natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
Rendering was therefore carried out in the country of origin on the bulk of meat products imported into France.
Velika večina mesnih izdelkov, uvoženih v Francijo, je torej že šla skozi predelavo klavnih trupov v državi porekla.
Accordingly, as the Commission stated when the investigation was initiated, the complainants also cite a circular published by the French Direction Générale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Répression des Fraudes, to the effect that the levy on purchases of meat ‘may affect foreign producers' profit margins or reduce their sales’ and accordingly ‘it carries the risk of adversely affecting trading conditions.’
Tožniki zato, kot je Komisija že navedla ob začetku preiskovalnega postopka, navajajo tudi okrožnico, ki jo je objavil francoski Generalni direktorat za konkurenco, porabo in preprečevanje davčnih utaj, po kateri lahko dajatev na odkup mesa „škodi stopnjam dobička ali zmanjša možnosti tujih proizvajalcev za prodajo“ in zato „ustvari tveganje škodljive spremembe pogojev trgovanja“.
The Commission therefore concludes that the measure in favour of livestock farmers and slaughterhouses has at least potential impact on trade.
Komisija torej zaključuje, da obstaja vsaj morebiten vpliv na trgovino, kar zadeva ukrep v korist rejcev in klavnic.
As regards trade exempted from the levy, the Commission is of the opinion that the exemption from the levy has at least potential impact, in particular in border areas, and therefore on cross-border trade.
Komisija o trgovini, oproščeni plačila dajatve, meni, da obstaja vsaj morebiten vpliv oprostitve plačila dajatve zlasti na obmejnih območjih in torej na čezmejno trgovino.
By way of a conclusion, all these aid measures taken together appear likely to affect trade between Member States.
Nazadnje se zdi, da lahko vse te pomoči, obravnavane z vseh vidikov, prizadenejo trgovino med državami članicami.
The sectors concerned are wide open to competition at Community level and are accordingly sensitive to any measure favouring enterprises in any particular Member State.
Zadevni sektorji so zelo odprti za konkurenco na ravni Skupnosti in zato občutljivi na vsak ukrep v korist podjetij v eni ali drugi državi članici.
DISTORTION OF COMPETITION
IZKRIVLJANJE KONKURENCE
In its judgment on the GEMO case, the Court of Justice also took the view that assistance by the public authorities to free farmers and slaughterhouses from financial charges in connection with the PRS appears to be an economic advantage that is likely to distort competition.
Sodišče je poleg tega v sodbi v zadevi GEMO menilo, da se pomoč državnih organov, s katero bi rejce in klavnice oprostili finančnih stroškov v okviru javne storitve predelave klavnih trupov, kaže kot gospodarska korist, ki lahko izkrivlja konkurenco.
The Commission considers that this conclusion also applies in the case of rendering undertakings, butcheries and cutting plants holding SRM and trade exempted from payment.
Komisija meni, da takšen sklep velja tudi za kafilerije, mesnice in razsekovalnice, ki imajo snovi s specifičnim tveganjem, ter trgovine, oproščene plačila dajatve.
All these economic sectors operate on a market that is open to competition and where the volume of trade, as described in recital 171, is very large, since some agri-food enterprises affected by the aid are very large.
Vsi ti gospodarski subjekti delujejo na trgu, odprtem za konkurenco, kjer je obseg trgovinske menjave, kot je opisan v uvodni izjavi 171, zelo velik zaradi ogromne velikosti nekaterih živilskopredelovalnih podjetij, ki jih pomoči zadevajo.
CONCLUSIONS ON THE MEASURE'S STATUS AS AID WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 87(1) OF THE TREATY
SKLEPNE UGOTOVITVE O NARAVI „POMOČI“ V SMISLU ČLENA 87(1) POGODBE
In the light of the foregoing, the Commission considers that the measures in favour of rendering undertakings, livestock farmers and slaughterhouses, cutting plants and butchers holding SRM and traders exempted from the levy grant them an advantage from which other operators cannot benefit.
Komisija z vidika zgoraj navedenega meni, da ukrepi v korist kafilerij, rejcev in klavnic, razsekovalnic in mesarjev, ki imajo snovi s specifičnim tveganjem, ter trgovcev, oproščenih plačila dajatve, le-tem dajejo korist, katere ugodnosti drugi nosilci dejavnosti ne morejo uživati.
That advantage distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain enterprises and the production of certain goods in so far as it is likely to affect trade between Member States.
Ta korist izkrivlja ali bi lahko izkrivljala konkurenco z dajanjem prednosti nekaterim podjetjem ali proizvodnji posameznega blaga, kakor hitro lahko prizadene trgovino med državami članicami.
As a consequence, the Commission concludes that those measures fall within the scope of Article 87(1) of the Treaty.
Komisija zato sklepa, da ti ukrepi spadajo v okvir člena 87(1) Pogodbe.
COMPATIBILITY OF THE AID MEASURES
PREVERJANJE ZDRUŽLJIVOSTI POMOČI
Article 87 of the Treaty makes provision, however, for exceptions from the general principle that State aid is incompatible with the Treaty, although some of those exceptions clearly do not apply, and in particular those laid down in paragraph 2 of that Article.
Člen 87 Pogodbe vseeno pozna izjeme od splošnega načela nezdružljivosti državnih pomoči s Pogodbo, čeprav se nekatere med njimi očitno ne uporabljajo, zlasti tiste, določene v odstavku 2 navedenega člena.
The French authorities have not invoked those exceptions.
Francoski organi se niso sklicevali na te izjeme.
The exceptions laid down in Article 87(3) of the Treaty must be interpreted strictly when any regional or sectoral aid programme or any individual case of application of general aid schemes is being examined.
Odstopanja, določena v členu 87(3) Pogodbe, je treba strogo razlagati pri preverjanju vsakega programa pomoči za regijo ali panogo ali vsakega posameznega primera uporabe splošnih sistemov pomoči.
In particular, they can only be allowed where the Commission can establish that the aid is necessary to achieve one of the objectives in question.
Predvsem se lahko odobrijo samo, kadar Komisija lahko ugotovi, da je pomoč potrebna za uresničitev enega od zadevnih ciljev.
Granting the benefit of those exceptions to aid measures where this is not the case would be tantamount to permitting trade between Member States to be affected and distortion of competition that has no justification in the Community interest to occur and, by the same token, to allowing operators in some Member States to enjoy undue advantages.
Odobritev pravice do navedenih odstopanj pomočem, ki ne vključujejo takšne protivrednosti, bi pomenila, da se omogoča škodovanje trgovini med državami članicami in izkrivljanje konkurence, ki ni upravičeno z vidika interesa Skupnosti, ter soodvisno neupravičene koristi za izvajalce dejavnosti v nekaterih državah članicah.
The Commission considers that the aid in question is not intended to favour the economic development of a region where the standard of living is abnormally low or there is serious unemployment in accordance with Article 87(3)(a) of the Treaty.
Komisija meni, da sporne pomoči niso namenjene pospeševanju gospodarskega razvoja območja, kjer je življenjska raven izjemno nizka ali kjer je podzaposlenost velika, v skladu s točko (a) člena 87(3) Pogodbe.
It is not intended to promote the execution of an important project of common European interest or to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State in accordance with Article 87(3)(b) of the Treaty.
Prav tako niso namenjene pospeševanju izvedbe pomembnega projekta skupnega evropskega interesa ali odpravljanju resne motnje v gospodarstvu države članice v skladu s točko (b) člena 87(3) Pogodbe.
And it is not intended to promote culture and heritage conservation in accordance with Article 87(3)(d) of the Treaty.
Pomoč prav tako ni namenjena pospeševanju kulture ali ohranjanja kulturne dediščine v skladu s točko (d) člena 87(3) Pogodbe.
Article 87(3)(c) of the Treaty provides, however, that aid to facilitate the development of certain economic activities or of certain economic areas can be considered compatible with the common market where such aid does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest.
