EN Official Journal of the European Union C 194/2

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 194/02)

XA Number: XA 84/07

Member State: Netherlands

Region: Provinces (Drenthe, Gelderland, Groningen, Flevoland, Friesland, North Brabant, North Holland, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland, South Holland, South Limburg)

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Provinciale subsidieverordeningen (omschrijving steun: De infrastructuur voor de ontwikkeling/aanpassing van landbouw, onderdeel bedrijfsverplaatsingen).

Legal basis:

— Artikel 11, derde lid, Wet inrichting landelijk gebied;

— Provinciewet: artikel 105, artikel 145, artikel 158;

Provinciale subsidieverordeningen:

— Drenthe: artikel 3 van de Subsidieverordening Inrichting Landelijk Gebied

— Gelderland: artikel 2 van de Subsidieregeling vitaal Gelderland 2007

— Groningen: artikel 9 van de Uitvoeringsregeling subsidies inrichting landelijk gebied 2006

— Flevoland: artikel 2 van de Subsidieregeling inrichting landelijk gebied Flevoland

— Friesland: artikel 2 van de Kadersubsidieverordening Inrichting Landelijk Gebied provincie Fryslân 2007

— Noord-Brabant: artikel 2 van de Subsidieverordening inrichting landelijk Gebied 2007

— Noord-Holland: artikel 3 van de Subsidieverordening inrichting landelijk gebied Noord-Holland 2007

— Overijssel: artikel 6.10 en artikel 8.3 van het Uitvoeringsbesluit subsidies Overijssel

— Utrecht: artikel 3 van de Subsidieverordening inrichting landelijk gebied provincie Utrecht 2006

— Zeeland: artikel 2 van de PMJP Subsidieregeling Inrichting Landelijk Gebied Zeeland

— Zuid-Holland: artikel 7.8 van de Algemene subsidieverordening Zuid-Holland

— Zuid-Limburg: artikel 2 van de Subsidieverordening inrichting landelijk gebied Limburg

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: The aid is financed from the top-up amount (EUR 78 million) under measure sheet 125 of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme.

Maximum aid intensity: With regard to aid granted on the basis of Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006: 10 % of the eligible costs of purchasing new farmland (other than land for construction purposes) as referred to in Article 4(8) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and never more than the equivalent of:

the number of hectares of farmland at the old location transferred by the agricultural holding to the Office for the Management of Farmland, multiplied by EUR 3 000, plus

6 % of the purchase price of the farmland at the new location.

With regard to aid granted on the basis of Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006: 100 % of the costs, as referred to in Article 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006, resulting directly from the relocation of farm buildings.

Date of implementation: Payments will not be made before the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme has been approved.

Duration of scheme or individual aid: Up to and including 31 December 2013.

Objective of aid: The objective of the aid is to improve the spatial structure of agriculture in regions with Natura 2000 and other national ecological network areas by relocating livestock holdings from the immediate vicinity of those valuable nature areas to locations further away/elsewhere, thereby reducing ammonia emissions and related ammonia deposits in those nature areas. Within that framework, agricultural holdings located in the immediate vicinity of Natura 2000 areas and national ecological network areas can be encouraged by the authorities to set up elsewhere. Agricultural holdings sell all the farmland at the old location to the Office for the Management of Farmland at free-market value (representative market value) and buy new farmland elsewhere.

Aid granted on the basis of Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006: The costs eligible for aid are the costs incurred by the agricultural holding for the purchase of new farmland (other than land for construction purposes). The aid comprises 10 % of the eligible costs of that investment and never more than the equivalent of:

the number of hectares of farmland transferred by the agricultural holding to the Office for the Management of Farmland, multiplied by EUR 3 000, plus

6 % of the purchase price of that same number of hectares of farmland at the new location.

Aid granted on the basis of Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006: The eligible costs comprise solely the costs involved in relocating farm buildings. These may be:

100 % of the assessed value of the farm buildings to be vacated,

demolition costs for the farm buildings to be vacated,

notarial costs,

land registry costs,

costs incurred in connection with (advisory) work by experts (estate agents, accountants),

removal costs.

