# Publicatieblad C 184/2010

| | ISSN 1725-2474
  doi:10.3000/17252474.C_2010.184.nld |
| --- | --- |
| Publicatieblad
  van de Europese Unie | C 184 |
| | |
| Uitgave in de Nederlandse taal | Mededelingen en bekendmakingen | 53e jaargang8 juli 2010 |

ISSN 1725-2474

doi:10.3000/17252474.C_2010.184.nld

Publicatieblad

van de Europese Unie

C 184

Uitgave in de Nederlandse taal

Mededelingen en bekendmakingen

53e jaargang8 juli 2010

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| Nummer | Inhoud | Bladzijde |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | I   Resoluties, aanbevelingen en adviezen |
| | AANBEVELINGEN |
| | Europese Centrale Bank |
| 2010/C 184/01 | Aanbeveling van de Europese Centrale Bank van 1 juli 2010 aan de Raad van de Europese Unie betreffende de externe accountants van Národná Banka Slovenska (ECB/2010/6) | 1 |

Nummer

Inhoud

Bladzijde

I   Resoluties, aanbevelingen en adviezen

AANBEVELINGEN

Europese Centrale Bank

2010/C 184/01

Aanbeveling van de Europese Centrale Bank van 1 juli 2010 aan de Raad van de Europese Unie betreffende de externe accountants van Národná Banka Slovenska (ECB/2010/6)

1

| | IV   Informatie |
| --- | --- |
| | INFORMATIE AFKOMSTIG VAN DE INSTELLINGEN, ORGANEN EN INSTANTIES VAN DE EUROPESE UNIE |
| | Europese Commissie |
| 2010/C 184/02 | Wisselkoersen van de euro | 2 |
| | INFORMATIE AFKOMSTIG VAN DE LIDSTATEN |
| 2010/C 184/03 | Mededeling van de Commissie overeenkomstig artikel 16, lid 4, van Verordening (EG) nr. 1008/2008 van het Europees Parlement en de Raad inzake gemeenschappelijke regels voor de exploitatie van luchtdiensten in de Gemeenschap — Openbaredienstverplichtingen (gewijzigd) met betrekking tot geregelde luchtdiensten (
  1
  ) | 3 |
| 2010/C 184/04 | Mededeling van de Commissie overeenkomstig artikel 17, lid 5, van Verordening (EG) nr. 1008/2008 van het Europees Parlement en de Raad inzake gemeenschappelijke regels voor de exploitatie van luchtdiensten in de Gemeenschap — Aanbesteding met betrekking tot de exploitatie van geregelde luchtdiensten overeenkomstig openbaredienstverplichtingen (
  1
  ) | 4 |
| | INFORMATIE OVER DE EUROPESE ECONOMISCHE RUIMTE |
| | Toezichthoudende Autoriteit van de EVA |
| 2010/C 184/05 | Uitnodiging overeenkomstig artikel 1, lid 2, van deel I van Protocol nr. 3 bij de Overeenkomst tussen de EVA-Staten betreffende de oprichting van een Toezichthoudende Autoriteit en een Hof van Justitie, opmerkingen te maken ten aanzien van staatssteun in het kader van de financiering van het fitnesscenter in het vrijetijdscomplex Kippermoen | 5 |
| 2010/C 184/06 | Uitnodiging overeenkomstig artikel 1, lid 2, van deel I van Protocol nr. 3 bij de Overeenkomst tussen de EVA-Staten betreffende de oprichting van een Toezichthoudende Autoriteit en een Hof van Justitie, om opmerkingen te maken betreffende staatssteun in verband met de verkoop van een perceel grond aan Asker Brygge AS door de gemeente Asker | 20 |

IV   Informatie

INFORMATIE AFKOMSTIG VAN DE INSTELLINGEN, ORGANEN EN INSTANTIES VAN DE EUROPESE UNIE

Europese Commissie

2010/C 184/02

Wisselkoersen van de euro

2

INFORMATIE AFKOMSTIG VAN DE LIDSTATEN

2010/C 184/03

Mededeling van de Commissie overeenkomstig artikel 16, lid 4, van Verordening (EG) nr. 1008/2008 van het Europees Parlement en de Raad inzake gemeenschappelijke regels voor de exploitatie van luchtdiensten in de Gemeenschap — Openbaredienstverplichtingen (gewijzigd) met betrekking tot geregelde luchtdiensten (
  1
  )

1

3

2010/C 184/04

Mededeling van de Commissie overeenkomstig artikel 17, lid 5, van Verordening (EG) nr. 1008/2008 van het Europees Parlement en de Raad inzake gemeenschappelijke regels voor de exploitatie van luchtdiensten in de Gemeenschap — Aanbesteding met betrekking tot de exploitatie van geregelde luchtdiensten overeenkomstig openbaredienstverplichtingen (
  1
  )

1

4

INFORMATIE OVER DE EUROPESE ECONOMISCHE RUIMTE

Toezichthoudende Autoriteit van de EVA

2010/C 184/05

Uitnodiging overeenkomstig artikel 1, lid 2, van deel I van Protocol nr. 3 bij de Overeenkomst tussen de EVA-Staten betreffende de oprichting van een Toezichthoudende Autoriteit en een Hof van Justitie, opmerkingen te maken ten aanzien van staatssteun in het kader van de financiering van het fitnesscenter in het vrijetijdscomplex Kippermoen

5

2010/C 184/06

Uitnodiging overeenkomstig artikel 1, lid 2, van deel I van Protocol nr. 3 bij de Overeenkomst tussen de EVA-Staten betreffende de oprichting van een Toezichthoudende Autoriteit en een Hof van Justitie, om opmerkingen te maken betreffende staatssteun in verband met de verkoop van een perceel grond aan Asker Brygge AS door de gemeente Asker

20

| | V   Adviezen |
| --- | --- |
| | BESTUURLIJKE PROCEDURES |
| | Europese Commissie |
| 2010/C 184/07 | Oproep tot het indienen van voorstellen — EAC/10/10 — Programma Een leven lang leren — Steun voor twee wedstrijden voor korte audiovisuele producties waarmee het leren van talen wordt bevorderd | 29 |
| | PROCEDURES IN VERBAND MET DE UITVOERING VAN HET GEMEENSCHAPPELIJK MEDEDINGINGSBELEID |
| | Europese Commissie |
| 2010/C 184/08 | Voorafgaande aanmelding van een concentratie (Zaak COMP/M.5908 — Honeywell/Sperian) (
  1
  ) | 31 |
| | ANDERE HANDELINGEN |
| | Europese Commissie |
| 2010/C 184/09 | Bekendmaking van een aanvraag overeenkomstig artikel 6, lid 2, van Verordening (EG) nr. 510/2006 van de Raad inzake de bescherming van geografische aanduidingen en oorsprongsbenamingen van landbouwproducten en levensmiddelen | 32 |

V   Adviezen

BESTUURLIJKE PROCEDURES

Europese Commissie

2010/C 184/07

Oproep tot het indienen van voorstellen — EAC/10/10 — Programma Een leven lang leren — Steun voor twee wedstrijden voor korte audiovisuele producties waarmee het leren van talen wordt bevorderd

29

PROCEDURES IN VERBAND MET DE UITVOERING VAN HET GEMEENSCHAPPELIJK MEDEDINGINGSBELEID

Europese Commissie

2010/C 184/08

Voorafgaande aanmelding van een concentratie (Zaak COMP/M.5908 — Honeywell/Sperian) (
  1
  )

1

31

ANDERE HANDELINGEN

Europese Commissie

2010/C 184/09

Bekendmaking van een aanvraag overeenkomstig artikel 6, lid 2, van Verordening (EG) nr. 510/2006 van de Raad inzake de bescherming van geografische aanduidingen en oorsprongsbenamingen van landbouwproducten en levensmiddelen

32

| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Voor de EER relevante tekst |

---

(1)   Voor de EER relevante tekst

1

| NL | |
| --- | --- |

NL

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I Resoluties, aanbevelingen en adviezen

AANBEVELINGEN

Europese Centrale Bank

| 8.7.2010 | NL | Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie | C 184/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.7.2010

