Summary information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 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 (Text with EEA relevance )
Date: 2007-03-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: France, Latvia, Spain, State aid, United Kingdom, agro-industry, control of State aid, exchange of information, small and medium-sized enterprises

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Official Journal of the European Union

10.3.2007

Summary information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commis-
sion Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 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

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2007/C 55/06)

XA Number: XA 102/06

Member State: Latvia

Region: —

Objective of aid: The objective of the aid is to support the
determination of the genetic value of farm animals to promote
the targeted cultivation of the genetic and economically benefi-
cial characteristics of farm animals

Sectors(s) concerned: Aid is intended for small and medium-
sized enterprises undertaking agricultural activities.

Title of aid scheme: Aid for determining the genetic quality of
farm animals

Aid is intended for the livestock breeding sector

Legal basis: Ministru kabineta 2006. gada 3. janvāra noteikumi
Nr. 21 ‘Noteikumi par valsts atbalstu lauksaimniecībai 2006.
gadā un tā piešķiršanas kārtību’

Name and address of the granting authority:

Zemkopības ministrija
Riga
Latvijas Republikas Zemkopības ministrija
LV-1981 Rīga

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: Total expen-
diture for the aid scheme in 2006: LVL 5 649 265

Internet address: www.zm.gov.lv

Maximum Aid Intensity: Aid is granted at a rate of 70 % of
expenses incurred by third persons in determining the genetic
quality of farm animals:

1. dairy farms — LVL 5 254 886,

for dairy cattle under
management for which a productivity index has been calcu-
lated;

Other information: Aid to the livestock breeding sector is
granted pursuant to 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 agri-
cultural products.

2. cattle — LVL 265 158,

for managed meat-breed thor-
oughbred cattle registered in the pedigree record and reared
on a pedigree cattle farm; for managed meat-breed thor-
oughbred cattle and thoroughbred calves older
than 12
months; for managed meat-breed cattle with at least one
degree of crossing and calves older than 12 months;

XA Number: XA 103/06

Member State: Spain

Region: Catalonia

3. horses — LVL 39 569: for preparation of colts for labour
capacity tests and performance of tests; preparation of foals
for evaluation and evaluation of certified stallions;

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an indi-
vidual aid: Aid to purchase agricultural machinery and moder-
nise agricultural holdings

4. sheep — LVL 54 560: for evaluated stock — elite-class and
first class young sheep and E-class young rams; evaluation of
E-class and first class breeding sheep and rams;

5. goats — LVL 35 092: for evaluated young goats at least 60
days old; evaluation of managed E-class and first class
breeding female goats and billy-goats

Date of implementation: Comes into force on the date of
publication in the official
journal Latvijas Vēstnesis (planned
date: 15 November 2006)

Legal basis: Orden ARP/153/2005, de 12 de abril, por la que se
aprueban las bases reguladoras de las ayudas para la adquisición
de maquinaria agrícola y la modernización de explotaciones
agrarias, y se convocan las correspondientes al año 2005
(DOGC 4366 de 19.4.2005)

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall
amount of individual aid granted to the: The scheme takes
the form of an interest-rate subsidy on a loan; the planned
budget is distributed over the full duration of the loans received
(maximum 8 years)

2005: EUR 150 000

Duration of scheme: Up to 30 December 2006

2006: EUR 150 000

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Maximum aid intensity: The aid takes the form of a subsidy of
no more than one percentage point of the interest on loans
taken out to finance eligible investments. The loans must not
exceed 90 % of eligible investment, excluding VAT, with a
ceiling of EUR 150 000. (See point 6(3) of the Annex to the
Basic Rules for further details on the characteristics of the loan).
Maximum aid intensity is 2,71 % for a 5,5-year loan, and
3,84 % for an eight-year loan

Date of implementation: 20.4.2005

aid scheme or

Duration of
aid award:
31.12.2006. Aid payments will be made over a period of no
more than eight years, until such time as the loans granted are
fully paid off

individual

XA Number: XA 104/06

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: Cumbria

Title of Aid scheme or name of company receiving an indi-
vidual aid: Farming Connect Cumbria (FCC)

Legal basis: Sections 4 and 5 of the Regional Development
Agencies Act 1998

Annual expenditure planned under
amount of individual aid granted to the company

the scheme or overall

Financial Year

Budget

Objective of aid: The objective of the aid is to encourage
in the modernisation of agricultural holdings
investment
(helping reduce production costs,
improve and redirect agri-
cultural production,
improve product quality, protect and
improve the local environment, diversify agricultural and
complementary activities), or
the purchase of agricultural
machinery. (Article 4).

