# Journal officiel C 184/2010

| | ISSN 1725-2431
  doi:10.3000/17252431.C_2010.184.fra |
| --- | --- |
| Journal officiel
  de l'Union européenne | C 184 |
| | |
| Édition de langue française | Communications et informations | 53e année8 juillet 2010 |

ISSN 1725-2431

doi:10.3000/17252431.C_2010.184.fra

Journal officiel

de l'Union européenne

C 184

Édition de langue française

Communications et informations

53e année8 juillet 2010

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| Numéro d'information | Sommaire | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | I   Résolutions, recommandations et avis |
| | RECOMMANDATIONS |
| | Banque centrale européenne |
| 2010/C 184/01 | Recommandation de la Banque centrale européenne du 1er juillet 2010 au Conseil de l’Union européenne concernant la désignation du commissaire aux comptes extérieur de la Národná banka Slovenska (BCE/2010/6) | 1 |

Numéro d'information

Sommaire

page

I   Résolutions, recommandations et avis

RECOMMANDATIONS

Banque centrale européenne

2010/C 184/01

Recommandation de la Banque centrale européenne du 1er juillet 2010 au Conseil de l’Union européenne concernant la désignation du commissaire aux comptes extérieur de la Národná banka Slovenska (BCE/2010/6)

er

1

| | IV   Informations |
| --- | --- |
| | INFORMATIONS PROVENANT DES INSTITUTIONS, ORGANES ET ORGANISMES DE L'UNION EUROPÉENNE |
| | Commission européenne |
| 2010/C 184/02 | Taux de change de l'euro | 2 |
| | INFORMATIONS PROVENANT DES ÉTATS MEMBRES |
| 2010/C 184/03 | Communication de la Commission conformément à l'article 16, paragraphe 4, du règlement (CE) no 1008/2008 du Parlement européen et du Conseil établissant des règles communes pour l'exploitation de services aériens dans la Communauté — Obligations de service public (modification) portant sur des services aériens réguliers (
  1
  ) | 3 |
| 2010/C 184/04 | Communication de la Commission conformément à l'article 17, paragraphe 5, du règlement (CE) no 1008/2008 du Parlement européen et du Conseil établissant des règles communes pour l'exploitation de services aériens dans la Communauté — Appel d'offres portant sur l'exploitation de services aériens réguliers conformément aux obligations de service public (
  1
  ) | 4 |
| | INFORMATIONS RELATIVES À L’ESPACE ÉCONOMIQUE EUROPÉEN |
| | Autorité de surveillance AELE |
| 2010/C 184/05 | Invitation à présenter des observations en application de l’article 1er, paragraphe 2, de la partie I du protocole 3 de l’accord entre les États de l’AELE relatif à l’institution d’une Autorité de surveillance et d’une Cour de justice concernant des aides d’État liées au financement du centre de fitness du Centre de loisirs Kippermoen | 5 |
| 2010/C 184/06 | Invitation à présenter des observations en application de l'article 1er, paragraphe 2, de la partie I du protocole 3 de l'accord entre les États de l'AELE relatif à l'institution d'une Autorité de surveillance et d'une Cour de justice au sujet d'une aide d'État liée à la vente d’un terrain à Asker Brygge AS par la municipalité de Asker | 20 |

IV   Informations

INFORMATIONS PROVENANT DES INSTITUTIONS, ORGANES ET ORGANISMES DE L'UNION EUROPÉENNE

Commission européenne

2010/C 184/02

Taux de change de l'euro

2

INFORMATIONS PROVENANT DES ÉTATS MEMBRES

2010/C 184/03

Communication de la Commission conformément à l'article 16, paragraphe 4, du règlement (CE) no 1008/2008 du Parlement européen et du Conseil établissant des règles communes pour l'exploitation de services aériens dans la Communauté — Obligations de service public (modification) portant sur des services aériens réguliers (
  1
  )

o

1

3

2010/C 184/04

Communication de la Commission conformément à l'article 17, paragraphe 5, du règlement (CE) no 1008/2008 du Parlement européen et du Conseil établissant des règles communes pour l'exploitation de services aériens dans la Communauté — Appel d'offres portant sur l'exploitation de services aériens réguliers conformément aux obligations de service public (
  1
  )

o

1

4

INFORMATIONS RELATIVES À L’ESPACE ÉCONOMIQUE EUROPÉEN

Autorité de surveillance AELE

2010/C 184/05

Invitation à présenter des observations en application de l’article 1er, paragraphe 2, de la partie I du protocole 3 de l’accord entre les États de l’AELE relatif à l’institution d’une Autorité de surveillance et d’une Cour de justice concernant des aides d’État liées au financement du centre de fitness du Centre de loisirs Kippermoen

er

5

2010/C 184/06

Invitation à présenter des observations en application de l'article 1er, paragraphe 2, de la partie I du protocole 3 de l'accord entre les États de l'AELE relatif à l'institution d'une Autorité de surveillance et d'une Cour de justice au sujet d'une aide d'État liée à la vente d’un terrain à Asker Brygge AS par la municipalité de Asker

er

20

| | V   Avis |
| --- | --- |
| | PROCÉDURES ADMINISTRATIVES |
| | Commission européenne |
| 2010/C 184/07 | Appel à propositions — EAC/10/10 — Programme pour l’éducation et la formation tout au long de la vie — Soutien à deux concours de courts métrages destinés à la promotion de l'apprentissage des langues | 29 |
| | PROCÉDURES RELATIVES À LA MISE EN ŒUVRE DE LA POLITIQUE DE CONCURRENCE |
| | Commission européenne |
| 2010/C 184/08 | Notification préalable d'une concentration (Affaire COMP/M.5908 — Honeywell/Sperian) (
  1
  ) | 31 |
| | AUTRES ACTES |
| | Commission européenne |
| 2010/C 184/09 | Publication d'une demande au sens de l'article 6, paragraphe 2, du règlement (CE) no 510/2006 du Conseil relatif à la protection des indications géographiques et des appellations d'origine des produits agricoles et des denrées alimentaires | 32 |

V   Avis

PROCÉDURES ADMINISTRATIVES

Commission européenne

2010/C 184/07

Appel à propositions — EAC/10/10 — Programme pour l’éducation et la formation tout au long de la vie — Soutien à deux concours de courts métrages destinés à la promotion de l'apprentissage des langues

29

PROCÉDURES RELATIVES À LA MISE EN ŒUVRE DE LA POLITIQUE DE CONCURRENCE

Commission européenne

2010/C 184/08

Notification préalable d'une concentration (Affaire COMP/M.5908 — Honeywell/Sperian) (
  1
  )

1

31

AUTRES ACTES

Commission européenne

2010/C 184/09

Publication d'une demande au sens de l'article 6, paragraphe 2, du règlement (CE) no 510/2006 du Conseil relatif à la protection des indications géographiques et des appellations d'origine des produits agricoles et des denrées alimentaires

o

32

| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Texte présentant de l'intérêt pour l'EEE |

---

(1)   Texte présentant de l'intérêt pour l'EEE

1

| FR | |
| --- | --- |

FR

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I Résolutions, recommandations et avis

RECOMMANDATIONS

Banque centrale européenne

| 8.7.2010 | FR | Journal officiel de l'Union européenne | C 184/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.7.2010

FR

Journal officiel de l'Union européenne

C 184/1

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RECOMMANDATION DE LA BANQUE CENTRALE EUROPÉENNE

du 1er juillet 2010

au Conseil de l’Union européenne concernant la désignation du commissaire aux comptes extérieur de la Národná banka Slovenska

(BCE/2010/6)

2010/C 184/01

LE CONSEIL DES GOUVERNEURS DE LA BANQUE CENTRALE EUROPÉENNE,

vu les statuts du Système européen de banques centrales et de la Banque centrale européenne, et notamment leur article 27.1,

considérant ce qui suit:

| (1) | Les comptes de la Banque centrale européenne (BCE) et des banques centrales nationales sont vérifiés par des commissaires aux comptes extérieurs indépendants désignés sur recommandation du conseil des gouverneurs de la BCE et agréés par le Conseil de l’Union européenne. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Les comptes de la Banque centrale européenne (BCE) et des banques centrales nationales sont vérifiés par des commissaires aux comptes extérieurs indépendants désignés sur recommandation du conseil des gouverneurs de la BCE et agréés par le Conseil de l’Union européenne.

| (2) | Le mandat du commissaire aux comptes extérieur actuel de la Národná banka Slovenska est arrivé à expiration après la vérification des comptes de l’exercice 2009. Il est donc nécessaire de désigner un commissaire aux comptes extérieur à compter de l’exercice 2010. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Le mandat du commissaire aux comptes extérieur actuel de la Národná banka Slovenska est arrivé à expiration après la vérification des comptes de l’exercice 2009. Il est donc nécessaire de désigner un commissaire aux comptes extérieur à compter de l’exercice 2010.

| (3) | La Národná banka Slovenska a sélectionné Ernst & Young Slovakia, spol. s r.o. en tant que commissaire aux comptes extérieur pour les exercices 2010 à 2014, |
| --- | --- |

(3)

La Národná banka Slovenska a sélectionné Ernst & Young Slovakia, spol. s r.o. en tant que commissaire aux comptes extérieur pour les exercices 2010 à 2014,

A ARRÊTÉ LA PRÉSENTE RECOMMANDATION:

Il est recommandé de désigner Ernst & Young Slovakia, spol. s r.o. en tant que commissaire aux comptes extérieur de la Národná banka Slovenska pour les exercices 2010 à 2014.

Fait à Francfort-sur-le-Main, le 1er juillet 2010.

Le président de la BCE

Jean-Claude TRICHET

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IV Informations

INFORMATIONS PROVENANT DES INSTITUTIONS, ORGANES ET ORGANISMES DE L'UNION EUROPÉENNE

Commission européenne

| 8.7.2010 | FR | Journal officiel de l'Union européenne | C 184/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.7.2010

FR

Journal officiel de l'Union européenne

C 184/2

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Taux de change de l'euro (1)

7 juillet 2010

2010/C 184/02

1 euro =

| | Monnaie | Taux de change |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | dollar des États-Unis | 1,2567 |
| JPY | yen japonais | 109,56 |
| DKK | couronne danoise | 7,4532 |
| GBP | livre sterling | 0,83190 |
| SEK | couronne suédoise | 9,6160 |
| CHF | franc suisse | 1,3312 |
| ISK | couronne islandaise | |
| NOK | couronne norvégienne | 8,1010 |
| BGN | lev bulgare | 1,9558 |
| CZK | couronne tchèque | 25,548 |
| EEK | couronne estonienne | 15,6466 |
| HUF | forint hongrois | 284,47 |
| LTL | litas lituanien | 3,4528 |
| LVL | lats letton | 0,7095 |
| PLN | zloty polonais | 4,1220 |
| RON | leu roumain | 4,2318 |
| TRY | lire turque | 1,9632 |
| AUD | dollar australien | 1,4821 |
| CAD | dollar canadien | 1,3311 |
| HKD | dollar de Hong Kong | 9,7913 |
| NZD | dollar néo-zélandais | 1,8160 |
| SGD | dollar de Singapour | 1,7480 |
| KRW | won sud-coréen | 1 536,73 |
| ZAR | rand sud-africain | 9,6505 |
| CNY | yuan ren-min-bi chinois | 8,5169 |
| HRK | kuna croate | 7,1913 |
| IDR | rupiah indonésien | 11 408,78 |
| MYR | ringgit malais | 4,0459 |
| PHP | peso philippin | 58,512 |
| RUB | rouble russe | 39,1503 |
| THB | baht thaïlandais | 40,818 |
| BRL | real brésilien | 2,2422 |
| MXN | peso mexicain | 16,3773 |
| INR | roupie indienne | 59,1290 |

Monnaie

Taux de change

USD

dollar des États-Unis

1,2567

JPY

yen japonais

109,56

DKK

couronne danoise

7,4532

GBP

livre sterling

0,83190

SEK

couronne suédoise

9,6160

CHF

franc suisse

1,3312

ISK

couronne islandaise

NOK

couronne norvégienne

8,1010

BGN

lev bulgare

1,9558

CZK

couronne tchèque

25,548

EEK

couronne estonienne

15,6466

HUF

forint hongrois

284,47

LTL

litas lituanien

3,4528

LVL

lats letton

0,7095

PLN

zloty polonais

4,1220

RON

leu roumain

4,2318

TRY

lire turque

1,9632

AUD

dollar australien

1,4821

CAD

dollar canadien

1,3311

HKD

dollar de Hong Kong

9,7913

NZD

dollar néo-zélandais

1,8160

SGD

dollar de Singapour

1,7480

KRW

won sud-coréen

1 536,73

ZAR

rand sud-africain

9,6505

CNY

yuan ren-min-bi chinois

8,5169

HRK

kuna croate

7,1913

IDR

rupiah indonésien

11 408,78

MYR

ringgit malais

4,0459

PHP

peso philippin

58,512

RUB

rouble russe

39,1503

THB

baht thaïlandais

40,818

BRL

real brésilien

2,2422

MXN

peso mexicain

16,3773

INR

roupie indienne

59,1290

---

(1)  Source: taux de change de référence publié par la Banque centrale européenne.

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INFORMATIONS PROVENANT DES ÉTATS MEMBRES

| 8.7.2010 | FR | Journal officiel de l'Union européenne | C 184/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.7.2010

FR

Journal officiel de l'Union européenne

C 184/3

---

Communication de la Commission conformément à l'article 16, paragraphe 4, du règlement (CE) no 1008/2008 du Parlement européen et du Conseil établissant des règles communes pour l'exploitation de services aériens dans la Communauté

Obligations de service public (modification) portant sur des services aériens réguliers

(Texte présentant de l'intérêt pour l'EEE)

2010/C 184/03

| État membre | Royaume-Uni |
| --- | --- |
| Liaisons concernées | Oban–Coll
  Oban–Colonsay
  Oban–Tiree
  Coll–Tiree |
| Date d'entrée en vigueur des obligations de service public | 2 mars 2007 |
| Adresse à laquelle le texte et l'ensemble des informations et/ou documents pertinents se rapportant à l'obligation de service public peuvent être obtenus | Argyll and Bute Council |
| Council Offices |
| Kilmory |
| Lochgilphead |
| Argyll |
| PA31 8RT |
| Scotland |
| UNITED KINGDOM |
| Tél. +44 1546604141 |
| Fax +44 1546606443 |
| (Personne à contacter: Sandy Mactaggart, Development and Infrastructure Services) |
| E-mail: sandy.mactaggart@argyll-bute.gov.uk |

État membre

Royaume-Uni

Liaisons concernées

Oban–Coll

Oban–Colonsay

Oban–Tiree

Coll–Tiree

Date d'entrée en vigueur des obligations de service public

2 mars 2007

Adresse à laquelle le texte et l'ensemble des informations et/ou documents pertinents se rapportant à l'obligation de service public peuvent être obtenus

Argyll and Bute Council

Council Offices

Kilmory

Lochgilphead

Argyll

PA31 8RT

Scotland

UNITED KINGDOM

Tél. +44 1546604141

Fax +44 1546606443

(Personne à contacter: Sandy Mactaggart, Development and Infrastructure Services)

E-mail: sandy.mactaggart@argyll-bute.gov.uk

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| 8.7.2010 | FR | Journal officiel de l'Union européenne | C 184/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.7.2010

FR

Journal officiel de l'Union européenne

C 184/4

---

Communication de la Commission conformément à l'article 17, paragraphe 5, du règlement (CE) no 1008/2008 du Parlement européen et du Conseil établissant des règles communes pour l'exploitation de services aériens dans la Communauté

Appel d'offres portant sur l'exploitation de services aériens réguliers conformément aux obligations de service public

