14.5.2008

Official Journal of the European Union

C 117/8

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1628/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to national regional investment aid

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 117/07)

Aid No

XR 190/07

Member State

Germany

Region

Thüringen

Title of aid scheme or the name of the undertaking receiving ad hoc aid supplement

Richtlinie für die Übernahme von Bürgschaften durch die Thüringer Aufbaubank zugunsten der gewerblichen Wirtschaft und der freien Berufe (TAB-Bürgschaftsprogramm)

(Bürgschaften für Investitionskredite in den Ratingkategorien 1 bis 5 entsprechend der genehmigten Berechnungsmethode vom 25.9.2007(Nr. N 197/07))

Legal basis

Thüringen Landeshaushaltsordnung § 39; Landeshaushaltsgesetz

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Annual budget

EUR 1,5 million

Maximum aid intensity

30 %

In conformity with Article 4 of the Regulation

Date of implementation

5.11.2007

Duration

31.12.2013

Economic sectors

All sectors eligible for regional investment aid

Name and address of the granting authority

Thüringer Aufbaubank

Gorkistraße 9

D-99084 Erfurt

Tel. (49-361) 744 70

info@aufbaubank.de

Internet address of the publication of the aid scheme

www.thueringen.de/de/tfm/buergschaften/buerg/programme/tabbp/

Other information

—

Aid No

XR 191/07

Member State

Germany

Region

Thüringen

Title of aid scheme or the name of the undertaking receiving ad hoc aid supplement

Richtlinie für die Übernahme von Bürgschaften durch den Freistaat Thüringen zugunsten der gewerblichen Wirtschaft und der freien Berufe (Landesbürgschaftsprogramm)

(Bürgschaften für Investitionskredite in den Ratingkategorien 1 bis 5 entsprechend der genehmigten Berechnungsmethode vom 25.9.2007(Nr. N 197/07))

Legal basis

Thüringen Landeshaushaltsordnung § 39; Haushaltsgesetz

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Annual budget

EUR 3 million

Maximum aid intensity

30 %

In conformity with Article 4 of the Regulation

Date of implementation

5.11.2007

Duration

31.12.2013

Economic sectors

All sectors eligible for regional investment aid

Name and address of the granting authority

Thüringer Finanzministerium

Ludwig-Erhard-Ring 7

D-99099 Erfurt

Tel. (49-361) 379 64 13

Internet address of the publication of the aid scheme

www.thueringen.de/de/tfm/buergschaften/buerg/programme/lbp/

Other information

—

Aid No

XR 42/08

Member State

Belgium

Region

Région wallonne, province du Hainaut

Title of aid scheme or the name of the undertaking receiving ad hoc aid supplement

Incitants en faveur des entreprises (grandes entreprises et PME) objectif convergence

Legal basis

Arrêté du GW du 6 mai 2006 portant exécution du décret du 11 mars 2004 relatif aux incitants régionaux en faveur des grandes entreprises modifié par l'arrêté du Gouvernement wallon du 17 janvier 2008; Arrêté du GW du 6 mai 2006 portant exécution du décret du 11 mars 2004 relatif aux incitants régionaux en faveur des PME modifié par l'arrêté du Gouvernement wallon du 17 janvier 2008; Arrêté du GW du 6 décembre 2006 déterminant les zones de développement pour la période 2007-2013

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Annual budget

EUR 50,5 million

Maximum aid intensity

30 %

In conformity with Article 4 of the Regulation

Date of implementation

8.2.2008

Duration

31.12.2008

Economic sectors

All sectors eligible for regional investment aid

Name and address of the granting authority

Direction générale de l'Économie et de l'Emploi, Direction de la Politique économique

Place de la Wallonie, 1, bât. 1

B-5100 Jambes

Internet address of the publication of the aid scheme

http://wallex.wallonie.be

Other information

—

14.5.2008

Official Journal of the European Union

C 117/10

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001

(2008/C 117/08)

Aid No: XA 418/07

Member State: Republic of Slovenia

Region: Območje občine Piran

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Podpora in ukrepi za razvoj kmetijstva in podeželja v občini Piran

Legal basis: Pravilnik o izvajanju podpor in ukrepov za razvoj kmetijstva in podeželja v občini Piran (Poglavje VI)

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company:

2007: EUR 56 700

2008: EUR 62 000

2009: EUR 68 000

2010: EUR 68 000

2011: EUR 75 000

2012: EUR 82 000

2013: EUR 90 000

Maximum aid intensity:

1. Investment in agricultural holdings for primary production:

—	up to 50 % of eligible costs in less-favoured areas,

—	up to 40 % of eligible costs in other areas.

Support is granted to agricultural holdings for primary agricultural production, investment in permanent crops, the improvement of farmland, the restoration of farm features and the purchase of machinery to be used for primary agricultural production.

2. Aid for land reparcelling:

—	up to 100 % of eligible legal and administrative costs incurred.

3. Aid to encourage the production of quality agricultural products:

—

up to 80 % of the costs of market research activities, product conception and design, including aid for the preparation of applications for recognition of geographical indications, designations of origin or certificates of specific character in accordance with the relevant Community Regulations, the costs of the introduction of quality assurance schemes, traceability systems, systems to assure respect of authenticity and marketing norms or environmental audit systems, the costs of training personnel to apply quality assurance schemes, traceability systems, systems to assure respect of authenticity and marketing norms or environmental audit systems. The aid is to be granted in the form of subsidised services and must not involve direct payments of money to producers.

