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"BCOMMISSION DECISION
of 28 February 1996
on a long-term national aid scheme to assist farmers in northern areas of Sweden
(Only the Swedish text is authentic)
(96/228/EC)
(OJ L 76, 26.3.1996, p. 29)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
"M1 Commission Decision of 17 July 1997 (97/557/EC) L 230 13 21.8.1997
"M2 Commission Decision 2000/411/EC of 9 June 2000 L 155 60 28.6.2000
NB: This consolidated version contains references to the European unit of account and/or the ecu, which from 1 January 1999
should be understood as references to the euro — Council Regulation (EEC) No 3308/80 (OJ L 345, 20.12.1980, p. 1) andCouncil Regulation (EC) No 1103/97 (OJ L 162, 19.6.1997, p. 1).1996D0228 — EN — 01.01.1998 — 002.001 — 1
COMMISSION DECISION
of 28 February 1996
on a long-term national aid scheme to assist farmers in northern
areas of Sweden
(Only the Swedish text is authentic)
(96/228/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to the Act of Accession of the Republic of Austria, the
Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden, and in particular
Article 142 thereof,
Whereas in order to authorize Sweden to grant long-term national aid
intended to ensure that agricultural activity is maintained in northern
regions, those regions must be determined by the Commission;
Whereas, in order to facilitate the administration of the scheme when
determining those regions, it is appropriate to keep the communes and
the four sub-regions defined in the Swedish system of aid to agriculture
in northern areas in force before accession as the administrative units
relevant for checking compliance with the determination criteria;
Whereas the regions selected are to cover the agricultural areas situated
to the north of the 62nd parallel and some adjacent areas south of that
parallel affected by comparable climatic conditions rendering agricul-
tural activity particularly difficult; whereas, when determining those
regions, account must be taken in particular of low population density,
the agricultural area as a proportion of the overall surface area, and the
agricultural area devoted to arable crops intended for human con-
sumption as a proportion of the utilized agricultural area (UAA);
Whereas the foregoing elements lead, in the case of Sweden, to the list of
administrative units in sub-regions 1, 2A, 2B and 3 provided for in this
Decision, which units are either north of the 62nd parallel or adjacent to
that parallel and affected by comparable climatic conditions rendering
agricultural activity particularly difficult and have population densities
of 10 inhabitants or fewer per square km, UAA considered to constitute
10% or less of the overall surface area and a proportion 20% or less of
that UAA devoted to arable crops intended for human consumption;
whereas it is appropriate that communes entirely surrounded by such
areas be included in the list up to a maximum of two communes per
enclave, even if they do not have the same characteristics;
Whereas the northern area thus determined represents a UAA of
509 442 ha, which is 14% of the total UAA in Sweden;
Whereas on the basis of available national statistics, the reference period
both for quantities and for the amount of support should be fixed as 1994
for the production of cows milk and of soft fruit and vegetables and as
1993 for other products;
Whereas, for reasons of transparency, it is appropriate to indicate the
volume of production per product in the abovementioned years;
Whereas on 11 May 1995 Sweden submitted to the Commission details
of the system of aid planned; whereas it subsequently forwarded
additional information; whereas this system provides for aid for cow’ s
milk, goats, pigs, laying hens and soft fruit and vegetables; whereas the
level of aid planned means that the level of overall support applied
during the selected reference period is not exceeded;!B1996D0228 — EN — 01.01.1998 — 002.001 — 2
Whereas the planned measures may be authorized since they satisfy the
conditions referred to in Article 142 (3) of the Act of Accession; whereas
the measures take account of the level of compensatory allowance within
the meaning of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2328/91 (1), as last
amended by Regulation (EC) No 2387/95 (2), and the agri-environmental
aid provided for in Council Regulation (EEC) No 2078/92 (3), as last
amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2772/95 (4) for the
northern areas, levels which it is appropriate to note for the sake of
transparency; whereas, if accompanied by the necessary measures, they
will not lead either to an increase in overall support or to an increase in
production in comparison with the abovementioned reference periods;
whereas, in the latter connection, it is appropriate to reduce aid in the
following year in proportion to the extent by which production exceeds
that of the reference period;
Whereas, with respect to the last point, apart from cow’ s milk, for which
production is governed by the quota system laid down by the common
organization of the market, and in particular by Council Regulation
(EEC) No 3950/92 (5), as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1552/95 (6),
aid is not granted on the basis of quantities produced but on the basis of
production factors (head of livestock or hectares) within regional limits;
whereas for the sake of clarity it is appropriate to set out those limits in
Annex IV;
Whereas the aid for the transport of cow’ s milk provided for in the
scheme may be authorized by virtue of the third subparagraph of Article
142 (3) of the Act of Accession; whereas, in any cases where transport
aid is granted as part of a national aid scheme for regional support, it is
necessary to ensure that the various aid schemes do not result in the
duplication of compensation for the same activity;
Whereas the aid corresponds to the objectives set out in the third
subparagraph of Article 142 (3) since they are designed to maintain
traditional primary production suited to the climatic conditions of the
regions concerned, to improve production for agricultural products and
facilitate their disposal and to ensure that the environment is protected
and the countryside preserved; whereas, in particular, the aid for the
transport of cow’ s mill corresponds to the objective set out in the third
subparagraph of Article 142 (3) and may be permitted since it does not
duplicate any aid authorized as part of the national aid scheme for
regional support;
Whereas, in the light of the foregoing, the aid in question may be
authorized, on condition that it complies with the limits set for certain
products by the common organization of the markets,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The northern region of Sweden shall include, by sub-region, the local
administrative units (Församling) and municipal units (Kommun) listed
in Annex I.