NL

Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie

C 184/1

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AANBEVELING VAN DE EUROPESE CENTRALE BANK

van 1 juli 2010

aan de Raad van de Europese Unie betreffende de externe accountants van Národná Banka Slovenska

(ECB/2010/6)

2010/C 184/01

DE RAAD VAN BESTUUR VAN DE EUROPESE CENTRALE BANK,

Gelet op de statuten van het Europees Stelsel van centrale banken en van de Europese Centrale Bank, inzonderheid op artikel 27.1,

Overwegende:

| (1) | De rekeningen van de Europese Centrale Bank (ECB) en van de nationale centrale banken worden gecontroleerd door onafhankelijke externe accountants, die op aanbeveling van de raad van bestuur van de ECB zijn aanvaard door de Raad van de Europese Unie. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

De rekeningen van de Europese Centrale Bank (ECB) en van de nationale centrale banken worden gecontroleerd door onafhankelijke externe accountants, die op aanbeveling van de raad van bestuur van de ECB zijn aanvaard door de Raad van de Europese Unie.

| (2) | Het mandaat van de huidige externe accountants van Národná Banka Slovenska eindigde na de audit van het boekjaar 2009. Het is derhalve noodzakelijk om met ingang van het boekjaar 2010 externe accountants te benoemen. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Het mandaat van de huidige externe accountants van Národná Banka Slovenska eindigde na de audit van het boekjaar 2009. Het is derhalve noodzakelijk om met ingang van het boekjaar 2010 externe accountants te benoemen.

| (3) | Národná banka Slovenska heeft Ernst & Young Slovakia, spol. s r.o. geselecteerd als haar externe accountants voor de boekjaren 2010 tot en met 2014. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

Národná banka Slovenska heeft Ernst & Young Slovakia, spol. s r.o. geselecteerd als haar externe accountants voor de boekjaren 2010 tot en met 2014.

HEEFT DE VOLGENDE AANBEVELING VASTGESTELD:

Het verdient aanbeveling dat Ernst & Young Slovakia, spol. s r.o. wordt benoemd tot de externe accountants van Národná banka Slovenska voor de boekjaren 2010 tot en met 2014.

Gedaan te Frankfurt am Main, 1 juli 2010.

De president van de ECB

Jean-Claude TRICHET

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IV Informatie

INFORMATIE AFKOMSTIG VAN DE INSTELLINGEN, ORGANEN EN INSTANTIES VAN DE EUROPESE UNIE

Europese Commissie

| 8.7.2010 | NL | Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie | C 184/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.7.2010

NL

Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie

C 184/2

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Wisselkoersen van de euro (1)

7 juli 2010

2010/C 184/02

1 euro =

| | Munteenheid | Koers |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US-dollar | 1,2567 |
| JPY | Japanse yen | 109,56 |
| DKK | Deense kroon | 7,4532 |
| GBP | Pond sterling | 0,83190 |
| SEK | Zweedse kroon | 9,6160 |
| CHF | Zwitserse frank | 1,3312 |
| ISK | IJslandse kroon | |
| NOK | Noorse kroon | 8,1010 |
| BGN | Bulgaarse lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Tsjechische koruna | 25,548 |
| EEK | Estlandse kroon | 15,6466 |
| HUF | Hongaarse forint | 284,47 |
| LTL | Litouwse litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Letlandse lat | 0,7095 |
| PLN | Poolse zloty | 4,1220 |
| RON | Roemeense leu | 4,2318 |
| TRY | Turkse lira | 1,9632 |
| AUD | Australische dollar | 1,4821 |
| CAD | Canadese dollar | 1,3311 |
| HKD | Hongkongse dollar | 9,7913 |
| NZD | Nieuw-Zeelandse dollar | 1,8160 |
| SGD | Singaporese dollar | 1,7480 |
| KRW | Zuid-Koreaanse won | 1 536,73 |
| ZAR | Zuid-Afrikaanse rand | 9,6505 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 8,5169 |
| HRK | Kroatische kuna | 7,1913 |
| IDR | Indonesische roepia | 11 408,78 |
| MYR | Maleisische ringgit | 4,0459 |
| PHP | Filipijnse peso | 58,512 |
| RUB | Russische roebel | 39,1503 |
| THB | Thaise baht | 40,818 |
| BRL | Braziliaanse real | 2,2422 |
| MXN | Mexicaanse peso | 16,3773 |
| INR | Indiase roepie | 59,1290 |

Munteenheid

Koers

USD

US-dollar

1,2567

JPY

Japanse yen

109,56

DKK

Deense kroon

7,4532

GBP

Pond sterling

0,83190

SEK

Zweedse kroon

9,6160

CHF

Zwitserse frank

1,3312

ISK

IJslandse kroon

NOK

Noorse kroon

8,1010

BGN

Bulgaarse lev

1,9558

CZK

Tsjechische koruna

25,548

EEK

Estlandse kroon

15,6466

HUF

Hongaarse forint

284,47

LTL

Litouwse litas

3,4528

LVL

Letlandse lat

0,7095

PLN

Poolse zloty

4,1220

RON

Roemeense leu

4,2318

TRY

Turkse lira

1,9632

AUD

Australische dollar

1,4821

CAD

Canadese dollar

1,3311

HKD

Hongkongse dollar

9,7913

NZD

Nieuw-Zeelandse dollar

1,8160

SGD

Singaporese dollar

1,7480

KRW

Zuid-Koreaanse won

1 536,73

ZAR

Zuid-Afrikaanse rand

9,6505

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

8,5169

HRK

Kroatische kuna

7,1913

IDR

Indonesische roepia

11 408,78

MYR

Maleisische ringgit

4,0459

PHP

Filipijnse peso

58,512

RUB

Russische roebel

39,1503

THB

Thaise baht

40,818

BRL

Braziliaanse real

2,2422

MXN

Mexicaanse peso

16,3773

INR

Indiase roepie

59,1290

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(1)  Bron: door de Europese Centrale Bank gepubliceerde referentiekoers.

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INFORMATIE AFKOMSTIG VAN DE LIDSTATEN

| 8.7.2010 | NL | Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie | C 184/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.7.2010

NL

Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie

C 184/3

---

Mededeling van de Commissie overeenkomstig artikel 16, lid 4, van Verordening (EG) nr. 1008/2008 van het Europees Parlement en de Raad inzake gemeenschappelijke regels voor de exploitatie van luchtdiensten in de Gemeenschap

Openbaredienstverplichtingen (gewijzigd) met betrekking tot geregelde luchtdiensten

(Voor de EER relevante tekst)

2010/C 184/03

| Lidstaat | Verenigd Koninkrijk |
| --- | --- |
| Betrokken luchtroutes | Oban–Coll
  Oban–Colonsay
  Oban–Tiree
  Coll–Tiree |
| Datum waarop de openbaredienstverplichtingen van kracht zijn geworden | 2 maart 2007 |
| Adres waarop de tekst van en alle relevante informatie en/of documentatie over de gewijzigde openbaredienstverplichtingen kunnen worden verkregen | Argyll and Bute Council |
| Council Offices |
| Kilmory |
| Lochgilphead |
| Argyll |
| PA31 8RT |
| Scotland |
| UNITED KINGDOM |
| Tel. +44 1546604141 |
| Fax +44 1546606443 |
| (Contactpersoon: Sandy Mactaggart, Development and Infrastructure Services) |
| E-mail: sandy.mactaggart@argyll-bute.gov.uk |

Lidstaat

Verenigd Koninkrijk

Betrokken luchtroutes

Oban–Coll

Oban–Colonsay

Oban–Tiree

Coll–Tiree

Datum waarop de openbaredienstverplichtingen van kracht zijn geworden

2 maart 2007

Adres waarop de tekst van en alle relevante informatie en/of documentatie over de gewijzigde openbaredienstverplichtingen kunnen worden verkregen

Argyll and Bute Council

Council Offices

Kilmory

Lochgilphead

Argyll

PA31 8RT

Scotland

UNITED KINGDOM

Tel. +44 1546604141

Fax +44 1546606443

(Contactpersoon: Sandy Mactaggart, Development and Infrastructure Services)

