EN Official Journal of the European Union C 16/6

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

(2008/C 16/03)

XA Number: XA 200/07

Member State: Republic of Slovenia

Region: Municipality of Vitanje

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Podpore programom razvoja podeželja v občini Vitanje 2007-2013

Legal basis: Pravilnik o dodeljevanju državnih pomoči v občini Vitanje (III. Poglavje)

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company:

2007: EUR 15 375

2008: EUR 15 700

2009: EUR 16 100

2010: EUR 16 500

2011: EUR 16 900

2012: EUR 17 300

2013: EUR 17 800

Maximum aid intensity:

1. Investment in agricultural holdings:

— up to 40 % of eligible costs for investment.

The purpose of the aid is to invest in the restoration of farm features, to purchase equipment to be used for agricultural production, to invest in permanent crops and to improve farmland and pastures

2. Conservation of traditional buildings:

— the aid may be granted to cover up to 60 % of the real costs of investment to conserve productive and non-productive heritage features located on agricultural holdings. Investment to protect cultural heritage of on-farm productive resources must not entail any increase in the production capacity of the farm.

3. Payment of insurance premiums:

— the amount of municipal support is the difference between the amount of co-financing of insurance premiums from the national budget and up to 50 % of eligible costs of insurance premiums for insuring crops and products and to insure livestock against disease.

4. Technical support:

— up to 100 % of eligible costs concerning education and training of farmers, consultancy services, the organisation of forums, competitions, exhibitions and fairs, publications, catalogues, websites and of disseminating scientific knowledge. The aid is to be granted in the form of subsidised services and must not involve direct payments of money to producers

Date of implementation: August 2007 (or the date on which the Rules enter into force)

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31 December 2013

Objective of the aid: To support SMEs

Reference to Articles of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and eligible costs: Chapter II of the Rules on granting State aid in the municipality of Vitanje includes measures constituting State aid in accordance with the following Articles 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 (OJ L 358, 16.12.2006, p. 3):

Article 4: Investment in agricultural holdings,

Article 5: Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings,

Article 12: Payment of insurance premiums,

Article 15: Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector

Economic sector(s) concerned: Agriculture: Arable and livestock farming

Name and address of granting authority:

Občina Vitanje Grajski trg 1 SLO-3205 Vitanje

Web address: http://www.uradni-list.si/1/ulonline.jsp?urlid=200770&dhid=91166

Other information: The measure concerning the payment of insurance premiums to insure crops and products includes the following adverse climatic events which can be assimilated to natural disasters: spring frost, hail, lightning, fire caused by lightning, storm and floods.

The municipality's Rules meet the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 concerning the measures to be adopted by the municipality and the general provisions applicable (steps preceding grant of aid, cumulation, transparency and monitoring of aid)

Signature of person responsible

Slavko VETRIH

Mayor

XA Number: XA 202/07

Member State: Federal Republic of Germany

Region: Freistaat Bayern

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Evaluation der Wirksamkeit von Maßnahmen zur Salmonellenbekämpfung bei kleinen und mittleren Betrieben mit über 1 000 Legehennen (Juli bis Dezember 2007)

Legal basis: Vollzugshinweise zur Durchführung der Evaluation der Wirksamkeit von Maßnahmen zur Salmonellenbekämpfung bei kleinen und mittleren Betrieben mit über 1 000 Legehennen

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Up to EUR 100 000, comprising 60 % financed from State resources and 40 % from a para-fiscal levy

Maximum aid intensity: 100 % of the costs of carrying out laboratory tests,

up to 100 % of the costs of vaccination, subject to a maximum of EUR 0,10 per laying hen vaccinated

Date of implementation: July/August 2007

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Reimbursement of costs for measures taken up to December 2007 (laboratory tests, vaccinations)

Objective of aid: To detect salmonella on small and medium-sized holdings with more than 1 000 laying hens in Bavaria; to assess the effectiveness of measures to control salmonella on those holdings.

