EN Official Journal of the European Union C 107/2

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

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(2005/C 107/02)

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: France.

Aid No: NN 160/2003 (ex N 344/2003).

Title: Fodder aid for farmers affected by drought.

Objective: Aid paid to herbivore farmers to compensate for losses caused by drought in 53 French departments.

Legal basis: Non-statutory.

Budget: EUR 50 million.

Aid intensity or amount: The aid will be granted up to a maximum of EUR 45 per tonne of feed purchased.

Duration: Until the budget is exhausted for feed ordered between 1 June 2003 and 31 December 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:

Member State: Austria.

No of the aid: N 23/2004.

Title: Financial aid for to agricultural enterprises having sustained damage due to drought in 2003.

Objective: To compensate farmers for the drought damage during 2003. In order to compensate for the drought-related damage to farms Austria proposes to grant the aid in form of an interest subsidy on bank loans taken by farmers between 1.6.2003 and 16.2.2004 in order to offset drought-related losses. The scope of the aid measure is limited to drought related production losses of at least 30 %. Insurance compensation has to be taken into account in order to exclude overcompensation.

This aid is payable only in the following areas: Burgenland, Lower Austria, Upper Austria Styria, Carinthia, Salzburg, Vorarlberg and Wien.

Legal basis:

Sonderrichtlinie des Bundesministers für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft (BMLFUW) für Maßnahmen zur Existenzsicherung für durch Dürre 2003 geschädigte Landwirtschaftliche Gebiete

Budget: Available resources at the time of the notification: EUR 8,0 million. Actual expenses are not yet foreseeable.

Aid intensity or amount: The maximum loan and aid amounts in EUR per hectare are as follows

Duration: One-off measure.

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:

Member State: United Kingdom (Wales)

Aid No: N 66/2004

Title: Amendment to the Welsh Flock Improvement Scheme — Artificial Insemination and Semen Banking for Scrapie Resistance

Objective: The aim of the scheme is to improve scrapie resistance in the Welsh sheep sector. The changes concern the scheme manager, the duration and the budget.

Legal basis: Government of Wales Act 1998, sections 40 and 85(2); Agriculture Act 1967 as amended.

Budget: GBP 918 000 (EUR 1 351 590)

Aid intensity or amount: 100 %

Duration: October 2004 to October 2006

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:

Member State: Spain (Basque Country).

Aid No: N 86/2004.

Title: Aid for the disposal of carcases where BSE is detected.

Objective: To compensate for losses suffered by the carcase owners immediately preceding and the two immediately following in the slaughter chain in the case of carcases testing positive in rapid BSE tests.

Legal basis:

Proyecto de decreto por el que se establece una indemnización por la canal inmediatamente anterior y las dos inmediatamente posteriores a la que dé positivo al test rápido de Encefalopatioa Espongiforme Bovina en la misma cadena de sacrificio, así como por sus subproductos.

Budget: EUR 10 000 per year.

Aid intensity or amount: Varies according to the type of meat.

Duration: Not specified.

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:

Member State: France

Aid No: N 93/2004

Title: Investments in agricultural holdings — Bouches-du-Rhône

Objective: Aid for investments to improve agricultural holdings

Budget: EUR 300 000

Aid intensity or amount: Maximum rate of 40 % for the work, up to a maximum of EUR 25 000

Duration: Not specified

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:

Member State: Belgium (Flanders)

Aid No: N 104/2004

Title: Aid to consumer cooperatives running an agricultural or horticultural holding and legal persons pursuing a social objective that carry on agricultural or horticultural activities

Objective: To grant investment aid to consumer co-operatives running an agricultural or horticultural holding and legal persons pursuing a social objective that carry on agricultural or horticultural activities

