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

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(2003/C 236/04)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Date of adoption of the decision: 2.9.2003

Member State: Italy

Aid No: N 121/03

Title: Land reallocation and generational turnover in agriculture

Objective: The notified measure is a scheme for land reparcelling through long-term land lease. Aid will be granted to owners of agricultural land who accept to definitively stop farming and lease their land through ISMEA, the Italian Land Management body. The aid is granted for early retirement, for the cessation of farming activities of unprofitable undertakings and for the transfer of land by owners of agricultural undertakings who do not work as farmers

Legal basis: Schema di delibera ISMEA "Modalità di intervento dell'Ismea per favorire il riordino fondiario ed il ricambio generazionale in agricoltura"

Budget: EUR 500000 for 2003

Aid intensity or amount: Early retirement: EUR 15000 per year and EUR 150000 overall

Unprofitable undertakings: EUR 50000

Tansfer of land by owners of agricultural undertakings not working as farmers: EUR 150000

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: 2.9.2003

Member State: Greece

Aid No: N 156/03

Title: Grant of financial assistance to farmers and stockfarmers whose holdings were damaged as a result of the bad weather during the period from January to October 2001 (draft joint ministerial decree amending the aid scheme approved under State aid N 376/02, as amended)

Objective: To compensate farmers for losses due to adverse weather

Legal basis: Χορήγηση οικονομικής ενίσχυσης σε αγρότες των οποίων οι εκμεταλλεύσεις ζημιώθηκαν από τις δυσμενείς καιρικές συνθήκες κατά τη διάρκεια της περιόδου Ιανουαρίου/Οκτωβρίου 2001 (σχέδιο διυπουργικής απόφασης)

Budget: EUR 7500000

Aid intensity or amount: Variable, depending on the losses

Duration: Four 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: 1.9.2003

Member State: Italy (Tuscany)

Aid No: N 174/03

Title: Programme of Protection of Local Endangered Breeds (2003-2005)

Objective: The projects aim at improving the genectic base and variability of the local endangered breeds

Legal basis: Deliberazione del Consiglio regionale n. 9 del 31.3.2003 relativa alla proposta di programma di interventi per la tutela delle razze reliquia autoctone in pericolo di estinzione, nel triennio 2003-2005

Budget: EUR 80000 per year

Aid intensity or amount: 40 % aid for the purchase of high-quality male breeding animlas registered in the relevant herd books and 25 % for the purchase of high quality female breeding animals and 40 % aid for animal breeding projects based on specific mating programs

Duration: 2003 to 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: 2.9.2003

Member State: Belgium (Flanders)

Aid No: N 215/03

Title: Compensation of damages following the outbreak of animal and plant diseases (amendment of an existing scheme) and the implementing measures relating to avian influenza

Objective: To compensate damages following the outbreak of an animal disease

Legal basis: Besluit van de Vlaamse Regering van 24 november 2000 betreffende steun aan investeringen en aan de installatie in de landbouw.

Ontwerp van Ministerieel Besluit tot wijziging van het Ministerieel Besluit van 24 november 2000 betreffende steun aan investeringen en aan de installatie in de landbouw

Budget: - Amendment of an existing scheme: no budget has been set.

- Implementing measures:

1. interest rate subidy: EUR 392943 and guarantee: no budget has been set;

2. capital grant: EUR 4679184

Aid intensity or amount: Less than 100 %

Duration: - Existing scheme as amended: indefinite.

- Implementing measures:

1. interest rate and guarantee 2003 to 2005;

2. capital grant: one off

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: 1.9.2003

Member State: Italy (Lombardia)

Aid No: N 241/03

Title: Aids to the holding "Zanetti Luigi e Vittorio, cascina Belvedere - Comune di Calcio (Bergamo)"

Objective: The measure aims at granting revenue aid to the holding in question, contaminated by PCB

Legal basis: "Intervento a sostegno del mancato reddito dell'azienda Zanetti Luigi e Vittorio, cascina Belvedere - Comune di Calcio (Bergamo)"

Budget: EUR 302125,5

Aid intensity or amount: EUR 302125,5

Duration: Una tantum

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: 1.9.2003

Member State: Italy (Lombardy)

Aid No: N 257/03

Title: Compensatory payments in less-favoured areas

Objective: Aid scheme for compensatory payments in less-favoured areas

Legal basis: Delibera della Giunta regionale n. 12682 del 10.4.2003, relativa a criteri regionali per la concessione di un regime di aiuti denominato "indennità compensativa in zone montane"

Budget: EUR 8000000 per year in the first three years

Aid intensity or amount: On the basis of a simplified or annual scheme (EUR 95/Ha for forage areas on livestock farms, areas under olives, areas under fruit trees and areas under vines, and EUR 300/Ha for areas under vines in Valtellina)

Duration: 10 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: 1.9.2003

Member State: United Kingdom

Aid No: N 263/03

Title: TSE testing of sheep and goats fallen stock

Objective: The notified aid scheme, which will run until 2008, is designed to cover the costs of removal, disposal and TSE testing of sheep and goats which died on farms in the United Kingdom

Legal basis: Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2001 laying down rules for the prevention, control and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies(1), as amended;

National implementing provisions of Regulation 999/2001:

TSE (England) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/843)

TSE (England) Amendment Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/1353)

TSE (England) Amendment (N. 2) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/2860)

