EN Official Journal of the European Union C 129/3

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

(2008/C 129/03)

Aid No: XA 57/08

Member State: Republic of Slovenia

Region: Območje občine Postojna

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Državna pomoč za pospeševanje razvoja kmetijstva in gozdarstva v občini Postojna v obdobju 2007–2013

Legal basis: Pravilnik o dodeljevanju državnih pomoči za pospeševanje razvoja kmetijstva in gozdarstva v občini Postojna v obdobju 2007–2013 (II. Poglavje)

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

2007: EUR 73 541

2008: EUR 75 085

2009: EUR 76 662

2010: EUR 78 272

2011: EUR 79 916

2012: EUR 81 594

2013: EUR 83 307

Maximum aid intensity:

1. Investment in agricultural holdings for primary production:

— up to 50 % of eligible costs in less-favoured areas or up to 40 % in other areas.

The purpose of aid is investment to restore farm features, to purchase equipment to be used for primary agricultural production and to restore pastures.

2. Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings:

— for non-productive features, up to 100 % of actual costs,

— for productive assets on farms, up to 60 % of actual costs, or 75 % in less-favoured areas, provided that the investment does not entail any increase in the production capacity of the farm,

— additional aid may be granted at a rate of up to 100 % to cover the extra costs incurred by using traditional materials necessary to preserve the heritage features of buildings.

3. Relocation of farm buildings in the public interest:

— up to 100 % of the actual costs where the relocation simply consists of the dismantling, removal and re-erection of existing facilities,

— where relocation results in the farmer benefiting from more modern facilities, the farmer must contribute at least 60 %, or 50 % in less-favoured areas. If the beneficiary is a young farmer, this contribution is to be at least 55 % or 45 % respectively,

— where the relocation results in an increase in production capacity, the contribution from the farmer must be at least 60 %, or 50 % in less-favoured areas, of the expenses relating to this increase. If the beneficiary is a young farmer, this contribution is to be at least 55 % or 45 % respectively.

4. Aid for land reparcelling:

— up to 100 % of actual costs incurred in legal and administrative procedures.

5. Aid to encourage the production of quality agricultural products:

— up to 100 % of costs incurred; the aid is to be provided in the form of subsidised services and must not involve direct payments of money to producers.

6. Provision of technical support:

— aid is granted to cover up to 70 % of costs concerning education and training of farmers, consultancy services that are provided by third parties and that do not include the enterprise's usual operating expenditure, the organisation of forums, competitions, exhibitions, fairs, publications, catalogues and websites and the dissemination of scientific knowledge; it is provided in the form of subsidised services and does not involve direct payments of money to producers

Date of implementation: July 2007

Duration of scheme or individual aid award:

Objective of the aid: To support SMEs

Reference to Articles in Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and eligible costs: Chapter II of the draft Rules on granting State aid to promote the development of agriculture and forestry in the municipality of Postojna for the period 2007-2013 includes 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: Investment in agricultural holdings,

Article 5: Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings,

Article 6: Relocation of farm buildings in the public interest,

Article 13: Aid for land reparcelling,

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

Article 15: Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector

Economic sector(s) concerned: Agriculture

Name and address of the granting authority:

Občina Postojna Ljubljanska cesta 4 SLO-6230 Postojna

Website: http://www.uradni-list.si/1/ulonline.jsp?urlid=200760&dhid=91087

Other information: The municipality's Rules meet the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 concerning the measures to be adopted by the municipality and the general provisions applicable (steps preceding grant of aid, cumulation, transparency and monitoring of aid)

Jernej VERBIČ

Mayor

Aid No: XA 60/08

Member State: Republic of Slovenia

Region: Območje občine Lukovica

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Državne pomoči za razvoj in ohranjanje kmetijstva in podeželja v občini Lukovica za obdobje 2007–2013

Legal basis: Pravilnik o dodeljevanju državnih pomoči za ohranjanje in razvoj kmetijstva in podeželja v občini Lukovica

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

2007: EUR 50 057

2008: EUR 50 809

2009: EUR 45 000

2010: EUR 45 000

2011: EUR 45 000

2012: EUR 45 000

2013: EUR 45 000

Maximum aid intensity:

1. Investment in agricultural holdings for primary production:

— up to 50 % of eligible costs in less-favoured areas,

— up to 40 % of eligible costs in other areas.

