Summary communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 of 23 December 2003 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, processing and marketing of agricultural products
Date: 2005-04-29
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: France, State aid, agro-industry, control of State aid, small and medium-sized enterprises

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Summary communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regu-
lation (EC) No 1/2004 of 23 December 2003 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, processing and
marketing of agricultural products

(2005/C 104/02)

Aid No: XA 61/04

Member State: France

Region: Not applicable

Title of aid scheme: Aid for technical support in the fruit and
vegetables, horticulture and specialist products sectors

tives are successfully implemented. As an indication,
following activities may qualify:

the

— activities to improve the quality of products,

— setting up quality signs,

— developing organic farming,

— ‘product’ and ‘firm’ certification,

Legal basis: Le décret no 83-246 du 18 mars 1983 portant créa-
tion d'un Office National Interprofessionnel des fruits, des légumes et
de l'horticulture et les textes subséquents repris notamment dans la
partie réglementaire du code rural (livre 6 ‘productions et marchés’ —
Articles R 621-120, R 621-134, R 621-140 and R 621-161 to
R 621-174)

— developing new products which better meet consumers'

requirements,

— development of

traceability arrangements all along the

chain,

Annual expenditure planned under
the scheme: The
actions are planned for one year, renewable, and the total aid
budget is estimated at EUR 6 000 000 for 2004

— improving knowledge of markets and identifying new

markets,

— setting up environment-friendly production systems,

Maximum aid intensity: Up to 100 % of eligible costs. The
total amount of State aid may not exceed EUR 100 000 per
beneficiary over three years or 50 % of eligible costs, whichever
is higher

— strategic segmentation,

— diversification of production,

Date of
implementation: The aid scheme will be imple-
mented from the date on the receipt showing the identification
number of the measure, subject to mobilisation of the appro-
priations and publication on the Oniflhor internet site

Duration of scheme: One year, renewable, subject to mobili-
sation of the corresponding appropriations

Aim of aid: This aid scheme comes under Article 14 of
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 of 23 December
2003.

It meets two main objectives:

— developing and consolidating quality production chains in

growth niches,

— strengthening structures to increase the value of agricultural
to developments on the different

products and adapt
markets

— concentrating supply of agricultural products,

— setting up partnerships between producers and distributors

Sectors concerned: production, processing and marketing of
fruit, vegetables, potatoes, ornamental horticulture (including
nurseries) and specialist products (tobacco, hops, beekeeping,
truffles)

Name and address of responsible authority: Office National
Interprofessionnel des Fruits, des Légumes et de l'horticulture
(Oniflhor), head office at 164, rue de Javel — 75739 Paris
Cedex 15

Address of website: www.oniflhor.fr

Aid No: XA 25/04

Member State: France

Region: Ille-et-Vilaine Department

The scheme finances the cost of technical support and consul-
tancy (studies, audits, cost of organising and following up on
projects) to ensure that business projects meeting these objec-

Title of aid scheme: Mise en place de productions agricoles sous
signe officiel de qualite

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Legal basis:

— Articles L 1511 et suivants du Code général des collectivités terri-
toriales permettant aux collectivités territoriales d'intervenir dans le
cadre de la création ou de l'extension d'activités économiques en
accordant des aides directes et indirectes aux entreprises

tions of origin, red labels, organic products …) and Community
approvals (protected geographical indications …).

Nature of eligible measures: Under Article 13 of Commis-
sion Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 of 23 December 2003:

— Article L 3231-2 du Code général des collectivités territoriales
autorisant les départements à accorder des aides directes et indir-
ectes pour favoriser le développement économique dans les condi-
tions des articles L 1511 et suivants

— preliminary studies with a view to introducing a quality
measure
through product certification (official quality
marks, Community approvals): audits, diagnostics, techno-
economic feasibility studies, market studies, …

— Article L 3232-1 du Code général des collectivités territoriales
permettant l'établissement de programmes d'aide à l'équipement
rural par les départements (prêt, subvention, aide)

— Délibération de l'assemblée départementale d'Ille et Vilaine en date

du 19 février 2003.

