# Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali C 306/2011

| | ISSN 1977-0987
  doi:10.3000/19770987.C_2011.306.mlt |
| --- | --- |
| Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali
  tal-Unjoni Ewropea | C 306 |
| | |
| Edizzjoni bil-Malti | Informazzjoni u Avviżi | Volum 5418 ta' Ottubru 2011 |

ISSN 1977-0987

doi:10.3000/19770987.C_2011.306.mlt

Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali

tal-Unjoni Ewropea

C 306

Edizzjoni bil-Malti

Informazzjoni u Avviżi

Volum 5418 ta' Ottubru 2011

---

| Avviż Nru | Werrej | Paġna |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | IV   Informazzjoni |
| | INFORMAZZJONI MINN ISTITUZZJONIJIET, KORPI, UFFIĊĊJI U AĠENZIJI TAL-UNJONI EWROPEA |
| | Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea |
| 2011/C 306/01 | Rata tal-kambju tal-euro | 1 |
| | INFORMAZZJONI MILL-ISTATI MEMBRI |
| 2011/C 306/02 | Informazzjoni fil-qosor ikkomunikata mill-Istati Membri dwar għajnuniet mill-Istat mogħtija skont ir-Regolament tal-Kummissjoni (KE) Nru 1857/2006 dwar l-applikazzjoni tal-Artikoli 87 u 88 tat-Trattat tal-KE għall-għajnuniet mill-Istat lill-impriżi żgħar u ta' daqs medju attivi fil-produzzjoni ta' prodotti agrikoli u li jemenda r-Regolament (KE) Nru 70/2001 | 2 |
| 2011/C 306/03 | Informazzjoni kkomunikata mill-Istati Membri dwar l-għeluq tas-sajd | 4 |
| 2011/C 306/04 | Informazzjoni kkomunikata mill-Istati Membri dwar l-għeluq tas-sajd | 5 |
| 2011/C 306/05 | Informazzjoni kkomunikata mill-Istati Membri dwar l-għeluq tas-sajd | 6 |
| 2011/C 306/06 | Informazzjoni kkomunikata mill-Istati Membri dwar l-għeluq tas-sajd | 7 |
| 2011/C 306/07 | Informazzjoni kkomunikata mill-Istati Membri dwar l-għeluq tas-sajd | 8 |
| 2011/C 306/08 | Informazzjoni kkomunikata mill-Istati Membri dwar l-għeluq tas-sajd | 9 |

Avviż Nru

Werrej

Paġna

IV   Informazzjoni

INFORMAZZJONI MINN ISTITUZZJONIJIET, KORPI, UFFIĊĊJI U AĠENZIJI TAL-UNJONI EWROPEA

Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea

2011/C 306/01

Rata tal-kambju tal-euro

1

INFORMAZZJONI MILL-ISTATI MEMBRI

2011/C 306/02

Informazzjoni fil-qosor ikkomunikata mill-Istati Membri dwar għajnuniet mill-Istat mogħtija skont ir-Regolament tal-Kummissjoni (KE) Nru 1857/2006 dwar l-applikazzjoni tal-Artikoli 87 u 88 tat-Trattat tal-KE għall-għajnuniet mill-Istat lill-impriżi żgħar u ta' daqs medju attivi fil-produzzjoni ta' prodotti agrikoli u li jemenda r-Regolament (KE) Nru 70/2001

2

2011/C 306/03

Informazzjoni kkomunikata mill-Istati Membri dwar l-għeluq tas-sajd

4

2011/C 306/04

Informazzjoni kkomunikata mill-Istati Membri dwar l-għeluq tas-sajd

5

2011/C 306/05

Informazzjoni kkomunikata mill-Istati Membri dwar l-għeluq tas-sajd

6

2011/C 306/06

Informazzjoni kkomunikata mill-Istati Membri dwar l-għeluq tas-sajd

7

2011/C 306/07

Informazzjoni kkomunikata mill-Istati Membri dwar l-għeluq tas-sajd

8

2011/C 306/08

Informazzjoni kkomunikata mill-Istati Membri dwar l-għeluq tas-sajd

9

| | V   Avviżi |
| --- | --- |
| | PROĊEDURI DWAR L-IMPLIMENTAZZJONI TAL-POLITIKA TAL-KOMPETIZZJONI |
| | Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea |
| 2011/C 306/09 | Għajnuna mill-Istat – l-Irlanda – Għajnuna mill-Istat SA.29064 (11/C) (ex 11/NN) – Trasport bl-Ajru – Eżenzjonijiet mit-taxxa għall-passiġġieri bl-ajru – Stedina biex jitressqu kummenti skont l-Artikolu 108(2) tat-TFUE (
  1
  ) | 10 |
| 2011/C 306/10 | Notifika minn qabel ta' konċentrazzjoni (Każ COMP/M.6289 – Alstom/Bouygues Immobilier/Exprimm SAS/Embix JV) – Każ li jista' jiġi kkunsidrat għal proċedura simplifikata (
  1
  ) | 17 |
| | ATTI OĦRAJN |
| | Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea |
| 2011/C 306/11 | Pubblikazzjoni ta’ applikazzjoni għal reġistrazzjoni skont l-Artikolu 6(2) tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 510/2006 dwar il-protezzjoni tal-indikazzjonijiet ġeografiċi u d-denominazzjonijiet tal-oriġini għall-prodotti agrikoli u l-oġġetti tal-ikel | 18 |

V   Avviżi

PROĊEDURI DWAR L-IMPLIMENTAZZJONI TAL-POLITIKA TAL-KOMPETIZZJONI

Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea

2011/C 306/09

Għajnuna mill-Istat – l-Irlanda – Għajnuna mill-Istat SA.29064 (11/C) (ex 11/NN) – Trasport bl-Ajru – Eżenzjonijiet mit-taxxa għall-passiġġieri bl-ajru – Stedina biex jitressqu kummenti skont l-Artikolu 108(2) tat-TFUE (
  1
  )

1

10

2011/C 306/10

Notifika minn qabel ta' konċentrazzjoni (Każ COMP/M.6289 – Alstom/Bouygues Immobilier/Exprimm SAS/Embix JV) – Każ li jista' jiġi kkunsidrat għal proċedura simplifikata (
  1
  )

1

17

ATTI OĦRAJN

Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea

2011/C 306/11

Pubblikazzjoni ta’ applikazzjoni għal reġistrazzjoni skont l-Artikolu 6(2) tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 510/2006 dwar il-protezzjoni tal-indikazzjonijiet ġeografiċi u d-denominazzjonijiet tal-oriġini għall-prodotti agrikoli u l-oġġetti tal-ikel

18

| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Test b’relevanza għaż-ŻEE |

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(1)   Test b’relevanza għaż-ŻEE

1

| MT | |
| --- | --- |

MT

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IV Informazzjoni

INFORMAZZJONI MINN ISTITUZZJONIJIET, KORPI, UFFIĊĊJI U AĠENZIJI TAL-UNJONI EWROPEA

Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea

| 18.10.2011 | MT | Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea | C 306/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

18.10.2011

MT

Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea

C 306/1

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Rata tal-kambju tal-euro (1)

Is-17 ta’ Ottubru 2011

2011/C 306/01

1 euro =

| | Munita | Rata tal-kambju |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | Dollaru Amerikan | 1,3776 |
| JPY | Yen Ġappuniż | 106,43 |
| DKK | Krona Daniża | 7,4453 |
| GBP | Lira Sterlina | 0,87400 |
| SEK | Krona Żvediża | 9,1582 |
| CHF | Frank Żvizzeru | 1,2365 |
| ISK | Krona Iżlandiża | |
| NOK | Krona Norveġiża | 7,7320 |
| BGN | Lev Bulgaru | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Krona Ċeka | 24,762 |
| HUF | Forint Ungeriż | 293,94 |
| LTL | Litas Litwan | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Lats Latvjan | 0,7049 |
| PLN | Zloty Pollakk | 4,2927 |
| RON | Leu Rumen | 4,3320 |
| TRY | Lira Turka | 2,5514 |
| AUD | Dollaru Awstraljan | 1,3406 |
| CAD | Dollaru Kanadiż | 1,3955 |
| HKD | Dollaru ta' Hong Kong | 10,7124 |
| NZD | Dollaru tan-New Zealand | 1,7225 |
| SGD | Dollaru tas-Singapor | 1,7458 |
| KRW | Won tal-Korea t'Isfel | 1 577,85 |
| ZAR | Rand ta' l-Afrika t'Isfel | 10,8856 |
| CNY | Yuan ren-min-bi Ċiniż | 8,7746 |
| HRK | Kuna Kroata | 7,4685 |
| IDR | Rupiah Indoneżjan | 12 147,13 |
| MYR | Ringgit Malażjan | 4,2707 |
| PHP | Peso Filippin | 59,465 |
| RUB | Rouble Russu | 42,4230 |
| THB | Baht Tajlandiż | 42,182 |
| BRL | Real Brażiljan | 2,4083 |
| MXN | Peso Messikan | 18,2857 |
| INR | Rupi Indjan | 67,4400 |

Munita

Rata tal-kambju

USD

Dollaru Amerikan

1,3776

JPY

Yen Ġappuniż

106,43

DKK

Krona Daniża

7,4453

GBP

Lira Sterlina

0,87400

SEK

Krona Żvediża

9,1582

CHF

Frank Żvizzeru

1,2365

ISK

Krona Iżlandiża

NOK

Krona Norveġiża

7,7320

BGN

Lev Bulgaru

1,9558

CZK

Krona Ċeka

24,762

HUF

Forint Ungeriż

293,94

LTL

Litas Litwan

3,4528

LVL

Lats Latvjan

0,7049

PLN

Zloty Pollakk

4,2927

RON

Leu Rumen

4,3320

TRY

Lira Turka

2,5514

AUD

Dollaru Awstraljan

1,3406

CAD

Dollaru Kanadiż

1,3955

HKD

Dollaru ta' Hong Kong

10,7124

NZD

Dollaru tan-New Zealand

1,7225

SGD

Dollaru tas-Singapor

1,7458

KRW

Won tal-Korea t'Isfel

1 577,85

ZAR

Rand ta' l-Afrika t'Isfel

10,8856

CNY

Yuan ren-min-bi Ċiniż

8,7746

HRK

Kuna Kroata

7,4685

IDR

Rupiah Indoneżjan

12 147,13

MYR

Ringgit Malażjan

4,2707

PHP

Peso Filippin

59,465

RUB

Rouble Russu

42,4230

THB

Baht Tajlandiż

42,182

BRL

Real Brażiljan

2,4083

MXN

Peso Messikan

18,2857

INR

Rupi Indjan

67,4400

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(1)  Sors: rata tal-kambju ta' referenza ppubblikata mill-Bank Ċentrali Ewropew.

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INFORMAZZJONI MILL-ISTATI MEMBRI

| 18.10.2011 | MT | Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea | C 306/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

18.10.2011

MT

Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea

C 306/2

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Informazzjoni fil-qosor ikkomunikata mill-Istati Membri dwar għajnuniet mill-Istat mogħtija skont ir-Regolament tal-Kummissjoni (KE) Nru 1857/2006 dwar l-applikazzjoni tal-Artikoli 87 u 88 tat-Trattat tal-KE għall-għajnuniet mill-Istat lill-impriżi żgħar u ta' daqs medju attivi fil-produzzjoni ta' prodotti agrikoli u li jemenda r-Regolament (KE) Nru 70/2001

2011/C 306/02

Għajnuna Nru: SA.33657 (11/XA)

Stati Membri: Franza

Reġjun: France

Titolu tal-iskema ta' għajnuna jew isem l-impriża li tirċievi l-għajnuna individwali: Assistance technique aux exploitations agricoles de huit baies bretonnes pour leur évolution vers des systèmes de production à très basses fuites d'azote

Bażi legali:

| — | arrêté du préfet de la région Centre, coordonnateur du bassin Loire-Bretagne, du 18 novembre 2009, portant approbation du schéma directeur d’aménagement et de gestion des eaux du bassin Loire-Bretagne (cf. disposition 10 A) |
| --- | --- |

—

arrêté du préfet de la région Centre, coordonnateur du bassin Loire-Bretagne, du 18 novembre 2009, portant approbation du schéma directeur d’aménagement et de gestion des eaux du bassin Loire-Bretagne (cf. disposition 10 A)

| — | plan de lutte contre les algues vertes du 5 février 2010 |
| --- | --- |

—

plan de lutte contre les algues vertes du 5 février 2010

| — | projets de délibération du Conseil régional de Bretagne et des Conseils généraux des Côtes-d'Armor et du Finistère |
| --- | --- |

—

projets de délibération du Conseil régional de Bretagne et des Conseils généraux des Côtes-d'Armor et du Finistère

