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Document C:2013:081:FULL
Official Journal of the European Union, C 81, 20 March 2013
Official Journal of the European Union, C 81, 20 March 2013
Official Journal of the European Union, C 81, 20 March 2013
ISSN 1977-091X doi:10.3000/1977091X.C_2013.081.eng |
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Official Journal of the European Union |
C 81 |
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English edition |
Information and Notices |
Volume 56 |
Notice No |
Contents |
page |
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II Information |
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INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
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European Commission |
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2013/C 081/01 |
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2013/C 081/02 |
Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU — Cases where the Commission raises no objections ( 1 ) |
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2013/C 081/03 |
Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU — Cases where the Commission raises no objections ( 2 ) |
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2013/C 081/04 |
Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU — Cases where the Commission raises no objections ( 2 ) |
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IV Notices |
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NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
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European Commission |
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2013/C 081/05 |
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V Announcements |
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PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
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European Commission |
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2013/C 081/06 |
Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6841 — Goldman Sachs/TPG Lundy/Tulloch Homes Group Limited) ( 2 ) |
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OTHER ACTS |
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European Commission |
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2013/C 081/07 |
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(1) Text with EEA relevance, except for products falling under Annex I to the Treaty |
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(2) Text with EEA relevance |
EN |
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II Information
INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
European Commission
20.3.2013 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 81/1 |
Communication from the Commission relating to the available quantity for the May 2013 subperiod in the framework of certain quotas opened by the European Union for products in the rice sector
2013/C 81/01
Commission Regulation (EU) No 1274/2009 opened tariff quotas for the import of rice originating in the overseas countries and territories (OCT) (1). No import licence applications have been submitted during the first seven days of January 2013 for the quotas with order number 09.4189 and 09.4190.
In accordance with the second sentence of Article 7(4) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006 (2), the quantities for which applications are not submitted are to be added to the following subperiod.
In accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 1(5) of Commission Regulation (EU) No 1274/2009 quantities available in the following subperiod are communicated by the Commission before the 25th day of the last month of a given subperiod.
As a result, the total available quantity for the May 2013 subperiod under the quotas with order number 09.4189 and 09.4190 as referred to in Regulation (EU) No 1274/2009 are set out in the Annex to this communication.
(1) OJ L 344, 23.12.2009, p. 3.
(2) OJ L 238, 1.9.2006, p. 13.
ANNEX
Quantities available for the following subperiod under Regulation (EU) No 1274/2009
Origin |
Order number |
Import licence applications introduced for the January 2013 subperiod |
Total available quantity for the May 2013 subperiod (in kg) |
Netherlands Antilles and Aruba |
09.4189 |
16 667 000 |
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Least developed OCTs |
09.4190 |
6 667 000 |
(1) No allocation coefficient for this subperiod: no licence applications were sent to the Commission.
20.3.2013 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 81/2 |
Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU
Cases where the Commission raises no objections
(Text with EEA relevance, except for products falling under Annex I to the Treaty)
2013/C 81/02
Date of adoption of the decision |
21.2.2013 |
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Reference number of State Aid |
SA.35985 (12/N) |
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Member State |
Belgium |
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Region |
— |
Mixed |
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Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) |
Indemnisation des dommages agricoles causés par la sécheresse du printemps 2011 |
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Legal basis |
