# Official Journal C 58/2009

| | ISSN 1725-2423 |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 58 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 5212 March 2009 |

ISSN 1725-2423

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 58

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 5212 March 2009

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | I   Resolutions, recommendations and opinions |
| | OPINIONS |
| | European Central Bank |
| 2009/C 058/01 | Opinion of the European Central Bank of 23 February 2009 on a proposal for a regulation laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 2494/95 as regards minimum standards for the treatment of seasonal products in the Harmonized Indices of Consumer Prices (HICP) (CON/2009/14) | 1 |

Notice No

Contents

page

I   Resolutions, recommendations and opinions

OPINIONS

European Central Bank

2009/C 058/01

Opinion of the European Central Bank of 23 February 2009 on a proposal for a regulation laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 2494/95 as regards minimum standards for the treatment of seasonal products in the Harmonized Indices of Consumer Prices (HICP) (CON/2009/14)

1

| | II   Information |
| --- | --- |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES |
| | Commission |
| 2009/C 058/02 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.5399 — Mubadala/Rolls Royce/JV) (
  1
  ) | 4 |

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES

Commission

2009/C 058/02

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.5399 — Mubadala/Rolls Royce/JV) (
  1
  )

1

4

| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES |
| | Commission |
| 2009/C 058/03 | Euro exchange rates | 5 |
| | NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
| 2009/C 058/04 | Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 | 6 |
| | NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA |
| | EFTA Surveillance Authority |
| 2009/C 058/05 | Authorisation of State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part 1 of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement | 10 |
| 2009/C 058/06 | Authorisation of State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part 1 of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement | 11 |
| 2009/C 058/07 | Authorisation of State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part 1 of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement | 12 |
| 2009/C 058/08 | Authorisation of State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part 1 of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement | 13 |
| 2009/C 058/09 | The EFTA Surveillance Authority has found that the following measure does not constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement | 14 |
| 2009/C 058/10 | Decision to close the formal investigation regarding the scheme Regional aid for the transport of round wood | 15 |
| 2009/C 058/11 | Public holidays in 2009: EEA EFTA States and EEA institutions | 16 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES

Commission

2009/C 058/03

Euro exchange rates

5

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

2009/C 058/04

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001

6

NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

2009/C 058/05

Authorisation of State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part 1 of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement

10

2009/C 058/06

Authorisation of State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part 1 of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement

11

2009/C 058/07

Authorisation of State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part 1 of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement

12

2009/C 058/08

Authorisation of State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part 1 of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement

13

2009/C 058/09

The EFTA Surveillance Authority has found that the following measure does not constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement

14

2009/C 058/10

Decision to close the formal investigation regarding the scheme Regional aid for the transport of round wood

15

2009/C 058/11

Public holidays in 2009: EEA EFTA States and EEA institutions

16

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

---

(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

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

EN

---

I Resolutions, recommendations and opinions

OPINIONS

European Central Bank

| 12.3.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 58/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.3.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 58/1

---

OPINION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 23 February 2009

on a proposal for a regulation laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 2494/95 as regards minimum standards for the treatment of seasonal products in the Harmonized Indices of Consumer Prices (HICP)

(CON/2009/14)

(2009/C 58/01)

Introduction and legal basis

On 5 January 2009, the European Central Bank (ECB) received a request from the Commission of the European Communities for an opinion on a proposal for a Commission regulation laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 2494/95 as regards minimum standards for the treatment of seasonal products in the Harmonized Indices of Consumer Prices (HICP) (hereinafter the ‘draft regulation’).

The ECB's competence to deliver an opinion is based on the first indent of Article 105(4) of the Treaty establishing the European Community. In accordance with the first sentence of Article 17.5 of the Rules of Procedure of the European Central Bank, the Governing Council has adopted this opinion.

1.   General observations

In general, the ECB welcomes the draft regulation which should foster the comparability of the HICP. The treatment of seasonal items is one of the longest standing harmonisation issues that have been discussed in the context of the development of the HICP. Currently, the treatment of seasonal items differs substantially across Member States, which leads to insufficiently comparable HICPs. In turn, this leads to difficulties in interpreting the euro area indices for certain product groups and may even lead to distortions in the all-items HICP.

2.   Specific observations

| 2.1. | Nevertheless, the draft regulation still allows two different methods for the treatment of seasonal products, using either strict annual weights indices or class-confined seasonal weights indices. While the draft regulation imposes certain restrictions on the implementation of these two types of indices to limit the cross-country incomparability of the results, simulations have shown that under certain conditions the two approaches still lead to quite different outcomes. Therefore, the ECB would welcome a tighter standard, allowing only one of the two different methods to be applied, in order to further improve the comparability of the treatment of seasonal items. However, if it is not expected that choosing between the two methods would have a significant impact on the all-items HICP and if deleting one of the methods in the draft regulation would lead to a substantial delay in adopting the draft regulation, the ECB would welcome the treatment of seasonal products being restricted to only one of the methods in future revisions of the Regulation. |
| --- | --- |

2.1.