Nefqa annwali ppjanata taħt l-iskema jew ammont totali tal-għajnuna individwali mogħtija lill-impriża: Ammont komplessiv annwali tal-baġit ippjanat taħt l-iskema: EUR 3 (f'miljuni)

Intensità massima tal-għajnuna: 100 %

Data tal-implimentazzjoni: —

Tul ta' żmien tal-għajnuna individwali: mill-24 ta’ Ottubru 2011 sal-31 ta’ Diċembru 2015

Għan tal-għajnuna: Għajnuna teknika (Art. 15 tar-Regolament (KE) Nru 1857/2006)

Settur jew setturi benefiċjarji: Produzzjoni ta' għelejjel u annimali, kaċċa u attivitajiet relatati

Isem u indirizz tal-awtorità li tagħti l-għajnuna: M. le préfet de la région Bretagne, MM. les présidents du Conseil régional de Bretagne et des Conseils généraux des Côtes-d'Armor et du Finistère

le préfet de la région Bretagne

3 avenue de la Préfecture

35026 Rennes Cedex 9

FRANCE

le président du Conseil régional de Bretagne

5-9 rue Martenot

35000 Rennes

FRANCE

le directeur de l’agence de l’eau Loire-Bretagne

avenue Buffon, BP 6339

45063 Orleans Cedex 2

FRANCE

Indirizz tal-Internet:

| | http://draaf.bretagne.agriculture.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/Note_detaillee_Diagnostic-conseil_cle838b5c.pdf |
| --- | --- |

http://draaf.bretagne.agriculture.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/Note_detaillee_Diagnostic-conseil_cle838b5c.pdf

| | http://www.bretagne.pref.gouv.fr/Les-actions-de-l-Etat/Environnement-et-prevention-des-risques/L-eau/Plan-de-lutte-contre-les-algues-vertes |
| --- | --- |

http://www.bretagne.pref.gouv.fr/Les-actions-de-l-Etat/Environnement-et-prevention-des-risques/L-eau/Plan-de-lutte-contre-les-algues-vertes

Informazzjoni oħra: —

Għajnuna Nru: SA.33729 (11/XA)

Stati Membri: L-Italja

Reġjun: Emilia-Romagna

Titolu tal-iskema ta' għajnuna jew isem l-impriża li tirċievi l-għajnuna individwali: Prevenzione e l'eradicazione di fitopatie ed infestazioni parassitarie. Programma di intervento contributivo riferito alle estirpazioni di piante di drupacee e di actinidia

Bażi legali: Deliberazione Giunta Regionale n. 1275 del 5 settembre 2011,

Legge Regionale n. 6 del 23 luglio 2010,

Legge Regionale n. 3 del 20 gennaio 2004,

Decreto Legislativo n. 214 del 19 agosto 2005,

Decreto Ministeriale 28 luglio 2009,

Decreto Ministeriale 7 febbraio 2011.

Nefqa annwali ppjanata taħt l-iskema jew ammont totali tal-għajnuna individwali mogħtija lill-impriża: Ammont komplessiv annwali tal-baġit ippjanat taħt l-iskema: EUR 1 (f'miljuni)

Intensità massima tal-għajnuna: 100 %

Data tal-implimentazzjoni: —

Tul ta' żmien tal-għajnuna individwali: mill-4 ta’ Novembru 2011 sal-31 ta’ Diċembru 2013

Għan tal-għajnuna: Mard tal-pjanti – Infestazzjoni tal-pesti (Art. 10 tar-Regolament (KE) Nru 1857/2006)

Settur jew setturi benefiċjarji: Agrikoltura, forestrija u sajd

Isem u indirizz tal-awtorità li tagħti l-għajnuna:

| Regione Emilia-Romagna |
| --- |
| Direzione Generale Agricoltura, economia ittica, attività faunistico-venato |
| Viale della Fiera 8 |
| 40127 Bologna BO |
| ITALIA |

Regione Emilia-Romagna

Direzione Generale Agricoltura, economia ittica, attività faunistico-venato

Viale della Fiera 8

40127 Bologna BO

ITALIA

Indirizz tal-Internet: http://www.ermesagricoltura.it/Servizio-fitosanitario/Finanziamenti/Finanziamenti-batteriosi-dell-actinidia-PSA/Normativa-di-base/Deliberazione-n.-1275-del-5-09-20112

Informazzjoni oħra: —

Għajnuna Nru: SA.33730 (11/XA)

Stati Membri: L-Italja

Reġjun: Basilicata

Titolu tal-iskema ta' għajnuna jew isem l-impriża li tirċievi l-għajnuna individwali: Misure regionali di sostegno alle aziende frutticole colpite dalla Vaiolatura delle drupacee (Sharka), causata dall'agente Plum pox virus

Bażi legali: Legge 1 luglio 1997, n. 206 Norme in favore delle produzioni agricole danneggiate da organismi nocivi;

Decreto del ministero delle politiche agricole, alimentari e forestali del 28 luglio 2009 recante lotta obbligatoria per il controllo del virus Plum pox virus (PPV), agente della «Vaiolatura delle drupacee» (Sharka).

Delibera di Giunta Regionale n. 643 del 4 maggio 2011

Nefqa annwali ppjanata taħt l-iskema jew ammont totali tal-għajnuna individwali mogħtija lill-impriża: Ammont komplessiv annwali tal-baġit ippjanat taħt l-iskema: EUR 0,30 (f'miljuni)

Intensità massima tal-għajnuna: 39,20 %

Data tal-implimentazzjoni: —

Tul ta' żmien tal-għajnuna individwali: mit-13 ta’ Ottubru 2011 sal-31 ta’ Diċembru 2012

Għan tal-għajnuna: Mard tal-pjanti – Infestazzjoni tal-pesti (Art. 10 tar-Regolament (KE) Nru 1857/2006)

Settur jew setturi benefiċjarji: Tkabbir ta' frott pomaċi u frott bl-għadma

Isem u indirizz tal-awtorità li tagħti l-għajnuna:

| Regione Basilicata |
| --- |
| Dipartimento Agricoltura, Sviluppo Rurale, Economia Montana |
| Via Vincenzo Verrastro |
| 85100 Potenza PZ |
| ITALIA |

Regione Basilicata

Dipartimento Agricoltura, Sviluppo Rurale, Economia Montana

Via Vincenzo Verrastro

85100 Potenza PZ

ITALIA

Indirizz tal-Internet: http://www.regione.basilicata.it/giunta/files/docs/DOCUMENT_FILE_554194.pdf

Informazzjoni oħra: —

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| 18.10.2011 | MT | Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea | C 306/4 |
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18.10.2011

MT

Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea

C 306/4

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Informazzjoni kkomunikata mill-Istati Membri dwar l-għeluq tas-sajd

2011/C 306/03

F'konformità mal-Artikolu 35(3) tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 1224/2009 tal-20 ta' Novembru 2009 li jistabbilixxi sistema Komunitarja ta’ kontroll għall-iżgurar tal-konformità mar-regoli tal-Politika Komuni tas-Sajd (1), ittieħdet deċiżjoni biex is-sajd jingħalaq kif deskritt fit-tabella ta' hawn taħt:

| Data u ħin tal-għeluq | 5.9.2011 |
| --- | --- |
| Tul ta' żmien | 5.9.2011-31.12.2011 |
| Stat Membru | Il-Portugall |
| Stokk jew Grupp ta' stokkijiet | WHM/ATLANT |
| Speċi | Marlin abjad (Tetrapturus albidus) |
| Żona | L-Oċean Atlantiku |
| Tip(i) ta' bastimenti tas-sajd | — |
| Numru ta’ referenza | — |

Data u ħin tal-għeluq

5.9.2011

Tul ta' żmien

5.9.2011-31.12.2011

Stat Membru

Il-Portugall

Stokk jew Grupp ta' stokkijiet

WHM/ATLANT

Speċi

Marlin abjad (Tetrapturus albidus)

Żona

L-Oċean Atlantiku

Tip(i) ta' bastimenti tas-sajd

—

Numru ta’ referenza

—

Ħolqa elettronika għad-deċiżjoni tal-Istat Membru:

http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/fishing_rules/tacs/index_mt.htm

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(1)  ĠU L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

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| 18.10.2011 | MT | Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea | C 306/5 |
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18.10.2011

MT

Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea

C 306/5

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Informazzjoni kkomunikata mill-Istati Membri dwar l-għeluq tas-sajd

2011/C 306/04

F'konformità mal-Artikolu 35(3) tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 1224/2009 tal-20 ta' Novembru 2009 li jistabbilixxi sistema Komunitarja ta’ kontroll għall-iżgurar tal-konformità mar-regoli tal-Politika Komuni tas-Sajd (1), ittieħdet deċiżjoni biex is-sajd jingħalaq kif deskritt fit-tabella ta' hawn taħt:

| Data u ħin tal-għeluq | 5.9.2011 |
| --- | --- |
| Tul ta' żmien | 5.9.2011-31.12.2011 |
| Stat Membru | Il-Portugall |
| Stokk jew Grupp ta' stokkijiet | ALF/3X14- |
| Speċi | Alfonsinos (Beryx spp.) |
| Żona | L-ilmijiet tal-UE u l-ilmijet internazzjonali taż-żoni III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII IX, XII u XIV |
| Tip(i) ta' bastimenti tas-sajd | — |
| Numru ta’ referenza | — |

Data u ħin tal-għeluq

5.9.2011

Tul ta' żmien

5.9.2011-31.12.2011

Stat Membru

Il-Portugall

Stokk jew Grupp ta' stokkijiet

ALF/3X14-

Speċi

Alfonsinos (Beryx spp.)

Żona

L-ilmijiet tal-UE u l-ilmijet internazzjonali taż-żoni III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII IX, XII u XIV

Tip(i) ta' bastimenti tas-sajd

—

Numru ta’ referenza

—

Ħolqa elettronika għad-deċiżjoni tal-Istat Membru:

http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/fishing_rules/tacs/index_mt.htm

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(1)  ĠU L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

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18.10.2011

MT

Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea

C 306/6

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Informazzjoni kkomunikata mill-Istati Membri dwar l-għeluq tas-sajd

2011/C 306/05

F'konformità mal-Artikolu 35(3) tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 1224/2009 tal-20 ta' Novembru 2009 li jistabbilixxi sistema Komunitarja ta’ kontroll għall-iżgurar tal-konformità mar-regoli tal-Politika Komuni tas-Sajd (1), ittieħdet deċiżjoni biex is-sajd jingħalaq kif deskritt fit-tabella ta' hawn taħt:

| Data u ħin tal-għeluq | 25.6.2011 |
| --- | --- |
| Tul ta' żmien | 25.6.2011-31.12.2011 |
| Stat Membru | Spanja |
| Stokk jew Grupp ta' stokkijiet | BSF/8910- |
| Speċi | Lipp tal-qawwi (Phycis blennoides) |
| Żona | L-ilmijiet tal-UE u l-ilmijiet internazzjonali taż-żoni VIII u IX |
| Tip(i) ta' bastimenti tas-sajd | — |
| Numru ta’ referenza | 887271 |

Data u ħin tal-għeluq

25.6.2011

Tul ta' żmien

25.6.2011-31.12.2011

Stat Membru

Spanja

Stokk jew Grupp ta' stokkijiet

BSF/8910-

Speċi

Lipp tal-qawwi (Phycis blennoides)

Żona

L-ilmijiet tal-UE u l-ilmijiet internazzjonali taż-żoni VIII u IX

Tip(i) ta' bastimenti tas-sajd

—

Numru ta’ referenza

887271

Ħolqa elettronika għad-deċiżjoni tal-Istat Membru:

http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/fishing_rules/tacs/index_mt.htm

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(1)  ĠU L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

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| 18.10.2011 | MT | Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea | C 306/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

18.10.2011

MT

Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea

C 306/7

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Informazzjoni kkomunikata mill-Istati Membri dwar l-għeluq tas-sajd

2011/C 306/06

F'konformità mal-Artikolu 35(3) tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 1224/2009 tal-20 ta' Novembru 2009 li jistabbilixxi sistema Komunitarja ta’ kontroll għall-iżgurar tal-konformità mar-regoli tal-Politika Komuni tas-Sajd (1), ittieħdet deċiżjoni biex is-sajd jingħalaq kif deskritt fit-tabella ta' hawn taħt:

| Data u ħin tal-għeluq | 12.7.2011 |
| --- | --- |
| Tul ta' żmien | 12.7.2011-31.12.2011 |
| Stat Membru | Spanja |
| Stokk jew Grupp ta' stokkijiet | BSF/8910- |
| Speċi | Ċinturin iswed (Aphanopus carbo) |
| Żona | L-ilmijiet tal-UE u l-ilmijiet internazzjonali taż-żoni VIII, IX u X |
| Tip(i) ta' bastimenti tas-sajd | — |
| Numru ta’ referenza | 887293 |