Loi du 12 juillet 1976 relative à la réparation de certains dommages causés à des biens privés par des calamités naturelles Arrêté du 7 avril 1978 fixant les taux variables par tranche du montant total net des dommages subis, de même que le montant de la franchise et de l'abattement pour le calcul de l'indemnité de réparation de certains dommages causés à des biens privés par des calamités agricoles (projet) arrêté royal considérant comme une calamité agricole la sécheresse du printemps 2011, délimitant l'étendue géographique de cette calamité et déterminant l'indemnisation des dommages (projet) arrêté ministériel déterminant les modalités d'introduction et le mode d'examen des demandes en exécution de l'arrêté royal du … considérant comme une calamité agricole la sécheresse du printemps 2011, délimitant l'étendue géographique de cette calamité et déterminant l'indemnisation des dommages (projet) circulaire relative à la gestion des dommages causés par la sécheresse de 2011 |
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Type of measure |
Scheme |
— |
||||
Objective |
Adverse weather conditions |
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Form of aid |
Direct grant |
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Budget |
|
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Intensity |
68 % |
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Duration (period) |
Until 31.12.2013 |
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Economic sectors |
Growing of cereals (except rice), leguminous crops and oil seeds, Growing of vegetables and melons, roots and tubers, Growing of fibre crops |
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Name and address of the granting authority |
|
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Other information |
— |
The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:
http://ec.europa.eu/competition/elojade/isef/index.cfm
20.3.2013 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 81/3 |
Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU
Cases where the Commission raises no objections
(Text with EEA relevance)
2013/C 81/03
Date of adoption of the decision |
23.1.2013 |
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Reference number of State Aid |
SA.29367 (12/NN) |
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Member State |
France |
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Region |
— |
— |
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Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) |
Service d'intérêt économique général (SIEG) d'accessibilité bancaire du Livret A de la banque postale |
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Legal basis |
Article L. 221-1 et L. 518-25-1 du code monétaire et financier en vertu de la Loi de modernisation de l'économie (Loi 2008-776 du 4 août 2008) |
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Type of measure |
Ad hoc aid |
Banque postale |
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Objective |
Services of general economic interest |
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Form of aid |
Direct grant |
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Budget |
Overall budget: EUR 1 505 million |
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Intensity |
— |
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Duration (period) |
1.1.2009-31.12.2014 |
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Economic sectors |
Financial and insurance activities |
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Name and address of the granting authority |
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Other information |
— |
The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:
http://ec.europa.eu/competition/elojade/isef/index.cfm
Date of adoption of the decision |
20.11.2012 |
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Reference number of State Aid |
SA.33337 (12/NN) |
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Member State |
Poland |
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Region |
— |
— |
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) |
Potencjalna pomoc państwa dla Polskich Linii Lotniczych LOT |
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Legal basis |
— |
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Type of measure |
Ad hoc aid |
LOT Airlines |
Objective |
— |
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Form of aid |
Other forms of equity intervention |
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Budget |
Overall budget: PLN 400 million |
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Intensity |
— |
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Duration (period) |
— |
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Economic sectors |
Air transport |
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Name and address of the granting authority |
— |
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Other information |
— |
The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:
http://ec.europa.eu/competition/elojade/isef/index.cfm
Date of adoption of the decision |
20.12.2012 |
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Reference number of State Aid |
SA.35033 (12/N) |
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Member State |
Italy |
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Region |
Sicilia, Calabria |
Article 107(3)(a) |
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Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) |
Aiuto al salvataggio dell'impresa G.D.M. SpA in A.S. |
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Legal basis |
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Type of measure |
Ad hoc aid |
G.D.M. SpA in A.S. |
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Objective |
Rescuing firms in difficulty, Employment, Regional development |
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Form of aid |
Guarantee |
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Budget |
Overall budget: EUR 16,60 million |
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Intensity |
100 % |
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Duration (period) |
6 months |
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Economic sectors |
Other retail sale in non-specialised stores |
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Name and address of the granting authority |
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Other information |
— |
The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:
http://ec.europa.eu/competition/elojade/isef/index.cfm
Date of adoption of the decision |
20.2.2013 |
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Reference number of State Aid |
SA.35697 (12/N) |
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Member State |
Greece |
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Region |
Thessalia |
— |
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Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) |
Κρατικός Αερολιμένας Σκιάθου (Επέκταση Δαπέδου Στάθμευσης Αεροσκαφών και Νέος Συνδετήριος Τροχόδρομος) |
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Legal basis |
Νόμοι 3669/2008, 3614/2007, Οδηγία 2004/18/ΕΚ, Α.Π. 4053/ΕΥΣ1749/27.3.2008 και Α.Π. 1079/Φ.95/31.5.2011. |
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Type of measure |
Individual aid |
Υπηρεσία Πολιτικής Αεροπορίας (ΥΠΑ), Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority |
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Objective |
Sectoral development |
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Form of aid |
Direct grant |
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Budget |
Overall budget: EUR 16,30 million |
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Intensity |
79,62 % |
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Duration (period) |
1.2.2013-13.12.2015 |
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Economic sectors |
Air transport |
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Name and address of the granting authority |
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Other information |
— |
The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:
http://ec.europa.eu/competition/elojade/isef/index.cfm
Date of adoption of the decision |
4.12.2012 |
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Reference number of State Aid |
SA.35703 (12/N) |
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Member State |
Austria |
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Region |
— |
Mixed |
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Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) |
Verlängerung der Beihilfenregelung „Übernahme von Haftungen für die Tourismus- und Freizeitwirtschaft 2011-2013“ |
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Legal basis |
Richtlinie des Bundesministers für Wirtschaft und Arbeit für die Übernahme von Haftungen für die Tourismus- und Freizeitwirtschaft 2007-2013 |
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Type of measure |
Scheme |
— |
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Objective |
Restructuring firms in difficulty |
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Form of aid |
Guarantee |
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Budget |
Overall budget: EUR 12 million |
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Intensity |
— |
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Duration (period) |
10.10.2012-31.12.2013 |
|||||
Economic sectors |
Accommodation and food service activities |
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Name and address of the granting authority |
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|||||
Other information |
— |
The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:
http://ec.europa.eu/competition/elojade/isef/index.cfm
20.3.2013 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 81/8 |
Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU
Cases where the Commission raises no objections
(Text with EEA relevance)
2013/C 81/04
Date of adoption of the decision |
12.12.2012 |
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Reference number of State Aid |
SA.35744 (12/N) |
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Member State |
Ireland |
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Region |
— |
— |
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Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) |
Prolongation of the Eligible Liabilities Guarantee Scheme until 30 June 2013 |
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Legal basis |
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Type of measure |
Scheme |
— |
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Objective |
Remedy for a serious disturbance in the economy |
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Form of aid |
Guarantee |
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Budget |
[…] (1) |
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Intensity |
— |
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Duration (period) |
1.1.2013-30.6.2013 |
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Economic sectors |
Financial and insurance activities |
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Name and address of the granting authority |
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||||||
Other information |
— |
The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:
http://ec.europa.eu/competition/elojade/isef/index.cfm
Date of adoption of the decision |
29.1.2013 |
|||||
Reference number of State Aid |
SA.35944 (12/N) |
|||||
Member State |
Poland |
|||||
