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: 2008-04-23
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Netherlands, Slovenia, State aid, United Kingdom, agricultural holding, aid to agriculture, control of State aid, exchange of information, small and medium-sized enterprises

C 101/32

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

23.4.2008

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 101/11)

Aid No: XA 245/07

Member State: Republic of Slovenia

Region: Območje občine Polzela

rials necessary to maintain the cultural heritage features
of buildings.

3. Relocation of farm buildings in the public interest:

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving indivi-
dual aid: Pomoči za ohranjanje in razvoj kmetijstva in podeželja
v občini Polzela za programsko obdobje 2007–2013

— up to 100 % of

the real costs where the relocation
simply consists of the dismantling, removal and re-erec-
tion of existing facilities,

Legal basis: Pravilnik o dodeljevanju pomoči za ohranjanje in
razvoj kmetijstva ter podeželja v občini Polzela za programsko
obdobje 2007–2013

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

2007: EUR 23 994

2008: EUR 24 700

2009: EUR 25 400

2010: EUR 26 150

2011: EUR 26 950

2012: EUR 27 750

2013: EUR 28 600

Maximum aid intensity:

1. Investment in agricultural holdings for primary production:

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

— 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 shall be at least 55 %, or 45 %, respectively,

— where the relocation entails 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 shall be at least 55 %,
or 45 %, respectively.

4. Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums:

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

co-financing of

amount of

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

5. Aid for land reparcelling:

— up to 60 % of eligible costs in less-favoured areas, and up
to 50 % of eligible costs in other areas, where the invest-
ment is made by young farmers within five years of their
setting up.

is granted in respect of

The support
in the
restoration of farm features and the purchase of equipment
for use in agricultural production, and for investment in
permanent
and pasture
management.

farmland improvement

investment

crops,

— up to 100 % of the real 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
provided in the form of subsidised services and must not
involve direct payments of money to producers.

7. Provision of technical support:

2. Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings:

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

non-productive features,

— up to 60 % of the real costs, or 75 % in less-favoured
areas, as regards investment in production facilities on
farms, provided that the investment does not entail any
increase in the production capacity of the farm,

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

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

— additional aid may be granted at a rate of up to 100 % to
cover the extra costs incurred by using traditional mate-

Duration of
31 December 2013

scheme or

individual

aid award: Until

23.4.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 101/33

Objective of aid: To support SMEs

Legal basis:

Reference to Articles in Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and
eligible costs:

constituting

Chapter II of the Draft Rules on granting aid for the preserva-
tion and development of agriculture and rural areas in the
municipality of Polzela for the programming period 2007-2013
in accordance
includes measures
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 agri-
cultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001
(OJ L 358, 16.12.2006, p. 3):

State

aid

— 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 in the agricultural

sector

Economic sector(s) concerned: Agriculture

Name and address of granting authority:

Občina Polzela
Polzela 8
SLO-3313 Polzela

Website:

http://www.uradni-list.si/1/ulonline.jsp?urlid=200781&dhid=91480

Other information:

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

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

Ljubo ŽNIDAR
Mayor

Aid No: XA 246/07

Member State: Netherlands

Region: Provincie Gelderland

Title of aid scheme: Subsidieregeling vitaal Gelderland 2007,
onderdelen: Losse Kavelruil, Investeringen in landbouwbedrijven
(bedrijfsmodernisering), Bedrijfsadvisering

Artikel 11, derde lid, van de Wet Inrichting landelijk gebied.

Subsidieregeling vitaal Gelderland 2007 en het Provinciaal Meer-
jarenprogramma 2007-2013 Gelderland (PMJP), deel 3: het
subsidiekader

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: Period
2007-2013: annual maximum of EUR 1 500 000

Maximum aid intensity:

Aid percentage/aid amount per aid section under the Provincial
Multi-Annual Programme (PMAP) 2007-2013 for small and
medium-sized agricultural holdings, provided that
they are
covered by this exemption notification:

1. Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006:

PMAP Article 2.2.2.1:
Investments in innovation and the
environment by small and medium-sized agricultural hold-
ings:

(a) In the case of

innovative investments,

the aid is a
maximum of 35 % of the eligible costs, with a minimum
aid amount of EUR 10 000 and a maximum aid amount
of EUR 30 000.

investments in the preservation and
(b) In the case of
improvement of
the natural environment which also
result in an increase in production capacity and/or do
not lead to extra costs relating to the protection of the
environment, the aid is a maximum of 35 %, with a
minimum aid amount of EUR 10 000 and a maximum
aid amount of EUR 100 000.

(c) In the case of

investments in the preservation and
improvement of the natural environment which do not
result in an increase in production capacity, the aid is a
maximum of 60 % of the eligible costs, with a minimum
aid amount of EUR 10 000 and a maximum aid amount
of EUR 100 000. However, the eligible costs are limited
to the extra costs necessary relating to the protection of
the environment.

The eligible costs relate to the construction, acquisition,
improvement or equipment of
the
purchase of new machinery and equipment,
including
computer software, and general costs, among other things
for architects, engineers and advisers.

immovable property,

Only small and medium-sized primary agricultural holdings
that are economically viable are eligible for the aid.

2. Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006:

PMAP Article 2.1.1.1: Voluntary parcel exchange:

The aid is up to 100 % of the actual notary and land registry
costs incurred in relation to the land/parcels covered by
parcel exchange. The implementing organisations and autho-
rities incur these costs and thus receive the aid. The farmer
indirectly benefits from this aid because for each exchange,
land belonging to small and medium-sized primary agri-
cultural holdings is involved.

C 101/34

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

23.4.2008

3. Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006:

PMAP Article 2.2.2.2: Farm consultancy services for small
and medium-sized agricultural holdings:

(a) In the case of farm consultancy services aimed exclu-
sively at relocation, the aid per holding is a maximum of
the eligible costs, with a minimum of
75 % of
EUR 5 000 and a maximum of EUR 30 000.

(b) In the case of drawing up development plans for hold-
ings practising horticulture under glass: a maximum of
75 % of
the eligible costs, with a minimum of
EUR 5 000 and a maximum of EUR 30 000 per horti-
culturalist concerned.

(c) In the case of other consultancy services — including
consulting where more than one future scenario for the
farm in addition to relocation is examined — the aid per
holding is a maximum of 40 % of the eligible costs, with
a minimum of EUR 5 000 and a maximum of
EUR 30 000.

Only small and medium-sized primary agricultural holdings
are eligible for the aid. The aid is paid out in kind, by paying
it to the consultancy service in question. No direct payments
are made to the primary producer. The farms are selected on
the basis of objective criteria and no aid may be granted for
consultancy services constituting a periodic or continuous
activity relating to the enterprise's usual operating expendi-
ture

increasing the efficiency of production, producing new or better
products and/or increasing the quality and sustainability of
production processes and products. This will help to create a
more competitive, sustainable and vital agriculture: that is, agri-
culture providing a fair income for the holding with decent
working conditions, meeting society's expectations (such as the
environment, animal welfare and health, hygiene requirements
and (agro-)biodiversity).

Article 2.2.2.2: Farm consultancy services

The objective of this Article is to enable farmers to obtain
future-oriented consultancy services as regards how the holding
can be developed sustainably

Sector(s) concerned: The
to small and
medium-sized agricultural holdings (both arable and livestock).
Only holdings in the primary production sector are covered

scheme applies

Name and address of the granting authority:

Provincie Gelderland
Dienst REW/EU Programmasecretariaat
Postbus 9090
6800 GX Arnhem
Nederland

Website:

www.gelderland.nl

projecten> projectprogramma's> platteland (ILG)> deel 3 PMJP,
subsidiekaders 2e herziening

implementation:

Date of
Implementation is to take place
following publication of the information in the Official Journal of
the European Union

Other information:

Duration of scheme: Up to 31 December 2013

Aid to small and medium-sized agricultural holdings is granted
on the basis of the following Articles of the PMAP, Part 3:

Objective of aid:

The general objective of the PMAP, agriculture section,
ensure a vital agricultural sector, involving:

is to

— future-oriented, competitive agriculture as an economic

motor in rural areas,

— sustainable agriculture which makes sustainable use of soil,
water, air and other natural resources and is economically
viable.