2006/2007

2007/2008

GBP 3 677 280

GBP 2 677 940

Eligible costs include the following:

— the acquisition of agricultural machinery;

— construction costs and the acquisition or renovation of

buildings required to modernise holdings;

Maximum aid intensity:

A) Business advice and grant facilitation service

The aid intensity will be 100 %. The total amount of aid per
beneficiary granted under this item will be limited so that
the limit of EUR 100 000 for technical support over 3 years
is respected. However, it is expected that the maximum aid
per beneficiary will be considerably less than EUR 100 000
in all cases.

— purchase or hire costs for new machinery and equipment,
including computer software, required to modernise hold-
ings;

B) FCC Development Grants

— general costs, such as architects', engineers' and consultants'
fees,
the acquisition of patents and
licences, up to 12 % of the expenditure referred to above,
provided such costs are necessary to modernise holdings.

feasibility studies,

Sector(s) concerned: The production and processing of the
products listed in Annex I to the Treaty, except the fishery and
aquaculture products covered by Council Regulation (EC)
No 104/2000 and the products coded NC 4502, 4503 and
4504 (cork products)

Name and address of the granting authority:

Departamento de Agricultura, Ganadería y Pesca
Generalitat de Catalunya
Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 612-614
E-08007 Barcelona

Internet address:

https://www.gencat.net/diari_c/4366/05101050.htm

Other information: —

The maximum aid intensity will be 40 % or,
for young
farmers (as defined in Article 8 of Council Regulation
1257/1999 as amended) within 5 years of setting up, 50 %.
The level of grant per project will be capped at GBP 16 000
for all applicants. Applicants may apply for grants for more
than one project, but no applicant may receive more than
GBP 30 000 in total under this item.

C) FCC Technical Consultancy Grants

The maximum aid intensity will be 50 %. The level of grant
per project will be capped at GBP 1 300.

Date of implementation: 1 December 2006

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Initial applica-
tions to join the FCC programme need to be received by 31
December 2007.

A) Business advice and grant facilitation service

All advice will be given by 31 March 2008.

B) FCC Development Grants

The last date for FCC Development Grant Applications is 31
March 2007 and all claims must have been submitted by 31
December 2007.

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C) FCC Technical Consultancy Grants

Other information:

The last date for FCC Technical Consultancy Grant Applica-
tions will be 31 January 2008 and all claims must have
been submitted by 31 March 2008.

The scheme consists of 3 separate measures:

A) Business advice and grant aid facilitation service

Objective of aid: The objective is to support the long term
sustainable development of Cumbria's
economy by
promoting:

rural

— within-agriculture diversification of agricultural businesses;

A flexible business advice and support service to farmers
and other agricultural producers and processors, tailored to
the specific needs of the business to enable the preparation
of a formal business plan with the aim of improving busi-
ness efficiency.

— improved business efficiency;

B) FCC Development Grants

— enhancements to animal welfare conditions;

— protection of the rural environment.

The business will then be able to apply for grants to help
them implement that business plan by investing in their
holding in order to develop their business for the future.

A) Business advice and grant aid facilitation service

C) FCC Technical Support Grants

The eligible costs will be consultancy fees in line with
Article 14 of Regulation 1/2004.

Alternatively, farmers may be given a grant towards the cost
of more in depth consultancy to help them implement their
business plan.

B) FCC Development

The eligible costs will be the construction, acquisition or
improvement of immovable property, the purchase or lease-
purchase of new machinery and equipment,
including
computer software and general costs, such as architects,
engineers and consultation fees, feasibility studies, the acqui-
sition of patents and licences, up to 12 % of eligible expen-
diture. This is in line with Article 4 of Regulation 1/2004.

C) Technical Consultancy Grants

The eligible costs will be consultancy fees in line with
Article 14 of Regulation 1/2004.

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme applies
to agricultural
production activities and also to processing and marketing activ-
ities which take place on a farm holding. All subsectors are
eligible for all types of aid, with the exception of the manufac-
ture and marketing of products which imitate or substitute for
milk and milk products and the processing and marketing in
the sugar sector which are not eligible for investment grants

Name and address of the granting authority:

Cumbria Vision
Gillan Way
Penrith 40 Business Park
Penrith
Cumbria CA11 9BP
United Kingdom

Web-Address: http://www.crea.co.uk/farming.htm. Under
the
‘Downloads (adobe acrobat PDF format)’ heading, click on the
link ‘Click to download Farming Connect Cumbria criteria’. Or
you can access the PDF file direct at http://www.crea.co.uk/
downloads/Scheme%20Criteria.pdf.

Alternatively, you can go to the UK's central website for
exempted agricultural State aids at www.defra.gov.uk/farm/
link
policy/state-aid/setup/exist-exempt.htm. Click
‘Farming Connect Cumbria 2006’.

the

on

A considerable proportion of the aid consists of grants which
will be paid in arrears on presentation of receipted invoices and
is
only once stage 1 (preparation of
the business plan)
completed. Therefore, more of
the expenditure will occur
towards the end of the scheme's period of operation.

This scheme amends and takes over the budget from scheme
XA 32/04, which therefore effectively closes on 30 November
2006.

This scheme will be amended to take into account
changes to the State aid rules.

future

XA Number: XA 106/06

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: East Midlands

Title of Aid Scheme: Developing collaborative supply chains in
the East Midlands

Legal Basis: Section 5 of the Regional Development Agencies
Act 1998

Expenditure planned under the scheme:

22 December 2006 — 31 March 2007: GBP 70 000

1 April 2007 — 31 March 2008: GBP 80 000

Maximum Aid Intensity: The aid intensity is 100 %

Date of Implementation: 22nd December 2006

Duration of Scheme: Until 31 March 2008

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Objective of aid: Sectoral development. The scheme will
provide an information and advice service for farmers, farmer
controlled businesses (FCBs) and other collaborative ventures
within the agricultural supply chain in the East Midlands.

The objective is to help improve farm business performance and
efficiency
chain efficiency,
improve the marketing of agricultural produce and help exploit
new market opportunities.

through collaboration,

supply

The aid will be paid in line with Article 14 of Regulation
1/2004 and the eligible costs will be consultancy services and
the costs of organizing training programmes

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme is aimed primarily at busi-
nesses active in the production of primary agricultural products,
namely cereals, red meat and fresh produce. However, some
businesses in other parts of the wider agricultural supply chain
(including processing and marketing) may also benefit. The
scheme is open to businesses producing (or processing or
marketing) any type of agricultural product

Name and address of the granting authority:

East Midlands Development Agency
Apex Court
City Link
Nottingham NG2 4LA
United Kingdom

Web-Address:

http://www.effp.com/StellentEFFPLIVE/groups/public/documents/
press_releases/developingcollabora_ia457701ca.hcsp

Title: Investment aid for the processing and marketing of farm
produce

Legal basis:

— Articles 4.3 e) et 7 du règlement (CE) no 1/2004 de la

Commission

— Articles L 1511-2 et L 1511-5 du code général des collecti-

vités territoriales

— Délibération du Conseil général de Seine Maritime en date

du 28 mars 2006

Annual
EUR 150 000

expenditure

planned

under

the

scheme:

Maximum aid intensity: Maximum 40 % of eligible invest-
ments

Date of implementation: On receipt of an acknowledgement
of receipt from the Commission

Duration of scheme: The aid scheme covers the period 2007-
2009

Objective of aid: Alongside the large towns of Le Havre, Rouen
and Dieppe, the Seine-Maritime department is a major market
for farm produce, and its proximity to Paris makes it a major
tourist destination.

The department intends this aid scheme to encourage farm
producers to process their agricultural products locally in order
to benefit directly from the added value. The aim of the planned
investments will be to improve and diversify production.

Alternatively, information on this scheme can be accessed via
the UK's central web listing for exempted agricultural State aid
schemes:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/state-aid/setup/
exist-exempt.htm

The aid scheme concerns producers who have an individual or
collective sales project. It will provide funding for the renovation
of buildings and the purchase of equipment needed for the sale
of farm produce.

Other Information: The scheme will be open to businesses in
the agricultural supply chain which process or market products
not listed in Annex 1 to the Treaty establishing the European
Community. Aid to such businesses will be paid in line with
Commission Regulation No 69/2001 on de minimis aid or any
regulation replacing it.

Beneficiaries will not be able to choose their own service
provider. The service provider will be EFFP who were selected
and will be remunerated according to market principle.

Aid No: XA 107/06

Member State: France

Region: Department of Seine-Maritime

The minimum level of eligible expenditure is EUR 1 500, and
the
and
EUR 60 000 for collective projects.

ceiling is EUR 30 000 for

individual projects

To be eligible for this aid, the producer must process his own
products, comply with health, environmental, hygiene, animal
welfare (where applicable) and administrative standards, and
market all or part of his output directly.

