Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(2002/C 146/03)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Date of adoption of the decision: 8.5.2001

Member State: Germany

Aid No: E 10/2000

Title: "Anstaltslast and Gewährträgerhaftung - State guarantees for public credit institutions in Germany"

Objective: Support the public credit institutions in their economic functioning

Legal basis: Anstaltslast: general principle of law, explicitly codified only in some relevant laws of similar wording (e.g. § 3(2) Brandenburgisches Sparkassengesetz: "Der Gewährträger stellt sicher, dass die Sparkasse ihre Aufgaben erfüllen kann")

Gewährträgerhaftung: Provisions of similar wording in the respective regional (Länder) laws as regards Landesbank, savings banks and regional special credit institutions and in the federal laws as regards federal special credit institutions (e.g. § 5 Niedersächsisches Landesbankgesetz: "Für die Verbindlichkeiten der Bank haften die Gewährträger gesamtschuldnerisch, soweit die Befriedigung aus dem Vermögen der Bank nicht möglich ist")

Budget: Unlimited in amount

Aid intensity or amount: Not quantified

Duration: Unlimited in time

Other information: 1. Form of interventions: State guarantees

2. Proposal of appropriate measures laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty in order to adapt the aid scheme to the requirements of the Community State aid rules

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 27.9.2001

Member State: Germany (Lower Saxony)

Aid No: N 281/01

Title: Regional aid for freshwater fisheries and aquaculture

Objective: The aim of the measure is to improve the profitability and competitiveness of the fishing industry and to maintain or restore the natural balance (it forms part of the programming of measures part-financed by the FIFG)

Legal basis: Directives governing the grant of regional subsidies for investments in freshwater fisheries

Budget: 2000-2006: DEM 7227000 (EUR 3695106)

Aid intensity or amount: Assistance may reach 25 % of eligible expenditure. In cases of joint-financing (by the Community, the public authorities and the private beneficiary), the regional assistance must not be less than 5 % of the eligible expenditure

Duration: 2000-2008

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 27.9.2001

Member State: Germany (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania)

Aid No: N 320/01

Title: Promotion of investment in aquaculture

Objective: The aim of the measure is to improve the profitability and competitiveness of aquaculture businesses (it forms part of the programming of measures part-financed by the FIFG)

Legal basis: Directives governing the grant of subsidies for investments in aquaculture

Budget: 2001-2004: EUR 1851500

Aid intensity or amount: Assistance may reach 50 % of the eligible expenditure if the investment does not exceed EUR 1,5 million (regional contribution: 15 %, Community contribution: 35 %). If the investment is greater than EUR 1,5 million, the assistance may be up to 40 % of eligible expenditure (regional contribution: 5 %, Community contribution: 35 %)

Duration: Unlimited

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 14.8.2001

Member State: Germany (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania)

Aid No: N 342/01

Title: Aid for investment in inland fisheries

Objective: This measure will increase business productivity, help to improve working conditions and promote modern catch techniques and methods that ensure a sustainable exploitation of fishery resources (it forms part of the programming of measures part-financed by the FIFG)

Legal basis: Directives governing the grant of subsidies for investments in inland fisheries

Budget: 2000-2004: EUR 63800

Aid intensity or amount: Assistance may reach 50 % of the eligible expenditure for the construction or modernisation of fishing vessels, up to 35 % of which will be borne by the Structural Funds and 15 % will come from regional funds

Duration: Unlimited

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 13.11.2001

Member State: Netherlands

Aid No: N 358/01

Title: Stichting Infrastructuur Kwaliteitsborging Bodembeheer

Objective: Enhance the standards of soil management in the Netherlands

Legal basis: Algemene Wet Bestuursrecht en het Besluit Milieusubsidies

Budget: EUR 485999 per year

Duration: Six years

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 2.5.2002

Member State: Italy

Aid No: N 461/01

Title: Excise tax exemption in favour of the production of biodiesel

Legal basis: Legge finanziaria 2001

Duration: Until 30 June 2004

Other information: The Italian Government committed itself to monitor annually the production cost and modify the scheme accordingly if overcompensation occurs

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 10.10.2001

Member State: Netherlands

Aid No: N 497/2000

Title: Amendments to various aid schemes of the fish producers' association

Objective: The measure adapts and extends the aid schemes

Legal basis: 1. Verordening onderzoekfonds aanvoersector

2. Verordening onderwijsfonds aanvoersector

3. Verordening onderzoek- en projectenfonds groothandel

4. Verordening promotiecampagne garnalen

5. Verordening onderwijsfonds kleinhandel

6. Verordening fonds voor vispromotie

Aid intensity or amount: Approximately EUR 600000 per year

Duration: Unlimited

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 7.5.2002

Member State: Portugal (autonomous region of the Azores)

