20071220

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1535/2007

Regolament tal-Kummissjoni (KE) Nru 1535/2007

of 20 December 2007

ta’ l- 20 ta’ Diċembru 2007

on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to de minimis aid in the sector of agricultural production

dwar l-applikazzjoni ta’ l-Artikoli 87 u 88 tat-Trattat KE għall-għajnuniet de minimis fis-settur tal-produzzjoni tal-prodotti agrikoli

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

IL-KUMMISSJONI TAL-KOMUNITAJIET EWROPEJ,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Wara li kkunsidrat it-Trattat li jistabbilixxi l-Komunità Ewropea,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 994/98 of 7 May 1998 on the application of Articles 92 and 93 of the Treaty establishing the European Community to certain categories of horizontal State aid [1], and in particular Article 2(1) thereof,

Wara li kkunsidrat ir-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 994/98 tas- 7 ta’ Mejju 1998 dwar l-applikazzjoni ta’ l-Artikoli 92 u 93 tat-Trattat li jistabbilixxi l-Komunità Ewropea għal ċerti kategoriji ta’ għajnuna Statali orizzontali [1], u b’mod partikolari l-Artikolu 2(1) tiegħu.

Having published a draft of this Regulation [2],

Wara l-pubblikazzjoni ta’ l-abbozz ta’ dan ir-Regolament [2],

Having consulted the Advisory Committee on State aid,

Wara l-konsultazzjoni mal-Kumitat Konsultattiv għall-għajnuna mill-Istat,

Whereas:

Billi:

(1) Regulation (EC) No 994/98 empowers the Commission to set out in a regulation a ceiling below which aid measures are considered not to meet all the criteria of Article 87(1) of the Treaty and therefore do not fall under the notification procedure provided for in Article 88(3) of the Treaty.

(1) Ir-Regolament (KE) Nru 994/98 jawtorizza lill-Kummissjoni sabiex, permezz ta’ Regolament, tistipula limitu li ladarba jinqabeż, l-għajnuniet ma jkunux meqjusa li jissodisfaw il-kriterji kollha ta’ l-Artikolu 87(1) tat-Trattat u għaldaqstant ma jkunux suġġetti għall-proċedura tan-notifika stabbilita bl-Artikolu 88(3) tat-Trattat.

(2) The Commission has applied Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty and in particular clarified, in numerous decisions, the notion of aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the Treaty. It has also stated its policy with regard to a de minimis ceiling under which Article 87(1) of the Treaty can be considered not to apply, firstly in its communication on de minimis aid [3] and then in Commission Regulation (EC) No 69/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to de minimis aid [4], replaced on 1 January 2007 by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1998/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to de minimis aid [5]. In view of the special rules which apply in the agriculture sector and of the risks that even low levels of aid could fulfil the criteria of Article 87(1) of the Treaty in that sector, Regulation (EC) No 69/2001 excludes the agriculture sector from its scope. Regulation (EC) No 1998/2006 also excludes the sector of agricultural production from its scope.

(2) Il-Kummissjoni applikat l-Artikoli 87 u 88 tat-Trattat u b’mod partikolari ċċarat il-kunċett ta’ l-għajnuna għall-finijiet ta’ l-Artikolu 87(1) tat-Trattat, f’għadd ta’ deċiżjonijiet. Iċċarat ukoll il-politika tagħha f’dak li għandu x’jaqsam mal-limitu de minimis, li ladarba jinqabeż, ikun jista’ jagħti lok għall-inapplikkabbiltà ta’ l-Artikolu 87(1) tat-Trattat, fl-ewwel lok fil-komunikazzjoni tagħha dwar l-għajnuniet de minimis [3], imbagħad fir-Regolament tal-Kummissjoni (KE) Nru 69/2001 tat- 12 ta’ Jannar 2001 dwar l-applikazzjoni ta’ l-Artikoli 87 u 88 tat-Trattat KE għall-għajnuniet de minimis [4], sostitwit fl- 1 ta’ Jannar 2007 mir-Regolament tal-Kummissjoni (KE) Nru 1998/2006 tal- 15 ta’ Diċembru 2006 dwar l-applikazzjoni ta’ l-Artikoli 87 u 88 tat-Trattat għall-għajnuniet de minimis [5]. Minħabba r-regoli speċifiċi u r-riskji applikabbli fis-settur agrikolu u peress li anke l-ammonti l-aktar baxxi ta’ għajnuniet jistgħu jissodisfaw il-kriterji ta’ l-Artikolu 87(1) tat-Trattat f’dan is-settur, ir-Regolament (KE) Nru 69/2001 eskluda lis-settur agrikolu mill-ambitu ta’ applikazzjoni tiegħu. Ir-Regolament (KE) Nru 1998/2006 eskluda lis-settur tal-produzzjoni tal-prodotti agrikoli mill-ambitu ta’ applikazzjoni tiegħu.

(3) However, since the experience gained over the years has shown that the very small amounts of aid granted in the agriculture sector may also not meet the criteria of Article 87(1) of the Treaty where certain conditions are met, the Commission laid down rules allowing the grant of de minimis aid in that sector in Commission Regulation (EC) No 1860/2004 of 6 October 2004 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to de minimis aid in the agriculture sector [6]. That Regulation, by virtue of which the total amount of de minimis aid granted to one and the same undertaking is regarded as not meeting all the criteria of Article 87(1) of the Treaty where it does not exceed EUR 3000 per beneficiary over any period of three years or a cumulative amount laid down for each Member State representing 0,3 % of annual output in the agriculture sector, covers both primary production and the processing and marketing of agricultural products.

(3) Għalkemm l-esperjenza miksuba matul is-snin uriet li anke l-ammonti l-aktar baxxi ta’ għajnuniet mogħtija fis-settur ta’ l-agrikoltura jistgħu ma jissodisafawx il-kriterji ta’ l-Artikolu 87(1) tat-Trattat jekk jikkonkorru ċerti kundizzjonijiet, il-Kummissjoni stabbilixxiet xi regoli li jippermettu l-għoti ta’ għajnuniet de minimis fis-settur imsemmi fir-Regolament tal-Kummissjoni (KE) Nru 1860/2004 tas- 6 ta’ Ottubru 2004 dwar l-applikazzjoni ta’ l-Artikoli 87 u 88 tat-Trattat għall-għajnuniet de minimis fis-settur ta’ l-agrikoltura [6]. Dan ir-Regolament li bis-saħħa tiegħu l-ammont totali ta’ l-għajnuniet de minimis mogħtija lill-istess intrapriża huwa kkunsidrat li ma jissodisfax il-kriterji kollha ta’ l-Artikolu 87(1) tat-Trattat jekk ma jaqbiżx EUR 3000 għal kull benefiċjarju fuq perjodu ta’ tliet snin u lanqas l-ammont akkumulat stabbilit mill-Istat Membru u li jirrappreżenta 0.3 % tal-produzzjoni annwali tas-settur agrikolu, ikopri kemm il-produzzjoni primarja u l-attivitajiet ta’ l-ipproċessar u t-tqegħid fis-suq tal-prodotti agrikoli.