(Texte présentant de l'intérêt pour l'EEE)

2010/C 184/04

| État membre | Royaume-Uni |
| --- | --- |
| Liaisons concernées | Oban–Coll
  Oban–Colonsay
  Oban–Tiree
  Coll–Tiree |
| Durée du marché | Du 1er octobre 2010 au 31 mars 2014 |
| Date limite de remise des offres | Deux mois à compter du jour de la publication du présent avis |
| Adresse à laquelle le texte de l’appel d’offres et l’ensemble des informations et/ou documents pertinents se rapportant à l’appel d’offres et à l’obligation de service public peuvent être obtenus | Argyll and Bute Council |
| Council Offices |
| Kilmory |
| Lochgilphead |
| Argyll |
| PA31 8RT |
| Scotland |
| UNITED KINGDOM |
| Tél. +44 1546604141 |
| Fax +44 1546606443 |
| (Personne à contacter: Sandy Mactaggart, Development and Infrastructure Services) |
| E-mail: sandy.mactaggart@argyll-bute.gov.uk |

État membre

Royaume-Uni

Liaisons concernées

Oban–Coll

Oban–Colonsay

Oban–Tiree

Coll–Tiree

Durée du marché

Du 1er octobre 2010 au 31 mars 2014

Date limite de remise des offres

Deux mois à compter du jour de la publication du présent avis

Adresse à laquelle le texte de l’appel d’offres et l’ensemble des informations et/ou documents pertinents se rapportant à l’appel d’offres et à l’obligation de service public peuvent être obtenus

Argyll and Bute Council

Council Offices

Kilmory

Lochgilphead

Argyll

PA31 8RT

Scotland

UNITED KINGDOM

Tél. +44 1546604141

Fax +44 1546606443

(Personne à contacter: Sandy Mactaggart, Development and Infrastructure Services)

E-mail: sandy.mactaggart@argyll-bute.gov.uk

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INFORMATIONS RELATIVES À L’ESPACE ÉCONOMIQUE EUROPÉEN

Autorité de surveillance AELE

| 8.7.2010 | FR | Journal officiel de l'Union européenne | C 184/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.7.2010

FR

Journal officiel de l'Union européenne

C 184/5

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Invitation à présenter des observations en application de l’article 1er, paragraphe 2, de la partie I du protocole 3 de l’accord entre les États de l’AELE relatif à l’institution d’une Autorité de surveillance et d’une Cour de justice concernant des aides d’État liées au financement du centre de fitness du Centre de loisirs Kippermoen

2010/C 184/05

Par la décision no 537/09/COL du 16 décembre 2009, reproduite dans la langue faisant foi dans les pages qui suivent le présent résumé, l’Autorité de surveillance AELE a ouvert la procédure prévue à l'article 1er, paragraphe 2, de la partie I du protocole 3 de l'accord entre les États de l’AELE relatif à l'institution d'une Autorité de surveillance et d’une Cour de justice. Les autorités norvégiennes ont reçu copie de la décision.

L’Autorité de surveillance AELE invite les États de l’AELE, les États membres de l’UE et les parties intéressées à présenter leurs observations sur la mesure en question dans un délai d’un mois à compter de la publication de la présente communication, à l’adresse suivante:

| Autorité de surveillance AELE |
| --- |
| Greffe |
| Rue Belliard 35 |
| 1040 Bruxelles |
| BELGIQUE |

Autorité de surveillance AELE

Greffe

Rue Belliard 35

1040 Bruxelles

BELGIQUE

Ces observations seront communiquées aux autorités norvégiennes. L’identité des parties intéressées qui présentent des observations peut faire l'objet d'un traitement confidentiel sur demande écrite et motivée.

RÉSUMÉ

Le 27 janvier 2009, les autorités norvégiennes ont notifié, par souci de sécurité juridique, le financement du centre de fitness du Centre de loisirs Kippermoen («CLK»), une mesure qui ne constitue pas, selon elles, une aide. L'Autorité a envoyé deux demandes de renseignements auxquelles les autorités norvégiennes ont répondu.

Le CLK a été créé dans les années 1970. Il est situé dans la ville de Mosjøen, qui fait partie de la municipalité de Vefsn, dans le département de Nordland, le deuxième département le plus septentrional de la Norvège. Le centre appartient à la municipalité de Vefsn et ne constitue pas une entité juridique distincte.

Au départ, le centre comprenait une piscine couverte, un solarium, une salle de sports et un centre de fitness. En 1997, le CLK (y compris le centre de fitness) a été modernisé et agrandi. Le centre de fitness a de nouveau été agrandi en 2006 et en 2007.

Aide nouvelle ou aide existante

Dans la mesure où le financement du centre de fitness du CLK comporte l’octroi d’une aide d'État, la question est de savoir si cette mesure constitue une aide nouvelle ou une aide existante.

Le CLK est financé directement par la municipalité de Vefsn depuis sa création au début des années 1970. En outre, depuis sa création, le CLK est financé par les revenus provenant de diverses redevances d’utilisation, déterminées par la municipalité. Ce mode de financement était en place avant l’entrée en vigueur de l’accord EEE le 1er janvier 1994, et pourrait, dès lors, constituer une aide existante au sens de l'article 1er, point b) i), de la partie II du protocole 3.

Selon les renseignements fournis, l'agrandissement de 2006/2007 était supposé être financé sur la base du même mécanisme de financement que celui des coûts de fonctionnement; cependant l’Autorité n’a pas reçu suffisamment d’informations spécifiques sur le mode de financement de l’agrandissement de 1997.

En outre, le système de billetterie a été modifié depuis l’entrée en vigueur de l’accord EEE. Les changements semblent avoir concerné le prix et les types de billets proposés ainsi que le système d’affectation du revenu de la vente des billets. Aucune information spécifique concernant ces changements n'a été fournie à l'Autorité, qui n’est dès lors pas en mesure d’exclure que ces changements puissent constituer une forme d’aide nouvelle.

S'agissant du bénéficiaire, en ce qui concerne les installations, selon les informations fournies à l’Autorité, le centre de fitness était au départ modestement équipé. La question est de savoir si les installations sportives existant dans les années 1970 ont été simplement modernisées pour répondre aux nouvelles exigences ou si le centre de fitness actuel doit être considéré comme une nouvelle installation. L’Autorité croit savoir d’une part, que le centre de fitness actuel est considérablement plus grand et, d’autre part, qu’il offre une gamme beaucoup plus vaste d’activités de fitness que l’ancien centre modestement équipé. À cet égard, l’Autorité a des doutes quant à la question de savoir si les agrandissements de 1997 et/ou 2006/2007, qui ont eu lieu après l’entrée en vigueur de l’accord EEE, ont modifié la nature des activités du centre de fitness. Selon la jurisprudence, l’extension du champ des activités n’implique généralement pas que la mesure constitue une aide nouvelle. Néanmoins, compte tenu des changements et de l’expansion apparemment importants des activités du centre de fitness (1), l’Autorité n’est pas en mesure d’exclure que la qualification de l’aide puisse avoir changé.

Existence d’une aide d'État

Avantages impliquant des ressources d’État accordées à une entreprise

La municipalité de Vefsn couvre le déficit annuel du CLK dans son ensemble. Les ressources municipales sont des ressources d’État au sens de l’article 61 de l’accord EEE (2). Le centre de fitness a été financé au moyen des redevances payées par les utilisateurs définies et affectées par la municipalité de manière à ce qu’il affiche un bénéfice alors que le reste du CLK connaît un déficit. Compte tenu de la pratique consistant à ne pas tenir de comptes séparés, l’Autorité ne saurait exclure l’existence d’une subvention croisée du centre de fitness.

Le centre de fitness a également reçu des fonds de Norsk Tipping AS, une société de jeux entièrement détenue par l’État norvégien et relevant du ministère de la culture et des affaires ecclésiastiques (3). Les revenus tirés des jeux sont collectés, administrés et répartis sous le contrôle de l’État et représentent en conséquence des ressources d’État au sens l'article 61, paragraphe 1, de l’accord EEE.

En outre, il se peut que le centre de fitness ait été financé par des ressources provenant de la municipalité de Nordland.

Le centre de fitness, qui fait partie du CLK, fonctionne en grande partie comme un centre de fitness normal et, à cet égard, semble constituer une entreprise. Les autorités norvégiennes ont fait valoir qu’aucune aide d’État n’a été attribuée au centre de fitness au sens de la jurisprudence Altmark, mais à ce stade l’Autorité ne saurait exclure que le financement du centre de fitness du CLK confère un avantage à ce centre.

Distorsion de la concurrence et effet sur les échanges entre les parties contractantes

L’avantage conféré au centre de fitness du CLK semble menacer de fausser la concurrence sur le marché des centres de fitness. Toutefois, l’Autorité émet des doutes sur la question de savoir si la mesure risque d’affecter les échanges à l’intérieur de l’EEE au sens de l’article 61, paragraphe 1, de l’accord EEE. De manière générale, les centres de fitness semblent fournir un service ayant par nature une zone d’attraction limitée. Le centre de fitness du CLK ne semble pas être unique au point d’attirer des visiteurs venus de loin. Il est situé dans le deuxième département le plus septentrional de la Norvège, à environ 60 kilomètres, par la route, de la frontière suédoise la plus proche. Toutefois, certaines entreprises participant aux échanges à l’intérieur de l’EEE sont actives sur le marché norvégien des centres de fitness. Néanmoins, il semble que ces entreprises aient tendance à s'établir dans des régions de la Norvège plus densément peuplées.

Compatibilité de l’aide

L’Autorité a des doutes quant à la question de savoir si le fonctionnement de ce qui semble, dans une grande mesure, être un centre de fitness normal peut représenter un service d’intérêt économique général au sens de l’article 59, paragraphe 2, de l’accord EEE.

En outre, l’Autorité a des doutes quant à la question de savoir si le financement du centre de fitness peut être compatible avec l’accord EEE en vertu de la dérogation culturelle prévue à l’article 61, paragraphe 3, point c), de l’accord EEE, ainsi que le font valoir les autorités norvégiennes.

Enfin, l’Autorité a des doutes quant à la question de savoir si le financement des agrandissements de 1997 et 2006/2007 peut, en partie ou dans son ensemble, être compatible avec le fonctionnement de l’accord EEE sur la base de l’article 61, paragraphe 3, point c), et des chapitres des lignes directrices de l’Autorité relatives aux aides régionales.

Conclusion

À la lumière des considérations exposées ci-dessus, l’Autorité a décidé d’ouvrir la procédure formelle d’examen prévue à l’article 1er, paragraphe 2, de la partie I du protocole 3 de l'accord entre les États de l’AELE relatif à l'institution d'une Autorité de surveillance et d’une Cour de justice à l’égard des fonds versés par la municipalité de Vefsn en faveur du centre de fitness du CLK. Les parties intéressées sont invitées à présenter leurs observations dans un délai d’un mois à compter de la publication de la présente décision au Journal officiel de l’Union européenne.

EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY DECISION

No 537/09/COL

of 16 December 2009

to initiate the procedure provided for in Article 1(2) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement with regard to the financing of the fitness centre at the Kippermoen Leisure Centre

(Norway)

THE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY (4),

Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (5), in particular to Articles 61 to 63 and Protocol 26 thereof,

Having regard to the Agreement between the EFTA States on the Establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice (6), in particular to Article 24 thereof,

Having regard to Article 1(2) of Part I and Articles 4(4) and 6 of Part II of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement (7),

Having regard to the Authority’s Guidelines on the application and interpretation of Articles 61 and 62 of the EEA Agreement (8), and in particular the Chapters on Public service compensation (9) and National Regional Aid (10) thereof,

Having regard to the Authority’s Decision of 14 July 2004 on the implementing provisions referred to under Article 27 of Part II of Protocol 3 (11),

Whereas:

I.   FACTS

1.   Procedure

By letter dated 27 January 2009, the Norwegian authorities notified a measure financing the publicly owned fitness centre at the Kippermoen Leisure Centre (KLC) (Kippermoen Idrettssenter), pursuant to Article 1(3) of Part I of Protocol 3. The letter was registered by the Authority the 28 January 2009 (Event No 506341).

By email dated 3 March 2009 (Event No 511153), the Norwegian Association for Fitness Centres (NAFC) (Norsk Treningssenterforbund) submitted comments to the notification.

By letter dated 27 March 2009 (Event No 511172), the Authority forwarded the comments from NAFC to the Norwegian authorities and requested additional information. By letter dated 29 May 2009 (Event No 520013), the Norwegian authorities replied to the information request. By letter dated 29 July 2009 (Event No 525457), the Authority requested additional information from the Norwegian authorities. By letter dated 9 September 2009 (Event No 529846), the Norwegian authorities replied to the information request.

The Authority and the Norwegian authorities discussed the notification in a meeting in Oslo on 16 September 2009. By email dated 28 September 2009, the Authority requested further information and clarifications, to which the Norwegian authorities replied by email dated 29 September 2009 (the two emails are archived as Event No 531832).

2.   The KLC

2.1.   
  Overview of the development of the KLC

The KLC was established in the 1970s. It is located in the city of Mosjøen which is part of the municipality of Vefsn, in the county of Nordland. The centre is owned by the municipality and is not organised as a separate legal entity.

Initially, the centre consisted of two separate buildings, one hall encompassing an indoor swimming pool with a solarium and a sports hall. Furthermore, the KLC housed a modestly equipped fitness centre.

The two halls of the KLC were managed separately until 1992, when the department of culture at Vefsn municipality started coordinating the management of the two halls. In the same year, the municipality of Vefsn initiated a project in cooperation with the county municipality of Nordland aiming to increase the physical activity of the general population in the county.

In 1997, as a consequence of a broadening of the cooperation with the county municipality under the so-called FYSAK programme, Vefsn municipality arranged for an expansion and renovation of the entire KLC, including the fitness centre.

In 2006 and 2007, the fitness centre was expanded with an annexe (Mellombygningen) linking together the existing buildings of the KLC. Furthermore, squash courts were established at the KLC. Nowadays, the KLC comprises a combined football and multi-purpose hall (Mosjøhallen) and outdoors facilities such as a toboggan run and a shooting range, in addition to the sports hall and the hall with indoor swimming pool established in the early 1970s and the fitness centre. However, the notification submitted by the Norwegian authorities only concerns the fitness centre.

2.2.   
  The financing of the KLC and its fitness centre

Since its foundation in 1970s, the municipality of Vefsn has financed the KLC over the municipal budget. Moreover, since its foundation, the KLC has been financed by the revenues generated from fees levied on users. The prices are set by decisions of the municipal council of Vefsn. At the present time, individual users are charged a fee for the use of the fitness centre, squash courts, swimming pool and the solarium, and can choose among different types of season tickets and single tickets granting access to the various facilities. The Norwegian authorities have explained that the current system of allocation of ticket revenue entails that all revenue generated from the sale of all-access season tickets is allocated to the fitness centre. The revenue stemming from the various single tickets, including those granting access to the fitness centre, is allocated to the other facilities at the KLC. Groups of users, like local schools, seem to be charged for the use of the facilities at the KLC on a cost basis, where the compensation paid seems to be allocated to the relevant facility. In the years 2006-08, the total annual revenue generated by user fees represented between NOK 3,6 and 3,7 million. The Norwegian authorities state that approximately NOK 2,6 million (approximately 70 %) of this revenue has been allocated to the fitness centre (12).

From 2000, the municipality of Vefsn intended that the fitness centre part of the KLC was to be self-financed in the sense that the revenue generated from the fees levied on users of the fitness centre should cover all its costs. In order to ensure that the fitness centre part of the KLC is self-financed, the municipality has attempted to keep separate accounts for the fitness centre and the other activities of the KLC, where the fitness centre carries a proportionate share of common costs. However, a complete separation of accounts does not yet seem to be fully implemented (13).

