natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The Commission considers, in the light of the considerations set out above, that the measures implemented in this case to the benefit of the beneficiaries provide them with an advantage which cannot be enjoyed by other operators and distort or threaten to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings and the production of certain goods since they are likely to affect trade between Member States.
Komisija na podlagi zgornjih razmislekov meni, da je bila z ukrepi, ki so bili v obravnavanem primeru uvedeni v korist upravičencev, tem podeljena prednost, ki jo drugi gospodarski subjekti niso mogli koristiti, ter da ti ukrepi izkrivljajo ali bi lahko izkrivljali konkurenco z dajanjem prednosti posameznim podjetjem ali proizvodnji posameznega blaga, ker lahko vplivajo na trgovino med državami članicami.
For these reasons, the Commission concludes that the measure in question falls within the scope of Article 107(1) TFEU and constitutes State aid.
Iz teh razlogov Komisija ugotavlja, da zadevni ukrep spada pod člen 107(1) PDEU in pomeni državno pomoč.
EXAMINATION OF THE COMPATIBILITY OF THE AID
PREUČITEV ZDRUŽLJIVOSTI POMOČI
SCOPE OF THE DECISION
PODROČJE UPORABE SKLEPA
The French authorities consider that the Decision in question should relate only to the inter-branch agreement of 12 June 2001, as explained above (cf. recital 56).
Francoski organi menijo, da bi se moral ta sklep nanašati samo na medpanožni sporazum z dne 12. junija 2001, kot je bilo pojasnjeno zgoraj (glej točko 56 obrazložitve).
In the context of aid NN 34/95, the Commission did not have any information relating to the FNE levies, nor to the system for the financing of aid in this context [38].
Komisija v okviru pomoči NN 34/95 ni imela informacij o prispevkih FNE ali sistemu financiranja pomoči, ki spadajo pod to zadevo [38].
In addition, its position only related to aid for investments in favour of certain farmers, particularly in the context of first acquisition of animals.
Poleg tega se je njeno stališče nanašalo samo na pomoči za naložbe v korist nekaterih živinorejcev, zlasti za prvi nakup živali.
The Commission did not adopt positions either with regard to the compulsory voluntary levy system, aid for genetic improvement, the genetic information system, biotechnology and economic studies, or the promotion, technical assistance and research and experimentation measures financed by the Interbev levies, which were not notified in accordance with Article 108(3) TFEU.
Komisija tudi ni sprejela stališča v zvezi s sistemom obveznega prostovoljnega prispevka ali pomočmi za genetske izboljšave, sistemom genetskih informacij, biotehnologijo ali ekonomskimi študijami ali v zvezi z ukrepi promocije, tehnične pomoči, raziskav in poizkusov, ki so se financirali s prispevki Interbev in niso bili priglašeni v smislu člena 108(3) PDEU.
These measures were mentioned by France in its letter of 29 April 1996 in the context of case NN 49/96, but only with regard to measures relating to the FNE.
Francija je te ukrepe omenila v dopisu z dne 29. aprila 1996 v okviru zadeve NN 49/96, vendar samo v zvezi z dejavnostmi sklada FNE.
In response to that letter, the Commission requested additional information in a letter dated 30 May 1996 (VI/021559) in order to clarify the nature and scope of the financial instruments facilitating the restructuring of the livestock organisations involved in the identification and selection of animals and the development measures.
Vendar je Komisija v odgovor na ta dopis z dopisom z dne 30. maja 1996 (VI/021559) zahtevala dodatne informacije, da bi razumela naravo in obseg finančnih orodij, s katerimi naj bi se olajšalo prestrukturiranje živinorejskih subjektov, vključenih v identifikacijo in selekcijo živali, ter razvojne ukrepe.
The Commission also requested that a fact sheet be completed.
Komisija je prosila tudi, naj organi izpolnijo informativni list.
However, the French authorities did not reply to the letter and the Commission did not adopt a position on the compatibility of the measures in question with the internal market.
Vendar pa francoski organi na ta dopis niso odgovorili in Komisija se ni nikoli izrekla o združljivosti zadevnih dejavnosti z notranjim trgom.
The Commission opened the procedure provided for in Article 108(2) TFEU, in relation to the aid in question, by a letter dated 9 July 2003 [39].
Komisija je z dopisom z dne 9. julija 2003 začela postopek iz člena 108(2) PDEU v zvezi z zadevno pomočjo [39].
The inter-branch agreements of 15 June 1994 to the benefit of the livestock fund and of 18 December 1995 to the benefit of Interbev, as well as the State aids financed by these agreements, therefore still have to be examined in the light of the rules on State aid since they have not been approved by the Commission.
