EN Official Journal of the European Union C 138/31

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 of 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

(2007/C 138/10)

XA Number: XA 53/07

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: England

Title of Aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Cross Compliance Advice Programme — Practical advice for land managers (England)

Legal basis: The scheme is non-statutory. The Agriculture Act 1986 (section 1) provides the legal base for the provision by Government of advice in connection with any agricultural activity.

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: 1 July 2007-30 June 2008: GBP 400 000

Maximum aid intensity: The aid intensity is 100 %.

Date of implementation: The scheme will start on 1 July 2007

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: The scheme will begin on 1 July 2007. It will close on 30 June 2008. The last date for applications is 15 September 2007. The last payment will be made on 30 November 2007.

Objective of aid: Sectoral development. This is a programme for practising farmers. The purpose of the programme, consisting of a range of on-farm workshops, farm walks, helpline and website, to provide farmers, their advisers and agricultural contractors with clear and targeted guidance on what the Statutory Management Requirements (SMR) and Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) requirements are and what they mean in terms of required farm management. This will increase the professionalism of the sector.

The aid will be paid in line with Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and the eligible costs will be costs of organising and delivering training programmes. No payments will be made direct to the beneficiary.

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme applies to businesses active in the production of agricultural products only.

Name and address of the granting authority: The statutory body responsible for the scheme is:

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

C/o Nobel House

17 Smith Square

London SW1P 3JR

United Kingdom

The organisation operating the scheme is

Natural England

Land Management & Advisory Services

Eastbrook

Shaftesbury Road

Cambridge

Cambs CB2 8DR

United Kingdom

Web-Address: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/planning/farming-wildlife/docs/StateAidCrossCompliance.pdf

Click on ‘Cross Compliance’. Alternatively, you can go direct to the UK's cental website for agricultural State aids.

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

Other information: Further and more detailed information relating to eligibility and rules for the scheme can be found in the web links above.

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

Neil Marr Agricultural State Aid Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Area 8B, 9 Millbank C/o Nobel House 17 Smith Square London SW1P 3JR United Kingdom

XA Number: XA 54/07

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: Purbeck

Title of Aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Purbeck Natural Landscape Programme

Legal basis: The National Heritage Act 1980 set up a fund called the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF). The Act has been amended several times principally by the National Heritage Act 1997 and the National Lottery Act 1993 and 1998.

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

Source 2007-2008 2008-2009 Capital Support for traditional landscapes The Frome Valley Project 634 200 GBP 15 000 GBP The Purbeck Ridge Project 41 277 GBP 4 600 GBP Sub-total 105 427 GBP 19 600 GBP Technical support for traditional landscapes Advice (including feasibility studies) 73 400 GBP 12 400 GBP Conservation training and events 2 350 GBP 550 GBP Sub-total 75 750 GBP 12 950 GBP Total 181 177 GBP 32 550 GBP

Maximum aid intensity: The scheme consists of 3 measures: capital works and technical support. The aid intensity for the technical support measure will be 100 % in accordance with Article 15. The maximum aid intensity for the capital works will be 100 % where a grant is awarded for a the conservation of non productive heritage features. However, the maximum rate of grant will be reduced in line with the rates set out in Article 5 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 where the aid is productive. If aid is being paid in line with Article 4, the maximum aid intensity paid will be 40 % of the eligible investment.

Date of implementation: The scheme will start on 30 April 2007.

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: The scheme will begin on 30 April 2007. It will close on the 1 November 2009. The last payment will be made 30 November 2009.

Objective of aid: Heritage conservation — the general aim of the scheme is to enhance and help secure Purbeck's rich diverse habitats through conservation of traditional landscapes and features mainly the Frome valley and the Purbeck Ridge.

For the capital works element of the scheme the eligible costs will be the real costs incurred as regards capital works intended for the conservation of traditional landscapes. This complies with Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006. For the capital works which require investment in agricultural holdings to assist in cattle handling of the conservation herd the eligible costs will be 40 % of the costs incurred as regards capital works intended to preserve and improve the natural environment. This complies with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006.