To ensure that laboratory tests on salmonella can be carried out on those holdings at no cost to the livestock owners and to finance an appropriate proportion of the vaccination costs when a livestock owner, after receiving veterinary advice, decides to carry out vaccinations (Article 10 of the Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006)

Economic sectors: Agriculture — subsidised service provision

Name and address of the granting authority:

(a) Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt, Geseundheit und Verbraucherschutz Rosenkavalierplatz 2 D-81925 München

(b) Bayerische Tierseuchenkasse Arabellastr. 29 D-81925 München

Any enquiries should be made to:

Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt, Gesundheit und Verbraucherschutz Beatrix Tischler Tel 089/9214-2113 beatrix.tischler@stmugv.bayern.de Sabine Böttcher Tel 089/9214-3511 sabine.boettcher@stmugv.bayern.de

Web address: http://portal.versorgungskammer.de/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/BTSK/KAMPF/SALMONELLENPROJEKT/VOLLZUGSHINWEISE %20EU-FASSUNG.PDF

Other information: —

XA Number: XA 203/07

Member State: Republic of Slovenia

Region: Municipality of Šmarje pri Jelšah

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Dodeljevanje državnih pomoči za ohranjanje in razvoj kmetijstva ter podeželja v občini Šmarje pri Jelšah 2007-2013

Legal basis: Pravilnik o dodeljevanju pomoči za ohranjanje in razvoj kmetijstva ter podeželja v občini Šmarje pri Jelšah za programsko obdobje 2007-2013

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company:

2007: EUR 109 000

2008: EUR 115 000

2009: EUR 125 000

2010: EUR 125 000

2011: EUR 125 000

2012: EUR 125 000

2013: EUR 125 000

Maximum aid intensity:

1. Investment in farms for primary production:

— up to 50 % of eligible costs in less-favoured areas,

— up to 40 % of eligible costs in other areas,

— where the investment concerns young farmers within five years of their establishment, the intensity of aid may be increased by 10 % (such investments must be set out in business plans as stipulated in Article 22(c) and the conditions laid down in Article 22 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 must be met).

The purpose of the aid is investment to restore farm features, to purchase equipment to be used for agricultural production, to invest in permanent crops and to improve farmland and pastures

2. Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings:

— up to 100 % of the real costs as regards investment in non-productive features,

— up to 60 % of the real costs, or 75 % in less-favoured areas, as regards investment in productive assets on farms, provided that the investment does not entail any increase in the production capacity of the farm,

— additional aid may be granted at a rate of up to 100 % to cover the extra costs incurred by using traditional materials necessary to maintain the heritage features of buildings.

3. Relocation of farm buildings in the public interest:

— up to 100 % of the real costs where the relocation simply consists of the dismantling, removal and re-erection of existing facilities,

— where the relocation results in the farmer benefiting from more modern facilities, the farmer must contribute at least 60 %, or 50 % in less-favoured areas, of the increase in the value of the facilities concerned after relocation. If the beneficiary is a young farmer, his contribution is at least 55 % or 45 % respectively,

— where the relocation results in an increase in production capacity, the contribution from the beneficiary must be at least equal to 60 %, or 50 % in less-favoured areas, of the expenses relating to this increase. If the beneficiary is a young farmer, his contribution is at least 55 % or 45 % respectively.

4. Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums:

— the amount of municipal co-financing is the difference between the amount of co-financing of insurance premiums from the national budget and up to 50 % of eligible costs of an insurance premium for insuring crops, products and livestock against disease.

5. Aid for land reparcelling:

— up to 100 % of eligible legal and administrative costs.

6. Aid to encourage the production of quality agricultural products:

— up to 100 % of the real costs incurred; this is to be granted in the form of subsidised services and must not involve direct payments of money to producers.

7. Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector:

— aid is to be granted up at a rate of up to 100 % of eligible costs

Date of implementation: August 2007 (or the date on which the Rules enter into force)

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31 December 2013

Objective of aid: To support SMEs

Reference to Articles in Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and eligible costs: Chapter II of the draft Rules on granting State aid for conservation and agricultural and rural development in the municipality of Šmarje pri Jelšah for the programming period 2007-2013 includes measures constituting State aid in accordance with the following Articles of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 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 (OJ L 358, 16.12.2006, p. 3):

Article 4: Investment in agricultural holdings,

Article 5: Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings,

Article 6: Relocation of farm buildings in the public interest,

Article 12: Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums,

Article 13: Aid for land reparcelling,

Article 14: Aid to encourage the production of quality agricultural products,

Article 15: Provision of technical support

Economic sector(s) concerned: Agriculture: Arable and livestock farming

Name and address of granting authority:

Občina Šmarje pri jelšah Aškerčev trg 12 SLO-3240 Šmarje pri Jelšah

Web address: http://www.uradni-list.si/1/ulonline.jsp?urlid=200770&dhid=91163

Other information: The measure concerning the payment of insurance premiums to insure crops and products includes the following adverse climatic events which can be assimilated to natural disasters: spring frost, hail, lightning, fire caused by lightning, storm and floods.

The municipality's Rules meet the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 concerning the measures to be adopted by the municipality and the general provisions applicable (steps preceding grant of aid, cumulation, transparency and monitoring of aid)

Signature of responsible person

Zinka BERK

Head of Department for Economics

XA Number: XA 209/07

Member State: Federal Republic of Germany

Region: Rheinland-Pfalz

Title of aid scheme: Entwicklungsprogramm „Agrarwirtschaft, Umweltmaßnahmen, Landentwicklung“ (PAUL) nach Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1698/2005

— Code 112— „Förderung der Niederlassung von Junglandwirtinnen und Junglandwirten (FNJ)“

— Code 121.1— „Grundsätze für die einzelbetriebliche Förderung landwirtschaftlicher Unternehmen“ (Agrarinvestitionsförderungsprogramm — AFP)

— Code 121.2— „Förderung von Spezialmaschinen für Weinbausteillagen und moderne Umwelttechniken“

Legal basis: Entwicklungsprogramm „Agrarwirtschaft, Umweltmaßnahmen, Landentwicklung“ (PAUL) nach Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1698/2005 in Verbindung mit den zur Umsetzung erlassenen Landesrichtlinien

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme:

— — Code 112 — ‘Support for the setting-up of young farmers’ Public funding totalling approximately EUR 0,7 million each year for all eligible aid measures, most for national part-financing of the plans supported under Article 22 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005. Around EUR 0,3 million of total funding will go to national plans supported under Article 89 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005. — — Code 121.1 — ‘Rules governing support for individual agricultural enterprises’ (Agricultural Investment Promotion Programme) Public funding totalling approximately EUR 8,7 million each year for all eligible aid measures, with more than 50 % going to national part-financing of the plans supported in accordance with Article 26 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005. Around EUR 3,6 million of total funding will go to national plans supported under Article 89 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005. National funding will chiefly come from resources allocated to the joint task ‘improving agricultural structure and coastal protection’, which has already been registered for the Federal Republic of Germany as a whole under Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 (cf. registration number XA 08/07). Rhineland-Palatinate is providing additional funding (2007: EUR 0,1 million; 2008: EUR 0,4 million, 2009: EUR 0,1 million) primarily for animal welfare measures (e.g. conversion from battery hen farming to barn and free-range). — — Code 121.2 — ‘Promotion of special machinery for winegrowing on steep slopes and modern environmental technologies’ Public funding totalling approximately EUR 0,55 million each year for all eligible aid measures, most for national part-financing of the plans supported under Article 26 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005. Around EUR 0,1 million of total funding will go to national plans supported under Article 89 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005

Maximum aid intensity:

— — Code 112 — ‘Support for setting-up of young farmers’ EUR 10 000 flat-rate setting-up premium. — — Code 121.1 — ‘Rules governing support for individual agricultural enterprises’ (Agricultural Investment Promotion Programme) Grant based on the reference amount (up to 90 % of eligible costs) of: — up to 30 % for plans which meet specific requirements (e.g. animal welfare and animal hygiene, or developing sites of relocation of farm buildings), — up to 25 % (= standard rate) for other eligible investments, — an additional 10 % maximum (up to EUR 20 000 per person) for young farmers. — — Code 121.2 — ‘Promotion of special machinery for winegrowing on steep slopes and modern environmental technologies’ Grant of up to 20 % of the reference amount (up to 90 % of eligible costs), with a maximum EUR 25 000 per holding.

