EN Official Journal of the European Union C 55/22

Summary information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 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

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2007/C 55/06)

XA Number: XA 102/06

Member State: Latvia

Region: —

Title of aid scheme: Aid for determining the genetic quality of farm animals

Legal basis: Ministru kabineta 2006. gada 3. janvāra noteikumi Nr. 21 ‘Noteikumi par valsts atbalstu lauksaimniecībai 2006. gadā un tā piešķiršanas kārtību’

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: Total expenditure for the aid scheme in 2006: LVL 5 649 265

Maximum Aid Intensity: Aid is granted at a rate of 70 % of expenses incurred by third persons in determining the genetic quality of farm animals:

Date of implementation: Comes into force on the date of publication in the official journal Latvijas Vēstnesis (planned date: 15 November 2006)

Duration of scheme: Up to 30 December 2006

Objective of aid: The objective of the aid is to support the determination of the genetic value of farm animals to promote the targeted cultivation of the genetic and economically beneficial characteristics of farm animals

Sectors(s) concerned: Aid is intended for small and medium-sized enterprises undertaking agricultural activities.

Aid is intended for the livestock breeding sector

Name and address of the granting authority:

Zemkopības ministrija Riga Latvijas Republikas Zemkopības ministrija LV-1981 Rīga

Internet address: www.zm.gov.lv

Other information: Aid to the livestock breeding sector is granted pursuant to 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.

XA Number: XA 103/06

Member State: Spain

Region: Catalonia

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Aid to purchase agricultural machinery and modernise agricultural holdings

Legal basis: Orden ARP/153/2005, de 12 de abril, por la que se aprueban las bases reguladoras de las ayudas para la adquisición de maquinaria agrícola y la modernización de explotaciones agrarias, y se convocan las correspondientes al año 2005 (DOGC 4366 de 19.4.2005)

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the: The scheme takes the form of an interest-rate subsidy on a loan; the planned budget is distributed over the full duration of the loans received (maximum 8 years)

2005: EUR 150 000

2006: EUR 150 000

Maximum aid intensity: The aid takes the form of a subsidy of no more than one percentage point of the interest on loans taken out to finance eligible investments. The loans must not exceed 90 % of eligible investment, excluding VAT, with a ceiling of EUR 150 000. (See point 6(3) of the Annex to the Basic Rules for further details on the characteristics of the loan). Maximum aid intensity is 2,71 % for a 5,5-year loan, and 3,84 % for an eight-year loan

Date of implementation:

Duration of aid scheme or individual aid award: 31.12.2006. Aid payments will be made over a period of no more than eight years, until such time as the loans granted are fully paid off

Objective of aid: The objective of the aid is to encourage investment in the modernisation of agricultural holdings (helping reduce production costs, improve and redirect agricultural production, improve product quality, protect and improve the local environment, diversify agricultural and complementary activities), or the purchase of agricultural machinery. (Article 4).

Eligible costs include the following:

the acquisition of agricultural machinery;

construction costs and the acquisition or renovation of buildings required to modernise holdings;

purchase or hire costs for new machinery and equipment, including computer software, required to modernise holdings;

general costs, such as architects', engineers' and consultants' fees, feasibility studies, the acquisition of patents and licences, up to 12 % of the expenditure referred to above, provided such costs are necessary to modernise holdings.

Sector(s) concerned: The production and processing of the products listed in Annex I to the Treaty, except the fishery and aquaculture products covered by Council Regulation (EC) No 104/2000 and the products coded NC 4502, 4503 and 4504 (cork products)

Name and address of the granting authority:

Departamento de Agricultura, Ganadería y Pesca Generalitat de Catalunya Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 612-614 E-08007 Barcelona

Internet address: https://www.gencat.net/diari_c/4366/05101050.htm

Other information: —

XA Number: XA 104/06

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: Cumbria

Title of Aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Farming Connect Cumbria (FCC)

Legal basis: Sections 4 and 5 of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998

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

Maximum aid intensity:

A) Business advice and grant facilitation service The aid intensity will be 100 %. The total amount of aid per beneficiary granted under this item will be limited so that the limit of EUR 100 000 for technical support over 3 years is respected. However, it is expected that the maximum aid per beneficiary will be considerably less than EUR 100 000 in all cases.

B) FCC Development Grants The maximum aid intensity will be 40 % or, for young farmers (as defined in Article 8 of Council Regulation 1257/1999 as amended) within 5 years of setting up, 50 %. The level of grant per project will be capped at GBP 16 000 for all applicants. Applicants may apply for grants for more than one project, but no applicant may receive more than GBP 30 000 in total under this item.

C) FCC Technical Consultancy Grants The maximum aid intensity will be 50 %. The level of grant per project will be capped at GBP 1 300.

