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
Date: 2008-01-23
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Slovenia, State aid, agricultural product, control of State aid, small and medium-sized enterprises

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Official Journal of the European Union

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NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

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 16/03)

XA Number: XA 200/07

3. Payment of insurance premiums:

Member State: Republic of Slovenia

Region: Municipality of Vitanje

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving indivi-
dual aid: Podpore programom razvoja podeželja v občini
Vitanje 2007-2013

— the amount of municipal
amount of

the difference
insurance
between the
premiums from the national budget and up to 50 % of
eligible costs of insurance premiums for insuring crops
and products and to insure livestock against disease.

support
co-financing of

is

Legal basis: Pravilnik o dodeljevanju državnih pomoči v občini
Vitanje (III. Poglavje)

4. Technical support:

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

2007: EUR 15 375

2008: EUR 15 700

2009: EUR 16 100

2010: EUR 16 500

2011: EUR 16 900

2012: EUR 17 300

2013: EUR 17 800

Maximum aid intensity:

1. Investment in agricultural holdings:

— up to 40 % of eligible costs for investment.

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

2. Conservation of traditional buildings:

investment

— the aid may be granted to cover up to 60 % of the
real costs of
to conserve productive and
non-productive heritage features located on agricultural
to protect cultural heritage of
holdings.
Investment
on-farm productive
entail any
resources must not
increase in the production capacity of the farm.

— up to 100 % of eligible costs concerning education and
training of farmers, consultancy services, the organisation
of forums, competitions, exhibitions and fairs, publica-
tions, catalogues, websites and of disseminating scientific
knowledge. The aid is to be granted in the form of subsi-
dised services and must not involve direct payments of
money to producers

Date of implementation: August 2007 (or the date on which
the Rules enter into force)

Duration of
31 December 2013

scheme or

individual

aid award: Until

Objective of the aid: To support SMEs

Reference to Articles of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and
eligible costs: Chapter II of the Rules on granting State aid in
the municipality of Vitanje 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 build-

ings,

— Article 12: Payment of insurance premiums,

— Article 15: Provision of technical support in the agricultural

sector

Economic sector(s) concerned: Agriculture: Arable and live-
stock farming

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Name and address of granting authority:

Občina Vitanje
Grajski trg 1
SLO-3205 Vitanje

Web address:

http://www.uradni-list.si/1/ulonline.jsp?urlid=200770&dhid=91166

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

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 moni-
toring of aid)

Signature of person responsible

Slavko VETRIH
Mayor

XA Number: XA 202/07

Member State: Federal Republic of Germany

Region: Freistaat Bayern

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving indivi-
dual aid: Evaluation der Wirksamkeit von Maßnahmen zur
Salmonellenbekämpfung bei kleinen und mittleren Betrieben
mit über 1 000 Legehennen (Juli bis Dezember 2007)

Legal basis:

Vollzugshinweise zur Durchführung der Evaluation der Wirk-
samkeit von Maßnahmen zur Salmonellenbekämpfung bei
kleinen und mittleren Betrieben mit über 1 000 Legehennen

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

Up to EUR 100 000, comprising 60 % financed from State
resources and 40 % from a para-fiscal levy

Maximum aid intensity:

100 % of the costs of carrying out laboratory tests,

the vaccination costs
finance an appropriate proportion of
when a livestock owner, after
receiving veterinary advice,
decides to carry out vaccinations (Article 10 of the Regulation
(EC) No 1857/2006)

Economic sectors: Agriculture — subsidised service provision

Name and address of the granting authority:

(a) Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt, Geseundheit und

Verbraucherschutz
Rosenkavalierplatz 2
D-81925 München

(b) Bayerische Tierseuchenkasse

Arabellastr. 29
D-81925 München

Any enquiries should be made to:

Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt, Gesundheit und
Verbraucherschutz
Beatrix Tischler
Tel 089/9214-2113
beatrix.tischler@stmugv.bayern.de
Sabine Böttcher
Tel 089/9214-3511
sabine.boettcher@stmugv.bayern.de