Nevertheless, the draft regulation still allows two different methods for the treatment of seasonal products, using either strict annual weights indices or class-confined seasonal weights indices. While the draft regulation imposes certain restrictions on the implementation of these two types of indices to limit the cross-country incomparability of the results, simulations have shown that under certain conditions the two approaches still lead to quite different outcomes. Therefore, the ECB would welcome a tighter standard, allowing only one of the two different methods to be applied, in order to further improve the comparability of the treatment of seasonal items. However, if it is not expected that choosing between the two methods would have a significant impact on the all-items HICP and if deleting one of the methods in the draft regulation would lead to a substantial delay in adopting the draft regulation, the ECB would welcome the treatment of seasonal products being restricted to only one of the methods in future revisions of the Regulation.

| 2.2. | For those Member States whose current practices substantially differ from the minimum standards described in Article 4 of the draft regulation, the impact on the subindices covered by the draft regulation may be significant. This will lead to a statistical break in the indices which could result in a distortion of the year-on-year changes of the all-items HICP. The ECB acknowledges that it may not be feasible for Member States to revise the previously published HICPs back to the start. However, the ECB attaches particular importance to the comparability and consistency of the HICP figures in the year following the implementation of the draft regulation. The ECB would therefore welcome the Member States revising their national HICPs for at least one year prior to the implementation of the draft regulation. |
| --- | --- |

2.2.

For those Member States whose current practices substantially differ from the minimum standards described in Article 4 of the draft regulation, the impact on the subindices covered by the draft regulation may be significant. This will lead to a statistical break in the indices which could result in a distortion of the year-on-year changes of the all-items HICP. The ECB acknowledges that it may not be feasible for Member States to revise the previously published HICPs back to the start. However, the ECB attaches particular importance to the comparability and consistency of the HICP figures in the year following the implementation of the draft regulation. The ECB would therefore welcome the Member States revising their national HICPs for at least one year prior to the implementation of the draft regulation.

| 2.3. | Since the ECB is required to be consulted on the draft regulation under the Treaty, a citation to this effect should be inserted in the draft regulation in line with Article 253 of the Treaty. |
| --- | --- |

2.3.

Since the ECB is required to be consulted on the draft regulation under the Treaty, a citation to this effect should be inserted in the draft regulation in line with Article 253 of the Treaty.

| 2.4. | As the European System of Central Banks uses the HICP not only for the purpose referred to in Article 121 of the Treaty, but also for its monetary policy related decision-making tasks under Article 105(2) of the Treaty, the ECB recommends inserting a recital in the draft regulation. |
| --- | --- |

2.4.

As the European System of Central Banks uses the HICP not only for the purpose referred to in Article 121 of the Treaty, but also for its monetary policy related decision-making tasks under Article 105(2) of the Treaty, the ECB recommends inserting a recital in the draft regulation.

3.   Drafting proposals

| 3.1 | Where the above advice would lead to changes in the draft regulation, drafting proposals are set out in the Annex. |
| --- | --- |

3.1

Where the above advice would lead to changes in the draft regulation, drafting proposals are set out in the Annex.

Done at Frankfurt am Main, 23 February 2009.

The President of the ECB

Jean-Claude TRICHET

---

ANNEX

Drafting proposals

| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendments proposed by the ECB (1) |
| --- | --- |
| Amendment 1 |
| [proposed new citation] |
| ‘Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, | ‘Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, |
| Having regard to the Council Regulation (EC) No 2494/95 of 23 October 1995 concerning harmonized indices of consumer prices, and in particular the third paragraph of Article 4 and Article 5(3) thereof,’ | Having regard to the Council Regulation (EC) No 2494/95 of 23 October 1995 concerning harmonized indices of consumer prices, and in particular the third paragraph of Article 4 and Article 5(3) thereof,

  Having regard to the opinion of the European Central Bank,’ |
| Justification — See paragraph 2.3 of the opinion |
| Amendment 2 |
| [proposed new recital 5] |
| | ‘(5) | HICP is an important indicator used by the European System of Central Banks for its analyses related to monetary policy decision-making pursuant to Article 105(2) of the Treaty.’ |

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendments proposed by the ECB (1)

Amendment 1

[proposed new citation]

‘Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

‘Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to the Council Regulation (EC) No 2494/95 of 23 October 1995 concerning harmonized indices of consumer prices, and in particular the third paragraph of Article 4 and Article 5(3) thereof,’

Having regard to the Council Regulation (EC) No 2494/95 of 23 October 1995 concerning harmonized indices of consumer prices, and in particular the third paragraph of Article 4 and Article 5(3) thereof,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Central Bank,’

Justification — See paragraph 2.3 of the opinion

Amendment 2

[proposed new recital 5]

‘(5)

HICP is an important indicator used by the European System of Central Banks for its analyses related to monetary policy decision-making pursuant to Article 105(2) of the Treaty.’

