96/228/EC - - - I
1This document is meant purely as a documentation tool and the institutions do not assume any liability for its con-
tents
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)
(OJ No L 76, 26. 3. 1996, p. 29)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
Commission Decision of 17 July 1997 (97/557/EC) L 230 13 21. 8. 1997
96/228/EC - - - I
ICOMMISSION 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 T reaty establishing the EuropeanCommunity,
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 de-termined 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 rel-
evant for checking compliance with the determination cri-
teria;
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 compar-
able climatic conditions rendering agricultural activity par-
ticularly difficult; whereas, when determining those regions,
account must be taken in particular of low population den-
sity, the agricultural area as a proportion of the overall
surface area, and the agricultural area devoted to arable
crops intended for human consumption 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 over-
all 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 sur-rounded by such areas be included in the list up to a maxi-
mum of two communes per enclave, even if they do not
h a v et h es a m ec h a r a c t e r i s t i c s ;
Whereas the northern area thus determined represents a
UAA of 509 442 ha, which is 14% of the total UAA in
Sweden;
96/228/EC - - - I
IIWhereas 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 abo-
vementioned years;
Whereas on 11 May 1995 Sweden submitted to the Com-
mission 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, lay-
ing 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;
Whereas the planned measures may be authorized since
they satisfy the conditions referred to in Article 142 (3) ofthe 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, le-
vels which it is appropriate to note for the sake of trans-
parency; 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 fol-
lowing year in proportion to the extent by which produc-
tion 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;
(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.
96/228/EC - - - I
IIIWhereas 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 ac-
tivity;
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 im-
prove production for agricultural products and facilitate
their disposal and to ensure that the environment is pro-
tected and the countryside preserved; whereas, in particu-
lar, the aid for the transport of cow’s mill corresponds to
the objective set out in the third subparagraph of Article142 (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:
96/228/EC - - - I
1Article 1
The northern region of Sweden shall include, by sub-re-
gion, the local administrative units (Församling) and mu-
nicipal 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 quan-
tities 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.
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 live-
stock) 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 ques-
tion.
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 benefit-
ing from the aid and of the economy of the regions con-
cerned, as well as the impact on the protection of the envi-ronment and the preservation of the countryside referred
to in the third subparagraph of Article 142 (3) of the Act
of Accession.96/228/EC
97/557/EC
96/228/EC
96/228/EC - - - I
2It 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 ex-
ceeded, Sweden shall reduce the aid granted for the prod-
ucts concerned, proportionally in the following year. In the
case of arable crop production, the reduction shall be ap-
plied 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
l e v e lo fa i dp e rp r o d u c to ro t h e ra s p e c t so ft h ea i ds c h e m e
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.96/228/EC
96/228/EC - - - I
3ANNEX I
SUB-REGION 1
Province Commune ParishUAA
(ha)
NORRBOTTEN Kiruna Karesuando, Vittangi, Jukkasjärvi
Boden Edefors, Gunnarsbyn
Gällivare Malmberget, Niilivaara, Hakkas, Gällivares s.