According to the annual accounts of 2006-08, the fitness centre at the KLC has operated with an annual profit of between NOK 700 000 and 900 000 on account of the revenue generated by the user fees. In contrast to the fitness centre, the KLC as a whole, operates with an annual deficit. This annual deficit is covered by the operating budget of the municipality of Vefsn.

According to the NAFC, the KLC has received grants from the county municipality of Nordland. Despite the request made by the Authority, the Norwegian authorities have not provided any information regarding whether, and in that case how, these funds have been allocated to KLC and whether they were spent for the fitness centre or for other premises within the KLC.

The two expansions of the whole KLC in 1997 and 2006/07 have been financed through various sources. Regarding the 1997 expansion, it was mainly financed by a NOK 10 million loan. The Authority received no information on the identity of the lender, the terms of the loan or how it was serviced (14). Additionally, the expansion seems to have been financed by gaming funds granted by Norsk Tipping AS
   (15).

The 2006/07 expansion was partly financed through a NOK 10 million bank loan with an interest based on three year government bonds plus 1 % (16), a proportionate part of which was intended to be serviced by the fitness centre. The expansion was further financed by NOK 4 million of gaming funds from Norsk Tipping AS, which were mainly, but apparently not exclusively, used to finance the expansion of other parts of the KLC (17).

2.3.   
  Legal basis for the financing of the KLC

The legal basis for the financing of the KLC including the fitness centre, seems to be decisions made by the municipal council of Vefsn. According to the budgetary decisions made by Vefsn municipality, ever since the KLC was established in 1970s the operating costs of the KLC have been partly covered by the municipality’s operating budget. The two expansions of 1997 and 2006/07 also seem to have been undertaken in accordance with decisions made by the municipality of Vefsn.

3.   Comments by the Norwegian authorities

The Norwegian authorities argue that the fitness centre is run as a part of the municipal healthcare service and provides a service of general economic interest. Since 1997, the municipality of Vefsn has operated the KLC under the FYSAK programme — a programme managed by the county municipality of Nordland in order to aid the municipalities of Nordland in fulfilling their obligations to promote health in accordance with the Municipal Health Service Act (18). According to its Article 2(1) the municipality has a legal obligation to provide ‘necessary healthcare’ to anyone residing or temporarily staying within the area of the municipality. According to Articles 1(2) and 1(4), the Norwegian municipalities shall prevent and treat diseases, injuries and other health problems, and when providing such services, the municipalities shall promote public health, public well-being and the quality of the general social environment.

The Norwegian authorities hold that the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC merely represents compensation for services rendered by the fitness centre which is provided in line with the Altmark criteria (19). Consequently, it does not constitute aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement.

In any event, the Norwegian authorities argue that the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC, as far as it could be held to constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement, must be considered compatible either as a public service compensation on the basis of Article 59(2) of the EEA Agreement, or alternatively as a cultural measure on the basis of Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement.

4.   Comments from the NAFC

The NAFC has submitted comments to the notification. The association holds that the fitness centre at the KLC has received State aid within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement. As to the sources of such aid, the NAFC claims that the fitness centre has been allocated State resources from the municipality of Vefsn, Norsk Tipping AS and the county municipality of Nordland.

The NAFC argues that the aid can neither be held to be compatible with the functioning of the EEA on the basis of Article 61(3)(c), nor constitute a service of general economic interest within the meaning of Article 59(2). Finally, the NAFC holds that the aid exceeds the de minimis threshold.

II.   ASSESSMENT

1.   Scope of the State aid assessment in this Decision

As mentioned above under Section I.2.2, the fitness centre at the KLC has received financing from different sources. It has been financed by the municipality of Vefsn on a regular basis since its establishment. Furthermore, the KLC has received funds from Norsk Tipping AS whereby the Norwegian authorities have not excluded that some of these funds were allocated to the fitness centre. Finally, the fitness centre has allegedly received funds stemming from the county municipality of Nordland.

1.1.   
  Funds stemming from the county municipality of Nordland

The Authority received no information or documentation regarding the funds potentially received from the county municipality of Nordland. The Norwegian authorities are invited either to confirm that the fitness centre at the KLC did not receive any funds from the county municipality of Nordland or to provide the necessary information for the assessment of the State aid character of those funds and of the compatibility with the rules of the EEA Agreement.

1.2.   
  Funds stemming from Norsk Tipping AS

The funds stemming from Norsk Tipping AS are gaming funds collected, administered and distributed on the basis of the Gaming Act from 1992 that entered into force on 1 January 1993 (20), before the entry into force of the EEA Agreement. The Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs has the general responsibility for the operation of Norsk Tipping AS, the company entrusted with the administration of the gaming funds.

The profit generated by the activities of Norsk Tipping AS was originally distributed by thirds: a third for sporting purposes, a third for cultural purposes and a third for scientific purposes (21). By Act No 37 of 21 June 2002, the distribution formula was amended to the effect that the profits were to be distributed equally between sports and cultural objectives.

In 2003, a bill was passed that gave Norsk Tipping AS an exclusive right to operate slot machines. In that connection, a new distribution formula set at 18 % the allocation to non-sports related NGOs, 45,5 % for sports and 36,5 % for culture.

With reference to the case law cited in Section II,1.3 below, the Authority considers that the introduction of a new group of recipients does not affect the classification of aid granted to culture and sports (22).

Accordingly, the Authority considers the activities of Norsk Tipping AS to constitute an existing system of State aid within the meaning of the provisions of the EEA Agreement.

Although Norsk Tipping AS only granted financing to the fitness centre at the KLC in 1997 and 2006/07, the Authority considers that it benefited from the application of an existing system of State aid. Individual grants under an existing system do not qualify as new aid within the meaning of Article 1(c) of Part II of Protocol 3.

Thus, based on the above, the Authority considers that any gaming funds potentially allocated to the fitness centre at the KLC in connection with the 1997 or 2006/07 expansions are grants stemming from a system of existing aid within the meaning of Article 62 of the EEA Agreement. For that reason, the compatibility with the functioning of the EEA Agreement of the grant of gaming funds from Norsk Tipping AS to the fitness centre at the KLC is not assessed in this Decision.

1.3.   
  Funds stemming from the municipality of Vefsn

Insofar as the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC with resources from the municipality of Vefsn involves the grant of State aid, the question is whether this measure represents new or existing aid.

The KLC has been financed by the municipality of Vefsn since it was established in the early seventies. The annual deficit of the KLC has been covered by the municipal operating budget. In addition to this, the KLC has, ever since it was established, been financed by the revenue generated from various user fees, determined by the municipality. This method of financing was in place before the entry into force of the EEA Agreement on 1 January 1994, and would for these reasons as such seem to constitute existing aid within the meaning of Article 1(b)(i) of Part II of Protocol 3.

It follows from Article 1(c) to the same Protocol that alterations to existing aid constitute new aid. Moreover, it follows from the case law that where such alterations affect the actual substance of the original scheme the latter may be transformed into a new scheme. There can be no question of such a substantive alteration where the new element is clearly severable from the initial scheme (23). In this regard, it is worth noting that the emergence of new aid or the alteration of existing aid cannot be assessed according to the scale of the aid or, in particular, its amount in financial terms at any moment in the life of the undertaking if the aid is provided under earlier statutory provisions which remain unaltered. Whether aid may be classified as new aid or as alteration of existing aid must be determined by reference to the provisions providing for it (24).

Thus, the qualification of the financing mechanism as existing aid does not mean that the financing of an expansion or alteration of the KLC necessarily would be considered as existing aid. On the contrary, alterations that are not severable from the existing scheme and that affect its substance could entail that the scheme in its entirety is considered as new aid.

Regarding the financing of the fitness centre, the KLC was established in the 1970s, and has primarily been financed by the operating budget of the municipality of Vefsn and allocation of revenue generated by user fees. The method of financing the KLC seems to have been established by decisions of the municipal council of Vefsn in the early 1970s before it was constructed, and has essentially remained unchanged since then. The debts incurred by the 2006/07 expansion were supposed to be serviced in line with this established method of financing, and accordingly the method of financing as such does not seem to have changed within the meaning of the above referenced case law. However, the Authority has not received sufficiently specific information on how the expansion of 1997 was financed. The Authority notes that the specific circumstances relating to the legal basis for the expansion and how the expansion was financed could represent changes entailing that it should be considered as alterations of existing aid.

Furthermore, the ticketing system has been changed since the entry into force of the EEA Agreement. The changes seem to have affected the price, the types of tickets offered and the system of allocation of ticket revenue. The Authority has not been provided with specific information concerning these developments, and has accordingly not been able to exclude that these changes involve a form of new aid.

Regarding the beneficiary, as far as the premises are concerned, according to the information made available to the Authority, the fitness centre was initially modestly equipped. The question is whether the sports facilities existing in the 1970s have been merely upgraded in accordance with new demands or whether the current fitness centre must be considered as a new facility. It is the Authority’s understanding that the current fitness centre is not only significantly bigger but it also offers a much broader range of fitness activities than the old modestly equipped fitness centre. In this respect, the Authority has doubts as to whether the expansions of 1997 and/or 2006/07, which took place after the entry into force of the EEA Agreement, changed the character of the operations of the fitness centre. According to case law, the enlargement of the scope of activities does generally not imply that the measure involves new aid. Nevertheless, given the apparently significant changes and expansion in the activities of the fitness centre (25) the Authority has not been able to exclude that the classification of the aid could have changed.

1.4.   
  Conclusion — scope of the State aid assessment in this Decision

Based on the lack of information regarding the funds that have allegedly been granted by the county municipality of Nordland to the fitness centre at the KLC, and the existing aid nature of the grants from Norsk Tipping AS, the following State aid assessment is confined to the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC with resources stemming from the municipality of Vefsn.

2.   State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement

Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement reads as follows:

‘Save as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any aid granted by EC Member States, EFTA States 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 Contracting Parties, be incompatible with the functioning of this Agreement.’

It follows from this provision that, for State aid within the meaning of the EEA Agreement to be present, the following conditions must be met:

| — | the aid must be granted through State resources, |
| --- | --- |

—

the aid must be granted through State resources,

| — | the aid must favour certain undertakings or the production of certain goods, i.e. the measure must confer a selective economic advantage upon the recipient, |
| --- | --- |

—

the aid must favour certain undertakings or the production of certain goods, i.e. the measure must confer a selective economic advantage upon the recipient,

| — | the recipient must constitute an undertaking within the meaning of the EEA Agreement, |
| --- | --- |

—

the recipient must constitute an undertaking within the meaning of the EEA Agreement,

| — | the aid must threaten to distort competition and affect trade between the Contracting Parties. |
| --- | --- |

—

the aid must threaten to distort competition and affect trade between the Contracting Parties.

2.1.   
  Presence of State resources

Presence of State resources

The measure must involve the consumption of State resources and/or be granted by the State. The State for the purpose of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement covers all bodies of the state administration, from the central government to the municipality level or the lowest administrative level as well as public undertakings and bodies.

The municipality of Vefsn covers the annual deficit of the KLC as a whole. Municipal resources are State resources within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement (26).

26

From 2006 to 2008, the fitness centre at the KLC has operated with an annual surplus, which stems from the revenue generated by user fees (27). On the other hand, the KLC as a whole, has run with an annual deficit that has been covered by the operating budget of the municipality of Vefsn. The Authority notes that the municipality of Vefsn controls the ticketing system at the KLC; the prices, the types of tickets offered and the system of allocation of ticket revenue is determined by the municipal council. If the municipality allocates ticket revenues to the fitness centre beyond those collected from the actual users of the premises of the fitness centre, these ticket revenues will qualify as State resources within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement. A system of allocation of ticket revenue, under the complete control of public authorities, can involve State aid where the principles of allocation do not correspond to the customers’ use of the different facilities.

27

The criteria applied for the allocation of revenue generated by the sale of tickets granting admission to the KLC do not appear to be particularly exact. Under the current system, all revenues generated by the sale of all-access season tickets are allocated to the fitness centre although these tickets enable the holder to access other facilities of the KLC. All revenues stemming from the various single tickets, including single tickets giving access to the fitness centre, are allocated to the other facilities at the KLC. As described in Section I.2.2 of this Decision, this entails that the fitness centre of the KLC receives about 70 % of the total ticket revenue. The Norwegian authorities state that this represents a correct allocation of revenue as an informal examination carried out in 2006 indicated that about 70 % of the adult visitors mainly use the fitness centre. However, in the absence of additional information and documentation, the Authority has doubts as to whether the current method of allocation corresponds to the customers’ use of the different facilities thereby ensuring that there is no cross-subsidisation involving State resources from other parts of the KLC to the fitness centre.

As described under Section I.2.2 of this Decision, the municipality has not maintained a clear and consistent separation of the accounts for the different activities of the KLC. On the basis of this, the Authority cannot exclude that a form of cross-subsidisation of the fitness centre occurs.

Furthermore, the 2006/07 expansion was partly financed through a NOK 10 million bank loan. The fitness centre was intended to share the financing by servicing a proportionate part of the loan. However, its annual accounts from 2008 show that the fitness centre has only partially serviced its part of the loan according to the cost-allocation plan (28). In 2008, the fitness centre contributed NOK 185 000 in interest of the budgeted NOK 684 000, and an instalment of NOK 200 000 of the budgeted NOK 405 000. Thus, the fitness centre at the KLC only covered NOK 385 000 of the total NOK 1 089 000. The remaining part of the 2008 cost of the loan seems to have been serviced by the municipality of Vefsn. In light of this the Authority cannot to exclude that the 2006/07 expansion of the fitness centre at the KLC has been financed with resources from the municipality.

28

2.2.   
  Favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods

Favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods

In order to constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement the measure must confer a selective economic advantage upon an undertaking.

2.2.1.   The concept of undertaking

The concept of undertaking

Firstly, it is necessary to establish whether the fitness centre constitutes an undertaking within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement. According to settled case law, an undertaking encompasses every entity engaged in an economic activity, regardless of the legal status of the entity and the way it is financed (29). Activities consisting in offering services on a given market qualify as economic activities (30), and entities carrying out such activities must be classified as undertakings. The fitness centre at the KLC offers its services to the general population in competition with other undertakings operating on the same market. In light of this, the fitness centre at the KLC seems to constitute an undertaking within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement.

29

30

2.2.2.   Compensation for providing services of general economic interest

Compensation for providing services of general economic interest

As the fitness centre seems to constitute an undertaking, the Authority must assess whether it has received an economic advantage within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement.

The Norwegian authorities argue that the fitness centre is run as a part of the municipal healthcare service and provides a service of general economic interest within this context, and that the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC merely represents compensation for services rendered provided in accordance with the Altmark criteria (31), and consequently does not constitute aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement.

Altmark

31

Indeed, a measure is not caught by Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement where it ‘must be regarded as compensation for the services provided by the recipient undertakings in order to discharge public service obligations, so that those undertakings do not enjoy a real financial advantage and the measure thus does not have the effect of putting them in a more favourable competitive position than the undertakings competing with them’ (32).