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

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| 8.7.2010 | NL | Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie | C 184/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.7.2010

NL

Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie

C 184/4

---

Mededeling van de Commissie overeenkomstig artikel 17, lid 5, van Verordening (EG) nr. 1008/2008 van het Europees Parlement en de Raad inzake gemeenschappelijke regels voor de exploitatie van luchtdiensten in de Gemeenschap

Aanbesteding met betrekking tot de exploitatie van geregelde luchtdiensten overeenkomstig openbaredienstverplichtingen

(Voor de EER relevante tekst)

2010/C 184/04

| Lidstaat | Verenigd Koninkrijk |
| --- | --- |
| Betrokken luchtroutes | Oban–Coll
  Oban–Colonsay
  Oban–Tiree
  Coll–Tiree |
| Geldigheidsduur van het contract | 1 oktober 2010-31 maart 2014 |
| Uiterste datum voor het indienen van inschrijvingen | 2 maanden na de datum van publicatie van deze mededeling |
| Adres waarop de tekst van de aanbesteding en alle relevante informatie en/of documentatie over de openbare aanbesteding en de openbaredienstverplichtingen kunnen worden verkregen | Argyll and Bute Council |
| Council Offices |
| Kilmory |
| Lochgilphead |
| Argyll |
| PA31 8RT |
| Scotland |
| UNITED KINGDOM |
| Tel. +44 1546604141 |
| Fax +44 1546606443 |
| (Contactpersoon: Sandy Mactaggart, Development and Infrastructure Services) |
| E-mail: sandy.mactaggart@argyll-bute.gov.uk |

Lidstaat

Verenigd Koninkrijk

Betrokken luchtroutes

Oban–Coll

Oban–Colonsay

Oban–Tiree

Coll–Tiree

Geldigheidsduur van het contract

1 oktober 2010-31 maart 2014

Uiterste datum voor het indienen van inschrijvingen

2 maanden na de datum van publicatie van deze mededeling

Adres waarop de tekst van de aanbesteding en alle relevante informatie en/of documentatie over de openbare aanbesteding en de openbaredienstverplichtingen kunnen worden verkregen

Argyll and Bute Council

Council Offices

Kilmory

Lochgilphead

Argyll

PA31 8RT

Scotland

UNITED KINGDOM

Tel. +44 1546604141

Fax +44 1546606443

(Contactpersoon: Sandy Mactaggart, Development and Infrastructure Services)

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

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INFORMATIE OVER DE EUROPESE ECONOMISCHE RUIMTE

Toezichthoudende Autoriteit van de EVA

| 8.7.2010 | NL | Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie | C 184/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.7.2010

NL

Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie

C 184/5

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Uitnodiging overeenkomstig artikel 1, lid 2, van deel I van Protocol nr. 3 bij de Overeenkomst tussen de EVA-Staten betreffende de oprichting van een Toezichthoudende Autoriteit en een Hof van Justitie, opmerkingen te maken ten aanzien van staatssteun in het kader van de financiering van het fitnesscenter in het vrijetijdscomplex Kippermoen

2010/C 184/05

De Toezichthoudende Autoriteit van de EVA heeft bij Besluit nr. 537/09/COL van 16 december 2009, dat na deze samenvatting in de authentieke taal is weergegeven, de procedure ingeleid van artikel 1, lid 2, van deel I van Protocol nr. 3 bij de Overeenkomst tussen de EVA-Staten (hierna „de Toezichtsovereenkomst” genoemd) betreffende de oprichting van een Toezichthoudende Autoriteit en een Hof van Justitie. De Noorse autoriteiten zijn in kennis gesteld door middel van een afschrift van het betrokken besluit.

De Toezichthoudende Autoriteit van de EVA verzoekt bij dezen de EVA-Staten, de EU-lidstaten en andere belanghebbenden hun opmerkingen over de betrokken maatregel binnen één maand na publicatie van deze bekendmaking te zenden aan:

| Toezichthoudende Autoriteit van de EVA |
| --- |
| Griffie |
| Belliardstraat 35 |
| 1040 Brussel |
| BELGIË |

Toezichthoudende Autoriteit van de EVA

Griffie

Belliardstraat 35

1040 Brussel

BELGIË

Deze opmerkingen zullen ter kennis van de Noorse autoriteiten worden gebracht. Een belanghebbende die opmerkingen maakt, kan, met opgave van redenen, schriftelijk verzoeken om vertrouwelijke behandeling van zijn identiteit.

SAMENVATTING

Op 27 januari 2009 meldden de Noorse autoriteiten de financiering van het fitnesscenter in het vrijetijdscomplex Kippermoen (hierna „KLC” genoemd) aan als een maatregel die geen steun vormt om redenen van rechtszekerheid. De Autoriteit heeft twee verzoeken om inlichtingen gezonden waarop de Noorse autoriteiten geantwoord hebben.

Het KLC werd in de jaren 1970 opgericht. Het is gelegen in de stad Mosjøen, die deel uitmaakt van de gemeente Vefsn, in de provincie Nordland, die de op één na noordelijkste provincie van Noorwegen vormt. Het complex is eigendom van de gemeente Vefsn en heeft geen afzonderlijke rechtspersoonlijkheid.

Oorspronkelijk bestond het complex uit een binnenzwembad, een solarium, een sporthal en een fitnesscenter. In 1997 werd het KLC (inclusief het fitnesscenter) gemoderniseerd en uitgebreid. Het fitnesscenter werd opnieuw uitgebreid in 2006 en 2007.

Nieuwe of bestaande steun?

Voor zover er bij de financiering van het fitnesscenter in het KLC sprake is van staatssteun, is de vraag of die maatregel nieuwe dan wel bestaande steun vormt.

Het KLC wordt rechtstreeks door de gemeente Vefsn gefinancierd sinds het begin jaren zeventig werd opgericht. Daarenboven wordt het KLC van bij zijn oprichting gefinancierd door de opbrengsten uit verscheidene gebruikersvergoedingen, vastgesteld door de gemeente. Die financieringsmethode was in gebruik vóór de inwerkingtreding van de EER-Overeenkomst op 1 januari 1994, en kan om die redenen bestaande steun lijken te vormen in de zin van artikel 1, onder b), punt i), van deel II van Protocol nr. 3 bij de Toezichtsovereenkomst.

Hoewel de uitbreiding van 2006/2007 volgens de verstrekte informatie gefinancierd had moeten worden op basis van hetzelfde financieringsmechanisme als dat voor operationele kosten, heeft de Autoriteit onvoldoende specifieke informatie ontvangen over de wijze waarop de uitbreiding van 1997 werd gefinancierd.

Bovendien werd het ticketsysteem gewijzigd sinds de inwerkingtreding van de EER-Overeenkomst. De wijzigingen lijken invloed te hebben gehad op de tarieven, de soorten tickets en het systeem voor de toewijzing van inkomsten uit tickets. De Autoriteit heeft geen specifieke informatie ontvangen over deze ontwikkelingen en is dientengevolge niet in staat geweest uit te sluiten dat deze wijzigingen een vorm van nieuwe steun impliceren.

Wat de begunstigde betreft en meer bepaald de gebouwen, was het fitnesscenter volgens de aan de Autoriteit verstrekte informatie oorspronkelijk bescheiden uitgerust. De vraag is of de sportfaciliteiten van de jaren 1970 alleen aangepast werden om aan nieuwe behoeften te voldoen, dan wel of het huidige fitnesscenter als een nieuwe faciliteit dient te worden beschouwd. Naar de Autoriteit heeft begrepen, is het huidige fitnesscenter niet alleen aanzienlijk groter, maar biedt het eveneens een veel breder scala aan fitnessactiviteiten aan dan het oude, bescheiden uitgeruste fitnesscenter. In dat opzicht twijfelt de Autoriteit of de uitbreidingen van 1997 en/of 2006/2007, die plaatsvonden na de inwerkingtreding van de EER-Overeenkomst, het karakter van de activiteiten van het fitnesscenter hebben veranderd. Volgens de rechtspraak impliceert de verruiming van het scala activiteiten in het algemeen niet dat de maatregel betrekking heeft op nieuwe steun. Gezien de schijnbaar aanzienlijke wijzigingen en uitbreiding van activiteiten van het fitnesscenter (1) was de Autoriteit desondanks niet in staat uit te sluiten dat de kwalificatie van de steun zou kunnen zijn veranderd.

