EN Official Journal of the European Union C 94/106

Summary information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production, processing and marketing of agricultural products

(2007/C 94/16)

Aid Number: XA 117/06

Member State: Italy

Region: Marche

Title of aid scheme: Aid to make good the damage caused by natural disasters or comparable exceptional occurrences

Legal basis: Decreto legislativo 29 marzo 2004, n. 102 relativo agli Interventi finanziari a sostegno delle imprese agricole, a norma dell'art. 1, comma 2, lettera i) della legge 7 marzo 2003, n. 38.

Deliberazione della giunta regionale delle Marche n. 1379 del 27.11.2006‘Aiuti di Stato destinati ad ovviare e prevenire i danni arrecati dalle calamità naturali oppure da altri eventi eccezionali (L.R. n. 56/97, art. 2, comma 1 lett. a). Indirizzi e criteri di erogazione.’

Maximum expenditure planned: The total budget allocation for 2006 is EUR 200 000

Expenditure thereafter will be determined by the respective annual budget laws.

Maximum aid intensity: In line with Legislative Decree No 102 of 29 March 2004, aid is granted as a contribution to supplement that provided under the same decree on subsidised policies

This is up to a ceiling of 80 % of the costs actually incurred to pay insurance premiums for policies covering only losses caused by adverse weather comparable to natural disasters, with provision for compensation if the damage extends to at least 20 % in disadvantaged areas or 30 % elsewhere, or 50 % of the cost of premiums when policies cover both losses caused by adverse weather comparable to natural disasters and other losses caused by adverse weather and/or by animal or plant diseases.

In addition, for production in municipalities that do not qualify for State contributions, the annual farm insurance plan provides — in accordance with Article 4 of Legislative Decree No 102/2004 — for the Region to cover up to 80 % of the insurance premiums for policies covering only losses caused by adverse weather comparable to natural disasters, with provision for compensation if the damage extends to at least 20 % in disadvantaged areas or 30 % elsewhere, or 50 % of the cost of premiums when policies cover both losses caused by adverse weather comparable to natural disasters and losses caused by adverse weather not comparable to natural disasters and losses caused by animal and plant diseases

Farms that benefit from contributions to insurance policy premiums will naturally be excluded from ex-post compensation payments.

Date of implementation: From 2006, but no earlier than 10 working days after the submission of this form, as required by Article 19(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: There is no set time frame for the scheme's duration, which depends on the funds set aside in the annual budget of the Marche Region, but it will not exceed six years

Objective of aid: In line with European Commission guidelines on natural disasters, to promote and support a culture of prevention through the use of appropriate insurance policies rather than compensation

This enables the Region:

to better meet farmers' expectations, since compensation aid is always paid with a significant delay from the time the disaster occurs and, in most cases, in amounts that are insufficient to cover the damage and loss of income actually suffered

to contain public expenditure, since the aid granted for insurance premiums is substantially less than the amount of compensation that the Marche Region and/or the State would have to pay farmers for every instance of loss of production caused by natural disasters, exceptional occurrences or adverse weather comparable to natural disasters

Reference articles of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004: Article 11

Beneficiaries: In accordance with Article 11(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004, the beneficiaries of the aid scheme are farmers under Article 2135 of the Civil Code that take out collective insurance policies via defence consortia under Article 11 et seq. of Legislative Decree No 102/04 and agricultural cooperatives and consortia authorised by the Marche Region

Eligible costs: The scheme covers the costs of insurance premiums for the types of policies described in point 6 above taken out by farms operating in the Region collectively via defence consortia or via agricultural cooperatives and consortia recognised by the Marche Region

The eligibility of the expenditure begins from the date on which the aid is granted

Economic sectors: The aid scheme applies to all agricultural production under Annex 1 of the Treaty

Name and address of granting authority:

Regione Marche Servizio Agricoltura, Forestazione e Pesca Posizione di Funzione Tutela del Territorio e Sviluppo Rurale Via Tiziano 44 I-60100 Ancona

Website: www.agri.marche.it

XA Number: XA 118/06

Member State: Cyprus

Region: The scheme will be applied in all the areas of Cyprus in which the government of the Republic of Cyprus exercises effective control

Title of Aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Scheme to provide state aid to the Cyprus Holstein — Friesian Breeders Association

Legal basis:

(α) Προϋπολογισμός 2006. Υπουργείο Γεωργίας. Άρθρο 120229.04207. Άλλες γεωργικές επιδοτήσεις: Ενίσχυση για τη σύσταση και τη λειτουργία ένωσης εκτροφέων.