The promotion of investments in agricultural holdings under Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 is limited to a total of EUR 400 000 over three marketing years

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme: Until 31 December 2013

Objective of aid:

— — Code 112 — ‘Support for setting-up of young farmers’ To improve young farmers' and winegrowers' readiness to take over farms or vineyards, and accelerate the structural development of such enterprises so as to improve competitiveness. The measure is based on Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 (‘Aid for setting-up of young farmers’). — — Code 121.1 — ‘Support for individual agricultural enterprises’ (Agricultural Investment Promotion Programme) To support competitive, sustainable and environment-friendly agriculture which takes proper account of animal welfare and is multifunctional, aid may be granted to promote investments in agricultural undertakings for the primary production of agricultural products. The interests of consumers, the development of rural areas and the preservation of biodiversity are to be taken into account, as is the improvement of living, working and production conditions. More specifically the scheme will: — enhance competitiveness by improving production and working conditions, particularly by cutting production costs, improving quality and raising farm value-added in line with the EU Lisbon Strategy, — preserve and improve the natural environment and improve hygiene conditions and animal welfare standards. The measure is based on Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 (‘Investment in agricultural holdings’). — — Code 121.2 — ‘Promotion of special machinery for winegrowing on steep slopes and modern environmental technologies’ To reduce production costs while improving the environment, this scheme grants support for the rapid introduction of particularly environmentally-sound agricultural technologies through investments in approved special outdoor machinery in areas such as the management of vineyards on steep slopes, environmentally-sound application of plant-protection products in fruit and wine growing, attachments for liquid manure spreaders, global positioning system (GPS) equipment for agricultural tractors, self-propelled farm machinery and the introduction of other innovative agricultural technologies. The measure is based on Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 (‘Investment in agricultural holdings’)

Sector(s) concerned: All sectors of agricultural production

Name and address of the granting authority:

Dienstleistungszentrum Ländlicher Raum Mosel Einzelbetriebliche Förderung und Marktförderung Görresstraße 10 D-54470 Bernkastel-Kues

Web address: The draft legislative provision can be found at:

http://www.mwvlw.rlp.de/internet/nav/c11/c1130850-d5f2-2c01-33e2-dce3742f2293&class=net.icteam.cms.utils.search.AttributeManager;uBasAttrDef=aaaaaaaa-aaaa-aaaa-eeee-000000000008.htm

(Click on ‘Medien-Download → Einzelbetriebliches Förderungsprogramm’).

The final versions of the federal State guidelines (administrative provision, application forms, etc.) will be available at: www.dlr.rlp.de (‘Fachportale → Förderung’)

Other information: This notification does not cover part 3 of the administrative provision (‘Förderung von Investitionen zur Diversifizierung (FID)’ [promotion of investments in diversification]), which is implemented pursuant to Article 53 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 in conjunction with Regulation (EC) No 1998/2006

XA number: XA 210/07

Member State: France

Region: Regional authorities (regions or departments) wishing to supplement State aid or grant similar aid themselves

Title of aid scheme: Aides de démarrage aux groupements de producteurs reconnus dans le secteur de l'horticulture ornementale et de la pépinière

Legal basis: articles L 621-1 et s. du Code rural

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: Subject to the availability of budget funds, the annual budget for the aid is estimated at EUR 500 000 for VINIFLHOR, with an unspecified amount for the regional authorities

Maximum aid intensity: not more than 100 % of the actual costs of constitution and administrative operation of producer groups eligible for the aid, up to a maximum of 5 to 1 % (decreasing over five years) of the value of produce marketed over a period of five years. The total amount of public aid per recipient group may not exceed EUR 400 000

Date of implementation: From the date of the Commission's acknowledgement of receipt of the exemption sheet