32

In the Altmark judgment the Court of Justice held that compensation for public service obligations does not constitute State aid when four cumulative criteria are met:

Altmark

| — | first, the recipient undertaking must actually have public service obligations to discharge and such obligations must be clearly defined, |
| --- | --- |

—

first, the recipient undertaking must actually have public service obligations to discharge and such obligations must be clearly defined,

| — | second, the parameters on the basis of which the compensation is calculated must be established in advance in an objective and transparent manner, |
| --- | --- |

—

second, the parameters on the basis of which the compensation is calculated must be established in advance in an objective and transparent manner,

| — | third, the compensation cannot exceed what is necessary to cover all or part of the costs incurred in the discharge of the public service obligations, taking into account the relevant receipts and a reasonable profit, |
| --- | --- |

—

third, the compensation cannot exceed what is necessary to cover all or part of the costs incurred in the discharge of the public service obligations, taking into account the relevant receipts and a reasonable profit,

| — | finally, where the undertaking which is to discharge public service obligations is not chosen pursuant to a public procurement procedure which would allow for the selection of the tenderer capable of providing those services at the least cost, the level of compensation needed must be determined on the basis of an analysis of the costs which a typical undertaking, well run and adequately equipped, would have incurred (33). |
| --- | --- |

—

finally, where the undertaking which is to discharge public service obligations is not chosen pursuant to a public procurement procedure which would allow for the selection of the tenderer capable of providing those services at the least cost, the level of compensation needed must be determined on the basis of an analysis of the costs which a typical undertaking, well run and adequately equipped, would have incurred (33).

33

When these four criteria are met cumulatively, the State compensation does not confer an advantage upon the undertaking. As to the present case, the Authority is in doubt as to whether the fitness centre at the KLC is entrusted with a clearly defined public service obligation as required under the first Altmark criterion (34). Furthermore, the Authority has doubts as to whether the method of calculating the compensation has been established in advance in an objective and transparent manner (the 2nd Altmark criterion). Moreover it cannot be determined at this stage on the basis of the information provided that it does not exceed what is necessary (the 3rd Altmark criterion) (35). Finally, the Authority notes that the fitness centre at the KLC has not been selected in a public procurement procedure and that the Norwegian authorities have not provided the Authority with information enabling a verification of whether the costs incurred by the fitness centre at the KLC correspond to the costs of a typical undertaking, well run and adequately equipped as required by the fourth Altmark criterion. Thus, the Authority cannot exclude that the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC gives it an advantage.

Altmark

34

Altmark

Altmark

35

Altmark

Should an advantage have been granted to the fitness centre at the KLC, it would be selective as it only concerns this particular undertaking.

2.3.   
  Distorting competition and affecting trade between Contracting Parties

Distorting competition and affecting trade between Contracting Parties

The aid measure must distort competition and affect trade between the Contracting Parties. Under settled case law, the mere fact that a measure strengthens the position of an undertaking compared with other undertakings competing in intra-EEA trade, is enough to conclude that the measure is likely to affect trade between Contracting Parties and distort competition between undertakings established in other EEA States (36).

36

The State resources allocated to the fitness centre at the KLC seem to constitute an advantage that strengthens the fitness centre’s position compared to that of other undertakings competing in the same market. Therefore, the measure seems to threaten to distort competition between undertakings.

The question is whether the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC threatens to affect intra-EEA trade.

A privately owned fitness centre, Friskhuset Mosjøen
   (37), a franchisee under the Friskhuset franchisor, is established in Mosjøen, the same city as the KLC. Based only on the available information, the Authority has not been able to determine whether the franchisor or the franchisee are involved in intra-EEA trade.

Friskhuset Mosjøen

37

Friskhuset

Regardless of this, the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC might threaten to affect intra-EEA trade in other ways. In the practice of the European Commission, the geographical attraction zone of a service has been held to be an important benchmark when establishing a measure’s effect on intra-EEA trade (38). In the Authority’s view, fitness centres, in general, seem to provide a service which by its very nature has a limited attraction zone. Based on the information made available to the Authority, the fitness centre at KLC does not seem to be so unique as to attract visitors from afar. Furthermore, the KLC is situated approximately 60 km (by road) from the nearest Swedish border. A distance of about 50 km from the closest EEA State was held to be sufficient to exclude impact on intra-EEA trade from the operation of a swimming pool in Dorsten, Germany (39).

38

39

Further indications of lack of effect on intra-EEA trade, held to be relevant in Commission practice, seem to be present. The fitness centre at the KLC does not belong to a wider group of undertakings (40). The information provided to the Authority does not indicate that the fitness centre at the KLC attracts investments to the region where it is established (41).

40

41

Moreover, the Authority has not been provided with sufficient information relating to the market share of the fitness centre at the KLC to make a thorough assessment of the impact, or lack thereof, on intra-EEA trade (42).

42

It is worth noting that several of the undertakings active on the Norwegian fitness centre market are involved in intra-EEA trade. However, it seems that these undertakings tend to establish fitness centres in more densely populated areas than that of Vefsn municipality (43).

43

In light of the above, the Authority is in doubt as to whether the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC threatens to affect intra-EEA trade.

2.4.   
  Conclusion on the presence of State aid

Conclusion on the presence of State aid

The Authority consequently has doubts as to whether the measures under scrutiny involve State aid within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement.

3.   Notification requirement and standstill obligation

Notification requirement and standstill obligation

The Norwegian authorities submitted a notification of the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC on 27 January 2009 (Event No 506341). Insofar as the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC may constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA Agreement, and that this aid constitutes ‘new aid’ within the meaning of Article 1(c) of Part II of Protocol 3, the Norwegian authorities should have notified the aid before putting it into effect pursuant to Article 1(3) of Part I of Protocol 3.

It should be recalled that any new aid which is unlawfully implemented and which is finally not declared compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement is subject to recovery in accordance with Article 14 of Part II of Protocol 3. However, the Authority notes that any State aid granted more than 10 years before any action is taken by the Authority is deemed to be existing aid not subject to recovery pursuant to Article 15 of Part II of Protocol 3.

4.   Compatibility of the aid

Compatibility of the aid

The Norwegian authorities have argued that the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC, as far as it is held to constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement, must be considered to be compatible either as compensation for providing a service of general economic interest on the basis of Article 59(2) of the EEA Agreement, or alternatively as a cultural measure on the basis of Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement.

4.1.   
  Service of general economic interest — Article 59(2) of the EEA Agreement

Service of general economic interest — Article 59(2) of the EEA Agreement

Article 59(2) of the EEA Agreement reads as follows:

‘Undertakings entrusted with the operation of services of general economic interest or having the character of a revenue-producing monopoly shall be subject to the rules contained in this Agreement, in particular to the rules on competition, in so far as the application of such rules do not obstruct the performance, in law or in fact, of the particular tasks assigned to them. The development of trade must not be affected to such an extent as would be contrary to the interests of the Contracting Parties.’

The Norwegian authorities consider that operating the fitness centre at the KLC, as such, constitutes a service of general economic interest (44). The Norwegian authorities argue that the purpose of operating the fitness centre at the KLC is to stimulate all the residents of the municipality of Vefsn to be more physically active and consequently improve the general health of the local population. However, there seems to be no specific mechanisms in place ensuring that the fitness centre at the KLC is available to as many users as possible. The so-called FYSAK pass seems to be available to everyone above the age of 15 at the same price, there seems to be no specific means-tested discount available to those of lesser means, although some discounts seem to be granted for young people below the age of 20 and senior citizens (45). The Norwegian authorities seem to acknowledge this by stating that ‘(a) very small number of groups are excluded due to price’ (46). In that sense, the fitness centre seems to function, at least partly, as a normal fitness centre. Furthermore, the Authority questions whether there is a need to subsidise a fitness centre in the specific area of Mosjøen since a privately owned fitness centre has been operating in the same city for more than a decade.

44

45

46

The Authority acknowledges that the Norwegian authorities have a wide margin of discretion regarding the nature of services that could be classified as constituting services of general economic interest (47). However, in light of the above, the Authority has doubts as to whether the operation the fitness centre at the KLC can constitute a service of general economic interest within the meaning of Article 59(2) of the EEA Agreement.

47

In this respect, reference is made to the Authority’s guidelines on State aid in the form of public service compensation (48). The following cumulative criteria must be fulfilled in order for a State aid measure to be considered compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement on the basis of Article 59(2) in conjunction with the public service guidelines:

48

| — | the service must constitute a genuine service of general economic interest, |
| --- | --- |

—

the service must constitute a genuine service of general economic interest,

| — | the undertaking must be entrusted with the operation of the service by way of one or more official acts, |
| --- | --- |

—

the undertaking must be entrusted with the operation of the service by way of one or more official acts,

| — | the amount of compensation must not exceed what is necessary to cover the costs incurred in discharging the service. |
| --- | --- |

—

the amount of compensation must not exceed what is necessary to cover the costs incurred in discharging the service.

According to the information provided by the Norwegian authorities, the fitness centre seems to provide certain special preventive and convalescent services to individuals with specific needs in accordance with the municipality’s obligations under Article 1-2 of the MHS Act. Such services seem to be provided to individuals with a so-called FYSAK prescription (FYSAK Resept) which can be obtained from a doctor, physical therapist or certain public bodies (49). However, the Authority has not received specific information pertaining to how the fitness centre at the KLC is compensated for providing such services, and cannot exclude that the compensation does not exceed what is necessary within the meaning of the public service guidelines.

FYSAK Resept

49

At this stage, the Authority has not been able to assess whether the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC in part or in full can constitute compensation for a service of general economic interest that could be compatible with the functioning of the EEA within the meaning of Article 59(2).

4.2.   
  Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement

Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement

Article 61(3) of the EEA Agreement reads as follows:

‘The following may be considered to be compatible with the functioning of this Agreement: [...] (c) aid to facilitate 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 Norwegian authorities hold that the aid granted to the fitness centre at the KLC should be considered compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement on the basis of the exemption in Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement, and more specifically that the operation of the fitness centre must be regarded as a measure to promote culture within the meaning of the provision in Article 107(3)(d) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

The EEA Agreement does not include a corresponding provision. The Authority nevertheless acknowledges that State aid measures may be approved on cultural grounds on the basis of Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement (50).

50

In this respect, reference must be made to the European Commission’s White Paper on Sports (51), which acknowledges that sport is crucial to the well-being of European society. The vast majority of sporting activities take place in non-profit making structures, many of which depend on public support to provide access to sporting activities to all citizens.

51

However, based on the information available, the Authority has doubts as to whether the operation of the fitness centre at the KLC constitutes a cultural activity.

The Authority notes that the KLC is located in a region eligible for regional aid (52) and points to the fact that financing connected to the expansion of 2006/07 could under certain circumstances be considered compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement (53). However, the information made available to the Authority during its preliminary examination of the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC does not enable it to make a definite assessment of this question.

52

53

5.   Conclusion

Conclusion

Based on the information submitted by the Norwegian authorities, the Authority cannot exclude the possibility that the funds received by the fitness centre at the KLC constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement.

As explained under Section II.1.2 above, the Authority considers that the funds stemming from Norsk Tipping AS have been granted in accordance with an existing aid scheme, they are not covered by this Decision to open the formal investigation procedure.

Norsk Tipping AS

The Authority has doubts as to whether the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC with funds stemming from the municipality of Vefsn, in particular concerning those funds allocated on the basis of the two expansions in 1997 and 2006/07, constitute ‘new aid’, which pursuant to Article 1(3) of Part I of Protocol 3 should have been notified to the Authority prior to its implementation.

The Authority has doubts as to whether the aid granted is compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement, in accordance with Article 59(2) or Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement.

In accordance with Article 4(4) of Part II of Protocol 3, the Authority is obliged to open the procedure provided for in Article 1(2) of Part I of Protocol 3. The decision to open proceedings is without prejudice to the final decision of the Authority, which may conclude that the measures in question do not constitute State aid, are to be classified as existing aid or are compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement.

In light of the foregoing considerations, the Authority, acting under the procedure laid down in Article 1(2) of Part I of Protocol 3, invites the Norwegian authorities to submit their comments within one month of the date of receipt of this Decision.

In light of the foregoing considerations, within one month of receipt of this Decision, the Authority request the Norwegian authorities to provide all documents, information and data needed for assessment of the compatibility of the financing of the fitness centre at the KLC. In particular, the Authority invites the Norwegian authorities to provide detailed information regarding any funding from the county municipality of Nordland to the fitness centre at the KLC, as mentioned under Section II.1.1 of this Decision.

It invites the Norwegian authorities to forward a copy of this Decision to the potential aid recipient of the aid immediately.

The Authority would like to remind the Norwegian authorities that, according to the provisions of Protocol 3, any incompatible aid unlawfully put at the disposal of the beneficiaries will have to be recovered, unless this recovery would be contrary to the general principle of law,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The EFTA Surveillance Authority has decided to open the formal investigation procedure provided for in Article 1(2) of Part I of Protocol 3 against Norway regarding the financing of the fitness centre at the Kippermoen Leisure Centre.

Article 2

The Norwegian authorities are invited, pursuant to Article 6(1) of Part II of Protocol 3, to submit their comments on the opening of the formal investigation procedure within one month from the notification of this Decision.

Article 3

The Norwegian authorities are requested to provide within one month from notification of this Decision, all documents, information and data needed for assessment of the compatibility of the aid measure.

Article 4

This Decision is addressed to the Kingdom of Norway.

Article 5

Only the English version is authentic.

Done at Brussels, 16 December 2009.

For the EFTA Surveillance Authority

Per SANDERUD

President

Kristján Andri STEFÁNSSON

College Member

---

(1)  Voir la communication de la Commission concernant l’application aux services publics de radiodiffusion des règles relatives aux aides d’État (JO C 257 du 27.10.2009, p. 1, paragraphes 25-31 et 80 et suivants).

1

(2)  Voir la décision de l’Autorité no 55/05/COL, section II.3, p. 19 pour d’autres références (JO L 324 du 23.11.2006, p. 11, et supplément EEE no 56 du 23.11.2006, p. 1).

2

o

o

(3)  Voir le rapport annuel et social de Norsk Tipping AS pour 2008, p. 3, disponible à l’adresse https://www.norsk-tipping.no/page?id=207

3

Norsk Tipping AS

(4)  Hereinafter referred to as the Authority.

4

(5)  Hereinafter referred to as the EEA Agreement.

5

(6)  Hereinafter referred to as the Surveillance and Court Agreement.

6

(7)  Hereinafter referred to as Protocol 3.

7

(8)  Guidelines on the application and interpretation of Articles 61 and 62 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1 of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, adopted and issued by the Authority on 19.1.1994, published in the Official Journal of the European Union (hereinafter referred to as OJ) L 231, 3.9.1994, p. 1 and EEA Supplement No 32, 3.9.1994, p. 1 as amended. Hereinafter referred to as the State Aid Guidelines. The updated version of the State Aid Guidelines is published on the Authority’s website (http://www.eftasurv.int/state-aid/legal-framework/state-aid-guidelines).

8

Official Journal of the European Union

(9)  Adopted by the Authority by Decision No 328/05/COL of 20.12.2005, published in OJ L 109, 26.4.2007, p. 44 and EEA Supplement No 20, 26.4.2007, p. 1.

9

(10)  The Chapter on National Regional Aid 2007–13 was adopted by the Authority by Decision No 85/06/COL of 6.4.2006, published in OJ L 54, 28.2.2008, p. 1 and EEA Supplement No 11, 28.2.2008, p. 1 and is applicable from 1 January 2007 onwards. Prior to that date, reference must be made to the provisions of the Chapter on National regional aid adopted by Decision No 316/98/COL of 4.11.1998, published in OJ L 111, 29.4.1999, p. 46 and EEA Supplement No 18, 29.4.1999, p. 1.

10

(11)  Decision No 195/04/COL of 14 July 2004 (published in OJ L 139, 25.5.2006, p. 37 and EEA Supplement No 26, 25.5.2006, p. 1), as amended. A consolidated version of the Decision can be found online (http://www.eftasurv.int).

11

(12)  See letter from Norwegian authorities dated 29.5.2009 (Event No 520013) p. 11.

12

(13)  Ibid p. 12.