Medpanožna sporazuma z dne 15. junija 1994 v korist sklada za živinorejo in z dne 18. decembra 1995 v korist združenja Interbev ter državne pomoči, financirane s tema sporazumoma, bi bilo torej še vedno treba preučiti na podlagi pravil o državnih pomočeh, ker jih Komisija ni odobrila.
Consequently, this Decision also concerns the agreements of 15 June 1994 to the benefit of FNE and 18 December 1995 to the benefit of Interbev.
Zato se ta sklep nanaša tudi na sporazuma z dne 15. junija 1994 v korist sklada FNE in z dne 18. decembra 1995 v korist združenja Interbev.
In its analysis of these agreements, the Commission did not comment on the measures financed by the above inter-branch levies.
Komisija se pri analizi teh sporazumov ni izrekla o ukrepih, financiranih z navedenimi medpanožnimi prispevki.
As indicated in recital 57, the French authorities implicitly accepted this interpretation.
Kot je navedeno v točki 57 obrazložitve, so francoski organi implicitno sprejeli to razlago.
APPLICATION OF ARTICLE 107(3) TFEU
UPORABA ČLENA 107(3) PDEU
There are exceptions to the general principle of the incompatibility of State aid with the TFEU pursuant to Article 107 of the TFEU, whilst it is clear that some are not applicable to the case in point, notably the exceptions under paragraph 2.
Člen 107 PDEU določa izjeme od splošnega načela nezdružljivosti državnih pomoči s PDEU, čeprav se nekatere od njih očitno ne uporabljajo, zlasti tiste, določene v odstavku 2 navedenega člena.
These were not cited by the French authorities.
Tudi francoski organi se niso sklicevale nanje.
As regards the exceptions provided for in Article 107(3), they must be strictly interpreted when examining any regional or sectoral aid programme or any individual aid under general aid schemes.
Kar zadeva odstopanja iz člena 107(3), jih je treba pri preučitvi vsake sheme pomoči za regionalni ali sektorski namen ali vsakega posameznega primera uporabe splošnih shem pomoči razlagati ozko.
In particular, they can only be granted in cases where the Commission can establish that the aid is necessary to achieve one of the stated aims.
Predvsem se lahko odobrijo samo, če bi Komisija lahko ugotovila, da je pomoč nujna za uresničitev enega od zadevnih ciljev.
Granting the benefit of the aforementioned exceptions for aid without such consideration would amount to allowing trade between Member States to be damaged and competition distorted, which would be unjustifiable with regard to Community interests, and by the same token, would allow undue advantage for the operators of certain Member States.
Odobritev pravice do navedenih odstopanj za pomoči, ki ne vključujejo takšne protivrednosti, bi pomenila, da se omogočajo škodovanje trgovini med državami članicami in izkrivljanje konkurence, ki ni upravičeno z vidika interesa Skupnosti, ter soodvisno neupravičene prednosti za izvajalce dejavnosti v nekaterih državah članicah.
The Commission considers that the contested aid is not intended to promote the economic development of areas where the standard of living is abnormally low or where there is serious underemployment within the meaning of Article 107(3)(a).
Komisija meni, da zadevne pomoči niso namenjene pospeševanju gospodarskega razvoja območja, kjer je življenjska raven izjemno nizka ali kjer je podzaposlenost velika v smislu člena 107(3)(a).
It is also 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 within the meaning of Article 107(3)(b).
Prav tako niso namenjene pospeševanju izvedbe pomembnega projekta skupnega evropskega interesa ali odpravljanju resne motnje v gospodarstvu države članice v smislu člena 107(3)(b).
Nor is it intended to promote culture and heritage conservation within the meaning of Article 107(3)(d).
Pomoči tudi niso namenjene pospeševanju kulture in ohranjanja kulturne dediščine v smislu člena 107(3)(d).
Article 107(3)(c) does however provide that aid intended to facilitate the development of certain economic activities or of certain economic areas where such aid does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest may be considered to be compatible with the internal market.
Vendar pa člen 107(3)(c) določa, da se pomoč 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, lahko šteje za združljivo z notranjim trgom.
IDENTIFYING THE GUIDELINES APPLICABLE TO THE NON-NOTIFIED MEASURES
DOLOČITEV SMERNIC, KI SE UPORABLJAJO ZA NEPRIGLAŠENE UKREPE
In accordance with point 194 of the Community guidelines for State aid in the agriculture and forestry sector and the Commission notice on the determination of the applicable rules for the assessment of unlawful State aid [40], all unlawful aid within the meaning of Article 1(f) of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 [41] must be assessed in accordance with the texts in force at the time when the aid was granted [42].
V skladu s točko 194 Smernic Skupnosti o državni pomoči v kmetijskem in gozdarskem sektorju in Obvestilom Komisije o določitvi pravil, ki se uporabljajo za oceno nezakonitih državnih pomoči [40], je treba vsako nezakonito pomoč v smislu člena 1(f) Uredbe Sveta (ES) št. 659/1999 [41] oceniti v skladu s pravili in smernicami, ki veljajo ob dodelitvi pomoči [42].
Between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2006, the Community guidelines for State aid in the agriculture sector applied.
Med 1. januarjem 2000 in 31. decembrom 2006 so se uporabljale Smernice Skupnosti o državni pomoči v kmetijskem sektorju.
With effect from 1 January 2007, the Community guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sector 2007-2013 have applied.
Od 1. januarja 2007 se uporabljajo Smernice Skupnosti o državni pomoči v kmetijskem in gozdarskem sektorju 2007–2013.
Conversely, any aid granted before that date must, where appropriate, be assessed in the light of the measures and practice applicable before 1 January 2000.
Nasprotno bo treba vsako pomoč, dodeljeno pred tem datumom, po potrebi presoditi na podlagi določb in prakse, ki so se uporabljale pred 1. januarjem 2000.
COMPATIBILITY OF THE COMPULSORY VOLUNTARY LEVIES WITH THE CMO SYSTEM
ZDRUŽLJIVOST OBVEZNIH PROSTOVOLJNIH PRISPEVKOV S SISTEMOM SUT
With regard to the question of the compatibility of the compulsory voluntary levies with the CMO system, against the background of Case C-355/00 Freskot [43] the Commission considers that, in the present case, the compulsory voluntary levies do not interfere, directly or indirectly, with the price of the end products concerned since the levies do not have an impact on product prices, which are determined by the free market.
Komisija v zvezi z združljivostjo obveznih prostovoljnih prispevkov s sistemom SUT na podlagi zadeve C-355/00 Freskot [43] meni, da v obravnavanem primeru obvezni prostovoljni prispevki ne posegajo neposredno ali posredno v cene zadevnih končnih proizvodov, ker dajatve ne vplivajo na ceno proizvodov, saj se ta določa na prostem trgu.
The levy on meat products and animals reared is therefore offset by the benefit represented by the measures financed.
Tako je breme, ki ga nosijo mesni proizvodi in rejene živali, nevtralizirano s prednostjo, ki jo pomenijo financirane dejavnosti.
Consequently, it can be considered that the impact of the levies on prices is very limited.
Zato je mogoče meniti, da so učinki dajatev na ceno zelo omejeni.
In the light of the information provided, the financing of this scheme does not give rise to any objections.
Glede na predložene informacije financiranje tega sistema ni sporno.
ANALYSIS IN THE LIGHT OF THE APPLICABLE RULES
ANALIZA UKREPOV NA PODLAGI VELJAVNIH DOLOČB
Measures funded by the meat levies
Ukrepi, izvedeni na podlagi prispevkov za meso
As regards the aid for promotion, the compatibility of the aid granted prior to 1 January 2002 must be assessed in the light of the rules on State aid for advertising of agricultural products and certain products not covered by Annex II to the EEC Treaty [44] and, for aid granted after that date, in the light of the Community guidelines for State aid for advertising of products listed in Annex I to the EC Treaty and of certain non-Annex I products [45].
Kar zadeva pomoči za promocijo, je treba združljivost pomoči, dodeljenih pred 1. januarjem 2002, preveriti z vidika Okvira o nacionalni pomoči za oglaševanje kmetijskih proizvodov in nekaterih proizvodov, ki niso zajeti v Prilogi II k Pogodbi EGS [44], pomoči, dodeljenih po tem datumu, pa z vidika Smernic Skupnosti o državni pomoči za oglaševanje proizvodov iz Priloge I k Pogodbi ES in nekaterih proizvodov, ki niso zajeti v Prilogi I [45].
The 1987 rules and the 2002 guidelines apply, for the most part, the same principles.
Okvir iz leta 1987 in Smernice iz leta 2002 v bistvu vsebujejo enaka načela.
They set out negative and positive criteria which must be complied with by all national aid schemes.
Določajo negativna in pozitivna merila, ki jih je treba upoštevati pri vseh shemah državnih pomoči.
Accordingly, the measures in question must not be advertising measures which conflict with the provisions of Article 34 TFEU or secondary Community law, nor measures for the benefit of specific undertakings.
