EN Official Journal of the European Union C 84/2

Summary information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 of 23 December 2003 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, processing and marketing of agricultural products

(2006/C 84/02)

Aid No: XA 48/05

Member State: Germany

Region: Rhineland-Palatinate

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Provision of guarantees to support agriculture (Landesbürgschaftsprogramm) [Land guarantee programme]

Legal basis: Ermächtigung durch das jeweilige Landeshaushaltsgesetz und nach Maßgabe des Landesbürgschaftsprogramms (Verwaltungsvorschrift des rheinland-pfälzischen Ministeriums der Finanzen)

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

Guarantees

The framework for providing guarantees totals up to EUR 20 million per year

The aid value of the guarantee is calculated using the standard assessment method in accordance with the Commission Notice on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid in the form of guarantees (Official Journal C 71 of 11.3.2000 p. 14-18)

Tax treatment

No special tax treatment is envisaged as regards funding for which a Land guarantee has been given

Maximum aid intensity: The guarantee covers a maximum of 80 % of default of payment of the principal, of the interest charged at market rate, and of the costs associated with termination and legal proceedings. However, the costs attract only up to 2 % of the maximum guarantee for the principal. The lender's contribution is at least 20 %

The maximum permitted gross aid intensity must not exceed 40 %, including when combined with other aid

Date of implementation: After receipt of the identification number issued by the Commission once the summary information has been received

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: The assistance guidelines are valid until 31 December 2006. Applications received by this date may be approved

Objective of aid: The main objectives for SMEs in the agricultural sector are to improve conditions for the processing and marketing of agricultural products, and to increase the value added in the primary sector. Secondary objectives are to enhance the value chain between producers, marketers and processors, improve quality and hygiene, protect the environment and natural habitats and safeguard and create jobs

Application of Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004

The eligible expenditure (in each case exclusive of VAT) comprises

Investment for the construction, acquisition or improvement of immovable property; purchase of new machinery and new technical equipment and

Up to 12 % of the eligible investment expenditure, as well as the relevant fees for architects/engineers and the costs of business advice, design and study outlines

It is necessary to observe the minimum requirements (including hygiene and environmental protection) in the Rhineland-Palatinate development plan ‘Zukunftsinitiative für den Ländlichen Raum’ [Future-Oriented Initiative for Rural Areas] (ZIL), which have been drawn up in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999

Economic sector(s) concerned: The scheme applies to all sectors involved in the processing and/or marketing of agricultural products

Name and address of the granting authority:

Ministerium der Finanzen Frau Dr. Tytko Abteilung 3 Referat 431 Kaiser-Friedrich-Straße 5 D-55116 Mainz

or the body which the Finance Minister publicises and tasks with fiduciary implementation

Internet address: http://www.isb.rlp.de/aktuelles_2.html?id=508

Other information:

— For specialist enquiries Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Verkehr, Landwirtschaft und Weinbau Herr Hardt Abteilung 6 Referat 8601 Kaiser-Friedrich-Straße 5a D-55116 Mainz

— Reference for the Rhineland-Palatinate Development Plan ‘Zukunftsinitiative für den Ländlichen Raum’ (ZIL), drawn up in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 http://www.mwvlw.rlp.de/Inhalt/Themen/Landwirtschaft/laendlicher_raum.asp

Aid No: XA 2/06

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: Cheshire, Warrington and Halton

Title of Aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Cheshire & Warrington Farm Business Development Programme

Legal basis: Section 5 of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: 2005/2006: GBP 250 000

2006/2007: GBP 250 000

Maximum aid intensity: 40 % with an additional ceiling of GBP 62 500 per individual grant

Date of implementation: The scheme will open to new applications from 1 February 2006

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: The closing date for applications will be 31 December 2006

Final claims for grant payments will be 30 June 2007

Objective of aid: Sectoral development

The grant scheme will be implemented under Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004

The eligible expenses are as per Article 4

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme will apply to the production of agricultural products only. All subsectors are eligible

Name and address of the granting authority:

Northwest Regional Development Agency Renaissance House PO Box 37 Centre park Warrington WA1 1XB United Kingdom

Internet address: www.blinkcw.co.uk

(go to the left hand side menu and click on Finance and Grants then click on Cheshire & Warrington Farm Business Development Programme)

Alternatively, you can visit the UK's central page for exempted agricultural State aids at

www.defra.gov.uk/farm/state-aid/setup/exist-exempt.htm

Other information: Enterprises which apply to the scheme will also receive an element of consultancy advice. This aid will be made available in line with Regulation (EC) No 1860/2004

Signed and dated on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (UK competent authority)

Stephen Anderson

Agricultural State aid Team Leader

Defra

Area 8e

9 Millbank

London

SW1P 3JR

United Kingdom