EN Official Journal of the European Union C 243/17

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 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 243/05)

Aid No: XA 165/08

Member State: Republic of Lithuania

Region: —

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Pagalba kokybiškų žemės ūkio produktų gamybai skatinti

Legal basis: Lietuvos Respublikos žemės ūkio ministro 2007 m. balandžio 23 d. įsakymas Nr. 3D-184 „Dėl pagalbos kokybiškų žemės ūkio produktų gamybai skatinti teikimo taisyklių patvirtinimo“ (Žin., 2007, Nr. 46-1759)

Lietuvos Respublikos žemės ūkio ministro 2008 m. kovo 3 d. įsakymas Nr. 3D-111 „Dėl žemės ūkio ministro 2007 m. balandžio 23 d. įsakymo Nr. 3D-184 “Dėl pagalbos kokybiškų žemės ūkio produktų gamybai skatinti teikimo taisyklių patvirtinimo„ pakeitimo“ (Žin., 2008, Nr. 27-991)

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: LTL 5 000 000, at the official euro exchange rate (EUR 1 448 100)

Maximum aid intensity:

1. up to 100 % of the costs of market research activities, agricultural product conception and design, including the preparation of applications for recognition of geographical indications and designations of origin or certificates of specific character in accordance with Community regulations and the drafting of specifications for the certification of agricultural products under food quality schemes recognised by national legislation;

2. up to 100 % of the costs of introducing a quality management scheme in conformity with LST EN ISO 9001:2001, an environmental management system in conformity with LST EN ISO 14001:2005, a food safety management system in conformity with LST EN ISO 22000:2005, systems based on hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP), a EurepGAP system, traceability systems, systems to assure respect of authenticity and marketing norms;

3. up to 100 % of the costs of training personnel to apply a quality management system in conformity with LST EN ISO 9001:2001, an environmental management system in conformity with LST EN ISO 14001:2005, a food safety management system in conformity with LST EN ISO 22000:2005, systems based on hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP), a EurepGAP system, traceability systems, food quality schemes recognised by national legislation, systems to assure respect of authenticity and marketing norms;

4. up to 100 % of the costs of the charges levied by recognised certifying bodies for the initial certification of a quality management scheme in conformity with LST EN ISO 9001:2001, an environmental management system in conformity with LST EN ISO 14001:2005, a food safety management system in conformity with LST EN ISO 22000:2005, systems based on hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP), a EurepGAP system, traceability systems, food quality schemes recognised by national legislation, systems to assure respect of authenticity and marketing norms;

5. up to 100 % of the costs of control measures undertaken by third-party inspection bodies, unless Community legislation requires enterprises to bear such costs. Aid is not granted to cover the costs of monitoring and supervising organic production if the applicant is participating in the ‘Organic farming’ programme of the ‘Agri-environmental expenditure’ measure under the Lithuanian rural development programme for 2007-2013, approved by Commission Decision C(2007) 5076 of 19 October 2007

Date of implementation:

Duration of the aid scheme or the individual aid: Until 31 December 2013

Objective of aid: Aid to SMEs.

To encourage the primary production of quality agricultural products.

Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 applies

Eligible expenditure:

1. expenditure on market research activities, agricultural product conception and design, including the preparation of applications for recognition of geographical indications and designations of origin or certificates of specific character in accordance with Community regulations and the drafting of specifications for the certification of agricultural products under food quality schemes recognised by national legislation;

2. expenditure on introducing a quality management scheme in conformity with LST EN ISO 9001:2001, an environmental management system in conformity with LST EN ISO 14001:2005, a food safety management system in conformity with LST EN ISO 22000:2005, systems based on hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP), a EurepGAP system, traceability systems, systems to assure respect of authenticity and marketing norms;

3. expenditure on training personnel to apply a quality management scheme in conformity with LST EN ISO 9001:2001, an environmental management system in conformity with LST EN ISO 14001:2005, a food safety management system in conformity with LST EN ISO 22000:2005, systems based on hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP), a EurepGAP system, traceability systems, food quality schemes recognised by national legislation, systems to assure respect of authenticity and marketing norms;

4. expenditure on the charges levied by recognised certifying bodies for the initial certification of a quality management scheme in conformity with LST EN ISO 9001:2001, an environmental management system in conformity with LST EN ISO 14001:2005, a food safety management system in conformity with LST EN ISO 22000:2005, systems based on hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP), a EurepGAP system, traceability systems, food quality schemes recognised by national legislation, systems to assure respect of authenticity and marketing norms;

5. expenditure on control measures undertaken by third-party inspection bodies, unless Community legislation requires enterprises to bear such costs. Aid is not granted to cover expenditure on monitoring and supervising organic production if the applicant is participating in the ‘Organic farming’ programme of the ‘Agri-environmental expenditure’ measure under the Lithuanian rural development programme for 2007-2013, approved by Commission Decision C(2007) 5076 of 19 October 2007