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Initial applications to join the FCC programme need to be received by 31 December 2007.

All advice will be given by 31 March 2008.

The last date for FCC Development Grant Applications is 31 March 2007 and all claims must have been submitted by 31 December 2007.

The last date for FCC Technical Consultancy Grant Applications will be 31 January 2008 and all claims must have been submitted by 31 March 2008.

Objective of aid: The objective is to support the long term sustainable development of Cumbria's rural economy by promoting:

within-agriculture diversification of agricultural businesses;

improved business efficiency;

enhancements to animal welfare conditions;

protection of the rural environment.

The eligible costs will be consultancy fees in line with Article 14 of Regulation 1/2004.

The eligible costs will be the construction, acquisition or improvement of immovable property, the purchase or lease-purchase of new machinery and equipment, including computer software and general costs, such as architects, engineers and consultation fees, feasibility studies, the acquisition of patents and licences, up to 12 % of eligible expenditure. This is in line with Article 4 of Regulation 1/2004.

The eligible costs will be consultancy fees in line with Article 14 of Regulation 1/2004.

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme applies to agricultural production activities and also to processing and marketing activities which take place on a farm holding. All subsectors are eligible for all types of aid, with the exception of the manufacture and marketing of products which imitate or substitute for milk and milk products and the processing and marketing in the sugar sector which are not eligible for investment grants

Name and address of the granting authority:

Cumbria Vision Gillan Way Penrith 40 Business Park Penrith Cumbria CA11 9BP United Kingdom

Web-Address: http://www.crea.co.uk/farming.htm. Under the ‘Downloads (adobe acrobat PDF format)’ heading, click on the link ‘Click to download Farming Connect Cumbria criteria’. Or you can access the PDF file direct at http://www.crea.co.uk/downloads/Scheme%20Criteria.pdf.

Alternatively, you can go to the UK's central website for exempted agricultural State aids at www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/state-aid/setup/exist-exempt.htm. Click on the link ‘Farming Connect Cumbria 2006’.

Other information: The scheme consists of 3 separate measures:

A flexible business advice and support service to farmers and other agricultural producers and processors, tailored to the specific needs of the business to enable the preparation of a formal business plan with the aim of improving business efficiency.

The business will then be able to apply for grants to help them implement that business plan by investing in their holding in order to develop their business for the future.

Alternatively, farmers may be given a grant towards the cost of more in depth consultancy to help them implement their business plan.

A considerable proportion of the aid consists of grants which will be paid in arrears on presentation of receipted invoices and only once stage 1 (preparation of the business plan) is completed. Therefore, more of the expenditure will occur towards the end of the scheme's period of operation.

This scheme amends and takes over the budget from scheme XA 32/04, which therefore effectively closes on 30 November 2006.

This scheme will be amended to take into account future changes to the State aid rules.

XA Number: XA 106/06

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: East Midlands

Title of Aid Scheme: Developing collaborative supply chains in the East Midlands

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

Expenditure planned under the scheme: 22 December 2006 — 31 March 2007: GBP 70 000

1 April 2007 — 31 March 2008: GBP 80 000

Maximum Aid Intensity: The aid intensity is 100 %

Date of Implementation:

Duration of Scheme: Until 31 March 2008

Objective of aid: Sectoral development. The scheme will provide an information and advice service for farmers, farmer controlled businesses (FCBs) and other collaborative ventures within the agricultural supply chain in the East Midlands.

The objective is to help improve farm business performance and efficiency through collaboration, supply chain efficiency, improve the marketing of agricultural produce and help exploit new market opportunities.

The aid will be paid in line with Article 14 of Regulation 1/2004 and the eligible costs will be consultancy services and the costs of organizing training programmes

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme is aimed primarily at businesses active in the production of primary agricultural products, namely cereals, red meat and fresh produce. However, some businesses in other parts of the wider agricultural supply chain (including processing and marketing) may also benefit. The scheme is open to businesses producing (or processing or marketing) any type of agricultural product

Name and address of the granting authority:

East Midlands Development Agency Apex Court City Link Nottingham NG2 4LA United Kingdom

Web-Address: http://www.effp.com/StellentEFFPLIVE/groups/public/documents/press_releases/developingcollabora_ia457701ca.hcsp

Alternatively, information on this scheme can be accessed via the UK's central web listing for exempted agricultural State aid schemes: http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/state-aid/setup/exist-exempt.htm

Other Information: The scheme will be open to businesses in the agricultural supply chain which process or market products not listed in Annex 1 to the Treaty establishing the European Community. Aid to such businesses will be paid in line with Commission Regulation No 69/2001 on de minimis aid or any regulation replacing it.

Beneficiaries will not be able to choose their own service provider. The service provider will be EFFP who were selected and will be remunerated according to market principle.