Točka (c) člena 87(3) Pogodbe vseeno določa, da se lahko pomoči za pospeševanje razvoja določenih gospodarskih dejavnosti ali določenih gospodarskih območij, kadar takšna pomoč ne spreminja trgovinskih pogojev v obsegu, ki bi bil v nasprotju s skupnimi interesi, šteje kot združljive s skupnim trgom.
To qualify under the exception referred to in that point, the aid must contribute to the development of the sector in question.
Pomoč mora prispevati k razvoju zadevnega sektorja, da bi lahko bila upravičena do odstopanja iz navedene točke.
UNLAWFULNESS OF THE AID
NEZAKONITOST POMOČI
The Commission must point out, first, that France did not inform it, pursuant to Article 88(3) of the Treaty, of the provisions introducing the rendering levy and the measures financed by it.
Komisija mora predhodno opozoriti, da je Francija v skladu s členom 88(3) Pogodbe ni obvestila o sistemu, ki uvaja dajatev na predelavo klavnih trupov, in ukrepih, ki se iz nje financirajo.
Article 1(f) of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 of 22 March 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 88 of the EC Treaty [41] defines unlawful aid as new aid put into effect in contravention of Article 88(3) of the Treaty.
Člen 1(f) Uredbe Sveta (ES) št. 659/1999 z dne 22. marca 1999 o določitvi podrobnih pravil za uporabo člena 88 Pogodbe ES [41] opredeljuje nezakonito pomoč kot novo pomoč, ki se izvaja s kršitvijo člena 88(3) Pogodbe.
The obligation to notify State aid is set down in Article 1(c) of that Regulation [42].
Obveznost obveščanja o državnih pomočeh je bila potrjena v členu 1(c) navedene uredbe [42].
The measures implemented by France contain elements of State aid; they involve new aid that has not been notified to the Commission, which means they are unlawful under the Treaty.
Ker so ukrepi, ki jih je izvedla Francija, vsebovali elemente državne pomoči, gre za nove pomoči, o katerih Komisija ni bila obveščena, in zato nezakonite v smislu Pogodbe.
GUIDELINES APPLICABLE TO MEASURES NOT NOTIFIED
DOLOČITEV SMERNIC, VELJAVNIH ZA NEPRIGLAŠENE UKREPE
Since State aid financed by a parafiscal charge is involved, the Commission must examine both the measures financed, i.e. the aid, and the way they are financed.
Komisija mora preveriti financirane ukrepe, se pravi pomoči, in njihovo financiranje, ko gre za državno pomoč, financirano z davkom podobno dajatvijo.
According to the Court, where the method of financing the aid, in particular through compulsory contributions, forms an integral part of the aid measure, the Commission must take that method of financing into account when examining the aid [43].
Tako mora po mnenju Sodišča, kadar je način financiranja pomoči zlasti iz obveznih prispevkov sestavni del ukrepa pomoči, preverjanje te pomoči s strani Komisije nujno upoštevati ta način financiranja [43].
In accordance with point 23.3 of the Community Guidelines for State aid in the agriculture sector and the Commission Notice on the determination of the applicable rules for the assessment of unlawful State aid [44], any unlawful aid within the meaning of Article 1(f) of Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 must be assessed in accordance with the rules and guidelines in force at the time the aid was granted.
V skladu s točko 23.3 kmetijskih smernic in sporočilom Komisije o določitvi pravil za ocenjevanje nezakonitih državnih pomoči [44] je treba vsako nezakonito pomoč v smislu člena 1(f) Uredbe (ES) št. 659/1999 oceniti v skladu s pravili in smernicami, ki veljajo ob dodelitvi pomoči.
In 2002, the Commission adopted Community Guidelines for State aid concerning TSE tests, fallen stock and slaughterhouse waste [45] (hereinafter referred to as the TSE Guidelines).
Komisija je leta 2002 sprejela smernice Skupnosti o državnih pomočeh, povezanih s testi za TSE, poginulimi živalmi in klavniškimi odpadki [45] (v nadaljevanju „smernice o TSE“).
Those Guidelines have been applicable since 1 January 2003.
Te smernice veljajo od 1. januarja 2003.
Point 44 of the TSE Guidelines provides that, leaving aside cases relating to fallen stock and slaughterhouse waste, unlawful aid within the meaning of Article 1(f) of Regulation (EC) No 659/1999(5) is to be assessed in accordance with the rules and guidelines applicable at the time when the aid was granted.
V točki 44 smernic o TSE je določeno, da se, razen v primerih, povezanih predvsem s poginulimi živalmi in klavniškimi odpadki, nezakonite pomoči v smislu člena 1(f) Uredbe (ES) št. 659/1999 preverijo v skladu s pravili in smernicami, ki veljajo ob dodelitvi pomoči.
In the case of these two types of aid, therefore, the TSE Guidelines lay down the rules relevant to the case in point.
Smernice o TSE so torej za ti dve vrsti pomoči primeren okvir za preučitev tega primera.
Points 46 and 47 of the TSE Guidelines lay down a set of provisions concerning fallen stock and slaughterhouse waste that are applicable in the case in point.
Točki 46 in 47 smernic o TSE določata vrsto določb o poginulih živalih in klavniških odpadkih, veljavnih v tem primeru.
According to point 46 of the TSE Guidelines, to date the Commission has not clearly defined its policy on State aid towards fallen stock, in particular as regards the link between, on the one hand, the rules for combating diseases as set out in point 11.4. of the agriculture Guidelines, which allow State aid of up to 100 %, and, on the other hand, the application of the ‘polluter pays’ principle and the rules on aid for dealing with waste.
Komisija do sedaj v skladu s točko 46 smernic o TSE glede državnih pomoči za pokritje stroškov, nastalih zaradi poginulih živali, ni jasno opredelila svoje politike zlasti z vidika razmerja med na eni strani pravili za boj proti boleznim, kot so opredeljena v točki 11.4 kmetijskih smernic in ki dovoljujejo, da državne pomoči pokrijejo do 100 % stroškov, ter na drugi strani uporabo načela „plača povzročitelj obremenitve“ in pravil o pomoči za ravnanje z odpadki.
As a consequence, as far as unlawful State aid to cover the costs of removing and destroying fallen stock, granted at the production, processing and marketing stages before the date of application of the TSE Guidelines, is concerned and without prejudice to compliance with other provisions of Community law, the Commission will authorise State aid of up to 100 % of such costs.
Zato bo Komisija, kar zadeva nezakonite državne pomoči za kritje stroškov, povezanih z odstranjevanjem in uničenjem poginulih živali, ki so bile na ravni proizvodnje, predelave in trženja živali dodeljene pred datumom uveljavitve smernic o TSE, ne da bi to vplivalo na upoštevanje drugih določb prava Skupnosti, dovolila, da državne pomoči pokrijejo do 100 % teh stroškov.
In accordance with point 47 of the TSE Guidelines, as far as State aid for slaughterhouse waste is concerned, a series of individual decisions have been taken by the Commission since January 2001 authorising State aid of up to 100 % of the costs of disposing of SRM, meat and bone meal, and animal feed containing such products, which must be disposed of under the new Community legislation on TSEs (transmissible spongiform encephalopathies).
Komisija je od januarja 2001 v skladu s točko 47 smernic o TSE o državnih pomočeh, povezanih s klavniškimi odpadki, sprejela vrsto posameznih določb, ki dovoljujejo, da državne pomoči krijejo do 100 % stroškov, nastalih zaradi odstranjevanja snovi s specifičnim tveganjem, mesne in kostne moke ter živalske krme, ki vsebuje takšne proizvode, ki jih je treba odstraniti v okviru nove zakonodaje Skupnosti o transmisivnih spongiformnih encefalopatijah (TSE).