4. Aid for providing technical support in the agricultural sector:

—

up to 80 % of eligible costs concerning education and training of farmers, consultancy services provided by third parties which do not constitute a continuous or periodic activity nor relate to the enterprise's usual operating expenditure, such as routine tax consultancy services, regular legal services, or advertising; the organisation and conduct of workshops, forums and competitions and production of catalogues and publications. The aid is to be granted in the form of subsidised services and must not involve direct payments of money to producers

Date of implementation: December 2007

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31.12.2013 or for the duration of validity of the Regulations

Objective of aid: To support SMEs

Reference to Articles in Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and eligible costs: Chapter 6 of the Rules on providing support and implementing measures to develop agriculture and rural areas in the municipality of Piran includes measures constituting State aid in accordance with the following Articles of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 (OJ L 358, 16.12.2006, p. 3):

Article 4: Investment in agricultural holdings,

Article 13: Aid for land reparcelling,

Article 14: Aid to encourage the production of quality agricultural products,

Article 15: Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector

Economic sector(s) concerned: Agriculture

Name and address of granting authority:

Občina Piran

Tartinijev trg 2

SLO-6330 Piran

Website: http://www.lex-localis.info/KatalogInformacij/VsebinaDokumenta.aspx?SectionID=82ffb8fd-1f32-4549-a01a-7eb517c00dc4

Other information: The measure for the payment of insurance premiums to insure crops and fruit includes the following adverse climatic events which can be assimilated to natural disasters: spring frost, hail, lightning, fire caused by lightning, storm and floods.

The municipality's Rules meet the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 relating to the measures to be adopted by the municipality and the general provisions applicable (steps preceding grant of aid, cumulation, transparency and monitoring of aid)

Person responsible:

Nataša LIKAR

Head of the department for economic activities and tourism of the municipality of Piran

Aid No: XA 419/07

Member State: Republic of Slovenia

Region: Območje občine Šentilj

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Programi razvoja podeželja v občini Šentilj 2007–2013

Legal basis: Pravilnik o ukrepih za razvoj podeželja na območju občine Šentilj (II. Poglavje)

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company:

2007: EUR 80 000

2008: EUR 80 000

2009: EUR 80 000

2010: EUR 80 000

2011: EUR 80 000

2012: EUR 80 000

2013: EUR 80 000

Maximum aid intensity:

1. Investment in agricultural holdings for primary production:

—	up to 50 % of eligible costs in less-favoured areas and up to 40 % of eligible costs for investment in other areas.

The purpose of the aid is investment to restore farm features and to purchase equipment to be used for agricultural production, to invest in permanent crops, to improve farmland and to manage pastures.

2. Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums:

—	the amount of municipal co-financing is the difference between the amount of co-financing of insurance premiums from the national budget and up to 50 % of eligible costs of an insurance premium for insuring crops and fruit and insuring livestock against disease.

3. Aid to encourage the production of quality agricultural products:

—	up to 50 % of costs; the aid is to be provided in the form of subsidised services and must not involve direct payments of money to producers.

4. Provision of technical support in agriculture:

—

up to 50 % of costs concerning education and training of farmers, consultancy services and the organisation of forums, competitions, exhibitions, fairs, publications, catalogues and websites. The aid is to be granted in the form of subsidised services and must not involve direct payments of money to producers

Date of implementation: December 2007 (the aid will not be granted until a summary has been published on the European Commission's website)

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31.12.2013

Objective of the aid: To support SMEs

Reference to Articles in Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and eligible costs: Chapter II of the draft Rules on the implementation of measures to promote rural development in the municipality of Šentilj includes measures constituting State aid in accordance with the following Articles of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 (OJ L 358, 16.12.2006, p. 3):

Article 4: Investment in agricultural holdings,

Article 12: Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums,

Article 14: Aid to encourage the production of quality agricultural products,

Article 15: Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector

Economic sector(s) concerned: Agriculture

Name and address of granting authority:

Občina Šentilj

Maistrova ulica 2

Šentilj v Slovenskih goricah

Website: http://www.izit.si/muv/index.php?action=showIzdaja&year=2007&izdajaID=428

Št. predpisa: 608, stran: 1187

Signature of person responsible:

Edvard ČAGRAN

Mayor of the municipality

Aid No: XA 425/07

Member State: Republic of Slovenia

Region: Območje občine Prevalje

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Pomoči za ohranjanje in razvoj kmetijstva in podeželja v občini Prevalje 2007–2013

Legal basis: Pravilnik o dodeljevanju pomoči za ohranjanje in razvoj kmetijstva in podeželja v občini Prevalje za programsko obdobje 2007–2013

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company:

2007: EUR 18 820

2008: EUR 21 820

2009: EUR 23 000

2010: EUR 24 000

2011: EUR 26 500

2012: EUR 27 500

2013: EUR 29 000

Maximum aid intensity:

1. Investment in agricultural holdings for primary production:

—	up to 50 % of eligible costs in less-favoured areas,

—	up to 40 % of eligible costs in other areas,

—	up to 60 % of eligible costs in less-favoured areas, and up to 50 % of eligible costs in other areas, in the case of investments made by young farmers within five years of setting up.

2. Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings:

—	for non-productive features, up to 100 % of actual costs,

—	for productive assets on farms, up to 60 % of actual costs, or 75 % in less-favoured areas, provided that the investment does not entail any increase in the production capacity of the farm,

—	additional aid may be granted at a rate of up to 100 % to cover the extra costs incurred by using traditional materials necessary to preserve the heritage features of buildings.

3. Relocation of farm buildings in the public interest:

—	up to 100 % of actual costs where the relocation simply consists of the dismantling, removal and re-erection of existing facilities,

—

where the relocation results in the farmer benefiting from more modern facilities, the farmer must contribute at least 60 %, or 50 % in less-favoured areas, of the increase in the value of the facilities concerned after relocation. If the beneficiary is a young farmer, his contribution is to be at least 55 % or 45 % respectively,

—

where the relocation results in an increase in production capacity, the contribution from the beneficiary must be at least 60 %, or 50 % in less-favoured areas, of the expenses relating to this increase. If the beneficiary is a young farmer, this contribution is to be at least 55 % or 45 % respectively.

4. Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums:

—	the amount of municipal support is the difference between the amount of co-financing of insurance premiums from the national budget and up to 50 % of eligible costs of insurance premiums for insuring crops and fruit and for insuring livestock against disease.

5. Aid for land reparcelling:

—	up to 100 % of actual legal and administrative costs incurred.

6. Aid to encourage the production of quality agricultural products:

—	up to 100 % of actual costs incurred; this is to be provided in the form of subsidised services and must not involve direct payments of money to producers.

7. Provision of technical support:

—

up to 100 % of costs concerning farmers' education and training, consultancy services and the organization of forums, competitions, exhibitions, fairs, publications, catalogues and websites, and the costs of replacement services. The aid is to be granted in the form of subsidised services and must not involve direct payments of money to producers

Date of implementation: December 2007 (the aid will not be granted until a summary has been published on the European Commission's website)

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31.12.2013

Objective of the aid: To support SMEs

Reference to Articles in Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and eligible costs: The Rules on granting State aid for preserving and developing agriculture and rural areas in the municipality of Prevalje include measures constituting State aid in accordance with the following Articles of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 (OJ L 358, 16.12.2006, p. 3):

Article 4: Investment in agricultural holdings,

Article 5: Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings,

Article 6: Relocation of farm buildings in the public interest,

Article 12: Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums,

Article 13: Aid for land reparcelling,

Article 14: Aid to encourage the production of quality agricultural products,

Article 15: Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector

Economic Sector(s) concerned: Agriculture

Name and address of granting authority:

Občina Prevalje

Trg 2a

SLO-2391 Prevalje

Website: http://ls.lex-localis.info/UradnoGlasiloObcin/VsebinaDokumenta.aspx?SectionID=a5a901e9-cd5c-49a0-b725-5cba5dcbdaa7

The municipality's Rules meet the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 concerning the measures to be adopted by the municipality and the general provisions applicable (steps preceding grant of aid, cumulation, transparency and monitoring of aid)

Signature of person responsible:

Matic TASIČ

Mayor of the municipality of Prevalje

Aid No: XA 426/07

Member State: Republic of Slovenia

Region: Savinjska regija, območje občine Braslovče

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Dodeljevanje državnih pomoči za ohranjanje in razvoj kmetijstva in podeželja v občini Braslovče za obdobje 2007–2013.

Legal basis: Pravilnik o dodeljevanju pomoči za ohranjanje in razvoj kmetijstva ter podeželja v občini Braslovče za programsko obdobje 2007–2013

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company:

2007: EUR 29 316

2008: EUR 30 050

2009: EUR 30 800

2010: EUR 31 500

2011: EUR 32 400

2012: EUR 33 200

2013: EUR 34 000

Maximum aid intensity:

1. Investment in agricultural holdings for primary production:

—	up to 50 % of eligible costs in less-favoured areas,

—	up to 40 % of eligible costs in other areas,

—	up to 60 % of eligible costs in less-favoured areas, and up to 50 % of eligible costs in other areas, in the case of investments made by young farmers within five years of setting up.

2. Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings:

—	for investment in non-productive features, up to 100 % of actual costs,

—	for investment in productive assets on farms, up to 60 % of actual costs, or 75 % in less-favoured areas, provided that the investment does not entail any increase in the production capacity of the farm,

—	additional aid may be granted at a rate of up to 100 % to cover the extra costs incurred by using traditional materials necessary to maintain the heritage features of buildings.

3. Relocation of farm buildings in the public interest:

—	up to 100 % of the actual costs where the relocation simply consists of the dismantling, removal and re-erection of existing facilities,

—

4. Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums:

—	the amount of municipal co-financing is the difference between the amount of co-financing of insurance premiums from the national budget and up to 50 % of eligible costs of an insurance premium for insuring livestock against disease,

—	up to 10 % of eligible costs of insurance premiums for insuring crops and fruit.

5. Aid for land reparcelling:

—	up to 100 % of actual costs incurred.

6. Aid to encourage the production of quality agricultural products:

—	up to 100 % of actual costs incurred; this is to be provided in the form of subsidised services and must not involve direct payments of money to producers.

7. Provision of technical support:

—

up to 100 % of costs concerning education and training, consultancy services provided by third parties and the organization of forums, competitions, exhibitions, fairs, publications and websites. The aid is to be granted in the form of subsidised services and must not involve direct payments of money to producers

Date of implementation: December 2007 (the aid will not be granted until a summary has been published on the European Commission's website)

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31.12.2013

Objective of aid: To support SMEs

Reference to Articles in Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and eligible costs: Chapter II of the draft Rules on granting aid for preserving and developing agriculture and rural areas in the municipality of Braslovče for the programming period 2007-2013 includes measures constituting State aid in accordance with the following Articles of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 (OJ L 358, 16.12.2006, p. 3):

Article 4: Investment in agricultural holdings,

Article 5: Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings,

Article 6: Relocation of farm buildings in the public interest,

Article 12: Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums,

Article 13: Aid for land reparcelling,

Article 14: Aid to encourage the production of quality agricultural products,

Article 15: Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector

Economic sector(s) concerned: Agriculture

Name and address of granting authority:

Občina Braslovče

Braslovče 22

SLO-3314 Braslovče

Website: http://www.uradni-list.si/1/ulonline.jsp?urlid=2007104&dhid=92529

Signature of person responsible:

Marko BALANT

Mayor of the Municipality of Braslovče

14.5.2008

Official Journal of the European Union

C 117/16

(2008/C 117/09)