Aid No: N 507/01

Title: Siriart, regional aid scheme

Objective: Regular public passenger transport services

Legal basis: Proposta de alteração da Portaria n.o 21/2000 de 23 de Março de 2000. Portaria n.o 21/2000 de 23 de Março de 2000

Budget: The overall budget is EUR 15213335,86

Duration: 2001-2010

Other information: This aid scheme had already been notified (N 95/98). The region then realised that the notification had not been properly drafted and asked for it to be cancelled. Ministerial Order No 21/2000 had already been published and although some recipients of the aid provided for have made investments, to date, no financial aid has been granted by the regional authorities

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 10.10.2001

Member State: Germany (Lower Saxony)

Aid No: N 518/01

Title: Aid for marketing and processing and fishing ports

Objective: The purpose of this measure is to improve the facilities for processing and marketing fishery products and to improve port facilities (it forms part of the programming of measures part-financed by the FIFG)

Legal basis: Directive granting subsidies to improve processing and marketing facilities in the fishing sector and to improve fishing port facilities

Budget: EUR 4,1 million

Aid intensity or amount: In the case of processing and marketing: up to 25 % of the eligible costs, subject to the ceiling set for joint-financing. In this case the aid granted by the Land represents at least 5 % of the eligible expenditure. The aid to public port authorities may reach 50 % of eligible expenditure, subject to the ceiling set for joint financing

Duration: 2001-2006

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 27.2.2002

Member State: Netherlands

Aid No: N 520/01

Title: Soil Protection Agreement

Objective: To subsidise rehabilitation of industrial polluted sites

Legal basis: Wet Bodemsanering

Budget: EUR 1,13 billion

Aid intensity or amount: 15 to 70 %

Duration: 4,5 years, until 31 December 2005

Other information: Annual report

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 10.10.2001

Member State: Netherlands

Aid No: N 539/01

Title: Financing research on mussel growing

Objective: To finance research and development on mussel growing

Legal basis: Regulation on funding research on mussel growing in 2001

Budget: NLG 1360000 (EUR 617141) in 2001

Aid intensity or amount: The amount is financed through a levy on the product (a maximum of NLG 2 per tonne of mussels landed and a maximum of NLG 2 per tonne of mussels received)

Duration: Unlimited

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 20.12.2001

Member State: Belgium

Aid No: N 544/01

Title: Ford Genk, training aid

Objective: Training aid in the motor vehicle sector

Legal basis: Ad-hoc aid

Aid intensity or amount: BEF 310 million (EUR 7,685 million) in nominal values

Duration: Training project 2000-2003

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 27.9.2001

Member State: Germany

Aid No: N 55/01

Title: Promotion of structural measures for inland fisheries in the Land of Brandenburg

Objective: To increase profitability, to improve hygiene and to make production more compatible with the environment

Legal basis: Richtlinie des Ministeriums für Landwirtschaft und Umwelt über die Gewährung von Beihilfen zur Förderung struktureller Maßnahmen im Sektor Binnenfischerei des Bundeslandes Brandenburg

Budget: 2000-2006: EUR 1479000

Aid intensity or amount: Joint financing under the FIFG

Duration: 2000-2006

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 12.3.2002

Member State: Denmark

Aid No: N 563/01

Title: Act on taxation of shipping (Tonnage Tax)

Objective: Preserve competitiveness of the fleet and promote the maritime shipping "cluster" (employment of EC seafarers, preservation of maritime know-how in the EC and development of maritime skills and the improvement of safety)

Legal basis: Lov om beskatning af rederivirksomhed (tonnageskatteloven) i folketingssamlingen 2001-2002

Budget: DKK 50 million (approximately EUR 6,7 million) per year

Aid intensity or amount: Under the Tonnage Tax the profit from each qualifying ship is to be calculated by reference to a fixed rate per 100 net tonnage per day as follows:

- up to and including 1000 NT DKK 7 (approximately EUR 0,9) per 100 NT

- between 1001 NT and 10000 NT DKK 5 (approximately EUR 0,7) per 100 NT

- between 10001 NT and 25000 NT DKK 3 (approximately EUR 0,4) per 100 NT

- more than 25000 NT DKK 2 (approximately EUR 0,3) per 100 NT

Duration: No time limit

Other information: The Danish authorities committed themselves to provide regular reports on the achievement of the Tonnage Tax objectives

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 7.5.2002

Member State: Italy

Aid No: N 646/B/2000

Title: Measures to promote transport investment in the less-favoured regions of Italy

Objective: Regional development

Legal basis: Legge n. 388, articolo 8 del 31.12.2000 - Legge finanziaria per l'anno 2001

Budget: ITL 9000 billion per year (approximately EUR 4,6 billion per year) for all sectors, transport representing 10,3 %

Aid intensity or amount: Regions eligible for the derogation provided for in Article 87(3)(a) of the Treaty, maximum:

- Calabria: 50 % nge

- Basilicata: 35 % nge

- Campania: 35 % nge

- Apulia: 35 % nge

- Sardinia: 35 % nge

- Sicily: 35 % nge

All the abovementioned aid intensity ceilings are increased by 15 percentage points gross for small and medium-sized enterprises

Regions eligible for the derogation provided for in Article 87(3)(c) of the Treaty:

- 8 % nge

- 20 % nge for the Abruzzo and Molise regions.

