natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
Det betyder, at råvaren, mælken, inden for virksomheden forarbejdes til et færdigt produkt, som emballeres på stedet og straks lastes på kølebiler.
This means that the raw material, the milk, is transformed within the company to a finished product, which is packed on site and loaded immediately into refrigerated lorries.
Det fjerner således behovet for at anvende et distributionscenter.
Consequently, this eliminates the need to use a central distribution facility.
Systemet sikrer ligeledes, at tilførslen af mælk svarer præcis til mængderne i de indeværende ordrer.
The system also makes it possible to match the initial supply of milk exactly to the quantity of orders in hand.
Det medfører en kraftig reduktion af de køleomkostninger, der er forbundet med transport af mælk fra fabrikken.
Consequently, this significantly reduces the refrigeration costs connected with transporting milk to the plant.
Farm Dairy understreger, at virksomheden har investeret i moderne pasteuriseringsanlæg med en høj ydeevne i forhold til energiforbrug.
Farm Dairy emphasised that it has invested in modern pasteurisation systems with a high yield in proportion to energy requirements.
Denne fremstillingsproces har været med til at sikre den høje kvalitet af Farm Dairys produkter.
This production process has contributed to the high quality of the Farm Dairy products.
Farm Dairy anfører for det andet, at virksomheden desuden har skabt produktionsmæssige fornyelser ved at lancere tolitersbeholdere i polyethylen på det nederlandske marked.
Secondly, Farm Dairy reported having also innovated at production level by introducing 2-litre polyethylene containers on the Dutch market.
Det var først i 2004, at der kom en kraftig efterspørgsel efter disse beholdere.
It was not until 2004 that these containers were in high demand.
Farm Dairy har siden 2004 fyldt over […] mio. l mælk på tolitersbeholdere, svarende til […] % af virksomhedens samlede mælkeproduktion.
Since 2004 Farm Dairy has filled 2-litre containers with more than […] million litres of milk, which makes up […] % of its total milk production.
Farm Dairy vedlægger som bilag til sine bemærkninger en avisartikel om dette fornyende aspekt samt statistikker fra virksomheden, som viser den stigende andel af mælk, der i perioden 1999-2008 blev solgt i tolitersbeholdere.
Annexed to Farm Dairy’s observations is a press article reporting on this innovation, along with company statistics indicating the growing proportion of milk sold in 2-litre containers in the period from 1999 to 2008.
Den havde talrige fordele i forhold til de kartoner, som kunne købes dengang.
This container had numerous advantages in comparison with the cardboard containers available at the time.
Farm Dairy var ganske rigtigt den første, der lancerede denne type beholder i Nederlandene.
Farm Dairy was clearly the first to introduce this container to the Netherlands.
Virksomhedens logistiske koncept (samlet produktionskæde i én virksomhed) betød desuden, at mælken havde en længere holdbarhed, idet der ikke anvendtes centrale distributionscentre, og der ikke var behov for omfattende forsyningsanlæg.
Furthermore, the logistical concept of the company (production chain in one company) allowed the milk to be kept for longer because of the absence of central distribution facilities and the lack of need for extended supply chains.
Farm Dairy fremsendte ligeledes en oversigt over investeringsomkostningerne, hvor de specifikke omkostninger til investering i fremstillingen af tolitersbeholdere vises særskilt.
Farm Dairy also supplied a table where the specific costs of the investment relative to the production of 2-litre containers were isolated from the remaining investment costs.
I forbindelse med opførelsen af Farm Dairy blev der installeret fire tappeanlæg, hvoraf ét var specifikt beregnet til aftapning af tolitersbeholdere.
When Farm Dairy was built, four packaging lines were created, including one dedicated specifically to packaging 2-litre containers.
Disse omkostninger vises også særskilt.
These costs were also separated from the other investment costs.