De vraag of er sprake is van staatssteun

Voordelen uit staatsmiddelen aan een onderneming toegekend

De gemeente Vefsn dekt het jaarlijkse tekort van het KLC in zijn geheel. Gemeentemiddelen zijn staatsmiddelen in de zin van artikel 61 van de EER-Overeenkomst (2). Het fitnesscenter wordt op zo'n manier gefinancierd met door de gemeente vastgelegde en toegewezen gebruikersvergoedingen dat het een overschot heeft, terwijl de rest van het KLC verliesgevend is. Doordat er geen duidelijk gescheiden boekhouding wordt gevoerd, kan de Autoriteit niet uitsluiten dat kruissubsidiëring van het fitnesscenter plaatsgevonden heeft.

Het fitnesscenter heeft eveneens middelen van Norsk Tipping AS ontvangen, een gokonderneming die volledig in handen is van de Noorse Staat en onder de jurisdictie van het ministerie van Cultuur en Kerkzaken valt (3). De van de kansspelen afkomstige middelen worden verzameld, beheerd en verdeeld onder de controle van de Staat en vormen bijgevolg staatsmiddelen in de zin van artikel 61, lid 1, van de EER-Overeenkomst.

Bovendien werd het fitnesscenter mogelijk gefinancierd met middelen afkomstig van de provincie Nordland.

Het fitnesscenter, dat deel uitmaakt van het KLC, functioneert grotendeels als een normaal fitnesscenter en lijkt in dat opzicht een onderneming te vormen. Hoewel de Noorse autoriteiten aangevoerd hebben dat het fitnesscenter geen staatssteun ontvangt in de zin van het Altmark-arrest, kan de Autoriteit op dit moment niet uitsluiten dat met de financiering van het fitnesscenter in het KLC een voordeel wordt verleend aan dat fitnesscenter.

Vervalsing van de mededinging en beïnvloeding van het handelsverkeer tussen de Overeenkomstsluitende Partijen

Het lijkt alsof het voordeel voor het fitnesscenter in het KLC de concurrentie binnen de markt voor fitnesscenters dreigt te verstoren. De Autoriteit twijfelt echter of de maatregel het handelsverkeer binnen de EER ongunstig dreigt te beïnvloeden in de zin van artikel 61, lid 1, van de EER-Overeenkomst. Algemeen genomen lijken fitnesscenters een dienst te leveren die, naar zijn aard, een beperkt aantrekkingsgebied heeft. Het fitnesscenter in het KLC lijkt niet zo uniek dat het bezoekers van ver aantrekt. Het ligt in de op één na noordelijkste provincie van Noorwegen, op ongeveer 60 km rijden van de dichtstbijzijnde grens met Zweden. Er zijn echter een paar ondernemingen op de Noorse markt voor fitnesscenters actief die binnen de EER concurreren. Daartegenover staat dat deze ondernemingen zich meestal in dichterbevolkte gebieden van Noorwegen lijken te vestigen.

De verenigbaarheid van de steun

De Autoriteit twijfelt of de exploitatie van wat in ruime mate een normale fitnessstudio lijkt te zijn, een dienst van algemeen economisch belang kan vormen in de zin van artikel 59, lid 2, van de EER-Overeenkomst.

De Autoriteit twijfelt bovendien of de financiering van het fitnesscenter verenigbaar kan zijn met de EER-Overeenkomst op grond van de culturele afwijking van artikel 61, lid 3, onder c), van de EER-Overeenkomst, zoals de Noorse autoriteiten aanvoerden.

De Autoriteit twijfelt ten slotte of de financiering van de uitbreidingen van 1997 en 2006/2007 ten dele of geheel verenigbaar kan zijn met de werking van de EER-Overeenkomst op grond van artikel 61, lid 3, onder c), en de hoofdstukken van de richtsnoeren staatssteun van de Autoriteit over regionale steun.

Conclusie

In het licht van de bovenstaande overwegingen heeft de Autoriteit besloten de formele onderzoekprocedure van artikel 1, lid 2, van deel I van Protocol nr. 3 bij de Toezichtsovereenkomst in te leiden met betrekking tot de van de gemeente Vefsn afkomstige middelen voor het fitnesscenter in het KLC. Belanghebbenden wordt verzocht binnen één maand na bekendmaking van dit besluit in het Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie hun opmerkingen te maken.

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)  Mededeling van de Commissie betreffende de toepassing van de regels inzake staatssteun op de publieke omroep, PB C 257 van 27.10.2009, blz. 1, punten 25-31 en 80 e.v.

1

(2)  Besluit van de Autoriteit nr. 55/05/COL, deel II.3, blz. 19 met verdere verwijzingen, gepubliceerd in PB L 324 van 23.11.2006, blz. 11 en EER-Supplement nr. 56 van 23.11.2006, blz. 1.

2

(3)  Jaarverslag en sociaal jaarverslag van Norsk Tipping AS voor 2008, blz. 3. Beschikbaar op https://www.norsk-tipping.no/page?id=207

3

(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 | NL | Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie | C 184/20 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.7.2010

NL

Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie

C 184/20

---

Uitnodiging overeenkomstig artikel 1, lid 2, van deel I van Protocol nr. 3 bij de Overeenkomst tussen de EVA-Staten betreffende de oprichting van een Toezichthoudende Autoriteit en een Hof van Justitie, om opmerkingen te maken betreffende staatssteun in verband met de verkoop van een perceel grond aan Asker Brygge AS door de gemeente Asker

2010/C 184/06

De Toezichthoudende Autoriteit van de EVA heeft bij Besluit nr. 538/09/COL van 16 december 2009, dat na deze samenvatting in de authentieke taal is weergegeven, de procedure ingeleid van artikel 1, lid 2, van deel I van Protocol 3 bij de Overeenkomst tussen de EVA-staten betreffende de oprichting van een Toezichthoudende Autoriteit en een Hof van Justitie (Toezichtovereenkomst). De Noorse autoriteiten zijn hiervan in kennis gesteld door middel van een afschrift van het betrokken besluit.

De Toezichthoudende Autoriteit van de EVA verzoekt hierbij de EVA-staten, de lidstaten van de EU, de partijen bij de EER-Overeenkomst en andere belanghebbenden hun opmerkingen over de betrokken maatregel binnen een maand na publicatie van deze bekendmaking in te dienen bij de:

| Toezichthoudende Autoriteit van de EVA |
| --- |
| Griffie |
| Belliardstraat 35 |
| 1040 Brussel |
| BELGIË |

Toezichthoudende Autoriteit van de EVA

Griffie

Belliardstraat 35

1040 Brussel

BELGIË

Deze opmerkingen zullen ter kennis van de Noorse aurtoriteiten worden gebracht. Een belanghebbende die opmerkingen maakt, kan, met opgave van redenen, schriftelijk verzoeken om vertrouwelijke behandeling van zijn identiteit.

SAMENVATTING

Bij een door de Autoriteit op 13 februari 2009 ontvangen brief hebben de Noorse autoriteiten de verkoop van een grondstuk door de gemeente Asker aan Asker Brygge AS aangemeld.

De gemeente Asker en Asker Brygge sloten in 2001 een overeenkomst waarbij Asker Brygge een optie kreeg om tot 31 december 2009 grond te kopen voor een vaste som van 8 miljoen NOK, aangepast aan de index van de consumentenprijzen. In 2005 maakte Asker Brygge gebruik van de optie om het grondstuk te kopen. Na onderhandelingen kwamen de partijen een verkoopprijs van 8 727 462 NOK overeen en sloten zij op 21 maart 2007 een verkoopovereenkomst. Het grondstuk werd op dezelfde datum overgedragen aan Asker Brygge, hoewel het verkoopbedrag in twee tranches zou worden betaald, zoals reeds was bepaald in de optieovereenkomst van 2001. De tweede tranche komt overeen met 70 % van het verkoopbedrag (6 109 223 NOK) en moet uiterlijk op 31 december 2011 worden betaald. De gemeente Asker zal geen rente aanrekenen over deze tweede tranche.