Aid No: XA 2/08

Member State: Denmark

Region: Denmark

Title of the scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Tilskud til certificerede partier af sædekorn og markfrø

Legal basis: Finanslov 2008

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: DKK 10 000 000

Maximum aid intensity: 50 %

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31.12.2008

Objective of aid: The purpose of the aid scheme is to contribute towards the costs of compulsory control measures in connection with the certification of cereal seeds and other seeds for sowing. The scheme comes under Article 14((2)(e) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006. The legal basis has not yet been published

Sector(s) concerned: Crop production (cereal and other seed for sowing)

Name and address of the granting authority:

Plantedirektoratet

Skovbrynet 20

DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby

Website: www.pdir.dk

Aid No: XA 3/08

Member State: Italy

Region: Regione Marche

Title of aid scheme: Programma dei servizi di sviluppo del sistema agroalimentare per l'anno 2007

Legal basis:

—	Legge Regionale 23 dicembre 1999, n. 37 ‘Disciplina dei servizi per lo sviluppo del sistema agroalimentare regionale’.

—	Legge Regionale 23 ottobre 2007, n. 14 ‘Assestamento del bilancio 2007’ comma 1 dell'art. 26 ‘Interventi a favore della zootecnia’.

—	Deliberazione Amministrativa n. 57/2007 del 5 giugno 2007: ‘L.R. 37/99. Proroga al 2007 del Programma Operativo 2006 dei servizi di sviluppo del sistema agroalimentare regionale’.

—

Deliberazione della Giunta Regionale delle Marche n. 1079 dell'8 ottobre 2007 avente ad oggetto ‘L.R. 23 dicembre 1999 n. 37 — D.A. 57/07: Programma obiettivo 2007 dei servizi di sviluppo del sistema agroalimentare regionale. Approvazione criteri per l'attuazione del Programma annuale 2007 e per la presentazione dei programmi operativi 2007’.

—

Deliberazione di Giunta Regionale n. 1182 del 31 ottobre 2007 avente ad oggetto ‘Integrazione della DGR n. 1079 dell'8 ottobre 2007’ avente ad oggetto ‘L.R. 23 dicembre 1999, n. 37 — D. A. 57/07: Programma Obiettivo 2007 dei servizi di sviluppo del sistema agroalimentare regionale. Approvazione criteri per l'attuazione del Programma Annuale 2007 e per la presentazione dei Programmi Operativi 2007’.

—

Deliberazione della Giunta Regionale delle Marche n. 1500 del 18 dicembre 2007, avente ad oggetto ‘Integrazione della DGR n. 1079 dell'8 ottobre 2007’ avente ad oggetto ‘L.R. 23 dicembre 1999, n. 37 — D. A. 57/07: Programma Obiettivo 2007 dei servizi di sviluppo del sistema agroalimentare regionale. Approvazione criteri per l'attuazione del Programma Annuale 2007 e per la presentazione dei Programmi Operativi 2007’

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: Public expenditure planned for 2007 amounts to EUR 2 285 000. Public funding will in any event be set within the limits of the financial resources allocated to the activities of Agricultural Development Services under the 2007 draft budget. The above-mentioned figure for planned public expenditure for 2007 may be increased by any actual savings in expenditure on multiannual projects. The aid scheme covers 2007 only

Maximum aid intensity: Aid may cover up to 70 % of eligible costs and will be awarded in the form of services provided by implementing bodies, i.e. other than as direct payments to producers. Specialist consulting services of a highly scientific and innovative nature which are provided by provincial and regional breeders' associations (APA and ARA) are not subject to this restriction; the maximum public aid intensity for such measures is thus 100 % of the eligible costs incurred

Date of implementation: The aid scheme will not be implemented until the Commission confirms that it has received this summary information sheet. The scheme in effect extends the period of validity of the 2006 programme and will accordingly relate only to requests submitted by the implementing bodies to the competent authority (the Marche Region) in September 2006. The same also applies to requests submitted by individual firms to the implementing bodies, in other words the forms completed by those firms indicating their participation in the project. This means that all of the provisions of Article 18 of the exempting Regulation will be complied with

Duration of scheme: The aid scheme covers 2007 only

Objective of aid: The primary objective of the aid is to provide small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises engaged in the production of products mentioned in Annex I to the Treaty, with support in the form of technical assistance services. The general objectives of the provision of development services are to:

provide farmers with assistance, at both technical and organisational/management level, in establishing multifunctional farming,

create optimum conditions for farmers to access knowledge and acquire skills related to environmental protection and land conservation and preservation,

promote and support generational turnover, primarily with a view to improving enterprise structure,

ensure the continued presence of centres of production in inland disadvantaged areas,

encourage, through extension and promotion initiatives in firms, high-quality production activities linked to enhancing the value of typical and traditional regional agri-food sector products, the aim being to introduce and increase the uptake of process and product certification and subsequently improve the image of the farm products concerned by means of quality-seal programmes,

seek the best business conditions so as to contain the direct and indirect costs of businesses,

encourage business owners to improve supply organisation and, where appropriate, to enter into sector agreement and related contracts and agreements,

disseminate the results of research and experimentation in order to encourage the modernisation of agricultural enterprises.

These objectives will be pursued by means of the following:

The technical assistance services provided do not constitute a continuous or periodic activity nor do they relate to the enterprise's usual operating expenditure; for each project, therefore, monitoring of indicators is required to assess improvements made under the assistance measures, accompanied by a detailed report of the results obtained.