Farm Dairy anførte desuden, at virksomheden på tidspunktet for anmodning om investeringsstøtte planlagde at lancere en serie af specialprodukter, nemlig fløde i bæger, frugtyoghurt og fløde- og frugtbaserede desserter.
Farm Dairy also indicated that at the time of the application for investment, it envisaged launching a line of special products: cream in goblets, fruit yoghurts and other cream and fruit-based desserts.
Som bemærkning til kriteriet i punkt 2.3 i bilaget til beslutning 94/173/EF vedrørende udviklingen i efterspørgslen anførte Farm Dairy, at efterspørgslen primært kommer fra supermarkeder, og at disse var meget begejstrede for tanken om en ny aktør på markedet.
In response to the criteria mentioned in point 2.3 of the Annex to Decision 94/173/EC on the development of demand, Farm Dairy indicated that essentially the demand came from supermarkets and that they were extremely enthusiastic about the idea of having a new player on the market.
Farm Dairy havde fra starten indgået leveringskontrakter med de største supermarkeder i Nederlandene.
From the start, Farm Dairy had supply contracts with the main supermarkets operating in the Netherlands.
Med hensyn til undtagelsen vedrørende manglende kapacitet og reelle afsætningsmuligheder viser reaktionen fra de supermarkeder, der er nævnt i betragtning 43, helt tydeligt, at der var reelle afsætningsmuligheder.
As far as the exception concerning the shortage of capacities and the existence of real and effective outlets is concerned, it is clear from the reaction of the supermarkets mentioned in recital 43 that the existence of real and effective outlets was clearly shown.
At der manglede kapacitet fremgår ifølge Farm Dairy af de nederlandske konkurrencemyndigheders (NMa) afgørelse af 23. december 1998 i forbindelse med Friesland Coberco Dairy Foods' overtagelse af mejerivirksomheden De Kievit.
According to Farm Dairy, the shortage of capacities is clear from the Dutch competition authorities decision of 23 December 1998 in the context of Friesland Coberco Dairy Foods taking over the De Kievit dairy product company.
Nederlandene importerer mere mælk til forarbejdning, end landet eksporterer.
The Netherlands import more milk for processing than they export.
Forholdet mellem import og eksport viser, at 2,5 % af den mælk, der forarbejdes i Nederlandene, er importeret.
The import-export balance shows that only 2,5 % of the milk processed in the Netherlands was imported.
Farm Dairy udleder af alle disse oplysninger, at der ikke var en overkapacitet på markedet for frisk mælk i Nederlandene.
Farm Diary deduced from all this information that the fresh milk market in the Netherlands did not have excess capacity.
Farm Dairy anfører subsidiært, at mælkeleverandørerne i Flevoland havde valgt ikke længere at levere mælk til deres kunde Campina Melkunie og i stedet levere deres mælk til Comelco i Belgien.
In addition, Farm Dairy mentioned that the Flevoland milk suppliers had decided to no longer supply milk to Campina Melkunie, their client, to deliver their milk to Comelco in Belgium.
Campina Melkunies overtagelse af Comelco i 1991 og overtagelsens endelige gennemførelse i 1996 tvang imidlertid leverandørerne til at finde et andet alternativ.
However, Campina Melkunie’s takeover of Comelco in 1991 and its final implementation in 1996 forced the milk suppliers to find another alternative.
Dette andet alternativ blev etableringen af Farm Dairy i 1999.
This other alternative was the arrival of Farm Dairy in 1999.
Som konklusion på dette punkt anførte Farm Dairy, at det er vanskeligt at finde frem til præcise oplysninger ti år efter, at begivenhederne har fundet sted, og kritiserer varigheden af proceduren mellem Kommissionen og Nederlandene.
Farm Dairy concluded this point by indicating the difficulties of finding more precise information ten years after the facts, and queries the duration of the procedure between the Commission and the Netherlands.