Data u ħin tal-għeluq

12.7.2011

Tul ta' żmien

12.7.2011-31.12.2011

Stat Membru

Spanja

Stokk jew Grupp ta' stokkijiet

BSF/8910-

Speċi

Ċinturin iswed (Aphanopus carbo)

Żona

L-ilmijiet tal-UE u l-ilmijiet internazzjonali taż-żoni VIII, IX u X

Tip(i) ta' bastimenti tas-sajd

—

Numru ta’ referenza

887293

Ħolqa elettronika għad-deċiżjoni tal-Istat Membru:

http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/fishing_rules/tacs/index_mt.htm

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(1)  ĠU L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

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| 18.10.2011 | MT | Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea | C 306/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

18.10.2011

MT

Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea

C 306/8

---

Informazzjoni kkomunikata mill-Istati Membri dwar l-għeluq tas-sajd

2011/C 306/07

F'konformità mal-Artikolu 35(3) tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 1224/2009 tal-20 ta' Novembru 2009 li jistabbilixxi sistema Komunitarja ta’ kontroll għall-iżgurar tal-konformità mar-regoli tal-Politika Komuni tas-Sajd (1), ittieħdet deċiżjoni biex is-sajd jingħalaq kif deskritt fit-tabella ta' hawn taħt:

| Data u ħin tal-għeluq | 13.8.2011 |
| --- | --- |
| Tul ta' żmien | 13.8.2011-31.12.2011 |
| Stat Membru | Il-Belġju |
| Stokk jew Grupp ta' stokkijiet | WHG/08. |
| Speċijiet | Merlangu (Merlangius merlangus) |
| Żona | Iż-żona VIII |
| Tip(i) ta' bastimenti tas-sajd | — |
| Numru ta’ referenza | 870462 |

Data u ħin tal-għeluq

13.8.2011

Tul ta' żmien

13.8.2011-31.12.2011

Stat Membru

Il-Belġju

Stokk jew Grupp ta' stokkijiet

WHG/08.

Speċijiet

Merlangu (Merlangius merlangus)

Żona

Iż-żona VIII

Tip(i) ta' bastimenti tas-sajd

—

Numru ta’ referenza

870462

Ħolqa elettronika għad-deċiżjoni tal-Istat Membru:

http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/fishing_rules/tacs/index_mt.htm

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(1)  ĠU L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

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| 18.10.2011 | MT | Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea | C 306/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

18.10.2011

MT

Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea

C 306/9

---

Informazzjoni kkomunikata mill-Istati Membri dwar l-għeluq tas-sajd

2011/C 306/08

F'konformità mal-Artikolu 35(3) tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 1224/2009 tal-20 ta' Novembru 2009 li jistabbilixxi sistema Komunitarja ta’ kontroll għall-iżgurar tal-konformità mar-regoli tal-Politika Komuni tas-Sajd (1), ittieħdet deċiżjoni biex is-sajd jingħalaq kif deskritt fit-tabella ta' hawn taħt:

| Data u ħin tal-għeluq | 13.8.2011 |
| --- | --- |
| Tul ta' żmien | 13.8.2011-31.12.2011 |
| Stat Membru | Il-Belġju |
| Stokk jew Grupp ta' stokkijiet | LEZ/8ABDE. |
| Speċi | Megrims (Lepidorhombus spp.) |
| Żona | VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIId u VIIIe |
| Tip(i) ta' bastimenti tas-sajd | — |
| Numru ta’ referenza | 870462 |

Data u ħin tal-għeluq

13.8.2011

Tul ta' żmien

13.8.2011-31.12.2011

Stat Membru

Il-Belġju

Stokk jew Grupp ta' stokkijiet

LEZ/8ABDE.

Speċi

Megrims (Lepidorhombus spp.)

Żona

VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIId u VIIIe

Tip(i) ta' bastimenti tas-sajd

—

Numru ta’ referenza

870462

Ħolqa elettronika għad-deċiżjoni tal-Istat Membru:

http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/fishing_rules/tacs/index_mt.htm

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(1)  ĠU L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1.

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V Avviżi

PROĊEDURI DWAR L-IMPLIMENTAZZJONI TAL-POLITIKA TAL-KOMPETIZZJONI

Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea

| 18.10.2011 | MT | Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea | C 306/10 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

18.10.2011

MT

Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea

C 306/10

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GĦAJNUNA MILL-ISTAT – L-IRLANDA

Għajnuna mill-Istat SA.29064 (11/C) (ex 11/NN) – Trasport bl-Ajru – Eżenzjonijiet mit-taxxa għall-passiġġieri bl-ajru

Stedina biex jitressqu kummenti skont l-Artikolu 108(2) tat-TFUE

(Test b’relevanza għaż-ŻEE)

2011/C 306/09

Permezz tal-ittra datata t-13 ta’ Lulju 2011 riprodotta fil-lingwa awtentika fil-paġni li jiġu wara dan is-sommarju, il-Kummissjoni nnotifikat lill-Irlanda bid-deċiżjoni tagħha li tagħti bidu għall-proċedura stabbilita fl-Artikolu 108(2) tat-TFUE fir-rigward tal-miżuri msemmijin hawn fuq.

Il-partijiet interessati jistgħu jressqu l-kummenti tagħhom dwar il-miżura li dwarha l-Kummissjoni qed tibda l-proċedura fi żmien xahar tad-data tal-pubblikazzjoni ta' dan is-sommarju u l-ittra li ġejja, lil:

| IL-Kummissjoni Ewropea |
| --- |
| Direttorat-Ġenerali għall-Kompetizzjoni |
| Reġistru tal-Għajnuna mill-Istat |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |
| Fax +32 22961242 |

IL-Kummissjoni Ewropea

Direttorat-Ġenerali għall-Kompetizzjoni

Reġistru tal-Għajnuna mill-Istat

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Fax +32 22961242

Dawn l-osservazzjonijiet ser jiġu kkomunikati lill-Irlanda. Il-parti interessata li tressaq il-kummenti tista’ titlob bil-miktub biex l-identità tagħha tibqa’ kunfidenzjali, filwaqt li tagħti r-raġunijiet għat-talba.

IT-TEST TAS-SOMMARJU

Mit-30 ta’ Marzu 2009, l-awtoritajiet Irlandiżi introduċew dazju tas-sisa fuq it-trasport tal-passiġġieri bl-ajru, li kien se jkun impost fir-rigward ta’ “kull tluq ta’ apssiġġier fuq inġenju tal-ajru minn ajruport”. Waqt li t-taxxa in fine kienet intenzjonata biex tkun mgħoddija lill-passiġġieri permez tal-prezz tal-biljett, kienu l-operaturi tal-linji tal-ajru li kienu responsabbli li jiġbru u jħallsu t-taxxa fir-rigward tal-passiġġieri li se jitilqu fuq l-inġenji tal-ajru rispettivi tagħhom. Id-definizjoni ta’ “passiġġier” f’dan il-kuntest teskludi minn din it-taxxa passiġġieri fi trasferiment jew tranżitu. Meta kienet introdotta, it-taxxa kienet imposta abbażi tad-distanza bejn l-ajruport minn fejn jibda l-vjaġġ u dak fejn jintemm il-vjaġġ, bir-rata ta (i) EUR 2 fil-każ ta' vjaġġ minn ajruport lejn destinazzjoni mhux iktar minn 300 km mill-ajruport ta' Dublin u (ii) EUR 10 fi kwalunkwe każ ieħor. Wara proċedura ta’ ksur, mill-1 ta’ Marzu 2011 bdiet tapplika rata waħda ta’ EUR 3 għad-distanzi kollha. Ladarba l-avveniment taxxabbli huwa t-tluq ta’ passiġġier fuq inġenju tal-ajru, titjiriet ta’ merkanzija u modi oħra tat-trasport jaqaw barra mill-ambitu ta’ din it-taxxa.

Skont ilment li rċeviet il-Kummissjoni, il-fatt li t-taxxa ma tkunx applikata għall-passiġġieri fi trasferiment jew tranżitu u għal titjiriet ta' merkanzija jikkostitwixxi għajnuna mill-Istat illegali u inkumpatibbli mogħtija lill-operatur tal-linji tal-ajru Aer Lingus u Aer Arann u lill-operatur tal-ajruport Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), ladarba dawn l-impriżi kellhom proporzjon relattivament għoli ta’ tali passiġġieri u titjiriet. Barra minn hekk, in-nonapplikazzjoni tat-taxxa għas-servizzi marittimi u t-trasport bil-ferrovija allegatament jirriżulta f’għajnuna mill-Istat lill-operaturi f’dawn is-seturi. Il-kwerelant irrefera wkoll għall-fatt li l-ammont fiss tat-taxxa kien jirrapreżenta sehem ogħla tal-prezz ta’ trasportaturi irħas milli għal-linji tal-ajru tradizzjonali. Finalment, il-kwerelant isostni li r-rata tat-taxxa iktar baxxa kienet tiffavorixxi lil Aer Arann minħabba li 50 % tal-passiġġieri li jinġarru minn dik il-linja tal-ajru jivvjaġġaw għal destinazzjonijiet li jinsabu iktar minn 300 km mill-ajruport ta’ Dublin.

Skont l-awtoritajiet Irlandiżi, titjiriet tal-merkanzija u mezzi oħra tat-trasport għajr it-trasport bl-ajru jaqgħu barra mill-ambitu ta’ din it-taxxa minħabba l-applikazzjoni relattivament sempliċi tagħha. Il-politika ta’ tassazzjoni mhiex imfassla biex tkun taqbel ma' xi mudell partikolari individwali ta’ negozju. Kwalunkwe operatur tas-servizz tal-merkanzija jew ta' modi oħra ta' trasport jaqa' 'l barra mill-ambitu tat-taxxa għall-provvediment ta' tali servizzi. L-esklużjoni tat-traffiku ta' trasefriment u tranżitu mill-kamp ta' applikazzjoni tat-taxxa huwa dovut għal raġunijiet ta' newtralità: In fine ikunu l-passiġġieri li jġorru l-kost tat-taxxa u huma ma għandhomx ikunu penalizzati mill-fatt li tkun seħħet waqfa fl-Irlanda. Barra minn hekk, l-awtoritajiet Irlandiżi jimplikaw li dan l-arranġament jipprevjeni t-tassazzjoni doppja potenzjali f'każijiet fejn taxxa simili hija imposta fl-ajruport fejn jibda l-vjaġġ. Fir-rigward tal-użu ta' rata fissa tat-taxxa flok proporzjoni mill-prezz tal-biljett, dan joħroġ mill-fatt li t-taxxa hija dazju tas-sisa. Barra milli għandha piż amministrattiv sostanzjali, l-użu ta' persentaġġ tal-prezz tal-biljett jagħti lok biex it-taxxa tinħarab ladarba l-linji tal-ajru jaraw kif iraħħsu l-prezz tal-biljett waqt li jżidu d-dħul permezz ta' imposti anċillari. Dwar ir-rata ta' taxxa iktar baxxa għal rotot iqsar (applikabbli sal-1 ta' Marzu 2011), l-awtoritajiet Irlandiżi spjegaw li din kienet ibbażata fuq il-fatt li l-prezzijiet huma ġeneralment irħas għal destinazzjonijiet eqreb. Huma wrew ukoll id-dubji tagħhom li Aer Arann tkun vantaġġjata mir-rata imnaqqsa, ladarba l-kwerelant kien ukoll attiv fuq parti importanti tar-rotot li għalihom kienet tapplika r-rata iktar baxxa. Għalhekk, l-awtoritajiet Irlandiżi ma jarawx kif il-fatt li hemm rata iktar baxxa għar-rotot iqsar tikkostittwixxi għajnuna mill-Istat lil Aer Arann u Aer Lingus.

Għad-determinazzjoni jekk il-miżuri allegati jikkostitwixxux għajnuna mill-Istat jew le, il-kwistjoni prinċipali f'dan il-każ hi jekk il-kriterju ta' selettività huwiex sodisfatt, i.e. jekk il-miżuri jiffavorixxux ċerti impriżi li huma f'sitwazzjoni legali u fattwali kumparabbli fid-dawl tal-objettiv tal-miżuri inkwistjoni.

Mezzi oħra ta' trasport għajr it-trasport bl-ajru huma f'sistemi legali, regolatorji u ta' tassazzjoni differenti minn dawk tat-trasport bl-ajru. Huma wkoll f'sitwazzjoni fattwali differenti mill-operaturi tat-trasport bl-ajru. Għalhekk l-esklużjoni ta' modi oħra tat-trasport mit-taxxa mhix selettiva.