Tako oglaševalski ukrepi ne smejo biti niti v nasprotju s členom 34 PDEU ali s sekundarnim pravom Skupnosti niti ne smejo biti namenjeni določenim podjetjem.
According to the information provided by the French authorities, it is possible to conclude that the objectives of these measures are compliant with several of the positive criteria set out in the aforementioned rules and guidelines since some relate to the objective of reducing excess agriculture production and others to the objective of developing high-quality products and healthy eating.
Na podlagi informacij, ki so jih poslali francoski organi, je mogoče ugotoviti, da bodo ti ukrepi imeli cilje, ki so v skladu z več pozitivnimi merili, določenimi v zgoraj navedenih okviru in smernicah, ker bodo nekateri del cilja zmanjševanja presežne kmetijske proizvodnje, drugi pa del cilja razvoja visokokakovostnih proizvodov in zdrave prehrane.
The French authorities have also explained that the messages conveyed by the advertising measures will not seek to dissuade consumers from buying products from other Member States or denigrate those products, nor will they benefit the brand of a particular undertaking or an individual producer.
Francoski organi so poleg tega pojasnili, da cilj sporočil iz oglaševalskih ukrepov ne bo odvrniti potrošnike od kupovanja proizvodov iz drugih držav članic ali očrniti navedene proizvode ter da ti ukrepi ne bodo koristili blagovni znamki posameznega podjetja ali posameznega proizvajalca.
As regards the ceilings on aid, up to 50 % of the financing for publicity measures may come from State resources and the balance must be provided by the trade bodies and inter-branch organisations that benefit from the measures concerned, either in the form of voluntary contributions or by the levying of parafiscal charges or compulsory contributions.
Kar zadeva zgornjo mejo pomoči, se oglaševalski ukrepi lahko financirajo v višini 50 % z državnimi sredstvi, preostanek pa morajo prispevati upravičene panožne in medpanožne organizacije bodisi s prostovoljnimi prispevki bodisi s pobiranjem davku podobnih dajatev ali obveznih prispevkov.
In the present case, the measures are entirely financed by parafiscal charges, where the professionals’ financial contributions to the campaigns correspond by definition to 50 % of costs.
V obravnavanem primeru se ukrepi v celoti financirajo z davkom podobnimi dajatvami, finančni prispevek akterjev v tem sektorju za te kampanje pa po definiciji dosega 50 % njihovih stroškov.
The Commission considers that the public aid paid to finance the promotion measures in question complied with the criteria established under the Community legislation applicable in this area.
Komisija meni, da so bila pri javnih pomočeh, izplačanih za financiranje promocijskih ukrepov, v obravnavanem primeru upoštevana merila, določena v veljavni zakonodaji Skupnosti s tega področja.
The compatibility of the aid granted prior to 1 January 2000 must be assessed in the light of Commission practice based on the proposal for appropriate measures relating to aids granted by Member States in the livestock and livestock products sector [46] and, in the case of aid granted after that date, in the light of the agricultural guidelines [47].
Združljivost pomoči za tehnično pomoč, dodeljenih pred 1. januarjem 2000, je treba analizirati z vidika prakse Komisije, ki temelji na predlogu za primerne ukrepe v zvezi s pomočmi, ki jih države članice dodelijo v sektorju živinoreje in živinorejskih proizvodov [46], pomoči, dodeljenih po tem datumu, pa z vidika kmetijskih smernic [47].
Essentially, Commission practice prior to the year 2000 and the agricultural guidelines adopted in that year are based on the same principles.
Praksa Komisije, ki se je uporabljala pred letom 2000, in kmetijske smernice, sprejete leta 2000, v bistvu vsebujejo enaka načela.
Thus, aid covering 100 % of eligible expenditure is authorised in particular for technical assistance measures based on information and accounting support, measures to spread new techniques, and measures relating to the training of farm workers.
Tako so pomoči, dodeljene v višini 100 % upravičenih izdatkov, dovoljene zlasti v zvezi z ukrepi tehnične pomoči z obveščanjem in računovodsko pomočjo, ukrepi v zvezi z razširjanjem novih tehnik in ukrepi v zvezi z usposabljanjem kmetijskih delavcev.
A new condition was introduced with the adoption of the guidelines in 2000 when it was stipulated that the aid must be accessible to all eligible parties operating in the area in question under objectively defined conditions, and that the total amount of aid granted cannot exceed EUR 100000 per beneficiary per three-year period or, in the case of SMEs, 50 % of eligible expenditure, whichever is greater.