Betaling af renters rente
Payment of a compound interest rate
Farm Dairy henviser i sin protest mod, at der pålægges renters rente fra tidspunktet for bevilling af støtten, til procedurens varighed og virksomhedens berettigede forventning om, at sagen var lukket.
Farm Dairy noted the duration of the procedure and its legitimate faith that the case seemed to have been closed to contest the imposition of a compound interest rate as of the award of the aid.
Farm Dairy kan ikke holdes ansvarlig for, at der i en lang periode ikke skete noget i sagen, alt imens der påløb renter.
Farm Dairy cannot be held responsible for the fact that the case remained inactive for a long period, which caused the accumulation of interest rates.
Farm Dairy anmoder af den grund om, at der anvendes en simpel rente, eftersom virksomheden, såfremt der havde været tegn på, at støtten var ulovlig, og såfremt den havde haft valget, ville have valgt at tilbagebetale beløbet tidligere.
For this reason, Farm Dairy requested the application of a simple interest rate because if it had known that the aid was illegal and if it had had the choice, it would have chosen to repay the sum earlier.
Farm Dairy baserer sin anmodning på Kommissionens meddelelse af 8. maj 2003, hvoraf det fremgår, at det indtil da ikke var klart, hvilken type rente der skulle anvendes.
Farm Dairy based its request on the Commission communication dated 8 May 2003, which indicated that up until then it was not clear what type of interest rate should be applied.
Farm Dairy anmoder under henvisning til ligebehandlingsprincippet Kommissionen om, at der ikke beregnes renters rente i perioden før 8. maj. 2003.
On the basis of the principle of equal treatment, Farm Dairy requested that the Commission decide that the compound interest rate period should not apply for the period before 8 May 2003.
V. Bemærkninger fra nederlandene
V. Observations presented by the Netherlands
Ved brev af 19. januar 2009 fremsatte Nederlandene sine bemærkninger til Kommissionens beslutning om at indlede proceduren efter artikel 108, stk. 2, i TEUF over for den uanmeldte støtte.
By letter of 19 January 2009, the Netherlands presented their comments on the Commission’s decision to initiate the procedure provided for in Article 108(2) of the TFEU in respect of the unnotified aid.
Nederlandene nøjedes med at anføre, at de ikke havde yderligere oplysninger i sagen, da alt allerede var blevet fremsendt i forbindelse med den foreløbige undersøgelse.
The Netherlands reaction was limited to noting that they had no additional information to submit, having already supplied it in the context of the preliminary investigation procedure.
Efter at have modtaget Farm Dairys bemærkninger ønskede Kommissionen imidlertid at få belyst flere forhold.
In the light of Farm Dairy’s comments, the Commission nonetheless wished to obtain additional explanations.
Kommissionen anmodede i den henseende Nederlandene om at oplyse, hvorvidt lanceringen af tolitersbeholdere havde et fornyende aspekt, sådan som Farm Dairy havde anført, og om der var taget højde for dette aspekt i forbindelse med de nederlandske myndigheders vurdering af projektet.
To this effect, it asked the Netherlands to inform it whether the introduction of 2-litre containers was an innovation as Farm Dairy claimed, and whether this aspect was taken into consideration when the Dutch authorities assessed the project.
Med hensyn til den ordrestyrede produktion anmodede Kommissionen Nederlandene om at kommentere Farm Dairys oplysninger om, at denne proces havde et fornyende aspekt på tidspunktet for anmodning om investeringsstøtte.
As far as the make-to-order process was concerned, the Commission asked the Netherlands to comment on the information provided by Farm Dairy stating that this process constituted an innovation at the time of the application for investment.
Endelig bad Kommissionen Nederlandene om at fremsætte bemærkninger til de reelle afsætningsmuligheder og den manglende kapacitet på tidspunktet for bevilling af støtten og i den forbindelse fremsende alle undersøgelser og dokumenter, der kunne vise sig at være nyttige.