The abovementioned aid intensity ceilings are increased by 10 percentage points gross for small and medium-sized enterprises and by 6 percentage points gross for small enterprises, with the exception of the areas of Abruzzo and Molise where an increase of 10 percentage points gross is proposed for medium-sized enterprises also

Duration: Until 31 December 2006

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 14.5.2002

Member State: Portugal

Aid No: N 707/01

Title: Aid scheme for demonstrations of technologically innovative products, processes and systems (R & D demonstrations)

Objective: Research and technological development (all sectors)

Legal basis: Portaria Conjunta

Budget: EUR 3,2 million

Aid intensity or amount: Variable according to the type of project, enterprise and region; individual aid amount is limited to EUR 1,25 million

Duration: Until end of 2006

Other information: Annual implementation report

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 8.4.2002

Member State: Belgium

Aid No: N 711/2000

Title: Aid scheme for small firms

Objective: To stimulate investments in small firms in Flanders

Legal basis: Wet van 4 augustus 1978 betreffende de economische expansie van kleine ondernemingen

Budget: EUR 137 million per year

Aid intensity or amount: Up to 15 %

Duration: Until 31 December 2003

Other information: Annual report

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 21.12.2001

Member State: Austria (Burgenland)

Aid No: N 743/01

Title: Implementation of Community structural measures in the fisheries sector

Objective: Draft special guidelines of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Environment and Water Management for the transposition of Community structural measures in the fisheries sector under the FIFG in Burgenland (Objective 1 region)

Legal basis: Sonderrichtlinie des Bundesministers für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft zur Umsetzung der gemeinschaftlichen Strukturmaßnahmen im Fischereisektor im Rahmen des FIAF im Ziel-1-Gebiet Burgenland

Budget: EUR 1100000

Aid intensity or amount: Part-financing under the FIFG

Duration: 2000-2006

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 9.4.2002

Member State: Italy (Sicily)

Aid No: N 844/01

Title: Aid in favour of STMicroelectronics SRL

Objective: Realisation of a large investment under the multisectoral framework on regional aid for the construction of a production site of silicon wafers of 12 inches mainly for NOR flash memories

Legal basis: Art. 8 legge n. 388 del 23 dicembre 2000 - Legge finanziaria 2001

Aid intensity or amount: EUR 542,3 million, amounting to an aid intensity of 26,25 %

Duration: 2001-2006

Other information: Commitment by Italy to comply with the obligations regarding ex-post monitoring according to point 6 of the multisectoral framework on regional aid for large investment projects

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 31.8.2001

Member State: Germany

Aid No: N 852/2000

Title: Aid for investment in the cutter and coastal fishing sectors in Schleswig-Holstein

Objective: The aim of this measure is to ensure efficient and sustainable fishing and to improve the fisheries sector in Schleswig-Holstein. (This forms part of the programming of measures part-financed by the FIFG)

Legal basis: Richtlinien für die Gewährung von Zuwendungen zur Förderung der Kutter- und Küstenfischerei in Schleswig-Holstein

Budget: 2001-2005: approximately DEM 7500000 (approximately EUR 3834689)

Aid intensity or amount: Subsidies to construct or modernise fishing vessels can be up to 20 % of duly justified expenditure. The subsidy for buying a second-hand fishing vessel can be up to 10 % of justified expenditure, and for business formation 20 %. Subsidies for conversion projects can be up to 20 % of duly justified expenditure. All these amounts are reduced in direct proportion to subsidies received from the EU or Federal authorities

Duration: 2001-2005

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 3.4.2002

Member State: Denmark

Aid No: NN 10/02 (ex N 425/01)

Title: Social measures in the employment sector

Objective: Integration into the labour market of people suffering from severe physical or mental problems

Legal basis: Lov om ændring af lov om aktiv socialpolitik og andre love (ændring af reglerne om fleksjob, ledighedsydelse, sagsbehandling m.v.)

Budget: Between DKK 1221 million (approximately EUR 164 million) in 2001 and DKK 2459 million (approximately EUR 330 million) in 2005

Aid intensity or amount: 50 or 66,6 % of wages, depending on the degree of disability

Duration: Ten years

Other information: N 516/97 and N 358/97

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 7.5.2002

Member State: Germany

Aid No: NN 89/01

Title: Financial contributions 2001

Objective: Maritime shipping - seafarers' skills

Legal basis: Richtlinie zur Förderung der deutschen Seeschifffahrt 2001

Budget: EUR 4090335,05

Aid intensity or amount: 45 % (EUR 25564,59)

Duration: 2001

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids