Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(2003/C 246/08)

Date of adoption of the decision: 15.9.2003

Member State: Germany

Aid No: N 162/03

Title: Aid for consulting services concerning transition towards organic farming

Objective: Promotion of organic farming. Aid would be paid for the costs of consultation on the transition of an agricultural undertaking towards organic farming

Legal basis: Richtlinien über die Förderung der Beratung landwirtschaftlicher Unternehmen über die Umstellung auf den ökologischen Landbau

Budget: EUR 1,5-1,8 Mio. annually

Aid intensity or amount: The aid is 60 % of the documented and paid costs of the consultation, but not exceeding EUR 1000 per undertaking. An undertaking may get the aid only once

Duration: Until December 2007

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/ secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 15.9.2003

Member State: Spain

Aid No: N 166/03

Title: Aid for modernising the poultry sector

Objective: To modernise the poultrymeat production sector and increase its competitiveness

Legal basis: Proyecto de orden por la que se establecen las bases reguladoras y la convocatoria para el ejercicio 2003 de la concesión de ayudas destinadas a la modernización del sector de la avicultura de carne de pollo en España

Budget: EUR 306000

Aid intensity or amount: Varies according to the aid

Duration: 2003

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/ secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 15.9.2003

Member State: Spain (Cantabria)

Aid No: N 180/03

Title: Aid to producer groups for integrated processing in agriculture

Objective: To combat plant diseases by groups of farmers who implement integrated protection programmes against agents harmful to plants

Legal basis: Proyecto de Orden por la que se regula el reconocimiento de las agrupaciones para tratamientos integrados en agricultura (Atrias) y se convocan subvenciones para el ejercicio 2003

Budget: EUR 18500 in 2003

Aid intensity or amount: Up to 100 % of the cost

Duration: Five years

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/ secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 15.9.2003

Member State: Austria (Upper Austria)

Aid No: N 305/03

Title: Aid towards the payment of storm insurance premiums for glasshouses

Objective: To encourage horticultural enterprises with glasshouses to obtain adequate insurance against storm damage. The aid would be granted to horticultural enterprises in Upper Austria if an enterprise has taken an insurance policy for the whole calendar year against storm damage to glasshouses

Legal basis: Sonderrichtlinien für die Gewährung eines Zuschusses zu den Versicherungsprämien zum Schutz vor Sturmschäden an Gewächshäusern in der Landwirtschaft

Budget: Estimated EUR 55000 annually

Aid intensity or amount: Maximally 50 % of the paid insurance premium

Duration: Unlimited

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/ secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 15.9.2003

Member State: Germany (Sachsen)

Aid No: N 567/02

Title: Aid for nature protection measures

Objective: Protection of nature. Aid is granted for the following purposes: care and development of biotopes, protection of wild animals and plants and their habitat, investments for measures, installations and technology used for the protection of nature, securing plots of land for nature protection, preparation and promotion of nature protection measures, care of protected areas and combined operations in nature protection. Only land that cannot be used for agricultural protection and that is destined for nature protection is eligible for aid under the draft directive. No agricultural production is allowed in the eligible areas. None of the supported measures may benefit agricultural protection

Legal basis: Richtlinie des Sächsischen Staatsministeriums für Umwelt und Landwirtschaft für die Förderung von Maßnahmen des Naturschutzes im Freistaat Sachsen (Naturschutzrichtlinie)

Budget: EUR 12,3 Mio (2003), EUR 14,2 Mio (2004) (nationally financed)

Aid intensity or amount: Variable according to the supported measure

Duration: Unlimited

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/ secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

Date of adoption of the decision: 15.9.2003

Member State: Germany (Rheinland-Pfalz)

Aid No: N 580/02

Title: Aid towards production loss insurance premiums in swine rearing in Rheinland-Pfalz

Objective: Promotion of insurance coverage against economic losses due to swine fewer and other risks. Aid would be granted as a subsidy towards insurance premiums of policies taken by farmers with swine rearing. The eligible insurance policy and the subsidised insurance premium thereof shall always cover natural catastrophes, exceptional occurrences pursuant to point 11.2.1 of the Community Guidelines on State aid in the agriculture sector and adverse weather conditions pursuant to point 11.3.1 of the Guidelines

Legal basis: Verwaltungsvorschrift über die "Gewährung von Beihilfen zu Versicherungsprämien für Ertragsschadenversicherungen in der Schweineproduktion in Rheinland-Pfalz" (Entwurf)

Budget: EUR 60000-70000 EUR annually

Aid intensity or amount: The maximum aid amount is 50 % of the actual insurance premium

Duration: Unlimited

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/ secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids