# Official Journal C 238/28 S

| | ISSN 1725-2423 |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 238 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 4828 September 2005 |

ISSN 1725-2423

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 238

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 4828 September 2005

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| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | I   Information |
| | Commission |
| 2005/C 238/1 | Euro exchange rates | 1 |
| 2005/C 238/2 | Imposition by Finland of a public service obligation relating to the scheduled air service on the Helsinki — Mikkeli — Savonlinna route (
  1
  ) | 2 |
| 2005/C 238/3 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.3964 — Berkshire Hathaway/MEHC) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 4 |

Notice No

Contents

page

I   Information

Commission

2005/C 238/1

Euro exchange rates

1

2005/C 238/2

Imposition by Finland of a public service obligation relating to the scheduled air service on the Helsinki — Mikkeli — Savonlinna route (
  1
  )

1

2

2005/C 238/3

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.3964 — Berkshire Hathaway/MEHC) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

4

| | III   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | European Food Safety Authority |
| 2005/C 238/4 | Call for scientific data related to legally used growth promoting hormones in bovines (EFSA-Q-2005-048) — Deadline for submissions: 4 November 2005 | 5 |

III   Notices

European Food Safety Authority

2005/C 238/4

Call for scientific data related to legally used growth promoting hormones in bovines (EFSA-Q-2005-048) — Deadline for submissions: 4 November 2005

5

| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Text with EEA relevance |

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(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

| EN | |
| --- | --- |

EN

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I Information

Commission

| 28.9.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 238/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.9.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 238/1

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Euro exchange rates (1)

27 September 2005

(2005/C 238/01)

1 euro=

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,2005 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 136,01 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4622 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,68025 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,3875 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,5578 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 75,49 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 7,8205 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9557 |
| CYP | Cyprus pound | 0,5731 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 29,381 |
| EEK | Estonian kroon | 15,6466 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 247,25 |
| LTL | Lithuanian litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Latvian lats | 0,6960 |
| MTL | Maltese lira | 0,4293 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 3,8963 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 3,5323 |
| SIT | Slovenian tolar | 239,51 |
| SKK | Slovak koruna | 38,588 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 1,6150 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,5907 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,4095 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 9,3129 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,7647 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 2,0321 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 243,42 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 7,6764 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 9,7144 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,4515 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 12 335,14 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,526 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 67,576 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 34,2850 |
| THB | Thai baht | 49,529 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,2005

JPY

Japanese yen

136,01

DKK

Danish krone

7,4622

GBP

Pound sterling

0,68025

SEK

Swedish krona

9,3875

CHF

Swiss franc

1,5578

ISK

Iceland króna

75,49

NOK

Norwegian krone

7,8205

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9557

CYP

Cyprus pound

0,5731

CZK

Czech koruna

29,381

EEK

Estonian kroon

15,6466

HUF

Hungarian forint

247,25

LTL

Lithuanian litas

3,4528

LVL

Latvian lats

0,6960

MTL

Maltese lira

0,4293

PLN

Polish zloty

3,8963

RON

Romanian leu

3,5323

SIT

Slovenian tolar

239,51

SKK

Slovak koruna

38,588

TRY

Turkish lira

1,6150

AUD

Australian dollar

1,5907

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,4095

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

9,3129

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,7647

SGD

Singapore dollar

2,0321

KRW

South Korean won

1 243,42

ZAR

South African rand

7,6764

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

9,7144

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,4515

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

12 335,14

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,526

PHP

Philippine peso

67,576

RUB

Russian rouble

34,2850

THB

Thai baht

49,529

---

(1)

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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| 28.9.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 238/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.9.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 238/2

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Imposition by Finland of a public service obligation relating to the scheduled air service on the Helsinki — Mikkeli — Savonlinna route

(2005/C 238/02)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| 1. | In accordance with Article 4(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 of 23 July 1992 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes, the Finnish Government (Ministry of Transport and Communications) has decided to impose a public service obligation relating to scheduled flights on the Helsinki-Mikkeli-Savonlinna route from 1 November 2005 to 31 December 2006, except during the period from 30 June 2006 to 30 July 2006. |
| --- | --- |

1.