(4) Given the similarities between activities in the processing and marketing of agricultural products on the one hand and industrial activities on the other, activities in the processing and marketing of agricultural products were included in the scope of Regulation (EC) No 1998/2006, which governs de minimis aid for industrial activities. As a result, those activities were excluded from the scope of Regulation (EC) No 1860/2004. For the sake of clarity, Regulation (EC) No 1860/2004 should be repealed and replaced by a new Regulation applicable only to the agricultural production sector.

(4) Minħabba x-xebh li jeżisti bejn l-attivitajiet ta’ l-ipproċessar u tat-tqegħid fis-suq tal-prodotti agrikoli, minn naħa, u l-attivitajiet industrijali, min-naħa l-oħra, l-attivitajiet ta’ l-ipproċessar u tat-tqegħid fis-suq tal-prodotti agrikoli ġew inklużi fl-ambitu ta’ l-applikazzjoni tar-Regolament (KE) Nru 1998/2006, li jirregola l-għajnuniet de minimis għall-attivitajiet industrijali. Għaldaqstant dawn l-attivitajiet ġew esklużi mill-ambitu ta’ l-applikazzjoni tar-Regolament (KE) Nru 1860/2004. Għall-finijiet ta’ ċarezza, jeħtieġ li r-Regolament (KE) Nru 1860/2004 jiġi abrogat u sostitwit b’regolament ġdid, applikabbli esklussivament għas-settur tal-produzzjoni tal-prodotti agrikoli.

(5) In the light of the Commission’s experience, the maximum amount of aid of EUR 3000 per beneficiary over a period of three years may be increased to EUR 7500 and the ceiling of 0,3 % of annual output in the agriculture sector may be increased to 0,75 % without trade between Member States being affected, without there being any distortion or threat of distortion of competition, and without aid being granted within those limits falling under Article 87(1) of the Treaty, provided that certain conditions are met. This increase will also help to reduce the administrative burden. The years to take into account are the fiscal years as used by the undertaking in the Member State concerned. The reference period of three years should be assessed on a rolling basis so that, for each new grant of de minimis aid, the total amount of de minimis aid granted in the fiscal year concerned, as well as during the previous two fiscal years, needs to be determined. It should not be possible for aid measures exceeding the ceiling of EUR 7500 to be broken down into a number of smaller parts in order to bring such parts within the scope of this Regulation.

(5) Fid-dawl ta’ l-esperjenza tal-Kummissjoni, l-ammont massimu ta’ għajnuna ta’ EUR 3000 għal kull benefiċjarju fuq perjodu ta’ tliet snin jista’ jiżdied għal EUR 7500, u l-limitu ta’ 0.3 % tal-produzzjoni annwali tas-settur agrikolu jiżdied għal 0.75 %, mingħajr ma jintlaqat il-kummerċ bejn l-Istati Membri, mingħajr ma l-kompetizzjoni tkun jew tirriskja li tkun imxekkla u mingħajr ma l-għajnuniet konċessi f’dawn il-limiti jinqabdu mill-Artikolu 87(1) tat-Trattat, kemm-il darba jiġu sodisfatti ċerti kundizzjonijiet. Barra minn hekk, din iż-żjieda se tippermetti li jitnaqqsu l-ispejjeż amministrattivi. Is-snin li għandhom jitqiesu huma l-eżerċizzji fiskali li tuża l-intrapriża fl-Istat Membru kkonċernat. Il-perjodu ta’ referenza ta’ tliet snin għandu jiġi vvalutat fuq bażi ta’ rotazzjoni b’tali mod li, għal kull għotja ta’ għajnuna de minimis, l-ammont totali ta’ għajnuna de minimis li jingħata fis-sena fiskali kkonċernata, kif ukoll matul is-sentejn fiskali ta’ qabel, jeħtieġ li jiġi ddeterminat. L-għajnuniet li fit-totalità tagħhom jeċċedu EUR 7500 ma jistgħux jiġu maqsuma f’ammonti iżgħar biex jaqgħu fl-ambitu ta’ dan ir-Regolament.

(6) This Regulation should not apply to export aid or aid favouring domestic over imported products. In particular, it should not apply to aid financing the establishment and operation of a distribution network in other countries. Aid towards the cost of participating in trade fairs, or of studies or consultancy services needed for the launch of a new product or an existing product on a new market does not normally constitute export aid.

(6) Dan ir-Regolament m’għandux japplika għall-għajnuniet għall-esportazzjoni u lanqas għall-għajnuniet li jiffavorixxu l-użu ta’ prodotti nazzjonali għad-detriment tal-prodotti importati. B’mod partikolari, l-għajnuniet għat-twettiq u għall-funzjonament ta’ netwerk ta’ distribuzzjoni f’pajjiżi oħrajn għandhom jiġu esklużi mill-ambitu ta’ l-applikazzjoni tiegħu. L-għajnuniet li jimmiraw li jkopru l-ispejjeż ta’ parteċipazzjoni f’fieri kummerċjali u l-ispejjeż għal studji jew għal servizzi ta’ konsulenza neċessarji għall-introduzzjoni ta’ prodott ġdid jew ta’ prodott eżistenti f’suq ġdid ġeneralment ma jikkostitwixxux għajnuniet għall-esportazzjoni.

(7) The Court of Justice of the European Communities has established that, once the Community has legislated for the establishment of a common organisation of the market in a given sector of agriculture, Member States are under an obligation to refrain from taking any measure which might undermine or create exceptions to it [7]. For this reason, this Regulation should not apply to aid whose amount is laid down on the basis of price or quantity of products purchased or put on the market.

(7) Skond il-ġurisprudenza tal-Qorti tal-Ġustizzja tal-Komunitajiet Ewropej, meta l-Komunità tkun adottat regolament dwar l-istabbiliment ta’ organizzazzjoni komuni tas-suq f’settur determinat ta’ l-agrikoltura, l-Istati Membri huma obbligati li jastjenu milli jieħdu kwalunkwe miżura li min-natura tagħha tmur kontra jew hija ta’ ħsara għal dik l-organizzazzjoni [7]. Hu għalhekk li dan ir-Regolament m’għandux japplika għall-għajnuniet li l-ammont tagħhom huwa ffissat fuq il-bażi tal-prezz jew tal-kwantità tal-prodotti mixtrija jew imqiegħda fis-suq.

(8) For the sake of transparency, equal treatment and the correct application of the de minimis ceiling, all Member States should apply the same method of calculation. In order to facilitate this calculation, aid amounts not taking the form of a grant should be converted into their gross grant equivalent. Calculation of the grant equivalent of forms of transparent aid other than grants or aid payable in several instalments requires the use of market interest rates prevailing at the time of granting such aid. With a view to a uniform, transparent and simple application of the State aid rules, the market rates for the purposes of this Regulation should be deemed to be the reference rates periodically fixed by the Commission on the basis of objective criteria and published in the Official Journal of the European Union or on the Internet. It may, however, be necessary to add additional basis points on top of the floor rate in view of the securities provided or the risk associated with the beneficiary.