De Autoriteit betwijfelt of de transactie voor de verkoop van het perceel grond in overeenstemming is met het beginsel van een investeerder in een markteconomie. De voorwaarden voor deze verkoop zijn bepaald in de in 2001 ondertekende optieovereenkomst. De Autoriteit is derhalve nagegaan of de optieovereenkomst van 2001 werd aangegaan op marktvoorwaarden. De Autoriteit vraagt zich af of Asker Brygge voor de optie als dusdanig heeft betaald, en of de gunstige voorwaarden voor de koper gecompenseerd werden door overeenkomstige verplichtingen voor de koper of rechten voor de verkoper. De optieovereenkomst gaf Asker Brygge niet alleen het recht om de eigendom op gelijk welk moment in de komende jaren te verwerven, maar bepaalde ook een vaste prijs voor deze overdracht op een later tijdstip. Door deze optie kreeg Asker Brygge dus de mogelijkheid om de ontwikkeling van de vastgoedprijzen over een aantal jaren te observeren, om daarna een beroep te doen op de optie en de eigendom tegen de in 2001 overeengekomen prijs te verwerven. Anderzijds had de gemeente niet de mogelijkheid om het grondstuk in dezelfde periode aan iemand anders te verkopen. Bovendien was Asker Brygge in staat om de gemeente op actieve wijze te benaderen om de regelgeving voor het perceel zo aan te passen dat de marktwaarde ervan zou stijgen. Daarenboven zou de gemeente geen vergoeding ontvangen ingeval de verkoop niet zou plaatsvinden.

De optieovereenkomst bevatte nog andere elementen die de waarde van de optie lijken te kunnen verhogen; zo had Asker Brygge bijvoorbeeld het recht om heronderhandelingen te eisen indien de grondprijzen aanzienlijk zouden dalen, terwijl de gemeente het overeenkomstige recht om te heronderhandelen niet had; de prijs werd aangepast volgens de consumentenprijsindex, terwijl vastgoedprijzen niet in de index zijn opgenomen; de gemeente Asker aanvaardde het uitstel van betaling van 70 % van de overeengekomen verkoopprijs zonder daarover enige rente aan te rekenen, terwijl de volledige eigendom van het perceel onmiddellijk werd overgedragen.

Wegens deze redenen betwijfelt de Autoriteit of een particuliere marktdeelnemer een dergelijke lange optieovereenkomst zou zijn aangegaan onder soortgelijke voorwaarden als de gemeente Asker, zonder een vergoeding te verlangen voor de optie en de als dusdanig gunstige voorwaarden.

Aangezien in deze fase niet kan worden vastgesteld of de optieovereenkomst voldeed aan de criteria van het beginsel van een investeerder die tegen marktvoorwaarden handelt, moet de Autoriteit nog nagaan of het perceel in 2007, toen de verkoop daadwerkelijk plaatsvond, werd overgedragen tegen een lagere prijs dan de marktwaarde en of Asker Brygge daarbij staatsteun heeft ontvangen in de zin van artikel 61, EER. De Autoriteit heeft de door Asker Brygge betaalde prijs van 8 727 462 NOK vergeleken met de beschikbare informatie over de marktwaarde van het grondstuk op het tijdstip van de verkoop. De Noorse autoriteiten hebben drie waardebepalingen van het grondstuk overgelegd. Het eerste rapport, gedateerd 30 juni 2006, raamde de waarde van het grondstuk in 2001, toen de optieovereenkomst werd aangegaan, op 9,6 miljoen NOK, met een mogelijke marge van +/– 15 %. Volgens een tweede rapport de dato 18 januari 2008 bedroeg de marktwaarde van het grondstuk in 2007, 26 miljoen NOK, hetgeen overeenkwam met 17 miljoen NOK in 2001. In het derde rapport daterend van 16 juni 2008, dat opgesteld werd door dezelfde taxateurs, werd dat bedrag gecorrigeerd tot 14 miljoen NOK in 2007 en 8 miljoen NOK in 2001, na het in aanmerking nemen van een waardevermindering door een bijkomende verplichting die Asker Brygge werd opgelegd met betrekking tot het gebruik van een gedeelte van het grondstuk door Slependen Båtforening AS.

De Autoriteit betwijfelt of enige van deze rapporten een correcte waardebepaling van het grondstuk weergeven, en welk rapport dat dan zou zijn; zij vraagt zich ook af of een marktprijs voor het perceel werd betaald en of een particuliere investeerder op de markt een uitstel van betaling van het verkoopbedrag zonder rentebetaling zou hebben aanvaard.

Steunmaatregelen die onder artikel 61, lid 1, van het EER-Verdrag vallen zijn over het algemeen onverenigbaar met de werking van de EER-Overeenkomst, tenzij zij in aanmerking komen voor een uitzonderingsbepaling van artikel 61, leden 2 of 3, van de EER-Overeenkomst. De Autoriteit betwijfelt evenwel dat de onderzochte transactie gerechtvaardigd kan worden op grond van de staatssteunbepalingen van de EER-Overeenkomst.

Conclusie

In het licht van voorgaande overwegingen heeft de Autoriteit besloten de formele onderzoekprocedure van artikel 1, lid 2, van de EER-Overeenkomst in te leiden. Belanghebbenden worden verzocht hun opmerkingen te maken binnen een maand na publicatie van deze bekendmaking in het Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie.

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 Adviezen

BESTUURLIJKE PROCEDURES

Europese Commissie

| 8.7.2010 | NL | Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie | C 184/29 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.7.2010

NL

Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie

C 184/29

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OPROEP TOT HET INDIENEN VAN VOORSTELLEN — EAC/10/10

Programma Een leven lang leren — Steun voor twee wedstrijden voor korte audiovisuele producties waarmee het leren van talen wordt bevorderd

2010/C 184/07

1.   Doelstellingen en omschrijving

Deze oproep tot het indienen van voorstellen is gebaseerd op Besluit nr. 1720/2006/EG (1) tot vaststelling van het programma Een leven lang leren, door het Europees Parlement en de Raad op 15 november 2006 aangenomen en op 16 december 2008 bij Besluit nr. 1357/2008/EG gewijzigd.

Deze oproep beoogt de verlening van subsidies voor het organiseren van twee wedstrijden voor korte audiovisuele producties in twee opeenvolgende jaren (één wedstrijd in 2011 en één in 2012). De wedstrijden en de daaruit resulterende korte audiovisuele producties zijn bedoeld om het leren van talen te bevorderen, met het accent op de voordelen van de Europese taal- en cultuurverscheidenheid.

Deelname van de geselecteerde audiovisuele producties aan het gerenommeerde PRIX EUROPA Festival is het hoogtepunt bij de verspreiding en exploitatie van de projectresultaten.

2.   In aanmerking komende aanvragers

Organisaties die werkzaam zijn in de sectoren audiovisuele productie, reclame en nieuwe media, zoals scholen waar audiovisuele kunst en reclame worden onderwezen, worden uitgenodigd de wedstrijden te ontwikkelen, te beheren en te coördineren.

De aanvragers moeten in een van de volgende landen gevestigd zijn:

| — | de 27 lidstaten van de Europese Unie; |
| --- | --- |

—

de 27 lidstaten van de Europese Unie;

| — | de EVA/EER-landen: IJsland, Liechtenstein en Noorwegen; |
| --- | --- |

—

de EVA/EER-landen: IJsland, Liechtenstein en Noorwegen;

| — | de kandidaat-lidstaat Turkije. |
| --- | --- |

—

de kandidaat-lidstaat Turkije.

Met Kroatië, de Voormalige Joegoslavische Republiek Macedonië en Zwitserland wordt onderhandeld over hun eventuele toekomstige deelname aan het programma Een leven lang leren. Op de website van directoraat-generaal Onderwijs en cultuur vindt u de bijgewerkte lijst van deelnemende landen.

