EN Official Journal of the European Union C 198/4

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 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 of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001

2009/C 198/03

Aid No: XA 55/09

Member State: Latvia

Region: —

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Atbalsta shēma “Atbalsts lauku un lauksaimnieku biedrību un nodibinājumu savstarpējās sadarbības veicināšanai”

Legal basis: Ministru kabineta noteikumu “Noteikumi par ikgadējo valsts atbalstu lauksaimniecībai un tā piešķiršanas kārtību” 5. pielikuma 1. programma 1.–9. punkts

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Total amount under the aid scheme in 2009: LVL 550 000

Total amount under the aid scheme in 2010: LVL 550 000

Total amount under the aid scheme in 2011: LVL 550 000

Total amount under the aid scheme in 2012: LVL 550 000

Total amount under the aid scheme in 2013: LVL 550 000

Maximum aid intensity: ‘Aid for the promotion of mutual cooperation between rural and farmers’ associations and foundations which provide services to farmers is granted at a rate of 100 % in the case of consultancy services provided by third parties in respect of the fees payable for services which do not constitute a continuous or periodic activity nor relate to the enterprise's usual operating expenditure.

‘Aid is granted to rural and farmers’ associations and foundations in order to cover operating expenditure for the provision of services.

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 30 December 2013

Objective of aid: The objective of the aid is to involve rural and farmers’ associations and foundations in the decision-making process and to ensure the flow of information between national administrative authorities, European Union institutions and the farming community.

The aid is granted under Article 15(2)(c) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 of 15 December 2006 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 of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001.

Sector(s) concerned: The aid is intended for small and medium-sized enterprises active in the primary production of agricultural products.

The aid is intended for the animal production and plant production sectors.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Latvijas Republikas Zemkopības ministrija Rīga, LV-1981 LATVIJA

Website: http://www.zm.gov.lv/doc_upl/Atbalsts_NVO.pdf

Other information: ‘Aid for the promotion of mutual cooperation between rural and farmers’ associations and foundations will be granted under Article 15 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 of 15 December 2006 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 of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001.

The aid is to be granted in kind by means of subsidised services and does not involve direct payments of money to producers, and the aid will be accessible to all those eligible in the area concerned, based on objectively defined conditions.

No aid remains in the intermediary enterprise; all aid is passed on to the final beneficiaries.

Aid will not be granted retroactively in respect of activities which have already been carried out by the beneficiary.

Aid No: XA 56/09

Member State: Latvia

Region: —

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Atbalsta shēma “Atbalsts kredītprocentu daļējai dzēšanai”

Legal basis: Ministru kabineta noteikumu “Noteikumi par valsts atbalstu lauksaimniecībai un tā piešķiršanas kārtību 6”. pielikums 1. programma 1–15. punkts

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Total amount under the aid scheme in 2009: LVL 10 000 000

Total amount under the aid scheme in 2010: LVL 10 000 000

Total amount under the aid scheme in 2011: LVL 10 000 000

Total amount under the aid scheme in 2012: LVL 10 000 000

Total amount under the aid scheme in 2013: LVL 10 000 000

Maximum aid intensity: The aid intensity is 40-60 % and the aid may be taken up by applicants active in the production of primary agricultural products who have obtained a loan or leasing arrangement for investments in:

The aid covers part of the interest actually paid on the loan or leasing arrangement (except operational leasing). The amount of aid is the amount which does not exceed 4 % of the annual credit rate, or the actual rate, if the credit rate is less than 4 %.

The amount of aid is to be calculated in conformity with the requirements of Article 19 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006. The amount of aid may not exceed:

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 30 December 2013

Objective of aid: The objective of the aid is to promote the development of rational and efficient agricultural production by reducing production costs and introducing modern production technologies.

The aid is granted in accordance with Article 4 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001.

Sector(s) concerned: The aid is intended for small and medium-sized enterprises active in the primary production of agricultural products.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Zemkopības ministrija Rīga 2.2.2009. Latvijas Republikas Zemkopības ministrija Rīga, LV-1981 LATVJIA

Website: http://www.zm.gov.lv/doc_upl/kreditprocentu_kompensacijas.pdf

Other information: Aid will not be granted retroactively in respect of activities which have already been carried out by the beneficiary.

The maximum amount of aid granted to a single enterprise over a three-year period must not exceed LVL 281 120 (EUR 400 000), or LVL 351 400 (EUR 500 000) if the enterprise is situated in a less-favoured area.