Web address:

http://portal.versorgungskammer.de/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/BTSK/
KAMPF/SALMONELLENPROJEKT/VOLLZUGSHINWEISE %
20EU-FASSUNG.PDF

Other information: —

XA Number: XA 203/07

Member State: Republic of Slovenia

Region: Municipality of Šmarje pri Jelšah

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving indivi-
dual aid: Dodeljevanje državnih pomoči za ohranjanje in razvoj
kmetijstva ter podeželja v občini Šmarje pri Jelšah 2007-2013

Legal basis: Pravilnik o dodeljevanju pomoči za ohranjanje in
razvoj kmetijstva ter podeželja v občini Šmarje pri Jelšah za
programsko obdobje 2007-2013

up to 100 % of the costs of vaccination, subject to a maximum
of EUR 0,10 per laying hen vaccinated

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

Date of implementation: July/August 2007

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Reimbursement
of costs for measures taken up to December 2007 (laboratory
tests, vaccinations)

aid: To detect

Objective of
and
medium-sized holdings with more than 1 000 laying hens in
Bavaria; to assess the effectiveness of measures to control salmo-
nella on those holdings.

salmonella on small

To ensure that laboratory tests on salmonella can be carried out
on those holdings at no cost to the livestock owners and to

2007: EUR 109 000

2008: EUR 115 000

2009: EUR 125 000

2010: EUR 125 000

2011: EUR 125 000

2012: EUR 125 000

2013: EUR 125 000

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Maximum aid intensity:

1. Investment in farms for primary production:

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

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

— where the investment concerns young farmers within five
years of their establishment, the intensity of aid may be
increased by 10 % (such investments must be set out in
business plans as stipulated in Article 22(c) and the
conditions laid down in Article 22 of Regulation (EC)
No 1698/2005 must be met).

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

2. Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings:

eligible costs of an insurance premium for
crops, products and livestock against disease.

insuring

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 the real costs incurred; this is to be
granted in the form of subsidised services and must not
involve direct payments of money to producers.

7. Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector:

— aid is to be granted up at a rate of up to 100 % of

eligible costs

Date of implementation: August 2007 (or the date on which
the Rules enter into force)

— up to 100 % of the real costs as regards investment in

non-productive features,

Duration of
31 December 2013

scheme or

individual

aid award: Until

— up to 60 % of the real costs, or 75 % in less-favoured
areas, as regards 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 mate-
rials necessary to maintain the heritage features of build-
ings.

3. Relocation of farm buildings in the public interest:

— up to 100 % of

the real costs where the relocation
simply consists of the dismantling, removal and re-erec-
tion 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 relo-
cation. If the beneficiary is a young farmer, his contribu-
tion is 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 equal to 60 %, or 50 % in less-favoured areas, of
the expenses relating to this increase. If the beneficiary is
a young farmer, his contribution is at least 55 % or 45 %
respectively.

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 conservation and agricultural and rural development in
the municipality of Šmarje pri
Jelšah for the programming
period 2007-2013 includes measures constituting State aid in
accordance with the following Articles of 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 Regu-
lation (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 build-

ings,

— 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 agri-

cultural products,

— Article 15: Provision of technical support

Economic sector(s) concerned: Agriculture: Arable and live-
stock farming

4. Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums:

Name and address of granting authority:

— the amount of municipal co-financing is the difference
between the
insurance
premiums from the national budget and up to 50 % of

co-financing of

amount of

Občina Šmarje pri jelšah
Aškerčev trg 12
SLO-3240 Šmarje pri Jelšah

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Web address:

http://www.uradni-list.si/1/ulonline.jsp?urlid=200770&dhid=91163

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

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 moni-
toring of aid)

Signature of responsible person

Zinka BERK
Head of Department for Economics

XA Number: XA 209/07

Member State: Federal Republic of Germany

Region: Rheinland-Pfalz

Title of aid scheme: Entwicklungsprogramm „Agrarwirtschaft,
(PAUL) nach Verord-
Umweltmaßnahmen, Landentwicklung“
nung (EG) Nr. 1698/2005

— Code 112 —

der

„Förderung
Junglandwirtinnen und
(FNJ)“

Niederlassung

von
Junglandwirten

— Code 121.1 — „Grundsätze

für die
einzelbetriebliche
Förderung
landwirtschaftlicher Unter-
nehmen“ (Agrarinvestitionsförderungspro-
gramm — AFP)

— Code 121.2 — „Förderung von Spezialmaschinen für
Weinbausteillagen und moderne Umwelt-
techniken“

Legal basis: Entwicklungsprogramm „Agrarwirtschaft, Umwelt-
maßnahmen, Landentwicklung“ (PAUL) nach Verordnung (EG)
Nr. 1698/2005 in Verbindung mit den zur Umsetzung erlas-
senen Landesrichtlinien

under Article 22 of Regulation (EC)
No 1698/2005. Around EUR 0,3 million
of total funding will go to national plans
supported under Article 89 of Regulation
(EC) No 1698/2005.

— Code 121.1 — ‘Rules governing support
enterprises’

for individual
(Agricultural

agricultural
Investment Promotion Programme)

joint

Public
funding totalling approximately
EUR 8,7 million each year for all eligible
aid measures, with more than 50 % going
the plans
to national part-financing of
supported in accordance with Article 26
of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.
Around EUR 3,6 million of total funding
will go to national plans
supported
under Article 89 of Regulation (EC)
No 1698/2005. National
funding will
chiefly come from resources allocated to
the
task ‘improving agricultural
structure and coastal protection’, which
the
already been registered for
has
Federal Republic of Germany as a whole
under Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006
(cf.
registration number XA 08/07).
Rhineland-Palatinate is providing addi-
tional funding (2007: EUR 0,1 million;
2008:
2009:
EUR 0,1 million) primarily for animal
welfare measures (e.g. conversion from
battery hen farming to barn and free-
range).

0,4 million,

EUR

— Code 121.2 — ‘Promotion of

for
winegrowing on steep slopes and modern
environmental technologies’

special machinery

funding totalling approximately
Public
EUR 0,55 million each year
for all
eligible aid measures, most for national
part-financing of
supported
under Article 26 of Regulation (EC)
No 1698/2005. Around EUR 0,1 million
of total funding will go to national plans
supported under Article 89 of Regulation
(EC) No 1698/2005

the plans

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme:

Maximum aid intensity:

— Code 112 —

‘Support
farmers’

for

the setting-up of young

— Code 112 —

‘Support for setting-up of young farmers’

funding totalling approximately
Public
EUR 0,7 million each year
all
eligible aid measures, most for national
supported
part-financing of

the plans

for

EUR
premium.

10 000

flat-rate

setting-up

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— Code 121.1 — ‘Rules governing support
enterprises’

for individual
(Agricultural

agricultural
Investment Promotion Programme)

Grant based on the reference amount (up
to 90 % of eligible costs) of:

— up to 30 % for plans which meet
specific
animal
requirements
welfare and animal hygiene, or devel-
oping sites of
farm
buildings),

relocation of

(e.g.

— up to 25 % (= standard rate) for other

eligible investments,

— an additional 10 % maximum (up to
EUR 20 000 per person) for young
farmers.

— Code 121.2 — ‘Promotion of

for
winegrowing on steep slopes and modern
environmental technologies’

special machinery

the reference
Grant of up to 20 % of
amount (up to 90 % of eligible costs),
with a maximum EUR 25 000 per
holding.

The promotion of investments in agricultural holdings under
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 is limited to a total
of EUR 400 000 over three marketing years

Date of implementation: 1 September 2007

Duration of scheme: Until 31 December 2013

Objective of aid:

— Code 112 —

‘Support for setting-up of young farmers’

To improve young farmers' and wine-
growers' readiness to take over farms or
vineyards, and accelerate the structural
development of such enterprises so as to
improve competitiveness.

The measure is based on Article 7 of
Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 (‘Aid for
setting-up of young farmers’).

— Code 121.1 — ‘Support for individual agricultural enter-
Investment Promo-

(Agricultural

prises’
tion Programme)

production of agricultural products. The
interests of consumers, the development
of rural areas and the preservation of
biodiversity are to be taken into account,
as is the improvement of living, working
and production conditions. More specifi-
cally the scheme will:

— enhance competitiveness by improving
production and working conditions,
particularly by cutting production
improving quality and raising
costs,
farm value-added in line with the EU
Lisbon Strategy,

— preserve and improve

the natural
environment and improve hygiene
conditions and animal welfare stan-
dards.

The measure
of Regulation
(‘Investment in agricultural holdings’).

is based on Article 4
1857/2006

(EC) No

— Code 121.2 — ‘Promotion of

for
winegrowing on steep slopes and modern
environmental technologies’

special machinery

reduce

special

particularly

in approved

To
costs while
production
improving the environment, this scheme
grants support for the rapid introduction
of
environmentally-sound
agricultural technologies through invest-
ments
outdoor
machinery in areas such as the manage-
ment of vineyards on steep slopes, envir-
onmentally-sound application of plant-
protection products in fruit and wine
growing, attachments for liquid manure
spreaders, global positioning system (GPS)
equipment for agricultural tractors, self-
propelled farm machinery and the intro-
duction of other innovative agricultural
technologies.

The measure
of Regulation
(‘Investment in agricultural holdings’)

is based on Article 4
1857/2006

(EC) No

Sector(s) concerned: All sectors of agricultural production

To support competitive, sustainable and
environment-friendly agriculture which
takes proper account of animal welfare
and is multifunctional,
aid may be
granted to promote investments in agri-
the primary
cultural undertakings

for

Name and address of the granting authority:

Dienstleistungszentrum Ländlicher Raum Mosel
Einzelbetriebliche Förderung und Marktförderung
Görresstraße 10
D-54470 Bernkastel-Kues

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Web address: The draft legislative provision can be found at:

http://www.mwvlw.rlp.de/internet/nav/c11/c1130850-d5f2-
2c01-33e2-dce3742f2293&class=net.icteam.cms.utils.search.
AttributeManager;uBasAttrDef=aaaaaaaa-aaaa-aaaa-eeee-
000000000008.htm

sation of horticulture should be supported to encourage the
necessary structuring of the sector, thus safeguarding production
that creates jobs and, by maintaining the rural fabric, is geared
to the requirements of territorial development

Sector(s) concerned: Ornamental horticulture and nurseries

(Click on ‘Medien-Download → Einzelbetriebliches Förderungspro-
gramm’).

The final versions of
the federal State guidelines (adminis-
trative provision, application forms, etc.) will be available at:
www.dlr.rlp.de (‘Fachportale → Förderung’)

Other information: This notification does not cover part 3 of
the administrative provision (‘Förderung von Investitionen zur
Diversifizierung (FID)’ [promotion of investments in diversifica-
tion]), which is implemented pursuant to Article 53 of Regu-
lation (EC) No 1698/2005 in conjunction with Regulation (EC)
No 1998/2006

XA number: XA 210/07

Member State: France

Region: Regional authorities (regions or departments) wishing
to supplement State aid or grant similar aid themselves

Title of aid scheme: Aides de démarrage aux groupements de
producteurs reconnus dans le secteur de l'horticulture ornemen-
tale et de la pépinière

Legal basis: articles L 621-1 et s. du Code rural

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: Subject to
the availability of budget funds, the annual budget for the aid is
estimated at EUR 500 000 for VINIFLHOR, with an unspecified
amount for the regional authorities

Maximum aid intensity: not more than 100 % of the actual
costs of constitution and administrative operation of producer
groups eligible for the aid, up to a maximum of 5 to 1 %
(decreasing over five years) of the value of produce marketed
over a period of five years. The total amount of public aid per
recipient group may not exceed EUR 400 000

Date of implementation: From the date of the Commission's
acknowledgement of receipt of the exemption sheet

Duration of scheme: Six years

Objective of aid: This aid is granted under Article 9 of Regu-
lation (EC) No 1857/2006. The ornamental horticulture and
nursery sector in France consists of around 6 000 holdings
covering an area of 22 000 ha. However, the level of organisa-
tion and concentration of supply is very low. In view of the
ever-increasing concentration in the downstream part of the
sector and the requirements in terms of volume, product range
and quality, the French authorities take the view that the organi-

