EN Official Journal of the European Union C 44/5

Summary information on 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 44/04)

Aid No: XA 6/04

Member State: Italy

Region: Lombardy — Directorate-General for Agriculture

Title of the aid scheme: Support for the implementation of programmes to produce energy from renewable sources

Legal basis:

— Legge regionale del 7 febbraio 2000, n. 7, «Norme per gli interventi regionali in agricoltura» Art. 4, Comma 1, Lett. e)

— Deliberazione n. VII/14019 dell'8.8.2003 dal Titolo: «Approvazione dei criteri riguardanti “Sostegno per l'attuazione di programmi intesi a produrre energia da fonti rinnovabili”».

— Regolamento (CE) n. 1/2004 della Commissione del 23 dicembre 2003 relativo all'applicazione degli articoli 87 e 88 del trattato CE agli aiuti di Stato a favore delle piccole e medie imprese attive nel settore della produzione, trasformazione e commercializzazione dei prodotti agricoli.

Assistance covered by the Decision is eligible for finance with the exclusion of assistance for incineration or coincineration, which will be the subject of separate aid.

Assistance is eligible under:

— Article 1 (Purpose): first four types of eligible assistance

— Article 2 (Beneficiaries): 2.1-2.3 excluding those under point 2.2. The aid is intended only for small and medium-sized firms with a turnover of less than EUR 40 million and which are economically viable under the criteria set out in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 as amended and as specified in the regional development plan

— Article 3 (Types of assistance): 3.1 — 3.2 — 3.3 — 3.4

— Article 4 (Size of contribution): 4.1

— Article 7 (Limits, exclusions, eligibility): 7.1 excluding beneficiaries under point 2.2

Planned annual expenditure under the scheme: The planned initial budget is EUR 5 000 000

Eligible expenditure may not exceed the limits in the regional development plan:

For small agricultural holdings in the disadvantaged areas referred to in Article 18 of the Regulation, whose viability is defined in point 4.1.1.a of the Plan: the maximum eligible investment for the whole period of application of the Plan is EUR 350 000 per holding

In other cases: the maximum eligible for the whole period of application of the Plan is EUR 800 000 per holding, and EUR 1 000 000 if the investment also concerns the processing of a farm product

For associated and cooperative holdings: EUR 1 500 000 per project for the whole period of application of the Plan

For firms engaged in the processing and marketing of agricultural products the maximum is as provided for in Article 1(3) of the exemption Regulation (EC) No 1/2004

Under Article 17(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004, it is certified that the funds actually available in the regional budget at 31 December 2003 for this initiative were:

chapter 5405 — equipment grants EUR 2 330 000

chapter 1550 — grants for interest relief on mortgages EUR 8 612 000

chapter 1770 — grants for interest relief on mortgages EUR 1 503 000

chapter 1946 — grants for interest relief on mortgages EUR 8 315 000

chapter 2328 — grants for interest relief on mortgages EUR 1 583 000

giving a total in grants for interest relief of EUR 20 013 000; assuming contributions to grants for interest relief on mortgages (e.g. ten-year mortgages) annual availability is about EUR 2 020 000

Assuming an average contribution of 30 %, the investment possible would be:

from grants for interest relief EUR 2 020 000

from equipment grants EUR 2 330 000

total availability EUR 4 350 000/30 % = investment of EUR 14 500 000

Maximum intensity of aid:

— The value of the aid as a percentage of eligible expenditure is 30 % for works.

— For applications by young farmers within five years of establishment and aged between 18 and 40, the value of the aid as a percentage of eligible expenditure is 45 % for works

Date of application: Aid may be granted after the scheme has been introduced and published in the Official Journal of the European Union, in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004

Duration of the scheme: The aid scheme should be regarded as unlimited in time and so having the duration laid down by Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 as amended

Purpose of the aid: The aim of this initiative is to encourage agricultural holdings and firms engaged in the processing and marketing of agricultural products (Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004) to reduce energy production costs, to promote the use of agricultural products, excluding waste, for energy purposes and introduce systems to limit pollution and the environmental impact or, in any case, to reduce energy consumption

Eligible costs covered by the scheme:

Aid will be granted for the following types of assistance:

assistance required for the implementation and correct operation of power generators using vegetable biomass;

the use of renewable energy to rationalise energy consumption on agricultural holdings such as: heat pumps, combined heat and power, insulation;

assistance for insulation and the reduction of heat losses and the application of technologies to produce renewable energy in greenhouses;

assistance to recover biogas from new or existing plants, including those of a simplified type, included in the digester chamber

The following are not eligible for finance:

the purchase of land, live animals, production rights, used computer apparatus and instruments, non-agricultural machinery (trailers, etc.) which cannot be registered with the UMA (users of agricultural machinery);

maintenance work;

replacement investments which do nothing to improve the agricultural production situation.