For the technical support element of the scheme the eligible costs will be the training of farmers and farm workers, in particular the costs of organising the training programme, and consultancy services. The aid will be provided in the form of services on preferential terms — there will be no direct payments of money to producers this complies with Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme applies to production of all agricultural products.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Purbeck District Council Westport House Worgret Road Wareham Dorset BH20 4PP United Kingdom

Web-Address: The internet address where the full text of the scheme's criteria and conditions can be found is:

http://www.purbeck.gov.uk/docs/Purbeck%20natural%20landscape.doc

Alternatively, information on this scheme can be found on the Defra website at the web address

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

Other information: —

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

Neil Marr Agricultural State Aid Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Area 8B, 9 Millbank C/o Nobel House 17 Smith Square Westminster London SW1P 3JR United Kingdom

XA number: XA 55/07

Member State: Germany

Region: Saarland

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Guidelines for promoting the marketing of organic and regional produce

Legal basis: Richtlinie zur Förderung der Vermarktung von ökologisch und regional erzeugten Produkten

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: EUR 250 000

Maximum aid intensity: 50–100 % (excluding aid for costs relating to the processing and marketing of agricultural products)

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award:

Objective of aid: Promoting the marketing of organic and regional produce under Articles 14 and 15.

Only operating costs shown to relate to the following areas are eligible:

Under sections e) to h), only those costs relating to services provided by third parties are eligible for aid. Investment expenditure may not be subsidised.

Grants may be awarded for equipment and machinery used, provided that they are not more than one year old or the depreciation limit has not expired, and on condition that they have not already been the subject of a grant.

Aid will not be granted for staffing costs for the producer's own employees, internal activities or expenditure on replacements and repairs.

Sector(s) concerned: Organic and regional produce

Name and address of the granting authority:

Ministerium für Umwelt Keplerstraße 18 D-66117 Saarbrücken

Internet address: http://www.saarland.de/22497.htm

Other information: Contact: Ministerium für Umwelt

Referat B/1, Dorothee Wehlen (person responsible)

d.wehlen@umwelt.saarland.de

XA Number: XA 60/07

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: England

Title of Aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Farm Health Planning Cattle Initiative 2007-2008.

Legal basis: The scheme is non-statutory. The Agriculture Act 1986 (section 1) provides the legal base for the provision by Government of advice in connection with any agricultural activity.

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: 5 May 2007-31 March 2008: GBP 1,6 million

Maximum aid intensity: The aid intensity is 100 %

Date of implementation: The scheme will start on 5 May 2007.

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: The scheme will close on 31 March 2008. The last date for payments will be 30 June 2008.

Objective of aid: Technical support. Training and advice pro-active farm health planning will be provided to help farmers achieve higher standards of animal health and welfare and to demonstrate that prevention is better than cure in managing livestock diseases.

The eligible costs will be the costs of organising training programmes and consultancy services in line with Article 15 of Regulation 1857/2006.

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme applies to agricultural businesses active in cattle production.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1A Page Street London SW1P 4PQ United Kingdom

Web-Address: ww.defra.gov.uk/animalh/ahws/fhp/cattle/initiative.html

Alternatively, you can go to the UK's central website for agricultural State aids at: www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/state-aid/setup/exist-exempt.htm. Click on the link ‘Farm Health Planning Cattle Initiative 2007-2008’.

Other information: The aid will be provided in the form of services; no money will be provided direct to farmers.

The training and consultancy will be open to businesses involved in animal health planning other than farmers (e.g., farm advisers and vets). Such aid will be provided in line with Regulation 1998/2006 on de minimis aid.