Aid No: XA 107/06

Member State: France

Region: Department of Seine-Maritime

Title: Investment aid for the processing and marketing of farm produce

Legal basis:

— Articles 4.3 e) et 7 du règlement (CE) no 1/2004 de la Commission

— Articles L 1511-2 et L 1511-5 du code général des collectivités territoriales

— Délibération du Conseil général de Seine Maritime en date du 28 mars 2006

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR 150 000

Maximum aid intensity: Maximum 40 % of eligible investments

Date of implementation: On receipt of an acknowledgement of receipt from the Commission

Duration of scheme: The aid scheme covers the period 2007-2009

Objective of aid: Alongside the large towns of Le Havre, Rouen and Dieppe, the Seine-Maritime department is a major market for farm produce, and its proximity to Paris makes it a major tourist destination.

The department intends this aid scheme to encourage farm producers to process their agricultural products locally in order to benefit directly from the added value. The aim of the planned investments will be to improve and diversify production.

The aid scheme concerns producers who have an individual or collective sales project. It will provide funding for the renovation of buildings and the purchase of equipment needed for the sale of farm produce.

The minimum level of eligible expenditure is EUR 1 500, and the ceiling is EUR 30 000 for individual projects and EUR 60 000 for collective projects.

To be eligible for this aid, the producer must process his own products, comply with health, environmental, hygiene, animal welfare (where applicable) and administrative standards, and market all or part of his output directly.

Expenditure on the following items is eligible:

renovation of a farm building for use as a shop; indoor and outdoor adaptations (car park, lighting, signs);

purchase of sales equipment (cash register, refrigerated display cases, ice boxes, vehicle refrigeration equipment);

equipment for certain specialised producers (e.g. beekeepers);

purchase of equipment needed for the storage and packaging of certain produce (e.g. fruit and vegetables)

Sector(s) concerned: All economically viable farms in Seine-Maritime

Economic Interest Groups

Name and address of the granting authority:

Monsieur le Président du Conseil Général Conseil Général de Seine-Maritime DAEH/SAE Quai Jean Moulin F-76101 ROUEN Cedex 1

Web address: http://www.seinemaritime.net click on ‘le guide des aides’

The description will be uploaded once this exemption form has been registered by the European Commission.

Aid No: XA 108/06

Member State: France

Region: Department of Seine-Maritime

Title: Investment aid for the conservation and enhancement of the natural environment: measures to prevent soil erosion

Legal basis:

— Article 4.3 d) du règlement (CE) no 1/2004 de la Commission

— Articles L 1511-2 et L 1511-5 du code général des collectivités territoriales

— Délibération du Conseil général de Seine Maritime en date du 28 mars 2006

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR 100 000

Maximum aid intensity: Maximum 40 % of eligible investment

Maximum 50 % for young farmers (investments made by young farmers within five years of setting up)

Date of implementation: On receipt of an acknowledgement of receipt from the Commission

Duration of scheme: 2007 — 2009

Objective of aid: Because of the nature of the soil in the department of Seine-Maritime, mud flows are a regular occurrence following heavy rainfall, particularly in late autumn and in the spring. Moreover, because of the karstic subsoil and the underground nature of the water resources, water abstraction points are regularly confronted with problems of turbidity making the water unfit for consumption.

Many solutions involve adapting cultivation methods, and in particular soil preparation.

The scheme envisaged by the department of Seine-Maritime would help farmers to invest in equipment which would limit the risks of soil sealing, runoff, mud flows and turbidity. The aim of such investments would be to conserve and enhance the natural environment.

From 2007, within the limits of the scheme's budget, the maximum amount of aid per recipient will in no case exceed EUR 400 000 over a period of three financial years, and will comply with the future agricultural exemption regulation.

The following equipment is eligible:

localised soil working tools allowing the soil to be worked solely along the drilling line, so that 75 % of the land is not worked, thus improving resistance to erosion;

equipment for sowing a ground cover plant among a crop in the field. (This highly specialised equipment allows ground cover to be sown, particularly in a crop of maize. The ground cover plants develop rapidly as soon as the crop has been harvested, thus avoiding bare ground during the winter.);

hoeing equipment (This equipment allows soil permeability to be re-established in the spring in root crops (beet and maize));

coarse mulch disc tillers allowing the creation of macroporosity after a harvest, thereby facilitating water infiltration;

seeders for intermediate crops providing ground cover in winter, specific equipment for winter cover crops (intermediate crops);

wheel track eradicators (equipment fitted to tractors to loosen up the wheel tracks which often cause serious runoff, leading to the creation of gulleys)

Sector(s) concerned:

— All economically viable farms in Seine-Maritime.