Those decisions were based in particular on point 11.4 of the agriculture Guidelines, bearing in mind the short-term character of the aid and of the need for long-term observance of the ‘polluter pays’ principle.
Te odločbe so temeljile predvsem na točki 11.4 kmetijskih smernic ter upoštevale kratkotrajnost pomoči in nujnost dolgoročnega upoštevanja načela „plača povzročitelj obremenitve“.
By way of an exception, the Commission has allowed such State aid to be granted in addition to operators other than those active in the production of live animals, e.g. slaughterhouses.
Komisija je izjemoma odobrila, da se takšne državne pomoči dodelijo tudi drugim izvajalcem dejavnosti, ki se ne ukvarjajo s proizvodnjo živih živali, na primer klavnicam.
The Commission will apply the same principles to unlawful State aid granted before the end of 2002 for comparable costs in relation to new Community legislation on TSEs, and without prejudice to compliance with other provisions of Community law.
Komisija bo ista načela uporabila za nezakonite državne pomoči, dodeljene pred koncem leta 2002 za primerljive stroške, povezane z novo zakonodajo Skupnosti o TSE, ne da bi to vplivalo na druge določbe prava Skupnosti.
Any operating aid in favour of other operators must be considered in the light of the agriculture Guidelines.
Morebitne pomoči za tekoče poslovanje v korist drugih izvajalcev dejavnosti bo treba preveriti z vidika kmetijskih smernic.
ANALYSIS IN THE LIGHT OF THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS
ANALIZA Z VIDIKA VELJAVNIH DOLOČB
Aid
Pomoči
Aid to rendering undertakings
Pomoč za kafilerije
As regards unlawful State aid to cover the costs of removing and destroying fallen stock, granted at the production, processing and marketing stages before the date of implementation of those Guidelines and without prejudice to other provisions of Community legislation, point 46 of the TSE Guidelines provides that the Commission will authorise State aid of up to 100 % of those costs.
Smernice o TSE v točki 46 določajo, da bo Komisija, kar zadeva nezakonite državne pomoči za kritje stroškov, povezanih z odstranjevanjem in uničenjem poginulih živali, ki so bile na ravni proizvodnje, predelave in trženja živali dodeljene pred datumom uveljavitve smernic o TSE, ne da bi to vplivalo na upoštevanje drugih določb prava Skupnosti, dovolila, da državne pomoči pokrijejo do 100 % teh stroškov.
As regards State aid for slaughterhouse waste, point 47 of the TSE Guidelines states that a series of individual decisions have been taken by the Commission since January 2001, authorising State aid covering up to 100 % of the cost of disposing of SRM, meat and bone meal, and animal feed containing such products, which must be disposed of under the new Community legislation on TSEs.
Točka 47 smernic o TSE o državnih pomočeh, povezanih s klavniškimi odpadki, določa, da je Komisija od januarja 2001 sprejela vrsto posameznih odločb, ki dovoljujejo, da državne pomoči krijejo do 100 % stroškov, nastalih zaradi odstranjevanja snovi s specifičnim tveganjem, mesne in kostne moke ter živalske krme, ki vsebuje takšne proizvode, ki jih je treba odstraniti v okviru nove zakonodaje Skupnosti o transmisivnih spongiformnih encefalopatijah (TSE).
In addition, the Commission notes that, in line with points 33 and 34 of the TSE Guidelines, the undertakings were chosen and remunerated according to market principles, in a non-discriminatory manner, where necessary by issuing an invitation to tender in accordance with Community law, and in any event using advertising on a scale sufficient to ensure the services market was open to free competition and the impartiality of the procurement rules could be reviewed.
Komisija v povezavi z določbami v točkah 33 in 34 smernic o TSE tudi ugotavlja, da so bila podjetja načeloma izbrana in plačana v skladu z načeli trga in nediskriminacijsko, pri čemer sta bila po potrebi uporabljena postopek javnega razpisa v skladu z zakonodajo Skupnosti ter v vsakem primeru zadostna raven oglaševanja, ki je zadevnemu naročilu za storitve zagotovila svobodno konkurenco in omogočila nadzor nepristranskosti pravil o javnem razpisu.
