaani

Keski-Suomen TE-keskus

Cygnaeuksenkatu 1, PL 44

FIN-40101 Jyväskylä

Lapin TE-keskus

Ruokasenkatu 2

FIN-96200 Rovaniemi

Pirkanmaan TE-keskus

Kauppakatu 4, PL 467

FIN-33101 Tampere

Pohjanmaan TE-keskus

Hovioikeudenpuistikko 19 A, PL 131

FIN-65101 Vaasa

Pohjois-Karjalan TE-keskus

Kauppakatu 40 B, PL 8

FIN-80101 Joensuu

Pohjois-Pohjanmaan TE-keskus

Viestikatu 1, PL 86

FIN-90101 Oulu

Pohjois-Savon TE-keskus

Käsityökatu 41, PL 2000

FIN-70101 Kuopio

Satakunnan TE-keskus

Pohjoisranta 11 E, PL 266

FIN-28100 Pori

Website address: www.mmm.fi/tuet/valtiontuet/ryhmäpoikkeusasetus

Other information: This summary replaces the notification sent to the Commission on 6 February 2004 under reference number 65/312/2004 on the programme of start-up aid for young farmers (see point 3.1 of the notification) in accordance with Article 142 of the Act of Accession to the European Union of the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden, and Article 87 of the Treaty establishing the European Community

Aid No: XA 16/04

Member State: Italy

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Aid towards payment of insurance premiums

Legal basis: Decreto legislativo in attuazione della legge 7 marzo 2003, n. 38

Annual expenditure planned under scheme or total annual aid aid granted to company: EUR 100 000 000

Maximum aid intensity: 

Date of implementation: 

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 

Purpose of aid: Support for SMEs; encouragement of anticipatory action for coping with damage to crop and livestock production, farm buildings and structures etc in zones affected by natural disasters. Article 11 Regulation (EC) No 1/2004

Eligible costs: insurance premiums for cover of losses resulting from adverse weather conditions ranking as natural disasters

Sector(s) concerned: Production of agricultural products listed in Annex I to the Treaty

Name and address of granting authority: 

Web site: www.inea.it/ops/esenzioni.cfm

Aid No: XA 34/04

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: Cheshire (including the county of Cheshire and the boroughs of Halton and Warrington)

Title of Aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Cheshire Rural Recovery Programme — P&M Grant Initiative

Legal basis: Section 5 of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Total allocation to the scheme during its lifetime will be GBP 250 000. This breaks down as

Year 1: 2004/5 — GBP 60 000

Year 2: 2005/6 — GBP 70 000

Year 3: 2006/7 — GBP 70 000

Year 4: (1 April to 30 June 2007) — GBP 50 000

Maximum aid intensity: The maximum aid intensity will be 40 % with an additional ceiling of GBP 62 500 per individual grant.

Date of implementation: 

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: The scheme will be open to new applicants until 31 December 2006, but payments (which are only made on completion of the work) will continue to be made until 30 June 2007.

Objective of aid: The scheme is intended to aid the long term development of the Cheshire rural economy. It will do this by helping agricultural businesses become more competitive, improve business efficiency, respond to consumer demand and add more value to their produce.

The aid will be paid in compliance with Article 7 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004. The eligible costs will be the purchase of new or used capital equipment. Eligible costs will not include general costs, such as architects, engineers and consultation fees

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme provides grants for processing and marketing activities only, but is open to all types of Annex 1 product with the exception of forestry, fisheries and sugar products. Aids for the manufacture and marketing of products which imitate or substitute for milk and milk products are also excluded

Name and address of the granting authority: 

Web-address: www.defra.gov.uk/farm/state-aid/setup/exist-exempt.htm. Click on ‘Cheshire Rural Recovery Programme — P& M Grant Initiative’. Alternatively, you can go to http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/state-aid/setup/schemes/cheshire-pandm.pdf

Aid No: XA 35/04

Member State: Italy.