— Agricultural equipment syndicates whose registered office is in Seine-Maritime

Name and address of the granting authority:

Monsieur le Président du Conseil Général Conseil Général de Seine-Maritime DAEH/SAE Quai Jean Moulin F-76101 ROUEN Cedex 1

Web address: http://www.seinemaritime.net click on ‘le guide des aides’

The description will be uploaded once this exemption form has been registered by the European Commission.

XA number: XA 109/06

Member State: France

Region: Department of Seine-Maritime

Title of aid scheme: Investment aid for water protection

Legal basis:

— Article 4.3 d) du règlement (CE) no 1/2004 de la Commission

— Articles L 1511-2 et L 1511-5 du code général des collectivités territoriales

— Délibération du Conseil général de Seine Maritime en date du 28 mars 2006

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR 100 000

Maximum aid intensity: Ceiling of 40 % of eligible investment

Ceiling of 50 % for young farmers (if investments carried out by young farmers within the first five years of activity)

Date of implementation: On receipt of an acknowledgement of receipt from the European Commission

Duration of scheme: 2007-2009

Objective of aid: The whole of the department of Seine-Maritime is classified as a vulnerable zone under the nitrates Directive of December 1991 (91/676/EEC). Its water resources are increasingly affected by problems resulting from pollution by plant health products.

Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy requires water bodies to attain a ‘good ecological status’ by 2015.

The mechanism put in place by the department of Seine-Maritime is intended to help farmers meet the cost of investments exceeding the regulatory requirements for minimum water protection standards. The objective of these investments is to preserve and improve the natural environment.

The aid made available by the department is variable according to the geographical location of the undertaking in relation to the priority collection systems for protection.

From 2007 the maximum amount of aid per beneficiary may not exceed EUR 400 000 over a period of three financial years.

The following are regarded as eligible expenditure for limiting the risk of point source pollution:

storage facilities for plant health products,

loading bays for crop sprayers,

tanks for storing fuel or liquid fertilizer when the installations are below the levels required for classified installations,

crop spraying equipment (incorporators, rinse tanks, anti-return valves, etc.)

The following are regarded as eligible expenditure for limiting diffuse pollution:

drip hose booms,

drop pipes,

incorporators,

injectors/cutters,

spray tables,

composting materials.

Sector(s) concerned:

— All economically viable farms in Seine-Maritime.

— CUMAs with their headquarters in Seine-Maritime

Name and address of the granting authority:

Monsieur le Président du Conseil Général Conseil Général de Seine-Maritime DAEH/SAE Quai Jean Moulin F-76101 ROUEN Cedex 1

Web address: http://www.seinemaritime.net heading ‘guide des aides’

The description will be uploaded once this exemption form is registered by the European Commission.

XA Number: XA 110/06

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: North East of England

Title of Aid Scheme: The North East Collaboration Advisory Service

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

Expenditure planned under the scheme:

29 December 2006 — 31 March 2007: GBP 80 000

1 April 2007 — 31 March 2008: GBP 180 000

1 April 2008 — 31 March 2009: GBP 180 000

1 April 2009 — 31 March 2010: GBP 180 000

1 April 2010 — 31 March 2011: GBP 70 000

Maximum Aid Intensity: The aid intensity is100 %

Date of Implementation:

Duration of Scheme: Until 31 March 2011

Objective of aid: Sectoral development. The scheme will provide an information and advice service for farmers, farmer controlled businesses (FCBs) and other businesses within the agricultural supply chain in the East of England.

The scheme will provide advice on collaboration, to improve farm business performance and efficiency and help improve the marketing of agricultural produce.

The aid will be paid in line with Article 14 of Regulation 1/2004 and the eligible costs will be consultancy services.

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme is aimed primarily at businesses active in the production of agricultural products, namely cereals and arable crops, red meat and dairy. However, some businesses in other parts of the wider agricultural supply chain (including processing and marketing) may also be eligible to take part. The scheme is open to businesses producing (or processing or marketing) any type of agricultural product

Name and address of the granting authority:

One North East Stella House Goldcrest Way Newburn Riverside Newcastle Upon Tyne NE15 8NY United Kingdom

Web-Address: http://www.effp.com/StellentEFFPLIVE/groups/public/documents/press_releases/northeastofenglandc_ia45783e42.hcsp

Alternatively, information on this scheme can be accessed via the UK's central web listing for exempted agricultural State aid schemes: http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/state-aid/setup/exist-exempt.htm

Other information: The scheme will be open to businesses in the agricultural supply chain which process or market products not listed in Annex 1 to the Treaty establishing the European Community. Aid to such businesses will be paid in line with Regulation 69/2001 on de minimis aid or any regulation replacing it.

Beneficiaries will not be able to choose their own service provider. The service provider will be EFFP who were selected and will be remunerated according to market principle.