In accordance with Article 4(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 of 23 July 1992 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes, the Finnish Government (Ministry of Transport and Communications) has decided to impose a public service obligation relating to scheduled flights on the Helsinki-Mikkeli-Savonlinna route from 1 November 2005 to 31 December 2006, except during the period from 30 June 2006 to 30 July 2006.

| 2. | The following service conditions will apply.
  2.1   Minimum number of flights
  The minimum number of flights on the Helsinki-Savonlinna route will be three in each direction on working days from Monday to Friday, not including public holidays. The itinerary for the early morning flight will be Savonlinna-Mikkeli-Helsinki and the itinerary for the late evening flight will be Helsinki-Mikkeli-Savonlinna.
  On Saturdays there must be at least one connection from Savonlinna to Helsinki and on Sundays at least one connection from Helsinki via Mikkeli to Savonlinna.
  The timetable may be altered at Christmas and other holiday periods according to demand.
  2.2   Number of seats
  Capacity on each flight must be at least 30 seats. The average monthly seat-occupancy rate must not exceed 80 %. There should be enough luggage/cargo capacity to enable each passenger, on a full flight in normal weather conditions, to carry on 8 kg in hand luggage and put at least 20 kg in the hold.
  2.3   Timetable
  On Mondays to Fridays, a flight must leave Savonlinna and Mikkeli airports early enough in the morning to reach Helsinki-Vantaa in time for the main international connections and, in the evening, a flight must leave for Savonlinna and Mikkeli late enough for travellers arriving on the main international connections to catch.
  On Mondays to Fridays a flight must leave Helsinki-Vantaa airport early enough to reach Savonlinna airport by 8.45 am.
  There must also be a flight, on Mondays to Fridays, leaving Savonlinna in time to reach Helsinki-Vantaa between 8.45 and 9.45. There must be an evening departure from Helsinki-Vantaa back to Savonlinna, and a departure after working hours from Savonlinna to Helsinki.
  On Saturday mornings there must be a flight from Savonlinna to Helsinki-Vantaa. On Sunday, there must be a late evening flight from Helsinki-Vantaa via Mikkeli to Savonlinna.
  2.4   Fares
  A single ticket between Savonlinna and Helsinki must not cost more than EUR 168, inclusive of all taxes and charges and a single ticket between Mikkeli and Helsinki must not cost more than EUR 163. Cheaper ticket categories must be available and must account for at least 15 % of all tickets.
  The carrier must agree on an interline arrangement for the route covered by the public-service obligation with at least one carrier operating a service out of Helsinki-Vantaa. The interline agreement should be on the same or equivalent terms and conditions and should follow, with regard to fares on the route, the pro rata system in accordance with international rules. The PSO carrier must conclude interline agreements, with the same or equivalent conditions, with any other interested carrier operating air services from Helsinki-Vantaa airport. The carrier must provide the Ministry of Transport and Communications with any information concerning the interline agreements and their contents which it needs for the purpose of carrying out checks.
  The carrier must have an international reservation and ticketing system operation in Finland and an IATA interline agreement with through-pricing and luggage-handling arrangements. Information concerning prices and timetables must be included in the international reservations and ticketing system.
  The carrier must have a cooperation agreement covering through-pricing with at least one company that flies to foreign destinations from Helsinki-Vantaa airport.
  Flights must be marketed using at least one computerised reservations system.
  2.5   Continuity of service
  A carrier intending to operate scheduled flights on this route must give an undertaking to provide the service required under the public-service obligation until the end of October 2006.
  The operation of air services on the route in question without regard to the abovementioned public service obligation may result in administrative and/or criminal penalties.
  2.6   Accessibility for people with functional disabilities
  The carrier must ensure that provision is made for the needs of people with functional disabilities. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The following service conditions will apply.

2.1   Minimum number of flights

The minimum number of flights on the Helsinki-Savonlinna route will be three in each direction on working days from Monday to Friday, not including public holidays. The itinerary for the early morning flight will be Savonlinna-Mikkeli-Helsinki and the itinerary for the late evening flight will be Helsinki-Mikkeli-Savonlinna.

On Saturdays there must be at least one connection from Savonlinna to Helsinki and on Sundays at least one connection from Helsinki via Mikkeli to Savonlinna.

The timetable may be altered at Christmas and other holiday periods according to demand.

2.2   Number of seats

Capacity on each flight must be at least 30 seats. The average monthly seat-occupancy rate must not exceed 80 %. There should be enough luggage/cargo capacity to enable each passenger, on a full flight in normal weather conditions, to carry on 8 kg in hand luggage and put at least 20 kg in the hold.

2.3   Timetable

On Mondays to Fridays, a flight must leave Savonlinna and Mikkeli airports early enough in the morning to reach Helsinki-Vantaa in time for the main international connections and, in the evening, a flight must leave for Savonlinna and Mikkeli late enough for travellers arriving on the main international connections to catch.

On Mondays to Fridays a flight must leave Helsinki-Vantaa airport early enough to reach Savonlinna airport by 8.45 am.