del, Gällivares n. del
Pajala Junosuando, Tärendö, Korpilombolo, Muo-nionalusta, Pajala
Övertorneå Hietaniemi, Svanstein, Övertorneå
Överkalix Överkalix
Jokkmokk Vuollerim, Porjus, Jokkmokk
Arjeplog Arjeplog
Arvidsjaur Arvidsjaur
VÄSTERBOTTEN Skellefteå Kalvträsk, Jörn
Lycksele Örträsk, Björksele, Lycksele
Åsele Fredrika, Åsele
Vilhelmina Vilhelminas ö. del, Vilhelminas v. del
Dorotea Risbäck, Dorotea
Sorsele Gargnäs, Sorseles ö. del, Sorseles v. del
Storuman Tärna, Stenseles ö. del, Stenseles v. del
Malå Malå
Norsjö Norsjö
Vindeln Åmsele
JÄMTLAND Härjedalen Lillhärdal, Ängersjö, Ytterhogdal, Överhög-dal, Tännäs, Ljusnedal, Hede, Vemdalen,
Älvros, Linsell, Sveg
Berg Rätan, Klövsjö, Åsarne, Storsjö
Åre 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, Lax-
sjös s. del, Laxsjös n. del
VÄSTERNORRLAND Sollefteå Ramsele, Junsele
Ånge Haverö
KOPPARBERG Älvdalen Idre, Särna
GÄVLEBORG 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
Ängraån and to the west by the border ofthe county of Jämtland
Total UAA in sub-region 1 79 12896/228/EC
96/228/EC - - - I
4SUB-REGION 2 A
Province Commune ParishUAA
(ha)
NORRBOTTEN Haparanda Karl Gustav, Nedertorneå -Haparanda
Boden Överluleå
Piteå Norrfjärden, Piteås landsförsamling, Hortlax,
Piteås stadsförsamling
Luleå Råneå, Nederluleås s. del, Nederluleås n. del,Örnäset, Luleås domkyrkoförsamling
Älvsbyn Älvsby
Kalix 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, Um-
eås landsförsamling, Umeås stadsförsamling
Vännäs Vännäs ö. del, Vännäs v. del
Robertsfors Nysätra, Robertsfors, Bygdeå
Vindeln Vindeln
Bjurholm Bjurholm
Nordmaling Nordmaling
JÄMTLAND Östersund Häggenås, Lit, Kyrkås, Lockne, Näs, Sunne
Berg Myssjö, Oviken, Hackås, Berg
Åre Marby, Hallen, Mattmar
Strömsund Hammerdal
Krokom Alsen, Aspås, Näskott
Bräcke B o d s j ö ,R e v s u n d ,S u n d s j ö ,H å s j ö ,H ä l l e s j ö ,
Nyhem, Bräcke
Ragunda Borgvattnet
VÄSTERNORRLAND Örnsköldsvik Trehörningsjö, Björna, Skorped, Anundsjö
Sollefteå Edsele, Ådals -Liden
KOPPARBERG Mora Venjan, Våmhus, the greater part of the par-
ish of Mora separated from the rest of the
parish
Älvdalen Älvdalen
Malung Transtrand, Lima, Malung
VÄRMLAND Arvika Bogen
To r s b y Norra Ny, Dalby, Södra Finnskoga, Norra
F i n n s k o g a ,Ö s t m a r k ,N y s k o g a ,V i t s a n d ,L e k -
vattnet
Total UAA in sub -region 2 A 189 19096/228/EC
96/228/EC - - - I
5SUB-REGION 2 B
Province Commune ParishUAA
(ha)
JÄMTLAND Östersund Norderö, Brunflo, Marieby, Frösö, Östersund
Krokom Ås, Rödön
Ragunda Stugun, Fors, Ragunda
VÄSTERNORRLAND Örnsköldsvik Gideå, Grundsunda, Mo, Själevad, Nätra, Si-
d e n s j ö ,A r n ä s ,Ö r n s k ö l d s v i k
Sollefteå Sånga, Överlännäs, Boteå, Helgum, Resele,Ed, Långsele, Graninge, Multrå, Sollefteå
Kramfors Ytterlännäs, T orsåker, 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, Timrå
Ånge To r p, B o r gs j ö
GÄVLEBORG Hudiksvall Hög, Forsa, Norrbo, Bjuråkers s. del, Bjurå-kers n. del, Delsbo, Enånger, Njutånger,
Rogsta, Hälsingtuna, Idenor, Hudiksvall
Ljusdal Järvsö, Ramsjö, Kårböle, Färilas ö. del, Färi-
l a sv .d e l ,L o s ,H a m r a ,L j u s d a l ss .d e l ,L j u s -
dals n. del
Nordanstig Hassela, Bergsjö, Gnarp, Jättendal, Har-
månger, Ilsbo
Total UAA in sub -region 2 B 122 67196/228/EC
96/228/EC - - - I
6SUB-REGION 3
Province Commune ParishUAA
(ha)
GÄVLEBORG Bollnäs Arbrå, Undersvik, Hanebo, Segersta, Reng-