(8) Għall-finijiet ta’ trasparenza, ta’ ugwaljanza ta’ trattament u ta’ applikazzjoni korretta tal-limitu de minimis, jeħtieġ li l-Istati Membri jirrikorru għall-istess metodu ta’ kalkolu. Biex jiġi ffaċilitat il-kalkolu, jeħtieġ li l-ammont ta’ l-għajnuniet mogħtija mod ieħor milli taħt il-forma ta’ sussidji jkun konvertit f’ammont ekwivalenti għas-sussidju gross. Il-kalkolu ta’ l-ammont ekwivalenti għas-sussidju gross tal-forom ta’ għajnuniet trasparenti minbarra s-sussidji jew l-għajnuniet li jitħallsu f’ħafna biċċiet jeħtieġ l-użu tar-rati ta’ interess tas-suq fis-seħħ fil-mument ta’ l-għotja. Fir-rigward ta’ applikazzjoni uniformi, trasparenti u sempliċi tar-regoli dwar l-għajnuniet mill-Istat, huwa xieraq li jiġi meqjus li r-rati tas-suq applikabbli għall-finijiet ta’ dan ir-Regolament huma r-rati ta’ referenza ffissati perjodikament mill-Kummissjoni fuq il-bażi ta’ kriterji objettivi u li huma ppubblikati fil-Ġurnal Uffiċjali ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea jew fuq l-Internet. Madankollu jista’ jkun meħtieġ li jiżdiedu xi punti ta’ bażi addizzjonali mar-rata bażika fir-rigward ta’ garanziji fornuti jew ta’ riskju assoċjat mal-benefiċjarju.

(9) Again for the purposes of transparency, equal treatment and the correct application of the de minimis ceiling, this Regulation should apply only to de minimis aid which is transparent. "Transparent aid" should be taken to mean aid for which it is possible to calculate precisely in advance the gross grant equivalent without the need to undertake a risk assessment. Such precise calculation can, for instance, be made as regards grants, interest rate subsidies and capped tax exemptions. Aid in the form of soft loans should be considered to be transparent de minimis aid when the gross grant equivalent has been calculated on the basis of market interest rates prevailing at the time of grant. Aid in the form of capital injections should not be considered to be transparent de minimis aid unless the total amount of the public capital injection is lower than the de minimis ceiling per beneficiary. Aid in the form of risk capital measures as referred to in the Community guidelines on State aid to promote risk capital investments in small and medium-sized enterprises [8] should not be considered to be transparent de minimis aid unless the risk capital scheme concerned provides capital only up to the de minimis ceiling per beneficiary.

(9) F’din l-istess perspettiva ta’ trasparenza, ta’ ugwaljanza ta’ trattament u ta’ applikazzjoni korretta tal-limitu de minimis, dan ir-Regolament m’għandux japplika ħlief għall-għajnuniet de minimis trasparenti. B’"għajnuna trasparenti", wieħed għandu jifhem għajnuna li biha huwa possibbli li jkun ikkalkolat preċiżament u minn qabel l-ekwivalenti għas-sussidju gross, mingħajr il-ħtieġa ta’ analiżi tar-riskju. Dan il-kalkolu preċiż jista’, per eżempju, jintuża għal sussidji, għal titjib fir-rati ta’ l-interessi jew għal eżenzjonijiet fiskali fissi. L-għajnuniet li jikkonsistu f’self vantaġġjuż għandhom jitqiesu bħala għajnuniet de minimis trasparenti meta jiġi kkalkulat l-ammont ekwivalenti għas-sussidju gross fuq il-bażi tar-rati ta’ l-interess applikabbli fuq is-suq fil-mument ta’ l-għoti ta’ l-għajnuna. L-għajnuniet li jikkonsistu f’xi kontribuzzjonijiet ta’ kapitali m’għandhomx jitqiesu bħala għajnuniet de minimis trasparenti, ħlief jekk l-ammont totali tal-kontribuzzjoni f’kapital pubbliku huwa anqas mil-limitu de minimis għal kull benefiċjarju. L-għajnuniet li jikkonsistu f’miżuri ta’ investiment kapitali bħal dawk indikati fil-linji gwida dwar l-għajnuniet mill-Istat bl-għan li jippromwovu l-investimenti f’forma ta’ investimenti kapitali f’intrapriżi żgħar u medji [8] m’għandhomx jitqiesu bħala għajnuniet de minimis trasparenti, ħlief jekk, fil-qafas tas-sistema ta’ l-investiment kapitali kkonċernat, il-kontribuzzjoni kapitali għal kull intrapriża benefiċjarja ma taqbiżx il-limitu de minimis għal kull benefiċjarju.

(10) It is necessary to provide legal certainty for guarantee schemes which do not have the potential to affect trade and distort competition and in respect of which sufficient data is available to assess any potential effects reliably. This Regulation should therefore set a guarantee-specific ceiling based on the guaranteed amount of the underlying loan. This specific ceiling should be set on the basis of an assessment of the amount of State aid included in guarantee schemes covering loans in favour of viable undertakings. It should therefore not apply to ad hoc individual aid granted outside of the scope of a guarantee scheme or to guarantees on underlying transactions not constituting a loan, such as guarantees on equity transactions. The specific ceiling should be determined on the basis of the fact that taking account of a cap rate (net default rate) of 13 %, representing a worst case scenario for guarantee schemes in the Community, a guarantee amounting to EUR 56250 can be considered as having a gross grant equivalent identical to the de minimis ceiling of EUR 7500. Only guarantees covering up to 80 % of the underlying loan should be covered by this specific ceiling. A methodology approved by the Commission following notification on the basis of a Commission Regulation on State aid may also be used by the Member States to calculate the gross grant equivalent of the guarantee, if the approved methodology explicitly addresses the type of guarantees and the type of underlying transactions concerned in the context of applying this Regulation.

(10) Huwa neċessarju li tingħata sigurtà ġuridika lis-sistemi ta’ garanzija li mhumiex sensittivi li jaffettwaw l-iskambji u li jħassru l-kompetizzjoni u li għalihom hija disponibbli data suffiċjenti li tippermetti li teżamina l-effetti potenzjali b’mod affidabbli. Dan ir-Regolament għandu minn dak il-ħin jipprevedi limitu speċifiku għall-garanziji, bbażat fuq l-ammont garantit tas-self bażi. Dan il-limitu speċifiku għandu jkun determinat fuq il-bażi ta’ evalwazzjoni ta’ l-ammont ta’ għajnuna Statali inkluż fis-sistemi ta’ garanzija li jkopru s-self favur xi intrapriżi vijabbli. Dan m’għandux japplika lanqas għall-għajnuniet individwali ad hoc konċessi barra mill-qafas ta’ sistema ta’ garanzija, u lanqas għall-garanziji li jiffokaw fuq tranżazzjonijiet moħbija li ma jikkostitwixxux self, bħal per eżempju l-garanziji li jiffokaw fuq operazzjonijiet f’kapital. Il-limitu speċifiku għandu jkun iffissat fuq il-bażi tal-fatt li, meta titqies rata limitu (rata bażika netta) ta’ 13 % li tikkorrispondi max-xenarju l-anqas favorevoli għas-sistemi ta’ garanziji fil-Komunità, garanzija li tikkorrispondi għal EUR 56250 tista’ tkun ikkunsidrata li għandha ammont ta’ sussidju gross ekwivalenti għal-limitu de minimis ta’ EUR 7500. Huma biss il-garanziji li jkopru massimu ta’ 80 % tas-self moħbi li għandhom jiġu koperti mil-limitu speċifiku. Metodoloġija approvata mill-Kummissjoni wara notifika fuq il-bażi ta’ regolamentazzjoni tal-Kummissjoni fil-qasam ta’ l-għajnuniet mill-Istat tista’ ugwalment tintuża mill-Istati Membri sabiex jistabbilixxu, fil-kuntest ta’ dan ir-Regolament, is-sussidju gross ekwivalenti li qiegħed fil-garanzija, jekk il-metodoloġija approvata tiffoka b’mod espliċitu fuq it-tip ta’ garanziji u t-tip ta’ tranżazzjonijiet moħbija kkonċernati.