Region: Veneto

Title of aid scheme: Aid for investment in agricultural holdings

Legal basis: Legge Regionale 12 dicembre 2003, n. 40 Titolo VI Capo I artt. 17, 18, 19 e 20 «Nuove norme per gli interventi in agricoltura» e successive modifiche ed integrazioni. Il testo coordinato della legge è pubblicato sul Bollettino Ufficiale della Regione del Veneto n. 40 del 13.4.2004

Annual expenditure planned or total annual amount granted: The annual allocation of aid is set by the budget, which is approved every year by the Regional Council. It is anticipated that the annual financial package will amount to EUR 2 000 000, but this is merely an estimate

Maximum aid intensity: 40 % of eligible costs (or 50 % in disadvantaged areas), which may be increased by up to 10 % for investments made by young farmers within five years of establishment, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1783/2003

Date of implementation: 

Duration of scheme: 

Objectives of aid: 

Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 of 23 December 2003.

The scheme covers the following eligible costs: work on farm structures and equipment aimed to improve, update and incorporate technological innovation into farm activities; general costs up to a maximum of 12 % of eligible costs

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme applies to the production, processing and/or marketing of agricultural products listed in Annex 1 to the Treaty and covers all sectors of production

Name and address of the granting authority: 

Web address: http://www.consiglioveneto.it/leggi/2003/03lr0040.html

Aid No: XA 36/04

Member State: Italy

Region: Veneto

Title of aid scheme: Aid for professional training and updating expertise in food safety

Legal basis: Legge Regionale 12 dicembre 2003, n. 40 Titolo VI. Capo II artt. 21, 22 e 23 «Nuove norme per gli interventi in agricoltura» e successive modifiche ed integrazioni. Il testo coordinato della legge è pubblicato sul Bollettino Ufficiale della Regione del Veneto n. 40 del 13.4.2004

Annual expenditure planned or total annual amount granted: The annual allocation of aid is set by the budget, which is approved every year by the Regional Council. It is anticipated that the annual financial package will amount to EUR 200 000, but this is merely an estimate

Maximum aid intensity: Maximum 100 % of eligible costs

Date of implementation: 

Duration of scheme: 

Objectives of aid: 

Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 of 23 December 2003.

The scheme covers the following eligible costs: costs incurred in organising and carrying out training and refresher courses on food safety for employees in the agricultural sector

Sectors concerned: The scheme applies to occupational training for farmers active in the production, processing and/or marketing of agricultural products listed in Annex I of the Treaty

Name and address of granting authority: 

Web address: http://www.consiglioveneto.it/leggi/2003/03lr0040.htlm

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Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(2006/C 1/06)

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Finland.

Title: Commission Decision approving a request made by the Republic of Finland to amend the aid programme approved with the Commission Decision C(2004)475fin of 16 March 2004 (Aid N 513/2003) by modifying the maximum amounts of aid laid down in Annex III and prolonging in certain cases the duration of additional incentive payments towards agri environmental commitments

Objective: The Finnish authorities have proposed to raise the maximum allowed aid amount laid down in Annex III for ewes and she-goats in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and to reduce the aid proportionally in other sectors so that the yearly maximum total amount of aid for all sectors laid down in Annex III of the Commission Decision C(2004)475fin of 16 March 2004 (Aid N 513/2003) (‘the Commission Decision’) would not change.These authorities have also requested to be authorised by the Commission to grant additional incentive payments, as provided in Article 2 of the Commission Decision, towards the ongoing co-financed five-year agri-environmental commitments also during the two-year continuation period provided in Commission Decision C(2005) 1134 for such commitments

Legal basis: Commission Decision C(2004)475fin of 16 March 2004

Duration: 

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Italy (Friuli Venezia Giulia)

Aid No: N 492/05

Title: Assistance in farming areas affected by natural disasters (hail-storms and tornado of 4 June 2005 in some municipalities in the province of Udine)

Objective: To compensate for farming structures damaged as a result of bad weather

Legal basis: Decreto legislativo n. 102/2004

Budget: To be financed from the budget approved under Aid No NN 54/A/04

Aid intensity or amount: Up to 100 % of the damage

Duration: Measure applying an aid scheme approved by the Commission

Other information: Measure applying the scheme approved by the Commission under State aid NN 54/A/2004 (Commission letter C(2005)1622 final, dated 7 June 2005).