13

(14)  See letter from the municipality of Vefsn to the Norwegian competition authorities dated 3.11.1998, p. 3 (added as sub-Appendix 2 to Appendix 2 of the letter from the Norwegian authorities dated 27.1.2009 (Event No 506341)). The expansion was apparently also financed through other sources, but these funds were seemingly earmarked for areas of the KLC that were not connected to the fitness centre.

14

(15)  L.c.

15

(16)  For 2007 the interest rate on three year government bonds was 3,74 %, consequently the interest rate for 2007 was (3,74 % + 1 %) 4,74 %.

16

(17)  See letter from the Norwegian authorities dated 29.5.2009 (Event No 520013) p. 12.

17

(18)  Lov om helsetjenesten i kommunene of 19 November 1982 No 66. Hereinafter referred to as the MHS Act.

18

Lov om helsetjenesten i kommunene

(19)  Case C-280/00 Altmark Trans and Regierungspräsidium Magdeburg (2003) ECR I-7747. See also case T-289/03 BUPA (2008) ECR II-81.

19

Altmark Trans and Regierungspräsidium Magdeburg

BUPA

(20)  The Gaming Act replaced Law No 92 of 20.12.1985 on Lotto.

20

(21)  The funds for sporting purposes are distributed by the King (i.e. the Government), whereas the funds for other purposes are partly distributed by the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget), in accordance with Article 10 of the Gaming Act and Regulation No 1056 adopted on 11.12.1992, which entered into force on 1.1.1993, i.e. before the entry into force of the EEA Agreement in Norway.

21

Stortinget

(22)  The system is explained in the Preparatory Works to the amendment, Ot.prp. No 44 (2002-2003) Chapter 4.6.2.

22

(23)  See Case T-195/01 Government of Gibraltar v Commission (2002) ECR II-2309 paragraph 111.

23

Government of Gibraltar

Commission

(24)  See Case C-44/93 Namur-Les Assurances du Crédit SA v Office Nationale du Ducroire (1994) ECR I-3829 paragraph 28.

24

Namur-Les Assurances du Crédit SA

Office Nationale du Ducroire

(25)  See Communication from the Commission on the application of State aid rules to public service broadcasting, OJ C 257 of 27.10.2009, p. 1, paragraphs 25-31 and 80 ff.

25

(26)  See the Authority’s Decision No 55/05/COL Section II.3. p. 19 with further references, published in OJ L 324, 23.11.2006, p. 11 and EEA Supplement No 56, 23.11.2006, p. 1.

26

(27)  The Authority has not been provided with figures for earlier years.

27

(28)  This has been confirmed by Norwegian authorities in the letter dated 9.9.2009 (Event No 529846) p. 2-3.

28

(29)  Case C-41/90 Höfner and Elsner v Macrotron Gmbh (1991) ECR I-1979 paragraph 21.

29

Höfner and Elsner

Macrotron Gmbh

(30)  Case C-35/96 Commission v Italy (1998) ECR I-3851 paragraph 36.

30

Commission

Italy

(31)  Case C-280/00 Altmark Trans and Regierungspräsidium Magdeburg, cited above.

31

Altmark Trans and Regierungspräsidium Magdeburg

(32)  Case C-280/00, Altmark Trans and Regierungspräsidium Magdeburg, cited above, paragraph 87.

32

Altmark Trans and Regierungspräsidium Magdeburg

(33)  Case C-280/00 Altmark Trans and Regierungspräsidium Magdeburg, cited above, paragraphs 89-93.

33

Altmark Trans and Regierungspräsidium Magdeburg

(34)  With regard to the question of whether the fitness centre at the KLC is entrusted with a clearly defined service obligation, see Section II.4.1.

34

(35)  See Section II.4.1.

35

(36)  Case 730/79 Philip Morris Holland (1980) ECR 2671 paragraphs 11-12.

36

Philip Morris Holland

(37)  The ownership of the privately owned fitness centre has changed over the years. It has been owned by Centrum Fysikalske Institutt AS which in the year 2000 merged with another undertaking and changed name to Helsehuset Fysioterapi og Manuell Terapi Mosjøen AS. From 2007 the fitness centre operated as a franchisee under the Friskhuset franchisor. The Authority has doubts as to whether any of the previous owners have been involved in intra-EEA trade.

37

Centrum Fysikalske Institutt AS

Helsehuset Fysioterapi og Manuell Terapi Mosjøen AS

Friskhuset

(38)  See notice from the Commission on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain types of State aid, published in OJ C 136, 16.6.2009, p. 3 paragraph 5(b) viii, footnote 6 which references the following Commission Decisions in Cases N 258/2000 (Germany, leisure pool Dorsten), N 486/02 (Sweden, Aid in favour of a congress hall in Visby), N 610/01 (Germany, Tourism infrastructure program Baden-Württemberg) and N 377/07 (the Netherlands, support to Bataviawerf).

38

(39)  See Commission Decision in Case N 258/2000. See also Commission Decision in Case N 610/01 Section 4.3.

39

(40)  See the criteria listed in the notice from the Commission on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain types of State aid, published in OJ C 136, 16.6.2009, p. 3 paragraph 5(b) viii, footnote 6.L.c.

40

(41)  L.c.

41

(42)  L.c.

42

(43)  Vefsn municipality is located in the second northernmost county of Norway. The KLC is located in a region eligible for regional aid, see the Authority’s Decision No 226/06/COL of 19.7.2006, published in OJ L 54, 28.2.2008, p. 21 and EEA Supplement No 11, 28.2.2008, p. 19.

43

(44)  See letter accompanying the notification of the measure dated 27.1.2009 (Event No 506341), p. 14-19, and letter from Norwegian authorities dated 29.5.2009 (Event No 520013) p. 3-7.

44

(45)  See http://www.kippermoen.com/index.asp?side=priser

45

(46)  See letter from Norwegian authorities dated 29.5.2009 (Event No 520013) p. 13.

46

(47)  See the public service guidelines paragraph 8.

47

(48)  Hereinafter referred to as the public service guidelines.

48

(49)  See http://www.kippermoen.com/index.asp?side=akt_res

49

(50)  See for example paragraph 7 (with further references) of the Chapter of the Authority’s guidelines on State aid to cinematographic and other audiovisual work, adopted by the Authority by Decision No 774/08/COL of 17 December 2008, not yet published in the OJ or the EEA Supplement, available at the Authority’s web page (http://www.eftasurv.int/state-aid/legal-framework/state-aid-guidelines/).

50

(51)  White Paper on Sport, COM(2007) 391 final.

51

(52)  See the regional aid maps of assisted areas for Norway registered in the Authority’s Decision No 327/99/COL of 16.12.1999 and Decision No 226/06/COL of 19.7.2006.

52

(53)  For any aid granted after 1 January 2007, Chapter of the Authority’s guidelines on National Regional Aid 2007-13. For aid granted before that date, reference must be made to the provisions of the Chapter on National Regional Aid adopted by Decision No 319/98/COL of 4.11.1998.

53

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| 8.7.2010 | FR | Journal officiel de l'Union européenne | C 184/20 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.7.2010

FR

Journal officiel de l'Union européenne

C 184/20

---

Invitation à présenter des observations en application de l'article 1er, paragraphe 2, de la partie I du protocole 3 de l'accord entre les États de l'AELE relatif à l'institution d'une Autorité de surveillance et d'une Cour de justice au sujet d'une aide d'État liée à la vente d’un terrain à Asker Brygge AS par la municipalité de Asker

2010/C 184/06

Par la décision no 538/09/COL du 16 décembre 2009, reproduite dans la langue faisant foi dans les pages qui suivent le présent résumé, l'Autorité de surveillance AELE a ouvert la procédure prévue à l'article 1er, paragraphe 2, de la partie I du protocole 3 de l'accord entre les États de l'AELE relatif à l'institution d'une Autorité de surveillance et d'une Cour de justice. Les autorités norvégiennes ont reçu copie de la décision.

L'Autorité de surveillance AELE invite les États de l'AELE, les États membres de l'UE et les parties intéressées à présenter leurs observations sur la mesure en question dans un délai d'un mois à compter de la publication de la présente communication, à l'adresse suivante:

| Autorité de surveillance AELE |
| --- |
| Greffe |
| Rue Belliard 35 |
| 1040 Bruxelles |
| BELGIQUE |

Autorité de surveillance AELE

Greffe

Rue Belliard 35

1040 Bruxelles

BELGIQUE

Ces observations seront communiquées aux autorités norvégiennes. L'identité des parties intéressées qui présentent des observations peut faire l'objet d'un traitement confidentiel sur demande écrite et motivée.

RÉSUMÉ

Par lettre reçue par l'Autorité le 13 février 2009, les autorités norvégiennes ont notifié la vente d’un terrain par la municipalité de Asker à l’entreprise Asker Brygge AS.

La municipalité de Asker et Asker Brygge ont conclu un accord en 2001, aux termes duquel Asker Brygge s’est vue accorder la possibilité d’acquérir un terrain jusqu’au 31 décembre 2009 pour un montant fixe de 8 millions NOK, adapté en fonction de l’indice des prix à la consommation. En 2005, Asker Brygge s'est prévalue de l'option pour acheter le terrain. Après négociation, les parties sont convenues d'un prix de vente de 8 727 462 NOK et ont conclu un accord de vente le 21 mars 2007. Le terrain a été transféré à Asker Brygge le jour même, en dépit du fait que le montant de la vente devait être payé en deux versements, comme déjà prévu dans le contrat d’option de 2001. Le second versement correspond à 70 % du prix de vente (6 109 223 NOK) et est exigible au plus tard le 31 décembre 2011. La municipalité de Asker n'appliquera aucun taux d'intérêt sur ce second versement.

L'Autorité n'est pas certaine que la transaction relative à la vente du terrain ait été effectuée dans le respect du principe de l’investisseur en économie de marché. Les conditions pour la vente à une date ultérieure ont été fixées dans le contrat d'option signé en 2001. L'Autorité a donc examiné si ce contrat avait été conclu aux conditions du marché. L'Autorité se demande si Asker Brygge a payé l'option en tant que telle, et si les conditions favorables à l’acheteur ont été compensées par des obligations correspondantes, ou des droits accordés au vendeur. Non seulement le contrat d'option conférait à Asker Brygge le droit d'acquérir le bien à tout moment dans le futur, mais fixait également le prix de ce transfert différé. L'option permettait donc à Asker Brygge d'observer l'évolution des prix de l’immobilier sur plusieurs années, pour ensuite se prévaloir de l'option et acquérir le bien au prix convenu en 2001. D'autre part, la municipalité ne pouvait pas vendre le bien à une autre partie pendant cette période. En outre, cette option a permis à Asker Brygge de mener activement des négociations avec la municipalité pour revoir les règles relatives à ce bien de manière à en accroître la valeur de marché. De surcroît, la municipalité n'aurait reçu aucun paiement si la vente n’avait pas eu lieu.

Le contrat d'option contenait également d'autres éléments semblant susceptibles d’augmenter la valeur de l’option, à savoir que Asker Brygge détenait le droit de demander des renégociations du prix au cas où les prix de l’immobilier auraient connu une forte baisse alors que la municipalité ne disposait pas d’un droit équivalent de renégociation; le prix était adapté en fonction de l'indice des prix à la consommation, alors que les prix de l’immobilier ne sont pas inclus dans cet indice; la municipalité de Asker a accepté de différer le versement de 70 % du prix de vente convenu sans appliquer aucun taux d’intérêt à ce report, alors que la pleine propriété du terrain a été transférée immédiatement.

Pour ces raisons, l'Autorité doute qu’un investisseur privé aurait passé un contrat d’option aussi long aux conditions acceptées par la municipalité de Asker sans exiger une contrepartie pour l'option et les conditions privilégiées en tant que telles.

Étant donné qu'à ce stade, il n'est pas possible de déterminer si le contrat d'option remplissait les critères du principe de l’investisseur en économie de marché, il convient que l’Autorité examine si le bien a été acquis à un prix inférieur à la valeur de marché en 2007 lorsque la vente a réellement été effectuée et si Asker Brygge a ainsi bénéficié d'une aide d'État au sens de l'article 61 de l'accord EEE. L'Autorité a comparé le prix de 8 727 462 NOK payé par Asker Brygge avec les informations disponibles sur la valeur de marché du bien au moment de la vente. Trois estimations de la valeur du bien ont été présentées par les autorités norvégiennes. Le premier rapport, daté du 30 juin 2006, estimait la valeur du terrain en 2001, au moment de la conclusion du contrat d’option, à 9,6 millions de NOK, avec une variation possible de +/– 15 %. Le deuxième rapport, daté du 18 janvier 2008, considérait que la valeur de marché du terrain en 2007 s'élevait à 26 millions de NOK, ce qui correspondait à 17 millions de NOK en 2001. Le troisième rapport, daté du 16 juin 2008, rédigé par les mêmes évaluateurs, corrigeait cette valeur à 14 millions de NOK en 2007 et 8 millions de NOK en 2001, après prise en compte d'une réduction de valeur découlant d'une obligation supplémentaire imposée à Asker Brygge en ce qui concerne l'utilisation d'une partie du bien par Slependen Båtforening AS.

L'Autorité a des doutes quant à savoir si un de ces rapports détermine correctement la valeur de la parcelle gbnr 32/17 (et dans ce cas, lequel) et se demande si le prix du marché a été payé pour le bien et si un investisseur privé en économie de marché aurait accepté un report du paiement du montant de la vente sans exiger l’application d’un intérêt.

Les mesures de soutien qui relèvent de l'article 61, paragraphe 1, de l'accord EEE sont généralement incompatibles avec le fonctionnement de l'accord EEE sauf si elles peuvent bénéficier d'une dérogation au titre de l'article 61, paragraphes 2 ou 3, de l'accord EEE. Toutefois, l'Autorité doute que la transaction faisant l’objet de l’examen puisse être justifiée au regard des dispositions en matière d’aides d’État de l’accord EEE.

Conclusion

À la lumière des considérations exposées ci-dessus, l'Autorité a décidé d'ouvrir la procédure formelle d’examen prévue à l'article 1er, paragraphe 2, de l’accord EEE. Les parties intéressées sont invitées à présenter leurs observations dans un délai d’un mois à compter de la publication de la présente décision au Journal officiel de l'Union européenne.

EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY DECISION

No 538/09/COL

of 16 December 2009

to initiate the procedure provided for in Article 1(2) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement with regard to the notification of sale of land in the municipality of Asker

(Norway)

THE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY (1),

Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (2), in particular to Articles 61 to 63 and Protocol 26 thereof,

Having regard to the Agreement between the EFTA States on the Establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice (3), in particular to Article 24 thereof,

Having regard to Article 1(2) of Part I and Articles 4(4) and 6 of Part II of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement (4),

Having regard to the Authority’s Guidelines on the application and interpretation of Articles 61 and 62 of the EEA Agreement (5), and in particular the chapter on State aid elements in sales of land and buildings by public authorities (6),

Having regard to the Authority’s Decision of 14 July 2004 on the implementing provisions referred to under Article 27 of Part II of Protocol 3 (7),

Whereas:

I.   FACTS

1.   Procedure

By letter of 15 December 2008 (Event No 508884), received by the Authority on 13 February 2009, the Norwegian authorities notified a sale of land by the municipality of Asker, pursuant to Article 1(3) of Part I of Protocol 3.

By letter dated 8 April 2009 (Event No 512188), the Authority requested additional information. The Norwegian authorities replied by letter dated 11 May 2009 (Event No 518079).

By letter of 7 July 2009 (Event No 521778), the Authority sent a second request for information. The Norwegian authorities responded by letter dated 14 August 2009 (Event No 527555).

2.   Description of the notification

The Norwegian authorities have notified a sale of a plot of land by the municipality of Asker to the company Asker Brygge AS (hereinafter referred to as Asker Brygge).