Reference is made to Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and, more specifically, to paragraphs 2 and 3 thereof as regards whether the costs incurred as a result of the granting of the aid provided for under the legal basis are eligible and can be reimbursed

Sector(s) concerned: Animal production (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, etc.) and vegetable production (tree crops and grasses), sylvicultural production (only in respect of production for the sale of nursery plants), and related activities such as rural tourism and the processing and direct sale of agricultural products.

As regards rural tourism, aid will be granted only for the provision of technical assistance services, the aim of which is to boost farm sales of agricultural products referred to in Annex I to the Treaty, where these are produced on the farm and sold using premises which are not separate from the farm and are not used exclusively for that purpose.

As regards processing and marketing by farms of products included in Annex I to the Treaty which they have produced themselves, aid will be granted only for the provision of services, the aim of which is the sale of those products on the farm, using premises which are not separate from the farm and are not used exclusively for that purpose

Name and address of the granting authority:

Regione Marche — Servizio Agricoltura — PF Competitività e sviluppo dell'impresa agricola

Via Tiziano, 44

I-60125 Ancona

Website: http://www.agri.marche.it/Aree tematiche/Aiuti di stato/documentazione.pdf

Other information: The scheme extends until the end of 2007 the period of validity of two earlier measures: N 16/04 and N 700/06.

As shown in the comparative table attached to this summary information sheet, the aid schemes for the three years from 2003 to 2005 (Aid N 16/04), for 2006 (Aid N 700/06) and for 2007, are identical, apart from a few minor amendments, aimed at bringing the scheme into line with national legislation on producer organisations. The only significant difference is the fact that the aid rate has increased (although it still remains within the maximum limit of 100 % of eligible costs, in accordance with Article 15 of the new exempting Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006) for programmes initiated by stockbreeders' associations, on account of the innovative efforts required for these programmes.

Development services for agricultural enterprises will supplied by ‘implementing bodies’, identified in the relevant regional law, namely:

—	professional agricultural organisations and/or institutes and organisations providing technical assistance and advice and professional training set up by such organisations,

—	cooperative associations, including through their own associates, and/or institutes and organisations providing technical assistance and advice and professional training set up by such associations;

Support services: Agro-meteorological assistance and assistance for the genetic and functional improvement of milk production will be entrusted to ASSAM; ASSAM will provide these services via, respectively, plant health associations (operating via the Italian CALs, or Local Agri-Meteorological Centres) and the system of regional breeders' associations.

In accordance with Article 15(3) and (4) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006, the end beneficiaries of the development services system provided for under this aid scheme are small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises meeting the requirements of Regional Law No 37 of 23 December 1999‘Disciplina dei servizi per lo sviluppo del sistema agroalimentare regionale’ in Administrative Decision No 57/2007 of 5 June 2007 (‘L.R. 37/99. Proroga al 2007 del Programma Operativo 2006 dei servizi di sviluppo del sistema agroalimentare regionale’) and the Regional Authority Decisions forming the legal basis of this aid scheme.

It should be noted that the end beneficiaries will not receive any direct payments but will only benefit from the services provided by the implementing bodies specified at 3.1.1. of the Annex to DGR No 1079 of 8 October 2007, as amended by DGR No 1500 of 18 December 2007 and included in the comparative table referred to above.

All beneficiaries in the area affected by the project will have access to the services provided. The fact that an end beneficiary is controlled by an implementing body will not be a condition for access to the service. Any contributions from beneficiaries not forming part of the organisation of the implementing body to the administrative costs of the implementing body, will be restricted to the cost of the service provided

Aid No: XA 14/08

Member State: Republic of Slovenia

Region: Območje občine Hrastnik

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Podpore programom razvoja podeželja v občini Hrastnik 2007–2010

Legal basis: Pravilnik o dodeljevanju finančnih pomoči za programe razvoja podeželja in kmetijstva v občini Hrastnik

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company:

2007: EUR 21 574

2008: EUR 22 033

2009: EUR 22 033

2010: EUR 22 033

Maximum aid intensity:

1. Investment in agricultural holdings for primary production:

—	up to 50 % of eligible costs in less-favoured areas and up to 40 % in other areas.

2. Aid for conservation of traditional buildings:

—

up to 50 % of eligible costs for investments to conserve non-productive heritage features located on farms and for investment to conserve the heritage features of productive assets on farms, such as farm buildings, provided that the investments do not entail any increase in the production capacity of the farm.

3. Aid for land reparcelling:

—	up to 100 % of actual legal and administrative costs incurred.

4. Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector:

—

up to 100 % of costs concerning education and training of farmers, consultancy services that are provided by third parties and that do not include the enterprise's usual operating expenditure, the organisation of forums, competitions, exhibitions and fairs, publications, catalogues and websites, and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. The aid is to be granted in the form of subsidised services and does not involve direct payments of money to producers

Date of implementation: June 2007

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31.12.2010

Objective of the aid: To support SMEs

Reference to Articles in Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and eligible costs: Chapter II of the draft Rules on granting financial aid for agricultural and rural development programmes in the municipality of Hrastnik includes measures constituting State aid in accordance with the following Articles of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 (OJ L 358, 16.12.2006, p. 3):

Article 4: Investment in agricultural holdings for primary production,

Article 5: Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings,

Article 13: Aid for land reparcelling,

Article 15: Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector

Economic sector(s) concerned: Agriculture

Name and address of granting authority:

Občina Hrastnik

Pot Vitka Pavliča 5

SLO-1430 Hrastnik

Website: http://sftp.slovenka.net/o-hrastnik/h/os/pravilnik_kmetijstvo_hrastnik_2007.doc

Miran JERIČ

Mayor of the municipality of Hrastnik

Aid No: XA 16/08

Member State: Republic of Slovenia

Region: Območje občine Razkrižje

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Pomoči za ohranjanje in razvoj kmetijstva ter podeželja v občini Razkrižje za programsko obdobje 2007–2013

Legal basis: Pravilnik o dodeljevanju pomoči za ohranjanje in razvoj kmetijstva ter podeželja v občini Razkrižje (II. poglavje).

Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company:

2007: EUR 7 000

2008: EUR 9 000

2009: EUR 10 000

2010: EUR 11 000

2011: EUR 12 000

2012: EUR 13 000

2013: EUR 14 000

Maximum aid intensity:

1. Investment in agricultural holdings:

—	up to 50 % of eligible costs in less-favoured areas,

—	up to 40 % of eligible costs in other areas,

—	up to 60 % of eligible costs in less-favoured areas, and up to 50 % of eligible costs in other areas, in the case of investments made by young farmers within five years of setting up.

2. Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings:

—	up to 100 % of actual costs for investment or efforts to conserve non-productive heritage features,

—	up to 60 % of actual costs, or 75 % in less-favoured areas, for investment or efforts to conserve the heritage features of productive assets on farms, provided that the investment does not entail any increase in the production capacity of the farm,

—	additional aid may be granted at a rate of up to 100 % to cover the extra costs incurred by using traditional materials necessary to conserve the heritage features of buildings.

3. Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums:

—

in line with the Decree on the co-financing of insurance premiums for insuring agricultural production for the current year, the amount of municipal co-financing may not exceed the difference between the amount of co-financing of insurance premiums from the national budget and 50 % of eligible costs for insurance premiums, including tax on insurance transactions.

4. Aid for land reparcelling:

—	up to 100 % of eligible legal and administrative costs, including inspection costs.

5. Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector:

—

up to 100 % of eligible costs concerning education and training of farmers, consultancy services and the organization of forums, competitions, exhibitions, fairs, publications, catalogues and websites, and the costs of replacement services. The aid is to be granted in the form of subsidised services and must not involve direct payments of money to producers

Date of implementation: December 2007 (The aid will not be granted until a summary has been published on the European Commission's website)

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Aid will be granted up to 31.12.2013

Objectives of aid: To support SMEs

Reference to Articles in Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006: Chapter II of the draft Rules on granting aid for preserving and developing agriculture and rural areas in the municipality of Razkrižje includes measures constituting State aid in accordance with the following Articles of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 (OJ L 358, 16.12.2006, p. 3):

Article 4: Investment in agricultural holdings,

Article 5: Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings,

Article 12: Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums,

Article 13: Aid for land reparcelling,

Article 15: Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector

Economic Sector(s) concerned: Agriculture

Name and address of the granting authority:

Občina Razkrižje

Šafarsko 42

SLO-9240 Ljutomer

Website: http://www.uradni-list.si/1/ulonline.jsp?urlid=2007112&dhid=93013

Stanko IVANUŠIČ

Mayor of the municipality of Razkrižje

Aid No: XA 17/08

Member State: Republic of Slovenia

Region: Območje občine Velika Polana

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Dodeljevanje državnih pomoči v kmetijstvu na območju občine Velika Polana 2007–2013

Legal basis: Pravilnik o dodeljevanju državnih pomoči, pomoči de minimis in izvajanju drugih ukrepov razvoja kmetijstva in podeželja v občini Velika Polana

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company:

2007: EUR 9 390

2008: EUR 9 400

2009: EUR 9 450

2010: EUR 9 500

2011: EUR 9 600

2012: EUR 9 650

2013: EUR 9 700

Maximum aid intensity:

1. Investment in agricultural holdings for primary production:

—	up to 50 % of eligible costs in less-favoured areas,

—	up to 40 % of eligible costs in other areas,

—	up to 50 % of eligible costs for investment in other areas, if the investment is made by young farmers within five years of setting up their farm and fulfils the criteria set out in Article 22 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

2. Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings:

—	up to 50 % of eligible costs for investment to conserve the cultural heritage of productive assets (farm buildings), provided that the investment does not entail any increase in the production capacity of the farm,

—	up to 50 % of eligible costs for investment for the purposes of conserving non-productive heritage located on farms (sites of archaeological or historical interest),

—	up to 50 % of additional aid to cover the extra costs incurred by using traditional materials necessary to conserve the heritage features of buildings.

3. Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums:

—	the amount of municipal co-financing is the difference between the amount of co-financing of insurance premiums from the national budget and up to 50 % of eligible costs of insurance premiums for insuring crops and fruit and for insuring livestock against disease.

4. Aid for land reparcelling:

—	up to 100 % of eligible legal and administrative costs, including inspection costs.

5. Aid to encourage the production of quality agricultural products:

—	the aid is granted in the form of subsidised services to cover up to 100 % of costs and must not involve direct payments of money to producers.

6. Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector:

—

up to 100 % of costs concerning education and training of farmers, consultancy services that are provided by third parties and that do not include the enterprise's operating expenditure, the organisation of forums, competitions, exhibitions and fairs, publications, catalogues and websites. The aid is to be granted in the form of subsidised services and must not involve direct payments of money to producers

Date of implementation: December 2007

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31.12.2013

Objective of the aid: To support SMEs

Reference to Articles in Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and eligible costs: Chapter II of the draft Rules on granting State aid and de minimis aid and implementing other agricultural and rural development measures in the municipality of Velika Polana includes measures constituting State aid in accordance with the following Articles of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 (OJ L 358, 16.12.2006, p. 3):

Article 4: Investment in agricultural holdings for primary production,

Article 5: Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings,

Article 12: Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums,

Article 13: Aid for land reparcelling,

Article 14: Aid to encourage the production of quality agricultural products,

Article 15: Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector

Economic sector(s) concerned: Agriculture

Name and address of granting authority:

Občina Velika Polana

Velika Polana 111

SLO-9225 Velika Polana

Website: http://www.uradni-list.si/1/ulonline.jsp?urlid=2007113&dhid=93094

Damijan JAKLIN

Mayor

14.5.2008

Official Journal of the European Union

C 117/22

(2008/C 117/10)

Aid No: XA 18/08

Member State: Republic of Slovenia

Region: Območje občine Hrpelje-Kozina

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Pomoči za ohranjanje in razvoj kmetijstva in podeželja v občini Hrpelje-Kozina 2007–2013

Legal basis: Pravilnik o dodeljevanju državnih pomoči za ohranjanje in razvoj kmetijstva ter podeželja v občini Hrpelje-Kozina v obdobju 2007–2013 (II. Poglavje)

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted:

2007: EUR 17 000

2008: EUR 27 000

2009: EUR 27 000

2010: EUR 27 000

2011: EUR 27 000

2012: EUR 27 000

2013: EUR 27 000

Maximum aid intensity:

1. Investment in agricultural holdings for primary production:

—	up to 50 % of eligible costs in less-favoured areas and up to 40 % in other areas.

2. Aid for conservation of traditional buildings:

—	for non-productive features, up to 100 % of actual costs,

—	for productive assets on farms, up to 60 % of actual costs, or 75 % in less-favoured areas, provided that the investment does not entail any increase in the production capacity of the farm,

—	additional aid may be granted at a rate of up to 100 % to cover the extra costs incurred by using traditional materials necessary to preserve the heritage features of buildings.

3. Relocation of farm buildings in the public interest:

—	up to 100 % of actual costs where the relocation simply consists of the dismantling, removal and re-erection of existing facilities,

—

where the relocation results in the farmer benefiting from more modern facilities, the farmer is to contribute at least 60 %, or 50 % in less-favoured areas, of the increase in the value of the facilities concerned after relocation. If the beneficiary is a young farmer, this contribution is to be at least 55 % or 45 % respectively,

—	where the relocation results in an increase in production capacity, the contribution from the farmer must be at least 60 %, or 50 % in less-favoured areas, of the expenses relating to this increase. If the beneficiary is a young farmer, this contribution is to be at least 55 % or 45 % respectively.

4. Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums:

—	the amount of municipal co-financing is the difference between the amount of co-financing of insurance premiums from the national budget and up to 50 % of eligible costs of insurance premiums for insuring crops and fruit and insuring livestock against disease.

5. Aid for land reparcelling:

—	up to 100 % of actual legal and administrative costs incurred.

6. Aid to encourage the production of quality agricultural products:

—	up to 100 % of costs; the aid is to be provided in the form of subsidised services and does not involve direct payments of money to producers.

7. Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector:

—

up to 100 % of costs in the form of subsidized services for education and training of farmers, consultancy services, the organisation of forums, competitions, exhibitions and fairs, publications, catalogues and websites, and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. The aid is to be granted in the form of subsidised services and does not involve direct payments of money to producers

Date of implementation: December 2007 (The aid will not be granted until a summary has been published on the European Commission's website)

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31.12.2013

Objective of the aid: To support SMEs

Reference to Articles in Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and eligible costs: Chapter II of the draft Rules on granting State aid for preserving and developing agriculture and rural areas in the municipality of Hrpelje-Kozina includes measures constituting State aid in accordance with the following Articles of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 (OJ L 358, 16.12.2006, p. 3):

Article 4: Investment in agricultural holdings,

Article 5: Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings,

Article 6: Relocation of farm buildings in the public interest,

Article 12: Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums,

Article 13: Aid for land reparcelling,

Article 14: Aid to encourage the production of quality agricultural products,

Article 15: Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector

Economic sector(s) concerned: Agriculture

Name and address of granting authority:

Občina Hrpelje-Kozina, Hrpelje

Reška cesta 14

SLO-6240 Kozina

Website: http://www.uradni-list.si/1/ulonline.jsp?urlid=2007109&dhid=92827

Zvonko BENČIČ-MIDRE

Mayor

Aid No: XA 25/08

Member State: Netherlands

Region: Provincie Noord-Brabant

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Beleidsregels inzake de subsidieverlening in het kader van het convenant Stuurgroep Landbouw Innovatie Noord-Brabant (afgekort LIB-subsidieregeling).

Legal basis: Algemene subsidieverordening Provincie Noord-Brabant die de kaders geeft voor de LIB-subsidieregeling. Het betreft een verlenging van een bestaande regeling die in 2006 is gemeld (nr. XA-59/06) op grond van EG-Verordening 1/2004.

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Under the agreement on the LIB Steering Group, North Brabant Province makes a total of EUR 481 460,81 available each year to small and medium-sized enterprises producing agricultural products in order to promote environmentally and socially oriented innovations in agriculture

Maximum aid intensity: The maximum aid intensity (percentage of investment eligible for aid) is 40 %. For training and advising farmers, the aid intensity may be up to 100 % as provided for in Articles 14(2) and 15(3) of the Regulation. For investment aid to cover the extra costs connected with protecting or improving the environment, improving livestock holdings' hygiene conditions or animal welfare, a maximum of 60 % aid may be granted, provided that the investment goes beyond the minimum Community requirements applicable.

Not more than EUR 35 000 a year will be granted per subsidy application, subject to a maximum of EUR 100 000 for three years per project

Date of implementation: January 2008, once the Commission has published the summary information

Duration of scheme or individual aid: Until 1.1.2012

Objective of aid: The whole aid measure is aimed at lowering production costs, improving and converting production, increasing quality and/or improving the environment, hygiene and animal welfare. In particular, the LIB subsidy scheme aims to promote project-based innovations in agriculture and horticulture directed at:

—

The second objective is new compared with the scheme notified in 2006. The scheme is fully in tune with the social and environmental objectives of the current European common agricultural policy. The resources earmarked for organic farming are in line with the EU's current action plan on organic farming.

