EN Official Journal of the European Union C 105/30

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

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(2005/C 105/11)

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: Austria

No of the aid: NN 34A/00

Title: Quality programmes and quality labels AMA Biosiegel and AMA Gütesiegel

Objective: Marketing quality products. The aid scheme would provide aid towards information, publicity and quality assurance measures connected with the AMA Biosiegel (‘the biolabel’) and the AMA Gütesiegel (‘the quality label’). The biolabel may or may not include an indication of origin. The quality label always includes an indication of origin. The biolabel quality label would be granted only to products satisfying certain quality criteria regarding production methods, product characteristics and, in certain cases, requirements relating to the geographical origin of a product.

Legal basis:

Bundesgesetz über die Errichtung der Marktordnungsstelle Agrarmarkt

Budget: Maximally ca EUR 4,865 million per year

Aid intensity or amount: Variable

Duration: Unlimited except for measure described in paragraph 23.1 of the Decision

Other information: The scope of the decision is limited to the notified activities of the AMA Marketing and does not prejudice a future analysis of other activities by the AMA or the AMA Marketing. In particular, all activities by these organisations before 23 September 2002 are expressly excluded.

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

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

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: Germany (Saarland)

Aid No: N 25/04

Title: Aid towards the cost for removal and disposal of fallen stock, for which contributions have been paid to the Tierseuchenkasse.

Objective: Compensation to livestock farmers in Saarland for the costs of disposal and destruction of fallen stock.

Legal basis:

Ministerratsbeschluss vom 13.3.2001

Budget:

2002 EUR 361 324 2003 EUR 297 929 2004 EUR 361 330

Aid intensity or amount: For removal of fallen stock: 100 %

For destruction of fallen stock: 75 %

For removal and destruction of animals subject to TSE testing: 100 %

Duration: Until 31 December 2013

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

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

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: Italy (Emilia Romagna)

No of the aid: N 152/2004

Title: Pilot projects for the conservation of natural habitats of community interest in protected areas

Objective: The aid consists of several small scale pilot projects with a prevalent experimental and demonstrative character, to test valid actions to protect the natural habitats in protected areas, which could be, in the future, used in a larger scale.

Legal basis:

Piccoli progetti dimostrativi su scala limitata per il mantenimento e la conservazione di habitat di interesse comunitario e di paesaggi tradizionali presenti nelle aree protette della provincia di Bologna

Budget: EUR 184 050

Aid intensity or amount: Up to EUR 100 000 per beneficiary over any three year period. For each project, the available funds amount to EUR 830.

Duration: 2 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/sg/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: Italy

Aid No: N 154/2004

Title: Arrêté ministériel du 17 mars 2004, portant application des activités indiquées à l'article 4 de la loi no 499 du 23 décembre 1999.

Objective: établir la repartition de l'enveloppe financière pour le financement des activités du Ministère des Politiques Agricoles et Forestières (réconduites à l'identique par rapport aux dossiers d'aides approuvés N 139/02, N 157/2000, N 30/02, N 111/2003), notamment:

Recherche et expérimentation

Collecte, traitement et diffusion d'information et données

Soutien des associations et unions nationales de producteurs agricoles

Amélioration génétique des plantes et du bétail

Protection et valorisation de la qualité des produits agricoles

Prévention et repression des fraudes

Politique des forêts

Projets spéciaux

Phytopathies et épizooties

Legal basis: Decreto ministeriale del 17 marzo 2004, recante riparto delle risorse per le misure di cui all'articolo 4 della legge n. 499 del 23 dicembre 1999.

Budget: EUR 37 070 000,00

Aid intensity or amount: variable according to the measure

Duration: one year (2004)

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:

Member State: Italy (Piedmont)

Aid No: N 193/2004

Title: Assistance in agricultural areas damaged by bad weather

Objective: To compensate for damage to public and private agricultural infrastructure damaged by bad weather (heavy rains and floods)

Legal basis:

Articolo 3, comma 3, lettere a) e b) della legge 185/1992.

Budget: The regional authorities are applying for compensation for damage amounting to EUR 1 773 300

Aid intensity or amount: 100 %

Duration: Ad hoc measure

Other information: Measure applying an aid scheme approved by the Commission under State aid C 12/b/1995 (Commission Decision 2004/307/EC of 16.12.2003, OJ L 99/2004).

The compensation for damage to infrastructure which benefits the entire community in the areas concerned does not constitute State 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/sg/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: United Kingdom

Aid No: N 195/03

Title: Meat and Livestock Commission Quality Beef and Sheep Meat Advertising Scheme

Objective: The aim of the scheme is to promote and advertise on a quality basis the advantages of eating bovine and ovine meat and their products complying with quality specifications. Promotion and advertising will take place in the United Kingdom, in the European Union outside the United Kingdom, and elsewhere.

Legal basis: The Agricultural Act 1967

Budget: GBP 36,8 million (EUR 55,4 million)

Aid intensity or amount: Up to 100 % (para-fiscal levy)

Duration: From the date of approval of the Commission until 31 March 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/sg/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: Ireland

Aid No: N 207/04

Title: Compensation for Landslide Damage in Co. Mayo.

Objective: Aid to assist farmers towards the cost of cleaning debris and repairing fencing following the landslide of 19 September 2003 in the Pullathomas area of North Co. Mayo.

Budget: EUR 100 000

Aid intensity or amount: 70 %

Duration: The aid refers to compensation for the landslide of 19 September 2003 in Co. Mayo.

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

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

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: Germany

Aid No: N 217/04

Title: Promotion of research and development projects and transfer of knowledge in organic farming.

Objective: The aim of the measure is to close knowledge and experience gaps in organic farming and to strengthen the competitiveness of organic farming from production through to marketing on a long-term basis.