More specifically,
described as follows:

the objective under each Article can be

Article 2.1.1.1: Voluntary parcel exchange

Reparcelling serves to improve the parcelling of rural areas in
line with their functions, as laid down under regional planning.
Essentially, this is done by exchanging land, which is made
possible by this Article.

Article 2.2.2.1: Investments in agricultural holdings

The objective of
this Article is to stimulate investments in
improvements and renovation on the holding, aimed at

Article 2.1.1.1

Voluntary parcel exchange

Article 2.2.2.1

Investments
modernisation)

in agricultural holdings

(farm

Article 2.2.2.2

Farm consultancy services

the aid may be submitted by small and
Applications for
medium-sized agricultural holdings meeting the requirements of
Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006, Articles 4, 13 or 15(2)(c).

for

are

rules

eligible

Where, under the above-mentioned Articles, other farms and/or
entities
the Commission will be
aid,
informed/notified of them separately in accordance with the
applicable
(such as Commission Regulation (EC)
No 1998/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the application of
Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to de minimis aid, the Com-
munity framework for State aid for research and development,
and Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 of 12 January
2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty
to training aid)

23.4.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 101/35

Aid No: XA 247/07

Member State: Republic of Slovenia

Region: Območje občine Preddvor

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

Legal basis: Pravilnik o dodelitvi pomoči za ohranjanje in
razvoj kmetijstva, gozdarstva in podeželja v občini (II. Poglavje)

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

2007: EUR 8 700

2008: EUR 8 874

2009: EUR 9 052

2010: EUR 9 233

2011: EUR 9 417

2012: EUR 9 606

2013: EUR 9 798

Maximum aid intensity:

dised services and must not involve direct payments of
money to producers

Date of implementation: September 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 aid for the preservation and
development of agriculture, forestry and rural areas in the muni-
cipality of Preddvor includes measures constituting State aid in
accordance with the following Articles of Commission Regu-
lation (EC) No 1857/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the appli-
cation of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small
and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agri-
cultural 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-

1. Investment in agricultural holdings for primary production:

ings,

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

— Article 12: Aid towards

the payment of

insurance

premiums,

The support is granted in respect of investment to restore
farm features and the purchase of equipment to be used for
agricultural production, and for investment in permanent
crops, farmland improvement and pasture management.

— Article 13: Aid for land reparcelling,

— Article 15: Provision of technical support in the agricultural

sector

2. Conservation of traditional buildings:

Economic sector(s) concerned: Agriculture

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

Name and address of granting authority:

— up to 75 % of eligible costs for investment in production
facilities in less-favoured areas, and 60 % in other areas,
provided that the investment does not entail an increase
in the production capacity of farms in other areas.

Občina Preddvor
Dvorski trg 10
SLO-4205 Preddvor

Website:

3. Payment of insurance premiums:

http://www.preddvor.si/uradno_glasilo/objave2007/052007.pdf

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

co-financing of

amount of

4. Aid for land reparcelling:

— up to 50 % of real legal and administrative costs.

5. Technical support in the agricultural sector:

— up to 100 % of costs concerning education and training
for farmers, consultancy services and the organisation of
forums, competitions, exhibitions,
fairs, publications,
catalogues and websites, and the cost of replacement
services. The aid is to be granted in the form of subsi-

Other information:

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

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

Miran ZADNIKAR
Mayor of the municipality of Preddvor

C 101/36

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

23.4.2008

Aid No: XA 290/07

Name and address of the granting authority:

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: Wales

Title of Aid scheme or name of company receiving an indi-
vidual aid: Light Lamb Welfare Disposal Scheme

Welsh Assembly Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff CF10 3NQ
United Kingdom

Contact:

Rory O'Sullivan
Tel. (44) 292 80 13 32
e-mail: rory.o'sullivan@wales.gsi.gov.uk

the Welsh Development Agency
Legal basis: Section 1 of
Act 1975 and sections 70 and 71 of the Government of Wales
Act 2006

Website:

Scheme details can be found at

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

http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/country-
side_policy/farming/light_lamb_disp_scheme/?lang=en