Lastly, the Commission asked the Netherlands to comment on the existence of realistic outlets and shortage of capacity at the time the aid was awarded, by providing it with any study or document that may be useful in this respect.
Nederlandene fremsendte TNO's rapport samt breve fra NZO og [x].
The Netherlands submitted the TNO report and letters sent by the NZO and [x].
Det fremgår af disse oplysninger, at Farm Dairy ganske rigtigt var den første, der lancerede tolitersbeholdere på det nederlandske marked, og at disse beholdere havde et fornyende aspekt i 1999, eftersom mælk tidligere kun var blevet solgt i kartoner med en eller halvanden liter.
This information shows that Farm Dairy was clearly the first to introduce the 2-litre containers on the Dutch market, and that these containers were an innovation in 1999, given that before then milk was sold only in 1 litre or 1,5 litre containers.
Der blev imidlertid ikke taget højde for dette aspekt, da IKC foretog sin vurdering, og provinsen Flevoland var ikke bekendt med aspektet.
This aspect was not taken into account during the IKC’s assessment and the Province was not aware of this aspect.
Nederlandene anførte, at dette aspekt uden tvivl ville have ændret IKC's udtalelse dengang for så vidt angår projektets fornyende karakter.
The Netherlands have indicated that this aspect would undoubtedly have changed the opinion given by the IKC at the time, by modifying the opinion on the innovative character of the project.
Da IKC ikke længere eksisterer, er det imidlertid ikke muligt at anmode IKC om en ny udtalelse.
Given that the IKC no longer exists, it is no longer possible to ask it for a second opinion.
Nederlandene fremsendte efter anmodning fra Kommissionen en oversigt over de omkostninger, der udelukkende vedrørte den specifikke investering i lanceringen af tolitersbeholdere.
At the Commission’s request, the Netherlands sent a detailed list of the costs related only to the specific investment for the introduction of 2-litre containers.
Det fremgår af disse tal, at et beløb på 1840000 FL (svarende til 834956 EUR) berørte den specifikke investering i tolitersbeholdere.
According to these figures, a total of FL 1840000 (i.e. EUR 834956) was devoted to the specific investment for the 2-litre containers.
Hertil føjede de nederlandske myndigheder en fjerdedel af omkostningerne til tappeanlæggene, eftersom ét ud af de fire tappeanlæg udelukkende skulle anvendes til aftapning af tolitersbeholdere.
The Dutch authorities added the cost of a quarter of the packaging lines to this, given that of the four packaging lines, one line was dedicated entirely to filling the 2-litre containers.
Disse omkostninger beløber sig til 2936250 FL (svarende til 1332412 EUR).
This sum amounted to FL 2936250 (i.e. EUR 1332412).
Beløbet udgør således i alt 4776250 FL (svarende til 2167367 EUR).
The total sum thus amounted to FL 4776250 (i.e. EUR 2167367).
Med hensyn til konceptet med ordrestyret produktion anmodede Kommissionen Nederlandene om at kommentere dets fornyende karakter og angive, om de bemærkninger, som Farm Dairy havde fremsat, kunne føre til en ændring af den tidligere vurdering, ifølge hvilken projektet ikke havde en væsentligt fornyende karakter.
With regard to the ‘make-to-order’ concept, the Commission asked the Netherlands to comment on its innovative character and to clarify whether the observations presented by Farm Dairy were liable to modify the earlier assessment, according to which the innovative nature of the project was quite poor.
Nederlandene svarede, at projektet ifølge IKC's udtalelse var delvist fornyende, idet dets fornyende aspekt ikke vedrørte produktinnovation, men markedsinnovation.
The Netherlands replied that the IKC’s opinion considered that the project was innovative in part, in that the innovative character was not due to a product innovation but rather a market innovation.
Vurderingen blev foretaget i forbindelse med en anmodning om medfinansiering fra landbrugsministeriet.