Budget: EUR 45 million

Aid intensity or amount: Up to 100 %

Duration:: Until 31 December 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/sg/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: Spain

Aid No: N 227/2004

Title: Aid to operators in the dairy sector to purchase capital goods

Objective: To enable operators in the dairy sector to make investments to comply with Royal Decree 217/2004

Legal basis:

Proyecto de Real Decreto por el que se establecen ayudas a los operadores del sector lacteo para la adquisición de determinados bienes de equipo

Budget: EUR 2 700 000

Aid intensity or amount: 40 % (50 % in Objective 1 areas)

Duration: Two 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/sg/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: Finland

Aid No: N 237/2004.

Title: Aid to young farmers.

Objective: The notified aid measure introduces the following amendments to the approved aid scheme N 679/2002:

The maximum amount of aid in form of grant would be raised from EUR 25 000 or EUR 30 000 if the young farmer is engaged in animal husbandry or glass house production. The existing scheme would also be amended so that the young farmer engaged in animal husbandry or glass house production would also receive an extra grant of EUR 25 000 for the high costs of setting-up. Thus the total aid in form of grants would be up to EUR 55 000.

Under the existing aid scheme young farmers can receive a subsidised loan to cover the costs of setting-up. The capitalised value of the subsidy is up to EUR 25 000. By the notified amendment this amount would be raised to EUR 30 000 in case of young farmers engaged in animal husbandry or glass house production.

Legal basis: Valtioneuvoston asetus N:o 213/2004 maaseutuelinkeinojen rahoituslain ja maaseudun kehittämisestä annetun valtioneuvoston asetuksen muuttamisesta

Regeringens rättsakt 213/2004 om ändring av finansieringsakten för landsbygdsindustrin och regeringen rättsakt om landsbygdutveckling.

Budget: The total cost of the scheme, including the notified amendment, has been estimated at EUR 27 Mio per year.

Aid intensity or amount: See above under ‘Objective’.

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/sg/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: Austria.

Aid No: N 239/04.

Title: AMA Marketing measures.

Objective: Aid would be available, in particular, for generic advertising campaigns (where origin of the product is never mentioned) concerning Annex I products and consisting of advertisements in printed and electronic media and sales promotion at points of sale (POS), fairs and public occasions, for the organisation of Austrian food weeks in stores and restaurants, for participation in international fairs and for market research concerning the development of the markets, consumer behaviour, trends and analyses of the sales of milk products. Aid would also be granted towards PR and press activities concerning the advertising campaigns conducted and participation in international fairs.

Legal basis:

Bundesgesetz über die Errichtung der Marktordnungsstelle Agrarmarkt Austria

Budget: Maximally ca EUR 7,82 million per year.

Aid intensity or amount: Variable.

Duration: 31 December 2009.

Other information: The scope of the decision is limited to the notified activities of the AMA Marketing and does not prejudice a future analysis of other activities by the AMA or the AMA Marketing.

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

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

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: Germany

No of the aid: N 243/2004.

Title: Promoting the use of biodegradable lubricants.

Objective: The existing aid programme N 651/2002 would be prolonged by two years. The aid promotes the initial equipment with biogenic lubricants and hydraulic fluids and the corresponding conversion of machinery and plant, so as to give companies an incentive to use these environmentally friendly materials. Increasing the market share of these products is intended to improve economic efficiency and promote product development.

Legal basis: Richtlinien zur Förderung von Projekten zum Schwerpunkt Einsatz von biologisch schnell abbaubaren Schmierstoffen und Hydraulikflüssigkeiten auf Basis nachwachsender Rohstoffe.

Budget: The annual budget for the aid scheme is EUR 7 million in 2005 and 5 million in 2006.

Aid intensity or amount: 60 % of the eligible costs.

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/sg/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: Belgium

Aid No: N 244/2004

Title: Draft Royal Decree fixing the compulsory contributions to the budgetary fund for animal health and quality — milk products

Objective: To finance budgetary fund measures (payment of compensation and advances for the destruction of milk products thought to be contaminated and for analyses carried out under research projects, and scientific support for inter-branch bodies) designed to prevent public health problems which could arise from contaminated milk or milk products being placed on the market

Legal basis: Projet d'arrêté royal fixant les cotisations obligatoires à payer au Fonds budgétaire pour la santé et la qualité des animaux et des produits animaux, secteur lait

Ontwerp van koninklijk besluit betreffende de verplichte bijdragen aan het Begrotingsfonds voor de gezondheid en de kwaliteit van de dieren en de dierlijke producten, sector zuivel

Budget: EUR 213 000 a year

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/sg/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: Italy (Sicily)

No of the aid: N 245/2004

Title: Aid to compensate farmers for the losses caused by strong wind.

Objective: To compensate for damages due to the strong wind in the county of Enna.

Legal basis:

Legge n. 185/1992 e successive modifiche e Delibera n. 329 del 23.10.2003 — Proposta di declaratoria dell'eccezionalità dei venti sciroccali dal periodo 1 maggio—6 settembre 2003 in provincia di Enna'

Budget: EUR 2 117 473.

Aid intensity or amount: As specified in Commission Decision C (2003) 4328 of 16/12/2003 (aid C 12/B/1995).

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/sg/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: The Netherlands

Aid No: N 246/2004

Title: Framework decree on innovation in the agricultural sector in the northern part of The Netherlands (prolongation of an existing scheme).

Objective: Financing innovation projects in the agricultural sector in the three northern provinces of The Netherlands.

Legal basis:

Kaderwet LNV-subsidies (Artikelen 2 en 5)

Budget:

2005 EUR 2 518 901 2006 EUR 3 018 901 2007 EUR 1 000 000

Aid intensity or amount: Variable, max up to 100 %

Duration: 2005-2007

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

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