XA Number: XA 61/07

Member State: Republic of Lithuania

Region: —

Title of aid scheme or name of the company receiving an individual aid: Parama kreditų palūkanoms kompensuoti

Legal basis: Žemės ūkio ministro 2007 m. balandžio 12 d. įsakymas Nr. 3D- 159 ‘Dėl Dalies palūkanų už investicinius kreditus, paimtus nuo 2007 m. gegužės 1 d. ir suteiktus be UAB Žemės ūkio paskolų garantijų fondo garantijos, kompensavimo taisyklių patvirtinimo’

Žemės ūkio ministro 2007 m. balandžio 12 d. įsakymas Nr. 3D- 160 ‘Dėl Dalies palūkanų už investicinius kreditus, paimtus nuo 2007 m. gegužės 1 d. ir suteiktus su UAB Žemės ūkio paskolų garantijų fondo garantijos, kompensavimo taisyklių patvirtinimo’

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: The planned annual budget is LTL 5 000 000 (EUR 1,45 million at the official exchange rate).

Maximum aid intensity: For each project the maximum aid intensity is 40 % of the eligible expenditure.

Date of implementation:

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

Objective of aid: Aid to SMEs. The aid provided under this scheme is aid for investment in agricultural holdings.

The aim of this scheme is to create more favourable credit conditions and thus contribute to the promotion of investment in rural areas.

The scheme has been devised in accordance with Article 4 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006.

Part of the interest is reimbursed when the project's eligible expenditure falls into the following categories:

Sector(s) concerned: Primary production of agricultural products.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Lietuvos Respublikos žemės ūkio ministerija Gedimino pr.19 (Lelevelio g.6) LT-01103 Vilnius

Website: http://www.zum.lt/min/Isakymai/dsp_isakymas.cfm?IsakymasID=3406&langparam=LT

http://www.zum.lt/min/Isakymai/dsp_isakymas.cfm?IsakymasID=3408&langparam=LT

Other information: The intensity of the State aid will be calculated according to the method notified to the Commission and approved by it in the decisions regarding State aid measures N 114/05 ‘Parama kreditų palūkanoms kompensuoti’ (Decision C(2006)6786), N 112/05 ‘Parama žemės pirkimui’ (Decision C(2006)5704), N 371/05 ‘Parama panaudotos linų sektoriaus technikos pirkimui’ (Decision C(2006)6867).

XA Number: XA 62/07

Member State: Republic of Lithuania

Region: —

Title of aid scheme or name of the company receiving an individual aid: Dalies garantinio užmokesčio kompensavimas kreditų su garantija gavėjams.

Legal basis: Žemės ūkio ministro 2007 m. balandžio 12 d. įsakymas Nr. 3D- 161 ‘Dėl garantinio užmokesčio kreditų su garantija gavėjams kompensavimo taisyklių patvirtinimo’

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: The planned annual budget is LTL 7 500 000 (EUR 2,18 million at the official exchange rate).

Maximum aid intensity: For each project the maximum aid intensity is 40 % of the eligible expenditure.

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31.12.2013

Objective of aid: Aid to SMEs

The aid provided under this scheme is aid for investment in agricultural holdings.

The aim of this scheme is to create more favourable credit conditions and thus contribute to the promotion of investment in rural areas.

The scheme has been devised in accordance with Article 4 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006.

In exchange for the guarantees granted by the Rural Credit Guarantee Fund Private Limited Liability Company, credit beneficiaries pay the Company a guarantee payment (of up to 7 % of the sum guaranteed). Beneficiaries of guaranteed credits may be reimbursed for part of the guarantee payment (80 %).

Part of the guarantee payment is reimbursed when the project's eligible expenditure falls into the following categories:

Sector(s) concerned: Primary production of agricultural products.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Lietuvos Respublikos žemės ūkio ministerija Gedimino pr.19 (Lelevelio g.6) LT-01103 Vilnius

Website: http://www.zum.lt/min/Isakymai/dsp_isakymas.cfm?IsakymasID=3407&langparam=LT

Other information: The intensity of the State aid will be calculated according to the method notified to the Commission and approved by it in the decisions regarding State aid measures N 114/05 ‘Parama kreditų palūkanoms kompensuoti’ (Decision C(2006)6786), N 112/05 ‘Parama žemės pirkimui’ (Decision C(2006)5704), and N 371/05 ‘Parama panaudotos linų sektoriaus technikos pirkimui’.