The assessment was made in the context of an application for co-financing from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Nederlandene henviste ligeledes til TNO's undersøgelse af den fornyende karakter af ordrestyret produktion.
The Netherlands also cited the TNO study with regard to the innovative nature of the make-to-order system.
Ifølge denne undersøgelse producerede virksomhederne dengang typisk til lager, hvor et vist lager opbevares med henblik på senere salg.
This study indicates that the main system at the time was the ‘make-to-stock’ system, where a certain amount of stock is kept in reserve to be sold afterwards.
Leveringstiden er kortere, men fleksibiliteten i forhold til kundernes behov, f.eks. supermarkeder, er til gengæld mindre.
This reduces delivery times, but also reduces flexibility with regard to the needs of clients ‘such as supermarkets’.
Ordrestyret produktion gør det i sig selv muligt at opfylde behovet for fleksibilitet.
The ‘make-to-order’ system, for its part, is better able to meet this need for flexibility.
Nederlandene konkluderede på det grundlag, at dette koncept havde en fornyende karakter.
Consequently, the Netherlands concluded that this concept was innovative in nature.
Med hensyn til reelle afsætningsmuligheder og manglende kapacitet henviser Nederlandene til en rapport fra Rabobank International fra april 1999, hvoraf det fremgår, at 2,5 % af den forarbejdede gårdmælk er importeret.
With regard to the existence of outlets and the absence of excess capacity, the Netherlands cited a report from Rabobank International from April 2009, which notes that 2,5 % of all the farm milk processed is imported.
Medregnes fabriksmælk (dvs. mælk, der er pasteuriseret med henblik på en længere transport), importeres i alt 10,5 % af den samlede forarbejdede mælk.
When factory milk is taken into account (i.e. milk that has been pasteurised to allow for longer transport), 10,5 % of all processed milk is imported.
Det viser ifølge Nederlandene, at der mangler kapacitet i Nederlandene.
This shows that the Netherlands consider that there was no excess capacity in the Netherlands.
Med hensyn til de reelle afsætningsmuligheder bekræfter Nederlandene indholdet i den analyse, som Farm Dairy foretog (se betragtning 44 og 45).
Regarding the existence of outlets, the Netherlands confirmed Farm Dairy’s analysis (see recitals 44 and 45).
Afsætningsmulighederne fremgår i øvrigt af Farm Dairys statistikker.
Furthermore, Farm Dairy’s statistics show the possibility of outlets.
Det fremgår desuden af brevet fra [x], at salget af mælk i tolitersbeholdere fra Farm Dairy har øget supermarkedskædens omsætning.
It is also clear from the letter from [x] that the sales of 2-litre bottles produced by Farm Dairy increased its turnover.
Vurdering
Appraisal
Kommissionen konstaterer, at artikel 92, 93 og 94 i EF-traktaten (nu artikel 107, 108 og 109 i TEUF) fandt anvendelse på fremstilling af mejeriprodukter og mælkebaserede desserter, jf. artikel 23 i Rådets forordning (EØF) nr. 804/68 af 27. juni 1968 om den fælles markedsordning for mælk og mejeriprodukter, på tidspunktet for bevilling af støtten [9].
The Commission noted that Articles 92, 93 and 94 of the EC Treaty (which have become Articles 107, 108 and 109 of the TFEU) were applicable to the production of dairy products and other milk-based deserts at the time the aid was granted by virtue of Article 23 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 804/68 of 27 June 1968 on the common organisation of the market in milk and milk products [9].
Statsstøtte som omhandlet i artikel 107, stk. 1, i TEUF
Existence of State aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) of the TFEU
I henhold til artikel 107, stk. 1, i TEUF er statsstøtte eller støtte, som ydes ved hjælp af statsmidler under enhver tænkelig form, og som fordrejer eller truer med at fordreje konkurrencevilkårene ved at begunstige visse virksomheder eller visse produktioner, uforenelig med det indre marked, i det omfang den påvirker samhandelen mellem medlemsstaterne.