Ladarba l-operaturi tat-trasport tal-merkanzija huma attivi f'negozju differenti b'tipi differenti ta' klijenti u t-trasport tal-merkazija u dak tal-passiġġieri mhumiex servizzi sostitwibbli, tali operaturi mhumiex fl-istess sitwazzjoni fattwali tat-trasport tal-passiġġieri bl-ajru. L-esklużjoni tat-traffiku tal-merkanzija mit-taxxa ma tistax tkun ikkunsidrata bħala selettiva.

Fir-rigwrad tan-nonaplikazzjoni tat-taxa għall-passġġieri ta' trasferiment u ta' tranżitu, huwa fil-loġika u fin-natura tas-sistema tat-taxxa u għalhekk mhux selettiva. L-għan huwa li t-taxxa tkun imposta abbażi tad-distanza bejn id-destinazzjoni tal-bidu tal-vjaġġ u t-tmiem tiegħu. In-nonapplikazzjoni tat-taxxa għall-passiġġieri ta' trasferiment u ta' tranżitu hija loġika, ladarba hija twassal għal passiġġieri li jkunu ntaxxati bl-istess mod indipendentament fir-rotta tal-vjaġġ (minflok li jkunu intaxxati kemm fuq l-ewwel, kif ukoll fuq it-tieni parti tal-vjaġġ). Addizzjonalment, l-evażjoni tat-tassazzjoni doppja tiġġustifika li l-passiġġieri ta' trasferiment u ta' tranżitu ma jkunux koperti mit-taxxa.

Dwar l-użu ta' rati fissi tat-taxxa flok persentaġġ, għandu jkun innutat li l-Istati Membri huma intitolati jagħżlu bejn rati fissi u proporzjonali. Dazji tas-sisa bħat-taxxa inkwistjoni huma tipikament speċifiċi għal kull unita u għalhekk mhux bħat-taxxa fuq il-bejgħ stabbilita fi proporzjoni għall-valur. Fin-natura tagħhom, ammonti fissi jirrapreżentaw parti ogħla ta' prezzijiet totali orħos. Madanakollu, id-differenza bejn prezzijiet ogħla u orħos tibqa kif inhi. Għalhekk ma jidhirx li l-linji tal-ajru tradizzjonali jkollhom vantaġġ meta mqabbla ma' dawk tat-trasportaturi bi prezz baxx. Barra minn hekk, taxxa li hija proporzjonali mal-prezz tal-biljett tista' tinkoraġġixxi lill-kumpaniji jraħħsu l-prezzijiet waqt li fl-istess waqt iżidu l-kostijiet tat-tranżazzjoni jew dawk anċillari.

Rigward ir-rati differenti tat-taxxa applikabbli mit-30 ta’ Marzu 2009 sal-1 ta’ Marzu 2011, il-Kummissjoni f'dokument ta' ħidma tal-persunal innutat li ma tista' issir l-ebda diskriminazzjoni bejn it-titjiriet nazzjonali u dawk intrakomunitarji. Għalhekk, skont il-prattiki ta' deċiżjoni tal-Kummissjoni, tali differenzjar għandu jkun ikkunsidrat bħal selettiv jekk ma jkun hemm l-ebda raġuni loġika għalih. Dan kien ukoll spjegat b'mod ċar mill-Qorti. Mhux validu l-argument tal-Awtoritajiet Irlandiżi li titjiriet fuq distanzi itwal huma iktar għolja u għalhekk tista' tinżamm imposta ogħla mingħajr ma tkun sproporzjonata meta mqabbla mal-prezz, minħabba li l-prezz tal-biljetti għad-destinazzjonijiet domestiki mhux neċessarjament (essenzjalment) orħos minn dak tat-titjiriet għal destinazzjonijiet oħra fl-UE. Għalhekk jidher li r-rata ta' taxxa iktar baxxa tipprovdi vantaġġ selettiv għal impriżi fis-sistema ta' referenza. Ladarba anke l-kriterji l-oħra fl-Artikolu 107(1) tat-TFUE huma sodisfatti, il-miżura tikkostittwixxu għajnuna mill-Istat.

Bħala konklużjoni, la l-esklużjoni tat-trasport tal-merkanzija u ta' mezzi oħra tat-trasport għajr dak bl-ajru, u lanqas in-nonapplikazzjoni tat-taxxi fuq it-traffiku ta' passiġġieri ta' trasferiment u ta' tranżitu ma jikkostitwixxu għajnuna mill-Istat fit-tifsira tal-Artikolu 107(1) tat-TFUE. L-użu ta' rata fissa għall-kuntrarju ta' persentaġġ tal-prezz tal-biljett ma tirriżultax lanqas f'għajnuna mill-Istat. Madanakollu, l-applikazzjoni ta' rata domestika iktar baxxa bejn it-30 ta’ Marzu 2009 u l-1 ta’ Marzu 2011 jidher li tikkostittwixxi għajnuna mill-Istat li dwarha hemm dubju dwar kemm hija kumpatibbli mas-suq intern.

Skont l-Artikolu 14 tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 659/1999, kull għajnuna illegali tista' tkun soġġetta għal irkupru mingħand ir-riċevitur.

TEST TAL-ITTRA

“1.   PROCEDURE

| (1) | By letter of 21 July 2009, registered at the Commission the following day under number CP 231/2009, the Commission received a complaint from an airline operator regarding alleged unlawful and illegal State aid measures, which were in place in Ireland. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

By letter of 21 July 2009, registered at the Commission the following day under number CP 231/2009, the Commission received a complaint from an airline operator regarding alleged unlawful and illegal State aid measures, which were in place in Ireland.

| (2) | By letter of 28 July 2009, the Commission forwarded the complaint to the Irish authorities and asked for their position on the claims brought forward therein. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

By letter of 28 July 2009, the Commission forwarded the complaint to the Irish authorities and asked for their position on the claims brought forward therein.

| (3) | By letter of 26 August 2009, the Irish authorities asked for an extension of the deadline to reply, which the Commission accepted in letter of 3 September 2009. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

By letter of 26 August 2009, the Irish authorities asked for an extension of the deadline to reply, which the Commission accepted in letter of 3 September 2009.

| (4) | On 15 October 2009, the Irish authorities responded to the letter of the Commission. Their reply was registered at the Commission on the same day. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

On 15 October 2009, the Irish authorities responded to the letter of the Commission. Their reply was registered at the Commission on the same day.

| (5) | Since the alleged aid had been implemented without prior notification to the Commission, the case was registered as a non-notified measure, 11/NN. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

Since the alleged aid had been implemented without prior notification to the Commission, the case was registered as a non-notified measure, 11/NN.

2.   DESCRIPTION OF THE ALLEGED AID

2.1.   The Irish Air Travel Tax

| (6) | As of 30 March 2009, the Irish authorities introduced an excise duty on air passenger transport. The national legal basis for the tax is Section 55 of the Finance (No 2) Act 2008, which introduces an excise duty referred to as the “air travel tax” which the airlines operators are liable to pay in respect of “every departure of a passenger on an aircraft from an airport” located in Ireland. While the tax in fine is intended to be passed on to the passengers via the ticket price, it is thus the airline operators that are liable to pay the tax. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

As of 30 March 2009, the Irish authorities introduced an excise duty on air passenger transport. The national legal basis for the tax is Section 55 of the Finance (No 2) Act 2008, which introduces an excise duty referred to as the “air travel tax” which the airlines operators are liable to pay in respect of “every departure of a passenger on an aircraft from an airport” located in Ireland. While the tax in fine is intended to be passed on to the passengers via the ticket price, it is thus the airline operators that are liable to pay the tax.

| (7) | At the time of the introduction of the tax, it was levied on the basis of the distance between the airport where the journey began and the airport where the journey ended, at the rate of (i) EUR 2 in the case of a journey from an airport to a destination located no more than 300 km from Dublin airport; and (ii) EUR 10 in any other case. |
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(7)

At the time of the introduction of the tax, it was levied on the basis of the distance between the airport where the journey began and the airport where the journey ended, at the rate of (i) EUR 2 in the case of a journey from an airport to a destination located no more than 300 km from Dublin airport; and (ii) EUR 10 in any other case.

| (8) | Following an investigation by the Commission regarding a possible infringement of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community (1) and the Treaty provisions on free provision of services, the rates were changed as of 1 March 2011 so that a single tax rate of EUR 3 is applicable to all departures, regardless of the distance travelled. |
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(8)

Following an investigation by the Commission regarding a possible infringement of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community (1) and the Treaty provisions on free provision of services, the rates were changed as of 1 March 2011 so that a single tax rate of EUR 3 is applicable to all departures, regardless of the distance travelled.

| (9) | In the legal basis, a passenger is defined as a person other than a member of the crew of the aircraft travelling on an aircraft, but the definition explicitly excludes transfer and transit passengers. A transfer passenger is defined as a passenger who arrives on a flight to an airport and who departs from the airport on a further flight, other than to the airport where the passenger’s journey originated, where both flights are part of a single booking and where the length of time between the scheduled time of arrival of the flight to the airport and the scheduled time of departure of the flight from that airport is maximum six hours. A transit passenger is a passenger who is on board an aircraft which lands at an airport in the course of its journey and who continues his or her journey on that aircraft. This means effectively that transfer and transit passengers fall outside of the scope of the tax.







  Examples: | New York–Shannon–Dublin | Tax payable: EUR 0 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| New York–Dublin | Tax payable: EUR 0 |
| Dublin–Shannon–New York | Tax payable: EUR 10 |
| Dublin–New York | Tax payable: EUR 10 |

(9)

In the legal basis, a passenger is defined as a person other than a member of the crew of the aircraft travelling on an aircraft, but the definition explicitly excludes transfer and transit passengers. A transfer passenger is defined as a passenger who arrives on a flight to an airport and who departs from the airport on a further flight, other than to the airport where the passenger’s journey originated, where both flights are part of a single booking and where the length of time between the scheduled time of arrival of the flight to the airport and the scheduled time of departure of the flight from that airport is maximum six hours. A transit passenger is a passenger who is on board an aircraft which lands at an airport in the course of its journey and who continues his or her journey on that aircraft. This means effectively that transfer and transit passengers fall outside of the scope of the tax.

Examples:

New York–Shannon–Dublin

Tax payable: EUR 0

New York–Dublin

Tax payable: EUR 0

Dublin–Shannon–New York

Tax payable: EUR 10

Dublin–New York

Tax payable: EUR 10

| (10) | Since the taxable event is the departure of a passenger on an aircraft, cargo flights and other modes of transport fall outside of the scope of the tax. |
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(10)

Since the taxable event is the departure of a passenger on an aircraft, cargo flights and other modes of transport fall outside of the scope of the tax.

2.2.   Alleged illegal and unlawful State aid

| (11) | First, the complainant argues that the non-application of the tax to cargo transport results in State aid to cargo operator Aer Lingus and to Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), which manages, operates and develops Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports, and manages domestic and international airport retail and airport investment. |
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(11)

First, the complainant argues that the non-application of the tax to cargo transport results in State aid to cargo operator Aer Lingus and to Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), which manages, operates and develops Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports, and manages domestic and international airport retail and airport investment.

| (12) | Second, the complainant claims that the non-application of the tax to maritime services and rail transport results in State aid to operators in these sectors. |
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(12)

Second, the complainant claims that the non-application of the tax to maritime services and rail transport results in State aid to operators in these sectors.

| (13) | Third, it is claimed that the non-application of the tax to transfer and transit passengers and cargo flights constituted illegal and incompatible State aid granted to DAA and to Air Lingus and Air Arann, since these undertakings have a relatively high proportion of such passengers and flights. |
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(13)

Third, it is claimed that the non-application of the tax to transfer and transit passengers and cargo flights constituted illegal and incompatible State aid granted to DAA and to Air Lingus and Air Arann, since these undertakings have a relatively high proportion of such passengers and flights.

| (14) | Fourth, according to the complaint, the use of fixed tax rates (as opposed to the use of a tax that is proportional to the ticket price) imposes a proportionally heavier charge on low fare passengers and discriminate against the business models used by low-cost carriers, which are based on small margins and high numbers of passengers in order to maximise revenues from ancillary services. Therefore, low-cost carriers cannot pass the full cost of the tax on to their passengers. |
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(14)

Fourth, according to the complaint, the use of fixed tax rates (as opposed to the use of a tax that is proportional to the ticket price) imposes a proportionally heavier charge on low fare passengers and discriminate against the business models used by low-cost carriers, which are based on small margins and high numbers of passengers in order to maximise revenues from ancillary services. Therefore, low-cost carriers cannot pass the full cost of the tax on to their passengers.

| (15) | Fifth, the complainant claims that the differentiated tax rates favour Aer Arann since 50 % of the passengers carried by that airline travel to destinations located at less than 300 km from Dublin airport. |
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(15)

Fifth, the complainant claims that the differentiated tax rates favour Aer Arann since 50 % of the passengers carried by that airline travel to destinations located at less than 300 km from Dublin airport.

| (16) | The complainant estimates that the aid provided to DAA, Aer Lingus and Aer Arann stemming from the exemptions of cargo traffic, transfer and transit passengers and the lower tax rate for shorter flights in total amounts to at least EUR 50 million per year. |
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(16)

The complainant estimates that the aid provided to DAA, Aer Lingus and Aer Arann stemming from the exemptions of cargo traffic, transfer and transit passengers and the lower tax rate for shorter flights in total amounts to at least EUR 50 million per year.