3.   Budget en duur van de projecten

De maximale subsidie bedraagt 500 000,00 EUR, voor zowel de wedstrijd in 2011 als in 2012.

De financiële bijdrage van de Europese Unie kan niet meer bedragen dan 75 % van de totale subsidiabele kosten.

De Commissie behoudt zich het recht voor niet alle beschikbare middelen toe te wijzen.

Het werk in het kader van de oproep moet tussen 1 januari 2011 en 31 januari 2011 van start gaan.

En het moet vóór 31 januari 2013 klaar zijn.

De looptijd van de projecten bedraagt maximaal 24 maanden.

4.   Tijdslimiet

De aanvragen moeten uiterlijk op 30 september 2010 aan de Commissie worden verzonden.

5.   Meer informatie

De volledige tekst van de oproep tot het indienen van voorstellen en de aanvraagformulieren zijn te vinden op de volgende website: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture/calls/grants_en.html

De aanvragen moeten aan alle bepalingen van de tekst voldoen en aan de hand van het verstrekte formulier worden ingediend.

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(1)  Besluit nr. 1720/2006/EG van het Europees Parlement en de Raad van 15 november 2006 tot vaststelling van een actieprogramma op het gebied van een leven lang leren: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2006:327:0045:0068:NL:PDF en Besluit nr. 1357/2008/EG van het Europees Parlement en de Raad van 16 december 2008 tot wijziging van Besluit nr. 1720/2006/EG: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:350:0056:0057:NL:PDF

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PROCEDURES IN VERBAND MET DE UITVOERING VAN HET GEMEENSCHAPPELIJK MEDEDINGINGSBELEID

Europese Commissie

| 8.7.2010 | NL | Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie | C 184/31 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.7.2010

NL

Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie

C 184/31

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Voorafgaande aanmelding van een concentratie

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

(Voor de EER relevante tekst)

2010/C 184/08

| 1. | Op 30 juni 2010 heeft de Commissie een aanmelding van een voorgenomen concentratie in de zin van artikel 4 van Verordening (EG) nr. 139/2004 van de Raad (1) ontvangen. Hierin is meegedeeld dat Honeywell International Inc. („Honeywell”, Verenigde Staten) in de zin van artikel 3, lid 1, onder b), van de concentratieverordening de volledige zeggenschap verkrijgt over Sperian Protection SA („Sperian”, Frankrijk) door de verwerving van aandelen. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Op 30 juni 2010 heeft de Commissie een aanmelding van een voorgenomen concentratie in de zin van artikel 4 van Verordening (EG) nr. 139/2004 van de Raad (1) ontvangen. Hierin is meegedeeld dat Honeywell International Inc. („Honeywell”, Verenigde Staten) in de zin van artikel 3, lid 1, onder b), van de concentratieverordening de volledige zeggenschap verkrijgt over Sperian Protection SA („Sperian”, Frankrijk) door de verwerving van aandelen.

| 2. | De bedrijfswerkzaamheden van de betrokken ondernemingen zijn:






  — | Honeywell: wereldwijde producent die actief is in verschillende sectoren (energie, veiligheid en beveiliging), waaronder persoonlijke beschermingsmiddelen, |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

De bedrijfswerkzaamheden van de betrokken ondernemingen zijn:

—

Honeywell: wereldwijde producent die actief is in verschillende sectoren (energie, veiligheid en beveiliging), waaronder persoonlijke beschermingsmiddelen,

| — | Sperian: wereldwijde producent van persoonlijke beschermingsmiddelen. |
| --- | --- |

—

Sperian: wereldwijde producent van persoonlijke beschermingsmiddelen.

| 3. | Op grond van een voorlopig onderzoek is de Commissie van oordeel dat de aangemelde transactie binnen het toepassingsgebied van de EG-concentratieverordening kan vallen. Ten aanzien van dit punt wordt de definitieve beslissing echter aangehouden. |
| --- | --- |

3.

Op grond van een voorlopig onderzoek is de Commissie van oordeel dat de aangemelde transactie binnen het toepassingsgebied van de EG-concentratieverordening kan vallen. Ten aanzien van dit punt wordt de definitieve beslissing echter aangehouden.

| 4. | De Commissie verzoekt belanghebbenden haar hun eventuele opmerkingen over de voorgenomen concentratie kenbaar te maken.
  Deze opmerkingen moeten de Commissie uiterlijk tien dagen na dagtekening van deze bekendmaking hebben bereikt. Zij kunnen per faxbericht (+32 22964301), per e-mail naar COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu of per post, onder vermelding van zaaknummer COMP/M.5908 — Honeywell/Sperian, aan onderstaand adres worden toegezonden:





  Europese Commissie |
| --- | --- |
| Directoraat-generaal Concurrentie |
| Griffie voor concentraties |
| J-70 |
| 1049 Brussel |
| BELGIË |

4.

De Commissie verzoekt belanghebbenden haar hun eventuele opmerkingen over de voorgenomen concentratie kenbaar te maken.

Deze opmerkingen moeten de Commissie uiterlijk tien dagen na dagtekening van deze bekendmaking hebben bereikt. Zij kunnen per faxbericht (+32 22964301), per e-mail naar COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu of per post, onder vermelding van zaaknummer COMP/M.5908 — Honeywell/Sperian, aan onderstaand adres worden toegezonden:

Europese Commissie

Directoraat-generaal Concurrentie

Griffie voor concentraties

J-70

1049 Brussel

BELGIË

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(1)  PB L 24 van 29.1.2004, blz. 1 (de „EG-concentratieverordening”).

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ANDERE HANDELINGEN

Europese Commissie

| 8.7.2010 | NL | Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie | C 184/32 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

8.7.2010

NL

Publicatieblad van de Europese Unie

C 184/32

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Bekendmaking van een aanvraag overeenkomstig artikel 6, lid 2, van Verordening (EG) nr. 510/2006 van de Raad inzake de bescherming van geografische aanduidingen en oorsprongsbenamingen van landbouwproducten en levensmiddelen

2010/C 184/09

Deze bekendmaking verleent het recht om op grond van artikel 7 van Verordening (EG) nr. 510/2006 van de Raad (1) bezwaar aan te tekenen tegen de aanvraag. Bezwaarschriften moeten de Commissie bereiken binnen zes maanden te rekenen vanaf de datum van deze bekendmaking.

ENIG DOCUMENT

VERORDENING (EG) Nr. 510/2006 VAN DE RAAD

„MIELE DELLE DOLOMITI BELLUNESI”

EG-nummer: IT-PDO-0005-0776-09.06.2009

BGA ( ) BOB ( X )

1.   Naam:

„Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi”

2.   Lidstaat of derde land:

Italië

3.   Beschrijving van het landbouwproduct of levensmiddel:

3.1.   Productcategorie:

| Categorie 1.4: | Andere producten van dierlijke oorsprong |
| --- | --- |

Categorie 1.4:

Andere producten van dierlijke oorsprong

3.2.   Beschrijving van het product waarvoor de in punt 1 vermelde naam van toepassing is:

Honing met de beschermde oorsprongsbenaming „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi” wordt met nectar van bloemen uit het berggebied van Belluno geproduceerd door het plaatselijke ecotype van de „Apis mellifera” (honingbij). Dit ecotype is ontstaan door natuurlijke kruisingen van verschillende bijenrassen, met name door een kruising van de rassen Lugistica en Carnica, en heeft zich in de loop der tijden bijzonder goed aangepast aan het bergmilieu van de provincie Belluno, wat tot uitdrukking komt in de goede honingopbrengsten.

Afhankelijk van de verschillende botanische soorten die achtereenvolgens tijdens de productieperiode bloeien, en de soorten bloemen die nectar voortbrengen, onderscheiden we de volgende soorten „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi”: gemengde bloemenhoning, acaciahoning, lindehoning, kastanjehoning, rododendronhoning en paardenbloemhoning.

A.   Chemisch-fysische kenmerken

Alle bovengenoemde honingsoorten moeten de volgende chemisch-fysische kenmerken bezitten:

HMF (wanneer de honing in de handel wordt gebracht) < 10 mg/kg.

Alle soorten „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi” dienen de volgende chemisch-fysische kenmerken te bezitten:

| Honingsoort | Water (%) | pH | Fructose + glucose (%) | Sacharose (%) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Min. | Max. | Min. | Max. | Min. | Max. | Min. | Max. |
| Gemengde bloemenhoning | 15 | 18 | 3,4 | 4,4 | 69 | 78 | 0 | 3,8 |
| Acaciahoning | 15 | 18 | 3,7 | 4,1 | 61 | 77 | 0 | 10 |
| Lindehoning | 16,5 | 17,8 | 4 | 4,1 | 67 | 70 | 0,8 | 4,6 |
| Kastanjehoning | 16,5 | 18 | 4,4 | 5,8 | 61 | 74 | 0 | 2,4 |
| Rododendronhoning | 16 | 17,7 | 3,7 | 4,2 | 65 | 72 | 0,1 | 0,7 |
| Paardenbloemhoning | 17 | 18 | 4,3 | 4,7 | 37,8 | 38,5 | 0,1 | 0,4 |

Honingsoort

Water (%)

pH

Fructose + glucose (%)

Sacharose (%)

Min.

Max.

Min.

Max.

Min.

Max.

Min.

Max.

Gemengde bloemenhoning

15

18

3,4

4,4

69

78

0

3,8

Acaciahoning

15

18

3,7

4,1

61

77

0

10

Lindehoning

16,5

17,8

4

4,1

67

70

0,8

4,6

Kastanjehoning

16,5

18

4,4

5,8

61

74

0

2,4

Rododendronhoning

16

17,7

3,7

4,2

65

72

0,1

0,7

Paardenbloemhoning

17

18

4,3

4,7

37,8

38,5

0,1

0,4

B.   Melissopalinologische kenmerken

Het algemene stuifmeelspectrum komt overeen met het kenmerkende spectrum van de bergflora. De stuifmeelspectra moeten, afhankelijk van de botanische oorsprong van de verschillende soorten „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi”, evenwel voldoen aan de volgende eisen:

| Honingsoort | Stuifmeel |
| --- | --- |
| Gemengde bloemenhoning | overwegend: paardenbloem, linde, kastanje, rododendron, verschillende lipbloemigen |
| Acaciahoning | > 30 % Robinia pseudo-acacia L. |
| Lindehoning | > 10 % Tilia spp. |
| Kastanjehoning | > 70 % Castanea sativa M. |
| Rododendronhoning | > 20 % Rododendrum spp. |
| Paardenbloemhoning | > 5 % < 30 % Taraxacum spp. |

Honingsoort

Stuifmeel

Gemengde bloemenhoning

overwegend: paardenbloem, linde, kastanje, rododendron, verschillende lipbloemigen

Acaciahoning

> 30 % Robinia pseudo-acacia L.

Lindehoning

> 10 % Tilia spp.

Kastanjehoning

> 70 % Castanea sativa M.

Rododendronhoning

> 20 % Rododendrum spp.

Paardenbloemhoning

> 5 % < 30 % Taraxacum spp.

C.   Organoleptische kenmerken

Deze zijn afhankelijk van de botanische oorsprong en verschillen dus naargelang van de honingsoort:

Gemengde bloemenhoning (of multiflorale honing): lichtgele tot amberachtige kleur, zoete smaak, zachte consistentie met duidelijke neiging tot kristallisatie.

Acaciahoning (of Robiniahoning): lichte, amberachtige en transparante kleur, verfijnde, zeer zoete smaak en geur van de bloemen van de Robinia, typische vloeibare consistentie.

Lindehoning: gele tot lichtgroene kleur, enigszins bittere nasmaak en frisse aromatische geur, dikvloeibaar met een vertraagde kristallisatie.

Kastanjehoning: donkerbruine kleur, niet erg zoet, een beetje bitter met tanninesmaak, scherpe en aromatische geur, vrij vloeibaar.

Rododendronhoning: vrijwel kleurloos tot wit of lichtbeige na kristallisatie, fijne smaak en fruitige geur van planten, eerst vloeibaar en later dikvloeibaar met een fijne korrelstructuur.

Paardenbloemhoning: gele gloed, weinig of normaal zoet en in het algemeen zuur, lichtbitter en scherp.

3.3.   Grondstoffen:

Niet relevant.

3.4.   Diervoeders (alleen voor producten van dierlijke oorsprong):

Wanneer de bijenfamilies extra eiwitten in de vorm van stuifmeel toegediend krijgen, is het verboden producten te gebruiken die niet afkomstig zijn uit het productiegebied.

In de praktijk is het de gewoonte om bijenbrood of alleen stuifmeel te verzamelen — in het laatste geval door middel van stuifmeelramen - dat in perioden van hoge productie wordt gedroogd of ingevroren, om vervolgens te worden gebruikt tijdens perioden waarin er minder stuifmeel beschikbaar is.

3.5.   Specifieke onderdelen van het productieproces die in het afgebakende geografische gebied moeten plaatsvinden:

„Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi” wordt geproduceerd, verwerkt en bewerkt in het in punt 4 omschreven geografische gebied.

De honing wordt geproduceerd in vaste bijenkasten of kasten die periodiek in het afgebakende berggebied worden verplaatst, en wordt rechtstreeks, door slingeren, uit de honingraten gewonnen.

De honingoogst vindt altijd in opeenvolgende fasen plaats, afhankelijk van de verschillende bloeiperioden. Op deze wijze wordt een gedifferentieerd monofloraal product verkregen.

3.6.   Specifieke voorschriften betreffende het in plakken snijden, het raspen, het verpakken, enz.:

„Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi” wordt verpakt in glazen potten van 250, 500 of 1 000 gram, die met een metalen deksel worden gesloten en met een etiket worden verzegeld. De honing mag ook voor eenmalig gebruik worden verpakt in potjes, zakjes, kuipjes of andere verpakkingen van geschikt materiaal.

3.7.   Specifieke voorschriften betreffende de etikettering:

Het logo van „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi DOP” heeft de vorm van een onregelmatige cirkel die de volgende elementen bevat: in het bovenste deel een ronde groene strook met daarin het opschrift „MIELE DELLE DOLOMITI BELLUNESI” in witte letters; in het midden drie onregelmatige strepen in de kleuren geel, blauw en groen met een schets van de drie bergtoppen van Lavaredo, die getekend lijken te zijn met honingdruppels die uit een traditionele honingroerder vloeien; in het onderste gedeelte staat, zoals hieronder afgebeeld, de vermelding „D.O.P.” in gele lettertekens. Op het etiket mag ook de extra vermelding „prodotto della montagna” voorkomen. Hiervoor moeten de nationale voorschriften worden gevolgd.

Image

4.   Beknopte omschrijving van de afbakening van het geografische gebied:

Het geografische productiegebied van „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi DOP” omvat het hele administratieve grondgebied van de provincie Belluno, dat in de bergen ligt en wordt begrensd door bergketens die een natuurlijke grens vormen met het grondgebied van de omliggende provincies en regio's en — in het noorden — Oostenrijk.

5.   Verband met het geografische gebied:

5.1.   Specificiteit van het geografische gebied:

Omgevingsfactoren

Het productiegebied is een bosrijke bergstreek met veel graasweiden, gelegen tussen valleien en hooggebergte, waarin het klimaat, de bodemgesteldheid en de omgevingsvoorwaarden overeenkomen met die van het Alpengebied.

Er zijn geen grote industriegebieden, noch intensieve landbouwbedrijven of grote verbindingswegen die ook voor producten van de bijenteelt een bron van verontreiniging kunnen zijn. In dergelijk omstandigheden kan gezonde natuurhoning zonder zware metalen of andere verontreinigingen worden geproduceerd.

Volgens historische archieven verschillen de klimatologische omgevingsvoorwaarden in de provincie Belluno (met name de gemiddelde temperatuur en neerslag) sterk van die van andere streken in de laagvlakte en het middelgebergte van de regio Veneto. Dat verschil heeft een positieve invloed op de uitscheiding van nectar en de kwaliteit en de houdbaarheid van de honing.