Annual expenditure planned under
300 000 per year over the period in question

the scheme: EUR

Maximum aid intensity: Non-tangible investment carried out
by a producer group (collective measure):

— general scheme: 20 % of non-tangible costs, up to EUR
30 000 of eligible expenditure per project: network diag-
nostics,
a marketing plan
(promotion and communication), advice and technical
support …

study and conception of

— expenditure on promotion and communication (first year)

Under Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004: investment in
immovable property directly related to the specified require-
ments.

Economic sector(s) concerned: All farming sectors under-
taking quality measures.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Monsieur le Président du Conseil général d'Ille-et-Vilaine
1, avenue de la Préfecture — 35042 Rennes Cedex

Website: www.cg35.fr, heading ‘guide des aides’

— an additional 10 % for a collective measure implementing
environmental requirements relating to departmental policy
(environmental wetlands contract …).

Aid No: XA 26/04

Member State: France

Other investment carried out by farmers:

Region: Department of Ille-et-Vilaine

— general scheme: 20 % of

(other than small
equipment) resulting directly from the quality measure, up
to EUR 30 000 of eligible expenditure per holding

investment

— an additional 10 % for investment carried out by a young
farmer (who has been established for less than 5 years), or
implementing
to
departmental policy (environmental wetlands contract …).

environmental

requirements

relating

Date of implementation: As soon as the European Commis-
sion acknowledges receipt.

Duration of scheme: Until 31 December 2006 at the latest.

Title of aid scheme: Diversification of agricultural activities

Legal basis:

— Articles L 1511 et suivants du Code général des collectivités terri-
toriales permettant aux collectivités territoriales d'intervenir dans le
cadre de la création ou de l'extension d'activités économiques en
accordant des aides directes et indirectes aux entreprises

— Article L 3231-2 du Code général des collectivités territoriales
autorisant les départements à accorder des aides directes et indir-
ectes pour favoriser le développement économique dans les condi-
tions des articles L 1511 et suivants

— Article L 3232-1 du Code général des collectivités territoriales
permettant l'établissement de programmes d'aide à l'équipement
rural par les départements (prêt, subvention, aide).

Objective of aid: To encourage agricultural holdings to start
producing quality products as part of collective measures
(product certification): official quality marks (registered designa-

— Délibération de l'assemblée départementale d'Ille et Vilaine en date

du 19 février 2003

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Annual expenditure planned under
700 000 per year for the duration of the scheme

the scheme: EUR

— expenditure on promotion and communication (first year).

Maximum aid intensity: Intangible investments:

Aid may be granted for the following under Article 4 of Regu-
lation (EC) No 1/2004:

— General scheme: 20 % of intangible investments prior to an
investment, with a ceiling on eligible expenditure of EUR
15 000 (market studies and technico-economic feasibility
studies, drafting of marketing plans, etc.). The ceiling for
studies is increased to EUR 30 000 where there is collective
responsibility for the work (producer groups).

— An additional 10 % for investments made by young farmers
(active for less than five years) or to comply with existing
specifications that include environmental provisions in line
with the policies of the departmental authorities (‘contrat eau
environment
(water,
paysage
environnement’
contract) — CEPE, etc.).

landscape,

Other investments:

— General scheme: 20 % of investments (excluding small-scale
equipment), with a ceiling on eligible expenditure of EUR
30 000 per project.

— An additional 10 % for investments made by young farmers
(active for less than five years) or for projects in a zone
d'excédent structurel
(areas with a structural surplus of
nitrogen) (ZES).

Date of implementation: on receipt of an acknowledgement
of receipt from the European Commission.

Duration of scheme: until 31 December 2006 at the latest.

Objective of aid: to make holdings more economically viable
and diversify economic activities by:

— investments to set up small workshops to diversify into
new products as a complement to the holding's principal
products;

— setting up or bringing into compliance with health stan-
dards individual or collective processing workshop, sales
points on holdings, cooperative sales infrastructures, etc.