The municipality of Asker and Asker Brygge entered into an agreement in 2001 (hereinafter referred to as the option agreement), according to which Asker Brygge was granted an option, lasting until 31 December 2009, to buy land for a fixed sum of NOK 8 million, adjusted according to the consumer price index. According to the option agreement the municipality intended to give Asker Brygge the option to buy the property at market price provided that Asker Brygge undertook extensive planning and research with the aim of obtaining a reregulation of the property and then developing the property.

In 2004 the option agreement was renewed, and the validity of the option was extended until 31 December 2014 under similar conditions regarding the progress of the reregulation work. In 2005, Asker Brygge called upon the option to buy the land. The property is registered in the Norwegian property register as Nesøyveien 8, gnr. 32 bnr. 17 in the municipality of Asker and is approximately 9 700 m2. After negotiations the parties agreed to a sales price of NOK 8 727 462 and entered into a sales agreement on 21 March 2007. The land was transferred to Asker Brygge on the same date although the sales sum was to be paid in two instalments. The first instalment of 30 % of the sales sum was paid in 2007 on the date of the transfer of the property. The second and largest instalment, 70 % of the sales sum (NOK 6 109 223), is due at the latest 31 December 2011. The municipality of Asker will not charge any interest rate on the second instalment.

The municipality of Asker and Asker Brygge are of the opinion that the sales contract does not entail any State aid because the sales price reflects the market value. The Norwegian authorities have nonetheless decided to notify the transaction for reasons of legal certainty.

II.   ASSESSMENT

1.   The presence of State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) EEA Agreement

Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement reads as follows:

‘Save as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any aid granted by EC Member States, EFTA States 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 Contracting Parties, be incompatible with the functioning of this Agreement’.

1.1.   
  Market investor principle

Market investor principle

1.1.1.   Introduction

Introduction

If the transaction was carried out in accordance with the market economy investor principle, i.e. if the municipality sold the land for its market value and the conditions of the transaction would have been acceptable for a private seller, the transaction would not involve the grant of State aid.

In the following the Authority will assess whether the municipality of Asker has granted illegal State aid to Asker Brygge in connection with the sale of the plot of land gbnr 32/17. The sale of land could qualify as State aid if the sale was not carried out at market price. As a point of departure, the assessment of whether a property has been sold at market value should be assessed at the time of the conclusion of the contract. The circumstances of this sale of land are somewhat particular in the sense that there exists several agreements concerning the sale: An option agreement from 2001, an extended option agreement from 2004 and a sales agreement from 2007.

The option agreement not only gave Asker Brygge a right to acquire the property at any given time over the years to come but also fixed the price for a later transfer. The option thereby entailed a possibility for Asker Brygge to observe the development of property prices over a number of years, thereafter to take up the option to buy the property for the price agreed in 2001. While the Authority fully recognises the right for public authorities also to operate in a market on commercial terms, it nevertheless finds reason to consider carefully whether a similar agreement would have been concluded by a private market operator. The Authority will in that regard consider whether Asker Brygge paid for the option as such, and whether the favourable conditions for the buyer appear to be balanced by corresponding obligations for the buyer or rights for the seller.

If the option agreement as such cannot be said to comply with the private market investor principle, the Authority will assess whether the property was transferred at market value when the sales agreement was concluded in 2007. Thus, the Authority will in the following firstly assess the option agreement of 2001 (and the extension signed in 2004) and, secondly, whether the actual sale of land in 2007 was accomplished at market price.

1.1.2.   The market price of the option agreement signed in 2001

The market price of the option agreement signed in 2001

As regards the option agreement, it has to be examined whether a private investor operating in a market economy would have chosen to enter into a similar agreement regarding the price and terms as the one signed between the municipality of Asker and Asker Brygge in 2001. In making that assessment, the Authority cannot replace the municipality’s commercial judgement with its own, which implies that the municipality, as the seller of the plot of land, must enjoy a margin of judgement. There can be a number of commercially sound reasons to enter into an agreement under given conditions. When there is no plausible explanation for the municipality’s choice the measure could qualify as State aid.

On the basis of the information available to the Authority, the conditions for the later sale were laid down in the option agreement signed in 2001. This agreement gave Asker Brygge a right, but not an obligation, to buy the property on predetermined conditions at any given time until 31 December 2009. On the other hand, the municipality was barred from selling the property to someone else in the same period. The main features of the option agreement which are relevant for the State aid assessment are (i) the agreed price of NOK 8 million, adjusted in accordance with the consumer price index, (ii) the right of renegotiation agreed for Asker Brygge in case property prices should decrease considerably before the option was invoked (there was no corresponding right of renegotiation for the municipality should the property prices increase considerably), (iii) the payment in two instalments, whereby 70 % of the sales price would be paid before 31 December 2011 at the latest, but no interest would be charged for this delay. In 2004 the municipality and Asker Brygge prolonged the option agreement until 2014, but did not modify any of the other conditions for the transaction.

According to the information available to the Authority, the municipality carried out no value assessment of the property before it entered into the agreement with Asker Brygge in 2001. Thus, it is not clear to the Authority on which basis the municipality arrived at the agreed price of NOK 8 million for the sale of land gbnr 32/17. In the information presented to the Authority, Asker municipality nevertheless appears to argue that this amount was indeed the market value of the property in 2001.

Even if it is assumed that NOK 8 million represented the market price for the property as such in 2001, the Authority questions whether the market value of the option agreement only corresponds to the value of the property or whether the market value of the other elements agreed upon should be taken into account. In the Authority’s view, if only the market value for the property had to be considered, that would entail that Asker Brygge got the option as such for free. As mentioned above, this option enabled the company to observe the development of property prices for a number of years. Statistically, property prices tend to increase over time. Furthermore, Asker is located close to Oslo and has experienced a continuous growth in population, something that would usually influence property prices positively.

The option agreement barred the municipality from selling the property to another buyer, and thus tied up capital for which the municipality could have found alternative uses or received interest. Indeed, the extension in 2004 prolonged the option with an additional five years without remuneration. It enabled Asker Brygge to actively approach the municipality in order to reregulate the property for purposes that would increase the market value. Moreover, the municipality would not receive any payment in case of no subsequent sale.

Under the option agreement, some aspects of a possible future sales contract were also agreed upon. In particular, regarding the reregulation of the area, Asker Brygge had an obligation to finish the preparatory works that would lead to the reregulation process. If this condition was not met, the municipality of Asker could terminate the contract. The Norwegian authorities argue that there is an uncertainty or risk connected to the reregulation process. Nevertheless, the option agreement gave Asker Brygge the opportunity to work on it for several years before deciding to buy the property, which in the opinion of the Authority reduced the risk considerably. In addition, if the property was reregulated, this would increase the value of the property. Hence, the option agreement did not entail any real risk for Asker Brygge.

In the Authority’s preliminary view, that option itself, independent of whether it was exercised or not, had a value in 2001 when the agreement was concluded. From the documentation and explanations the Authority has received so far, there is no information that the buyer paid for the option as such.

The option agreement also included other elements that appear to be capable of increasing the value of the option. The first element concerns the mechanism to regulate the price. Asker Brygge had the right to request renegotiations of the price if property prices in Asker should decrease considerably before the option was invoked. As mentioned above, the agreement did not provide a corresponding right of renegotiation for the municipality should the property prices increase considerably. According to the Norwegian authorities, the background for including a right for Asker Brygge to renegotiate the agreement was that the municipality of Asker considered the property to be difficult to develop, inter alia due to the short distance to the highway (E-18), and the transaction would therefore involve substantial economic risk. The Authority however, has doubts as to whether a private market investor would have entered into such an agreement without a mutual right to adjustment if property prices should increase or decrease considerably. In this regard, the right for the municipality to adjust the price in accordance with the consumer price index appears not to be sufficient to compensate for the lack of a corresponding right of renegotiation.

In addition, the Authority doubts that the consumer price index would be the correct index to use when adjusting for changes in property prices. The consumer price index is a measure estimating the change in the average price of consumer goods and services purchased by households, and does not reflect the price movements of the property market. Property prices develop at a different pattern than other prices, and real estate prices are therefore normally not taken into account when determining the consumer price index.

In addition, the municipality of Asker agreed to postpone the payment of 70 % of the agreed sales price until 31 December 2011 at the latest (8) without charging any interest for this deferral. According to the Norwegian authorities, the postponement of full payment without any interest was accepted because the property was considered difficult to develop. The Authority doubts that a private operator would have agreed to postpone the payment over such a long period of time without requiring any interest payments. Moreover, it doubts whether a private operator would have transferred full ownership of the property before full payment had been received.

8

For these reasons, the Authority doubts that a private operator would have entered into such a long option agreement, on similar conditions as the municipality of Asker without requiring remuneration for the option and the favourable conditions as such. By simply requiring a remuneration corresponding to the value of the property in 2001, the municipality of Asker ran the risk of granting State aid later if property prices should increase. It is therefore necessary to examine whether the property was transferred at a price below market value in 2007 and whether Asker Brygge thereby received State aid within the meaning of Article 61 EEA. The Authority will therefore in the following assess the available information regarding the market value in 2007.

1.1.3.   The market value of the property at the time of the sales agreement

The market value of the property at the time of the sales agreement

In 2005, Asker Brygge called upon the option and negotiations started with the municipality. Although the conditions for the sale were laid down in the 2001 option agreement, the sales contract was concluded in 2007.

In the following, the Authority will therefore compare the price of NOK 8 727 462 paid by Asker Brygge with the market value of the property at the time of the sale.

1.1.3.1.   The value of the plot of land gbnr 32/17

The value of the plot of land gbnr 32/17

According to the Authority's State Aid Guidelines on sale of land, a sale of land and buildings following a sufficiently well-publicised and unconditional bidding procedure, comparable to an auction, accepting the best or only bid, is by definition at market value and consequently does not contain State aid. Alternatively, to exclude the existence of aid when a sale of land is conducted without an unconditional bidding procedure, an independent valuation should be carried out by one or more independent asset valuers prior to sales negotiations in order to establish the market value on the basis of generally accepted market indicators and valuation standards. The valuer should be independent in the execution of his tasks, i.e. public authorities should not be entitled to issue orders as regards the result of the valuation. In the case at hand, the municipality of Asker did not arrange for an unconditional bidding procedure nor collect an independent expert evaluation before entering into the agreement. Thus, the existence of State aid cannot automatically be excluded.

In the notification, the Norwegian authorities have submitted three value assessments of the property in question. None of the value assessments were conducted before the option agreement was entered into in 2001.

The first report dated 30 June 2006 was conducted by licensed property surveyors of Verditaskt AS, Takst Senteret and Agdestein (9). According to this report the estimated value of the land in 2001, the time the option contract was entered into, was NOK 9,6 million, with a possible variation of +/– 15 %. However, this appears to be a very approximate estimation.

9

The Norwegian authorities enclosed with the notification two additional value assessments which TJB Eiendomstaksering — Ek & Mosveen AS — Bjørn Aarvik had carried out on behalf of the municipality. In the first report dated 18 January 2008 (10), the market value of the land in 2007 was estimated at NOK 26 million. As the contract between the municipality and Asker Brygge was entered into in 2001, this price was discounted to 2001 values. The discounted value of NOK 26 million of 2007 using a rate of 5,5 % over 7,5 years was NOK 17 million in 2001.

10

In the second report dated 16 June 2008 (11), TJB Eiendomstaksering — Ek & Mosveen AS — Bjørn Aarvik estimated the market value of the land in 2007 at NOK 12 million. The discounted value of NOK 12 million of 2007 using the same discount rate as before (i.e. 5,5 % over 7,5 years) corresponded to NOK 8 million in 2001. Thus, the discrepancy between the two reports is NOK 9 million for the value of the property in 2001 and NOK 14 million for the value of the property in 2007.

11

The Norwegian authorities have explained that this difference is based on the estimated value reduction of an additional obligation put upon Asker Brygge with regard to the use of part of the property by Slependen Båtforening AS (12). The option agreement of 2001 includes a clause saying that a part of the property is let to Slependen Båtforening as a marina for small boats and that Asker Brygge would have to compensate for their right to a small-boat marina/compensation vis-à-vis the municipality of Asker if development of the property started before the rental contract expires. The rental contract expired in June 2009. Furthermore, in clause 3 of the option agreement it is stated that Asker Brygge will, together with the municipality of Asker, reach a satisfying solution regarding the needs of Slependen Båtforening within the scope of the activity at the time of the agreement.

12

When the option agreement was entered into in 2001, Slependen Båtforening paid an annual lease of NOK 19 500 to the municipality of Asker (13). Although it was difficult to state the exact economic consequence of the obligation for Asker Brygge at the time the option agreement was entered into, Asker Brygge and Slependen Båtforening signed an agreement on 1 June 2006 according to which the latter was to pay NOK 850 000 (cf. clause 2.4 in the agreement). According to the explanations provided by the Norwegian authorities, the value assessment from January 2008 was based on an incorrect interpretation of an agreement between Asker Brygge and Slependen Båtforening since it did not reflect the obligation to pay NOK 850 000. The asset valuers interpreted the clause in the option agreement in such a way that Slependen Båtforening would have had the right to rent or buy the boat places at market price after the expiry of the rental contract. However, the Norwegian authorities are of the opinion that the sum of NOK 850 000, which represents the fulfilment of the obligation towards Slependen Båtforening, had to be taken into consideration when the market value of the property was assessed for 2001 and 2007. Thus, the municipality of Asker instructed TJB Eiendomstaksering — Ek & Mosveen AS — Bjørn Aarvik to use NOK 850 000 as the basis for the value estimation of Slependen Båtforenings's 65 boat places in their assessment dated 16 June 2008. The Authority considers that this sum is relevant for the assessment of the 2007 property value, as this was known information at the time.

13

The Authority has doubts as to which of the reports correctly determine the value of the property gbnr 32/17. Furthermore, the Authority notes that the estimations of the different value assessments are not only very different but are also more uncertain due to the fact that they were carried out several years after the option agreement was entered into, and two of them, the year after the sales agreement was entered into. The latest value assessment, the second report, dated 16 June 2008 (14), carried out by TJB Eiendomstaksering — Ek & Mosveen AS — Bjørn Aarvik, estimated the market value of the land in 2007 at NOK 12 million, which is NOK 3 272 538 more than the price paid. This is an indication that the sale was not carried out at market price and also that the consumer price index was not the correct adjustment index. Thus, the Authority questions whether market price was paid for the property.

14

1.1.3.2.   The value of the interest advantage of the soft loan

The value of the interest advantage of the soft loan

According to the Norwegian authorities the interest rate advantage is taken into consideration by the property surveyors in the report of 2006. However, as far as the Authority can see, the interest rate advantage is not mentioned or discussed in the report referred to, nor is it mentioned in any of the other reports.

In the opinion of the Authority, the municipality might have therefore forgone interest payments that a private market player would normally have required. Thus, the Authority has doubts as to whether a private market investor would have accepted the long deferral of payment without interest.

1.1.4.   Conclusion on the market investor principle

Conclusion on the market investor principle

For the above mentioned reasons, the Authority has doubts regarding the price agreed upon in the option agreement and whether it corresponded to the market price for such an agreement, which should reflect the property value at the time of the agreement combined with the value of the option and the special arrangements granted to the buyer. Moreover, the Authority has doubts regarding the actual price agreed upon in the sales agreement and whether it corresponded to the market price of the property at the time the sales agreement was concluded. Therefore, on the basis of the information provided by the Norwegian authorities, the Authority cannot conclude that the sale of the concerned plot of land gbnr 32/17 to Asker Brygge AS for the sales price of NOK 8 727 462 was carried out in accordance with the market investor principle.