(11) This Regulation should not apply to undertakings in difficulty within the meaning of the Community guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty [9] given the difficulties linked to determining the gross grant equivalent of aid granted to this type of undertaking.

(11) Dan ir-Regolament m’għandux japplika għall-intrapriżi f’diffikultà fis-sens tal-linji gwida Komunitarji dwar l-għajnuniet mill-Istat għall-irkupru u għar-ristrutturar ta’ intrapriżi f’diffikultà fid-dawl tad-diffikultajiet [9] marbuta mad-determinazzjoni ta’ l-ammont tas-sussidju gross ekwivalenti għall-għajnuna konċessa lil dan it-tip ta’ intrapriżi.

(12) In accordance with the principles governing aid falling within Article 87(1) of the Treaty, de minimis aid should be considered to be granted at the moment the right to receive the aid is conferred on the undertaking under the applicable national legal regime.

(12) Skond il-prinċipji li jirregolaw l-għajnuniet stipulati fl-Artikolu 87(1) tat-Trattat, l-għajnuna de minimis għandha titqies daqs li kieku kienet konċessa fil-mument ta’ l-għoti tad-dritt tad-dħul ta’ din l-għajnuna lill-intrapriża, bis-saħħa tar-regolamentazzjoni nazzjonali applikabbli.

(13) In order to avoid circumvention of maximum aid intensities laid down in different Community instruments, it should not be possible for de minimis aid to be cumulated with State aid in respect of the same eligible costs if such cumulation would result in an aid intensity exceeding that laid down by Community rules in the specific circumstances of each case.

(13) Sabiex jiġi evitat li d-dispożizzjonijiet dwar l-intensitajiet ta’ għajnuniet massimi ffissati fi strumenti Komunitarji differenti ma jiġux injorati, l-għajnuniet de minimis ma jistgħux jiġu akkumulati ma’ l-għajnuniet mill-Istat għall-istess infiq ammissibbli jekk din l-akkumulazzjoni twassal għal intensità ta’ għajnuna li taqbeż il-livell stipulat fiċ-ċirkostanzi speċifiċi ta’ kull każ permezz tar-regolamentazzjoni Komunitarja.

(14) This Regulation does not exclude the possibility that a measure adopted by a Member State might not be considered to be State aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the Treaty on a basis other than this Regulation, for instance in the case of capital injections or guarantees, because such measure has been decided in conformity with the principle of private investors operating in normal market-economy conditions.

(14) Dan ir-Regolament ma jeskludix il-possibilità li miżura adottata minn Stat Membru ma tkunx ikkunsidrata bħala għajnuna Statali fis-sens ta’ l-Artikolu 87(1) tat-Trattat fuq bażi oħra għajr dan ir-Regolament, per eżempju fil-każ ta’ kontribuzzjonijiet kapitali jew ta’ garanziji, għax il-miżura kkonċernata hija konformi mal-prinċipju ta’ l-investitur privat li jopera fil-kundizzjonijiet normali f’ekonomija tas-suq.

(15) The Commission must ensure that State aid rules are complied with, and in particular that aid granted under the de minimis rules meets the conditions thereof. In accordance with the cooperation principle laid down in Article 10 of the Treaty, Member States should facilitate the achievement of this task by establishing the necessary machinery to ensure that the total amount of aid granted under the de minimis rule does not exceed either the ceiling of EUR 7500 per beneficiary or the overall ceilings established by the Commission on the basis of the value of agricultural output. To that end, when granting de minimis aid, the Member States should inform the undertaking concerned of the amount of aid granted and of its de minimis character, by referring to this Regulation. Moreover, prior to granting such aid the Member State should obtain from the undertaking a declaration about other de minimis aid received during the current fiscal year and the two previous fiscal years and carefully check that the new aid does not make the total amount of de minimis aid received exceed the applicable ceilings. Alternatively, compliance with the ceilings may also be ensured by means of a central register. In the case of guarantee schemes set up by the European Investment Fund, the latter may establish a list of beneficiaries and require Member States to inform the beneficiaries of the de minimis aid received.

(15) Il-Kummissjoni għandha tassigura li r-regoli applikabbli għall-għajnuniet mill-Istat jiġu osservati u, b’mod partikolari, li l-għajnuniet konċessi b’konformità mar-regola de minimis jissodisfaw il-kundizzjonijiet stipulati fuq is-suġġett. B’konformità mal-prinċipju ta’ kooperazzjoni stipulat fl-Artikolu 10 tat-Trattat, l-Istati Membri huma obbligati li jiffaċilitaw it-twettiq ta’ dan l-għan billi jiġi stabbilit il-mekkaniżmu neċessarju biex ikun assigurat li l-ammont totali ta’ l-għajnuniet konċessi b’konformità ma’ l-imsemmija regola la jaqbeż il-limitu ta’ EUR 7500 għal kull benefiċjarju, u lanqas il-kwoti globali stabbiliti mill-Kummissjoni fuq il-bażi tal-valur tal-produzzjoni fis-settur agrikolu. Għalhekk huwa xieraq li l-Istati Membri, meta jagħtu għajnuna de minimis, jinfurmaw lill-impriża kkonċernata bl-ammont ta’ għajnuna allokat u bil-karattru de minimis tagħha, billi jirreferu għal dan ir-Regolament. Barra minn hekk, qabel l-allokazzjoni ta’ l-għajnuna, l-Istat Membru għandu jikseb mingħand l-impriża dikjarazzjoni li tirrigwarda l-għajnuniet l-oħra de minimis li tkun irċeviet matul l-eżerċizzju fiskali attwali u ż-żewġ eżerċizzji preċedenti, u għandu jivverifika bir-reqqa jekk l-għajnuna l-ġdida twassalx biex l-ammont totali ta’ għajnuniet de minimis irċevuti jaqbżu l-limiti applikabbli. L-osservanza ta’ dawn il-limiti tista’ wkoll tkun ivverifikata permezz ta’ reġistru ċentrali. Fil-każ ta’ sistemi ta’ garanziji mwettqa mill-Fond Ewropew ta’ l-Investiment, dan ta’ l-aħħar jista’ jistabbilixxi lista ta’ benefiċjarji u jeżiġi lill-Istati Membri biex dawn jinformaw lill-benefiċjarji bl-għajnuna de minimis riċevuta.

(16) Regulation (EC) No 1860/2004 was initially due to expire on 31 December 2008. Since this Regulation has to enter into force before that date, the consequences of that as regards its applicability to aid granted to undertakings in the agricultural production sector under Regulation (EC) No 1860/2004 should be clarified.

(16) Ir-Regolament (KE) Nru 1860/2004 kellu inizjalment jiskadi fil- 31 ta’ Diċembru 2008. Peress li dan ir-Regolament għandu jidħol fis-seħħ qabel din id-data, jeħtieġ li jiġu mfissra l-konsegwenzi ta’ l-applikazzjoni tiegħu, għall-għajnuniet konċessi għall-intrapriżi tas-settur tal-produzzjoni tal-prodotti agrikoli kif mitlub mir-Regolament (KE) Nru 1860/2004.

(17) In the light of the Commission’s experience and in particular the frequency with which it is generally necessary to revise State aid policy, the period of validity of this Regulation should be limited. Should this Regulation expire without having been extended, Member States should have an adjustment period of six months with regard to de minimis aid covered by it,

(17) Fid-dawl ta’ l-esperjenza miksuba mill-Kummissjoni u partikolarment minħabba l-bżonn li tkun riveduta regolarment il-politika tagħha fil-qasam ta’ l-għajnuniet mill-Istat, huwa meħtieġ li jkun limitat il-perjodu ta’ validità ta’ dan ir-Regolament. Fil-każ fejn dan jiskadi mingħajr ma jkun ġie mġedded, l-Istati Membri jkollhom perjodu ta’ adattament ta’ sitt xhur għall-għajnuniet de minimis li jkunu saru skond dawn id-dispożizzjonijiet,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

ADOTTAT DAN IR-REGOLAMENT:

Article 1

Artikolu 1

Scope

Ambitu ta’ l-applikazzjoni

This Regulation applies to aid granted to undertakings in the agricultural production sector, with the exception of:

Dan ir-Regolament japplika għall-għajnuniet konċessi lill-intrapriżi fis-settur tal-produzzjoni tal-prodotti agrikoli, bl-eċċezzjoni ta’:

(a) aid the amount of which is fixed on the basis of price or quantity of products put on the market;

(a) l-għajnuniet li l-ammont tagħhom huwa stipulat skond il-prezz jew il-kwantità tal-prodotti fis-suq;

(b) aid to export-related activities, namely aid directly linked to the quantities exported, to the establishment and operation of a distribution network or to other current expenditure linked to the export activity;

(b) l-għajnuniet li jiffavorixxu l-attivitajiet marbuta ma’ l-esportazzjoni, jiġifieri l-għajnuniet direttament marbuta mal-kwantitajiet esportati, mat-twettiq jew mal-funzjonament ta’ netwerk ta’ distribuzzjoni jew ma’ spejjeż oħra kurrenti marbuta ma’ l-attività ta’ l-esportazzjoni;

(ċ) l-għajnuniet suġġetti għall-użu preferenzjali tal-prodotti nazzjonali fuq prodotti importati;

(d) aid granted to undertakings in difficulty.

(d) l-għajnuniet konċessi lil intrapriżi f’diffikultà.

Article 2

Artikolu 2

Definitions

Definizzjonijiet

For the purpose of this Regulation:

Għall-finijiet ta’ dan ir-Regolament, għandhom japplikaw id-definizzjonijiet segwenti għall-espressjonijiet li ġejjin:

1. "undertakings in the sector of agricultural production" means undertakings active in the primary production of agricultural products;

1. "intrapriżi tas-settur tal-produzzjoni tal-prodotti agrikoli": l-intrapriżi li huma attivi fil-produzzjoni primarja tal-prodotti agrikoli;

2. "agricultural products" means the products listed in Annex I to the Treaty, except fisheries and acquaculture products covered by Council Regulation (EC) No 104/2000 [10].

2. "prodotti agrikoli": il-prodotti elenkati fl-Anness I tat-Trattat, ħlief għall-prodotti tas-sajd u ta’ l-akwakultura koperti bir-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 104/2000 [10].

Article 3

Artikolu 3

De minimis aid

Għajnuniet de minimis

1. Aid measures shall be deemed not to meet all the criteria of Article 87(1) of the Treaty and shall therefore not fall under the notification requirement of Article 88(3) of the Treaty where they fulfil the conditions laid down in paragraphs 2 to 7 of this Article.

1. L-għajnuniet li ma jissodisfawx il-kundizzjonijiet stipulati fil-paragrafi 2 sa 7 ta’ dan l-Artikolu, jitqiesu li ma jissodisfawx il-kriterji kollha ta’ l-Artikolu 87(1) tat-Trattat u għaldaqstant li mhumiex suġġetti għan-notifika rikjesta mill-Artikolu 88(3) tat-Trattat.

2. The total de minimis aid granted to any one undertaking shall not exceed EUR 7500 over any period of three fiscal years. This ceiling shall apply irrespective of the form of the aid or the objective pursued. The period shall be determined by reference to the fiscal years used by the undertaking in the Member State concerned.

2. L-ammont totali ta’ l-għajnuniet de minimis mogħtija għall-istess intrapriża ma jistax jeċċedi EUR 7500 fuq perjodu ta’ tliet snin jew ta’ tliet eżerċizzji fiskali. Dawn il-limiti japplikaw tkun xi tkun il-forma u l-ambitu ta’ l-għajnuna. Il-perjodu li għandu jitqies huwa ddeterminat permezz ta’ referenza għall-eżerċizzji fiskali użati mill-intrapriża fl-Istat Membru kkonċernat.

Where the total amount of aid granted for an aid measure exceeds the ceiling referred to in the first subparagraph, none of that amount — not even the fraction not exceeding the ceiling — may benefit from this Regulation. In such cases no aid may be claimed for the measure under this Regulation, either at the time aid is granted or subsequently.

Jekk l-ammont ta’ għajnuna totali konċessa għal miżura ta’ għajnuna jaqbeż il-limitu msemmi fl-ewwel linja, dan l-ammont ta’ għajnuna ma jistax jibbenefika minn dan ir-Regolament, anke għall-frazzjoni li ma taqbiżx dan il-limitu. F’dan il-każ, il-benefiċċju ta’ dan ir-Regolament ma jistax jintalab għal din il-miżura la fil-mument ta’ l-għotja ta’ l-għajnuna, u lanqas aktar tard.

3. The cumulative amount of de minimis aid granted per Member State to undertakings in the agricultural production sector over any period of three fiscal years shall not exceed the value set out in the Annex hereto.

3. L-ammont akkumulat ta’ l-għajnuniet de minimis mogħti minn kull Stat Membru lill-intrapriżi tas-settur tal-produzzjoni tal-prodotti agrikoli fuq perjodu ta’ tliet snin jew ta’ tliet eżerċizzji fiskali ma jaqbiżx il-valur stipulat fl-Anness.

4. The ceilings referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 shall be expressed as a grant. All figures used shall be gross, that is, before any deduction of tax or other charges. Where aid is awarded in a form other than a grant, the aid amount to be taken into account shall be the gross grant equivalent of the aid.

4. Il-limiti stipulati fil-paragrafi 2 u 3 huma mfissra bħala sussidji. Iċ-ċifri kollha użati huma f’ammonti grossi, jiġifieri qabel it-tnaqqis tat-taxxi jew imposti oħra. Meta l-għajnuna ma tieħux il-forma ta’ sussidju, l-ammont ta’ l-għajnuna li għandu jitqies huwa l-ammont ekwivalenti għas-sussidju gross.

5. Aid payable in several instalments shall be discounted to its value at the moment of its being granted. The interest rate to be used for discounting purposes and to calculate the gross grant equivalent shall be the reference rate applicable at the time of grant.