2.3.   The opinion of the Irish authorities

| (17) | According to the Irish authorities, the use of a fixed tax rate instead of a proportion of the ticket price stems from the fact that the tax is an excise duty and, as such, a fixed amount. Apart from being administratively burdensome, using a percentage of the ticket price would open up for circumvention since airlines would then strive to reduce fares while raising revenues via ancillary fees (credit card handling, online check-in, baggage handling, charging for sports equipment carried, etc.). |
| --- | --- |

(17)

According to the Irish authorities, the use of a fixed tax rate instead of a proportion of the ticket price stems from the fact that the tax is an excise duty and, as such, a fixed amount. Apart from being administratively burdensome, using a percentage of the ticket price would open up for circumvention since airlines would then strive to reduce fares while raising revenues via ancillary fees (credit card handling, online check-in, baggage handling, charging for sports equipment carried, etc.).

| (18) | As to the lower tax rate for shorter routes, the Irish authorities explained that it was based on the fact that the prices are normally lower for closer destinations. They pointed out that there is only one domestic route on which the complainant and Aer Arann compete. On that route, close to 40 % of the flights are operated by the complainant. For routes abroad benefiting from the lower rate (western UK), the complainant operates more than 40 % of the scheduled flights, while Aer Arann and Aer Lingus have smaller shares. Therefore, the Irish authorities do not see how the fact that there is a lower rate for shorter routes would constitute State aid to Aer Arann and Aer Lingus. |
| --- | --- |

(18)

As to the lower tax rate for shorter routes, the Irish authorities explained that it was based on the fact that the prices are normally lower for closer destinations. They pointed out that there is only one domestic route on which the complainant and Aer Arann compete. On that route, close to 40 % of the flights are operated by the complainant. For routes abroad benefiting from the lower rate (western UK), the complainant operates more than 40 % of the scheduled flights, while Aer Arann and Aer Lingus have smaller shares. Therefore, the Irish authorities do not see how the fact that there is a lower rate for shorter routes would constitute State aid to Aer Arann and Aer Lingus.

| (19) | With respect to the non-imposition of the tax on cargo flights and other modes of transport than air transport, the Irish authorities argue that this is due to the relatively simple application of the tax. Taxation policy is not designed to fit with any particular individual business model. Any operator of cargo service or other modes of transport than air transport would fall outside of the scope of the tax for the provision of such services. |
| --- | --- |

(19)

With respect to the non-imposition of the tax on cargo flights and other modes of transport than air transport, the Irish authorities argue that this is due to the relatively simple application of the tax. Taxation policy is not designed to fit with any particular individual business model. Any operator of cargo service or other modes of transport than air transport would fall outside of the scope of the tax for the provision of such services.

| (20) | As to the non-application of the tax on transfer and transit passengers, the Irish authorities state that the fact that any first leg of an overall journey is not subject to the tax ensures that the passenger is not punished because a route includes a stopover in order to get to the final destination. The Irish authorities furthermore indicate that other countries with air passenger taxes, such as the United Kingdom, normally exclude transfer and transit passengers from the scope of the tax. |
| --- | --- |

(20)

As to the non-application of the tax on transfer and transit passengers, the Irish authorities state that the fact that any first leg of an overall journey is not subject to the tax ensures that the passenger is not punished because a route includes a stopover in order to get to the final destination. The Irish authorities furthermore indicate that other countries with air passenger taxes, such as the United Kingdom, normally exclude transfer and transit passengers from the scope of the tax.

| (21) | Therefore, in the opinion of the Irish authorities, the tax and its non-applicability in respect of cargo transport and other means of transport than air transport and of certain categories of passengers does not amount to aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (hereinafter the “TFEU”). Neither do the use of a fixed tax rate and the differentiated tax rates in force between 30 March 2009 and 1 March 2011. |
| --- | --- |

(21)

Therefore, in the opinion of the Irish authorities, the tax and its non-applicability in respect of cargo transport and other means of transport than air transport and of certain categories of passengers does not amount to aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (hereinafter the “TFEU”). Neither do the use of a fixed tax rate and the differentiated tax rates in force between 30 March 2009 and 1 March 2011.

3.   ASSESSMENT

3.1.   Existence of aid under Article 107(1) of the TFEU

| (22) | By virtue of Article 107(1) of the TFEU, “any aid granted by a Member State or through State resources in any form whatsoever which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods shall, in so far as it affects trade between Member States, be incompatible with the internal market”. |
| --- | --- |

(22)

By virtue of Article 107(1) of the TFEU, “any aid granted by a Member State or through State resources in any form whatsoever which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods shall, in so far as it affects trade between Member States, be incompatible with the internal market”.

| (23) | In order to be caught by Article 107(1) of the TFEU, a measure must thus be selective (2). The Court has held that that Article requires assessment of whether, under a particular legal regime, a national measure is such as to favour “certain undertakings or the production of certain goods” in comparison with others which, in the light of the objective pursued by that regime, are in a comparable factual and legal situation (3). |
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(23)

In order to be caught by Article 107(1) of the TFEU, a measure must thus be selective (2). The Court has held that that Article requires assessment of whether, under a particular legal regime, a national measure is such as to favour “certain undertakings or the production of certain goods” in comparison with others which, in the light of the objective pursued by that regime, are in a comparable factual and legal situation (3).

| (24) | The selective advantage may derive from an exception to the tax provisions of a legislative, regulatory or administrative nature or from a discretionary practice on the part of the tax authorities. However, the selective nature of a measure may be justified by “the nature or general scheme of the system” (4). The Commission must therefore examine whether such exemptions are justified by the nature or the general principles of the tax system in the Member State. If that is the case, the measure is not considered to be aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) of the TFEU. |
| --- | --- |

(24)

The selective advantage may derive from an exception to the tax provisions of a legislative, regulatory or administrative nature or from a discretionary practice on the part of the tax authorities. However, the selective nature of a measure may be justified by “the nature or general scheme of the system” (4). The Commission must therefore examine whether such exemptions are justified by the nature or the general principles of the tax system in the Member State. If that is the case, the measure is not considered to be aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) of the TFEU.

| (25) | According to established case-law (5), a fiscal measure is selective if it constitutes a departure from the normal application of the general tax framework. First, the Commission therefore has to identify the relevant tax system of reference. |
| --- | --- |

(25)

According to established case-law (5), a fiscal measure is selective if it constitutes a departure from the normal application of the general tax framework. First, the Commission therefore has to identify the relevant tax system of reference.

| (26) | As regards taxation, the Commission notes that, in principle, the definition of the system of taxation falls within the exclusive competence of the Member States. In designing its taxation system, the Irish authorities chose, on the one hand, to define the taxable event of the air travel tax as the departure of a passenger from an airport situated in Ireland. The taxation legislation at hand aims at regulating the payment of duties on passengers departing on a plane from an airport located in Ireland. In the case at hand, the Commission considers the system of reference to be the taxation of air passengers departing from an airport situated in Ireland. |
| --- | --- |

(26)

As regards taxation, the Commission notes that, in principle, the definition of the system of taxation falls within the exclusive competence of the Member States. In designing its taxation system, the Irish authorities chose, on the one hand, to define the taxable event of the air travel tax as the departure of a passenger from an airport situated in Ireland. The taxation legislation at hand aims at regulating the payment of duties on passengers departing on a plane from an airport located in Ireland. In the case at hand, the Commission considers the system of reference to be the taxation of air passengers departing from an airport situated in Ireland.

| (27) | The objective of the system of reference is to tax passengers departing on a plane from an airport located in Ireland in order to raise revenue for the State budget. |
| --- | --- |

(27)

The objective of the system of reference is to tax passengers departing on a plane from an airport located in Ireland in order to raise revenue for the State budget.

| (28) | First, other modes of transport than air transport fall outside of the reference system. Different legal, regulatory and taxation systems apply to different modes of transport. For example, aviation fuel is exempted from fuel taxation (6) and, as from 1 January 2012, the aviation sector will, contrary to some other modes of transport, be included in the EU Emission Trading Scheme (7). It is therefore impossible to identify one single reference tax system that would apply to all modes of transport. Differences in the legal (regulatory) and factual situations of operators of various modes of transport can also justify the application of different tax systems (e.g. security and safety regulations are different, traffic management systems are different and the support for and need for infrastructure varies). Therefore, the Commission finds that other modes of transport than air transport are not to be included in the reference system for the air passenger taxes subject to assessment. The air travel tax can thus not be considered to provide the maritime and rail sectors with a selective advantage. |
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(28)

First, other modes of transport than air transport fall outside of the reference system. Different legal, regulatory and taxation systems apply to different modes of transport. For example, aviation fuel is exempted from fuel taxation (6) and, as from 1 January 2012, the aviation sector will, contrary to some other modes of transport, be included in the EU Emission Trading Scheme (7). It is therefore impossible to identify one single reference tax system that would apply to all modes of transport. Differences in the legal (regulatory) and factual situations of operators of various modes of transport can also justify the application of different tax systems (e.g. security and safety regulations are different, traffic management systems are different and the support for and need for infrastructure varies). Therefore, the Commission finds that other modes of transport than air transport are not to be included in the reference system for the air passenger taxes subject to assessment. The air travel tax can thus not be considered to provide the maritime and rail sectors with a selective advantage.

| (29) | With respect to cargo operations, the Commission notes that some legislative systems cover both air passenger and cargo transport (8), while other systems are separate for the two types of transport (9). However, cargo traffic is a different business with a very different customer base. Also, from the view of the final consumer, the service provided by cargo operators is not substitutable to the one provided by operators in the passenger air transport market. Since cargo operators are not in the same factual situation as operators in the air passenger transport market, the fact that they are excluded from the scope of the reference system cannot be considered to provide them with a selective advantage. |
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(29)

With respect to cargo operations, the Commission notes that some legislative systems cover both air passenger and cargo transport (8), while other systems are separate for the two types of transport (9). However, cargo traffic is a different business with a very different customer base. Also, from the view of the final consumer, the service provided by cargo operators is not substitutable to the one provided by operators in the passenger air transport market. Since cargo operators are not in the same factual situation as operators in the air passenger transport market, the fact that they are excluded from the scope of the reference system cannot be considered to provide them with a selective advantage.

| (30) | On the contrary, transfer and transit passengers are passengers departing from an Irish airport and thus would appear to be part of the reference system. The non-application of the taxes on such passengers constitutes a derogation from that system. In accordance with the selectivity analysis set out by the Court, it must however be determined whether the exemption derives directly from the basic or guiding principles of the tax system in the Member State. In this context, the Irish authorities referred to reasons of neutrality from the perspective of the passenger, who cannot always determine itself the route to its final destination. That would also be the reason why countries with similar taxes normally exclude such passengers. |
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(30)

On the contrary, transfer and transit passengers are passengers departing from an Irish airport and thus would appear to be part of the reference system. The non-application of the taxes on such passengers constitutes a derogation from that system. In accordance with the selectivity analysis set out by the Court, it must however be determined whether the exemption derives directly from the basic or guiding principles of the tax system in the Member State. In this context, the Irish authorities referred to reasons of neutrality from the perspective of the passenger, who cannot always determine itself the route to its final destination. That would also be the reason why countries with similar taxes normally exclude such passengers.

| (31) | In this regard the Commission recalls that when it examined the possible establishment of a European flight tax in 2005, the Commission services provided some guidance about the feasibility of such taxes. In a 2005 staff working paper (10), the Commission pointed out the specific attention required by the issue of passengers in transit and of connecting flights. The Commission recommended the exclusion of transfer and transit passengers for tax neutrality reasons. Moreover, an exclusion of such passengers would avoid the risk of double taxation in the event that the airport of departure, situated in another Member State, levies a similar tax. The non-imposition of the tax on transfer and transit passengers allows different systems of air ticket taxes to coexist in the absence of tax harmonisation. |
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(31)