1.2.   
  State resources

State resources

In order to qualify as State aid, the measure must be granted by the State or through State resources. The concept of State does not only refer to the central government but embraces all levels of the state administration (including municipalities) as well as public undertakings.

If the municipality sold the land below its market price, it would have foregone income. In such circumstances, Asker Brygge should have paid more for the land and therefore there is a transfer of resources from the municipality.

For these reasons, the Authority considers that if the sale did not take place in accordance with market conditions, State resources within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement would be involved.

1.3.   
  Favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods

Favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods

First, the measure must confer on Asker Brygge advantages that relieve the undertaking of charges that are normally borne from its budget. If the transaction was carried out under favourable terms, in the sense that Asker Brygge would most likely have had to pay a higher price for the property if the sale of land had been conducted according to the market investor principle, and to have paid market interest rates for the loan if it was to borrow the same amount from a bank, the company would have received an advantage within the meaning of the State aid rules.

Second, the measure must be selective in that it favours ‘certain undertakings or the production of certain goods’. There is only one possible beneficiary of the measure under assessment, i.e. Asker Brygge. The measure is thus selective.

1.4.   
  Distortion of competition and effect on trade between Contracting Parties

Distortion of competition and effect on trade between Contracting Parties

The aid must distort competition and affect trade between the Contracting Parties of the EEA Agreement.

A support measure granted by the State would strengthen the position of Asker Brygge vis-à-vis other undertakings that are competitors active in the same business areas of real estate and property development. Any grant of aid strengthens the position of the beneficiary vis-à-vis its competitors and accordingly distorts competition within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement. To the extent that the company is active in areas subject to intra-EEA trade, the requirements of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement for a measure to constitute State aid are fulfilled.

1.5.   
  Conclusion

Conclusion

For the above mentioned reasons, the Authority has doubts as to whether or not the transaction concerning the sale of the plot of land gbnr 32/17 to Asker Brygge as laid down in the option agreement signed in 2001 and later agreements entail the grant of State aid.

2.   Procedural requirements

Procedural requirements

Pursuant to Article 1(3) of Part I of Protocol 3, ‘the EFTA Surveillance Authority shall be informed, in sufficient time to enable it to submit its comments, of any plans to grant or alter aid. [...] The State concerned shall not put its proposed measures into effect until the procedure has resulted in a final decision’.

The Norwegian authorities submitted a notification of the sale of land on 13 February 2009 (Event No 508884). However, the municipality had, in 2001, already entered into an option agreement which determined the future conditions for the sale in March 2007. Moreover, the property was transferred and a soft loan granted to Asker Brygge in March 2007, when the sales agreement was signed, the transaction accomplished and the payment in instalments was agreed. Therefore, the Authority concludes that if the measure constitutes State aid, the Norwegian authorities have not respected their obligations pursuant to Article 1(3) of Part I of Protocol 3.

3.   Compatibility of the aid

Compatibility of the aid

Support measures caught by Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement are generally incompatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement, unless they qualify for a derogation in Article 61(2) or (3) of the EEA Agreement.

The derogation of Article 61(2) is not applicable to the aid in question, which is not designed to achieve any of the aims listed in this provision. Nor does Article 61(3)(a) or Article 61(3)(b) of the EEA Agreement apply to the case at hand. Further, the area where the property is located cannot benefit from any regional aid within the meaning of Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement.

The Authority therefore doubts that the transaction under assessment can be justified under the State aid provisions of the EEA Agreement.

4.   Conclusion

Conclusion

Based on the information submitted by the Norwegian authorities, the Authority has doubts as to whether or not Asker Brygge has received unlawful State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement in the context of the transaction regarding the sale of a plot of land.

The Authority has moreover doubts that this State aid can be regarded as complying with Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement.

Consequently, and in accordance Article 4(4) of Part II of Protocol 3, the Authority is obliged to open the procedure provided for in Article 1(2) of Part I of Protocol 3. The decision to open proceedings is without prejudice to the final decision of the Authority, which may conclude that the measures in question are compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement.

In light of the foregoing considerations, the Authority, acting under the procedure laid down in Article 1(2) of Part I of Protocol 3, invites the Norwegian authorities to submit their comments within one month of the date of receipt of this Decision.

In light of the foregoing considerations, within one month of receipt of this decision, the Authority request the Norwegian authorities to provide all documents, information and data needed for assessment of the compatibility of the said transaction.

It invites the Norwegian authorities to forward a copy of this decision to Asker Brygge immediately.

The Authority would like to remind the Norwegian authorities that, according to the provisions of Protocol 3, any incompatible aid unlawfully put at the disposal of the beneficiaries will have to be recovered, unless this recovery would be contrary to the general principal of law.

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The EFTA Surveillance Authority has decided to open the formal investigation procedure provided for in Article 1(2) of Part I of Protocol 3 against Norway regarding the transaction concerning the sale of the plot of land gbnr 32/17 to the company Asker Brygge AS by the municipality of Asker.

Article 2

The Norwegian authorities are invited, pursuant to Article 6(1) of Part II of Protocol 3, to submit their comments on the opening of the formal investigation procedure within one month from the notification of this Decision.

Article 3

The Norwegian authorities are requested to provide within one month from notification of this decision, all documents, information and data needed for assessment of the compatibility of the aid measure.

Article 4

This Decision is addressed to the Kingdom of Norway.

Article 5

Only the English version is authentic.

Done at Brussels, 16 December 2009.

For the EFTA Surveillance Authority

Per SANDERUD

President

Kristján Andri STEFÁNSSON

College Member

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(1)  Hereinafter referred to as the Authority.

1

(2)  Hereinafter referred to as the EEA Agreement.

2

(3)  Hereinafter referred to as the Surveillance and Court Agreement.

3

(4)  Hereinafter referred to as Protocol 3.

4

(5)  Guidelines on the application and interpretation of Articles 61 and 62 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1 of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, adopted and issued by the Authority on 19.1.1994, published in the Official Journal of the European Union (hereinafter referred to as OJ) L 231, 3.9.1994, p. 1 and EEA Supplement No 32, 3.9.1994, p. 1. Hereinafter referred to as the State Aid Guidelines. The updated version of the State Aid Guidelines is published on the Authority’s website (http://www.eftasurv.int/state-aid/legal-framework/state-aid-guidelines/).

5

Official Journal of the European Union

(6)  Hereinafter referred to the Guidelines on sale of land.

6

(7)  Decision No 195/04/COL of 14 July 2004 (published in OJ L 139, 25.5.2006, p. 37 and EEA Supplement No 26, 25.5.2006, p. 1), as amended. A consolidated version of the Decision can be found online (http://www.eftasurv.int).

7

(8)  According to the sales contract clause 3, the payment shall take place prior to any building activity starts and in any case before 31.12.2011.

8

(9)  Enclosure 9 to the notification.

9

(10)  Enclosure 5 to the notification.

10

(11)  Enclosure 3 to the notification.

11

(12)  Hereinafter referred to as Slependen Båtforening.

12

(13)  This sum was determined on the basis of an agreement signed in 1999 between the Municipality of Asker and Slependen Båtforening. Enclosure 8 to the letter dated 11.5.2009.

13

(14)  Enclosure 3 to the notification.

14

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V Avis

PROCÉDURES ADMINISTRATIVES

Commission européenne

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APPEL À PROPOSITIONS — EAC/10/10

Programme pour l’éducation et la formation tout au long de la vie — Soutien à deux concours de courts métrages destinés à la promotion de l'apprentissage des langues

2010/C 184/07

1.   Objectifs et description

Cet appel à propositions se fonde sur la décision no 1720/2006/CE (1) du Parlement européen et du Conseil du 15 novembre 2006 établissant un programme d'action dans le domaine de l'éducation et de la formation tout au long de la vie, modifiée par la décision no 1357/2008/CE du Parlement européen et du Conseil du 16 décembre 2008.

Son objectif est l’octroi d’une subvention pour l'organisation de deux concours de courts métrages durant deux années consécutives (l’un en 2011 et l’autre en 2012). Ces concours et les courts métrages produits viseront à promouvoir l’étude des langues, et plus particulièrement les avantages de la diversité linguistique et culturelle européenne.

La présentation des productions audiovisuelles retenues lors du célèbre festival «Prix Europa» constituera le point d'orgue des mesures de diffusion et d'exploitation des résultats de ce projet.

2.   Éligibilité des organisations soumettant une demande

Les organisations du secteur de la production audiovisuelle, de la publicité et des nouveaux médias, telles que les écoles de publicité ou de formation aux arts de l'audiovisuel, sont invitées à concevoir, gérer et coordonner les concours.

Les organisations souhaitant soumettre une demande de subvention doivent être établies:

| — | dans l’un des 27 États membres de l'Union européenne, |
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dans l’un des 27 États membres de l'Union européenne,

| — | dans l’un des États membres de l’AELE et de l’EEE (Islande, Liechtenstein et Norvège) ou |
| --- | --- |

—

dans l’un des États membres de l’AELE et de l’EEE (Islande, Liechtenstein et Norvège) ou

| — | en Turquie (en tant que pays candidat). |
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en Turquie (en tant que pays candidat).

La future participation au programme pour l’éducation et la formation tout au long de la vie de la Croatie, de l’Ancienne République yougoslave de Macédoine et de la Suisse dépendra de l’issue des négociations en cours. Veuillez consulter les mises à jour de la liste des pays participants sur le site Internet de la Direction générale de l’éducation et la culture.

3.   Budget et durée du projet

Le montant maximal de la subvention sera de 500 000,00 EUR pour les deux concours de 2011 et 2012.

L’aide financière de la Commission ne peut dépasser 75 % du total des coûts éligibles.

La Commission se réserve la possibilité de ne pas attribuer tous les fonds disponibles.

Les activités doivent débuter entre le 1er et le 31 janvier 2011.

Elles doivent se terminer avant le 31 janvier 2013.

La durée maximale des projets est de 24 mois.

4.   Délai

Les demandes seront envoyées à la Commission au plus tard le 30 septembre 2010.

5.   Informations complémentaires

Le texte complet de l’appel à propositions et les formulaires de demande de subvention sont disponibles sur le site Internet suivant: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture/calls/grants_en.html

Les demandes doivent être conformes aux exigences énoncées dans le texte complet et soumises à l’aide du formulaire prévu à cet effet.

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(1)  Décision no 1720/2006/CE du Parlement européen et du Conseil du 15 novembre 2006 établissant un programme d’action dans le domaine de l’éducation et de la formation tout au long de la vie http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2006:327:0045:0068:FR:PDF et décision no 1357/2008/CE du Parlement européen et du Conseil du 16 décembre 2008 modifiant la décision no 1720/2006/CE: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:350:0056:0057:FR:PDF

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PROCÉDURES RELATIVES À LA MISE EN ŒUVRE DE LA POLITIQUE DE CONCURRENCE

Commission européenne

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C 184/31

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Notification préalable d'une concentration

(Affaire COMP/M.5908 — Honeywell/Sperian)

(Texte présentant de l'intérêt pour l'EEE)

2010/C 184/08

| 1. | Le 30 juin 2010, la Commission a reçu notification, conformément à l’article 4 du règlement (CE) no 139/2004 du Conseil (1), d’un projet de concentration par lequel l'entreprise Honeywell International Inc. («Honeywell», États-Unis) acquiert, au sens de l'article 3, paragraphe 1, point b), du règlement CE sur les concentrations, le contrôle de l'ensemble de l'entreprise Sperian Protection SA («Sperian», France) par achat d'actions. |
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1.

Le 30 juin 2010, la Commission a reçu notification, conformément à l’article 4 du règlement (CE) no 139/2004 du Conseil (1), d’un projet de concentration par lequel l'entreprise Honeywell International Inc. («Honeywell», États-Unis) acquiert, au sens de l'article 3, paragraphe 1, point b), du règlement CE sur les concentrations, le contrôle de l'ensemble de l'entreprise Sperian Protection SA («Sperian», France) par achat d'actions.

| 2. | Les activités des entreprises considérées sont les suivantes:






  — | Honeywell: fabricant mondial présent dans divers secteurs (énergie, sûreté et sécurité), notamment la fabrication d'équipements de protection individuelle, |
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2.

Les activités des entreprises considérées sont les suivantes:

—

Honeywell: fabricant mondial présent dans divers secteurs (énergie, sûreté et sécurité), notamment la fabrication d'équipements de protection individuelle,

| — | Sperian: fabricant mondial d'équipements de protection individuelle. |
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—

Sperian: fabricant mondial d'équipements de protection individuelle.

| 3. | Après examen préliminaire et sans préjudice de sa décision définitive sur ce point, la Commission estime que l'opération notifiée pourrait entrer dans le champ d'application du règlement CE sur les concentrations. |
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3.

Après examen préliminaire et sans préjudice de sa décision définitive sur ce point, la Commission estime que l'opération notifiée pourrait entrer dans le champ d'application du règlement CE sur les concentrations.

| 4. | La Commission invite les tiers intéressés à lui présenter leurs observations éventuelles sur ce projet de concentration.
  Ces observations devront lui parvenir au plus tard dans un délai de dix jours à compter de la date de la présente publication. Elles peuvent être envoyées par télécopie (+32 22964301), par courrier électronique à l’adresse COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu ou par courrier, sous la référence COMP/M.5908 — Honeywell/Sperian, à l'adresse suivante:





  Commission européenne |
| --- | --- |
| Direction générale de la concurrence |
| Greffe des concentrations |
| J-70 |
| 1049 Bruxelles |
| BELGIQUE |

4.

La Commission invite les tiers intéressés à lui présenter leurs observations éventuelles sur ce projet de concentration.

Ces observations devront lui parvenir au plus tard dans un délai de dix jours à compter de la date de la présente publication. Elles peuvent être envoyées par télécopie (+32 22964301), par courrier électronique à l’adresse COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu ou par courrier, sous la référence COMP/M.5908 — Honeywell/Sperian, à l'adresse suivante:

Commission européenne

Direction générale de la concurrence

Greffe des concentrations

J-70

1049 Bruxelles

BELGIQUE

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(1)  JO L 24 du 29.1.2004, p. 1 (le «règlement CE sur les concentrations»).

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AUTRES ACTES

Commission européenne

| 8.7.2010 | FR | Journal officiel de l'Union européenne | C 184/32 |
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8.7.2010

FR

Journal officiel de l'Union européenne

C 184/32

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Publication d'une demande au sens de l'article 6, paragraphe 2, du règlement (CE) no 510/2006 du Conseil relatif à la protection des indications géographiques et des appellations d'origine des produits agricoles et des denrées alimentaires

2010/C 184/09

La présente publication confère un droit d’opposition au sens de l’article 7 du règlement (CE) no 510/2006 du Conseil (1). Les déclarations d’opposition doivent parvenir à la Commission dans un délai de six mois à compter de la date de la présente publication.

DOCUMENT UNIQUE

RÈGLEMENT (CE) No 510/2006 DU CONSEIL

«MIELE DELLE DOLOMITI BELLUNESI»

No CE: IT-PDO-0005-0776-09.06.2009

IGP ( ) AOP ( X )

1.   Dénomination

«Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi»

2.   État membre ou pays tiers

Italie

3.   Description du produit agricole ou de la denrée alimentaire

3.1.   Type de produit

| Classe 1.4. | Autres produits d’origine animale |
| --- | --- |

Classe 1.4.

Autres produits d’origine animale

3.2.   Description du produit portant la dénomination visée au point 1

Le «Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi» est produit à partir du nectar des fleurs du territoire montagneux de la province de Bellune, issu de l'écotype local «Apis mellifera» qui provient de croisements naturels d'espèces apicoles, principalement entre la Ligustica et la Carnica; cet écotype s'est parfaitement adapté au fil du temps aux caractéristiques de l'environnement montagneux bellunais et permet d'obtenir de bons rendements en miel.