5. L-għajnuniet li jitħallsu f’diversi pagamenti għandhom isiru skond il-valur tagħhom fil-mument tal-konċessjoni. Ir-rata ta’ l-interessi li għandha tintuża biex isir u jiġi kkalkulat l-ammont ekwivalenti għas-sussidju gross hija r-rata ta’ referenza applikabbli fil-mument tal-konċessjoni.

6. This Regulation shall apply only to aid in respect of which it is possible to calculate precisely the gross grant equivalent of the aid ex ante without need to undertake a risk assessment (transparent aid). In particular:

6. Dan ir-Regolament ma japplikax ħlief għall-għajnuniet, tkun xi tkun il-forma tagħhom, li għalihom huwa possibbli li jkun ikkalkulat b’mod preċiż u minn qabel l-ammont ekwivalenti għas-sussidju gross mingħajr ma jkun neċessarju li tkun effettwata analiżi tar-riskju ("għajnuniet trasparenti"). B’mod partikolari:

(a) aid in the form of loans shall be considered transparent aid where the gross grant equivalent has been calculated on the basis of market interest rates prevailing at the time of the grant.

(a) l-għajnuniet li jikkonsistu f’self huma kkunsidrati bħala għajnuniet trasparenti minn meta l-ammont ekwivalenti għas-sussidju gross huwa kkalkulat fuq il-bażi ta’ rati ta’ interess applikabbli fis-suq fil-mument tal-konċessjoni ta’ l-għajnuna;

(b) aid in the form of capital injections shall not be considered transparent aid unless the total amount of the public capital injection does not exceed the de minimis ceiling.

(b) l-għajnuniet li jikkonsistu f’kontribuzzjonijiet kapitali m’għandhomx jitqiesu bħala għajnuniet trasparenti, ħlief jekk l-ammont totali tal-kontribuzzjoni f’kapitali pubbliċi ma taqbiżx il-limitu de minimis;

(c) aid in the form of risk capital measures shall not be considered transparent aid unless the risk capital scheme concerned only provides capital to each undertaking up to the de minimis ceiling.

(ċ) l-għajnuniet li jikkonsistu f’xi miżuri ta’ investiment kapitali m’għandhomx jitqiesu bħala għajnuniet trasparenti, ħlief jekk, fil-qafas tas-sistema ta’ investiment kapitali kkonċernat, il-kontribuzzjoni tal-kapitali għal kull intrapriża ma taqbiżx il-limitu de minimis;

(d) individual aid provided under a guarantee scheme to undertakings which are not undertakings in difficulty shall be treated as transparent de minimis aid when the guaranteed part of the underlying loan provided under such scheme does not exceed EUR 56250 per undertaking. If the guaranteed part of the underlying loan only accounts for a given proportion of this ceiling, the gross grant equivalent of that guarantee shall be deemed to correspond to the same proportion of the ceiling laid down in paragraph 2. The guarantee shall not exceed 80 % of the underlying loan.

(d) l-għajnuniet individwali mogħtija fil-qafas ta’ sistema ta’ garanziji favur xi intrapriżi li mhumiex intrapriżi f’diffikultà huma kkunsidrati bħala għajnuniet de minimis trasparenti meta l-parti "garanzija" tas-self moħbi ma taqbiżx EUR 56250 kull intrapriża. Jekk il-parti "garanzija" tas-self moħbi ma tirrapreżentax ħlief frazzjoni ta’ dan il-limitu, l-ammont ekwivalenti għas-sussidju gross tal-garanzija huwa preżunt li jikkorispondi ma’ l-istess frazzjoni tal-limitu msemmi fil-paragrafu 2. Il-garanzija ma tistax taqbeż 80 % tas-self moħbi;

Guarantee schemes are also considered as transparent aid schemes if the following conditions are met:

is-sistemi ta’ garanziji huma kkunsidrati wkoll bħala sistemi ta’ għajnuniet trasparenti jekk il-kundizzjonijiet li ġejjin huma sodisfatti:

(i) before they are implemented, the method used to calculate the gross grant equivalent contained in the guarantee for the purpose of applying this Regulation was approved by the Commission in the form of an adopted Commission Regulation on State aid;

(i) qabel it-twettiq tagħhom, il-metodoloġija li tippermetti li jkun ikkalkulat l-ammont ekwivalenti għas-sussidju gross inkluż fil-garanzija għall-għanijiet ta’ l-applikazzjoni ta’ dan ir-Regolament kienet approvata mill-Kummissjoni skond ir-regolamentazzjoni adottata minn din ta’ l-aħħar fil-qasam ta’ l-għajnuniet mill-Istat;

(ii) the approved method explicitly addresses the type of guarantees and the type of underlying transactions at stake in the context of applying this Regulation.

(ii) il-metodoloġija approvata tiffoka b’mod espliċitu fuq it-tip ta’ garanziji u t-tip ta’ tranżazzjonijiet moħbija konċernati permezz ta’ l-applikazzjoni ta’ dan ir-Regolament.

7. De minimis aid shall not be cumulated with State aid in respect of the same eligible costs if such cumulation would result in an aid intensity exceeding that laid down by Community rules in the specific circumstances of each case.

7. L-għajnuniet de minimis ma jistgħux ikunu akkumulati ma’ l-għajnuniet mill-Istat għall-istess spejjeż ammissibbli jekk din l-akkumulazzjoni twassal għal intensità fl-għajnuna li taqbeż il-livell iffissat fiċ-ċirkostanzi speċifiċi ta’ kull każ permezz tar-regolamentazzjoni Komunitarja.

Article 4

Artikolu 4

Monitoring

Kontroll

1. Where a Member State intends to grant de minimis aid to an undertaking, it shall inform that undertaking in writing of the prospective amount of the aid (expressed as gross grant equivalent) and of its de minimis character, making express reference to this Regulation and citing its title and publication reference in the Official Journal of the European Union. Where de minimis aid is granted to several undertakings on the basis of a scheme and different amounts of aid are granted to those undertakings, the Member State concerned may choose to fulfil this obligation by informing the undertakings of a fixed sum corresponding to the maximum aid amount to be granted under the scheme. In such case, the fixed sum shall be used for determining whether the ceiling laid down in Article 3(2) is met. Prior to granting the aid, the Member State shall also obtain a declaration from the undertaking concerned, in written or electronic form, about any other de minimis aid received during the previous two fiscal years and the current fiscal year.

1. Meta Stat Membru jikkunsidra li jagħti għajnuna de minimis lil xi intrapriża, dan għandu jinfurmaha bil-miktub dwar l-ammont potenzjali ta’ din l-għajnuna (espress f’ammont ekwivalenti għas-sussidju gross) kif ukoll li din l-għajnuna hija waħda de minimis, billi ssir referenza espliċita għal dan ir-Regolament u billi jikkwota t-titolu u r-referenza tal-pubblikazzjoni fil-Ġurnal Uffiċjali ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea. Jekk l-għajnuna de minimis tiġi allokata lil diversi impriżi fil-kuntest ta’ reġim u jingħataw ammonti ta’ għajnuna differenti lil dawn l-impriżi, l-Istat Membru kkonċernat jista’ jagħżel li jissodisfa dan l-obbligu billi jgħarraf lill-impriżi dwar ammont fiss li jikkorrispondi għall-ammont massimu ta’ għajnuna li jkun jista’ jiġi allokat fil-kuntest ta’ dan ir-reġim. F’dan il-każ, dan l-ammont fiss iservi biex jiġi ddeterminat jekk il-limitu stipulat fl-Artikolu 3(2) hux rispettat. L-Istat Membru jrid ukoll jikseb mingħand l-impriża kkonċernata, qabel l-allokazzjoni ta’ l-għajnuna, dikjarzzjoni bil-miktub, jew f’forma elettronika, dwar l-għajnuniet de minimis oħra li tkun irċeviet matul iż-żewġ eżerċizzji fiskali preċedenti u l-eżerċizzju fiskali attwali.