The purpose of the aid is investment to restore farm features and to purchase equipment to be used for agricultural production, to invest in permanent crops, to improve farmland and to manage pastures.

2. Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings:

— up to 100 % of actual costs for investment in non-productive features,

— up to 60 % of actual costs, or 75 % in less-favoured areas, for investment in productive assets on farms, provided that the investment does not entail any increase in the production capacity of the farm,

— additional aid may be granted at a rate of up to 100 % to cover the extra costs incurred by using traditional materials necessary to preserve the heritage features of buildings.

3. Relocation of farm buildings in the public interest:

— up to 100 % of actual costs where the relocation simply consists of the dismantling, removal and re-erection of existing facilities,

— where the relocation results in the farmer benefiting from more modern facilities, the farmer must contribute at least 60 %, or 50 % in less-favoured areas, of the increase in the value of the facilities concerned after relocation; if the beneficiary is a young farmer, this contribution is to be at least 55 % or 45 % respectively,

— where the relocation results in an increase in production capacity, the contribution from the beneficiary must be at least 60 %, or 50 % in less-favoured areas, of the expenses relating to this increase; if the beneficiary is a young farmer, this contribution is to be at least 55 % or 45 % respectively.

4. Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums:

— the amount of municipal co-financing is the difference between the amount of co-financing of insurance premiums from the national budget and up to 50 % of eligible costs of insurance premiums for insuring livestock against disease.

5. Aid for land reparcelling:

— up to 100 % of eligible legal and administrative costs.

6. Aid to encourage the production of quality agricultural products:

— up to 100 % of actual costs incurred; this is to be provided in the form of subsidised services and must not involve direct payments of money to producers.

7. Provision of technical support:

— up to 100 % of costs concerning education and training, consultancy services provided by third parties, the organization of forums, competitions, exhibitions, fairs, publications and websites, and the costs of replacement services. The aid is to be granted in the form of subsidised services and must not involve direct payments of money to producers

Date of implementation: January 2008

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31.12.2013

Objective of aid: To support SMEs

Reference to Articles in Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and eligible costs: Chapter II of the draft Rules on granting State aid for preserving and developing agriculture and rural areas in the municipality of Lukovica includes 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: Investment in agricultural holdings,

Article 5: Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings,

Article 6: Relocation of farm buildings in the public interest,

Article 12: Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums,

Article 13: Aid for land reparcelling,

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

Article 15: Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector

Economic sector(s) concerned: Agriculture

Name and address of granting authority:

Občina Lukovica Stari trg 1 SLO-1225 Lukovica

Website: http://www.lukovica.si/vestnik/UradniVestnik2007-13.pdf

Other information: The measure for the payment of insurance premiums to insure crops and fruit includes the following adverse climatic events which can be assimilated to natural disasters: spring frost, hail, lightning, fire caused by lightning, storm and floods.

The municipality's Rules meet the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 relating to the measures to be adopted by the municipality and the general provisions applicable (steps preceding grant of aid, cumulation, transparency and monitoring of aid)

Matej KOTNIK

Mayor of the municipality of Lukovica

Aid No: XA 75/08

Member State: Belgium

Region: Région wallonne

Title of aid scheme: Aides à la consultance pour la réalisation et le suivi des plans d'investissements et de développement

Legal basis: Arrêté du Gouvernement wallon du 24 mai 2007 concernant les aides à l'agriculture

Planned annual expenditure under the scheme: EUR 1 222 000 during the period of implementation for the 2007-2013 Walloon Rural Development Programme.

The aid, which will not involve direct payment to producers, will be granted in the form of subsidised services provided by approved consultants meeting the conditions laid down in Annex VI to the Walloon Government Decree of 24 May 2007 on agricultural aid.

The aid will only be granted once the plan, countersigned by the operator and consultant, has been submitted to the Region of Wallonia, together with the model contract or follow-up reports.

During the preparation of the plans, the aid will be granted in two instalments (50 % at the time of submission and the balance once it has been approved); during the follow-up stage, aid will be granted in three instalments (each of 33 %) i.e. when the annual reports and final implementation report have been submitted

Maximum aid intensity: Financial aid is granted to consultants of up to 80 % of the maximum eligible amount.