Expenditure on the following items is eligible:

— renovation of a farm building for use as a shop; indoor and

outdoor adaptations (car park, lighting, signs);

— purchase of

sales equipment

(cash register,

refrigerated

display cases, ice boxes, vehicle refrigeration equipment);

— equipment for certain specialised producers (e.g. beekeepers);

— purchase of equipment needed for the storage and packaging

of certain produce (e.g. fruit and vegetables)

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Sector(s) concerned: All economically viable farms in Seine-
Maritime

EUR 400 000 over a period of three financial years, and will
comply with the future agricultural exemption regulation.

Economic Interest Groups

The following equipment is eligible:

Name and address of the granting authority:
Monsieur le Président du Conseil Général
Conseil Général de Seine-Maritime
DAEH/SAE
Quai Jean Moulin
F-76101 ROUEN Cedex 1

Web address:
http://www.seinemaritime.net click on ‘le guide des aides’

The description will be uploaded once this exemption form has
been registered by the European Commission.

Aid No: XA 108/06

Member State: France

Region: Department of Seine-Maritime

Title: Investment aid for the conservation and enhancement of
the natural environment: measures to prevent soil erosion

Legal basis:

— Article 4.3 d) du règlement (CE) no 1/2004 de la Commis-

sion

— Articles L 1511-2 et L 1511-5 du code général des collecti-

vités territoriales

— Délibération du Conseil général de Seine Maritime en date

du 28 mars 2006

Annual
EUR 100 000

expenditure

planned

under

the

scheme:

Maximum aid intensity: Maximum 40 % of eligible investment

Maximum 50 % for young farmers (investments made by young
farmers within five years of setting up)

— localised soil working tools allowing the soil to be worked
solely along the drilling line, so that 75 % of the land is not
worked, thus improving resistance to erosion;

— equipment for sowing a ground cover plant among a crop
(This highly specialised equipment allows
in the field.
ground cover to be sown, particularly in a crop of maize.
The ground cover plants develop rapidly as soon as the crop
has been harvested, thus avoiding bare ground during the
winter.);

— hoeing equipment (This equipment allows soil permeability
to be re-established in the spring in root crops (beet and
maize));

— coarse mulch disc tillers allowing the creation of macropor-
osity after a harvest, thereby facilitating water infiltration;

— seeders for intermediate crops providing ground cover in
for winter cover crops (inter-

winter, specific equipment
mediate crops);

— wheel

track eradicators (equipment

fitted to tractors to
loosen up the wheel tracks which often cause serious runoff,
leading to the creation of gulleys)

Sector(s) concerned:

— All economically viable farms in Seine-Maritime.

— Agricultural equipment syndicates whose registered office is

in Seine-Maritime

Name and address of the granting authority:

Monsieur le Président du Conseil Général
Conseil Général de Seine-Maritime
DAEH/SAE
Quai Jean Moulin
F-76101 ROUEN Cedex 1

Web address:

http://www.seinemaritime.net click on ‘le guide des aides’

Date of implementation: On receipt of an acknowledgement
of receipt from the Commission

The description will be uploaded once this exemption form has
been registered by the European Commission.

Duration of scheme: 2007 — 2009

Objective of aid: Because of the nature of the soil
in the
department of Seine-Maritime, mud flows are a regular occur-
rence following heavy rainfall, particularly in late autumn and in
the spring. Moreover, because of the karstic subsoil and the
underground nature of the water resources, water abstraction
points are regularly confronted with problems of
turbidity
making the water unfit for consumption.

Many solutions involve adapting cultivation methods, and in
particular soil preparation.

The scheme envisaged by the department of Seine-Maritime
would help farmers to invest in equipment which would limit
the risks of soil sealing, runoff, mud flows and turbidity. The
aim of such investments would be to conserve and enhance the
natural environment.