Economic sector(s): Primary production of agricultural products

Name and address of the granting authority:

Lietuvos Respublikos žemės ūkio ministerija Gedimino pr.19 (Lelevelio g.6) LT-01103 Vilnius

Website: http://www.zum.lt/min/Isakymai/dsp_isakymas.cfm?IsakymasID=3431&langparam=LT

http://www.zum.lt/min/Isakymai/dsp_isakymas.cfm?IsakymasID=3868&langparam=LT

Other information: —

Aid No: XA 191/08

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: England

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative (ECSFDI) 2008 to 2015

Legal basis: This is a non-statutory service, participation in which is voluntary. The Agriculture Act 1986 (section 1c) provides the legal basis for the provision by Government of services in connection with any agricultural activity

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

May 2008-31 March 2009 GBP 7,9 million 1 April 2009-31 March 2010 GBP 7,9 million 1 April 2010-31 March 2011 GBP 7,9 million 1 April 2011-31 March 2012 GBP 7,9 million 1 April 2012-31 March 2013 GBP 7,9 million 1 April 2013-31 March 2014 GBP 7,9 million 1 April 2014-31 March 2015 GBP 7,9 million Total GBP 55,3 million

Maximum aid intensity: The maximum aid intensity is 100 % in line with Article 15 of the Regulation

Date of implementation: The new programme will start on the date the Commission publishes this summary

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: The scheme will begin on the date the Commission publishes this summary. It will close on the 31 March 2015. The last date for applications is the 28 February 2015. The last date of payment will be 31 March 2015

Objective of aid: Environmental protection. The aim of the ECSFDI is to raise awareness of diffuse water pollution from agriculture (DWPA) and to encourage early voluntary action by farmers to tackle DWPA. The geographic focus of the Initiative is currently forty priority catchments. These are shown at Annex A. It should be noted that these priority catchments will change during the course of the Initiative and that some advice services are provided in the wider area (outside of the priority catchments). The Initiative will contribute to the achievement of domestic and international environmental targets, in particular the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The advice being made available to farmers under the ECSFDI is in accordance with Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 which governs the provision of ‘technical support’ aid to agricultural businesses.

The eligible costs will be consultancy for the mitigation of diffuse water pollution

Sectors concerned: The beneficiaries of the ECSFDI will be involved in the production of agricultural products only. All subsectors will be eligible

Name and address of the granting authority: The statutory body responsible for the Initiative is:

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

DEFRA

Water Quality Division

Ergon House

Horseferry Road

London SW1P 2AL

United Kingdom

The organisation operating the scheme is: The Initiative is managed on DEFRA's behalf by Natural England and the Environment Agency:

Integrated Services & Partnerships Team

John Dower House

Crescent Place

Cheltenham

Gloucestershire GL50 3RA

United Kingdom

Website: More information on the ECSFDI can be found at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/environment/water/csf/pdf/state-aid-ecsfdi2008.pdf

Other information: The ECSFDI is broadly similar to the Wales Catchment Sensitive Farming Project, which is also an exempted State aid.

Beneficiaries will not be able to choose the service provider. The service provider will be contracted by Natural England, an Executive Agency of the UK Government, working in partnership with the Environment Agency, which is the Competent Authority for the WFD.

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

M. Duncan Kerr

UK Agricultural State Aid Adviser

DEFRA

Area 5D, 9 Millbank

C/o Nobel House

17 Smith Square

Westminster

London SW1P 3JR

United Kingdom

Annex A

Aid No: XA 197/08

Member State: Republic of Lithuania

Region: —

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Techninės paramos (konsultacinėms paslaugomis) teikimas žemės ūkio sektoriuje

Legal basis: Lietuvos Respublikos žemės ūkio ministro 2008 m. balandžio 18 d. įsakymas Nr. 3D-222 „Dėl žemės ūkio ministro 2006 m. balandžio 25 d. įsakymo Nr. 3D-171 „Dėl žemdirbių konsultavimo finansavimo taisyklių“ pakeitimo“ (Žin., 2008, Nr. …)

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: LTL 8 000 000, at the official euro exchange rate (EUR 2 316 960)

Maximum aid intensity:

1. 100 % as regards the cost of an individual consultation of up to half an hour's duration;

2. 100 % as regards the cost of an individual consultation of up to one hour's duration;

3. 80 % as regards the cost of an individual consultation of more than one hour's duration;

4. 100 % as regards the cost of organising one consultation seminar (of not less than four academic hours' duration and with not less than 12 participants);

5. 100 % of the cost of organising one field day;

6. 100 % as regards the cost of drafting and printing an information Article (one A4 page);

7. 100 % as regards the cost of drafting and printing a leaflet (one A4 page)

Date of implementation:

Duration of the aid scheme or the individual aid: Until 31 December 2013

Objective of aid: Aid to SMEs.