Legal basis: Ontwerpdecreet van de Vlaamse Regering betreffende steun aan de investeringen in de landbouw door coöperaties van consumenten die als doelstelling de uitbating van een land- en/of tuinbouwbedrijf hebben en rechtspersonen met een maatschappelijke of sociale doelstelling die een land- en/of tuinbouwactiviteit hebben (Projet de décret du gouvernement flamand concernant une aide aux investissements dans l'agriculture de coopératives de consommateurs dont l'objectif consiste à gérer une exploitation agricole et/ou horticole, et aux personnes morales qui exercent une activité agricole et/ou horticole dans une perspective sociale)

Ontwerp van Ministerieel Besluit betreffende steun aan de investeringen in de landbouw door coöperaties van consumenten die als doelstelling de uitbating van een land- en/of tuinbouwbedrijf hebben en rechtspersonen met een maatschappelijke of sociale doelstelling die een land- en/of tuinbouwactiviteit hebben (Projet de décret ministériel concernant une aide aux investissements dans l'agriculture de coopératives de consommateurs dont l'objectif consiste à gérer une exploitation agricole et/ou horticole, et aux personnes morales qui exercent une activité agricole et/ou horticole dans une perspective sociale).

Budget: EUR 88 000 a year

Aid intensity or amount: Max. 40 %

Duration: indefinite

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

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

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: Netherlands.

Aid No: N 378/03.

Title: Amendment of an approved aid scheme (NN 84/2000) in the flower bulb sector.

Objective: To increase the budgets for advertising, research and quality control.

Legal basis:

Verordening PT Vakheffing bloembollen leverbaar 2003. Verordening PT Vakheffing bloembollen Plantgoed 2003.

Budget: For 2003, EUR 21 192 200. Thereafter: EUR 26 300 000 per year.

Aid intensity or amount: 100 % for research and advertising (funded out of parafiscal charges); degressive for quality control; the aid for information activities does not constitute State aid.

Duration: Not specified.

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:

Member State: Italy

Aid No: N 385/2003

Title: Stirone regional park — demonstration project ‘Assistance to improve the environment in agricultural areas belonging to the park and neighbouring (“pre-park”) areas’

Objective: Technical assistance to farmers in carrying out a pilot demonstration project

Legal basis:

Legge regionale 2 aprile 1988, n. 11 come modificata dalla legge regionale 12 novembre 1992, n. 40, dalla legge regionale 27 maggio 1989, n. 19 e dalla legge regionale 2 luglio 1988, n. 27

Budget: EUR 7 890

Aid intensity or amount: The aid is to be granted in the form of a non-repayable contribution for the training of farmers and for making their land available to the project; it is to be modulated in accordance with the experimental farming techniques which are being monitored and the area of land made available:

Duration: Two agricultural years: 2004/05 and 2005/06

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:

Member State: Italy (Campania)

No of the aid: N 387/2003

Title: Aids/ for phytosanitary emergencies

Objective: To subsidise intervention plans for phytosanitary emergencies to be implemented through the following measures:

technical support (technical assistance, training, dissemination of new techniques);

preventative and compensatory measures for combating plant diseases.

Legal basis:

Legge regionale della Campania n. 4 del 28 marzo 2002, ‘Incentivazione di interventi a carattere territoriale per le emergenze sanitarie conclamate’.

Budget: EUR ca 1 500 000

Aid intensity or amount: Technical support: maximum EUR 60 000 for each project over a three-year period;

Preventative measures for combating plant diseases: up to 70 % of the admissible actual costs incurred;

Compensatory measures for combating plant diseases: up to the normal value of crops destroyed (‘raccolti distrutti’), of crops not collected (‘frutti pendenti non raccolti’) and/or of tree plants which had to be uprooted (taking into account their age).

Duration: Undetermined

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:

Member State: United Kingdom (Wales)

Aid No: N 439/2002

Title: Welsh Agri-Food Strategy: Participation scheme

Objective: The objective of the scheme is the development of a food culture in Wales that recognises the diversity, quality, and environmental sensitivity of food and drink produced by craft and artisan producers. Aid is given for setting up of producer organisations for farmer's markets, organisation of and training for food festivals, organisation of exhibitions and competitions, consultancy for the organisation of trade fairs, participation in trade fairs, training for the participation in trade fairs and in marketing skills.