Vanwege de lage temperaturen en de hoge regenval staat de provincie Belluno regionaal gezien op de eerste plaats wat de oppervlakte aan weide- en graasgebieden betreft. Een dergelijk milieu bevordert tevens de ontwikkeling van alpenbloemen, die rijkelijk op de overwegend dolomiethoudende bodem groeien en meer dan 2 200 soorten tellen (1/3 van de flora van het hele Italiaanse territorium). Hieruit kunnen de bijen de beste bronnen voor nectar en stuifmeel kiezen.

De Dolomieten van Belluno zijn al eeuwenlang beroemd vanwege de overdadige flora van het gras- en weideland. De wetenschappelijke motivering voor de communautaire, nationale en regionale erkenning van de natuurparken in de provincie Belluno is mede gebaseerd op de rijke aanwezigheid en de bijzondere aard van deze bergflora.

Belangrijke hoogstammige planten zijn met name de bossen met lariksen, beuken, grove dennen en sparren, die kenmerkend zijn voor het productiegebied. Aan de voet van de rotswanden liggen dichte bossen met breedbladige en naaldbomen en florarijke bergweiden met een groot aantal inheemse soorten zoals rododendrons, distels, edelweiss en andere bergplanten. De vaatplanten die in de bergvalleien van Belluno groeien, tellen meer dan 1 400 soorten. Een niet te veronachtzamen deel van deze variëteiten verdient een bijzondere vermelding omdat ze inheems of zeldzaam zijn of een aanzienlijke fytogeografische waarde hebben.

Veel van de kruidachtige gewassen en bomen in het productiegebied worden uit het oogpunt van de bijenteelt en de stuifmeelproductie als de beste beschouwd, zoals de Robinia pseudo-acacia, de rododendron, de paardenbloem, de lindeboom, de dopheide- en klaverplanten en een lange lijst van andere soorten waarvan de nectar in aanmerking komt voor de productie van bloemenhoning.

Bovendien is het belangrijk dat er typische nectarproducerende planten zoals de kastanje (Castanea Sativa) en de distel (Cardus s.p.) in de bergstreek aanwezig zijn, omdat nectar een onmisbaar voedingbestanddeel in de biologische cyclus van bijen is. Afstudeerscripties en onderzoeken tonen aan dat planten in berggebieden meer nectar produceren dan planten die in de laagvlakte groeien.

Menselijke factoren

In de bergen van Belluno is de bijenhouderij altijd een veel voorkomende activiteit geweest, ook al in het verre verleden toen nog eenvoudige bijenkasten werden gebruikt en de imkers de honing op zeer vaardige wijze moesten winnen om te voorkomen dat de bijenkolonies werden vernietigd.

Ook in moeilijker tijden werden in deze streek vrijwel altijd bijen gehouden, met name in eenvoudige vaste bijenkasten. Afgezien van het feit dat de introductie van moderne Dadant Blatt-kasten de honingwinning heeft vergemakkelijkt, heeft de bijenhouderij vandaag de dag nog steeds een ambachtelijk karakter en wordt er van de producenten niet alleen vakmanschap geëist bij het plaatsen en beheren van de kasten, maar ook op het gebied van de bescherming en de ontwikkeling van de bijenkolonies, de oogstmethoden, de keuze van de perioden waarin honing van verschillende bloemensoorten beschikbaar is en de maatregelen die moeten worden genomen om de honing te bewaren.

Momenteel is het overgrote deel van de imkers actief in de Vallata Bellunese en Feltrina, maar ook in de hoger gelegen gebieden is er een groot aantal bedrijven dat een bijzondere soort hoogwaardige honing, namelijk rododendronhoning, produceert.

5.2.   Specificiteit van het product:

De monoflorale honingsoorten zijn een afspiegeling van de in het productiegebied aanwezige soorten, die zich wat betreft stuifmeel- en nectarproductie het beste voor de bijenhouderij lenen, zoals de acacia (Robinia), de rododendron, de paardenbloem, de lindeboom en de kastanjeboom; de meeste daarvan komen alleen in berggebieden voor, wat de „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi” zo bijzonder maakt. De soort met de naam Bloemenhoning is afkomstig van een groot aantal variëteiten van bergplanten, die door de bijen uit meer dan 2 200 soorten in de bergen van Belluno worden gekozen.

Daarnaast heeft de „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi” ook andere essentiële kwaliteitsaspecten zoals zuiverheid, heilzaamheid en houdbaarheid, die ook tot uiting komen in de lage HMF-waarde, en die voortvloeien uit zowel het specifieke milieu in het geografische gebied als het vakmanschap van de imkers.

5.3.   Causaal verband tussen het geografische gebied en de kwaliteit of de kenmerken van het product (voor een BOB) dan wel een bepaalde hoedanigheid, de faam of een ander kenmerk van het product (voor een BGA):

Dankzij de lage temperaturen, de overvloedige neerslag en de dolomiethoudende grond kent dit berggebied een rijke groei van bomen en kruidachtige gewassen die belangrijk zijn voor de bijenhouderij. Om deze reden is de provincie Belluno een geschikt gebied voor de productie van hoogwaardige honing die afkomstig is van plantensoorten die uitsluitend of voornamelijk in alpengebieden voorkomen.

De lage temperaturen die het hele jaar aanhouden en ruim onder het regionale of nationale gemiddelde liggen, hebben ook een positieve invloed op de kwaliteit van de honing en de houdbaarheid daarvan, omdat bij een lage temperatuur geen abnormale gisting optreedt en het product langer haar organoleptische kenmerken en samenstelling behoudt.

Dankzij de geringe invloed van de mens op de omgeving (inwoners, industrie, verbindingswegen), de geïsoleerde ligging die kenmerkend is voor berggebieden en vooral het vermogen van de imkers om op professionele wijze een nog steeds ambachtelijke activiteit uit te oefenen, is het product zuiverder en gezonder dan eenzelfde product dat in de laagvlakte wordt gewonnen.

De bijenhouderij, die van oudsher in de provincie Belluno werd beoefend, diende niet alleen als aanvulling op het inkomen van de bewoners, maar werd ook gebruikt als energierijk voedingsmiddel in de wintermaanden en in de keuken als zoetmiddel en ingrediënt voor verschillende traditionele plaatselijke gerechten. „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi” wordt reeds meer dan 35 jaar met die naam op het etiket verkocht en is sinds de jaren tachtig van de vorige eeuw aanwezig op vakbeurzen en plaatselijke landbouwevenementen in de bergen, zoals te zien is op een groot aantal diploma's, foto's van producenten op imkerbijeenkomsten en artikelen uit de jaren tachtig. Uit foto's van die periode blijkt eveneens dat de naam „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi” op verschillende merken en etiketten voorkomt. Honing uit de Dolomieten van Belluno wordt ook in veel typische gerechten gebruikt als ingrediënt voor zoetwaren, speciaal brood uit de streken Cadore en Ampezzo, honinglikeur en in combinatie met plaatselijke kaassoorten. Vandaag de dag is er veel vraag naar dit product, met name van toeristen die de bijzondere kwaliteiten van deze honing waarderen en tijdens de vakantieperiode een voorraad voor het hele jaar aankopen. Zo wordt de honing in heel Italië verspreid.

Verwijzing naar de bekendmaking van het productdossier:

(Artikel 5, lid 7, van Verordening (EG) nr. 510/2006)

De bevoegde instantie heeft de nationale procedure voor de indiening van bezwaarschriften ingeleid met de bekendmaking van het voorstel tot erkenning van de beschermde geografische aanduiding „Miele delle Dolomiti Bellunesi” in de Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana nr. 285 van 5.12.2008.

De geconsolideerde tekst van het productiedossier kan op het internet worden geraadpleegd:

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

of door rechtstreeks de homepage van de website van het Ministerie van land- en bosbouwbeleid (www.politicheagricole.it) te openen en te klikken op „Prodotti di Qualità” (aan de linkerkant van het scherm) en vervolgens op „Disciplinari di Produzione all’esame dell’UE (Reg CE 510/2006)”.

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(1)  PB L 93 van 31.3.2006, blz. 12.

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