(β) Απόφαση του υπουργικού συμβουλίου της 12/12/2006.

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: An amount up to EUR 42 105 (CYP 24 000) will be granted after June 3 annually for five years covering the period 2006-2010. However the continuations of the scheme will depend on the provisions of the Regulation which will replace Regulation (EC) No 1/2004

Maximum aid intensity:

(a) Aid up to the amount of €4.210 (CYP 2.400) to cover part of the administrative cost directly linked to the establishment and maintenance of herd-book.

(b) Aid to cover up to 20 % of the cost of test performed by or on behalf of third parties to determine the genetic quality or yield of livestock capital.

Date of implementation: December 2006

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Five years 2006-2010. However the continuation of the scheme after June 30 2007 will depend on the provisions of the new exemption Regulations which will replace Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 of 23.12.2003.

Objective of aid: Aid to Cyprus Holstein — Friesian Breeders Association in order to encourage activities relating to the selection, conservation and promotion of Holstein — Friesian breed. Support is given: (a) to help the new by approved Breeders Association to overcome the administrative cost directly linked to the establishment and maintenance of the held-book and (b) to cover up to 20 % of the cost of test performed by or on behalf of third parties to determine the genetic quality or yield of livestock capital

The scheme is based on article 15 (a) and (b) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004, titled ‘Support for the livestock sector’.

Sector(s) concerned: Dairy — cattle sector. Cyprus Holstein — Friesian Breeders Association

Name and address of the granting authority:

Διεύθυνση Γεωργίας του Υπουργείου Γεωργίας, Φυσικών Πόρων και Περιβάλλοντος, Λευκωσία, Κύπρος/Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources & Environment Τηλ.: (357) 22 40 85 19/Tél: (357) 22 40 85 19 φαξ. (357) 22 78 14 25/fax. (357) 22 78 14 25 Ηλ. Διεύθυνση.: doagrg@da.moa.gov.cy/(e-mail: doagrg@da.moa.gov.cy)

Web-Address: www.moa.gov.cy/da

Other information: —

Aid No: XA 1/07

Member State: France

Region: Department of Loiret

Title of aid scheme:: Aid for the payment of insurance premiums to protect sensitive crops from hail

Legal Basis:

— Article 11 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004

— Loi 64.706 du 10 juillet 1964,

— Article L 361-8 du livre III (nouveau) du code rural,

— Article L 122.7 du code des assurances,

— Décret no 2006-370 fixant les modalités d'application de l'article L.361-8 du livre II (nouveau) du code rural en vue de favoriser le développement de l'assurance contre certains risques agricoles et notamment son article 7.

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR 40 000

Maximum Aid Intensity: 11 % of the amount of insurance premiums or contributions paid in 2006 for fruit crops from trees or bushes, fruiting vegetables, leaf-bearing vegetables and vines.

Date of implementation: 2006

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: One year

Objective of aid: To encourage farmers who do not have the financial means to insure themselves against a number of climate risks, thereby entitling them to have their insurance premiums partly covered by the State, to at least cover themselves against the risk of hail

Sectors(s) concerned: Fruit production from fruit-bearing trees and bushes, fruiting vegetables, leaf-bearing vegetables and vines

Name and address of the granting authority:

Conseil Général du Loiret 15, rue Eugène Vignat F-45010 Orléans Cedex 1

Address of website: http://www.loiret.com/cgloiret/

Aid No: XA 3/07

Member State: France

Region: Department of Seine-Maritime

Title of aid scheme: Aid for investment to preserve and improve the natural environment, under the chapter on preserving water quality by extending grassland areas and investment in equipment for such use

Legal Basis:

— Articles 4.3(d) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004;

— Articles L 1511-2 et L 1511-5 du code général des collectivités territoriales,

— Délibération du Conseil général de Seine-Maritime en date du 28 mars 2006.

