natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
According to point 105 of the Community guidelines for State aid in the agriculture and forestry sector 2007 to 2013 [36] (hereinafter ‘the 2007-2013 Guidelines’), State aid for the provision of technical support granted to companies active in the processing and marketing of agricultural products must fulfil all the conditions of Article 5 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 [37], subsequently replaced by Article 27(3) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 800/2008 [38].
Povprečna državna pomoč, odobrena na posameznega proizvajalca, je pri tem znašala približno 83 EUR.
According to those rules, the aid intensity must not exceed 50 % of the eligible costs.
Upravičenci tega ukrepa so bili proizvajalci mleka.
The eligible costs shall be the costs incurred for renting, setting up and running the stand for the first participation of an undertaking in any particular fair or exhibition.
RAZLOGI ZA ZAČETEK FORMALNEGA POSTOPKA PREISKAVE
Point 106 of the 2007-2013 Guidelines provides that state aid towards the cost covered by points 104 and 105 may not be granted to large companies.
V sklepu o začetku postopka je Komisija ugotovila, da so izpolnjeni vsi pogoji za obstoj državne pomoči [51].
Since Germany did not prove that any of the above conditions laid down for technical assistance had been satisfied in relation to this measure, the Commission expressed doubts in the Opening Decision as to its compatibility with the internal market.
Komisija je začela postopek v skladu s členom 108(2) PDEU, ker je na podlagi takrat razpoložljivih informacij dvomila o tem, ali so določeni podukrepi združljivi z notranjim trgom (v zvezi s tem glej točko 18).
The Opening Decision invited Germany to provide a full assessment of the respective measures in the light of the above criteria and to provide appropriate documentation substantiating its answers [39].
MNENJE NEMČIJE O ZAČETKU FORMALNEGA POSTOPKA PREISKAVE
In its comments dated 20 September 2013 [40], Germany explained that Rhineland-Palatinate would address the concerns of the Commission and amend the eligibility rules for future subsidies such that only the first participation of an undertaking in a particular fair or exhibition could be subsidised.
MNENJE ZAINTERESIRANIH STRANI O ZAČETKU FORMALNEGA POSTOPKA PREISKAVE
Germany argued that the requirements laid down in Section IV.K of the 2007-2013 Guidelines in connection with Article 15(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 [41] were thus fulfilled.
Med 6. in 18. februarjem 2014 je Komisija prejela deset mnenj zainteresiranih strani, ki se nanašajo na ukrepe, na katerih temelji ta sklep [52].
The funded projects were re-evaluated by the German authorities having regard to this additional requirement.
Združenje VMB je v zvezi s tem navedlo, da se glavne naloge in način njegove dejavnosti od leta 1954 niso spremenili in da združenje VMB od leta 1957 prejema sredstva iz „dajatve na mleko“.
In individual years, the following payments were made in relation to the repeated participation of an enterprise in a particular fair or exhibition.
Poleg tega združenje VMB v svojem mnenju trdi, da pri storitvah, ki jih ponuja, ne gre za konkretno „tehnično podporo“ za posamezna podjetja, temveč za splošne strokovne in objektivne informacije, ki so v enaki meri dostopne vsem zainteresiranim stranem.
Year
Združenje Milchwirtschaftlicher Verein Allgäu-Schwaben e.V (MV) v svojem mnenju z dne 4. februarja 2014, ki ga je Komisija prejela 6. februarja, v zvezi z ukrepom BY 10 navaja, da je cilj tega ukrepa posredovanje znanja in izkušenj na področjih, pomembnih za sektor mleka (npr. v zvezi z določbami živilske zakonodaje), državnim in drugim ustanovam.
Number
V ta namen dobijo zaposleni ustanove MUVA dostop do panožno pomembnih informacij, ki jih nato obdelajo in posredujejo naprej (v obliki mnenj, predavanj in objav, zlasti zadevnim organom).
On 30 June 2016, the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture informed the Commission (see paragraph 16) that measure RP 2 was not limited to SMEs in the period from 2007 onwards.
Vsebinsko je združenje LVMH v zvezi z ukrepom HE 3 navedlo, da sta bili v ospredju splošnih odnosov z javnostjo obveščanje in ozaveščanje potrošnikov, pri čemer je ozaveščanje potrošnikov potekalo na nevtralni ravni, neodvisno od mlekarn.
The two undertakings Hochwald Foods GmbH and MUH Arla eG had also received aid under this measure.
Prav tako sta se združenji Rheinischer Landwirtschafts-Verband e.V. in Westfälisch-Lippischer Landwirtschaftsverband e.V. v skupnem dopisu z dne 6. februarja 2014, ki ga je Komisija prejela 11. februarja 2014, v zvezi z ukrepom NW 5 pridružili sporočilu Nemčije z dne 20. septembra 2013.
In its comments dated 13 January 2017, Germany stated that the eligible costs for the sub-measure in question in the period from 2007 onwards had related exclusively to setting up an exhibition stand.
Združenje Landesvereinigung Thüringer Milch e.V. se je v svojem dopisu z dne 6. februarja 2014, ki ga je Komisija prejela 11. februarja 2014, v zvezi z ukrepi, izvedenimi v Turingiji, v celoti pridružilo mnenju Nemčije z dne 20. septembra 2013.
No additional costs had been subsidised during this period.
Šlo naj bi za informacije o mleku kot živilu na splošno, pri čemer cilj ni odvrniti potrošnike od kupovanja mlečnih proizvodov drugih držav članic.
State aid for improving the quality of delivered milk (2001-2006)
Poleg tega se niso promovirale posamezne blagovne znamke ali proizvodi določenega podjetja / posameznega proizvajalca.
Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony and Thuringia (sub-measures BW 10, BW 11, NI 1 and TH 5) granted financial support for improving the quality of the delivered milk through advice and training of dairy producers, the compilation and updating of databases and checks of dairy producers, parallel with the introduction of the ‘Quality Management QM Milk’ quality assurance systems [42].
Zato združenje MILAG meni, da pri temukrepu negre za državno pomoč.
The aim of the measures was to improve the quality of delivered milk.
Šlo je izključno za ozaveščanje potrošnikov, ta ukrep pa ne pomeni podpore podjetjem, ki predelujejo mleko, temveč naj bi bil namenjen splošnemu obveščanju potrošnikov.
Neither the training of inspectors with the purpose of obtaining specialised knowledge nor the accreditation of approved laboratories were subsidised.
V zvezi z ukrepom RP 2 združenje MILAG meni, da so z dopolnilnim pogojem financiranja, po katerem se lahko financira le prva udeležba podjetja na določenem sejmu ali razstavi, izpolnjeni ustrezni pogoji pravil o državni pomoči.
The final beneficiaries of these sub-measures were milk-producing agricultural SMEs in the primary sector.
V zvezi z ukrepom RP 5 združenje MILAG navaja, da je bil ukrep usmerjen v to, da se zadevnim proizvajalcem mleka priložnostno ponudi specialno svetovanje o tehnikah molže.
According to Germany, the aid was available to all the farmers in the area concerned who were eligible based on objectively defined conditions [43].
To ponudbo bi lahko koristili vsi proizvajalci mleka v deželi Porenje – Pfalška, pri čemer članstvo v deželnem kontrolnem združenju kot ponudniku svetovanja ni bilo potrebno.
Between 2001 and 2011, the expended budget (all Länder combined) amounted to EUR 3,3 million.
Financiranje stalnih storitev svetovanja ali storitev svetovanja, ki se koristijo v rednih časovnih intervalih, je bilo izključeno, prav tako se niso izvajala direktna plačila kmetom.
According to information provided by the German authorities, aid intensity was a maximum of 100 % of eligible costs in the years 2001-2011.
Dalje združenje MILAG trdi, da v obdobju treh let ni bil presežen skupni znesek državne pomoči v višini 100000 EUR na upravičenca.
In the Opening Decision, Germany was requested to provide a detailed assessment according to the 2000-2006 Guidelines (in particular point 13.2: maximum 50 % of eligible costs or EUR 100000 per beneficiary over a period of three years, whichever is the greater) [44].
Združenje Milchprüfring Baden-Württemberg e.V.