Article 2
1. The reference period referred to in Article 142 (3) of the Act of
Accession shall be 1994 as regards both quantities and the level of
support to be complied with for the production of cow’ s milk and soft
fruit and vegetables, and 1993 as regards other products.
2. Production in the reference period is indicated by product in Annex
II.!B
(1) OJ No L 218, 6. 8. 1991, p. 1.
(2) OJ No L 244, 12. 10. 1995, p. 50.
(3) OJ No L 215, 30. 7. 1992, p. 85.
(4) OJ No L 288, 1. 12. 1995, p. 35.
(5) OJ No L 405, 31. 12. 1992, p. 1.
(6) OJ No L 148, 30. 6. 1995, p. 43.1996D0228 — EN — 01.01.1998 — 002.001 — 3
Article 3
1. The aid set out in Annex III shall be authorized from 1 January 1995.
This Annex lists the authorized amounts, by sub-region, by production
factor (hectare, head of livestock) or by quantity produced, as well as the
overall amount of authorized national aid.
Annex IV lists the maximum numbers of hectares, tonnes or animals that
may be covered by the aid.
The aid shall be authorized taking account of the level of Community aid
listed in Annex V and shall in no case be granted by quantity produced,
with the exception of aid for cow’ s milk.
2. As regards cow’ s milk, the aid provided for in the first subparagraph
of paragraph 1 shall be limited for each farmer to the reference quantity
allocated under Article 4 of Regulation (EEC) No 3950/92 after any
reallocation of unused reference quantities in accordance with the second
subparagraph of Article 2 (1) of that Regulation in respect of the milk
year ending during the calendar year in question.
Article 4
Sweden shall submit to the Commission, before 1 April each year, and
for the first time before 1 April 1996, as part of the information to be
supplied pursuant to Article 143 (2) of the Act of Accession, information
on the impact of the aid granted and in particular on production trends
and the development of the means of production benefiting from the aid
and of the economy of the regions concerned, as well as the impact on the
protection of the environment and the preservation of the countryside
referred to in the third subparagraph of Article 142 (3) of the Act of
Accession.
It shall take all the steps necessary to apply this Decision and make all
the necessary arrangements for monitoring the beneficiaries.
Where the quantities provided for in Annex II are exceeded, Sweden
shall reduce the aid granted for the products concerned, proportionally in
the following year. In the case of arable crop production, the reduction
shall be applied only if the reference quantity is exceeded by more than
10% on overage for two consecutive years.
Article 5
Sweden may determine the conditions for granting aid to the different
categories of beneficiaries, provided those conditions comply with the
amounts and other elements laid down in this Decision and may change,
subject to prior Commission authorization of the adjustment, the level of
aid per product or other aspects of the aid scheme in question.
Article 6
The Commission may review this Decision, in particular on the basis of
trends in the value of the national currency or of trends in the
Community aid referred to in Annex V .
Any revision of the level of authorized aid in the northern areas shall
apply only from the year following that in which the change concerned
comes into effect.