Justification — See paragraph 2.4 of the opinion

Justification — See paragraph 2.4 of the opinion

---

(1)  Bold in the body of the text indicates where the ECB proposes inserting new text.

1

---

II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES

Commission

| 12.3.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 58/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.3.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 58/4

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.5399 — Mubadala/Rolls Royce/JV)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2009/C 58/02)

On 16 February 2009, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

| — | from the Europa competition website (http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

from the Europa competition website (http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

| — | in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website under document number 32009M5399. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law (http://eur-lex.europa.eu). |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website under document number 32009M5399. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law (http://eur-lex.europa.eu).

---

IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES

Commission

| 12.3.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 58/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.3.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 58/5

---

Euro exchange rates (1)

11 March 2009

(2009/C 58/03)

1 euro=

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,2786 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 125,35 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4498 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,92550 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 11,2475 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,4772 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 8,8320 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 26,963 |
| EEK | Estonian kroon | 15,6466 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 300,26 |
| LTL | Lithuanian litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Latvian lats | 0,7074 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,5905 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,2815 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 2,2140 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,9657 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,6325 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 9,9165 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 2,5266 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,9600 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 889,77 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 13,0033 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 8,7461 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,4210 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 15 375,17 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,7263 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 61,760 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 44,7644 |
| THB | Thai baht | 45,994 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 2,9740 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 19,4155 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 65,4130 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,2786

JPY

Japanese yen

125,35

DKK

Danish krone

7,4498

GBP

Pound sterling

0,92550

SEK

Swedish krona

11,2475

CHF

Swiss franc

1,4772

ISK

Iceland króna

NOK

Norwegian krone

8,8320

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

26,963

EEK

Estonian kroon

15,6466

HUF

Hungarian forint

300,26

LTL

Lithuanian litas

3,4528

LVL

Latvian lats

0,7074

PLN

Polish zloty

4,5905

RON

Romanian leu

4,2815

TRY

Turkish lira

2,2140

AUD

Australian dollar

1,9657

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,6325

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

9,9165

NZD

New Zealand dollar

2,5266

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,9600

KRW

South Korean won

1 889,77

ZAR

South African rand

13,0033

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

8,7461

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,4210

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

15 375,17

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,7263

PHP

Philippine peso

61,760

RUB

Russian rouble

44,7644

THB

Thai baht

45,994

BRL

Brazilian real

2,9740

MXN

Mexican peso

19,4155

INR

Indian rupee

65,4130

---

(1)

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

---

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

| 12.3.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 58/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.3.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 58/6

---

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001

(2009/C 58/04)

Aid No: XA 359/08

Member State: Finland/Åland

Region: Åland

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Landskapsregeringens principer för ersättande av skördeskador som uppstått under odlingsåret 2007

Legal basis: Ålands landskapsregerings beslut från den 24.6.2008 (Dnr N26/08/1/11), Landskapslag om ersättande av skördeskador (ÅFS 72:1979); Article 11 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006.

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: The total budgeted amount for crop damage suffered in 2007 is EUR 400 000

Maximum aid intensity: The maximum gross aid intensity is 35 % of the eligible amount

Date of implementation: The aid is granted for crop damage suffered in 2007. Decisions to grant aid are to be taken no earlier than 12 August 2008

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: The aid is to be granted only for crop damage suffered in 2007. The final payment is to be made no later than 30 September 2008

Objective of aid: The objective of the aid is to ease the liquidity problems of farmers who suffered losses as a result of crop damage caused by adverse climatic events which can be likened to natural disasters in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006

Sector(s) concerned: Cultivation of crops

Name and address of the granting authority:

| Ålands landskapsregering |
| --- |
| PB 1060 |
| FI-AX 22111 MARIEHAMN |
| SUOMI/FINLAND |

Ålands landskapsregering

PB 1060

FI-AX 22111 MARIEHAMN

SUOMI/FINLAND

Website: http://www.regeringen.ax/.composer/ls-prot/NARING/2008/N2608E04_220908.html

Aid No: XA 362/08

Member State: France

Region: Département de l'Hérault

Title of aid scheme: Aides aux investissements pour le traitement des effluents issus de l'activité agricole de l'Hérault

Legal basis:

| — | Articles 4(3)(d) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 |
| --- | --- |

—

Articles 4(3)(d) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006

| — | Articles L 1511-2 et L 1511-5 du Code général des collectivités territoriales |
| --- | --- |