The maximum eligible amounts as are follows:

for the development plan: EUR 1 200 for preparation and EUR 1 200 for follow-up,

for the investment plan: EUR 800 for preparation and EUR 900 for follow-up

Date of implementation: This aid scheme has been in force since 24 May 2007, but the first payments will only be made once the scheme has been approved by the Commission in accordance with Article 18 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006

Duration of scheme: The scheme is to apply during the entire programming period for the 2007-2013 Regional Development Plan

Objective of aid: Under the ‘setting-up of young farmers’ (112), ‘modernisation of farms’ (121) and ‘non-agricultural diversification’ (311) measures provided for in the Walloon Rural Development Programme for 2007-2013, farmers must submit a plan in order to receive this aid. In the case of measure 112, this plan will be a development plan over a six-year period and, for measures 121 and 311, a three-year investment plan.

These plans must include specific information relating to the situation of the farm (strengths and weaknesses) and the likelihood of economic, technical and environmental progress being made as regards the objectives to be met.

Under this aid, farmers will have access to services from an approved consultant so that they can put into practice and monitor their plans for the period in question.

The aid is not continuous or periodic and therefore falls within the framework of Article 15(2)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006

Economic sector(s) concerned: All farmers eligible for installation aid and farm modernisation aid under the Walloon Government Decree of 24 May 2007

Name and address of the granting authority:

Direction générale de l'agriculture M. Victor Thomas — Directeur général Chaussée de Louvain, 14 B-5000 Namur

Website: Text available from the following site:

http://agriculture.wallonie.be/apps/spip_wolwin/article.php3?id_article=230

Other information: None

Victor THOMAS

Director-General

Aid No: XA 76/08

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: Scotland

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Quality Meat Scotland — Meat Industry Development Scheme

Legal basis: From 1 April 2008, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) will become a Non-Departmental Public Body of the Scottish Government (i.e. a public body). It will be wholly accountable to Scottish Ministers and its purposes and functions will be as set out in the Quality Meat Scotland Order 2007 made under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: It is anticipated that up to GBP 4 million will be spent in each year that the scheme is in operation.

1 April 2008-31 March 2009: GBP 4 million

1 April 2009-31 March 2010: GBP 4 million

1 April 2010-31 March 2011: GBP 4 million

1 April 2011-31 March 2012: GBP 4 million

1 April 2012-31 March 2013: GBP 4 million

1 April 2013-31 March 2014: GBP 4 million

Maximum aid intensity: Investment in Agricultural Holdings: 50 % to holdings in the Less Favoured Areas of Scotland, and up to 40 % in other regions.

Aid for Producer Groups: A maximum of aid totalling EUR 400 000 during the first five years following formation.

Aid to Encourage the Production of Quality Agricultural Products: 100 % up to a maximum of EUR 3 000 per holding.

Provision of Technical Support in the Agricultural Sector: 100 %

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award:

Objective of aid: The aim of the Scheme is to encourage, market, promote and assist with the development of the red meat sector, through the provision of advice, technical assistance and factual information, and the production of quality meat and meat products. The scheme is aimed at small and medium sized enterprises involved in the primary production of red meat. Such enterprises will be encouraged to form producer groups, and will be supported through investments to modernise their agricultural holdings. The proposed activities will improve the efficiency, sustainability and skills of the participating primary producers, and provide for the transfer of knowledge, best practice and guidance to the cattle, sheep and pig sectors. The Scheme only applies to Scotland. There is no direct expected environmental impact from the proposed activities. The Scheme does not cover activities to promote or advertise products to consumers and buyers.

The scheme has four key areas as follows:

In accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006, to be eligible for assistance, the investment must result in the following objectives:

reduction of production costs,

improvement and re-deployment of production,

improvement in quality,

preservation and improvement of the natural environment, or the improvement of hygiene conditions or animal welfare standards.

The aim is to provide support in accordance with Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 to encourage the formation of producer groups by small and medium sized primary producers, with the objective of concentrating their supply and adapting their production, to meet the rapidly changing market requirements for quality products and the adoption of on-farm quality assurance schemes.

QMS will undertake work in accordance with Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 to encourage the production of quality red meat products with the intention of adding value to agricultural production, helping the sector as a whole adjust to consumer demand, and placing emphasis on quality.