The Member State shall obtain a declaration from each beneficiary demonstrating that the amount of aid received by it does not exceed the ceiling laid down in Article 3(2). Where that ceiling is exceeded, the Member State concerned shall ensure that the aid measure leading to the ceiling being exceeded is notified to the Commission or recovered from the beneficiary.

L-Istat Membru għandu jikseb minn kull benefiċjarju dikjarazzjoni li tistabbilixxi li l-ammont ta’ għajnuna miksub minn dan ta’ l-aħħar ma jaqbiżx il-limitu stabbilit fl-Artikolu 3(2). Jekk dan l-ammont jinqabeż, l-Istat Membru kkonċernat għandu jassigura li l-miżura ta’ għajnuna li wasslet biex jinqabeż dan il-limitu tkun notifikata lill-Kummissjoni jew irkuprata mingħand il-benefiċjarju.

2. The Member State shall only grant de minimis aid after having checked that it will not raise the total amount of de minimis aid received during the period covering the fiscal year concerned and the two previous years to a level above the ceiling laid down in Article 3(2) and (3).

2. L-Istat Membru għandu biss jikkonċedi għajnuna de minimis wara li jkun ivverifika li din ma twassalx biex l-ammont totali ta’ l-għajnuniet de minimis mogħtija matul il-perjodu li jkopri l-eżerċizzju fiskali kkonċernat u ż-żewġ eżerċizzji preċedenti jeċċedi l-limiti msemmija fl-Artikolu 3(2) u (3).

3. Where a Member State has set up a central register of de minimis aid containing complete information on all de minimis aid falling within the scope of this Regulation granted by any authority within that Member State, the second subparagraph of paragraph 1 shall not apply once the register covers a period of at least three years.

3. Fil-każ fejn Stat Membru ħoloq reġistru ċentrali ta’ l-għajnuniet de minimis li fih informazzjoni kompleta dwar kull għajnuna de minimis li taqa’ fl-ambitu ta’ l-applikazzjoni ta’ dan ir-Regolament u konċessa minn awtorità ta’ dan l-Istat Membru, il-kundizzjoni prevista fil-paragrafu 1(2) ma tibqax tapplika meta r-reġistru jkopri perjodu ta’ tliet snin jew anqas.

4. Where an aid is granted by a Member State on the basis of a guarantee scheme providing a guarantee which is financed from the EU budget under mandate through the European Investment Fund, the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 of this Article may cease to apply.

4. Meta għajnuna tingħata minn Stat Membru fuq il-bażi ta’ sistema ta’ garanziji li jagħtu garanzija li hija ffinanzjata mill-baġit ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea permezz ta’ mandat mogħti lill-Fond Ewropew ta’ l-Investiment, il-paragrafu 1(1), tista’ ma tapplikax

In such cases, the following monitoring system shall apply:

F’dawn il-każijiet, tapplika s-sistema ta’ kontroll sewgenti:

(a) the European Investment Fund shall establish, on a yearly basis, on the basis of information that financial intermediaries must provide to the EIF, a list of beneficiaries of aid and of the gross grant equivalent received by each of them. The European Investment Fund shall send this information to the Member State concerned and to the Commission;

(a) il-Fond Ewropew ta’ l-Investiment jistabbilixxi, kull sena u fuq il-bażi ta’ informazzjoni li l-intermedjarji finanzjarji għandhom jagħtuh, lista ta’ benefiċjarji ta’ l-għajnuna u ta’ l-ammont ekwivalenti għas-sussidju gross miksub minn kull benefiċjarju; il-Fond Ewropew ta’ l-investiment jibgħat din l-informazzjoni lill-Istat Membru kkonċernat u lill-Kummissjoni;

(b) the Member State concerned shall send that information to the final beneficiaries of the aid within three months of receipt of such information;

(b) l-Istat Membru kkonċernat jittrażmetti l-informazzjoni lill-benefiċjarji finali ta’ l-għajnuna fit-tliet xhur wara r-riċeviment;

(c) the Member State concerned shall obtain a declaration from each beneficiary that the overall de minimis aid it has received does not exceed the de minimis ceiling. Where that ceiling is exceeded, the Member State concerned shall ensure that the aid measure leading to the ceiling being exceeded is notified to the Commission or recovered from the beneficiary.

(ċ) l-Istat Membru kkonċernat jikseb dikjarazzjoni minn kull benefiċjarju li tistabbilixxi li l-ammont ta’ għajnuna de minimis miksub minn dan ta’ l-aħħar ma jaqbiżx il-limitu de minimis. Jekk dan l-ammont jinqabeż, l-Istat Membru kkonċernat għandu jassigura li l-miżura ta’ għajnuna li wasslet biex jinqabeż dan il-limitu tkun notifikata lill-Kummissjoni jew irkuprata mingħand il-benefiċjarju.

5. Member States shall record and compile all the information regarding the application of this Regulation. Such records shall contain all information necessary to demonstrate that the conditions of this Regulation have been complied with.

5. L-Istati Membri jirreġistraw u jiġbru l-informazzjoni kollha dwar l-applikazzjoni ta’ dan ir-Regolament. Ir-reġistri hekk kostitwiti għandhom jinkludu l-informazzjoni kollha neċessarja biex jiġi stabbilit jekk il-kundizzjonijiet ta’ dan ir-Regolament ġewx osservati.

The information referred to in the first subparagraph shall be kept:

L-informazzjoni msemmija fl-ewwel subparagrafu hija miżmuma:

(a) in the case of individual de minimis aid, for 10 years from the date on which the aid is granted;

(a) għall-għajnuniet de minimis individwali, matul perjodu ta’ għaxar snin li għandhom jiddekorru mid-data tal-konċessjoni ta’ l-għajnuna;

(b) in the case of de minimis aid schemes, for 10 years from the date on which the last individual aid was granted under the scheme in question.

(b) għas-sistemi ta’ għajnuniet de minimis, matul perjodu ta’ għaxar snin li jibdew jgħoddu mid-data ta’ l-għotja ta’ l-aħħar għajnuna individwali skond is-sistema kkonċernata.

6. On a written request, the Member States shall provide the Commission, within a period of 20 working days, or such longer period as may be fixed in the request, with all the information that the Commission considers necessary for assessing whether the conditions of this Regulation have been met, in particular the total amount of de minimis aid granted to a given undertaking and to the agricultural sector of the Member State concerned.