Region |
— |
— |
||||
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) |
Siódme przedłużenie programu gwarancji na rzecz banków w Polsce |
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Legal basis |
|
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Type of measure |
Scheme |
— |
||||
Objective |
Remedy for a serious disturbance in the economy |
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Form of aid |
Other, Guarantee — Apart from the State guarantees for the bank debt issues, the support can be granted in the following forms: (i) lending of the Treasury bonds; (ii) the sale of Treasury bonds with deferred payment; (iii) the sale of Treasury bonds with payment by instalment; and (iv) the sale of Treasury bonds by offering to specific financial institutions |
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Budget |
Overall budget: PLN 160 000 million |
|||||
Intensity |
— |
|||||
Duration (period) |
Until 30.6.2013 |
|||||
Economic sectors |
Financial and insurance activities |
|||||
Name and address of the granting authority |
|
|||||
Other information |
— |
The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:
http://ec.europa.eu/competition/elojade/isef/index.cfm
Date of adoption of the decision |
4.2.2013 |
|||||
Reference number of State Aid |
SA.36051 (13/N) |
|||||
Member State |
Austria |
|||||
Region |
Burgenland |
— |
||||
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) |
Verlängerung der staatlichen Beihilfe N 670/08 — Regelung für Rettungs- und Umstrukturierungsbeihilfen für KMU im Burgenland |
|||||
Legal basis |
Gesetz vom 24. März 1994 über Maßnahmen zur Gewährleistung der wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung im Burgenland (Landes-Wirtschaftsförderungsgesetz 1994 — WiföG), LGBl. Nr. 33, in der Fassung des Gesetzes LBGL. Nr. 22/2008 |
|||||
Type of measure |
Scheme |
— |
||||
Objective |
Rescuing firms in difficulty |
|||||
Form of aid |
Other |
|||||
Budget |
Overall budget: EUR 3 million |
|||||
Intensity |
— |
|||||
Duration (period) |
10.10.2012-31.12.2013 |
|||||
Economic sectors |
All economic sectors eligible to receive aid |
|||||
Name and address of the granting authority |
|
|||||
Other information |
— |
The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:
http://ec.europa.eu/competition/elojade/isef/index.cfm
Date of adoption of the decision |
13.2.2013 |
|||||
Reference number of State Aid |
SA.36063 (13/N) |
|||||
Member State |
France |
|||||
Region |
— |
— |
||||
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) |
Crédit d'impôt en faveur de la production phonographique |
|||||
Legal basis |
|
|||||
Type of measure |
Scheme |
— |
||||
Objective |
Culture |
|||||
Form of aid |
Tax rate reduction |
|||||
Budget |
|
|||||
Intensity |
30 % |
|||||
Duration (period) |
1.1.2013-31.12.2016 |
|||||
Economic sectors |
Arts, entertainment and recreation, Creative, arts and entertainment activities |
|||||
Name and address of the granting authority |
|
|||||
Other information |
— |
The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:
http://ec.europa.eu/competition/elojade/isef/index.cfm
(1) Confidential information.
IV Notices
NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
European Commission
20.3.2013 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 81/12 |
Euro exchange rates (1)
19 March 2013
2013/C 81/05
1 euro =
|
Currency |
Exchange rate |
USD |
US dollar |
1,2944 |
JPY |
Japanese yen |
123,49 |
DKK |
Danish krone |
7,4555 |
GBP |
Pound sterling |
0,85585 |
SEK |
Swedish krona |
8,3421 |
CHF |
Swiss franc |
1,2218 |
ISK |
Iceland króna |
|
NOK |
Norwegian krone |
7,5205 |
BGN |
Bulgarian lev |
1,9558 |
CZK |
Czech koruna |
25,647 |
HUF |
Hungarian forint |
305,20 |
LTL |
Lithuanian litas |
3,4528 |
LVL |
Latvian lats |
0,7015 |
PLN |
Polish zloty |
4,1548 |
RON |
Romanian leu |
4,4060 |
TRY |
Turkish lira |
2,3509 |
AUD |
Australian dollar |
1,2475 |
CAD |
Canadian dollar |
1,3265 |
HKD |
Hong Kong dollar |
10,0455 |
NZD |
New Zealand dollar |
1,5712 |
SGD |
Singapore dollar |
1,6179 |
KRW |
South Korean won |
1 440,51 |
ZAR |
South African rand |
11,9332 |
CNY |
Chinese yuan renminbi |
8,0457 |
HRK |
Croatian kuna |
7,5887 |
IDR |
Indonesian rupiah |
12 580,16 |
MYR |
Malaysian ringgit |
4,0409 |
PHP |
Philippine peso |
52,675 |
RUB |
Russian rouble |
39,9325 |
THB |
Thai baht |
37,900 |
BRL |
Brazilian real |
2,5637 |
MXN |
Mexican peso |
16,0453 |
INR |
Indian rupee |
70,3830 |
(1) Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.
V Announcements
PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY
European Commission
20.3.2013 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 81/13 |
Prior notification of a concentration
(Case COMP/M.6841 — Goldman Sachs/TPG Lundy/Tulloch Homes Group Limited)
(Text with EEA relevance)
2013/C 81/06
1. |
On 13 March 2013, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (‘Goldman Sachs’, USA) and TPG LundyCo, L.P. (‘TPG Lundy’, Cayman Islands), ultimately controlled by the TPG Group (USA), acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation, joint control of Tulloch Homes Group Limited (‘Tulloch Homes’, UK) by way of purchase of shares. |
2. |
The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
|
3. |
On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope the EC Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. |
4. |
The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission. Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by e-mail to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.6841 — Goldman Sachs/TPG Lundy/Tulloch Homes Group Limited, to the following address:
|
(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘EC Merger Regulation’).