QMS will provide in accordance with Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 relevant vocational training courses for small and medium sized producers, groups of such bodies or organisations representing such businesses in the red meat sector in Scotland. QMS will also prepare and distribute (including via the internet) materials offering technical information and advice to livestock producers, and will provide management and advisory services to the red meat sector in Scotland. The QMS logo will be applied to documents/literature relevant to the scheme. However use of the corporate logo will remain a subsidiary message and there will be no reference to origin. Quality labels will not be used in the provision of technical support through this scheme.

These measures will all be undertaken in accordance with the eligibility conditions as detailed in Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006, concerning State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products.

Should QMS wish to provide assistance to red meat processors in Scotland for the processing and marketing of meat and meat products, payments will be made in line with Regulation (EC) No 1998/2006 on industrial de minimis aid

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme is aimed at small and medium sized enterprises active in the primary production of cattle, sheep and pigs. However, in line with Article 4(7) of Regulation (EC) 1857/2006, aid made available for investment in agricultural holdings will be open to all sectors of agriculture

Name and address of the granting authority:

Quality Meat Scotland Rural Centre — West Main Ingliston Newbridge Midlothian Scotland EH28 8NZ United Kingdom

Website: http://www.qmscotland.co.uk/analysis/analysis-article.php?id=341

Contact: Sylvia Shepherd

Tel. (44-134) 72 40 40

E-mail: shepherd@qmscotland.co.uk

Signed and dated on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (UK competent authority)

Duncan Kerr

Agricultural State Aid

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Area 8D, 9 Millbank

C/o Nobel House

17 Smith Square

Westminster

SW1P 3JR London

United Kingdom

Aid No: XA 81/08

Member State: Italy

Agency: ISMEA, Istituto di servizi per il mercato agricolo ed agroalimentare

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid award: Agevolazioni per il subentro in agricoltura, parte assistenza tecnica

Legal basis: Delibera del consiglio di amministrazione per l'adeguamento degli interventi di cui al decreto legislativo 21 aprile 2000, n. 185, Titolo I, Capo III ai regolamenti (CE) n. 70/2001 e (CE) n. 1857/2006

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Planned annual expenditure is around EUR 20 million

Maximum aid intensity: The aid consists of outright grants covering up to 100 % of eligible costs

Date of implementation: The scheme will enter into force on 18 February 2008 or on the day following that of the Commission's formal acknowledgement, bearing an identification number, of receipt of the summary, whichever is sooner

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 6 years

Objective of aid: To encourage new entrepreneurs and generational turnover in agriculture — technical assistance. The provision of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 used to exempt this scheme is Article 15

Eligible costs:

— instruction and training,

— provision of farm management services and farm replacement services,

— organisation of and participation in competitions, exhibitions and fairs.

The aid is to be granted in the form of subsidised services and does not involve direct payments of money to producers. It will be accessible to all those eligible in the areas concerned, based on objectively defined conditions. Where the provision of technical support is undertaken by producer groups or other organisations, membership of such groups or associations will not be a condition for access to the service. Any contribution of non-members towards the administrative costs of the association or organisation concerned will be strictly limited to the costs of the service.

In the case of the processing and marketing of agricultural products, instruction and training costs alone will be eligible, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1998/2006, up to a maximum of EUR 200 000 per beneficiary in any three-year period

Sector(s) concerned: Agriculture: primary production

Name and address of the granting authority:

ISMEA Sede legale: Via C. Celso, 6 I-00161 Roma

Sede amministrativa: via Nomentana, 183 I-00161 Roma

Website: www.ismea.it

The decision of the management board — available on the ISMEA website — is attached

Other information: The present scheme involves an update of State aid N 336/01, approved by the European Commission on 13 February 2003, in line with current Community provisions (Regulations (EC) No 1857/2006 and (EC) No 70/2001) regarding the processing and marketing of agricultural products. The adaptation concerns the following three measures in particular: aid for investments in agricultural undertakings and in those processing and marketing agricultural products, technical assistance and setting-up aid for young farmers.

The following documents have been submitted to the Commission:

summary sheet for investment aid for primary production within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006,

summary sheet for investment aid for the processing and marketing of agricultural products within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 70/2001,

summary sheet for aid for technical assistance within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006,

summary sheet for the granting of setting-up aid for young farmers within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006.

The scheme also involves the granting of aid for technical assistance for the processing and marketing of agricultural products, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1998/2006 (de minimis aid) and of investment aid for rural tourism, in accordance with the same Regulation

Salvatore PETROLI

Director-General