Pursuant to Article 4(6) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004, we confirm that ‘normal market outlets for the products concerned exist for the future’. (See Annexes I and II)

Sectors concerned: The aid scheme applies to the processing and marketing of agricultural products

Name and address of the authority granting the aid:

Region Lombardy — Direzione Generale Agricultura Piazza IV Novembre, 5 I-20124 Milano

Website: www.agricoltura.regione.lombardia.it

Aid No: XA 8/04

Member State: Italy

Region: Autonomous Region of Valle d'Aosta

Title of aid scheme: Investments in agricultural holdings

Legal basis:

— Regolamento (CE) n. 1257/1999 del Consiglio

— Orientamenti comunitari per gli aiuti di Stato nel settore agricolo (2000/C 20/02 dell'1.1.2000)

— Regolamento (CE) n. 1783/2003 del Consiglio

— Regolamento (CE) n. 1/2004 della Commissione

— Decisione della Commissione relativa all'aiuto di Stato n. 368/2000 trasmessa con lettera SG (2001) D/285819 del 2.2.2001.

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR 4 000 000 per year (see attached table).

This is an amendment of an existing state aid scheme already authorised by the Commission. The planned expenditure over the years 2004 to 2006 is less than that given in the notification of state aid No 368/2000 for the measure ‘Investments in agricultural holdings’, approved by Commission Decision notified by letter No SG (2001) D/285819 dated 2 February 2001

Maximum aid intensity: 60 % of eligible expenditure for all investments in agricultural holdings carried out by young farmers as defined in Article 8(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999

Date of implementation: The aid scheme will enter into force after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Duration of scheme: Until 31 December 2006

Objective of aid: The principal objective is to adjust in accordance with Community rules (in particular Regulations (EC) Nos 1/2004 and 1783/2003) the rate of aid for investments carried out by young farmers for the construction and restructuring of farm buildings and infrastructures, compliance with health, hygiene and animal-welfare standards and mechanisation (increase of rate of aid from 55 % to 60 %)

As already stated, this is an amendment, within the meaning of Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004, of an existing state aid scheme already authorised by the Commission. The general objectives of the measure are to improve and rationalise farm buildings, improve hygiene, animal-welfare conditions and competitiveness and increase farmers' incomes

Sector(s) concerned: The measure is aimed at small and medium-sized agricultural production holdings in all sectors in the region (forage-stockfarming, fruit production, wine growing, etc.)

Name and address of the granting authority:

Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta — Assessorato dell'Agricoltura, Protezione civile e Risorse naturali — Dipartimento Agricoltura — Direzione Politiche Agricole e Sviluppo zootecnico. Località Grande Charrière 66 I-11020 St Christophe (Aosta)

Web address: http://www.regione.vda.it/

INVESTMENTS IN AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS (EUR)

Year Total cost Total public expenditure Public expenditure Private contribution EC National public contribution Total % total cost Total % total cost State Regions Local authorities 2004 8 500 000 4 000 000 0 0 4 000 000 47 0 4 000 000 0 4 500 000 2005 8 500 000 4 000 000 0 0 4 000 000 47 0 4 000 000 0 4 500 000 2006 8 500 000 4 000 000 0 0 4 000 000 47 0 4 000 000 0 4 500 000 Total 25 500 000 12 000 000 0 0 12 000 000 47 0 12 000 000 0 13 500 000

Aid No: XA 9/04

Member State: Italy

Region: Autonomous Region of Valle d'Aosta

Title of aid scheme: Reparcelling

Legal basis:

— Regolamento (CE) n. 1257/1999 del Consiglio

— Orientamenti comunitari per gli aiuti di Stato nel settore agricolo (2000/C 20/02 dell'1.1.2000)

— Regolamento (CE) n. 1/2004 della Commissione

— Decisione della Commissione relativa all'aiuto di Stato n. 368/2000 trasmessa con lettera SG (2001) D/285819 del 2.2.2001

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR 900 000 per year (see attached table).

This is an amendment to an existing state aid scheme already authorised by the Commission. The planned expenditure over the years 2004 to 2006 is not significantly different from that given in the notification of state aid No 368/2000 for the measure ‘Reparcelling’, approved by Commission Decision notified by letter No SG (2001) D/285819 dated 2 February 2001

Maximum aid intensity: 100 % of the cost of implementing a Reparcelling Plan, including preliminary studies, drawing up the draft plan and the transfer of ownership rights and other property rights

Date of implementation: The aid scheme will enter into force after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union

Duration of scheme: Until 31 December 2006

Objective of aid: The problem of reparcelling is particularly grave in Valle d'Aosta because of the serious structural limitations placed on the agricultural sector by the small size and fragmentation of holdings, which are generally made up of several plots of land, often lying far apart.