Sector(s) concerned: all agricultural sectors where production
is processed or is being diversified.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Monsieur le Président du Conseil général d'Ille-et-Vilaine
1, avenue de la Préfecture — 35042 Rennes Cedex

Web address: www.cg35.fr; heading ‘guide des aides’

Aid No: XA 27/04

Member State: France

Region: Ille-et-Vilaine Department

Title of aid scheme: Mise en place de procedures de certification
ou de qualification dans les systemes de production agricoles

Legal basis:

— encouraging initiatives to increase the value added of agri-
cultural products not sold through large distribution chan-
nels (first processing,
increasing the value of products,
direct sales on the farm, cooperative shops, etc.);

— Articles L 1511 et suivants du Code général des collectivités terri-
toriales permettant aux collectivités territoriales d'intervenir dans le
cadre de la création ou de l'extension d'activités économiques en
accordant des aides directes et indirectes aux entreprises

— developing reception services on holdings (on-farm sales,

etc.);

— supporting innovative and unusual agricultural projects that

encourage farmers to set up in rural areas.

Aid may be granted for the following under Article 13 of
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 of 23 December
2003:

— Article L 3231-2 du Code général des collectivités territoriales
autorisant les départements à accorder des aides directes et indir-
ectes pour favoriser le développement économique dans les condi-
tions des articles L 1511 et suivants

— Article L 3232-1 du Code général des collectivités territoriales
permettant l'établissement de programmes d'aide à l'équipement
rural par les départements (prêt, subvention, aide).

— Délibération de l'assemblée départementale d'Ille et Vilaine en date

du 19 février 2003

— studies prior to implementing a diversification project: tech-
nico-economic feasibility studies, market surveys, drafting
of marketing plans, etc;

Annual expenditure planned under
300 000 per year over the period in question

the scheme: EUR

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Maximum aid intensity: Non-tangible investment:

studies, drawing up specifications and monitoring instruments
…

— general scheme: 20 % of non-tangible costs, up to EUR
15 000 of eligible expenditure per project: audits, diagnos-
tics, advice and technical support, soil analyses in the first
2 years …

Under Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004, support is avail-
able on a case-by-case basis for adaptation investment directly
related to the specified requirements or the quality manual.

— an additional 10 % for investment carried out by a young
farmer (who has been established for less than 5 years), or
to
implementing
departmental policy (environmental wetlands contract …).

environmental

requirements

relating

Other investment:

— 20 % of investment (other than small equipment) resulting
directly from the quality measure, up to EUR 30 000 of
eligible expenditure per holding

— an additional 10 % for investment carried out by a young
farmer (who has been established for less than 5 years), or
implementing
to
departmental policy (environmental wetlands contract …).

environmental

requirements

relating

For investment in storage and packaging or in horticultural
greenhouses, the investment limit is EUR 230 000 subject to
the ad hoc committee's opinion on a case-by-case basis, or
higher for projects presented in the assembly and approved
there.

Economic sector(s) concerned: All farming sectors under-
taking quality measures.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Monsieur le Président du Conseil général d'Ille-et-Vilaine
1, avenue de la Préfecture — 35042 Rennes Cedex

Website: www.cg35.fr, heading ‘guide des aides’

Aid No: XA 28/04

Member State: France

Region: Ille-et-Vilaine Department

Date of implementation: As soon as the European Commis-
sion acknowledges receipt.

Title of aid scheme: Audits d'exploitation dans le cadre d'un
changement de systeme de production vers les systemes respectueux de
l'environnement

Duration of scheme: Until 31 December 2006 at the latest.

Objective of aid: In particular,
to gear quality measures/
systems to traceability, health safety and environmental protec-
tion on agricultural holdings through:

— certification (introducing a quality-assurance system on
agricultural holdings in the department in accordance with
standard NFV 01005);

— labelling (introducing the reference ‘sound farming’ (‘agri-
culture raisonnée’) on holdings located in structural-surplus
areas.