sjö, Bollnäs
Söderhamn Norrala, Trönö, Mo, Bergvik, Söderala, Ljus-ne, Skog, Sandarne, Söderhamn
Gävle Hamrånge
Ovanåker Alfta, Voxna, Ovanåker
Ockelbo Lingbo, Ockelbo, Åmot
KOPPARBERG Ludvika Säfsnäs
Falun Bjursås, Enviken, Svärdsjö
Mora Sollerön, Mora
Orsa Orsa
Rättvik Ore, Boda, Rättvik
Leksand Siljansnäs, Ål, Djura, Leksand
Gagnef Floda, Gagnef, Mockfjärd
Vansb ro Äppelbo, Nås, Järna
VÄRMLAND Säffle Långserud, Svanskog
Arvika Brunskog, Mangskog, Älgå, Ny, Gunnarskog,Glava, Högerud, Stavnäs, Arvika Västra, Ar-
vika Östra
Hagfors Sunnemo, Norra Råda, Gustav Adolf, Ekshä-
rad, Hagfors
Filipstad Rämmen, Gåsborn
Sunne Lysvik, Gräsmark
Årjäng Östervallskog, Töcksmark, Västra Fågelvik,Trankil, Blomskog, Holmedal, Karlanda, Sil-
lerud, Silbodal
Grums Värmskog
To r s b y Fryksände
Eda Köla, Skillingmark, Järnskog, Eda
Kil Boda
Total UAA in sub -region 3 118 453
Overall total UAA in sub -regions 1 -3509 44296/228/EC
96/228/EC - - - I
7ANNEX II
Provided for in Article 2 (2)
PRODUCTION
(tonnes)
ProductNorthern sub -region
Product
1 2Α 2Β 3 To tal
Pigmeat 214 80 0 3 23 5 8 10 575
Eggs 900 37 0 0 400 50 0 0
Milk 54 763 216 150 121 073 92 249 484 235
Soft fruit and vegetables (1) 5 640 20 6 0 77 0 0
(1) Excluding potatoes.96/228/EC
96/228/EC - - - I
8ANNEX III
Provided for in the first subparagraph of Article 3 (1)
Unit aid authorized
in Skr/unitNational aid authorized per sub -region
in Skr million/year
Sub-region Sub-region
Total
1 2Α 2Β 3 1 2Α 2Β 3Total
cow’s milk (Skr/kg) 1,05 0,71 0,47 0,09 57,50 153,47 56,90 8,30 276,17
goats (Skr/head) (1) 430 430 430 430 0,51 0,40 0,20 1,11
pigs (Skr/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 (Skr/head) 13,45 13,45 13,45 4,90 0,67 1,69 0,048 2,40
soft fruit and vegetables
(Skr/ha) (2)2 850 2 850 2 850 1 850 1,84 0,19 2,03
Transport aid for cow’s milk
(Skr/kg) (3)0,043 0,039 0,039 0,03 2,3 8,2 4,7 2,1 17,3
To t al 316,09
(1) Only goats used for milk production.
(2) Excluding potatoes.
(3) Between the farm and the collection centre of first processing centre.97/557/EC
96/228/EC - - - I
9ANNEX IV
Provided for in the second subparagraph of Article 3 (1)
(Quantities expressed in production factors)
Number of production factors eligible for aid
(head of livestock or hectares)
northern sub -region
Total
1 2Α 2Β 3Total
Dairy cows 8 919 34 057 19 465 14 559 77 000
Goats 1 173 936 468 25 7 7
Laying hens 50 000 126 000 99 5 0 185 950
Pigs
— pigs for slaughter 2 062 91 273 28 918 122 253
— sows 216 5 945 12 5 4 74 1 5
Soft fruit and vegetables (1) 646 104 750
(1) Excluding potatoes.97/557/EC
96/228/EC - - - I
10ANNEX V
Provided for in the third subparagraph of Article 3 (1)
(1 green ECU = Skr 10,5852 / 1 book-rate ECU = Skr 9,12158)
AnimalAreaCompensatory allowance (1)
planned
(ECU 180/LU or ha)Agri -environmental
measures planned
Regulation (EEC) No 2078/92Overall total
Animal
productionArea
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
2A 1 462 (1) 49,79 1 848 (2) 62,94 112,73
2B 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
To t al 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
To t al 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
To t al 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
To t al 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 Skr 2 300 /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.96/228/EC