—

Articles L 1511-2 et L 1511-5 du Code général des collectivités territoriales

| — | convention cadre en cours d'élaboration entre le département et la région Languedoc-Roussillon |
| --- | --- |

—

convention cadre en cours d'élaboration entre le département et la région Languedoc-Roussillon

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR 100 000

Maximum aid intensity: The Hérault department will cover up to 30 % of the costs

Date of implementation: 2008, subject to the publication of the registration number of the exemption request on the website of the Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development

Duration of scheme: The scheme will end on 31 December 2013

Objective of aid: The aim is to help agricultural holdings, regardless of their production sector, to invest in the preservation and improvement of the natural environment within the meaning of Article 4(3)(d) of the abovementioned Regulation. The projected investment should allow washing and rinsing waste (effluents) from the holding's activities to be isolated and processed, in accordance with the methods agreed, with the exception of investment required within the meaning of existing Community rules that have not been newly introduced, such as Council Directive 91/676/EEC of 12 December 1991. This does not apply to effluents which contain phytosanitary products.

The eligible costs mainly cover:

the creation of leakproof evaporation basins which can be maintained (rotary slashing of surroundings, access management, establishment of flood-proof areas, etc.). The holdings' effluents would run into these, where the wind and temperature would aid their evaporation. Thus, there would be no liquid waste going into the ground,

the establishment of manure-spreading networks for the effluents used on the ground for which agro-pedological analyses have been conducted demonstrating their capacity to receive the effluents in question. These analyses should be sent to the State departments for validation before making the networks operational. Care will be taken to ensure that these networks are not confused with irrigation networks as they are technically incompatible,

the purchase of mobile water tanks for the secure transport of polluted water to a site where it will be treated. As the above solutions may prove costly for small agricultural holdings (the average size of holdings in the Hérault department is less than 15 ha), subcontracting the treatment of effluents may be the best solution in terms of cost.

The General Council will systematically remove simple replacement operations from the eligible applications.

No aid will be granted to farms in difficulty.

The amount of support provided will firstly be determined, for each operation, on the basis of the estimated cost stated when the application is submitted. The actual aid will be determined when invoices are submitted. The department will be able to carry out document and on-the-spot checks.

If the actual investment cost is less than the estimated cost stated when submitting the file to the deliberative assembly, the aid will be reduced in proportion to the actual expenditure. In the opposite case, the support will not be increased

Aid beneficiaries and sectors concerned: All agricultural holdings in the Hérault department, regardless of their production sector, are eligible for departmental aid.

Applicants must meet the Community definition of small and medium-sized enterprises set out in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 800/2008

Name and address of the granting authority:

| Conseil général de l'Hérault |
| --- |
| Direction agriculture et développement rural |
| Hôtel de Département |
| 1000, rue d'Alco |
| 34087 Montpellier cedex 4 |
| FRANCE |

Conseil général de l'Hérault

Direction agriculture et développement rural

Hôtel de Département

1000, rue d'Alco

34087 Montpellier cedex 4

FRANCE

Website: http://herault.fr/Economie/agriculture/fiche_synthetique.pdf

http://herault.fr/Economie/agriculture/Regime_departemental_concernant_les_effluents.pdf

Aid No: XA 390/08

Member State: Italy

Region: Commissariato di Governo per l'Emergenza brucellosi negli allevamenti bufalini in provincia di Caserta e zone limitrofe

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Indennizzi connessi con l'attuazione del Piano Operativo per fronteggiare il rischio sanitario connesso alla diffusione della brucellosi negli allevamenti bufalini nel territorio della provincia di Caserta e zone limitrofe

Legal basis: Decreto del Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri del 3 agosto 2007 e successivo Decreto del Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri del 4 luglio 2008,

Ordinanza del Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri del 21 Dicembre 2007 n. 3634 modificata con Ordinanza del Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri del 28 maggio 2008 n. 3675,

Decreto Commissariale n. 4 del 6 maggio 2008 e Decreto Commissariale n. 10 del 31 luglio 2008,

Decreto Commissariale n. 21 del 22 ottobre 2008,

Decreto Commissariale n. 49 del 28 novembre 2008,

Decreto ministeriale del 27 dicembre 2007

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company:

| — | compensation mentioned in Article 3(1)(a) and (b) of Prime Ministerial Order (OPCM) No 3634/2007 for a total EUR 37 000 000 as one-off aid, |
| --- | --- |

—

compensation mentioned in Article 3(1)(a) and (b) of Prime Ministerial Order (OPCM) No 3634/2007 for a total EUR 37 000 000 as one-off aid,

| — | Compensation mentioned in Article 3(1)(c) of Prime Ministerial Order (OPCM) No 3634/2007 for a total EUR 4 600 000 as one-off aid |
| --- | --- |