XA number: XA 109/06

Member State: France

Region: Department of Seine-Maritime

Title of aid scheme: Investment aid for water protection

Legal basis:

— Article 4.3 d) du règlement (CE) no 1/2004 de la Commis-

sion

— Articles L 1511-2 et L 1511-5 du code général des collecti-

vités territoriales

the
From 2007, within the limits of
maximum amount of aid per recipient will in no case exceed

the scheme's budget,

— Délibération du Conseil général de Seine Maritime en date

du 28 mars 2006

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planned

under

the

scheme:

Sector(s) concerned:

Annual
EUR 100 000

expenditure

Maximum aid intensity:

Ceiling of 40 % of eligible investment

Ceiling of 50 % for young farmers (if investments carried out by
young farmers within the first five years of activity)

Date of implementation: On receipt of an acknowledgement
of receipt from the European Commission

Duration of scheme: 2007-2009

Objective of aid: The whole of the department of Seine-Mari-
time is classified as a vulnerable zone under the nitrates Direc-
tive of December 1991 (91/676/EEC). Its water resources are
increasingly affected by problems resulting from pollution by
plant health products.

Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Com-
munity action in the field of water policy requires water bodies
to attain a ‘good ecological status’ by 2015.

The mechanism put in place by the department of Seine-Mari-
time is intended to help farmers meet the cost of investments
exceeding the regulatory requirements for minimum water
protection standards. The objective of these investments is to
preserve and improve the natural environment.

The aid made available by the department is variable according
to the geographical location of the undertaking in relation to
the priority collection systems for protection.

— All economically viable farms in Seine-Maritime.

— CUMAs with their headquarters in Seine-Maritime

Name and address of the granting authority:

Monsieur le Président du Conseil Général
Conseil Général de Seine-Maritime
DAEH/SAE
Quai Jean Moulin
F-76101 ROUEN Cedex 1

Web address:

http://www.seinemaritime.net heading ‘guide des aides’

The description will be uploaded once this exemption form is
registered by the European Commission.

XA Number: XA 110/06

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: North East of England

Title of Aid Scheme: The North East Collaboration Advisory
Service

From 2007 the maximum amount of aid per beneficiary may
not exceed EUR 400 000 over a period of three financial years.

Legal Basis: Section 5 of the Regional Development Agencies
Act 1998

The following are regarded as eligible expenditure for limiting
the risk of point source pollution:

Expenditure planned under the scheme:

29 December 2006 — 31 March 2007: GBP 80 000

— storage facilities for plant health products,

— loading bays for crop sprayers,

1 April 2007 — 31 March 2008: GBP 180 000

1 April 2008 — 31 March 2009: GBP 180 000

— tanks for storing fuel or liquid fertilizer when the installa-
tions are below the levels required for classified installations,

1 April 2009 — 31 March 2010: GBP 180 000

— crop spraying equipment (incorporators, rinse tanks, anti-

return valves, etc.)

1 April 2010 — 31 March 2011: GBP 70 000

The following are regarded as eligible expenditure for limiting
diffuse pollution:

— drip hose booms,

— drop pipes,

— incorporators,

— injectors/cutters,

— spray tables,

— composting materials.

Maximum Aid Intensity: The aid intensity is100 %

Date of Implementation: 29 December 2006

Duration of Scheme: Until 31 March 2011

Objective of aid: Sectoral development. The scheme will
provide an information and advice service for farmers, farmer
controlled businesses (FCBs) and other businesses within the
agricultural supply chain in the East of England.

The scheme will provide advice on collaboration, to improve
farm business performance and efficiency and help improve the
marketing of agricultural produce.

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The aid will be paid in line with Article 14 of Regulation
1/2004 and the eligible costs will be consultancy services.

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme is aimed primarily at busi-
nesses active in the production of agricultural products, namely
cereals and arable crops, red meat and dairy. However, some
businesses in other parts of the wider agricultural supply chain
(including processing and marketing) may also be eligible to
take part. The scheme is open to businesses producing (or
processing or marketing) any type of agricultural product

Name and address of the granting authority:
One North East
Stella House
Goldcrest Way
Newburn Riverside
Newcastle Upon Tyne NE15 8NY
United Kingdom

Web-Address:
http://www.effp.com/StellentEFFPLIVE/groups/public/documents/
press_releases/northeastofenglandc_ia45783e42.hcsp

Alternatively, information on this scheme can be accessed via
the UK's central web listing for exempted agricultural State aid
schemes:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/state-aid/setup/
exist-exempt.htm

Other information: The scheme will be open to businesses in
the agricultural supply chain which process or market products
not listed in Annex 1 to the Treaty establishing the European
Community. Aid to such businesses will be paid in line with
Regulation 69/2001 on de minimis aid or any regulation repla-
cing it.

Beneficiaries will not be able to choose their own service
provider. The service provider will be EFFP who were selected
and will be remunerated according to market principle.