TSE (Wales) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/1416)

TSE (Scotland) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/255)

Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Regulations (Northern Ireland 2002) (SR 2002/225)

Budget: 2003/2004: GBP 2,00 million in Great Britain and GBP 0,053 million in Northern Ireland

2004/2005: GBP 2,08 million in Great Britain and GBP 0,055 million in Northern Ireland

2005/2006: GBP 2,16 million in Great Britain and GBP 0,057 million in Northern Ireland

2006/2007: GBP 2,24 million in Great Britain and GBP 0,06 million in Northern Ireland

2007/2008: GBP 2,34 million in Great Britain and GBP 0,062 million in Northern Ireland

Aid intensity or amount: 100 %

Duration: Until 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: 1.9.2003

Member State: United Kingdom

Aid No: N 264/03

Title: TSE testing of sheep and goats destined for human consumption

Objective: The notified aid scheme, which will run until 2008, is designed to cover the costs of the obligatory TSE testing of United Kingdom sheep and goats over 18 months of age destined for human consumption

Legal basis: Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2001 laying down rules for the prevention, control and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies(2), as amended;

National implementing provisions of Regulation (EC) No 999/2001:

TSE (England) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/843)

TSE (England) Amendment Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/1353)

TSE (England) Amendment (N. 2) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/2860)

TSE (Wales) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/1416)

TSE (Scotland) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/255)

Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Regulations (Northern Ireland 2002) (SR 2002/225)

Budget: 2003/2004: GBP 10,7 million in Great Britain and GBP 0,2 million in Northern Ireland

2004/2005: GBP 11,13 million in Great Britain and GBP 0,21 million in Northern Ireland

2005/2006: GBP 11,57 million in Great Britain and GBP 0,22 million in Northern Ireland

2006/2007: GBP 12,04 million in Great Britain and GBP 0,23 million in Northern Ireland

2007/2008: GBP 12,52 million in Great Britain and GBP 0,23 million in Northern Ireland

Aid intensity or amount: 100 %

Duration: Until 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: 1.9.2003

Member State: Italy (Toscana)

Aid No: N 656/02

Title: Invitation to tender: access to regional contributions for promotional activities in the agriculture and agri-food sectors

Objective: To provide aids for activities of promotion, advertising, quality improvement, technical assistance and training in the agriculture and agri-food sectors (Annex I agricultural products)

Legal basis: Bando di concorso; Legge regionale 14 aprile 1997, n. 28, articolo 10, comma 4

Budget: EUR 400000 for the years 2003

Aid intensity or amount: Maximum 50 % for each measure

Duration: Five 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: 2.9.2003

Member State: United Kingdom

Aid No: N 693/02

Title: Changes to the "Farm Waste Grant Scheme"

Objective: The aim of the Farm Waste Grant (Nitrate Vulnerable Zones) Scheme is to enable farmers in NVZs in England to comply with restrictions on the spreading of livestock manures on land within the NVZs. Aid is available towards the cost of investments in new or improved farm waste storage and handling facilities for livestock waste and silage effluent

Legal basis: The Farm Waste Grant (Nitrate Vulnerable Zones) (England and Wales) Scheme 1996 as amended; Protection of Water against Agricultural Nitrate Pollution (England and Wales) Regulations 1996

Budget: 2003 to 2006: GBP 13 million

Aid intensity or amount: 40 %

Duration: 2003 until 16 April 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: 2.9.2003

Member State: Italy (Marche)

Aid No: N 741/01

Title: Restructuring plan for the agricultural undertaking CE.MA.CO SpA

Objective: To restructure an undertaking in difficulty

Legal basis: Legge regionale n. 56/97, articolo 2, comma 1, lettera b) ("Aiuti per il salvataggio e la ristrutturazione delle imprese in difficoltà")

Budget: EUR 774685,3

Aid intensity or amount: EUR 774685,3

Duration: One-off aid

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: 1.9.2003

Member State: Italy

Aid No: N 781/02

Title: Aid for the Biofata SpA investment project

Objective: Investments in processing and marketing products

Legal basis: Delibera CIPE "Contratto di programma tra il ministero delle attività produttive e la società Biofata SpA"

Budget: EUR 19701450

Aid intensity or amount: 50 % for products listed in Annex I of the Treaty. Rates applicable to State aid N 715/99 for products not listed in Annex I to the Treaty

Duration: 16 months (duration of the work)

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: 1.9.2003

Member State: France

Aid No: NN 79/01 (ex N 512/01)

Title: Aid for the olive oil sector

Objective: To finance research and experimentation, technical assistance and promotion measures for the sector

Budget: EUR 540000

Aid intensity or amount: Maximum 100 %

Duration: Unspecified

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: 1.9.2003

Member State: Ireland

Aid No: NN 123/A/2000 (ex N 624/99)

Title: Scheme of compensation Payments for losses arising from designation of the Nature 2000 Network

Objective: To compensate farmers for any actual loss of income arising from the implementation of the agro-environmental commitments linked to the designation of sites as part of the "Natura 2000" network as well as reduction of quotas or stoking levels on commonages

Budget: Approximately EUR 6,35 million per annum

Aid intensity or amount: 100 % of actual income losses with maximal amount of EUR 450/Ha

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

(1) OJ L 147, 31.5.2001.

(2) OJ L 147, 31.5.2001.