In this regard the Commission recalls that when it examined the possible establishment of a European flight tax in 2005, the Commission services provided some guidance about the feasibility of such taxes. In a 2005 staff working paper (10), the Commission pointed out the specific attention required by the issue of passengers in transit and of connecting flights. The Commission recommended the exclusion of transfer and transit passengers for tax neutrality reasons. Moreover, an exclusion of such passengers would avoid the risk of double taxation in the event that the airport of departure, situated in another Member State, levies a similar tax. The non-imposition of the tax on transfer and transit passengers allows different systems of air ticket taxes to coexist in the absence of tax harmonisation.

| (32) | The objective and structure of the travel tax system is to tax passengers departing on a plane from an airport located in Ireland in order to raise revenue for the State budget. If the tax was to be levied on transfer and transit passengers, the airline operator may have to pay the tax twice for a journey with a stopover. It therefore seems that the non-application of the tax on transfer and transit passengers, which results in passengers being taxed the same way independently of the route travelled, falls within the nature and logic of the relevant tax systems. In addition, the avoidance of double taxation justifies that transfer and transit passengers are not covered by the tax. Consequently, the Commission finds that the non-imposition of the tax on transport of transfer and transit passengers is in the nature and logic of the system and is, thus, not selective. |
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(32)

The objective and structure of the travel tax system is to tax passengers departing on a plane from an airport located in Ireland in order to raise revenue for the State budget. If the tax was to be levied on transfer and transit passengers, the airline operator may have to pay the tax twice for a journey with a stopover. It therefore seems that the non-application of the tax on transfer and transit passengers, which results in passengers being taxed the same way independently of the route travelled, falls within the nature and logic of the relevant tax systems. In addition, the avoidance of double taxation justifies that transfer and transit passengers are not covered by the tax. Consequently, the Commission finds that the non-imposition of the tax on transport of transfer and transit passengers is in the nature and logic of the system and is, thus, not selective.

| (33) | With respect to the use of fixed tax rates instead of a percentage of the ticket price, it should be noted that the Member States, as part of their exclusive competence in designing their tax systems, are entitled to choose between fixed and proportional rates. By nature, fixed amounts represent a higher part of lower total prices. However, the difference between higher and lower prices is left untouched. The Commission therefore thinks that traditional airlines do not have an advantage in comparison with low-cost carriers. Moreover, as mentioned by the Irish authorities, proportional taxes could encourage companies to reduce fares and at the same time increase transaction or ancillary costs in order to circumvent the tax. Therefore, the Commission does not consider the use of fixed tax rates per se to be selective. |
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(33)

With respect to the use of fixed tax rates instead of a percentage of the ticket price, it should be noted that the Member States, as part of their exclusive competence in designing their tax systems, are entitled to choose between fixed and proportional rates. By nature, fixed amounts represent a higher part of lower total prices. However, the difference between higher and lower prices is left untouched. The Commission therefore thinks that traditional airlines do not have an advantage in comparison with low-cost carriers. Moreover, as mentioned by the Irish authorities, proportional taxes could encourage companies to reduce fares and at the same time increase transaction or ancillary costs in order to circumvent the tax. Therefore, the Commission does not consider the use of fixed tax rates per se to be selective.

| (34) | As regards the period between 30 March 2009 and 1 March 2011, the Commission observes that the air travel tax system provided for two different rates: one general or normal rate applicable to nearly all flights and a reduced rate for journeys from an airport to a destination located no more than 300 km from Dublin airport. The Commission finds the normal rate to constitute part of the reference system, while the reduced rate, that is applicable to a well delimited category of flights, appears to be an exception from the reference system. The reduced rate does not seem to be justified on the basis of the distance between the beginning and the final destination of the journey. First, it is not applicable on the basis of the actual length of the journey, but on the basis of the distance between Dublin airport and the destination. Second, the structure and objective nature of the tax does not appear to be related to the distance of the journey, but with the fact of departing from an Irish airport. The connection with the fiscal authority, the taxable event and the externalities for the Irish society of passengers departing from an Irish airport is precisely the same regardless of the destination of the flight. Airline operators are also in the same legal and factual situation with regard to this objective. Moreover, the tax system is not characterised by an articulated differentiation in the tax level in relation to the flights distance, but it fixes only two rates: one for very short distance flights from Dublin airport and the other for all other flights. This criterion favours flights within Ireland and to certain western parts of the United Kingdom and, consequently, it discriminates between national and intra-Community flights. As pointed out in the mentioned Staff working paper, that several rates could be introduced, but that no discrimination could be made between national and intra-Community flights (11). Such differentiation should be considered as selective if it is not within the nature or general scheme of the system. This has also been set out by the Court (12), which has stated that “since airport taxes directly and automatically influence the price of the journey, differences in the taxes to be paid by passengers will automatically be reflected in the transport cost, and thus, [...], access to domestic flights will be favoured over access to intra-Community flights”. In the case at hand, the Irish authorities argued that longer distance flights are more expensive and a higher charge could thus be raised without being disproportional in relation to the price. The Commission finds that the price of tickets to domestic destinations is not necessarily lower than the ones of flights to other EU destinations. The lower tax rate does therefore not appear to be justified by the nature or the general scheme of the air travel tax and is therefore a selective measure. |
| --- | --- |

(34)

As regards the period between 30 March 2009 and 1 March 2011, the Commission observes that the air travel tax system provided for two different rates: one general or normal rate applicable to nearly all flights and a reduced rate for journeys from an airport to a destination located no more than 300 km from Dublin airport. The Commission finds the normal rate to constitute part of the reference system, while the reduced rate, that is applicable to a well delimited category of flights, appears to be an exception from the reference system. The reduced rate does not seem to be justified on the basis of the distance between the beginning and the final destination of the journey. First, it is not applicable on the basis of the actual length of the journey, but on the basis of the distance between Dublin airport and the destination. Second, the structure and objective nature of the tax does not appear to be related to the distance of the journey, but with the fact of departing from an Irish airport. The connection with the fiscal authority, the taxable event and the externalities for the Irish society of passengers departing from an Irish airport is precisely the same regardless of the destination of the flight. Airline operators are also in the same legal and factual situation with regard to this objective. Moreover, the tax system is not characterised by an articulated differentiation in the tax level in relation to the flights distance, but it fixes only two rates: one for very short distance flights from Dublin airport and the other for all other flights. This criterion favours flights within Ireland and to certain western parts of the United Kingdom and, consequently, it discriminates between national and intra-Community flights. As pointed out in the mentioned Staff working paper, that several rates could be introduced, but that no discrimination could be made between national and intra-Community flights (11). Such differentiation should be considered as selective if it is not within the nature or general scheme of the system. This has also been set out by the Court (12), which has stated that “since airport taxes directly and automatically influence the price of the journey, differences in the taxes to be paid by passengers will automatically be reflected in the transport cost, and thus, [...], access to domestic flights will be favoured over access to intra-Community flights”. In the case at hand, the Irish authorities argued that longer distance flights are more expensive and a higher charge could thus be raised without being disproportional in relation to the price. The Commission finds that the price of tickets to domestic destinations is not necessarily lower than the ones of flights to other EU destinations. The lower tax rate does therefore not appear to be justified by the nature or the general scheme of the air travel tax and is therefore a selective measure.

| (35) | The fact that the Irish authorities allowed a lower tax rate than the normal one to be applied results in a loss of tax revenue for the State and is therefore financed from State resources. Since such relief is decided upon by the national authorities, it is imputable to the State. The airline operators benefiting from the lower rate are undertakings that compete on markets that are open for competition and the reduced rate therefore distorts or threatens to distort competition on the internal market and is likely to affect trade between Member States. |
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(35)

The fact that the Irish authorities allowed a lower tax rate than the normal one to be applied results in a loss of tax revenue for the State and is therefore financed from State resources. Since such relief is decided upon by the national authorities, it is imputable to the State. The airline operators benefiting from the lower rate are undertakings that compete on markets that are open for competition and the reduced rate therefore distorts or threatens to distort competition on the internal market and is likely to affect trade between Member States.

| (36) | Since all criteria in Article 107(1) of the TFEU seem to be fulfilled, the measure appears to constitute State aid to airline operators that have operated the routes benefiting from the reduced rate. It seems moreover that those routes are essentially operated by Irish air carriers (Air Lingus, Air Arann and Ryanair). Therefore, the Commission has to verify whether the reduced rate has been a means for the Irish authorities to provide an advantage to national air carriers compared to other EU operators. |
| --- | --- |

(36)

Since all criteria in Article 107(1) of the TFEU seem to be fulfilled, the measure appears to constitute State aid to airline operators that have operated the routes benefiting from the reduced rate. It seems moreover that those routes are essentially operated by Irish air carriers (Air Lingus, Air Arann and Ryanair). Therefore, the Commission has to verify whether the reduced rate has been a means for the Irish authorities to provide an advantage to national air carriers compared to other EU operators.

| (37) | Consequently, the Commission does not consider that the exclusion of cargo traffic and of transport of transfer and transit passengers from the scope of the tax results in State aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) of the TFEU. Neither is the use of fixed tax rates caught by that Article. |
| --- | --- |

(37)

Consequently, the Commission does not consider that the exclusion of cargo traffic and of transport of transfer and transit passengers from the scope of the tax results in State aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) of the TFEU. Neither is the use of fixed tax rates caught by that Article.

| (38) | On the contrary, it appears that the lower tax rates applied in the case of a journey from an Irish airport to a destination located no more than 300 km from Dublin airport between 30 March 2009 and 1 March 2011 constitute State aid to air carriers operating the routes that have benefited from that lower rate. |
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(38)

On the contrary, it appears that the lower tax rates applied in the case of a journey from an Irish airport to a destination located no more than 300 km from Dublin airport between 30 March 2009 and 1 March 2011 constitute State aid to air carriers operating the routes that have benefited from that lower rate.

3.2.   Compatibility of the aid with the TFEU

| (39) | According to Article 107(3)(c) of the TFEU, aid may be considered to be compatible with the internal market if it aims at facilitating the development of certain economic activities or of certain economic areas, where such aid does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. The aid does not appear to fall within the scope of any guidelines for compatibility of State aid issued by the Commission in this context. As it appears to constitute an operating aid that discriminates between flights within the EU, it cannot be considered to be compatible directly under Article 107(3)(c) of the TFEU. Therefore, the Commission has doubts as to the compatibility of the aid under that Article. |
| --- | --- |

(39)

According to Article 107(3)(c) of the TFEU, aid may be considered to be compatible with the internal market if it aims at facilitating the development of certain economic activities or of certain economic areas, where such aid does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. The aid does not appear to fall within the scope of any guidelines for compatibility of State aid issued by the Commission in this context. As it appears to constitute an operating aid that discriminates between flights within the EU, it cannot be considered to be compatible directly under Article 107(3)(c) of the TFEU. Therefore, the Commission has doubts as to the compatibility of the aid under that Article.

| (40) | The aid in question does not either fall within any other exemption specified in Article 107(2) or 107(3) of the TFEU. |
| --- | --- |

(40)

The aid in question does not either fall within any other exemption specified in Article 107(2) or 107(3) of the TFEU.

| (41) | Consequently, the Commission has, at this stage, doubts as to the compatibility of the aid measure with the TFEU and in accordance with Article 4(4) of Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 (13) the Commission has decided to open the formal investigation procedure, thereby inviting Ireland to submit its comments. |
| --- | --- |

(41)

Consequently, the Commission has, at this stage, doubts as to the compatibility of the aid measure with the TFEU and in accordance with Article 4(4) of Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 (13) the Commission has decided to open the formal investigation procedure, thereby inviting Ireland to submit its comments.

4.   DECISION

| (42) | The Commission has decided that the non-application of the air travel tax on cargo flights and other means of transport than air transport, as well as on transfer and transit passengers does not constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) of the TFEU. The Commission find that the use of a fixed rate as opposed to a proportion of the ticket price does not fall within the scope of that Article. However, the Commission finds that the use of a lower rate over the period 30 March 2009 to 1 March 2011 for flights within 300 km from Dublin airport seems to constitute State aid to the air carriers that have operated the routes benefiting from it and, at this stage, it finds no basis for compatibility thereof. |
| --- | --- |

(42)

The Commission has decided that the non-application of the air travel tax on cargo flights and other means of transport than air transport, as well as on transfer and transit passengers does not constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) of the TFEU. The Commission find that the use of a fixed rate as opposed to a proportion of the ticket price does not fall within the scope of that Article. However, the Commission finds that the use of a lower rate over the period 30 March 2009 to 1 March 2011 for flights within 300 km from Dublin airport seems to constitute State aid to the air carriers that have operated the routes benefiting from it and, at this stage, it finds no basis for compatibility thereof.

| (43) | In light of the foregoing considerations, the Commission, acting under the procedure laid down in Article 108(2) of the TFEU, requests Ireland to submit its comments and to provide all information that may help to assess the measure, within one month of the date of receipt of this letter. It requests your authorities to forward a copy of this letter to all recipients of the aid immediately. |
| --- | --- |

(43)

In light of the foregoing considerations, the Commission, acting under the procedure laid down in Article 108(2) of the TFEU, requests Ireland to submit its comments and to provide all information that may help to assess the measure, within one month of the date of receipt of this letter. It requests your authorities to forward a copy of this letter to all recipients of the aid immediately.

| (44) | The Commission warns Ireland that it will inform interested parties by publishing this letter and a meaningful summary of it in the Official Journal of the European Union. It will also inform interested parties in the EFTA countries which are signatories to the EEA Agreement, by publication of a notice in the EEA Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union and will inform the EFTA Surveillance Authority by sending a copy of this letter. All such interested parties will be invited to submit their comments within one month of the date of such publication.” |
| --- | --- |

(44)

The Commission warns Ireland that it will inform interested parties by publishing this letter and a meaningful summary of it in the Official Journal of the European Union. It will also inform interested parties in the EFTA countries which are signatories to the EEA Agreement, by publication of a notice in the EEA Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union and will inform the EFTA Surveillance Authority by sending a copy of this letter. All such interested parties will be invited to submit their comments within one month of the date of such publication.”

---

(1)  OJ L 293, 31.10.2008, p. 3.

1

(2)  See Case C-66/02 (Italy v Commission) [2005] ECR I-10901, paragraph 94.

2

Italy

Commission

(3)  See, for example, Cases C-143/99 (Adria-Wien Pipeline and Wietersdorfer & Peggauer Zementwerke) [2001] ECR I-8365, paragraph 41; C-308/01 (GIL Insurance and Others) [2004] ECR I-4777, paragraph 68; and C-172/03 (Heiser) [2005] ECR I-1627, paragraph 40; C-88/03 (Portugal) [2006] ECR I-7115, paragraph 54; C-172/03 (Wolfgang Heiser v Finanzamt Innsbruck) [2005] ECR I-1627, paragraph 40; and C-169/08 (Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri v Regione Sardegna) [2009] ECR I-10821, paragraph 61.

3

Adria-Wien Pipeline and Wietersdorfer & Peggauer Zementwerke

GIL Insurance and Others

Heiser

Portugal

Wolfgang Heiser

Finanzamt Innsbruck

Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri

Regione Sardegna

(4)  See, for example, Case 173/73 (Italy v Commission) [1974] ECR 709, as well as point 13 et seq. of Commission Notice on the application of the State aid rules to measures relating to direct business taxation (OJ C 384, 10.12.1998, p. 3).

4

Italy

Commission

(5)  See, for example, the judgments in the mentioned Case C-88/2003 (Portugal), paragraph 56, and in Case C-487/08 P (British Aggregates) [2008] ECR I-10505, paragraphs 81-83.

5

Portugal

British Aggregates)

(6)  For example, Article 14(b) of Council Directive 2003/96/EC of 27 October 2003 restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity (OJ L 283, 31.10.2003, p. 51) sets out that Member States shall exempt energy products supplied for use as fuel for air navigation other than private pleasure-flying from taxation.

6

(7)  See Directive 2008/101/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 amending Directive 2003/87/EC so as to include aviation activities in the scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community (OJ L 8, 13.1.2009, p. 3).

7

(8)  For example, as mentioned, the EU Emission Trading Scheme will as from 2012 apply to the entire aviation industry.

8

(9)  For example, while cargo transport is covered by VAT, this is not the case for passenger transport (see, for example, Article 371 (Annex X, Part B, point 10) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC of 28 November 2006 on the common system for value added tax (OJ L 347, 11.12.2006, p. 1), and Article 2(1)(c) of the same Directive according to which VAT should be levied on cargo transport).

9

(10)  Commission staff working document, 1.9.2005, SEC(2005) 1067.

10

(11)  Commission staff working paper, 1.9.2005, SEC(2005) 1067, p. 5.

11

(12)  See, for example, Cases C-92/01 (Georgios Stylianakis v Elliniko Dimosio) [2003] ECR I-1291, paragraph 28; and C-70/99 Commission v Portugal [2001] ECR I-4845, paragraph 20.

12

Georgios Stylianakis

Elliniko Dimosio

Commission

Portugal

(13)  OJ L 83, 27.3.1999, p. 1.

13

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18.10.2011

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Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea

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Notifika minn qabel ta' konċentrazzjoni

(Każ COMP/M.6289 – Alstom/Bouygues Immobilier/Exprimm SAS/Embix JV)

Każ li jista' jiġi kkunsidrat għal proċedura simplifikata

(Test b’relevanza għaż-ŻEE)

2011/C 306/10

| 1. | Fil-11 ta’ Ottubru 2011, il-Kummissjoni rċeviet notifika ta' konċentrazzjoni proposta skont l-Artikolu 4 tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 139/2004 tal-Kunsill (1), li permezz tagħha l-impriża Alstom Holdings (Franza), li tappartjeni lill-grupp Franċiż Alstom, kif ukoll l-impriżi Bouygues Immobilier SA (“Bouygues Immobilier”, Franza) u Exprimm SAS (“Exprimm”, Franza), li huma żewġ kumpaniji sussidjarji li jappartjenu lill-grupp Franċiż Bouygues, jakkwistaw, fit-tifsira tal-Artikolu 3(1)(b) tar-Regolament dwar l-Għaqdiet, il-kontroll konġunt tal-impriża Embix SAS (“Embix”, Franza) permezz tax-xiri ta' ishma f'kumpanija ġdida li tikkostitwixxi impriża konġunta. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Fil-11 ta’ Ottubru 2011, il-Kummissjoni rċeviet notifika ta' konċentrazzjoni proposta skont l-Artikolu 4 tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 139/2004 tal-Kunsill (1), li permezz tagħha l-impriża Alstom Holdings (Franza), li tappartjeni lill-grupp Franċiż Alstom, kif ukoll l-impriżi Bouygues Immobilier SA (“Bouygues Immobilier”, Franza) u Exprimm SAS (“Exprimm”, Franza), li huma żewġ kumpaniji sussidjarji li jappartjenu lill-grupp Franċiż Bouygues, jakkwistaw, fit-tifsira tal-Artikolu 3(1)(b) tar-Regolament dwar l-Għaqdiet, il-kontroll konġunt tal-impriża Embix SAS (“Embix”, Franza) permezz tax-xiri ta' ishma f'kumpanija ġdida li tikkostitwixxi impriża konġunta.

| 2. | L-attivitajiet kummerċjali tal-impriżi kkonċernati huma:






  — | Alstom Holdings: għandha ishma fil-kumpaniji tal-grupp Alstom li huma attivi fil-manifattura ta' tagħmir u fl-għoti ta' servizzi relatati mat-trasport kif ukoll mal-produzzjoni u t-trażmissjoni tal-enerġija, |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

L-attivitajiet kummerċjali tal-impriżi kkonċernati huma:

—

Alstom Holdings: għandha ishma fil-kumpaniji tal-grupp Alstom li huma attivi fil-manifattura ta' tagħmir u fl-għoti ta' servizzi relatati mat-trasport kif ukoll mal-produzzjoni u t-trażmissjoni tal-enerġija,

| — | Bouygues Immobilier: l-iżvilupp ta' beni immobbli u l-provvista ta' residenzi, ta' ekodistretti u ta' ċentri tan-negozju, u attivitajiet relatati mal-ippjanar urban, |
| --- | --- |

—

Bouygues Immobilier: l-iżvilupp ta' beni immobbli u l-provvista ta' residenzi, ta' ekodistretti u ta' ċentri tan-negozju, u attivitajiet relatati mal-ippjanar urban,

| — | Exprimm: l-għoti ta' servizzi relatati mal-ġestjoni tal-infrastruttura tal-bini u mal-manutenzjoni multiteknika, |
| --- | --- |

—

Exprimm: l-għoti ta' servizzi relatati mal-ġestjoni tal-infrastruttura tal-bini u mal-manutenzjoni multiteknika,

| — | Embix: l-għoti ta' servizzi relatati mal-ġestjoni intelliġenti tal-enerġija fiċ-ċentri kummerċjali kbar terzjarji u fl-ekodistretti. |
| --- | --- |

—

Embix: l-għoti ta' servizzi relatati mal-ġestjoni intelliġenti tal-enerġija fiċ-ċentri kummerċjali kbar terzjarji u fl-ekodistretti.

| 3. | Wara eżami preliminari, il-Kummissjoni ssib li l-operazzjoni nnotifikata tista' taqa' fl-ambitu tar-Regolament tal-KE dwar l-Għaqdiet. Madankollu, id-deċiżjoni finali dwar dan il-punt hija riżervata. Skont l-Avviż tal-Kummissjoni dwar proċedura simplifikata għat-trattament ta' ċerti konċentrazzjonijiet taħt ir-Regolament tal-KE dwar l-Għaqdiet (2) ta' min jinnota li dan il-każ jista' jiġi kkunsidrat għat-trattament taħt il-proċedura stipulata fl-Avviż. |
| --- | --- |

3.

Wara eżami preliminari, il-Kummissjoni ssib li l-operazzjoni nnotifikata tista' taqa' fl-ambitu tar-Regolament tal-KE dwar l-Għaqdiet. Madankollu, id-deċiżjoni finali dwar dan il-punt hija riżervata. Skont l-Avviż tal-Kummissjoni dwar proċedura simplifikata għat-trattament ta' ċerti konċentrazzjonijiet taħt ir-Regolament tal-KE dwar l-Għaqdiet (2) ta' min jinnota li dan il-każ jista' jiġi kkunsidrat għat-trattament taħt il-proċedura stipulata fl-Avviż.

| 4. | Il-Kummissjoni tistieden lill-partijiet terzi interessati biex iressqu kwalunkwe kummenti li jistgħu jkollhom dwar it-tranżizzjoni proposta.
  Il-kummenti jridu jaslu għand il-Kummissjoni mhux aktar tard minn għaxart ijiem wara d-data ta' din il-pubblikazzjoni. Il-kummenti jistgħu jintbagħtu lill-Kummissjoni bil-feks (+32 22964301), jew b'emejl lil COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu jew bil-posta, taħt in-numru ta' referenza COMP/M.6289 – Alstom/Bouygues Immobilier/Exprimm SAS/Embix JV, fl-indirizz li ġej:





  Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea |
| --- | --- |
| Direttorat Ġenerali għall-Kompetizzjoni |
| Reġistru tal-Amalgamazzjonijiet |
| J-70 |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

4.

Il-Kummissjoni tistieden lill-partijiet terzi interessati biex iressqu kwalunkwe kummenti li jistgħu jkollhom dwar it-tranżizzjoni proposta.

Il-kummenti jridu jaslu għand il-Kummissjoni mhux aktar tard minn għaxart ijiem wara d-data ta' din il-pubblikazzjoni. Il-kummenti jistgħu jintbagħtu lill-Kummissjoni bil-feks (+32 22964301), jew b'emejl lil COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu jew bil-posta, taħt in-numru ta' referenza COMP/M.6289 – Alstom/Bouygues Immobilier/Exprimm SAS/Embix JV, fl-indirizz li ġej:

Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea

Direttorat Ġenerali għall-Kompetizzjoni

Reġistru tal-Amalgamazzjonijiet

J-70

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

(1)  ĠU L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (ir-“Regolament tal-KE dwar l-Għaqdiet”).

(2)  ĠU C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32 (“Avviż ta’ proċedura simplifikata”).

---

ATTI OĦRAJN

Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea

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Pubblikazzjoni ta’ applikazzjoni għal reġistrazzjoni skont l-Artikolu 6(2) tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 510/2006 dwar il-protezzjoni tal-indikazzjonijiet ġeografiċi u d-denominazzjonijiet tal-oriġini għall-prodotti agrikoli u l-oġġetti tal-ikel

2011/C 306/11

Din il-pubblikazzjoni tagħti d-dritt li wieħed joġġezzjona għall-applikazzjoni skont l-Artikolu 7 tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 510/2006 (1). Id-dikjarazzjonijiet ta’ oġġezzjoni għandhom jaslu għand il-Kummissjoni Ewropea fi żmien sitt xhur mid-data ta’ din il-pubblikazzjoni.

DOKUMENT UNIKU

IR-REGOLAMENT TAL-KUNSILL (KE) Nru 510/2006

“VADEHAVSLAM”

Nru tal-KE: DK-PGI-0005-0771-25.03.2009

IĠP ( X ) DPO ( )

1.   Isem:

“Vadehavslam”

2.   Stat membru jew pajjiż terz:

Id-Danimarka

3.   Deskrizzjoni tal-prodott agrikolu jew tal-oġġett tal-ikel:

3.1.   It-tip ta’ prodott:

| Il-kategorija 1.1. | Laħam (u ġewwieni) frisk |
| --- | --- |

Il-kategorija 1.1.