The measure aims to provide support to small and medium-sized holdings for the consolidation of their land and property in order to reduce production costs and labour time

As stated above, this is an amendment to an existing aid scheme already authorised by the Commission.

The amendment, proposed under Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004, extends the measure to associated agricultural holdings and to owners of agricultural land and rectifies and redefines some of the conditions to be fulfilled by the above beneficiaries and by individual holdings.

The financing of the cost of the transfer of ownership rights and other property rights for the purpose of reparcelling by single and associated agricultural holdings with the minimum level of profitability and by landowners may be granted provided that:

— to maintain the consolidated land for agricultural use and cultivate it in accordance with good farming practice, either directly or by third parties, for at least 15 years;

— not to break up the consolidated land (by sale, bequest, etc.) for at least 15 years.

Sector(s) concerned: The measure is aimed at small and medium-sized agricultural production holdings in all sectors in the region (forage-stockfarming, fruit production, wine-growing, etc.)

Name and address of the granting authority: Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta — Assessorato dell'Agricoltura, Protezione civile e Risorse naturali — Dipartimento Agricoltura — Servizio Promozione e Sviluppo Agricolo

web address: http://www.regione.vda.it/

REPARCELLING (EUR)

Year Total cost Public expenditure Private contribution Total public expenditure EC National public contribution State Region Local authorities Total % total cost Total % total cost 2004 1 300 000 900 000 0 0 900 000 69 0 900 000 0 400 000 2005 1 300 000 900 000 0 0 900 000 69 0 900 000 0 400 000 2006 1 300 000 900 000 0 0 900 000 69 0 900 000 0 400 000 Total 3 900 000 2 700 000 0 0 2 700 000 69 0 2 700 000 0 1 200 000

Aid No: XA 11/04

Member State: Italy

Region: Marche

Title of aid scheme or name of the company qualifying for a single aid payment: ‘Technical assistance in the zootechnical sector’

Legal basis: Art. 6 della Legge Regionale 22.12.2003, n. 27 «Interventi regionali nel settore della zootecnia».

Planned annual expenditure under the scheme or total annual amount of individual aid granted to the company: The regional law referred to under legal basis also concerns other aid schemes not all of which are provided for in detail in the Regulation providing for exemption and will be applied in 2004, providing in that year for an overall commitment of EUR 1 612 290,02 of which not more than EUR 100 000 will be for this scheme.

Expenditure under the law overall may reach an annual maximum of EUR 4 000 000 of which not more than EUR 300 000 will be for assistance under this aid scheme.

Maximum intensity of aid: The aid scheme provides for the grant of payments to associations of stock farmers and zootechnical producer organisations for the provision of ancillary and replacement services to farmers and for the organisation of competitions, exhibitions and fairs.

The activities and services referred to above are accessible to all stock farmers as final beneficiaries.

The payments are granted up to 100 per cent of expenditure considered eligible, up to a maximum of EUR 100 000 per beneficiary for each three-year period.

Date of application: From 2004 and 10 working days after the dispatch of this form, as provided for in Article 19(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004.

Duration of scheme or of individual aid: The duration is indeterminate and linked to the annual allocations from the budget decided on by the Region of Marche and to the period of validity of the Regulation providing for exemption (Regulation (EC) No 1/2004).

Purpose of the aid: The support is for individual small and medium-sized farm enterprises and associations thereof.

The special aims of the aid scheme are to encourage the upgrading and updating of agricultural holdings and the quality and improvement of zootechnical production.

The eligible costs will consist exclusively of those provided for in paragraphs 1 and 2 of the legal basis and in Article 14(2)(a)(iii) and (d) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 and in particular those relating to:

Aid for replacement services will not be granted where stock farmers and/or their workers are absent because they are participating in zootechnical exhibitions, competitions and fairs.

Sectors concerned: The aid scheme will apply to all forms of zootechnical production and cover all types of stock farming.

Name and address of the authority granting the aid:

Regione Marche — Servizio Gestione Attività Agricole e Rurali. Via Tiziano 44, I-60100 Ancona (Italia)

Website: www.agri-marche.it

Other information:

1. The regional law referred to under legal basis provides for a range of other aid schemes, not provided for in detail in Regulation (EC) No 1/2004, which will therefore be notified separately in accordance with the Guidelines for State aid in the agriculture sector.

2. The aids will be accessible to all eligible persons in the area concerned on the basis of objectively set criteria. Membership of an association or organisation will not be required in order to obtain access to the service. Contributions from non-members towards the administrative costs of the association or organisation concerned must be limited to the costs of providing the service.