BW 10 and BW 11
(MPBW) v svojem mnenju z dne 6. februarja 2014, ki ga je Komisija prejela 18. februarja 2014, izhaja iz tega, da pri ukrepu BW 10 ne gre za državno pomoč, vsekakor pa ne za dajanje prednosti.
According to Germany, the beneficiaries of the activity were milk-producing farms (milk producers) who participated in the QM Milch quality assurance system.
Obstoj državne pomoči – uporaba člena 107(1) PDEU
In the case of measure BW 10, the performance of audits at dairy farms [46] and the cost of initial certification (introductory farm audit and possibly a follow-up audit) by a recognised certification body were subsidised.
Člen 107(1) PDEU določa, da je vsaka pomoč, ki jo dodeli država članica, ali kakršna koli vrsta pomoči iz državnih sredstev, ki izkrivlja ali bi lahko izkrivljala konkurenco z dajanjem prednosti posameznim podjetjem ali proizvodnji posameznega blaga, nezdružljiva z notranjim trgom, kolikor prizadene trgovino med državami članicami.
In the case of measure BW 11, informational and advisory functions were funded in connection with the introduction of quality assurance systems [47].
Pomoči, ki jih dodeli država, oziroma pomoči iz državnih sredstev
According to Germany, these payments are proportionally dependent on the number of milk producers entering the quality management system (QM-Milch).
Nemški organi so potrdili, da so bili ukrepi, na katerih temelji ta sklep, financirani izključno iz dajatve na mleko (glej točko 26).
According to Germany, total expenses amounted to EUR 478575.
Pri sredstvih iz dajatve na mleko gre za državna sredstva v smislu člena 107(1) PDEU.
Lower Saxony granted financial support for the implementation of a quality assurance system for milk producers (not for processing and marketing firms).
Glede zgoraj opisanih ukrepov velja, da se podpora dodeljuje na podlagi zveznega zakona, MFG, ob uporabi zakonodaje zveznih dežel.
Since 2003, the costs for the coordination of the quality assurance system and the creation of a database have also been financed.
Za pobiranje dajatve so torej nedvomno pristojne deželne vlade.
In its comments of 20 September 2013 [49], Germany argued that the aid granted for consulting services amounted to 50 % of the cost and an amount of EUR 12,78 per case for each farmer, not exceeding the upper threshold indicated in point 13.2 of the 2000-2006 Guidelines.
Pravna podlaga za pobiranje dajatve na mleko v posameznih zveznih deželah so ustrezne uredbe dežel, ki urejajo podrobnosti pobiranja dajatve, med drugim njeno višino.
Germany has confirmed that the checks on the farm audits were carried out by or on behalf of third parties.
V nasprotju s tem ni niti dejstvo, da so bile uredbe sprejete v sodelovanju s posameznim deželnim združenjem sektorja mleka [55].
The Landeskontrollverband Niedersachsen was commissioned as an independent audit institution.
V tem primeru se dajatev pobira pri zasebnih podjetjih (mlekarnah, zbirališčih mleka in postajah za zbiranje smetane).
The measure was introduced in 2004 [50].
Prihodki iz te dajatve se stekajo v ustrezen deželni proračun, nato pa se uporabijo za financiranje različnih podpornih ukrepov.
According to Germany, expenses for the initial certification, a necessary revision audit after three years and the construction and maintenance of databases were funded from the levy.
Iz tega sledi, da so bili ukrepi, financirani s sredstvi iz dajatve na mleko, plačani z državnimi sredstvi in da se pripišejo državi.
In the period 2004-2006, producers were only subsidised with respect to initial certification.
Selektivna prednost/podjetja
The average aid granted to individual producers amounted to approximately EUR 83.
Stroški, kot so stroški izobraževanja in usposabljanja, stroški svetovanja, stroški za informacijsko gradivo v okviru odnosov z javnostjo ali stroški za udeležbo na sejmih in tekmovanjih, so stroški, ki jih mora podjetje v okviru običajnega poslovanja kriti samo.
The beneficiaries of this measure were milk producers.
Prav tako je pri stroških v zvezi s proizvodnjo in trženjem visokokakovostnih proizvodov.
GROUNDS FOR INITIATING THE FORMAL INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE
Če so nekatera podjetja v celoti ali delno oproščena teh stroškov, gre za dajanje prednosti.