Legal basis: Welsh Development Agency Act 1975 (as amended)

Budget: Total: GBP 7 352 500 (EUR 10 435 739)

Aid intensity or amount: Up to 100 %

Duration: Date of approval of the Commission until 31 December 2006

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:

Member State: Italy

Aid No: N 476/2003

Title: Regional Law 30 April 2003 n. 12 Article 20, paragraph 4. Grant of annual subsidies to accredited bodies in charge of controls on organic farming

Objective: to promote organic farming by granting aid to farmers towards the cost of obligatory controls carried out by accredited control and certification bodies on organic methods of production.

Legal basis:

— Legge Regionale 30 aprile 2003 n. 12. Articolo 20, paragrafo 4

— Legge Regionale 24 luglio 1995, n. 32. Articolo 12, paragrafo 4

Budget:

— Non notified aid until 2002: EUR 20 500/year

— Notified aid as from 2003: EUR 77 000/year

Aid intensity or amount:

— Non notified aid: 50 % of control costs;

— Notified aid: 50 % of control costs for mixed (organic/conventional) farms; 70 % for mixed farms in less-favoured areas; 100 % for farms growing only organic products.

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:

Member State: Italy (Friuli-Venezia Giulia)

Aid No: N 480/2003

Title: Regional Law n. 1/2003 ‘Aid for the purchase of a vehicle for transport of fallen stock or animals destroyed on farms on public health grounds’.

Objective: To grant investment aid to the Livestock Owners' Association of Friuli for the purchase of a vehicle.

Legal basis:

Legge Regionale 29 gennaio 2003 n. 1 recante criteri e modalità per la concessione degli aiuti per l'acquisto di idoneo mezzo di trasporto per lo smaltimento delle carcasse degli animali morti in azienda od abbattuti in seguito ad ordinanze sanitarie.

Budget: EUR 100 000.

Aid intensity or amount: 40 % of eligible expenses.

Duration: This is a one-off aid.

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:

Member State: Spain

Aid No: N 554 /03

Title: Aid for improving the production of apricots.

Objective: Grubbing up of apricots of the ‘Búlida’ variety and replacement with other varieties recommended by the regions.

Legal basis:

Orden del Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación APA/3168/2003 de 29 de octubre, por la que se regulan las ayudas destinadas al saneamiento de la producción de albaricoques de la variedad Búlida.

Budget: Not specified.

Aid intensity or amount: EUR 3 800/hectare (EUR 4 500/hectare in less-favoured areas).

Duration: 2004 to 2006.

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:

Member State: France

Aid No: N 564/2003

Title: Aid programmes for cattle farming in the department of Vendée

Objective: Prevention of animal diseases.

Budget: EUR 69 000/year

Aid intensity or amount: Variable

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:

Member State: Greece.

Aid No: N 249/03

Title: RAGBY aid programme — measures for farmers and fishermen whose holdings were affected by natural disasters (landslides and floods), unfavourable weather conditions (frost, rain, storms and drought) and disease due to unfavourable weather conditions in the period March 2002 to March 2003.

Objective: Compensation for losses due to unfavourable weather conditions.

Legal basis: Πρόγραμμα ενισχύσεων RAGBY– Μέτρα για τους γεωργούς και τους αλιείς των οποίων οι εκμεταλλεύσεις επλήγησαν από θεομηνίες (κατολισθήσεις, πλημμύρες), από δυσμενείς κλιματικές συνθήκες (παγετοί, βροχές, θύελλες, ξηρασία), από έκτακτα γεγονότα (πυρκαγιές) και από ασθένειες οφειλόμενες σε δυσμενείς κλιματικές συνθήκες κατά την περίοδο από Μάρτιο 2002 έως Μάρτιο 2003 (σχέδιο διυπουργικής απόφασης).

Budget: EUR 60 000 000.

Aid intensity or amount: Between 50 % and 80 % of the loss or flat-rate amounts per 1 000 m2 for certain types of crop.

Duration: Five years (the aid is to be paid in several instalments).

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/