EN Official Journal of the European Union C 195/4

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

(2007/C 195/04)

Aid Number: XA 68/07

Member State: Italy

Region: Marche

Title of aid scheme: Interventi finalizzati allo sviluppo dell'agricoltura biologica

Informazione e sensibilizzazione rivolta al consumatore finale ed e a tutti gli operatori della filiera pubblici e privati,

Studio di fattibilità della filiera biologica locale e regionale finalizzata all'organizzazione dei produttori e della produzione per migliorare le condizioni di offerta sui mercati.

Legal basis:

— COM (2004) comunicazione della Commissione europea al Consiglio e al Parlamento europeo del giugno 2004 sul «Piano di azione europeo per l'agricoltura biologica e gli alimenti biologici» e relativa risoluzione del Consiglio di ottobre 2004

— D.M. n. 90859 del 7.6.2004 e n. 91458 del 3.12.2004 di liquidazione di risorse a favore delle regioni e province autonome per la realizzazione di programmi rivolti al sostegno e allo sviluppo dell'agricoltura biologica

— L.R. n. 76 del 29.12.1997 — Disciplina dell'agricoltura biologica

— D.G.R. n. 1221 del 23 ottobre 2006 — Criteri e modalità di attuazione degli interventi finalizzati allo sviluppo dell'agricoltura biologica.

Planned annual expenditure under the scheme: For the first year of implementation, expenditure for EUR 302 000 is planned.

For subsequent years, depending on the availability of budget funds, expenditure will not exceed EUR 300 000/year.

Maximum aid intensity: The maximum eligible aid will not exceed 100 % for information and awareness-raising and 80 % of the expenditure actually borne to provide the services in the case of consulting services relating to the feasibility of the organic sector.

Date of implementation: Year 2007. After the 10 working days following the formal acknowledgement of the delivery of the summary to the Commission, marked by an identification number.

Duration of scheme: Until 31.12.2013

Objective of aid: Application of Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006.

Development of the organic sector in the Marche region, starting with an increase in consumption by regional consumers. To achieve this, it is proposed to increase information to consumers and sector operators about the principles and objectives of organic farming and its positive environmental effects, pointing out in particular the guarantees given by the Community control system.

Eligible costs:

dissemination of scientific knowledge,

information about quality systems, nutritional benefits and environmental benefits,

publications, catalogues, websites.

In addition, to increase the volume of Marche's organic production on the national and international markets, consultancy services might prove necessary with regard to the feasibility of grouping local and regional supply to improve distribution.

In this case, the eligible cost will be the cost of the services.

Sector concerned: Organic production under Regulation (EEC) No 2029/91.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Regione Marche — Servizio Agricoltura, forestazione e pesca — P.F. Competitività e sviluppo dell'impresa agricola via Tiziano, 44 I-60125 Ancona

Website: www.agri.marche.it; www.regione.marche.it

Other information: The services and products of assistance activities will be provided and/or made known to all the operators in the organic sector in the Marche region whether or not they are members of the beneficiary organisations.

XA Number: XA 72/07

Member State: The Republic of Lithuania

Region: —

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Pagalba kokybiškų žemės ūkio produktų gamybai skatinti

Legal basis: Lietuvos Respublikos žemės ūkio ministro 2007 m. balandžio 23 d. įsakymas Nr. 3D-184 „Dėl pagalbos kokybiškų žemės ūkio produktų gamybai skatinti teikimo taisyklių patvirtinimo“ (Žin., 2007, Nr. 46-1759).

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: LTL 5 000 000 or EUR 1 448 100 at the official exchange rate.

Maximum aid intensity:

1. Up to 100 % of costs for market research activities, creation of agricultural product conception and design, including preparation of applications for registration of geographical indications and designations of origin or certificates of specific character in accordance with Community regulations and development of specifications regarding certification of agricultural products in accordance with food quality schemes approved by national legislation;

2. Up to 100 % of costs for the implementation of the quality management and environmental management schemes in accordance with standards LST EN ISO 9001:2001 and LST EN ISO 14001:2005, systems based on hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP), EurepGAP systems, traceability systems and systems to ensure compliance with authenticity and marketing standards;

3. Up to 100 % of costs for training employees in how to use the quality management and environmental management schemes in accordance with standards LST EN ISO 9001:2001 and LST EN ISO 14001:2005, systems based on HACCP, EurepGAP systems, traceability systems, the food quality schemes approved by national legislation and systems to ensure compliance with authenticity and marketing standards;

4. Up to 100 % of costs for the charges levied by the recognised certifying bodies for the initial certification of the quality management and environmental management schemes in accordance with standards LST EN ISO 9001:2001 and LST EN ISO 14001:2005, systems based on HACCP, EurepGAP systems, traceability systems, food quality schemes approved by national legislation and systems to ensure compliance with authenticity and marketing standards;

5. Up to 100 % of costs for controls carried out by third party control authorities, if Community legislation does not require enterprises to cover such costs from their own funds.

Date of implementation:

Duration of the aid scheme or the individual aid:

Objective of aid: Aid to SMEs. To promote the primary production of quality agricultural products. Application of Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006.

Eligible expenses:

1. Costs for market research activities, creation of agricultural product conception and design, including preparation of applications for registration of geographical indications and designations of origin or certificates of specific character in accordance with the Community regulations and development of specifications regarding certification of agricultural products in accordance with food quality schemes approved by national legislation;

2. Costs for the implementation of quality management and environmental management schemes in accordance with standards LST EN ISO 9001:2001 and LST EN ISO 14001:2005, systems based on HACCP, EurepGAP systems, traceability systems and systems to ensure compliance with authenticity and marketing standards;

3. Costs for training employees on how to use the quality management and environmental management schemes in accordance with standards LST EN ISO 9001:2001 and LST EN ISO 14001:2005, systems based on HACCP, EurepGAP systems, traceability systems, food quality schemes approved by national legislation and systems to ensure compliance with authenticity and marketing standards;

4. Costs for the charges levied by the recognised certifying bodies for the initial certification of the quality management and the environmental management schemes in accordance with standards LST EN ISO 9001:2001 and LST EN ISO 14001:2005, systems based HACCP, EurepGAP systems, traceability systems, food quality schemes approved by national legislation and systems to ensure compliance with authenticity and marketing standards;

5. Controls carried out by third party control authorities, if Community legislation does not require enterprises to cover such costs from their own funds.

Economic 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

Internet address: http://www.zum.lt/min/Isakymai/dsp_isakymas.cfm?IsakymasID=3431&langparam=LT

Other information: —

XA Number: XA 73/07

Member State: Hungary

Region: Entire country

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Állami program keretében egyes állatbetegségek megelőzéséhez, illetve leküzdéséhez kapcsolódóan igénybe vehető nemzeti támogatások

Legal basis: A földművelésügyi és vidékfejlesztési miniszter …/2007. ( ) FVM rendelete az egyes állatbetegségek megelőzésével, illetve leküzdésével kapcsolatos támogatások igénylésének és kifizetésének rendjéről

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Annual sum of aid: HUF 3 billion

Maximum aid intensity: The amount of the aid may not exceed the maximum eligible costs, excluding VAT, stated in the invoice.

The maximum eligible costs for each illness:

Date of implementation: May 2007, after Commission position

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

Objective of aid: Objective of aid: close monitoring or eradication of the illnesses listed in the annex to the regulation (cf. table above) and prevention of the listed zoonoses.

We are applying the provisions of Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 to aid for the monitoring, prevention and eradication of animal diseases and pest infestations, while the TSE tests are covered by Article 16(1)(g).

Aid may be claimed for the costs of animal health services, supported by invoices, incurred in carrying out monitoring, checking and testing for the above mentioned illnesses and in medical treatments and immunisations required by the national animal health programmes.

Sector(s) concerned: The individual species which qualify for aid are listed in the table.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Földművelésügyi és Vidékfejlesztési Minisztérium Budapest, Kossuth tér 11.

Internet address: www.fvm.hu

Budapest, 26 April 2007.

Dr. András Máhr

State Secretary

XA Number: XA 75/07

Member State: France

Region: —

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Bonification de prêts à l'investissement, exclusivement pour les prêts spéciaux de modernisation aux exploitations agricoles réalisés dans le cadre de plans d'investissement (ou plans d'amélioration matérielle selon l'ancienne dénomination) agréés avant le 31 décembre 2006.

Legal basis: articles D.* 344-1 à D.* 344-15 et D.* 344-20 à D.* 344-26 du Code Rural.

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: EUR 7,7 million of commitment authorisations in 2007 and in any event less than that amount in subsequent years, if the aid is continued.

Maximum aid intensity: The financial terms of the subsidised loans provided to farmers vary depending on the area (lowland area, less-favoured area or mountain area) and whether or not the recipient is a young farmer. The maximum aid intensity (subsidy equivalent, related to eligible expenditure) corresponding to these different cases is as follows:

lowland area — young farmer: 22 %,

lowland area — not a young farmer: 13 %,

less-favoured area (or mountain area) — young farmer: 36 %,

less-favoured area (or mountain area) — not a young farmer: 22 %.