S sprejetjem smernic leta 2000 je bil dodan nov pogoj, na podlagi katerega morajo biti pomoči pod objektivno opredeljenimi pogoji dostopne vsem upravičenim osebam, ki delujejo na zadevnem območju, in na podlagi katerega skupni znesek dodeljene pomoči ne sme presegati 100000 EUR na upravičenca za obdobje treh let ali v primeru malih in srednje velikih podjetij 50 % upravičenih izdatkov, pri čemer se upošteva višji znesek.
The French authorities have explained that the criterion of access to the work carried out by all potentially interested professional parties is fully respected.
Francoski organi so pojasnili, da je merilo dostopa vseh morebiti zainteresiranih akterjev v sektorju do opravljenih del v celoti izpolnjeno.
The Commission considers, on the basis of the information provided by the French authorities relating to the very high number of beneficiaries in particular, that the criterion relating to the aid ceiling is respected.
Komisija na podlagi informacij, ki so jih poslali francoski organi zlasti v zvezi z zelo velikim številom upravičencev, meni, da je merilo v zvezi z zgornjo mejo izpolnjeno.
The Commission considers that the public aid paid to finance the technical assistance measures in question complies with the criteria established by the Community rules applicable in this area.
Komisija meni, da so bila pri javnih pomočeh, izplačanih za financiranje ukrepov tehnične pomoči, v obravnavanem primeru upoštevana merila, določena z veljavnimi pravili Skupnosti s tega področja.
Research and experimentation
Raziskave in poizkusi
With regard to research and development measures, the compatibility of aid granted before 1 January 2000 must be verified in the light of the Community framework for State aid for research and development and the Commission Communication amending that framework, and for aid granted after that date, in the light of the agriculture guidelines, which refer to the framework under point 17.
Kar zadeve ukrepe raziskav in poizkusov, je treba združljivost pomoči, dodeljenih pred 1. januarjem 2000, preveriti z vidika Okvira Skupnosti za državno pomoč za raziskave in razvoj in Sporočila Komisije o spremembi navedenega okvira, pomoči, dodeljenih po tem datumu, pa z vidika kmetijskih smernic, ki se v točki 17 sklicujejo na navedeni okvir.
In accordance with the Community framework, a level of aid up to 100 % may be compatible with the internal market, even where research and development is carried out by firms, subject to fulfilment in each case of the following four conditions:
V Okviru Skupnosti je pojasnjeno, da je z notranjim trgom združljiva stopnja pomoči, ki lahko doseže 100 %, tudi če bi raziskave in razvoj izvajala podjetja, če so v vseh primerih izpolnjeni naslednji štirje pogoji:
the aid is of general interest to the sector concerned, without causing undue distortion of competition in other sectors;
pomoč je v splošnem interesu zadevnega sektorja in ne povzroča neupravičenega izkrivljanja konkurence v drugih sektorjih;
information must be published in appropriate newspapers with at least national circulation and not limited to the members of individual organisations to ensure that any operator potentially interested in the work can easily find out that it is being or has been carried out and that the results are or will be made available on request to any interested party.
obvestilo mora biti objavljeno v ustreznih časopisih, ki imajo najmanj nacionalno naklado in niso omejeni na člane določene organizacije, tako da se zagotovi, da je lahko vsak gospodarski subjekt, ki ga ta dejavnost morebiti zanima, obveščen, da se dejavnost izvaja ali je bila izvedena in da rezultati so ali bodo na zahtevo zagotovljeni vsem zainteresiranim stranem.
This information must be published on a date not later than any information given directly to members of individual organisations;
To obvestilo bo objavljeno na datum, ki ne bo poznejši od datuma kakršnega koli obvestila, ki se lahko zagotovi članom določene organizacije;
the results of the work will be provided for exploitation by all parties interested, including the beneficiary of the aid, on an equal basis in terms of both cost and timing;
rezultati dela se za uporabo predložijo vsem zadevnim stranem, vključno z upravičencem do pomoči, na enaki podlagi v smislu stroškov in časa;
the aid fulfils the conditions laid down in Annex II ‘Domestic support: the basis for exemption from the State aid reduction commitments’ to the Agreement on Agriculture concluded during the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations [48].
pomoč izpolnjuje pogoje iz Priloge 2 „Državna podpora: osnova za oprostitev obveznosti za zmanjšanje“ k sporazumu o kmetijstvu, sklenjenemu med urugvajskim krogom večstranskih trgovinskih pogajanj [48].
The French authorities have explained in this regard that Interbev’s research and technical experimentation measures are carried out to the benefit of all stakeholders in the sector.
Francoski organi so v zvezi s tem pojasnili, da se ukrepi raziskav in tehničnih poizkusov združenja Interbev izvajajo v korist vseh akterjev v sektorju.