Year: October 2007-January 2008

Expenditure: under GBP10 000 000

Maximum aid intensity: The aid will be limited to losses
caused by disease for which an outbreak has been formally
recognised by public authorities and will not exceed 100 % of
the costs associated with dealing with the requirements of the
scheme

Date of implementation: 27 October 2007

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: The scheme
will run for ten weeks and will close on 4 January 2008

Objective of aid: The Light Lamb Welfare Disposal Scheme will
be open to farmers in Wales facing animal welfare problems as
a result of export restrictions imposed following the outbreak of
foot and mouth disease in the United Kingdom. Producers will
be responsible for transporting eligible animals (namely light
lambs at or under 25 kg live weight) to collection centres. The
operators will pay GPB 15 per head for eligible animals. The
the human food chain. Following
animals will not enter
slaughter,
the carcasses will be transported for subsequent
disposal. Competitive tendering will be used to provide these
services on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government. This
complies with Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006
where the aid must be limited to losses caused by diseases for
which an outbreak has been formally recognised by public
authorities

Eligible costs: Under the Light Lamb Welfare Disposal Scheme,
collection centre operators will be paid a total of GBP 15 per
head for each eligible animal. In addition, operators will be paid
for the services involved in collecting, slaughtering, transport,
rendering and incineration; these costs will be determined by
competitive tender. This complies with Article 10 of Regulation
(EC) No 1857/2006 where the gross aid intensity must not
exceed 100 % and that
the aid will be to compensate for
income losses due to quarantine obligations

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

Neil MARR
Agricultural State Aid
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Area 8D, 9 Millbank
C/o Nobel House
17 Smith Square
Westminster
London SW1P 3JR
United Kingdom

Aid No: XA 291/07

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: England

Title of Aid scheme or name of company receiving an indi-
vidual aid: Foot and Mouth Disease Hill Farm Scheme

Legal basis: Section 8 (Miscellaneous Provisions) Agriculture
Act 1963

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

Year: 23 October 2007-31 March 2008

Expenditure: GBP 10 000 000

Maximum aid intensity: The scheme aims
to provide a
maximum aid intensity of 100 %. Aid will be limited to losses
caused by disease for which an outbreak has been formally
recognised by public authorities, specifically in relation to losses
attributable to quarantine obligations

Date of implementation: 23 October 2007

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme applies to the light lamb
sector of the farming industry in Wales

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: The scheme
will provide a one-off payment to eligible hill farmers. Payments
will be calculated and completed by 31 March 2008

23.4.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 101/37

Objective of aid:
To help small and medium sized extensive sheep and beef hill
farmers in England who, as a group have been particularly
disadvantaged by national movement and export restrictions
imposed as a result of Foot and Mouth disease. These farmers
rely heavily on sheep movements at
this time of year for
autumn livestock sales and exports to generate a significant
proportion of their annual income and their cash flow has been
badly hit.

This aim complies with Article 10, paragraph 2(a)(ii) of Regu-
lation (EC) No 1857/2006 where aid is payable for income
losses due to quarantine obligations of diseases for which an
outbreak has been formally recognised by public authorities

Eligible costs:
Our current best estimates of the economic cost of Foot and
Mouth disease to the livestock sector
is
GBP 103 million and are expected to continue to rise. The total
budget for this scheme will be GBP 10 million and individual
payments to eligible farmers will be calculated in proportion to
the size of their enterprise.

since 3 August

The aims of the scheme comply with Article 10 of Regulation
(EC) No 1857/2006 which states that the gross aid intensity
must not exceed 100 % and that the aid will be to compensate
for income losses due to quarantine obligations

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme applies to the SMEs in the
hill
livestock sector of the farming industry in England who
have received a payment in 2007 under England's Less Favoured
Areas scheme (the Hill Farm Allowance 2007)

Name and address of the granting authority:
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR
United Kingdom

Website:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/movements/hill-
farmers.htm

Signed and dated on behalf of the Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs (UK competent authority)
Neil MARR
Agricultural State Aid
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Area 8D, 9 Millbank
C/o Nobel House
17 Smith Square
Westminster
London SW1P 3JR
United Kingdom