Duration of scheme: Six years

Objective of aid: This aid is granted under Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006. The ornamental horticulture and nursery sector in France consists of around 6 000 holdings covering an area of 22 000 ha. However, the level of organisation and concentration of supply is very low. In view of the ever-increasing concentration in the downstream part of the sector and the requirements in terms of volume, product range and quality, the French authorities take the view that the organisation of horticulture should be supported to encourage the necessary structuring of the sector, thus safeguarding production that creates jobs and, by maintaining the rural fabric, is geared to the requirements of territorial development

Sector(s) concerned: Ornamental horticulture and nurseries

Name and address of the granting authority:

Office National Interprofessionnel des Fruits, des Légumes, des Vins et de l'Horticulture (VINIFLHOR) TSA 40004 F-93555 Montreuil sous Bois Cedex

Web address: www.viniflhor.fr

section: ‘espace fruits et légumes’

heading: ‘réglements français’, sub-heading: ‘aides d'état’

Other information: Where regional authorities supplement VINIFLHOR funding, they must do so on the same conditions as those laid down by the Office and ensure that the aid ceilings are complied with

XA Number: XA 211/07

Member State: Ireland

Region: Entire Member State

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Equine Technical Support and Equine Breeding Schemes 2007-2013

Legal basis: National Development Plan 2007-2013

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: EUR 1,57 million per annum over the period 2007-2013

Maximum aid intensity: Aid intensities provided for in Articles 15 and 16 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award:

Objective of aid: To improve the quality of non-thoroughbred horse production through work on formulation of genetic indexes for stallions, random blood sampling and DNA testing to verify pedigree on studbooks and upgrading of the registration systems for studbooks.

To promote the wider use of Irish non-thoroughbred horses for sports and leisure activities through generic promotional activities and participation at competitions, fairs and exhibitions.

To support quality non-thoroughbred horse production through training courses, investment in training buildings and equipment, provision of promotional and educational information at workshops and in web, media and print format.

To support the carrying out of surveys, data collection and analysis work for the non-thoroughbred horse sector with a view to bringing about improved genetic quality in horse breeding.

This aid is provided in accordance with Article 15 and 16 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 — Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector and Support for the Livestock Sector

Sector(s) concerned: A00122 — Farming of sheep, goats, horses, asses, mules and hinnies

Name and address of the granting authority:

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Agriculture House Kildare Street Dublin 2 Ireland

Web address: http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/equine_ndp/technical_breeding/terms_conditions

XA Number: XA 217/07

Member State: Austria

Region: Lower Austria

Title of Aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Richtlinie für die Gewährung eines Zuschusses des Landes Niederösterreich zu den Prämienkosten für die Rinderversicherung

Legal basis: NÖ Landwirtschaftsgesetz

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: The average funding requirement in Lower Austria is expected to be EUR 300 000 annually

Maximum aid intensity: A contribution of up to 25 % of the premiums paid

Date of implementation: June 2007

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: June 2007 to 2013

Objective of aid: Livestock holdings, particularly those based on pasture and hill grazing, have been confronted by increasingly extreme weather conditions in recent years. These vagaries of the weather can present a great potential danger to livestock. Severe thunderstorms can make livestock panic, leading them to stampede and injure themselves. Quite apart from these dangers, global warming is leading even in our latitudes to a greater incidence of fatal diseases which can be traced back to the widening distribution of insects and parasites.

These guidelines are therefore intended to create an incentive for farmers to take out insurance to cover livestock lost to disease and accidents. The aim is to reduce financial losses in livestock farming and thus contribute to maintaining livestock production in Lower Austria

Sectors concerned: Agricultural holdings in Lower Austria which keep livestock

Name and address of the granting authority:

Amt der Niederösterreichischen Landesregierung Abteilung Landwirtschaftsförderung Landhausplatz 1 A-3109 St. Pölten

Web address: http://www.noe.gv.at

Other information: The ‘aid to pay insurance premiums’ scheme is based on Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006.

The aid does not constitute a barrier to the operation of the internal market for insurance services. The Lower Austrian Regional Government office will ensure that the aid is not limited to insurance from a sole insurance company and also not made dependent on taking out a contract with an insurance company established in Austria