Article 107(1) of the TFEU states that any aid granted by a Member State or through State resources in any form whatsoever which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or certain production is incompatible with the common market insofar as it affects trade between Member States.
Støtte ydet af staten: Denne betingelse er opfyldt for så vidt angår den støtte, som provinsen Flevoland ydede.
Aid awarded by the State: This condition was met, as the aid was awarded by Flevoland Province.
Støtte, som påvirker samhandelen og fordrejer eller truer med at fordreje konkurrencevilkårene: Mejerisektoren er åben for konkurrence på fællesskabsniveau [10] og påvirkes derfor af enhver støtteforanstaltning til fordel for produktionen i en given medlemsstat.
Measure which affects trade and distorts of threatens to distort competition: The dairy sector is open to competition at Community level [10] and is consequently sensitive to any measure favouring production in a particular country.
Hvor mælken tidligere delvist blev forarbejdet i Belgien, var målet i den foreliggende sag bl.a., at mælken skulle forarbejdes i provinsen Flevoland.
Furthermore, in the case in hand, the aim was to process the milk in Flevoland Province, whereas earlier the milk was partly processed in Belgium.
Denne støtte risikerer derfor at fordreje konkurrencen på markedet for mælk og mejeriprodukter.
Consequently, this measure threatens to distort competition in the milk and dairy product sector.
Støtte, som begunstiger visse virksomheder eller visse produktioner: støtten ydes til fordel for en enkelt virksomhed, Farm Dairy.
Measure which favours certain undertakings or the production of certain goods: the aid was awarded in favour of one single company, Farm Dairy.
Kommissionen konkluderer på den baggrund, at den pågældende støtte er omfattet af artikel 107, stk. 1, i TEUF og udgør statsstøtte.
For these reasons, the Commission concludes that the measure in question comes under Article 107(1) of the TFEU and constitutes State aid.
Dette anfægtes ikke i de bemærkninger, som Kommissionen har modtaget efter at have indledt proceduren.
The comments received after opening the procedure have not changed this conclusion.
Betegnelse af støtten som ulovlig støtte
Classification of the measure as illegal aid
Da støtten blev ydet og udbetalt uden forudgående anmeldelse, udgør den en ulovlig støtte i henhold til artikel 1, litra f), i Rådets forordning (EF) nr. 659/1999 af 22. marts 1999 om fastlæggelse af regler for anvendelsen af EF-traktatens artikel 93 [11].
Since the aid was granted and paid without prior notification to the Commission, it is illegal within the meaning of Article 1(f) of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 of 22 March 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 93 of the EC Treaty [11].
Vurdering af støttens forenelighed
Assessment of the compatibility of the aid measure
I ovennævnte beslutning om at indlede proceduren blev der taget højde for to forhold, som de nederlandske myndigheder havde fremført, og som muligvis kunne berettige støtten.
The opening decision mentioned earlier referred to two possible justifications for the aid awarded by the Dutch authorities.
I første omgang, dvs. i forbindelse med bevilling af støtten, anførte myndighederne, at der var tale om investeringsstøtte i henhold til SPD for Flevoland (se betragtning 9 ovenfor).
At first, i.e. when the aid was awarded, they indicated that it was investment aid which should fall within the scope of the Flevoland SPD (see supra recital 9).
Myndighederne i provinsen Flevoland ændrede efterfølgende denne investeringsstøtte til erstatning for tab som følge af, at der ikke blev ydet støtte.
The Flevoland Province authorities later converted this investment aid into compensation for the losses suffered when the aid was withdrawn.
De oplysninger, som Farm Dairy fremsendte i forbindelse med indledningen af proceduren, analyseres i afsnittet om, hvorvidt støtten kan betragtes som investeringsstøtte.
The information provided by Farm Dairy on the opening of the procedure will be examined in the section dealing with the compatibility of the aid as investment aid.