The Commission initiated the procedure under Article 108(2) TFEU, as the Commission had doubts, based on the information available at that time, as to whether certain sub-measures were compatible with the internal market (see paragraph 18).
Nemčija je najprej v svojem sporočilu z dne 20. septembra 2013 trdila, da nekateri od ukrepov, na katerih temelji sklep o začetku postopka, ne pomenijo državne pomoči, ker bodisi ne prinašajo konkretne prednosti posameznemu podjetju (glej točko (33) v zvezi z ukrepom BY 3), da ukrep ni bil namenjen prenosu znanja proizvajalcem mleka ali mlekarnam (glej točko 39 v zvezi z ukrepom BY 10), da ne gre za dajanje prednosti posameznim podjetjem ali proizvodnji posameznega blaga (glej točke 44, 60, 73, 80 in 88 v zvezi z ukrepi BW 4, HE 3, NI 7, NW 4 in NW 5, RP 1 in SL 2) oz. za vsebinsko in geografsko selektivnost morebitnih ugodnosti (glej točki 80 in 83 v zvezi z ukrepi NW 4 in NW 5 oz. NW 6).
COMMENTS FROM GERMANY ON THE OPENING OF THE FORMAL INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE
Poleg tega sta združenji MPBW in MVBW v svojem mnenju z dne 6. februarja 2014 navedli, da v zvezi z ukrepi BW 10 oz. BW 4 in BW 11 ne gre za dajanje prednosti (glej točko 154 oz. 155).
The German authorities transmitted their comments to the Commission on 20 September 2013, 27 February 2015 and 13 January 2017.
Vendar Komisija tudi v zvezi s prej navedenimi ukrepi meni, da tudi ti ukrepi konec koncev koristijo sektorju mleka in zato dajejo prednost proizvajalcem mleka oz. mlekarskim obratom, ki jih je treba šteti za podjetja.
COMMENTS FROM INTERESTED PARTIES ON THE OPENING OF THE FORMAL INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE
V zvezi z ukrepom BY 10 združenje Milchwirtschaftlicher Verein Allgäu-Schwaben v svojem mnenju z dne 4. februarja 2014 navaja, da je bil informativni bilten MUVA priložen reviji Deutsche Molkereizeitung in da so se poleg tega objavljali ustrezni članki z namenom obveščanja o zagotavljanju kakovosti (glej točko 148).
Between 6 and 18 February 2014, the Commission received ten sets of comments from interested parties relating to the measures underlying this Decision [52].
Zato Komisija meni, da je treba tudi v primeru ukrepa BY 10 celotni sektor mleka (proizvajalce mleka in mlekarne) šteti za upravičenca.
In its comments of 6 February 2014 received on 13 February 2014, Verband der Milcherzeuger Bayern e.V.
V zvezi z ukrepi BW 4, HE 3, NI 7, NW 4 in NW 5, RP 1 in SL 2 Komisija meni, da je treba tudi razširjanje aktualnih znanstvenih dognanj o lastnostih mleka in mlečnih proizvodov, prirejanje kampanj, informativne prireditve in akcije splošnega ozaveščanja potrošnikov, prireditve za izmenjavo znanja med proizvajalci oz. splošne ukrepe informiranja o mleku šteti za strokovno podporo, ki koristi celotnemu sektorju mleka.
(VMB) expressed its surprise with respect to measure BY 3 regarding the fact that the Opening Decision called in question the measures implemented by VMB until 2006 from a State aid point of view, whereas no complaint was put forward regarding the measures implemented from 2007.
Dalje Komisija v zvezi z ukrepoma BW 10 in BW 11 meni, da sta koristila kmetijskim obratom za pridelavo mleka, ki so se vključili v sistem zagotavljanja kakovosti QM Milch.
In this respect, VMB recalled that the task priorities and the manner of its activities had not changed since 1954 and the VMB had been receiving funds from ‘milk levies’ since 1957.
Poleg tega sta bila predmetna ukrepa selektivna, saj sta koristila zgolj enemu gospodarskemu sektorju (sektorju mleka).