Sector(s) concerned: All primary agricultural enterprises producing products referred to in Annex I to the EC Treaty

Name and address of the granting authority:

Web address: http://www.regiebureau-pop.nl/nl/info/4/57/provinciale-subsidieverordeningen/

Other information: On the basis of Article 11(3) of the Law on the structure of rural areas, provincial states of the various provinces are to lay down (provincial) subsidy ordinances in relation to measures which, under Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, are eligible for part-financing from the EAFRD. Under Article 11(3) of the Law on the structure of rural areas, those subsidy ordinances have to be approved by the Minister for Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. This cannot take place until after the European Commission has approved the Dutch Rural Development Programme. The (parts of the) provincial subsidy ordinances which implement the Dutch 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme therefore still have to be approved by the Minister for Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.

XA Number: XA 85/07

Member State: Netherlands

Region: —

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Regeling LNV-subsidies (omschrijving steun: Modernisering landbouwbedrijven, onderdeel jonge landbouwers).

Legal basis:

— Regeling LNV-subsidies: artikel 1:2, artikel 1:3, artikel 1:20, artikel 2:1, artikel 2:2, artikel 2:37, artikel 2:42, artikel 2:44, artikel 2:45;

— Openstellingsbesluit LNV-subsidies.

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: The aid is financed from the top-up amount (EUR 76,60 million) under measure sheet 121 of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme.

Maximum aid intensity: 40 % of the expenditure referred to in Article 4(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006, taking into account the maximum aid amount referred to in Article 4(9) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 (EUR 400 000 per three fiscal years per enterprise).

On the basis of Article 2:45 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality subsidy scheme, the recipient of aid with a view to investment is to conclude a written loan agreement with a term of at least three years; the aid comprises at most the amount of that loan (subject to a maximum of EUR 100 000).

Date of implementation: The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality subsidy scheme enters into force on 1 April 2007. Payments will not be made before the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme has been approved.

Duration of scheme or individual aid: Up to and including 31 December 2013.

Objective of aid: The objective is to encourage investment in improvements and modernisation on holdings, aimed at making production more efficient, producing new or better products and/or increasing the quality and sustainability of production processes and products. This component is aimed solely at young farmers, who in many cases have insufficient financial possibilities for carrying out extra investment in order to keep the holding sustainable and viable.

The aid complies with the conditions stipulated in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006. The eligible costs comprise the costs of investment.

Sector(s) concerned: All primary agricultural enterprises producing products referred to in Annex I to the EC Treaty

Name and address of the granting authority:

Ministerie van Landbouw Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit Postbus 20401 2500 EK Den Haag Nederland

Web address: www.minlnv.nl/loket

Other information: —

XA Number: XA 86/07

Member State: Netherlands

Region: —

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Regeling LNV-subsidies (omschrijving steun: Modernisering landbouwbedrijven, onderdeel verduurzaming land- en tuinbouw).

Legal basis:

— Regeling LNV-subsidies: artikel 1:2, artikel 1:3, artikel 1:20, artikel 2:1, artikel 2:2, artikel 2:37;

— Openstellingsbesluit LNV-subsidies.

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: The aid is financed from the top-up amount (EUR 76,60 million) under measure sheet 121 of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme.

Maximum aid intensity: 40 % of the expenditure referred to in Article 4(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006, taking into account the maximum aid amount referred to in Article 4(9) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 (EUR 400 000 per three fiscal years per enterprise).

Date of implementation: The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality subsidy scheme enters into force on 1 April 2007, but this component has not been opened.

Duration of scheme or individual aid: Up to and including 31 December 2013.

Objective of aid: The objective is to encourage investment in improvements and modernisation on holdings, aimed at increasing the quality and sustainability of production processes and products. The investment may also be aimed at producing new or better products and/or making production more efficient.

The aid complies with the conditions stipulated in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006. The eligible costs comprise the costs of investment.

Sector(s) concerned: All primary agricultural enterprises producing products referred to in Annex I to the EC Treaty

Name and address of the granting authority:

Ministerie van Landbouw Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit Postbus 20401 2500 EK Den Haag Nederland

Web address: www.minlnv.nl/loket

Other information: —

XA Number: XA 87/07

Member State: France

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Aides à l'assistance technique dans le secteur de l'élevage.

Legal basis: Code Rural, partie législative, articles L 621-1 à L 621-11.

Projet d'arrêté du Ministre de l'Agriculture et de la Pêche.

Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of aid granted to the company: EUR 26 million/year

Maximum aid intensity: Up to 100 %

Date of implementation: The aid scheme will be implemented as from the date of the Commission's acknowledgement of receipt, subject to the relevant funds being available.

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 7 years

Objective of aid: This system of aid is covered by Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006.

The Office national interprofessionnel de l'élevage et de ses productions will set up aid programmes geared to providing farmers in the livestock sector with ad hoc technical assistance relating — depending on the individual programmes — to the following issues:

prevention of animal diseases, food safety and traceability, in particular for application of the ‘hygiene package’ (Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety, Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs, and Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin),

lessening the need to remain on standby, improving work ergonomics and building design,

improving practices conducive to respect for the environment and animal welfare,

assistance for genetic improvement,

market segmentation, in particular by launching and supporting quality campaigns.

These aid programmes will involve the financing of advisory services provided by producer groups or other organisations helping livestock farmers in the context of collective protocols providing for individual tailored assistance in the above areas. There will also be support for the advisory programmes leading to the drawing-up and monitoring of these protocols.

The aid scheme will cover the costs of technical help and advice given in this framework — these will not exceed the actual expense of providing the services concerned. No aid will be paid to the farmers themselves.

It will be ensured that farmers will benefit from a subsidised technical assistance service only if their farm complies with the Community criteria for small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Subject to this caveat, the aid will be granted in the form of subsidised services available to all livestock farmers regardless of whether they belong to a producers' organisation or another structure.

Sector(s) concerned: Livestock sector

Name and address of the granting authority:

Office National Interprofessionnel de l'Élevage et de ses Productions 80, avenue des Terroirs de France F-75 607 Paris Cedex 12

Web address: www.office-elevage.fr

Other information: —

XA Number: XA 88/07

Member State: Republic of Slovenia

Region: Ljubljana city municipality

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Programi razvoja podeželja v Mestni občini Ljubljana 2007-2013

Legal basis: Pravilnik o dodeljevanju državnih pomoči za programe kmetijstva v Mestni občini Ljubljana (II. Poglavje)

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

2007: EUR 136 314

2008: EUR 140 000

2009: EUR 145 000

2010: EUR 145 000

2011: EUR 160 000

2012: EUR 160 000

2013: EUR 170 000

Maximum aid intensity:

1. Investment in farms for primary production: — up to 50 % of eligible costs in less-favoured areas and up to 40 % of eligible costs for investment in other areas;

2. For conserving traditional buildings: — up to 75 % in less-favoured areas or areas under Article 36(a)(i), (ii) and (iii) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, defined as such by Member States in accordance with Articles 50 and 94 of that Regulation, and up to 60 % of eligible costs in other areas;

3. For land reparcelling: — up to 100 % of actual costs incurred in legal and administrative procedures;

4. To encourage the production of quality agricultural products: — up to 100 % of the costs of market research activities, product conception and design, including aid granted for the preparation of applications for recognition of designations of origin or certificates of specific character in accordance with the relevant Community regulations;

5. For providing technical support in the agricultural sector: — up to 100 % of costs for farmers' education and training, consultancy services and to organise forums, competitions, exhibitions, fairs, publications, catalogues, websites and to disseminate scientific knowledge.

Date of implementation: Starts May 2007 (or the day the Rules enter into force).

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Ends 31 December 2013.

Objective of the aid: To support SMEs.

Reference to Articles of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and eligible costs: Chapter II of the draft Rules on granting State aid for rural development programmes in the Ljubljana city municipality, including measures constituting State aid in accordance with the following Articles of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 (OJ L 358, 16.12.2006, p. 3):

Article 4 of Commission Regulation: Investment in agricultural holdings,

Article 5 of Commission Regulation: Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings,

Article 13 of Commission Regulation: Aid for land reparcelling,

Article 14 of Commission Regulation: Aid to encourage the production of quality agricultural products,

Article 15 of Commission Regulation: Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector.

Economic sector(s) concerned: Agriculture: Arable and livestock farming

Name and address of granting authority:

Mestna občina Ljubljana Mestni trg 1 Ljubljana

Website: http://www.uradni-list.si/1/ulonline.jsp?urlid=200741&dhid=89365

Other information: —

Signature of the person responsible in the Ljubljana city municipality:

Director

Vanja Rangus