Laħam (u ġewwieni) frisk

3.2.   Deskrizzjoni tal-prodott li għalih japplika l-isem mogħti fil-punt 1:

Il-prodott “Vadehavslam” jirreferi għall-karkassi u l-qatgħat tal-laħam tal-ħrief imwielda u mrobbija fiż-żona ġeografika identifikata.

In-nagħaġ huma tar-razza “Texel” jew inkella huma mnisslin minn taħlit bejn in-nagħaġ tar-razza Texel ma’ nagħaġ ta’ razez oħrajn li jitrabbew tradizzjonalment fl-imraġ tal-melħ (imraġ mgħarrqa minn żmien għall-ieħor bl-ilma baħar) (razez oħrajn tfisser li, xi kultant, meta nagħġa twelled l-ewwel ħaruf, in-nagħaġ tar-razza “Texel” jitgħammar ma’ mtaten tar-razez tan-nagħaġ imsejħa “Suffolk” jew “Gotland”).

L-għan ta’ dan it-tgħammir li sar matul is-snin kien li jitnisslu nagħaġ li jkunu mhux biss adattati għall-ħabitat tagħhom, iżda wkoll li jkollhom ħrief kbar u mlaħħmin. Dan, flimkien mal-ħaxix li l-ħrief jirgħu fl-imraġ tal-melħ, jiddistingwihom mill-ħrief imnisslin f’reġjuni oħra tal-pajjiż.

Ir-rekwiżiti tal-kwalità tal-ħrief:

| Il-piż mal-qatla | : | 19 sa 25 kilogramm |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Il-forma | : | mill-inqas 6 |
| Il-kulur | : | 3-4 |
| Is-simna | : | 1-2-3 |

Il-piż mal-qatla

:

19 sa 25 kilogramm

Il-forma

:

mill-inqas 6

Il-kulur

:

3-4

Is-simna

:

1-2-3

Il-punt tal-qatla (jiġifieri kemm ikollhom il-ħrief meta jinqatlu) jiddependi fuq il-piż tagħhom, li jrid ikun ta’ bejn 19 u 25 kilogramm. Barra minn hekk, l-azjenda li tkun responsabbli għall-qatla għandha tidentifika l-kontenut tax-xaħam b’mod viżwali fil-biċċerija. (Qabel, għall-ħrief kienet tintuża notifika li kienet simili għal dik użata għall-annimali bovini tal-kumpanija “Danish Crown”. Minħabba li m’għadhomx jintużaw notifiki bħal dawn għall-ħrief, l-azjenda li hija responsabbli għall-qatla għandha tivverifika, b’mod viżwali u fuq il-post, jiġifieri fil-biċċerija, il-kontenut tax-xaħam fil-laħam).

3.3.   Il-materja prima:

—

3.4.   L-għalf (għall-prodotti li ġejjin mill-annimali biss):

Fix-xitwa mill-anqas nofs l-għalf tal-annimali jrid ikun għalf prodott fiż-żona identifikata. Fl-istess perjodu l-ħrief jirgħu l-ħaxix, il-qamħirrum, il-ħaxix tal-għalf u, fl-aħħar parti tal-perjodu tal-għalf, il-ħuxlief issupplimentat mix-xgħir.

L-annimali jridu jirgħu fl-imraġ tal-melħ u fil-promontorju taż-żona ġeografika identifikata għal mill-inqas 4 xhur u nofs fis-sena.

3.5.   L-istadji speċifiċi tal-produzzjoni li għandhom jitwettqu fiż-żona ġeografika identifikata:

| — | Il-ħrief iridu jitwieldu u jitrabbew fiż-żona ġeografika identifikata. |
| --- | --- |

—

Il-ħrief iridu jitwieldu u jitrabbew fiż-żona ġeografika identifikata.

3.6.   Ir-regoli speċifiċi għat-tqattigħ, għall-ħakk, għall-ippakkjar, eċċ.:

—

3.7.   Ir-regoli speċifiċi għat-tikkettar:

L-annimali maqtulin kollha jridu jiġu ttimbrati bil-lowgo tal-assoċjazzjoni tal-produtturi li fih il-kliem “Vadehav, Marsk og Mad” (li bejn wieħed u ieħor ifissru l-kwalità tal-ikel li ġej miż-żona mistagħdra tal-baħar Wadden).

Il-lowgo jrid jintwera fuq il-pakkett tal-prodott finali u jrid jiġi ttimbrat ukoll fuq l-annimal maqtul sabiex tiġi żgurata t-traċċabbiltà.

| | |
| --- | --- |

Image

Image

4.   Deskrizzjoni fil-qosor taż-żona ġeografika:

Iż-żona ġeografika hija r-reġjun tal-baħar Wadden li jinsab fil-Lbiċ tad-Danimarka. Ir-reġjun tal-baħar Wadden jinkludi t-tliet gżejjer imsejħin Romø, Mandø u Fanø kif ukoll id-Danimarka kontinentali. Hawnhekk, fin-Nofsinhar tiegħu, dan ir-reġjun jasal sal-fruntiera mal-Ġermanja. Fit-Tramuntana, dan ir-reġjun għandu l-istess konfini bħall-konfini tat-Tramuntana tal-Park Nazzjonali tal-Baħar Wadden. Fil-Lvant, ir-reġjun jasal sal-awtostrada A11.

5.   Ir-rabta maż-żona ġeografika:

5.1.   L-ispeċifiċità taż-żona ġeografika:

Il-belt ta’ Ribe twaqqfet madwar is-sena 710 bħala post għall-kummerċ, u l-iskavi arkeoloġiċi żvelaw il-prodotti li kienu jinbiegħu hawnhekk. Fost dawn il-prodotti li kien hemm fis-suq sa minn kmieni nsibu n-nagħaġ u l-ħrief. Dawn in-nagħaġ u l-ħrief kienu ġejjin mill-irħula tal-imraġ tal-melħ ta’ ħdejn il-Baħar Wadden. Dan ifisser li l-bdiewa tal-post kienu diġà qed irabbu n-nagħaġ u l-ħrief hawnhekk fi Żmien il-Ħadid.

It-trobbija tal-ħrief tal-baħar Wadden imsejħin “Vadehavslam” tissejjes fuq din it-tradizzjoni twila ta’ trobbija tan-nagħaġ u l-ħrief fl-imraġ tal-melħ. Kull sena ż-żona kienet issofri minn għargħar ikkawżat mill-maltemp li kien jgħarraq għal kollox l-art agrikola. Il-baħar kien iħalli warajh saff ta’ sediment fertili. B’hekk inħolqu l-mergħat għammiela fl-imraġ tal-melħ li fihom l-annimali kienu jirgħu fis-sajf u li minnhom seta’ jinġabar l-għalf għax-xitwa.

Fl-artiklu msejjaħ “Jordbundsundersøgelser i marsken” (“Studji agrikoli dwar il-ħamrija fl-imraġ tal-melħ”), ippubblikat fl-1968 fil-Ġurnal tat-tkabbir tal-pjanti msejjaħ “Tidsskrift for planteavl”, Lorens Hansen studja kampjuni tal-ħamrija meħudin mill-imraġ tal-melħ. Fih kiteb: “Il-ħamrija tal-imraġ tal-melħ fiha, b’mod naturali, ħafna potassju. Dan ġej mill-kontenut kbir tat-tafal tagħha u mill-mod kif ġiet iffurmata”. Fir-raba’ normali, l-kontenut tas-sodju rari jkun jista’ jiġi stabbilit, minħabba li normalment ikun baxx ħafna u ma jkollu l-ebda impatt fuq l-istruttura tal-ħamrija. Madankollu, ħafna drabi, fl-imraġ tal-melħ insibu kontenut għoli tas-sodju fil-ħamrija, minħabba l-melħ li l-baħar ikun ħalla warajh meta nħolqu dawn iż-żoni.

Il-ħaxix b’saħħtu li jikber fl-imraġ tal-melħ huwa rikk u mhuwiex adattat ħafna għall-biedja konvenzjonali, iżda huwa kważi ideali għar-rigħi. Dan il-ħaxix b’saħħtu fih ħafna nutrijenti u fl-istess ħin jiflaħ għal kundizzjonijiet differenti tat-temp. Fil-fatt huwa l-impatt aħrax tal-baħar Wadden li jħalli warajh ħafna melħ li jagħmel din iż-żona waħda unika għar-rigħi. Fil-promontorju ta’ din iż-żona nsibu b’mod partikulari l-ħaxix u l-pjanti li ġejjin:

| — | il-ħaxix fin, ix-xnien abjad li jikber waħdu (Trifolium nigrescens), Lotus corniculatus, il-pjanta bil-fjuri sofor tal-ġenus Rhinanthus imsejħa Rhinanthus minor, ir-ranunklu u l-armerija jikbru l-iktar fil-partijiet l-iktar ’il ġewwa, lejn id-digi; |
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il-ħaxix fin, ix-xnien abjad li jikber waħdu (Trifolium nigrescens), Lotus corniculatus, il-pjanta bil-fjuri sofor tal-ġenus Rhinanthus imsejħa Rhinanthus minor, ir-ranunklu u l-armerija jikbru l-iktar fil-partijiet l-iktar ’il ġewwa, lejn id-digi;

| — | l-ispika tal-baħar, il-pjanta tat-tip Triglochin maritima u xi ħaxix aħrax jikbru fiż-żona li tinsab iktar ’l isfel; |
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l-ispika tal-baħar, il-pjanta tat-tip Triglochin maritima u xi ħaxix aħrax jikbru fiż-żona li tinsab iktar ’l isfel;

| — | il-ħaxix tat-tip Puccinellia maritima u s-salikornja jikbru fl-iktar parti baxxa u ’l barra tal-promontorju. |
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il-ħaxix tat-tip Puccinellia maritima u s-salikornja jikbru fl-iktar parti baxxa u ’l barra tal-promontorju.

5.2.   L-ispeċifiċità tal-prodott:

Bis-saħħa tat-tgħammir li minnu jitnisslu l-ħrief, huma jistgħu jgħixu fil-kundizzjonijiet ħorox tal-imraġ tal-melħ u tal-promontorju. Dan it-tgħammir wassal ukoll għal ħrief ikbar u iktar imlaħħmin b’laħam li huwa l-iktar dgħif. Il-laħam tal-ħrief tat-tip “Vadehavslam” huwa kkaratterizzat minn togħma partikulari mielħa.

5.3.   Ir-rabta każwali bejn iż-żona ġeografika u l-kwalità speċifika, ir-reputazzjoni jew il-karatteristiċi l-oħra tal-prodott:

L-ambjent aħrax u l-kundizzjonijiet speċjali tal-biedja li hemm f’din iż-żona jitolbu ħafna sforzi minn naħa tal-bdiewa li jrabbu l-ħrief fir-reġjun tal-baħar Wadden. Il-bdiewa tal-post jużaw l-għarfien u l-esperjenza tagħhom sabiex irabbu ħrief b’saħħithom u li jifilħu għall-kundizzjonijiet f’din iż-żona tal-baħar Wadden.

Il-ħrief huma kbar u mlaħħmin, u laħamhom għandu togħma partikulari mielħa minħabba l-kundizzjonijiet speċjali tat-trobbija li hemm f’din iż-żona. Meta jkun hemm għargħar u l-art tispiċċa taħt l-ilma baħar, fil-ħamrija jiġu ddepożitati l-melħ u l-minerali. Il-ħrief jirgħu fl-imraġ kollha melħ u l-livell għoli ta’ potassju u sodju fil-ħaxix jaffettwa t-togħma ta’ laħam il-ħrief u jagħtih il-kwalità speċjali tiegħu u t-togħma partikulari mielħa li tikkaratterizzah.

Il-laħam tal-ħrief tat-tip “Vadehavslam” ilu magħruf fid-Danimarka għal ħafna snin.

Fil-kotba dwar ir-reġjun tal-baħar ta’ Wadden u l-Park Nazzjonali tal-Baħar Wadden maħsubin għat-turisti, il-produzzjoni tal-laħam tal-ħrief tat-tip “Vadehavslam” hija deskritta bħala karatteristika importanti ta’ dan ir-reġjun.

Referenza għall-pubblikazzjoni tal-ispeċifikazzjoni:

http://www.foedevarestyrelsen.dk/SiteCollectionDocuments/25_PDF_word_filer%20til%20download/06kontor/Maerkning/Oprindelsesmaerkning_af_foedevarer/Varespecifikation%20for%20Vadehavslam.pdf

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(1)  ĠU L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12.

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