There must also be a flight, on Mondays to Fridays, leaving Savonlinna in time to reach Helsinki-Vantaa between 8.45 and 9.45. There must be an evening departure from Helsinki-Vantaa back to Savonlinna, and a departure after working hours from Savonlinna to Helsinki.

On Saturday mornings there must be a flight from Savonlinna to Helsinki-Vantaa. On Sunday, there must be a late evening flight from Helsinki-Vantaa via Mikkeli to Savonlinna.

2.4   Fares

A single ticket between Savonlinna and Helsinki must not cost more than EUR 168, inclusive of all taxes and charges and a single ticket between Mikkeli and Helsinki must not cost more than EUR 163. Cheaper ticket categories must be available and must account for at least 15 % of all tickets.

The carrier must agree on an interline arrangement for the route covered by the public-service obligation with at least one carrier operating a service out of Helsinki-Vantaa. The interline agreement should be on the same or equivalent terms and conditions and should follow, with regard to fares on the route, the pro rata system in accordance with international rules. The PSO carrier must conclude interline agreements, with the same or equivalent conditions, with any other interested carrier operating air services from Helsinki-Vantaa airport. The carrier must provide the Ministry of Transport and Communications with any information concerning the interline agreements and their contents which it needs for the purpose of carrying out checks.

The carrier must have an international reservation and ticketing system operation in Finland and an IATA interline agreement with through-pricing and luggage-handling arrangements. Information concerning prices and timetables must be included in the international reservations and ticketing system.

The carrier must have a cooperation agreement covering through-pricing with at least one company that flies to foreign destinations from Helsinki-Vantaa airport.

Flights must be marketed using at least one computerised reservations system.

2.5   Continuity of service

A carrier intending to operate scheduled flights on this route must give an undertaking to provide the service required under the public-service obligation until the end of October 2006.

The operation of air services on the route in question without regard to the abovementioned public service obligation may result in administrative and/or criminal penalties.

2.6   Accessibility for people with functional disabilities

The carrier must ensure that provision is made for the needs of people with functional disabilities.

Passenger numbers: general information

Table 1.   Number of passengers between Savonlinna and Helsinki, 2001-2003

| | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2001 | 1980 | 2207 | 2582 | 2121 | 2494 | 3225 | 9556 | 5433 | 2266 | 2301 | 2478 | 1515 | 38 158 |
| 2002 | 2080 | 2193 | 2172 | 2137 | 2780 | 2660 | 9058 | 3866 | 1960 | 2522 | 2774 | 1908 | 36 110 |
| 2003 | 2176 | 2197 | 2503 | 1967 | 2242 | 2830 | 8590 | 2496 | 1795 | 2167 | 2079 | 1514 | 32 556 |

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Total

2001

1980

2207

2582

2121

2494

3225

9556

5433

2266

2301

2478

1515

38 158

2002

2080

2193

2172

2137

2780

2660

9058

3866

1960

2522

2774

1908

36 110

2003

2176

2197

2503

1967

2242

2830

8590

2496

1795

2167

2079

1514

32 556

Table 2.    Number of passengers between Mikkeli and Helsinki, 2001-2003

| | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2001 | 252 | 297 | 395 | 260 | 366 | 216 | - | 234 | 280 | 321 | 337 | 125 | 3 083 |
| 2002 | 253 | 286 | 238 | 316 | 277 | 205 | - | 220 | 293 | 306 | 305 | 195 | 2 894 |
| 2003 | 220 | 277 | 234 | 211 | 258 | 169 | - | 204 | 241 | 278 | 235 | 191 | 2 518 |

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Total

2001

252

297

395

260

366

216

-

234

280

321

337

125

3 083

2002

253

286

238

316

277

205

-

220

293

306

305

195

2 894

2003

220

277

234

211

258

169

-

204

241

278

235

191

2 518

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| 28.9.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 238/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.9.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 238/4

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.3964 — Berkshire Hathaway/MEHC)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2005/C 238/03)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| 1. | On 20 September 2005, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Berkshire Hathaway Inc (‘BHI’, USA) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (‘MEHC’, USA) by way of converting its Preferred Stock into common voting shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 20 September 2005, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Berkshire Hathaway Inc (‘BHI’, USA) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (‘MEHC’, USA) by way of converting its Preferred Stock into common voting shares.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | for BHI: holding company mainly active in the provision of insurance services, |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

for BHI: holding company mainly active in the provision of insurance services,

| — | for MEHC: holding company mainly active in the generation, transmission, distribution and selling of electricity and gas. |
| --- | --- |

—

for MEHC: holding company mainly active in the generation, transmission, distribution and selling of electricity and gas.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
| --- | --- |

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.3964 — Berkshire Hathaway/MEHC, to the following address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Brussels |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.3964 — Berkshire Hathaway/MEHC, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Brussels

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32.