Date of implementation: From when the Commission confirms receipt

Duration of scheme or individual aid: Five years maximum (2007-2011)

Objective of aid: To facilitate agricultural holdings' access to credit in order to help them finance the investment needed for their modernisation (reducing production costs; improving and redirecting production; improving quality; preserving and improving the natural environment, hygiene conditions and animal-welfare standards; encouraging diversification).

Sector(s) concerned: All agricultural holdings falling under the Community definition of SMEs, for all investment specific to their production activity.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Ministère de l'agriculture et de la pêche — Secrétariat général — Direction des affaires financières et de la logistique — Sous-direction du financement de l'agriculture — Bureau du crédit et de l'assurance 78, rue de Varenne F-75349 Paris SP 07

Website: www.agriculture.gouv.fr — heading ‘ressources’, sub-heading ‘Bulletin officiel’.

Other information: The French authorities approved investment plans (or material improvement plans under the old name) up to 2006, subject to the conditions described in the national rural development plan for 2000-2006. Those plans contain five-year investment programmes, intended as having to be financed by subsidised loans.

This investment plan formula has not been repeated in the French rural development programmes financed by the EAFRD for the period 2007-2013.

However, subject to budgetary availability the French authorities will honour the commitments made to farmers by safeguarding the special modernisation loans provided for in the plans approved before 31 December 2006. They will be financed from national funds.

XA Number: XA 76/07

Member State: Åland/Finland

Name of aid measure: Landskapsregeringens regler för nationellt investeringsstöd till lantbruket på Åland, i enlighet med kommissionens förordning (EG) nr 1857/2006.

Legal basis: Landskapsregeringens beslut nr N21/00/1/3 från den 27.3.2007, Landskapslag (2003:65) om finansiering av landsbygdsnäringar samt under år 2007 och ett nationellt stödprogram för genomförande av artikel 141 i akten om villkoren för republiken Finlands anslutning, från den 16 mars 2004 (det sistnämnda gäller endast under år 2007)

Planned annual expenditure in the aid scheme:

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 1 050 000 (1) 250 000 250 000 250 000 250 000 250 000 250 000

Maximum aid intensity: The maximum aid intensity is 50 % of eligible investments. All of Åland is classified as an area with handicaps other than mountain areas (Article 36(a)(ii) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005). For farmers less than 40 years old and where investments are granted no more than five years after setting-up the maximum aid intensity is 60 %. A higher investment aid may be granted in 2007 under Article 141.

Date of implementation: The aid scheme is scheduled for implementation on 15.4.2007.

Duration of the aid scheme: The scheme will remain in force until 31.12.2013.

Purpose of the aid: The purpose is to reinforce the competitiveness of agricultural holdings in Åland. Since traditional agricultural holdings still form the backbone of industry in Åland's rural areas it is important for those areas as a whole that the holdings are allowed to develop their activities. They should increase their competitiveness and adapt their activities to the market in order to develop and achieve long-term economic viability on the European market.

The articles which will be applied are 4, 13 and 15. Eligible costs under Article 4 are the construction, acquisition or improvement of real estate, the purchase of machinery and fees to architects and consultants for feasibility studies. Under Article 13 aid will be granted for legal and administrative costs and under Article 15 it will be granted for the cost of organising training, speakers, travel for participants and for one-off advisory services (e.g. tax advice).

Sectors concerned: The aid programme covers the agriculture sector. Aid can be granted for the production of milk, meat, poultry, cereals, potatoes, onions, hothouse products (e.g. tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers), vegetables, apples and berries, horse rearing and beekeeping.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Ålands landskapsregering PB 1060 AX-22111 Mariehamn Åland/Finland

Web address: The complete aid programme can be found (in Swedish) at:

http://www.regeringen.ax/.composer/upload/naringsavd/jordbruksbyran/jordbruk_reglerinv_investeringsstod_landskapsregeringen_2007.pdf

Other information: Åland Provincial Government is to implement a rural development programme in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 (rural development programme for Åland for the period 2007-2013, CCI 2007FI06RPO002). The modernisation of agricultural holdings measures are implemented in axis 1 of the programme (measures 112, 121, 123, 124). The rural development programme proposal can be found (in Swedish) at the website:

www.regeringen.ax/.composer/upload/LBU-program.pdf.

(1) A larger appropriation will be used in 2007 in accordance with the exemption Regulation. This is because there will be a delay before the rural development Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 can start to apply.