The Commission agrees that requisitioning was also a suitable method under the circumstances, given the urgency of the measures to be taken and the lack of response to the invitations to tender.
Komisija se v zvezi z zasegom strinja, da je to sredstvo prav tako primerno zaradi nujnosti ukrepov, ki jih je treba sprejeti, in pomanjkanja odziva na javni razpis.
Point 47 of the TSE Guidelines points out that, by way of an exception, the Commission has agreed that such State aid should also be granted to operators other than those active in the production of live animals, such as slaughterhouses.
Točka 47 smernic o TSE opozarja, da se je Komisija izjemoma strinjala, da se takšne državne pomoči dodelijo tudi drugim izvajalcem dejavnosti, ki se ne ukvarjajo s proizvodnjo živih živali, na primer klavnicam.
The Commission is of the opinion that this exception must also cover other enterprises performing tasks closely linked to the production of live animals, such as rendering undertakings.
Komisija meni, da mora ta izjema veljati tudi za druga podjetja, ki opravljajo naloge, tesno povezane s proizvodnjo živih živali, kot so kafilerije.
On the basis of the facts outlined, the Commission is in a position to conclude that the aid for rendering undertakings in the case in point, granted in France during the period 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2002 and covering 100 % of the costs incurred, meets the conditions in the TSE Guidelines.
Komisija lahko na podlagi predstavljenih dejstev zaključi, da v tem primeru pomoči v korist kafilerij, ki jih je Francija med 1. januarjem 1997 in 31. decembrom 2002 dodelila v višini 100 % nastalih stroškov, izpolnjujejo pogoje smernic o TSE.
Aid to livestock farmers – Fallen stock
Pomoč za rejce – poginule živali
As regards unlawful State aid to cover the costs of removing and destroying fallen stock granted at the production, processing and marketing stages before the date of application of the TSE Guidelines and without prejudice to compliance with other provisions of Community law, point 46 of the TSE Guidelines provides that the Commission will authorise State aid of up to 100 % of such costs.
Smernice v točki 46 določajo, da bo Komisija, kar zadeva nezakonite državne pomoči za kritje stroškov, povezanih z odstranjevanjem in uničenjem poginulih živali, ki so bile na ravni proizvodnje, predelave in trženja živali dodeljene pred datumom uveljavitve navedenih smernic, ne da bi to vplivalo na upoštevanje drugih določb prava Skupnosti, dovolila, da državne pomoči pokrijejo do 100 % teh stroškov.
On the basis of the facts outlined, the Commission is therefore in a position to conclude that the aid for farmers granted in France during the period 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2002 and covering 100 % of the costs incurred meets the conditions laid down in the TSE Guidelines.
Komisija lahko na podlagi predstavljenih dejstev zaključi, da pomoči v korist rejcev, ki jih je Francija med 1. januarjem 1997 in 31. decembrom 2002 dodelila v višini 100 % nastalih stroškov, izpolnjujejo pogoje smernic o TSE.
Aid to slaughterhouses – Meat and offal seized at slaughterhouses
Pomoč za klavnice – meso in drobovina, zasežena v klavnici
Point 47 of the TSE Guidelines provides that as regards State aid for slaughterhouse waste, the Commission authorises unlawful State aid granted before the end of 2002 and covering up to 100 % of the cost of disposing of SRM, meat and bone meal, and animal feed containing such products, which must be disposed of under the new Community legislation on TSEs.
Smernice v točki 47 določajo, da Komisija, kar zadeva državne pomoči, povezane s klavniškimi odpadki, dovoljuje nezakonite državne pomoči, dodeljene pred koncem leta 2002, ki krijejo do 100 % stroškov, nastalih zaradi odstranjevanja snovi s specifičnim tveganjem, mesne in kostne moke ter živalske krme, ki vsebuje te proizvode, ki jih je treba odstraniti v okviru nove zakonodaje Skupnosti o TSE.