OTHER ACTS
European Commission
20.3.2013 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 81/14 |
Publication of an application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs
2013/C 81/07
This publication confers the right to oppose the application pursuant to Article 51 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1).
SINGLE DOCUMENT
COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006
on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs (2)
‘LONZO DE CORSE’/‘LONZO DE CORSE — LONZU’
EC No: FR-PDO-0005-0994-26.04.2012
PGI ( ) PDO ( X )
1. Name:
‘Lonzo de Corse’/‘Lonzo de Corse — Lonzu’
2. Member State or Third Country:
France
3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff:
3.1. Type of product:
Class 1.2. |
Meat products (cooked, salted, smoked, etc.) |
3.2. Description of product to which the name in point 1 applies:
The designation of origin ‘Lonzo de Corse’/‘Lonzo de Corse — Lonzu’ refers to a Corsican meat product made from a loin of pork of the local Nustrale breed, which is salted, dry-cured and matured.
The salting, dry-curing and maturing lasts for at least three months, with a minimum maturing time of one month (this final phase of the production process takes place in a natural environment only, and is essential for the product to acquire its texture and develop its aromas).
The product has the following characteristics: it is long in shape, with round to oval slices, and is formed from a fillet of pork cut with a layer of cover fat remaining. Its length varies between 15 cm and 30 cm and its dry weight is between 0,5 kg and 1,1 kg.
It is presented in a pork casing or lined with pork kidney fat and tied with a string or a net.
Slices, which may have an oily appearance, can be seen to come from a slightly marbled to marbled single joint of meat that is homogenously pinkish red to red in colour with white to pinkish white back-fat.
The proportion of fat to lean meat in the dry product varies between 25 % and 35 %.
The fat has a fairly tender texture. The lean meat is dense and may be supple.
It is characterised by various aromas (of dried ham, hazelnuts, mushrooms or woodlands), has a typical salty flavour and a hint of pepper.
It may have a slightly smoky aroma and flavour.
The physico-chemical and biochemical characteristics are as follows (% of dry product):
— |
the total lipid content of the fat is ≥ 89 %, |
— |
the salt content is between 6,5 % and 10 %, |
— |
intramuscular lipids represent ≥ 5 %, |
— |
traces of nitrite/nitrate, |
— |
the lean meat has a 35 % to 50 % humidity rate, |
— |
oleic acid is ≥ 45 %. |
The product can be sold in one piece, in vacuum-packed slices or portions, with a minimum weight of 200 g.
3.3. Raw materials (for processed products only):
The pork carcasses used in the production process weigh between 85 kg and 140 kg and are from pigs of the Nustrale breed between 12 and 36 months old at slaughter. The back-fat is between 2,5 cm and 6 cm thick.
The Nustrale breed, the high age at slaughter, the rearing on rangelands and the finishing on mainly chestnuts and/or acorns lend particular characteristics to the raw material: red to deep red colour of the meat, high lipid content and a specific quality of the fat.
— |
only the fillet and the rack, |
— |
four pieces per pig, |
— |
trimming to a conical shape, |
— |
possible partial removal of the back-fat, |
— |
fresh weight between 0,7 kg and 1,5 kg, |
— |
any procedures involving negative temperatures (freezing, quick-freezing, etc.) are forbidden. |
3.4. Feed (for products of animal origin only):
After the weaning, the animals are reared on rangelands. These rangelands are areas in forests and pastures where the herds are moved according to parameters such as the seasonal availability of forage resources.
The animals partly feed themselves on these rangelands (grasses, roots, tubers, etc.). The farmers feed the herds a maximum of 2 kg of supplementary rations per day and per pig in the rearing areas. This supplementary feed contains at least 90 % cereals, oilseeds, pulses and derived products in weight of the feed formula and as a weighted average, and at least 60 % cereals and derived products (wheat, barley, maize). It may contain maize up to 45 days before the finishing phase.