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III Notices

European Food Safety Authority

| 28.9.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 238/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

28.9.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 238/5

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Call for scientific data related to legally used growth promoting hormones in bovines (EFSA-Q-2005-048)

Deadline for submissions: 4 November 2005

(2005/C 238/04)

1.   Background

Directive 96/22/EC (1) as amended by Directive 2003/74/EC (2) restricts the use of hormones in food producing animals. These restrictions are based on risk assessments carried out by the Scientific Committee on Veterinary Measures relating to Public Health (SCVPH) which gave advice to the European Commission (DG Health and Consumer Protection) in 1999, 2000 and 2002.

Recently, EFSA was asked by the European Commission to perform a review of scientific data on potential risks to human health from hormone residues in bovine meat and meat products (EFSA-Q-2005-048) which has become available since the latest opinion by the SCVPH in 2002.

Within EFSA this task was assigned to the Scientific Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM).

2.   Call for scientific data

EFSA invites all interested parties (3) to submit any scientific evidence (from 2002 onwards) on substances with hormonal activity which may be used legally in Third Countries for growth promotion purposes in bovine meat having oestrogenic, androgenic or gestagenic action since the last review of the Assessment of Potential Risks to Human Health from Hormone Residues in Bovine Meat and Meat Products of the SCVPH in 2002 (4) following the criteria outlined under item 3.

3.   General conditions for data submissions

To facilitate an effective handling of incoming documents, interested parties are requested to submit documents to the following email address: bovine-hormone.data@efsa.eu.int (5).

The acceptance of the scientific contributions will be based on the compliance with the general EFSA criteria for acceptance of scientific documents and data for risk assessment purposes as indicated below. Non-compliance with these general quality criteria will result in the rejection of the contribution provided.

| 1. | The name and contact details of the party providing the scientific contribution is required. |
| --- | --- |

1.

The name and contact details of the party providing the scientific contribution is required.

| 2. | Scientific contributions should be classified by the interested party as (i) peer-reviewed data or (ii) non peer-reviewed data.
  EFSA encourages submission of peer-reviewed data/publications (not just the reference) as the most relevant and reliable documents. Non peer-reviewed data (as for examples industry reports in agreement with point 5) will only be considered if they are based on scientific evidence and if they meet adequate quality standards. |
| --- | --- |

2.

Scientific contributions should be classified by the interested party as (i) peer-reviewed data or (ii) non peer-reviewed data.

EFSA encourages submission of peer-reviewed data/publications (not just the reference) as the most relevant and reliable documents. Non peer-reviewed data (as for examples industry reports in agreement with point 5) will only be considered if they are based on scientific evidence and if they meet adequate quality standards.

| 3. | A list of attached documents and their references should be included into the body of the mail. |
| --- | --- |

3.

A list of attached documents and their references should be included into the body of the mail.

4.   Copyright

As a matter of principle, the owner of the copyright of scientific contributions will authorise EFSA to reproduce, distribute or communicate these scientific contributions. Refusals to grant EFSA such authorisation should be considered unacceptable unless in exceptional cases they are duly justified. In all cases EFSA will acknowledge the source.

If the submission of the scientific contribution includes documents of which the copyright is not owned by the submitting party, the contribution should be accompany by the authorisation of the copyright owner to allow reproduction, distribution or communication of the documents.

5.   Confidentiality

The documents shall normally not include confidential information. The inclusion of confidential data should be duly justified and should be considered by EFSA on a case-by-case basis. The contributor should take duly into account the rights of interested parties.

6.   Language regime

Given the short deadlines, the need to harmonise the documents and the potential large number of documents to be received, processing would be greatly facilitated if documents are submitted in English.

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(1)  OJ L 125, 23.5.1996, p. 3-9.

(2)  OJ L 262, 14.10.2003, p. 17-21.

(3)  Such as industry, academics, consumer organisations, governmental institutions as well as EU Member States and the EU Parliament.

(4)  http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/scv/out50_en.pdf

(5)  In case postal submissions are necessary following address should be used:

| European Food Safety Authority — EFSA |
| --- |
| CONTAM – Hormones |
| Rue de Genève 10 |
| B-1140 Brussels |

European Food Safety Authority — EFSA

CONTAM – Hormones

Rue de Genève 10

B-1140 Brussels

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