Aid is to be granted only to enterprises which are not enterprises in difficulty.

In accordance with Article 4(10) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006, aid is not to be granted in respect of the manufacture of products which imitate or substitute for milk and milk products.

Aid No: XA 129/09

Member State: France

Region: Département des Yvelines

Title of aid scheme: Aides aux investissements dans les exploitations agricoles du département

Legal basis:

— article 4 du règlement (CE) no 1857/2006 de la Commission du 15 décembre 2006,

— article L 1511-2 à L 1511-5 du code général des collectivités territoriales,

— délibération du Conseil Général,

— convention entre la Chambre Interdépartementale de l’Agriculture d’Ile-de-France, l’Etat et le Conseil Général des Yvelines du 25 avril 2002 et son avenant du 20 juillet 2006.

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR 230 000 per year

Maximum aid intensity:

— 40 % for safety works on equipment to store liquid fertiliser and plant protection products and works to create filling and cleaning areas for sprayers,

— 10 % in other cases.

Date of implementation: From the publication of the exemption form on the Commission’s site.

Duration of scheme: Until 31 December 2013

Objective of aid: The purpose of this aid scheme is to assist agricultural holdings in Yvelines to withstand the very high urban pressure specific to that department, make it possible for agriculture to retain its position in the area and safeguard agricultural activity there.

It is the continuation of the aid scheme which was notified to the European Commission and approved by the latter under nos N 607/2001 and N 137/2005. The Conseil Général (Departmental Council) wishes to continue it by bringing it into line with the framework of Article 4 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006, with the conditions of which it will comply.

That provision is in fact essential for the department. It is the originator of projects for the improvement of both the environmental quality and economic profitability of agriculture in Yvelines.

The departmental provisions have made it possible to promote investments in holdings. The upper limit of the 10 % aid rate of EUR 11 000 (in the majority of cases) required a significant contribution from the farmer and was therefore primarily an incentive. Since 2002, applications for grants have not stopped rising, going up from 6 in 2002 to almost 50 in 2007.

There are always many projects. That is the reason why the Conseil Général would like a new aid scheme to provide for an overall budget of EUR 230 000.

The increase to a 40 % aid rate in 2005 for safety works on equipment to store liquid fertiliser and plant protection products has been very effective and made to possible to set up 41 plant protection sites and 23 storage tanks for liquid fertiliser containers in holdings in Yvelines. That aid rate incentive will be renewed in order further to increase the number of holdings affected and to reduce in proportion the risks of accidental water pollution.

Moreover, the Conseil Général has adapted the provisions to new national issues by promoting investments related to the high environmental value certification of agricultural holdings set up by the Grenelle Environment Forum.

Eligible investments must therefore reflect at least one of the following priorities, corresponding to one of the objectives in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006:

protection and improvement of water quality, such as the works related to making safe infrastructure for storage of products which pose a risk (fuel, fertilisers, plant protection products) and for filling treatment equipment, equipment related to the adaptation of treatment equipment (rinse-water tank, rinsing can, low-drift nozzles, dosing equipment, and so on) designed to reduce pollution, work additional to the upgrading works of livestock buildings if they are in excess of Community standards, equipment to improve the effectiveness of precision agriculture;

protection of the environment, such as high value environmental certification, projects including equipment for better management of water resources intended for agriculture or investments enabling the adoption of cultivation practices which are more respectful of the arboricultural environment in particular (high-performance control equipment to control and homogenise water supply, equipment to evaluate water requirements like strain gauges);

modernisation of specialised holdings, such as investments to help start a new holding (boreholes when they are essential), investments bringing an improvement in quality, production conditions or hygiene conditions, or a decrease in the cost of production (installation of a parabolic cover, construction of a tunnel, setting up of an irrigation system), the acquisition of innovative environmental protection equipment;

improvement of food quality and safety, such as investments to improve storage conditions (cold store, warehouse), equipment related to the ventilation and grading of grain on the holding, equipment and facilities to improve the quality and food safety of early crops (potatoes) on the holding;

diversification projects, such as constructions and facilities related to ‘diversification livestock or part of production’ of a regional or branded type or bearing a label (modification of a livestock building, fodder or cereals storage for animal feed, set up of a loose box for the rearing of horses), equipment or facilities related to storage of early crops in connection with quality diversification production or designed to improve regional production.

Irrespective of the investment strategy and the nature of the investments concerned, mere replacement transactions are ineligible under the provisions. Further, second-hand equipment is not eligible.

In accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006, the purchase of irrigation equipment and irrigation works can be supported only in so far as it leads to a reduction of water use of at least 25 %.

For all of the investment expenditure in agricultural holdings laid down in the scheme, the Conseil Général provides for restricting aid to farmers whose facilities comply with environmental, hygiene and animal welfare standards

In respect of rates, the provisions lay down aid of 10 %, with an upper limit of EUR 11 000. Liquid fertiliser and plant protection storage equipment which are exceptions are subsided at 40 % (with an upper limit of EUR 4 500 per piece of equipment).

That aid may supplement other aid. In that case, compliance with the upper limits will always be ensured:

40 % (maximum) of eligible investments,

50 % (maximum) of eligible investments if they are made by young farmers within five years of setting up,

60 % (maximum) of investments resulting in extra costs relating to the protection of the environment, the improvement of hygiene conditions of livestock enterprises or the welfare of farm animals.

The increase in the rate concerning the environment, hygiene or animal welfare will be applied only to the eligible costs necessary for the improvement objective, limited to investments which do not result in an increase in production capacity and go beyond the minimum requirements in force or are made to comply with newly introduced standards, under the conditions laid down in Articles 2(10) and 4(2)(e) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006.

Sector(s) concerned: All agricultural holdings carrying on their activity within the department of Yvelines.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Monsieur le président du Conseil général des Yvelines Hôtel du département 2 place André Mignot 78012 Versailles Cedex FRANCE

Website: http://www.yvelines.fr/yvelines_eco/documents/aide_invest_exploit_agri.pdf

Aid No: XA 145/09

Member State: Spain

Region: Comunitat Valenciana

Aid scheme: Ayuda al Centro Integrado Apícola Valenciano

Legal basis: Resolución de la Consellera de Agricultura Pesca y Alimentación, que concede la subvención basada en la línea nominativa descrita en la ley 17/2008 de presupuestos de la Generalitat.

Annual expenditure planned: EUR 50 000 in 2009

Maximum aid intensity: 100 % of eligible expenditure

Date of implementation: from the date on which the registration number of the exemption request is published on the website of the Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Duration of scheme: 2009

Objective of aid: to provide the following services to Valencian beekeepers and their organisations:

Tests, health checks and other methods of detecting diseases in beehives

Testing and systems to ensure compliance with the marketing standards for honey and other beekeeping products

The eligible costs covered by the aid are those referred to in Regulation 1857/2006 under Article 10 (health checks granted in kind through subsidised services), and Article 14(2)(b) (implementing systems to ensure authenticity and compliance with marketing standards).

Sector(s) concerned: Owners of Valencian bee farms and their organisations

Name and address of the granting authority:

Conselleria de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación C/ Amadeo de Saboya, 2 46010 Valencia ESPAÑA

Website: http://www.agricultura.gva.es/especiales/ayudas_agrarias/pdf/ciav2009.pdf

Aid No: XA 159/09

Member State: Italy

Region: Emilia-Romagna (Camera di Commercio di Bologna)

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Regolamento camerale per l’assegnazione alle imprese della provincia di Bologna di contributi in conto abbattimento interessi per l’accesso al credito

Legal basis: Deliberazione della Giunta camerale n. 42 del 3 marzo 2009 che modifica il regime approvato con deliberazione di Giunta n. 185 del 16 settembre 2008 (XA number: 372/08).

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: The confirmed annual expenditure for Aid XA 372/08

Maximum aid intensity: The confirmed intensity for Aid XA 372/08

Date of implementation: From the date of publication of the registration number of the exemption application on the website of the Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: until 31 december 2013

Objective of aid: The confirmed objectives for Aid XA 372/08

Sector(s) concerned: The confirmed sectors for Aid XA 372/08

Name and address of the granting authority:

Camera di Commercio I.A.A. di Bologna Piazza Mercanzia 4 40125 Bologna BO ITALY

Web address: http://www.bo.camcom.it/intranet/ALTRI-SERV/DIRITTO-AN/Consorzi-F/index.htm

Other information: The amendments to Aid XA 372/08 concern only the following:

extending eligibility for this interest rebate to include cases in which financing is provided by recognised financial institutions (previously it was available for bank loans only);

introducing the option of sending interest rebate requests electronically instead of by post;

revising the deadlines for submitting requests (within 60 days of the date of notification of the granting of the funding by the credit or financial institution, but not after 30 April of the year subsequent to that when the ceiling was set.)