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR 800 000

Maximum Aid Intensity:

— Ceiling of 40 % of eligible investment;

— Ceiling of 50 % for young farmers, provided investments are made by young farmers within five years of setting up

Date of implementation: Following acknowledgement of receipt by the European Commission

Duration of scheme: 2007-2009

Objective of aid: To extend and promote the use of grassland, which is paramount for the preservation of water quality, and at the same time, to improve the quality of agricultural produce (milk and meat). Thus the objectives contribute towards preserving and improving the natural environment

The aim of the plan is as follows:

to reduce run-off in areas at risk of erosion,

to trap suspended particles near water supply points or karstic caves,

a regulation area in wetlands and pasture valleys,

to limit nitrate detergents and the use of chemical inputs,

and to improve the organoleptic quality of produce

To qualify for this aid, applicants must have at least 30 % of their farm land used for permanent pasture and 50 % must be area under mainly grass forage at the time their application is submitted

Aid will cover 40 % of expenditure with a ceiling for investments of €8 000. The beneficiary pledges not to receive other public funding for the same investment. The aid will be paid upon receipt of settled invoices in chronological order as they are sent in, within the limits of the General Council's annual budget for this initiative

As of 2007, the maximum amount of aid per beneficiary will not exceed €400 000 over three financial years

The level of aid will rise to 50 % for young farmers, provided that investments are made by young farmers within five years of setting up.

The eligible costs will cover:

all work and equipment needed to extend grassland areas,

purchases of the following equipment for grazing: rotary slashers, brush cutters, dung spreading harrows, pasture harrows, haymakers, bale-wrappers, windrowers, lamier-type hedge-cutters (for grassland bordered with hedges), post drivers, mowers etc.

pasture management: installing closures, barriers, drinking troughs, containment areas, feeding racks, water supplies etc.

Sectors(s) concerned:

— All economically viable farms in Seine-Maritime;

— CUMA [machinery syndicate], with its registered office in Seine-Maritime

Name and address of the granting authority:

Monsieur le Président du Conseil Général Conseil Général de Seine-Maritime DAEH/SAE Quai Jean Moulin F-76101 Rouen Cedex 1

Address of website: http://www.seinemaritime.net

Heading ‘guide des aides’

The description will be uploaded once this exemption form is registered by the European Commission

XA number: XA 4/07

Member State: Belgium

Region: Not applicable; federal competency

Title of the aid scheme: Early retirement of farmers

Legal basis:

— Wet van 23 december 1994 tot instelling van een communautaire steunregeling voor vervroegde uittreding in de landbouwsector (Belgisch Staatsblad 25.01.1995 blz. 1653) gewijzigd bij de wet van 22 februari 1998 houdende sociale bepalingen (Titel 2, Hoofdstuk II, art. 250).

— Koninklijk besluit van 2 maart 1995 betreffende de nadere regels voor de toepassing van de communautaire steunregeling voor vervroegde uittreding in de landbouwsector, gewijzigd bij het koninklijk besluit van 24 april 1997 (afschaffing van de drempel van 5 ha bij overdracht van een bedrijf waarvan het inkomen uit de tuinbouw, de hop- of de tabaksteelt meer dan 50 % van het bedrijfsinkomen bedraagt in het jaar 1994; vaststelling van de uiterste datum voor indiening en ingangsdatum van het pensioen, toevoeging van een voorwaarde waardoor voor 10 % van de niet voor agrarische doeleinden aangewende gronden de overdracht niet gerealiseerd moet worden, wijziging van het statuut van de landbouwer-overnemer die zich installeert aan het hoofd van een bedrijf van de cedent-aanvrager; wijziging van het KB van 12 maart 1995, afwijking van de termijn voor de indiening van de dossiers voor 1 juli 1997).