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Italy (Sicily)

Aid No: N 493/2005

Title: Assistance in farming areas affected by natural disasters (persistent rain in the province of Siracusa from 3 November to 31 December 2004)

Objective: To compensate farmers for damage to agricultural production as a result of bad weather

Legal basis: Decreto legislativo n. 102/2004

Budget: See the approved scheme (NN 54/A/04)

Aid intensity or amount: Up to 80 % of the damage

Duration: Measure applying an aid scheme approved by the Commission

Other information: Measure applying the scheme approved by the Commission under state aid NN 54/A/2004 (Commission letter C(2005) 1622 final dated 7 June 2005)

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Italy (Liguria)

Aid No: N 588/2004

Title: Assistance in farming areas affected by natural disasters (hail-storms of 11 October 2004 in the provinces of Imperia and Savona)

Objective: To compensate for damage to agricultural production and farming structures as a result of bad weather

Legal basis: Decreto legislativo n. 102/2004

Budget: See the approved scheme (NN 54/A/04)

Aid intensity or amount: Up to 100 %

Duration: Measure applying an aid scheme approved by the Commission

Other information: Measure applying the scheme approved by the Commission under State aid NN 54/A/2004 (Commission letter C(2005) 1622 final, dated 7 June 2005).

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Germany (Bavaria)

Aid No: N 785/2002

Title: Promotion of milk and milk products

Objective: The aid covers measures for advertising campaigns, sales promotion, fairs and exhibitions, as well as work directed towards media and publicity, in order to promote the sale of Bavarian milk and milk products

Legal basis: §§ 14 und 22 des Milch- und Fettgesetzes vom 10.12.1952

Budget: EUR 4,6 million per year.

Aid intensity or amount: Up to 100 %

Duration: Unlimited.

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Italy

Aid No: N 824/C/2000

Title: Compensatory measures for holdings affected by bluetongue and avian influenza in 2001

Objective: To compensate the losses suffered by holdings affected by bluetongue and avian influenza in 2001

Legal basis: Articolo 100 della legge n. 388/2000

Budget: ITL 25 billion (EUR 12 911 422)

Aid intensity or amount: 100 % of the market value of the animals slaughtered as determined in accordance with Article 2(4) of Italian law No 218/1988

Duration: 2001

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Italy (Marche)

No of the aid: NN 31/2004 ex N 623/2003

Title: Aid for collection and disposal of fallen stock

Objective: To compensate bovine livestock producers for the collection and disposal of fallen stock in the period between 1.10.2000 until 31.12.2004, but with the possibility to extend it further until 2013

Legal basis: Delibere della Giunta Regionale n. 659 del 26 marzo 2001 e n. 891 del 23 aprile 2001: Emergenza BSE, indennizzi agli allevatori per fronteggiare le spese di raccolta e trasporto di bovini morti in azienda da avviare agli impianti di pretrattamento e successiva distruzione

Budget: Undetermined, on average EUR 80 000 per month

Aid intensity or amount: 100 % of costs of removal and 75 % of the costs of destruction of the carcasses as from 1.1.2004

Duration: Until 2013

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: Portugal

Aid No: NN 40/2003

Title: Aid for the agricultural cooperative Coopafreixo-Cooperative agrícola, CRL

Objective: To support implementation by experts of an architectural project prior to carrying out material investments

Budget: EUR 5 000

Aid intensity or amount: Less than 100 % of the cost of the service

Duration: Ad hoc assistance

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision: 

Member State: France

Aid No: NN 44/2002

Title: Aid to finance animal waste — Bone meal

Objective: The purpose of the aid is to finance the destruction in 2000, 2001 and 2002 of bone meal banned from the market

Legal basis: Décret 2000-1166 instituant une mesure d'indemnisation pour les entreprises productrices de certaines farines et graisses et ses modifications

Budget: The budget amounts to EUR 472,4 million

Aid intensity or amount: As specified in the letter to the Member State

Duration: From 15 November 2000 to 31 December 2002

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

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