Name and address of the granting authority:

Office National Interprofessionnel des Fruits, des Légumes, des
Vins et de l'Horticulture (VINIFLHOR)
TSA 40004
F-93555 Montreuil sous Bois Cedex

Web address:

www.viniflhor.fr

section: ‘espace fruits et légumes’

heading: ‘réglements français’, sub-heading: ‘aides d'état’

Other information: Where regional authorities supplement
VINIFLHOR funding, they must do so on the same conditions
as those laid down by the Office and ensure that the aid ceilings
are complied with

XA Number: XA 211/07

Member State: Ireland

Region: Entire Member State

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an indi-
vidual aid: Equine Technical Support and Equine Breeding
Schemes 2007-2013

Legal basis: National Development Plan 2007-2013

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall
amount of
aid granted to the company:
EUR 1,57 million per annum over the period 2007-2013

individual

Maximum aid intensity: Aid intensities provided for in Arti-
cles 15 and 16 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006

Date of implementation: 15 August 2007

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 31 December
2013

Objective of aid: To improve the quality of non-thoroughbred
horse production through work on formulation of genetic
indexes for stallions, random blood sampling and DNA testing
to verify pedigree on studbooks and upgrading of the registra-
tion systems for studbooks.

To promote the wider use of Irish non-thoroughbred horses for
sports and leisure activities
through generic promotional
activities and participation at competitions, fairs and exhibitions.

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To support quality non-thoroughbred horse production through
training courses,
investment in training buildings and equip-
ment, provision of promotional and educational information at
workshops and in web, media and print format.

To support the carrying out of surveys, data collection and
analysis work for the non-thoroughbred horse sector with a
view to bringing about
improved genetic quality in horse
breeding.

This aid is provided in accordance with Article 15 and 16 of
Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 — Provision of
technical
support in the agricultural sector and Support for the Livestock
Sector

Sector(s) concerned: A00122 — Farming of sheep, goats,
horses, asses, mules and hinnies

Name and address of the granting authority:

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Agriculture House
Kildare Street
Dublin 2
Ireland

Web address:

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/equine_ndp/technical_breeding/
terms_conditions

XA Number: XA 217/07

Member State: Austria

Region: Lower Austria

Title of Aid scheme or name of company receiving indivi-
dual aid: Richtlinie für die Gewährung eines Zuschusses des
Landes Niederösterreich zu den Prämienkosten für die Rinder-
versicherung

Legal basis: NÖ Landwirtschaftsgesetz

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall
individual aid granted to the company: The
amount of
average funding requirement in Lower Austria is expected to be
EUR 300 000 annually

Maximum aid intensity: A contribution of up to 25 % of the
premiums paid

Date of implementation: June 2007

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: June 2007 to
2013

Objective of aid: Livestock holdings, particularly those based
on pasture and hill grazing, have been confronted by increas-
ingly extreme weather conditions in recent years. These vagaries
of the weather can present a great potential danger to livestock.
Severe thunderstorms can make livestock panic, leading them to
from these
stampede and injure themselves. Quite apart
dangers, global warming is leading even in our latitudes to a
greater incidence of fatal diseases which can be traced back to
the widening distribution of insects and parasites.

These guidelines are therefore intended to create an incentive for
farmers to take out insurance to cover livestock lost to disease
and accidents. The aim is to reduce financial losses in livestock
farming and thus contribute to maintaining livestock production
in Lower Austria

Sectors concerned: Agricultural holdings in Lower Austria
which keep livestock

Name and address of the granting authority:

Amt der Niederösterreichischen Landesregierung
Abteilung Landwirtschaftsförderung
Landhausplatz 1
A-3109 St. Pölten

Web address:

http://www.noe.gv.at

Other information: The ‘aid to pay insurance premiums’
scheme
(EC)
No 1857/2006.

on Article 12 of Regulation

based

is

The aid does not constitute a barrier to the operation of the
internal market
for insurance services. The Lower Austrian
Regional Government office will ensure that the aid is not
limited to insurance from a sole insurance company and also
not made dependent on taking out a contract with an insurance
company established in Austria