The finishing lasts for at least 45 days between October and March. For at least the first 30 days of this time, the animals feed on nothing but acorns and chestnuts, which they forage in the finishing areas (oak and chestnut groves). Thereafter, supplementary barley feed may be given for a maximum of 4 kg per day per pig. The total amount of the daily barley rations given by the farmer may not exceed 30 % of the chestnut and/or acorn feed during the finishing phase.
3.5. Specific steps in production that must take place in the defined geographical area:
All stages in the production process (the farrowing, rearing, finishing, slaughtering of the pigs, the processing and maturing of the meats) must take place in the geographical area.
3.6. Specific rules on slicing, grating, packaging, etc.:
The cutting, slicing and packaging must take place in the geographical area for the following reasons:
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to avoid losing control of the organoleptic qualities when the products are stored and handled, |
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to avoid losing control of the monitoring, traceability and relabelling of the products. |
The product is sliced by hand, using knives only, in order to prevent heating of the meat, which could cause the product's specific organoleptic qualities to deteriorate. Authorised utensils are slicing knives and stands.
The casing (natural gut or layer of kidney fat) is removed before slicing.
After the products have been portioned and sliced, they are immediately vacuum-packed.
The lean meat is red to deep red in colour. Due to the absence of preservatives (that limit oxidation and thus stabilise the product's colour) other than salt, it is essential for the meat to be vacuum-packed as quickly as possible in order to prevent darkening.
The fat, which has a typical flavour, aroma, colour and sheen, turns rancid easily when exposed to the open air, which confirms the need for the product to be vacuum-packed as quickly as possible.
Once the portioning of a ham has started, the meat must be completely packaged within 12 hours.
These measures aim to prevent any loss of the product’s original quality, in particular with regard to its organoleptic characteristics.
3.7. Specific rules concerning labelling:
In addition to the information that processed meat products are required to carry by law, labels of products with the ‘Lonzo de Corse’/‘Lonzo de Corse — Lonzu’ denomination of origin must include the following references:
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the denomination of origin ‘Lonzo de Corse’/‘Lonzo de Corse — Lonzu’; |
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the PDO symbol of the European Union, as from the time of registration with the European Union. |
No products except those made from animals that are finished on chestnuts and/or acorns may carry the reference ‘finition châtaigne et/ou gland’ (‘finished on chestnuts and/or acorns’) or ‘porcs finis à la châtaigne et/ou au gland’ (‘pigs finished on chestnuts and/or acorns’) or ‘100 % châtaignes/glands’ (‘100 % chestnuts/acorns’).
4. Concise definition of the geographical area:
The definition of the geographical area of the denomination of origin ‘Lonzo de Corse’/‘Lonzo de Corse — Lonzu’ is based on the municipalities whose natural environment meets the traditional rearing and processing requirements of ‘Lonzo de Corse’/‘Lonzo de Corse — Lonzu’, which is all of the Corsican territory except for the coast, as it does not satisfy the production requirements of the product.
The geographical area thus comprises the departments of Corse-du-Sud and Haute-Corse, of which the following municipalities are partly covered:
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department of Corse-du-Sud: Afa, Ajaccio, Alata, Albitreccia, Ambiegna, Appietto, Arbellara, Arbori, Arro, Bastelicaccia, Belvédère-Campomoro, Bonifacio, Calcatoggio, Cannelle, Cargèse, Casaglione, Casalabriva, Cauro, Coggia, Cognocoli-Monticchi, Conca, Coti-Chiavari, Cuttoli-Corticchiato, Eccica-Suarella, Figari, Fozzano, Grosseto-Prugna, Lecci, Lopigna, Loreto-di-Tallano, Marignana, Monacia-d'Aullène, Olmeto, Olmiccia, Osani, Ota, Partinello, Piana, Pianottoli-Caldarello, Pietrosella, Pila-Canale, Porto-Vecchio, Propriano, Sainte-Lucie-de-Tallano, San-Gavino-di-Carbini, Sant'Andréa-d'Orcino, Sari-Solenzara, Sarrola-Carcopino, Sartène, Serra-di-Ferro, Serriera, Sollacaro, Sotta, Vico, Viggianello, Villanova, Zonza; |
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department of Haute-Corse: Aghione, Aléria, Algajola, Antisanti, Aregno, Barbaggio, Barrettali, Bastia, Belgodère, Biguglia, Borgo, Brando, Cagnano, Calenzana, Calvi, Canale-di-Verde, Canari, Castellare-di-Casinca, Centuri, Cervione, Chiatra, Corbara, Ersa, Farinole, Furiani, Galéria, Ghisonaccia, Giuncaggio, L'Ile-Rousse, Linguizzetta, Lucciana, Lugo-di-Nazza, Lumio, Luri, Meria, Monte, Montegrosso, Monticello, Morsiglia, Nonza, Novella, Occhiatana, Ogliastro, Oletta, Olmeta-di-Capocorso, Olmeta-di-Tuda, Olmo, Palasca, Pancheraccia, Patrimonio, Penta-di-Casinca, Pietracorbara, Pietroso, Piève, Pigna, Pino, Poggio-di-Nazza, Poggio-d'Oletta, Poggio-Mezzana, Prunelli-di-Casacconi, Prunelli-di-Fiumorbo, Pruno, Rapale, Rogliano, Rutali, Saint-Florent, San-Gavino-di-Tenda, San-Giuliano, San-Martino-di-Lota, San-Nicolao, Santa-Lucia-di-Moriani, Santa-Maria-di-Lota, Santa-Maria-Poggio, Santa-Reparata-di-Balagna, Santo-Pietro-di-Tenda, Serra-di-Fiumorbo, Sisco, Solaro, Sorbo-Ocagnano, Speloncato, Taglio-Isolaccio, Talasani, Tallone, Tomino, Tox, Urtaca, Vallecalle, Valle-di-Campoloro, Ventiseri, Venzolasca, Vescovato, Vignale, Ville-di-Paraso, Ville-di-Pietrabugno, Volpajola. |
A map delineating the boundaries of the geographical area has been lodged with the municipal authorities of the partly covered municipalities. A map of these municipalities is available on the website of the competent national authority in line with the requirements of the INSPIRE Directive.
5. Link with the geographical area:
5.1. Specificity of the geographical area:
Corsica has a particularly distinctive natural environment in terms of its climate, topography and soil as well as the functioning of its ecosystems.
Geologically, the west of Corsica is Hercynian, dominated by granites, granulites and porphyries, which produce a landscape of high rocky peaks, and the north-east is Alpine, with lustrous schists and various sedimentary terrains, lower altitudes and less towering reliefs. The combination of soil and various climatic altitude bands allows for a significant plant cover and enables the growth of vegetation suited to the rearing of this specific pig herd.
Corsica has a Mediterranean climate but, due to its insularity as well as the diversity of altitudes and exposures as a result of its complex topography, the climate is extremely varied, which sometimes makes for striking contrasts between valleys or even nearby mountain faces.
At present, Corsica has a mostly Paleo-Mediterranean flora. The island’s isolation has benefited the development of species, which explains why Corsica counts a high proportion of endemic plants.
Among the various altitude bands of vegetation is the subhumid Mediterranean band, which is characterised by the presence of cork oak and holm oak. The most widespread type of vegetation in this band is the maquis (shrubby scrubland).
A typical tree of the humid Mediterranean band is the chestnut. This is the level at which the olive tree is no longer found, as its upper limit coincides with the chestnut’s lower limit.
Thus, Corsica is ideally suited to forests as its soil and climate conditions are, by and large, very favourable to woodland vegetation. Oak and chestnut are particularly abundant throughout the island.
The processed meat products have a long history and, along with dairy products, were one of the staple sources of animal protein in the traditional diet of the island for a very long time.
The current rearing methods hark back to an age-old pastoral tradition which was to move herds of pigs across mountain forests or summer pastures (rangelands) according to the forage resources naturally present in the environment.
The Nustrale is a local, Iberian type of breed. It is a hardy animal that is particularly suited to this type of rearing. It makes good use of the natural resources that it finds. The sows lead the herds across the varied rangelands (wooded areas, summer pastures, etc.). These rangelands may also move with the seasons and the forage resources present in the environment.