—

Compensation mentioned in Article 3(1)(c) of Prime Ministerial Order (OPCM) No 3634/2007 for a total EUR 4 600 000 as one-off aid

Maximum aid intensity: 100 % of the losses incurred

Date of implementation: From the date of publication of the registration number of the request for exemption on the website of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until the end of the state of emergency mentioned in the Prime Ministerial Decree (DPCM) of 3 August 2007, as subsequently amended, set as 31 December 2008; compensation may also be granted after that date in respect of the slaughter of infected animals or actual reconstitution of a holding's livestock herds. No aid will be granted in any case more than four years after the event

Objective of aid: Article 10(2):

compensation under Law No 615 of 9 June 1964 as subsequently amended and supplemented granted to eligible parties in respect of animals slaughtered under the Order of the Minister for of Health of 14 November 2006, net of any revenue from the sale of the meat,

further compensation in respect of market value on the date when the Order was issued (21 December 2007), as derived from the ISMEA bulletin, net of the value of any compensation granted under Law No 615 of 9 June 1964 as subsequently amended and supplemented and of any revenue from the sale of the meat,

income losses due to quarantine obligations and difficulties in restocking.

The aid scheme requires the beneficiary to submit an application. Aid is granted upon the successful outcome of the checks carried out by the Government Office. Every beneficiary is clearly notified of the amount of compensation to be granted and the calculation methods used. Aid may be granted until the funds set aside under OPCM No 3634/07 have been exhausted

Sector(s) concerned: Livestock sector

Name and address of the granting authority: Commissariato di Governo per l'Emergenza brucellosi negli allevamenti bufalini in provincia di Caserta e zone limitrofe

Website: The integral text and related documentation may be consulted on:

http://www.sito.regione.campania.it/agricoltura/brucellosi/brucellosi.html

Other information: If circumstances require, the socio-economic state of emergency in the Province of Caserta and surrounding areas to deal with the health risks associated with the high incidence of brucellosis on buffalo holdings may be extended at a later date by Prime Ministerial Decree (DPCM)

Aid No: XA 411/08

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: The Compulsory Scrapie Flocks Scheme 2008

Legal basis: The Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (England) Regulations 2008

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Annual expenditure under the scheme is currently estimated as follows:

Maximum aid intensity: The aid intensity will be up to 50 % for health checks, screening measures, purchase and administration of vaccines slaughter and destruction costs of animals which is in accordance with Article 10(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006.

While the aid intensity under Article 10(2) on compensation for the loss of the animal caused by the disease shall be up to 100 % in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006.

The aid intensity will be up to 50 % for TSE tests, and the removal of fallen stock due to TSE which is in accordance with Article 16(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006

Date of implementation: The scheme will start on 16 December or when it is published on the Commission's website, whichever is later

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: The scheme will start on 16 December or when it is published on the Commission's website, whichever is later. Aid will be granted under the scheme until 31 March 2015. Final payments would be made within 90 days of the closure of the scheme

Objective of aid: The scheme will be pursued in accordance with Article 10(1) and Article 16 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006. The scheme will provide a screening service for sheep and goats in England and Northern Ireland for classical Scrapie and atypical Scrapie disease. Scrapie disease is one of the animal diseases contained on the list established by the World Organisation for Animal Health in accordance with Article 10(7) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006.

Eligible costs will be slaughter fees, transportation of Carcases, disposal fees, blood sampling vet fees, transportation of samples, and laboratory fees. Aid provided under this scheme for the screening shall be granted in kind and by means of a subsidised provider and this will not involve direct payment of money to the producers.

Once a case of Scrapie is confirmed, compensation under this scheme will be in accordance with Article 10(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006. Compensation will be paid for according to market value of any sheep and goat destroyed as a result of preventive and eradication action required by legislation

Sector(s) concerned: This scheme applies to SME's active in the production of sheep and goats

Name and address of the granting authority:

| Defra |
| --- |
| Area 5D, 9 Milbank |
| c/o Nobel House |
| 17 Smith Square |
| London |
| SW1P 3JR |
| UNITED KINGDOM |

Defra

Area 5D, 9 Milbank

c/o Nobel House

17 Smith Square

London

SW1P 3JR

UNITED KINGDOM

Website: Further information about the scheme may be found on the following website:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalhealth/managing-disease/NSPAC/

The direct link is:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalhealth/publications/NSPAC/CSFS%20stateaid%20re-notification%20(v0%203)%2031%20Jul%2008%20(3)%20(3).pdf

Other information: —

Aid No: XA 420/08

Member State: Spain

Region: Cataluña

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Adaptación del plan piloto del contrato global de explotación

Legal basis: Orden AAR/308/2007, de 9 de agosto, por la cual se adapta el plan piloto del contrato global de explotación al Decreto no 50/2007, se aprueban las bases reguladoras de determinadas ayudas del plan piloto, se convocan las correspondientes al 2007, y se amplía el plazo de presentación de solicitudes de las ayudas convocadas por la Orden AAR/247/2007, de 4 de julio. (DOGC núm. 4959 de 31.8.2007) y proyecto de Orden por la que se modifica la Orden AAR/308/2007, de 9 de agosto

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Overall amount: EUR 420 000

Maximum aid intensity: Insurance for agricultural production: a 5 % subsidy.