Provision of technical assistance in the agricultural sector with a view to developing competitive and efficient agriculture and alternatives to farming in rural areas.

Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 applies

Eligible expenditure:

1. remuneration of consultants and specialists;

2. social security and guarantee fund contributions;

3. communication costs;

4. transport costs;

5. expenditure on the rental and operation of premises;

6. cost of drafting and printing consultation material and information;

7. cost of renting the means and equipment necessary for the provision of consultancy services;

8. cost of purchasing computer programs and tools necessary for the provision of consultancy services;

9. photocopying and computer hardware maintenance and operating costs;

10. administrative and other costs directly related to consultancy activities

Economic sector(s): Primary production of agricultural products

Name and address of the granting authority:

Lietuvos Respublikos žemės ūkio ministerija Gedimino pr.19 (Lelevelio g.6) LT-01103 Vilnius

Website: http://www.zum.lt/min/Isakymai/dsp_isakymas.cfm?IsakymasID=3584&langparam=LT

Other information: —

Kazys SIVICKIS

Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania

Aid No: XA 201/08

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: Wales

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Cynllun Grant Tirwedd Tywi (Tywi Landscape Grant Scheme)

Legal basis: Local Government Act 2000

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

Activity Financial year 2008/2009 Financial year 2009/2010 Financial year 2010/2011 Overall total Landowner Grant Scheme GBP 103 000 GBP 124 000 GBP 120 000 GBP 347 000 Training GBP 2 000 GBP 4 200 GBP 3 000 GBP 9 200

Maximum aid intensity: The aid intensity is 100 %

Date of implementation: The scheme will start on 3 June 2008

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: The scheme will begin on 3 June 2008. It will close on the 31 December 2011. The last payment will be made on 31 December 2011

Objective of aid:

Primary objective

To conserve traditional landscapes and buildings through the provision of a capital grant scheme which is in line with Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006.

Aid will only be made available for investments which protect or enhance the landscape heritage. The project area is a traditional landscape of high conservation value identified in the local biodiversity action plan. Aid may be paid at one of three rates:

1. in cases where a grant is awarded for a non productive asset the rate of aid will be 100 % in accordance with Article 5(2) of the Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006;

2. in cases where investments or capital works are intended for the conservation of heritage features of productive assets on farms, such as farm buildings, aid may be granted at 60 % of the real costs incurred provided that the investment does not entail any increase in the production capacity of the farm. This shall apply as regards eligible expenses from undertaking the relevant work using normal contemporary materials. Additional aid may be granted at a rate of up to 100 % to cover the extra cost incurred by using traditional materials necessary to maintain the heritage features of the asset;

3. where there is an increase in production capacity, the aid rate will not exceed 40 % of eligible investments. This shall apply as regards eligible expenses from undertaking the relevant work using normal contemporary materials. Additional aid may be granted at a rate of up to 100 % to cover the extra cost incurred by using traditional materials necessary to maintain the heritage features of the asset.

A decision on the rate of aid to be paid will be made on a case by case basis, whereby each case will be assessed as to whether it is a non productive asset, a productive asset or will result in an increase in production capacity.

Secondary objective

To provide training programmes for farmers and farmworkers in the skills required to conserve traditional landscape features and buildings. The aid is in line with Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and the eligible costs will be the cost of organising the training programmes and consultancy services. Aid to non agricultural businesses agricultural processing and marketing businesses will be provided in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 1998/2006

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme applies to businesses active in the production of agricultural products. Eligible businesses must be classified a ‘small or medium sized enterprise’ which means that the beneficiaries of this scheme (as opposed to the service providers) must have less than 250 employees, less than EUR 50 million annual turnover or EUR 43 million balance sheet equity, and not be owned at a rate more than 25 % by other companies.

No money will be paid directly to producers in respect to the provision of training and education

Name and address of the granting authority:

Carmarthenshire County Council County Hall Carmarthen SA31 1LQ United Kingdom

The statutory body responsible for the scheme is:

Carmarthenshire County Council County Hall Carmarthen SA31 1LQ United Kingdom

The organisation operating the scheme is:

Carmarthenshire County Council as lead body for the Tywi Afon yr Oesoedd (Tywi a River Through Time) Landscape Partnership

Website: http://www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/ccc_apps/tywi/press %20releases/State %20Aid %20V3.final.doc

Other information: Further and more detailed information relating to eligibility and rules for the scheme can be found in the web links above.

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

M. Duncan Kerr

UK Agricultural State Aid Adviser

DEFRA

Area 5D, 9 Millbank

C/o Nobel House

17 Smith Square

Westminster

London SW1P 3JR

United Kingdom