In its comments, the VMB further noted that the services it offered do not constitute concrete ‘technical assistance’ for individual establishments, but rather provision of technical and factual information in a general manner, equally accessible to all interested parties.
Izkrivljanje konkurence in vpliv na trgovino
In its comments of 4 February 2014, received by the Commission on 6 February, the Milchwirtschaftliche Verein Allgäu-Schwaben e.V (MV) claimed with respect to measure BY 10 that the objective of this measure is the dissemination of know-how and knowledge about dairy-related issues (e.g. food laws) to governments and other institutions.
V skladu s sodno prakso Sodišča okrepitev konkurenčnega položaja podjetja po dodelitvi državne pomoči na splošno povzroča izkrivljanje konkurence v odnosu do konkurenčnih podjetij, ki te pomoči ne prejemajo [57].
To this end, MUVA employees receive access to industry-relevant information, and then process and pass it on (in the form of opinions, lectures and publications, in particular to the authorities concerned).
Vsaka pomoč podjetju, ki posluje na trgu, odprtem za trgovanje v Uniji, lahko škodi trgovini med državami članicami [58].
As well as the MUVA newsletters that are enclosed with the Deutsche Molkereizeitung (German Dairy Newspaper), significant contributions to the dissemination of information on quality assurance (hygiene, production safety) are disseminated.
V obdobju 2001–2012 je trgovina s kmetijskimi proizvodi v Uniji dosegla znaten obseg.
According to the MV, this constitutes an overarching activity whose results do not benefit individual farms, but rather are brought to the attention of particular authorities for the purposes of further training.
Tako sta na primer uvoz in izvoz proizvodov, ki se uvrščata na mesto 0401 kombinirane nomenklature (mleko in smetana, nekoncentrirana, ki ne vsebuje dodanega sladkorja ali drugih sladil) [59], v letu 2011 znašala 1200 milijonov EUR oz. 957 milijonov EUR [60].
(149) In their letter dated 4 February 2014 and received by the Commission on 11 February 2014, the Landesvereinigung für Milch und Milcherzeugnisse Hessen e.V.
Ukrepi, ki se ocenjujejo v tem sklepu, dajejo prednost proizvajalcem mleka in mlekarskim obratom, s tem pa krepijo njihov konkurenčni položaj.
(LVMH) commented on measures HE 2, HE 3 and HE 9, executed by them.
S proizvodi mlekarn in proizvajalcev mleka poteka trgovina znotraj Unije, kot je opisano zgoraj v točki 176.
First, they noted that, contrary to the statement annexed to the Opening Decision of the Commission, the measures in question did not benefit only dairy plants, but rather the entire dairy industry.
Zato Komisija meni, da zadevni ukrepi izkrivljajo konkurenco oziroma da obstaja nevarnost, da jo bodo izkrivljali, in ovirajo trgovino med državami članicami.
With regard to the content, the LVMH ensured under measure HE3 that consumer information and education were the focus of the general public relations activities, with consumer education carried out on a neutral level independent from dairy plants.
Glede na navedeno so izpolnjeni pogoji iz člena 107(1) PDEU.
With regard to measure HE 2, ‘Fortbildung für Erzeuger durch das Innovationsteam’ (Training for Producers by the Innovation Team), LVMH remarked that the focus was on the transfer of knowledge.
Zato je mogoče skleniti, da gre pri obravnavanih ukrepih za državne pomoči v smislu tega člena.
Current information and study results had been pooled, processed for use by farmers and disclosed, among others, in the form of lecture events, conferences and training courses.
Zakonitost pomoči
and HE9 promoted special educational and training events for young professionals, farmers and agricultural workers where all farmers or agricultural workers had the opportunity to participate in the training on equal terms.
Komisija mora v skladu s členom 108(1) PDEU redno preverjati veljavne pomoči v sodelovanju z državami članicami.
(150) In their letter dated 6 February 2014, received by the Commission on 10 February 2014 and 11 February 2014, the Landeskontrollverband Nordrhein-Westfalen e.V. and the Landesvereinigung der Milchwirtschaft Nordrhein-Westfalen e.V., respectively, fully endorsed the comments made by Germany on 20 September 2013 in relation to the measures carried out in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Komisija lahko v ta namen od držav članic zahteva vse potrebne podatke za preverjanje veljavnih shem pomoči in po potrebi predlaga primerne ukrepe.