Under Article 13 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 of
23 December 2003, support
is available for non-tangible
investment aimed at adapting the following quality measures
on the holding: audits, diagnostics, techno-economic feasibility

Legal basis:

— Articles L 1511 et seq of the General Code for regional/
local authorities, permitting local authorities to take action
in connection with establishing or expanding economic
activity by granting direct or indirect aid to businesses.

— Article L 3231-2 of the General Code for regional/local
authorities, authorising departments to grant direct or
indirect aid in order to promote economic development
subject to the terms of Articles L 1511 et seq.

— Article L 3232-1 of the General Code for regional/local
authorities, permitting departments to establish rural-infra-
structure support programmes (loans, subsidies, aid).

— Ille-et-Vilaine

Departmental

Assembly

debate

of

19 February 2003.

Annual expenditure planned under
300 000 per year over the period in question

the scheme: EUR

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Maximum aid intensity:

Legal basis:

— 50 % of the cost of the audit or study, up to EUR 2 500 of

— Article L 361-8 du Code rural,

eligible expenditure per holding,

— Loi 64.706 du 10 juillet 1964.

— an additional 20 % for investment carried out by a young
farmer (who has been established for less than 5 years) or
implementing
to
departmental policy (environmental wetlands contract …).

environmental

requirements

relating

Date of implementation: As soon as the European Commis-
sion acknowledges receipt.

Duration of scheme: Until 31 December 2006 at the latest.

Objective of aid: This specific measure is intended to encou-
rage the techno-economic reorientation of agricultural holdings
towards developing low-input (extensive, green, organic …)
systems which help to protect the environment.

The audit/study will endeavour to carry out a comprehensive
assessment of the rural business (farming system and ancillary
activities)
in economic, agronomic, social and environmental
terms, resulting in strategic recommendations:

— describing and analysing the technical methods applied,

— analysing the economic and social results,

Annual expenditure planned under
the scheme: EUR
10 000 000 from the Fonds national de garantie des calamités
agricoles
(National Agricultural Disaster Guarantee Fund)
(FNGCA).

Maximum aid intensity: variable, with the following basic
rates:

— 7,5 % for the risk of hail affecting fruit and vegetable

harvests,

— 25 % for the risk of frost and hail affecting fruit harvests,

— 10 % for the risk of frost and hail affecting vines and for
the risk of frost, hail, flooding or excessive rainfall affecting
field crops (cereals, oilseeds and protein crops).

These basic rates are increased for young farmers and aid addi-
tional to that granted by the FNGCA may be granted by the
conseil général or the conseil régional, up to the following
maximum levels:

— 15 % for the risk of hail affecting fruit and vegetable

harvests, 20 % for young farmers,

— proposing improvements or, where appropriate, reorienta-
tions geared to the farmer's objectives and ensuring the
system's viability.

— 29 % for the risk of frost and hail affecting fruit harvests,

38 % for young farmers,

Under Article 13 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 of
23 December 2003,
is available for preliminary
techno-economic feasibility studies and for setting up projects
to switch over to a low-input, environment-friendly system.

support

Economic sector(s) concerned: All farming sectors orienting
themselves towards environment-friendly systems.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Monsieur le Président du Conseil général d'Ille-et-Vilaine
1, avenue de la Préfecture — 35042 Rennes Cedex

Website: www.cg35.fr, heading ‘guide des aides’

Aid No: XA 30/04

Member State: France

Title of aid scheme: aid for
insurance
premiums and contributions to cover damage caused by certain
climatic events.

the payment of

— 14 % for the risk of frost, hail, flooding or excessive rainfall

affecting field crops, 18 % for young farmers.

Date of implementation: 2004

Duration of scheme: one year

Objective of aid: to encourage farmers to take out insurance
against agricultural risks. The insurance premiums for which
aid is granted are those referred to in Article 11 of Commission
Regulation (EC) No 1/2004.