— Koninklijk besluit van 13 maart 1998 houdende uitvoering van artikel 8 van de wet van 23 december 1994 tot instelling van de communautaire steunregeling voor vervroegde uittreding in de landbouwsector.

— Koninklijk besluit van 24 maart 1998 houdende uitvoering van artikel 13 van de wet van 23 december 1994 tot instelling van de communautaire steunregeling voor vervroegde uittreding in de landbouwsector (wijziging van de datum voor indiening en de ingangsdatum van het pensioen + afwijking voor aanvragen van voor 1 juli 1998).

— Koninklijk besluit van 18 november 1998 houdende uitvoering van artikel 13 van de wet van 23 december 1994 tot instelling van de communautaire steunregeling voor vervroegde uittreding in de landbouwsector (wijziging van de datum voor indiening en de ingangsdatum van het pensioen + afwijking van aanvragen van voor 1 maart 1999).

— Ministerieel besluit van 13 maart 1995 tot vaststelling van nadere regels voor de indiening van de steunaanvragen voor vervroegde uittreding in de landbouwsector, gewijzigd bij het ministerieel besluit van 7 mei 1998 (wijziging van bijlage 1 bij het MB van 13 maart 1995).

Annual state expenditure planned under the scheme: (no EAFRD part-financing from 1 January 2007) in euro = the cost of state supplements paid to those aged between 65 and 75, over and above the normal early retirement payments:

Maximum aid intensity: The maximum state supplement to a state early retirement pension for the self-employed is EUR 3 560,33 per year (the average annual sum is EUR 2 399,35).

Date of implementation: The date on which this supplement for those aged between 65 and 75 becomes a purely national matter (without part-financing from the EAFRD, formerly the EAGGF Guarantee Section) is 1 January 2007

Objective of aid: Objectives of Regulation (EEC) No 2079/92. Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 is applicable here: the conditions mentioned in this Article are met

Economic sector concerned: Horizontal aid scheme for farmers who benefit from an early retirement pension for the self-employed under the provisions of Royal Decree No 72 of 10.11.1967 on retirement and survivor's pensions for the self-employed

Name and address of the granting authority:

Rijksinstituut voor de Sociale Verzekeringen der Zelfstandigen (RSVZ)/Institut National d'Assurances sociales pour travailleurs indépendants (INASTI) Jan Jacobsplein 6/Place Jean Jacobs 6 B-1000 Brussel/B-1000 Bruxelles www.rsvz-inasti.fgov.be

Other information: This relates to notification of a Community aid scheme for early retirement from farming, for which the aid programme was already approved in 1994 by a Commission Decision and which, from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2006, formed part of the Belgian federal rural development programme, as approved by the Commission. For the new rural development period, 2007-2013, EAFRD part-financing is no longer being requested by the Belgian authorities. The payments correspond to past expenses for applications made by the end of 1999 with payment commitments until the end of 2014

The agriculture unit of the Federal Department for the Economy's General Directorate for Economic Potential:

guarantees funding of these state early retirement supplements (to be paid from the Federal Agricultural Fund);

guarantees the necessary contacts with the INASTI/RSVZ;

will provide for follow-up and monitoring of the checks carried out by the regional authorities

The competent official dealing with this notification is:

De heer ir. G. VYVEY/Monsieur G. VYVEY

Algemene Directie Economisch — Federale eenheid ‘Landbouw’/Direction générale ‘Économie’, unité fédérale ‘Agriculture’

WTC III — 4de verdieping/WTC III — 4e étage

Simon Bolivarlaan, 30/Avenue Simon Bolivar, 30

bur. 45/Bureau 45.

B-1000 Brussel/B-1000 Bruxelles

Tel. (32-2) 277 62 34/Tél.: (32-2) 277 62 34

Fax (32-2) 277 53 18/Fax (32-2) 277 53 18

E-mail: gilbert.vyvey@economie.fgov.be