Article 7
This Decision is addressed to the Kingdom of Sweden.!B
!M1
!B1996D0228 — EN — 01.01.1998 — 002.001 — 4
ANNEX I
SUB-REGION 1
Province Commune Parish UAA (ha)
NORRBOTTEN Kiruna Karesuando, Vittangi, Jukkasjärvi
Boden Edefors, GunnarsbynGällivare Malmberget, Niilivaara, Hakkas, Gällivares s.
del, Gällivares n. del
Pajala Junosuando, Tärendö, Korpilombolo, Muo-
nionalusta, Pajala
Övertorneå Hietaniemi, Svanstein, ÖvertorneåÖverkalix ÖverkalixJokkmokk Vuollerim, Porjus, JokkmokkArjeplog ArjeplogArvidsjaur Arvidsjaur
VÄSTERBOTTEN Skellefteå Kalvträsk, Jörn
Lycksele Örträsk, Björksele, LyckseleÅsele Fredrika, ÅseleVilhelmina Vilhelminas ö. del, Vilhelminas v. delDorotea Risbäck, DoroteaSorsele Gargnäs, Sorseles ö. del, Sorseles v. delStoruman Tärna, Stenseles ö. del, Stenseles v. delMalå MalåNorsjö NorsjöVindeln Åmsele
JÄMTLAND Härjedalen Lillhärdal, Ängersjö, Ytterhogdal, Överhögdal,
Tännäs, Ljusnedal, Hede, Vemdalen, Älvros,Linsell, Sveg
Berg Rätan, Klövsjö, Åsarne, StorsjöÅre Undersåker, Kalls ö. del, Kalls v. del, Mörsil,
Åre
Strömsund Tåsjö, Bodum, Fjällsjö, Frostviken, Gåxsjö,
Alanäs, Ström
Krokom Offerdal Siluromr., Offerdal Fjällbygden, Ho-
tagen, Föllinges s. del, Föllinges n. del,Laxsjös s. del, Laxsjös n. del
VÄSTERNORRLAND Sollefteå Ramsele, Junsele
Ånge Haverö
KOPP ARBERG Älvdalen Idre, SärnaGÄVLEBORG Ljusdal The part of the parish of Kårböle and Färila
which is delimited to the north and east by the
river Ljusnan, to the south by the river Ängraånand to the west by the border of the county ofJämtland
Total UAA in sub-region 1 79 128!
B1996D0228 — EN — 01.01.1998 — 002.001 — 5
SUB-REGION 2 A
Province Commune Parish UAA (ha)
NORRBOTTEN Haparanda Karl Gustav, Nedertorneå-Haparanda
Boden ÖverluleåPiteå Norrfjärden, Piteås landsförsamling, Hortlax,
Piteås stadsförsamling
Luleå Råneå, Nederluleås s. del, Nederluleås n. del,
Örnäset, Luleås domkyrkoförsamling
Älvsbyn ÄlvsbyKalix Töre, Nederkalix
VÄSTERBOTTEN Skellefteå Burträsk, Lövånger, Fällfors, Byskes s. del,
Byskes n. del, Kågedalens s. del, Kågedalens
n. del, Boliden, Skellefteås landsförsamlings ö.del, Skellefteås landsförsamlings v. del, Bureå,Sankt Örjan, Sankt Olov
Umeå Sävars s. del, Sävars n. del, Holmön, Hörne-
fors, Holmsund, Ålidhem, Teg, Tavelsjö,
Umeås landsförsamling, Umeås stadsförsaml-ing
Vännäs Vännäs ö. del, Vännäs v. delRobertsfors Nysätra, Robertsfors, BygdeåVindeln VindelnBjurholm BjurholmNordmaling Nordmaling
JÄMTLAND Östersund Häggenås, Lit, Kyrkås, Lockne, Näs, Sunne
Berg Myssjö, Oviken, Hackås, BergÅre Marby, Hallen, MattmarStrömsund HammerdalKrokom Alsen, Aspås, NäskottBräcke Bodsjö, Revsund, Sundsjö, Håsjö, Hällesjö,
Nyhem, Bräcke
Ragunda Borgvattnet
VÄSTERNORRLAND Örnsköldsvik Trehörningsjö, Björna, Skorped, Anundsjö
Sollefteå Edsele, Ådals-Liden
KOPP ARBERG Mora Venjan, Våmhus, the greater part of the parish
of Mora separated from the rest of the parish
Älvdalen ÄlvdalenMalung Transtrand, Lima, Malung
VÄRMLAND Arvika Bogen
Torsby Norra Ny, Dalby, Södra Finnskoga, Norra
Finnskoga, Östmark, Nyskoga, Vitsand, Lek-vattnet
Total UAA in sub-region 2 A 189 190!