Sector(s) concerned: enterprises
production of
protein plants.

involved in the primary
fruit, vegetables, vines, cereals, oilseeds and

Name and address of the granting authority: Ministère de
l'agriculture, de la pêche, de l'alimentation et des affaires rurales
— Direction des affaires financières, bureau des calamités, 78
rue de Varenne, F-75700 Paris

Web address: www.agriculture.gouv.fr

— heading ‘ressources’,

— in ‘recherche’, enter ‘calamités’.

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Aid No: XA 48/04

Member State: France

Region: Pays de la Loire

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Aid for the creation of ‘maisons
de cultures’ (growing sheds) for agricultural production. A growing shed is a building in which agricultural
production is carried out. It allows production to be carried out independently of weather conditions,
while facilitating harvest and guaranteeing the health of the crop. The building has thermal insulation and
controlled internal temperature, humidity and air flow. A group of buildings may also be equipped with a
picking line.

Legal basis:

— Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 of 23 December 2003 laying down derogations;

— Code général des collectivités (partie législative) article L1511-1 et L1511-2.

— Décision du Conseil Régional des Pays de la Loire des 30 juin et 1er juillet 2004

Objective of aid: to make holdings more competitive, improve product quality and reduce production
costs.

Sector(s) concerned: all agricultural production sectors except for horticultural greenhouses receiving
financial assistance under schemes already notified (N 572/2001 and N 523/2001).

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the
company: Forecasts until 2006:

Forecasts

2004

2005

2006

Grant

EUR 400 000

EUR 400 000

EUR 400 000

Total investments concerned

EUR 2 000 000

EUR 2 000 000

EUR 2 000 000

Number of holdings

10

10

10

The amounts relate to the agricultural sector in the Pays de la Loire Region.

Aid may be provided for investments to create growing sheds in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation
(EC) No 1/2004 of 23 December 2003, i.e:

A. the construction, acquisition or improvement of immovable property;

B. the purchase or lease-purchase of new machinery and equipment (including computer software);

C. general costs relating to the project (architects, engineers and consultation fees, feasibility studies, etc.),

up to 12 % of the expenditure referred to in points A and B.

Maximum aid intensity: The maximum amount for which aid may be granted is EUR 150 000 per
labour unit. Account is taken of a maximum of two labour units per holding. However, the limit is six
labour units in the case of labour-intensive production systems.

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The gross aid intensity increases as the total investment increases:

Holding limited to two labour units

Holding limited to six labour units

Total investment (EUR)

Gross aid intensity

Up to 300 000

Up to 900 000

From 300 001 to 337 500

From 900 001 to 1 012 500

From 337 501 to 375 000

From 1 012 001 to 1 125 000

From 375 001 to 412 500

From 1 125 001 to 1 237 500

From 412 501 to 450 000

From 1 237 501 to 1 350 000

From 450 001 to 487 500

From 1 350 001 to 1 462 500

From 487 501 to 525 000

From 1 462 501 to 1 575 000

From 525 001 to 562 500

From 1 575 001 to 1 687 500

From 562 501 to 600 000

From 1 687 501 to 1 800 000

Above 600 000

Above 1 800 000

20 %

22,5 %

25 %

27,5 %

30 %

32,5 %

35 %

37,5 %

40 %

40 %

Date of implementation: on receipt of an acknowledgement of receipt from the European Commission.

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: the aid scheme will run until 31 December 2006, the
date until which Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 applies.

Name and address of the granting authority:
Conseil Régional des Pays de la Loire
Hôtel de la Région
1 rue de la Loire
44266 Nantes cedex 2 France
Tel. 02 28 20 50 00
Fax 02 28 20 50 38
E-mai: françoise.perraut@paysdelaloire.fr
Contact: Alain Thebaud

Internet address where the full text of the scheme can be found: www.paysdelaloire.fr/services de la
région/les aides