Similarly, in their joint letter dated 6 February 2014, received by the Commission on 11 February 2014, the Rheinische Landwirtschafts-Verband e.V. and the Westfälisch-Lippische Landwirtschaftsverband e.V. supported the comments made by Germany on 20 September 2013 in relation to measure NW 5.
V skladu s členom 1(b)(i) Uredbe (EU) 2015/1589 izraz „veljavna pomoč“ pomeni vsako pomoč, ki je bila uvedena pred začetkom veljavnosti PDEU v zadevnih državah članicah in se po začetku njene veljavnosti še vedno uporablja.
In its letter dated 6 February 2014, received by the Commission on 11 February 2014, the Landesvereinigung Thüringer Milch e.V. fully endorsed the comments made by Germany on 20 September 2013 in relation to the measures carried out in Thuringia.
V skladu s členom 1(c) Uredbe (EU) 2015/1589 pa vsaka sprememba veljavne pomoči pomeni, da ta postane „nova pomoč“.
In its comments of 10 February 2014, received by the Commission on 14 February 2014, Milchwirtschaftliche Arbeitsgemeinschaft Rheinland-Pfalz e.V.
V skladu s členom 4 Uredbe Komisije (ES) št. 794/2004 [61] velja za preoblikovanje veljavne pomoči „katera koli sprememba, razen preoblikovanja povsem formalne ali upravne narave, ki ne more vplivati na ocenjevanje združljivosti ukrepa pomoči s skupnim trgom“.
(MILAG) indicated with respect to measure RP 1 that it had a general nature.
V skladu s sodno prakso [62] se prvotna shema pretvori v novo shemo pomoči samo, če se sprememba nanaša na njeno bistvo; ne more pa iti za tako vsebinsko spremembo, če se novi element lahko jasno loči od prvotne sheme.
It related to general information about milk as foodstuff; the objective was not to discourage consumers from buying milk products from other Member States.
V skladu s členom 108(3) PDEU je treba vse nove pomoči priglasiti pri Komisiji in jih ni dovoljeno izvajati, dokler jih Komisija ni odobrila (prepoved izvajanja).
Moreover, there was no promotion of individual brands or products of selected companies/individual producers.
V skladu s členom 1(f) Uredbe (EU) 2015/1589 je nova pomoč, ki je uvedena v nasprotju s členom 108(3) PDEU, nezakonita.
MILAG therefore did not consider this measure toconstitute a form of State aid.
Zvezne dežele so na podlagi MFG in v okviru pristojnosti, ki so jim bile podeljene, sprejele izvedbene predpise, ki so pravna podlaga za ukrepe, ki so bili ocenjeni v tem sklepu.
In the alternative, in its comments, MILAG stated about the same measure that it in any event materially complied with the requirements of the then applicable Guidelines and can be considered provision of technical assistance pursuant to point 14.1 of the 2000-2006 Guidelines.
Četudi je MFG, ki pomeni okvir za predmetne sheme pomoči, začel veljati že leta 1952 [63], so bila posamezna pravila z ustreznimi izvedbenimi določbami zadevnih dežel uvedena šele po letu 1958 [64].
In particular, the measure was in principle available to all consumers, and therefore to market participants in the dairy sector as well.
Ukrepi, na katerih temelji ta sklep, torej pomenijo novo pomoč v skladu s členom 1(c) Uredbe (EU) 2015/1589.
It consisted purely of consumer education and the measure did not constitute any support for milk processing undertakings, but rather provided general consumer information.
Nemčija spornih shem pomoči v nobenem obdobju ni priglasila v skladu s členom 108(3) AEUV.
Regarding measure RP 2, MILAG considers that the additional funding requirement whereby only the first participation of a business in a particular fair or exhibition can be subsidised satisfies the relevant conditions of State aid regulations.
Zato so te sheme nezakonite.
With regard to measure RP 5, MILAG indicated that the measure was centred on offering special advice related to milking technology to interested milk producers on an ad hoc basis.
Združljivost pomoči z notranjim trgom