B1996D0228 — EN — 01.01.1998 — 002.001 — 6
SUB-REGION 2 B
Province Commune Parish UAA (ha)
JÄMTLAND Östersund Norderö, Brunflo, Marieby, Frösö, Östersund
Krokom Ås, RödönRagunda Stugun, Fors, Ragunda
VÄSTERNORRLAND Örnsköldsvik Gideå, Gr undsunda, Mo, Själevad, Nätra,
Sidensjö, Arnäs, Örnsköldsvik
Sollefteå Sånga, Överlännäs, Boteå, Helgum, Resele,
Ed, Långsele, Graninge, Multrå, Sollefteå
Kramfors Ytterlännäs, Torsåker, Dal, Styrnäs, Bjärträ,
Ullånger, Vibyggerå, Nordingrå, Skog, Nora,
Gudmundrå
Sundsvall Liden, Holm, Indal, Njurunda, Attmar, Tuna,
Stöde, Selånger, Sättna, Alnö, Skön, Sköns-mon, Sundsvall Gustav Adolf
Härnösand Hemsö, Säbrå, Viksjö, Stigsjö, Häggdånger,
Högsjö, Härnösand domkyrkoförsamling
Timrå Tynderö, Hässjö, Ljustorp, TimråÅnge Torp, Borgsjö
GÄVLEBORG Hudiksvall Hög, Forsa, Norrbo, Bjuråkers s. del, Bjuråkers
n. del, Delsbo, Enånger, Njutånger, Rogsta,
Hälsingtuna, Idenor, Hudiksvall
Ljusdal Järvsö, Ramsjö, Kårböle, Färilas ö. del, Färilas
v. del, Los, Hamra, Ljusdals s. del, Ljusdals n.del
Nordanstig Hassela, Bergsjö, Gnarp, Jättendal, Har-
månger, Ilsbo
Total UAA in sub-region 2 B 122 671!
B1996D0228 — EN — 01.01.1998 — 002.001 — 7
SUB-REGION 3
Province Commune Parish UAA (ha)
GÄVLEBORG Bollnäs Arbrå, Undersvik, Hanebo, Segersta, Rengsjö,
Bollnäs
Söderhamn Norrala, Trönö, Mo, Bergvik, Söderala,
Ljusne, Skog, Sandarne, Söderhamn
Gävle HamrångeOvanåker Alfta, V oxna, OvanåkerOckelbo Lingbo, Ockelbo, Åmot
KOPP ARBERG Ludvika Säfsnäs
Falun Bjursås, Enviken, SvärdsjöMora Sollerön, MoraOrsa OrsaRättvik Ore, Boda, RättvikLeksand Siljansnäs, Ål, Djura, LeksandGagnef Floda, Gagnef, MockfjärdVansbro Äppelbo, Nås, Järna
VÄRMLAND Säffle Långserud, Svanskog
Arvika Brunskog, Mangskog, Älgå, Ny, Gunnarskog,
Glava, Högerud, Stavnäs, Arvika Västra,
Arvika Östra
Hagfors Sunnemo, Norra Råda, Gustav Adolf, Ekshä-
rad, Hagfors
Filipstad Rämmen, GåsbornSunne Lysvik, GräsmarkÅrjäng Östervallskog, Töcksmark, Västra Fågelvik,
Trankil, Blomskog, Holmedal, Karlanda, Sil-lerud, Silbodal
Grums VärmskogTorsby FryksändeEda Köla, Skillingmark, Järnskog, EdaKil Boda
Total UAA in sub-region 3 118 453
Overall total UAA in sub-regions 1-3 509 442!