3. If need be, the provider of technical support will be selected and paid on the basis of market principles, in a non-discriminatory way, where necessary by a tendering procedure in accordance with Community rules, and in any case using forms of advertising enabling the market in services to be opened up to competition and allowing the rules on tendering to be verified impartially.

Aid No: XA 12/04

Member State: Italy

Region: Marche

Title of aid scheme or name of the company qualifying for a single aid

‘Investments in zootechnical holdings specialising in the rearing of cows and calves’

Legal basis: Artt. 9 e 3 della Legge Regionale 22.12.2003, n. 27 «Interventi regionali nel settore della zootecnia».

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or total annual amount of individual aid granted to the company: The regional law referred to under legal basis also concerns other aid schemes not all of which are specified in the Regulation providing for exemption. The law will be applied in 200. It provides for an overall commitment in 2004 of EUR 1 612 290,02 of which not more than EUR 1 000 000 is for assistance under this scheme

Annual expenditure under the law overall may reach a maximum of EUR 4 000 000 of which not more than EUR 3 million will be for investments under this aid scheme

Maximum intensity of aid: The aid will be granted to cover not more than 40 % of the volume of investment, and not more than 50 % in less-favoured areas. For investments by young farmers within five years of setting up, the percentages will be 45 % and 55 % respectively.

If the investments include additional costs for the protection and improvement of the environment and the improvement of the health and welfare conditions of the animals, the maximum percentages of 40 % and 50 % may be increased by 20 % or 25 % only for investments needed to comply with the new minimum Community requirements or to exceed those requirements. In any case aid will not be granted to cover the increased costs of the supply and production of electricity, together with the supply of water.

The increase in aid will be granted only for the additional eligible costs necessary and will not apply to investments involving an increase in production capacity.

Date of application: From 2004 and, in any case, ten working days after the dispatch of this form, in accordance with Article 19(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004

Duration of aid scheme or of individual aid: The duration is indeterminate and is linked to the annual budget allocations adopted by the Region of Marche and to the period of validity of the Regulation providing for exemption (Regulation (EC) No 1/2004)

Purpose of the aid: The aid is intended for small and medium-sized farm enterprises and associations thereof which satisfy the profitability requirements established in the RSP for the Region of Marche, approved by the Commission by Decision C(2000) 2726 DEF of 26.9.2000 and is based on Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004

The objectives of the regional law referred to in the legal basis for the aid scheme are to improve the quality of livestock production and the livestock gene pool, provide assurances of food safety, protect the environment and develop extensive livestock farming in upland and less-favoured areas

The specific objectives of the aid scheme are to support the categories of investment listed in detail in Article 9(1) of the legal basis, with the sole exception of those referred to in point (h) [first purchase of livestock)] and point (i) [purchase of high-quality male and female reproducing animals entered in genealogical books or public registers]

For these latter two categories the aid scheme approved by the Commission [Aid No 110/03 –Commission Decision C(2003) 2915 of 4.8.2003] will be taken as a basis

The eligible expenses, in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 will include:

the construction, acquisition and improvement of immovable property;

the purchase or lease-purchase of new machinery and equipment, including computer software up to the market value of the asset; other costs connected with a leasing contract (tax, lessor's margin, interest refinancing costs, overheads, insurance charges, etc.) do not constitute eligible expenditure;

general costs, such as architects', engineers' and consultation fees, feasibility studies, the acquisition of patents and licences, up to 12 % of the expenditure referred to in the preceding points

Sectors concerned: The aid scheme applies to zootechnical production and covers all types of livestock rearing

Name and address of the authority granting the aid:

Regione Marche — Servizio Gestione Attività Agricole e Rurali. Via Tiziano 44, I-60100 Ancona (Italia)

Website: www.agri-marche.it

www.regione.marche.it

Other information:

1. The regional law referred to in the legal basis provides for other aid schemes which are not provided for in detail in Regulation (EC) No 1/2004, which will therefore be notified separately in accordance with the Guidelines for State aid in the agriculture sector.

2. The aid will be granted exclusively to small and medium-sized enterprises in the agricultural sector whose financial viability can be shown for products for which there are normal outlets or will be in the future, provided the investments do not result in an increase of more than 20 % in the production capacity of the small and medium-sized enterprises to be calculated in livestock units in the case of livestock production and as area cultivated in the case of plant production;

The criteria and procedures governing the evaluations and measures for verifying compliance with the above requirements (provided for in Article 4(5), (6) and (8)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 will be those laid down in the RSP for the Region of Marche, referred to in Regulation (EC) No 1257/99, approved by the Commission by Decision C(2000) 2726 DEF of 26.9.2000 and published on the Internet at the following address: www.agri.marche.it