Selon les diverses espèces botaniques qui fleurissent à différents moments au cours de la période de production et l'origine florale qui en découle, on distingue les types suivants de «Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi»: mille fleurs, d'acacia, de tilleul, de châtaignier, de rhododendron et de pissenlit.

A.   Caractéristiques physicochimiques

Tout le miel des Dolomites de Bellune doit présenter les caractéristiques physicochimiques suivantes:

HMF (au moment de la mise sur le marché) < 10 mg/kg

Les divers types de «Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi» doivent présenter les caractéristiques physicochimiques suivantes:

| Type de miel | Eau (%) | pH | Fructose/glucose (%) | Saccharose (%) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Min. | Max. | Min. | Max. | Min. | Max. | Min. | Max. |
| Mille fleurs | 15 | 18 | 3,4 | 4,4 | 69 | 78 | 0 | 3,8 |
| Acacia | 15 | 18 | 3,7 | 4,1 | 61 | 77 | 0 | 10 |
| Tilleul | 16,5 | 17,8 | 4 | 4,1 | 67 | 70 | 0,8 | 4,6 |
| Châtaignier | 16,5 | 18 | 4,4 | 5,8 | 61 | 74 | 0 | 2,4 |
| Rhododendron | 16 | 17,7 | 3,7 | 4,2 | 65 | 72 | 0,1 | 0,7 |
| Pissenlit | 17 | 18 | 4,3 | 4,7 | 37,8 | 38,5 | 0,1 | 0,4 |

Type de miel

Eau (%)

pH

Fructose/glucose (%)

Saccharose (%)

Min.

Max.

Min.

Max.

Min.

Max.

Min.

Max.

Mille fleurs

15

18

3,4

4,4

69

78

0

3,8

Acacia

15

18

3,7

4,1

61

77

0

10

Tilleul

16,5

17,8

4

4,1

67

70

0,8

4,6

Châtaignier

16,5

18

4,4

5,8

61

74

0

2,4

Rhododendron

16

17,7

3,7

4,2

65

72

0,1

0,7

Pissenlit

17

18

4,3

4,7

37,8

38,5

0,1

0,4

B.   Caractéristiques mélisso-palynologiques

Le spectre pollinique général est caractéristique de la flore montagneuse. Cependant, en fonction de l'origine florale, les spectres polliniques des divers types de «Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi» doivent respecter les conditions suivantes:

| Type de miel | Pollen |
| --- | --- |
| Mille fleurs | Majoritairement: du pissenlit, tilleul, châtaignier, rhododendron, diverses labiacées |
| Acacia | > 30 % de «Robinia pseudoacacia L.» |
| Tilleul | > 10 % de «Tilia spp.» |
| Châtaignier | > 70 % de «Castanea sativa M.» |
| Rhododendron | > 20 % de «Rododendrum spp.» |
| Pissenlit | > 5 % < 30 % de «Taraxacum spp.» |

Type de miel

Pollen

Mille fleurs

Majoritairement: du pissenlit, tilleul, châtaignier, rhododendron, diverses labiacées

Acacia

> 30 % de «Robinia pseudoacacia L.»

Tilleul

> 10 % de «Tilia spp.»

Châtaignier

> 70 % de «Castanea sativa M.»

Rhododendron

> 20 % de «Rododendrum spp.»

Pissenlit

> 5 % < 30 % de «Taraxacum spp.»

C.   Caractéristiques organoleptiques

Elles dépendent de l'origine florale et varient donc en fonction du type de miel:

Mille fleurs (ou multifleurs): couleur allant du jaune clair à l'ambré, goût douceâtre, consistance moelleuse avec une nette tendance à la cristallisation.

Acacia (ou robinier): couleur claire, ambrée, transparente, goût délicat et très doux, avec un parfum qui rappelle les fleurs de robinier, consistance typiquement liquide

Tilleul: couleur variable allant du jaune au vert pâle, doté d'un léger arrière-goût amer, parfum frais, balsamique, aspect pâteux avec une cristallisation tardive.

Châtaignier: couleur brun foncé, goût modérément doux, légèrement amer, tannique, parfum corsé et aromatique, consistance à tendance liquide.

Rhododendron: de presque incolore à blanc ou beige clair après la cristallisation, goût délicat, parfum végétal et fruité, aspect liquide, puis pâteux à granulation fine.

Pissenlit: miel avec des reflets jaunes, peu ou normalement doux, habituellement acide, légèrement amer, astringent.

3.3.   Matières premières (uniquement pour les produits transformés)

Sans objet

3.4.   Aliments pour animaux (uniquement pour les produits d'origine animale)

En ce qui concerne l'alimentation protéique à base de pollen éventuellement fournie aux colonies d'abeilles, il est interdit d'utiliser des produits contenant du pollen dont l'origine n'est pas locale.

Selon une pratique habituelle, on récolte les rayons à pollen ou uniquement le pollen, dans ce cas en posant des trappes, qui seront séchés ou stockés dans un congélateur durant la période de grande production, pour ensuite être réutilisés lors des périodes de disponibilité réduite des ressources pollinifères.

3.5.   Étapes spécifiques de la production qui doivent avoir lieu dans l'aire géographique délimitée

Le «Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi» est produit, transformé et élaboré dans l'aire géographique délimitée au point 4.

Le miel est produit dans des ruches sédentaires ou dans des ruches déplacées périodiquement, uniquement à l'intérieur du territoire montagneux de production; ce miel est extrait directement des rayons des hausses au moyen de la centrifugation.

La récolte du miel se déroule toujours par phases successives, suivant les différentes floraisons, afin d'obtenir un produit mono-floral différencié.

3.6.   Règles spécifiques applicables au tranchage, râpage, conditionnement, etc.

Pour le conditionnement du «Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi», sont utilisés des contenants en verre de 250, 500 ou 1 000 grammes, fermés par un couvercle métallique et scellés par une étiquette. Il est également possible de conditionner le miel en format monodose, en petits récipients en verre, en sachets, en barquettes ou tout autre contenant fabriqué dans un matériel adapté.

3.7.   Règles spécifiques d’étiquetage

Le logo du «Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi DOP» est constitué d'un cercle irrégulier composé des éléments suivants: dans la partie haute, une bande de couleur verte avec la dénomination en caractères blancs «MIELE DELLE DOLOMITI BELLUNESI»; dans la partie intérieure, trois bandes irrégulières de couleur jaune, bleue et verte sur lesquelles apparaît l'esquisse des trois sommets de Lavaredo dessinés par les gouttes de miel s'écoulant de la cuillère à miel traditionnelle; dans la partie basse, la mention en caractères jaunes «D.O.P» comme représentée ci-dessous. Il est possible d'ajouter sur l'étiquette la mention supplémentaire «prodotto della montagna», conformément à la réglementation nationale.

Image

4.   Délimitation concise de l’aire géographique

L'aire géographique de production du «Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi DOP» concerne l'ensemble du territoire de la province de Bellune, entièrement situé en zone de montagne et dont les limites sont marquées par les chaînes montagneuses qui séparent naturellement l'aire géographique des provinces et régions limitrophes et de l'Autriche pour ce qui est de la frontière septentrionale.

5.   Lien avec l’aire géographique

5.1.   Spécificité de l’aire géographique

Facteurs environnementaux

L'aire de production est un territoire montagneux, composé de vallées et de terrains en haute altitude, qui présente les caractéristiques pédoclimatiques et écologiques de la région des Alpes et qui est riche en bois et en pâturages.

Dans l'aire de production, il n'existe pas d'installations industrielles importantes, ni d'activités agricoles intensives, ni même de grandes voies de communication, sources potentielles de pollution, entre autres pour les produits de l'apiculture. Ces conditions permettent d'obtenir un miel propre et salubre, exempt de métaux lourds et de polluants environnementaux.

Les conditions climatiques et environnementales de la province de Bellune, telles que des températures et une pluviosité moyennes mentionnées dans les archives, sont très différentes de celles des zones limitrophes de plaine et des moyennes régionales de la Vénétie, et influencent de manière positive la sécrétion nectarifère, la qualité du produit et sa conservabilité.

Les basses températures et la pluviosité élevée permettent à la province de Bellune de détenir la première place au niveau régional pour ce qui est de la superficie de prés et de pâturages et donnent naissance à une flore alpine très riche qui s'est en grande partie développée sur des substrats calcaires dolomitiques. Cette flore compte plus de 2 200 espèces (1/3 de la flore de l'ensemble du territoire national) et permet aux abeilles de choisir les meilleures sources végétales de nectar et de pollen.

Les Dolomites de Bellune étaient en effet déjà réputées jadis pour la valeur floristique des prairies et des pâturages alpins; la richesse et la particularité de cette flore figurent parmi les principaux fondements scientifiques de la reconnaissance communautaire, nationale et régionale des parcs de Bellune.

Parmi les plantes de haut fût, les forêts de mélèzes, de hêtres, de pins sylvestres et d'épicéas occupent une place très importante. Au pied des parois rocheuses s'étendent de denses forêts de feuillus et de conifères, ainsi que des prairies de haute altitude, riches en flore, caractérisées par de nombreuses espèces endémiques parmi lesquelles des rhododendrons, des cardons, des edelweiss et autres plantes de montagne. Dans les vallées, la flore vasculaire de la province de Bellune est remarquable: elle représente plus de 1 400 entités dont la plupart sont remarquables par leur caractère endémique, leur rareté ou leur haute valeur phytogéographique.

La flore herbacée polyphyte et arborée est riche en espèces considérées parmi les meilleures du point de vue apicole et pollinique, comme le robinier faux-acacia, le rhododendron, le pissenlit, le tilleul, la bruyère, le trèfle, ainsi qu'une très longue liste d'espèces à la base des miels multifleurs.

Très importante également est la présence de flore nectarifère typique des zones montagneuses, comme le châtaignier (Castanea Sativa) et le cardon (Cardus sp.), du fait que le nectar représente l'aliment nécessaire au déroulement du cycle biologique des abeilles. Des mémoires universitaires et des recherches ont démontré que la production de nectar est plus élevée dans les plantes cultivées en haute montagne que dans celles qui poussent en plaine.

Facteurs humains

L'activité apicole a toujours été répandue dans les montagnes de la province de Bellune, même dans un passé très lointain, lorsque la récolte du miel, qui se faisait en utilisant des ruches naturelles, exigeait un grand savoir-faire de la part des producteurs pour éviter de détruire des colonies entières d'abeilles.

Même durant des temps plus difficiles, l'apiculture a toujours été une activité très pratiquée dans ces territoires qui se faisait principalement en utilisant de simples ruches rustiques. Même si l'introduction de la ruche innovante «Dadant Blatt» a favorisé la culture du miel, cette activité continue de nos jours à être menée de façon artisanale dans les montagnes de Bellune et elle impose aux producteurs de faire preuve d'aptitudes spécifiques pour déterminer l'emplacement des ruches et procéder à leur exploitation, pour la sauvegarde et le développement des colonies, pour la méthode de récolte et pour le choix de la période qui permet de distinguer les miels des diverses espèces florales et de prendre des dispositions en vue de leur conservation.

De nos jours, la majorité des apiculteurs opèrent dans la vallée de Bellune et de Feltrina, auxquels s'ajoutent de nombreux producteurs de haute altitude, qui produisent un miel particulièrement apprécié comme le miel de rhododendron.

5.2.   Spécificité du produit

Les miels unifloraux sont le reflet des espèces présentes sur le territoire, considérées parmi les meilleures du point de vue apicole, pollinique et nectarifère, comme l'acacia-robinier, le rhododendron, le pissenlit, le tilleul, le châtaignier; la plupart de ces espèces ne se trouvent que dans les territoires de montagne, ce qui confère sa valeur au «Miele delle Dolomiti bellunesi». Le type mille fleurs est produit avec une grande variété d'espèces alpines, choisies par les abeilles parmi les plus de 2 200 espèces caractéristiques des montagnes de la province de Bellune.

Outre sa «valeur florale», la qualité du «Miele delle Dolomiti bellunesi» présente d'autres aspects fondamentaux tels que sa pureté, sa salubrité et sa haute conservabilité, attestées également par la faible valeur du HMF, et elle est le résultat des caractéristiques de l'aire géographique et du savoir-faire des producteurs.

5.3.   Lien causal entre l'aire géographique et la qualité ou les caractéristiques du produit (pour les AOP) ou une qualité spécifique, la réputation ou une autre caractéristique du produit (pour les IGP)

L'environnement montagneux des Alpes, caractérisé par des basses températures, une pluviosité élevée et des terrains d'origine dolomitique, contribuent au développement d'une flore alpine riche en plantes herbacées et arborées et font de la province de Bellune une zone adaptée à la production d'un miel de qualité, provenant d'espèces végétales présentes uniquement ou majoritairement dans les zones alpines.

Les basses températures maintenues toute l'année, nettement inférieures à la moyenne régionale ou nationale, influencent également de manière positive la qualité du miel et sa conservabilité, dans la mesure où elles empêchent toute fermentation anormale et permettent une plus longue conservation de ses caractéristiques organoleptiques et de sa composition.

La basse pression anthropique (habitants, industries, voies de communication), l'isolement typique des zones de montagne et surtout la capacité des producteurs à exercer, de manière professionnelle, une activité qui est restée au niveau artisanal, permettent de fabriquer un produit plus pur et plus salubre par rapport au miel produit dans les zones de plaine.

L'apiculture, depuis toujours présente dans la province de Bellune, non seulement complétait le revenu des habitants, mais a représenté, au travers des siècles, une réserve d'énergie à utiliser en tant qu'aliment durant les mois d'isolement en hiver, et en cuisine, comme édulcorant, ou dans la préparation de diverses recettes traditionnelles locales. Le «Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi» est commercialisé sous ce nom depuis plus de 35 ans et se retrouve, depuis les années 80, dans de nombreuses foires et manifestations agricoles locales de montagne, ainsi que le prouve le grand nombre de diplômes, de photos des producteurs à des rassemblements apicoles et d'articles datant des années 80. Des photos de cette même période témoignent de la renommée de la dénomination «Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi» pour différentes marques et sur différentes étiquettes. Depuis toujours, le «Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi» est également utilisé dans de nombreux plats typiques, dans des gâteaux et des pains caractéristiques du Cadore et de l'Ampezzo, ainsi que dans la liqueur de miel typique, et en association avec les fromages locaux. Ce produit est aujourd'hui très recherché par les consommateurs, particulièrement par les touristes qui, appréciant ses caractéristiques typiques, en achètent lors des périodes de vacances afin de le consommer tout au long de l'année et participent ainsi à sa diffusion dans toutes les régions italiennes.

Référence à la publication du cahier des charges

(Article 5, paragraphe 7, du règlement (ce) no 510/2006)

La présente administration a entamé la procédure nationale d’opposition en publiant la demande de reconnaissance de l’appellation d’origine protégée «Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi» au Journal officiel de la République italienne no 285 du 5.12.2008.

Le texte consolidé du cahier des charges de production peut être consulté sur le site internet:

www.politicheagricole.it/DocumentiPubblicazioni/Search_Documenti_Elenco.htm?txtTipoDocumento=Disciplinare%20in%20esame%20UE&txtDocArgomento=Prodotti%20di%20Qualit%E0>Prodotti%20Dop,%20Igp%20e%20Stg

ou en accédant directement à la page d’accueil du site du ministère des politiques agricoles alimentaires et forestières (www.politicheagricole.it) et en cliquant sur «Prodotti di Qualità» [Produits de qualité] (à gauche de l’écran) et sur «Disciplinari di Produzione all’esame dell’UE (Reg. CE 510/2006)» [Cahiers des charges soumis à l’examen de l’UE (Règlement (CE) no 510/2006)].

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(1)  JO L 93 du 31.3.2006, p. 12.

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