B1996D0228 — EN — 01.01.1998 — 002.001 — 8
ANNEX II
Provided for in Article 2 (2)
PRODUCTION
(tonnes)
ProductNorthern sub-region
12 Α2 Β 3 Total
Pigmeat 214 8 003 2 358 10 575
Eggs 900 3 700 400 5 000
Milk 54 763 216 150 121 073 92 249 484 235
Soft fruit and vegetables (1) 5 640 2 060 7 700
(1) Excluding potatoes.!B1996D0228 — EN — 01.01.1998 — 002.001 — 9
ANNEX III
Provided for in the first subparagraph of Article 3(1)
Unit aid authorised in SEK/unitNational aid authorised per sub-region
in SEK million/year
Sub-region Sub-region
Total
12 A 2 B3 12 A 2 B3
Cow’ s milk (SEK/kg) 1,05 0,71 0,47 0,09 53,00 158,00 56,37 7,50 274,87
Goats (SEK/head) (1) 430 430 430 430 0,51 0,40 0,20 1,11
Pigs (SEK/head)
— pigs for slaughter 222 143 143 23 0,46 13,05 0,66 14,17
— sows 843 437 437 101 0,18 2,60 0,13 2,91
Laying hens (SEK/head) 13,45 13,45 13,45 4,9 0,67 1,69 0,048 2,40
Soft fruit and vegetables
(SEK/ha) (2) 2 850 2 850 2 850 1 850 1,84 0,19 2,03
Transport aid for cow’ s
milk (SEK/kg) (3) 0,043 0,039 0,039 0,03 2,2 8,7 4,9 2,8 18,6
Total 316,09
(1) Only goats used for milk production.
(2) Excluding potatoes.
(3) Between the farm and the collection centre or first processing centre.!M21996D0228 — EN — 01.01.1998 — 002.001 — 10
ANNEX IV
Provided for in the second subparagraph of Article 3(1)
(Quantities expressed in production factors)
Number of production factors eligible for aid
(heads, livestock units or hectares)
northern sub-region
Total
12 A 2 B3
Dairy cows (heads) 8 919 34 057 19 465 14 559 77 000
Goats (heads) 1 173 936 468 2 577
Laying hens and pigs (LU) (1) 778 12 349 3 405 16 532
Soft fruit and vegetables (2) 646 104 750
(1) Where 1 laying hen is 0,01 LU, sow is 0,33 LU and 1 pig for slaughter is 0,10 LU.
(2) Excluding potatoes.!M21996D0228 — EN — 01.01.1998 — 002.001 — 11
ANNEX V
Provided for in the third subparagraph of Article 3 (1)
(1 green ECU = Skr 10,5852 / 1 book-rate ECU = Skr 9,12158)
Animal production AreaCompensatory allowance (1)
planned (ECU 180/LU or ha)Agri-environmental measures
planned Regulation (EEC)
No 2078/92Overall total
Average per
unit Skr/headtotal in Skr
millionAverage per
unit Skr/headtotal in Skr
millionSkr million
Cows 1 1 493 (1) 13,32 2 055 (2) 18,33 31,65
2 A 1 462 (1) 49,79 1 848 (2) 62,94 112,73
2 B 1 444 (1) 28,11 1 787 (2) 34,78 62,89
3 1 382 (1) 20,12 1 634 (2) 23,79 43,91
Total 111,34 139,84 251,18
Goats 1 246 0,29 324 (3) 0,38 0,67
2 246 0,23 291 (3) 0,27 0,50
3 246 0,11 276 (3) 0,134 0,24
Total 0,63 0,78 1,41
Sows 1 612 0,13 0,13
2 558 3,32 3,32
3 514 0,64 0,64
Total 4,09 (4) 4,09
Pigs for slaughter 1 90 0,14 0,14
2 83 6,84 6,84
3 75 1,96 1,96
Total 8,94 (4) 8,94
Overall total 125,00 140,62 265,62
(1) Skr 1 640 /LU (cows) and/or ha for the first 60 units, Skr 1 435 /LU between 60 and 120 units; Skr 615 /LU for over 120 units. Aid
below Skr 500 per holding is not paid.
(2) Level of aid from 1999. Aid limited to 140 000 ha to be decided according to the procedures laid down in Regulation (EEC) No
2078/92.For the period 1995-1998, the aid planned is limited to 115 000 ha and amounts to Skr 2 700, Skr 2 450, Skr 2 400 and Skr2 300 /ha respectively for sub-regions 1-3.
(
3) Level of aid for the period 1995-1998 From 1999, the aid will be increased to Skr 369, Skr 323, Skr and Skr 292 /head for areas 1, 2
A, 2 B and 3 respectively.
(4) In conformity with Community legislation for this production, aid is calculated on the basis of utilized area minus the area devoted to
livestock feed production.!B1996D0228 — EN — 01.01.1998 — 002.001 — 12