From the time the pigs are weaned until they are fully grown, they are given, on the rangelands, the rations of feed that are essential to their development. The pigs also feed on the forage resources present on the rangelands (grasses, roots, tubers, etc.).
During the finishing phase, the animals are left to roam oak and chestnut groves at the time of fruit production. They mostly feed on chestnuts and/or acorns through autumn and winter. The only supplement authorised is barley.
This is a key stage in the process that directly affects weight gain and fat quality (high levels of monounsaturated fat and low levels of saturated fatty acid).
The climatic conditions of the rearing areas called for appropriate preservation methods. This sparked the production of dry processed meats, with curing and drying as the preservation methods of choice.
Before the arrival of refrigeration in the late 19th century, the islanders made good use of the possibilities offered by the environment. That is why slaughtered and processed meat used to be and still is highly seasoned. As a result, the consumption period of ‘Lonzo de Corse’/‘Lonzo de Corse — Lonzu’ extends from February to September. It is an early seasonal product (‘primeur’) of the group of anatomical processed meats, which is served as a starter. Consumed in this way, mostly during the spring season, it is a common and everyday consumer product.
The processing is done by natural methods. Historically, and up to the present day, the only additives used have been salt, pepper or chilli (no preservatives). The product is heat-dried using fires of local hardwoods.
The time and traditional conditions of maturing (in natural cellars and at room temperature) enable specific organoleptic qualities to develop, particularly in terms of aroma and texture.
5.2. Specificity of the product:
‘Lonzo de Corse’/‘Lonzo de Corse — Lonzu’ has the following specific characteristics:
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when sliced, the lean meat is homogenously pinkish red to red in colour according to the pigment content of the muscles, |
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the lean meat is slightly marbled due to an intramuscular lipid rate of 5 % or more, |
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slices may have an oily appearance due to a high fatty acid content, |
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the fat is fairly tender in texture, which is due to high lipolysis, |
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slices have low-intensity aromas (of dried ham, hazelnuts, mushrooms or woodlands), a characteristic salty flavour due to a salt content between 6,5 % and 10 %, and a hint of pepper. |
5.3. Causal link between the geographical area and the quality or characteristics of the product (for PDO) or a specific quality, the reputation or other characteristic of the product (for PGI):
The use of Nustrale pigs is an essential feature of local production. Indeed, the hardiness of this local breed, which is able to withstand significant changes of weather and feed and to build up fat reserves quickly when food is abundant, and the way in which it is reared are authentic and particularly well adapted to the territory: mountainous area, rearing on rangelands, long production cycle (high slaughter age with a carcass weight that is always under 140 kg), feeding based on natural resources, in particular during the finishing phase.
The extensive rearing of pigs in Corsica benefits from abundant feed resources throughout virtually the whole territory: chestnut and holm oak grow both in natural forest areas highly impacted by human intervention and in areas that can be described as part farmland, part forest.
The suitability of the breed combined with the natural resources available makes for a product whose quality is evident from its pinkish red to red colour, high adiposity (proportion of fat to lean meat and intense marbling) and a dry weight of less than 1,1 kg.
Moreover, the finishing phase directly affects:
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the weight gained by the animal, in particular due to an increase of the subcutaneous fat layer (more than 2,5 cm), |
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fat quality (high levels of monounsaturated fat and low levels of saturated fatty acid). |
As a result, the pork meat lends itself well to curing. The salting practices, which include the use of sea salt as the sole preservative, explain the distinctly salty taste of the finished product. In addition, the product is trimmed into a specific shape (partial inclusion of the back-fat).
The pork meat is also well-suited to a long maturing time in natural environmental conditions. This translates into specific organoleptic characteristics such as a dry and sometimes supple texture and low-intensity aromas.
The relatively high levels of salt and the long production cycle (dry-curing and maturing) generate little proteolysis and high lipolysis, which confers specific organoleptic characteristics on the product, notably its fairly tender texture.
Reference to publication of the specification:
(Article 5(7) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 (3))
http://agriculture.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/CDCLonzoDeCorse_cle0e6156.pdf
(1) OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12.
(3) See footnote 2.