Improvement in food quality: intensity of 80 %-100 %.

Investment in the conservation of the landscape: intensity of 30 %-90 %, with a maximum of EUR 20 000.

Investments to improve housing: intensity of 10 %-20 %, with a maximum of EUR 6 000 or EUR 9 000.

Labour-replacement services: intensity of 70 %

Date of implementation: 21 December 2008, provided that the scheme has been published on the website of DG AGRI and the registration number of the request for exemption provided for in Article 20 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2008 has been received

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31 December 2009

Objective of aid: Insurance for agricultural production (Article 12): to encourage farmers to take out agricultural insurance.

Improvement in food quality (Article 14(2)(d)): to encourage the development of quality agricultural products distinguished by their origin or method of production. Eligible costs relate to registration with or annual payments to the relevant regulatory council, during the first five years and on a degressive basis, and to ‘Q mark’ certification costs.

Investment in the conservation of the landscape (Article 5(2) and (3)): to encourage investment in heritage conservation, e.g. conservation of archaeological or historical features. Eligible costs are those relating to the following:

the application of landscape criteria when improving or constructing agricultural buildings and installations,

conservation and maintenance of traditional agricultural buildings,

integral restoration of dry-stone walls in a poor state of conservation,

preservation of a holding's surroundings by maintaining vegetation growing on verges, and by maintaining fences and small, isolated areas of forest,

planting of trees to integrate and/or hide buildings creating an impact,

the change or harmonisation of fencing systems,

clearing-up after fly-tipping,

relocation or improvement of containers or other conspicuous items,

repair, replacement or progressive demolition of structures which are in a precarious state or in disuse,

other types of investment not listed above may be supported, provided that the board responsible for assessing applications considers that such investment meets the aims of this measure.

Investments to improve housing (Article 4(4)(a) and (c)): to encourage investments in farmers' usual place of residence, provided that the residence is linked to premises for meeting the needs of agricultural or complementary activities and is located in a rural settlement of fewer than 3 000 inhabitants, or is housing located on land which cannot be developed.

Labour-replacement services (Article 15(2)(b)): to encourage the improvement of the quality of the work and the quality of life of farmers who are primarily active in the sphere of agriculture, by supporting the provision of services to replace the farm owner or farm workers in the event of sickness, maternity, holidays or weekly rest periods

Sector(s) concerned: All sectors. The aid is granted to agricultural holdings

Name and address of granting authority:

| Departament d'Agricultura, Alimentació i Acció Rural |
| --- |
| Generalitat de Catalunya |
| C/ Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes nos 612-614 |
| 08007 Barcelona |
| ESPAÑA |

Departament d'Agricultura, Alimentació i Acció Rural

Generalitat de Catalunya

C/ Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes nos 612-614

08007 Barcelona

ESPAÑA

Website: https://www.gencat.net/eadop/imagenes/4959/07220095.pdf

http://www20.gencat.cat/docs/DAR/TR_Tramits/TR01_Ajuts_subvencions/TR01_05_Ajus_pendents_publicacio/Documents/Fitxers_estatics/2008_ordre_modificacio_ordre_aar3082007.pdf

Other information: —

---

NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

| 12.3.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 58/10 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.3.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 58/10

---

Authorisation of State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part 1 of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement

(2009/C 58/05)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority raises no objections to the following State aid measure:

| Date of adoption of the decision: | 3 December 2008 |
| --- | --- |
| Case number: | 63928 |
| EFTA State: | Norway |
| Region: | Norway |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary): | Amendments to the Norwegian Special Tax System for Shipping |
| Legal basis: | Article 61(1) and 61(3)(c) |
| Type of measure: | Fiscal measure |
| Objective: | Promotion of the maritime sector |
| Form of aid: | Tax exemption |
| Budget: | Approx. EUR 220 000 000 |
| Duration: | Until 2017 |
| Economic sectors: | Maritime sector |
| Name and address of the granting authority: | Ministry of Finance |
| Akersg. 40 |
| Oslo |
| NORWAY |

Date of adoption of the decision:

3 December 2008

Case number:

63928

EFTA State:

Norway

Region:

Norway

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary):

Amendments to the Norwegian Special Tax System for Shipping

Legal basis:

Article 61(1) and 61(3)(c)

Type of measure:

Fiscal measure

Objective:

Promotion of the maritime sector

Form of aid:

Tax exemption

Budget:

Approx. EUR 220 000 000

Duration:

Until 2017

Economic sectors:

Maritime sector

Name and address of the granting authority:

Ministry of Finance

Akersg. 40

Oslo

NORWAY

The authentic text of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found on the EFTA Surveillance Authority's website:

http://www.eftasurv.int/fieldsofwork/fieldstateaid/stateaidregistry/

---

| 12.3.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 58/11 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.3.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 58/11

---

Authorisation of State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part 1 of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement

(2009/C 58/06)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority raises no objections to the following State aid measure:

| Date of adoption of the decision: | 10 December 2008 |
| --- | --- |
| Case number: | 65709 |
| EFTA State: | Norway |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary): | Prolongation of the schemes relating to support to audiovisual productions and to support for film production companies until 1 July 2009 |
| Legal basis: | Regulation of 28 July 2005 on support to audiovisual productions and Regulation No 1017 of 18 September 2002 on film support to production companies |
| Type of measure: | Grants |
| Objective: | Promote culture |
| Form of aid: | Direct grants |
| Budget: | The overall budget of the Scheme relating to support to audiovisual productions is of approximately NOK 290 million per year.
  For the scheme on support to film production companies, funds are allocated through the general transfer to the Norwegian Film Fund |
| Duration: | Until 1 July 2009 |

Date of adoption of the decision:

10 December 2008

Case number:

65709

EFTA State:

Norway

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary):

Prolongation of the schemes relating to support to audiovisual productions and to support for film production companies until 1 July 2009

Legal basis:

Regulation of 28 July 2005 on support to audiovisual productions and Regulation No 1017 of 18 September 2002 on film support to production companies

Type of measure:

Grants

Objective:

Promote culture

Form of aid:

Direct grants

Budget:

The overall budget of the Scheme relating to support to audiovisual productions is of approximately NOK 290 million per year.

For the scheme on support to film production companies, funds are allocated through the general transfer to the Norwegian Film Fund

Duration:

Until 1 July 2009

The authentic text of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found on the EFTA Surveillance Authority's website:

http://www.eftasurv.int/fieldsofwork/fieldstateaid/stateaidregistry/

---

| 12.3.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 58/12 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.3.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 58/12

---

Authorisation of State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part 1 of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement

(2009/C 58/07)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority raises no objections to the following State aid measure:

| Date of adoption of the decision: | 3 December 2008 |
| --- | --- |
| Case number: | 64556 |
| EFTA State: | Norway |
| Region: | — |
| Title: | Wood-based Innovation Scheme |
| Legal basis: | Annual State Budget (St.prp. Nr. 1, Chapter 1149, item 71), annual letter of allocation from The Royal Ministry of Agriculture and Food to Innovation Norway, and a Strategy document adopted by The Ministry of Agriculture and Food |
| Type of measure: | Aid scheme |
| Objective: | To increase the use of wood and profitability in the wood sector |
| Form of aid: | Direct grants |
| Budget: | NOK 14 million (approximately EUR 1,75 million), Annual budget subject to parliamentary budget procedures |
| Intensity: | According to guidelines |
| Duration: | 2008-2013 |
| Economic sectors: | Forest and wood-sector |
| Name and address of the granting authority: | Ministry of Agriculture and Food |
| PO Box 8007 |
| 0030 Oslo |
| NORWAY |

Date of adoption of the decision:

3 December 2008

Case number:

64556

EFTA State:

Norway

Region:

—

Title:

Wood-based Innovation Scheme

Legal basis:

Annual State Budget (St.prp. Nr. 1, Chapter 1149, item 71), annual letter of allocation from The Royal Ministry of Agriculture and Food to Innovation Norway, and a Strategy document adopted by The Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Type of measure:

Aid scheme

Objective:

To increase the use of wood and profitability in the wood sector

Form of aid:

Direct grants

Budget:

NOK 14 million (approximately EUR 1,75 million), Annual budget subject to parliamentary budget procedures

Intensity:

According to guidelines

Duration:

2008-2013

Economic sectors:

Forest and wood-sector

Name and address of the granting authority:

Ministry of Agriculture and Food

PO Box 8007

0030 Oslo

NORWAY

Other information:

—

The authentic text of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found on the EFTA Surveillance Authority's website:

http://www.eftasurv.int/fieldsofwork/fieldstateaid/stateaidregistry/

---

| 12.3.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 58/13 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.3.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 58/13

---

Authorisation of State aid pursuant to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1(3) in Part 1 of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement

(2009/C 58/08)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority raises no objections to the following State aid measure:

| Date of adoption: | 17 December 2008 |
| --- | --- |
| Case number: | 64333 |
| EFTA State: | Norway |
| Title: | SIVA innovation aid scheme |
| Objective: | Research, Development and Innovation |
| Form of aid | Services are made available to SMEs at a reduced price |
| Budget: | Approximately NOK 75 000 000 |
| Legal basis: | State Budget, annual allocation letters/letters of intent from the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development |
| Duration: | Until end of 2013 |
| Economic sectors: | Horizontal aid to SMEs |
| Name and address of granting authority | SIVA — Selskapet for industrivekst SF |
| Postboks 1253 Pirsenteret |
| 7462 Trondheim |
| NORWAY |

Date of adoption:

17 December 2008

Case number:

64333

EFTA State:

Norway

Title:

SIVA innovation aid scheme

Objective:

Research, Development and Innovation

Form of aid

Services are made available to SMEs at a reduced price

Budget:

Approximately NOK 75 000 000

Legal basis:

State Budget, annual allocation letters/letters of intent from the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development

Duration:

Until end of 2013

Economic sectors:

Horizontal aid to SMEs

Name and address of granting authority

SIVA — Selskapet for industrivekst SF

Postboks 1253 Pirsenteret

7462 Trondheim

NORWAY

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

http://www.eftasurv.int/fieldsofwork/fieldstateaid/stateaidregistry/

---

| 12.3.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 58/14 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.3.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 58/14

---

The EFTA Surveillance Authority has found that the following measure does not constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement

(2009/C 58/09)

| Date of adoption of the decision: | 26 November 2008 |
| --- | --- |
| Case number: | 63948 |
| EFTA State: | Norway |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary): | Alleged aid to H. Østervold AS |
| Legal basis: | Articles 61(1), 8(3) and protocols 3 and 9 EEA |
| Type of measure: | Sale of land |
| Economic sectors: | Fisheries |
| Name and address of the granting authority: | Bergen og Omland Friluftsråd |
| Hellebakken 45 |
| 5039 Bergen |
| NORWAY |

Date of adoption of the decision:

26 November 2008

Case number:

63948

EFTA State:

Norway

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary):

Alleged aid to H. Østervold AS

Legal basis:

Articles 61(1), 8(3) and protocols 3 and 9 EEA

Type of measure:

Sale of land

Economic sectors:

Fisheries

Name and address of the granting authority:

Bergen og Omland Friluftsråd

Hellebakken 45

5039 Bergen

NORWAY

The authentic text of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found on the EFTA Surveillance Authority's website:

http://www.eftasurv.int/fieldsofwork/fieldstateaid/stateaidregistry/

---

| 12.3.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 58/15 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.3.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 58/15

---

Decision to close the formal investigation regarding the scheme ‘Regional aid for the transport of round wood’

(2009/C 58/10)

On 29 October 2008, the Authority decided to close the formal investigation procedure under Article 1(2) in Part I of Protocol 3 of the Agreement between the EFTA States on the Establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice initiated on 11 June 2008 in respect of the Regional aid for the transport of round wood scheme recording that Norway had withdrawn its notification on 9 July 2008.

---

| 12.3.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 58/16 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.3.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 58/16

---

Public holidays in 2009: EEA EFTA States and EEA institutions

(2009/C 58/11)

| 2009 | Iceland | Liechtenstein | Norway | EFTA Surveillance Authority | EFTA Court |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 January | X | X | X | X | X |
| 2 January | | X | | | |
| 6 January | | X | | | |
| 2 February | | X | | | |
| 19 March | | X | | | |
| 10 April | X | X | X | X | |
| 12 April | X | X | X | X | X |
| 13 April | X | X | X | X | X |
| 23 April | X | | | | |
| 1 May | X | X | X | X | X |
| 17 May | | | X | | |
| 21 May | X | X | X | X | X |
| 1 June | X | X | X | X | X |
| 17 June | X | | | | |
| 22 June | | X | | | |
| 23 June | | | | | X |
| 3 August | X | | | | |
| 15 August | | X | | | X |
| 8 September | | X | | | |
| 2 November | | | | X | X |
| 8 December | | X | | | |
| 24 December | | X | | | |
| 25 December | X | X | X | X | X |
| 26 December | X | X | X | X | X |
| 31 December | | X | | | |

2009

Iceland

Liechtenstein

Norway

EFTA Surveillance Authority

EFTA Court

1 January

X

X

X

X

X

2 January

X

6 January

X

2 February

X

19 March

X

10 April

X

X

X

X

12 April

X

X

X

X

X

13 April

X

X

X

X

X

23 April

X

1 May

X

X

X

X

X

17 May

X

21 May

X

X

X

X

X

1 June

X

X

X

X

X

17 June

X

22 June

X

23 June

X

3 August

X

15 August

X

X

8 September

X

2 November

X

X

8 December

X

24 December

X

25 December

X

X

X

X

X

26 December

X

X

X

X

X

31 December

X

---