6. Fuq talba miktuba tal-Kummissjoni, l-Istati Membri għandhom jibagħtu, fi żmien għoxrin jum ta’ xogħol jew kwalunkwe perjodu itwal iffissat fit-talba, kull informazzjoni li l-Kummissjoni tqis li hija neċessarja biex tkun tista’ tiddetermina jekk il-kundizzjonijiet ta’ dan ir-Regolament ġewx rispettati, partikolarment l-ammont totali ta’ l-għajnuniet de minimis mogħtija lil xi intrapriża partikolari u lis-settur agrikolu ta’ l-Istat Membru kkonċernat.

Article 5

Artikolu 5

Repeal

Abrogazzjoni

Regulation (EC) No 1860/2004 is repealed with effect from 1 January 2008.

Ir-Regolament (KE) Nru 1860/2004 għandu jitħassar b’effett mill- 1 ta’ Jannar 2008.

Article 6

Artikolu 6

Transitional provisions

Dispożizzjonijiet tranżitorji

1. This Regulation shall apply to aid granted before 1 January 2008 to undertakings in the sector of agricultural production, provided that such aid fulfils all the conditions laid down in Articles 1 to 4, except for the reference requirement clearly set out in this Regulation in the first subparagraph of Article 4(1). Any aid which does not fulfil those conditions shall be assessed by the Commission in accordance with the relevant frameworks, guidelines, communications and notices.

1. Dan ir-Regolament japplika għall-għajnuniet konċessi qabel l- 1 ta’ Jannar 2008 lill-intrapriżi tas-settur tal-produzzjoni tal-prodotti agrikoli, bil-kundizzjoni li l-imsemmija għajnuniet jissodisfaw il-kundizzjonijiet stipulati fl-Artikoli 1 sa 4, ħlief għar-rekwiżit ta’ referenza espliċita għal dan ir-Regolament, imsemmija fl-ewwel inċiż ta’ l-Artikolu 4(1). Kull għajnuna li ma tissodisfax dawn il-kundizzjonijiet hija vvalutata mill-Kummissjoni b’konformità ma’ l-oqfsa, il-linji gwida, il-komunikazzjonijiet u n-noti applikabbli f’dan il-qasam.

2. Any de minimis aid granted between 1 January 2005 and six months after entry into force of this Regulation, which fulfils the conditions of Regulation (EC) No 1860/2004 applicable to the sector of agricultural production until the date of entry into force of this Regulation, shall be deemed not to meet all the criteria of Article 87(1) of the Treaty and shall therefore be exempt from the notification requirement of Article 88(3) of the Treaty.

2. Kwalunkwe għajnuna de minimis mogħtija bejn l- 1 ta’ Jannar 2005 u sitt xhur wara d-dħul fis-seħħ ta’ dan ir-Regolament, li tkun tissodisfa l-kundizzjonijiet tar-Regolament (KE) Nru 1860/2004 applikabbli għas-settur tal-produzzjoni ta’ prodotti agrikoli sad-dħul fis-seħħ ta’ dan ir-Regolament, titqies li ma tissodisfax il-kundizzjonijiet kollha ta’ l-Artikolu 87(1) tat-Trattat u għalhekk hija eżentata mill-obbligu ta’ notifika previst fl-Artikolu 88(3) tat-Trattat.

3. At the end of the period of validity of this Regulation, de minimis aid which fulfils the conditions of this Regulation may continue to be applied under the conditions laid down in this Regulation for a further period of six months.

3. ma’ l-iskadenza tal-perjodu ta’ validità ta’ dan ir-Regolament, l-għajnuniet de minimis li jissodisfaw il-kundizzjonijiet ta’ dan ir-Regolament jistgħu jkomplu japplikaw fuq il-bażi tal-kundizzjonijiet previsti b’dan ir-Regolament matul perjodu supplimentari ta’ sitt xhur.

Article 7

Artikolu 7

Entry into force and period of validity

Dħul fis-seħħ u l-perjodu ta’ validità

This Regulation shall enter into force on the seventh day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Dan ir-Regolament għandu jidħol fis-seħħ fis-seba’ jum wara dak tal-pubblikazzjoni tiegħu fil-Ġurnal Uffiċjali ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea.

It shall apply from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2013.

Huwa japplika mill- 1 ta’ Jannar 2008 sal- 31 ta’ Diċembru 2013.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Dan ir-Regolament jorbot fl-intier tiegħu u japplika direttament fl-Istati Membri kollha.

Done at Brussels, 20 December 2007.

Magħmul fi Brussell, 20 ta’ Diċembru 2007.

For the Commission

Għall-Kummissjoni

Mariann Fischer Boel

Member of the Commission

Membru tal-Kummissjoni

[1] OJ L 142, 14.5.1998, p. 1.

[1] ĠU L 142, 14.5.1998, p. 1.

[2] OJ C 151, 5.7.2007, p. 16.

[2] ĠU C 151, 5.7.2007, p. 16.

[3] OJ C 68, 6.3.1996, p. 9.

[3] ĠU C 68, 6.3.1996, p. 9.

[4] OJ L 10, 13.1.2001, p. 30.

[4] ĠU L 10, 13.1.2001, p. 30.

[5] OJ L 379, 28.12.2006, p. 5.

[5] ĠU L 379, 28.12.2006, p. 5.

[6] OJ L 325, 28.10.2004, p. 4. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 875/2007 (OJ L 193, 25.7.2007, p. 6).

[6] ĠU L 325, 28.10.2004, p. 4. Ir-Regolament kif emendat l-aħħar bir-Regolament (KE) Nru 875/2007 (ĠU L 193, 25.7.2007, p. 6).

[7] Judgment of 19 September 2002 in Case C-113/00 Spain v Commission [2002] ECR I-7601, paragraph 73.

[7] Sentenza tad- 19 ta’ Settembru 2002 fil-kwistjoni C-113/00, Spanja v il-Kummissjoni, Rek. 2002 p. I-7601, punt 73.

[8] OJ C 194, 18.8.2006, p. 2.

[8] ĠU C 194, 18.8.2006, p. 2.

[9] OJ C 244, 1.10.2004, p. 2.

[9] ĠU C 244, 1.10.2004, p. 2.

[10] OJ L 17, 21.1.2000, p. 22.

[10] ĠU L 17, 21.1.2000, p. 22.

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20071220

ANNEX

ANNESS

Maximum cumulative amounts of de minimis aid granted per Member State to undertakings in the agricultural production sector as referred to in Article 3(3):

L-ammont massimu totali ta’ l-għajnuniet de minimis mogħtija lill-intrapriżi fis-settur tal-produzzjoni tal-prodotti agrikoli lil kull Stat Membru, skond l-Artikolu 3(3)

(EUR) |

BE | 51532500 |

BG | 23115000 |

CZ | 26257500 |

DK | 59445000 |

DE | 297840000 |

EE | 3502500 |

IE | 40282500 |

EL | 75382500 |

ES | 274672500 |

FR | 438337500 |

IT | 320505000 |

CY | 4327500 |

LV | 5550000 |

LT | 11572500 |

LU | 1777500 |

HU | 44497500 |

MT | 870000 |

NL | 165322500 |

AT | 40350000 |

PL | 119542500 |

PT | 47782500 |

RO | 98685000 |

SL | 8167500 |

SK | 11962500 |

FI | 26752500 |

SE | 30217500 |

UK | 152842500 |

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