—	The aid benefits small-scale project-based innovations in which the ecological, social and economic aspects of agriculture and horticulture reinforce one another as much as possible.

Activities which the LIB Steering Group may support financially are:

Market research, devising or designing products to promote the production and sale of quality products as referred to in Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 (Article 14(2)(a), (3) and (5) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006).

Developing and sharing knowledge among farmers and farm workers by covering the costs of organising information/training programmes and advice directed at farm innovation, and the costs of organising forums to share knowledge between businesses as referred to in Article 15(2)(d) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006, applying scientific knowledge at farm level and disseminating knowledge by means of publications (Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006).

Investing in immovable property and equipment and, for that purpose, hiring consultants and undertaking (feasibility) studies with a view to lowering production costs, improving and converting production, increasing product quality, improving animal welfare and the natural environment (Article 4(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006).

The subsidy referred to in Articles 14 and 15 of the Regulation is not granted to farmers (producers) but to the parties providing the services.

The activities must take place on sound, viable agricultural holdings and produce practical results for similar holdings.

Eligible activities:

The eligible activities are stated in Article 3 of the current LIB policy rules and Article 1(c) and (d) of the decree amending the LIB policy rules

Sector(s) concerned: All (primary) agricultural and horticultural production sectors (animal and plant production), subject to the enterprises concerned being small and medium-sized as stipulated in Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006

Name and address of granting authority:

Gedeputeerde Staten van Noord-Brabant

Brabantlaan 1

Postbus 90151

5200 MC `s-Hertogenbosch

Nederland

Website: http://www.brabant.nl/Werken/Land_%20en%20tuinbouw/Landbouw%20Innovatie%20Noord%20Brabant%20LIB.aspx

Other information: To view and download the scheme, please go to the above website

Aid No: XA 26/08

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: England

Title of Aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: English Pig Health Scheme

Legal basis: Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, Sections 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 93, 94, 96 and 97 et Levy Board UK Order 2007, Schedule I, part 2.

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: The budget will cover the period from 1 April 2008 until 31 March 2013. A breakdown of the statutory levy funding for each financial year is below:

Maximum aid intensity: The aid intensity is 75 %

Date of implementation: The scheme will be implemented on 1 April 2008

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: The scheme will start on 1 April 2008. The last date of advice will be 30 March 2013, and the scheme will close on 31 March 2013

Objective of aid: Animal health and welfare.

The objective of this scheme is to provide a subsidised service to small and medium sized pig producers which will enable the screening of pig carcasses for animal diseases. It is intended that this will enable the reduction of the level of sub-clinical disease in the English pig herd and thus improve the efficiency of the industry. This will be in line with Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme applies to small and medium sized agricultural businesses active in livestock or cattle production

Name and address of the granting authority: The statutory body responsible for the scheme is:

Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board

Area 5C, Millbank

C/o Nobel House

17 Smith Square

London SW1P 3JR

United Kingdom

The organisation operating the scheme is:

BPEX Ltd

C/o Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board

Area 5C, Millbank

C/o Nobel House

17 Smith Square

London SW1P 3JR

United Kingdom

Website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/levy-bodies/pdf/pig-health-scheme.pdf

Other information: The scheme will be managed by BPEX Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Council.

Further and more detailed information relating to eligibility and rules for the scheme can be found in the web link above.

Signed and dated on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (UK competent authority)

Duncan Kerr

Agricultural State Aid

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Area 8D, 9 Millbank

C/o Nobel House

17 Smith Square

Westminster

London SW1P 3JR

United Kingdom

Aid No: XA 30/08

Member State: Republic of Cyprus

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Σχέδιο για την Κατεδάφιση με σκοπό τη Μετεγκατάσταση Οχληρών Κτηνοτροφικών Υποστατικών

Legal basis: Απόφαση Υπουργικού Συμβουλίου της 19ης Ιουνίου 2007

Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of aid granted to the company: EUR 854 300 (CYP 500 000)

Μaximum aid intensity: 50 % of the replacement value of licensed farms, 30 % of the replacement value of unlicensed farms and 5 % of the replacement value to cover part of the cost of dismantling and removing waste materials. Maximum aid EUR 341 720 (CYP 200 000) per beneficiary

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31.12.2013

Objective of aid: to relocate farm buildings in the public interest and in particular to encourage livestock farmers to voluntarily dismantle and relocate premises which have become an excessive nuisance and/or source of environmental or groundwater pollution owing to their location (Regulation (ΕC) No 1857/2006, Article 6)

Sector(s) concerned: Livestock farming

Name and address of granting authority:

Τμήμα Γεωργίας, Υπουργείου Γεωργίας, Φυσικών Πόρων και Περιβάλλοντος

Λεωφόρος Λουκή Ακρίτα 1

CY-411 Λευκωσία

Website: www.moa.gov.cy/da

Other information: The farms will be selected on the basis of set criteria relating to the public interest and the degree of environmental impact

Aid No: XA 46/08

Member State: Republic of Slovenia

Region: Občina Cankova

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Podpora programom razvoja kmetijstva in podeželja v občini Cankova 2007–2013

Legal basis: Pravilnik o dodeljevanju državnih pomoči na področju razvoja kmetijstva in podeželja v občini Cankova (II. Poglavje)

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company:

2007: EUR 23 535

2008: EUR 24 250

2009: EUR 25 000

2010: EUR 25 750

2011: EUR 26 500

2012: EUR 27 250

2013: EUR 28 000

Maximum aid intensity:

1. Investment in agricultural holdings for primary production:

—	up to 50 % of eligible costs in less-favoured areas,

—	up to 40 % of eligible costs in other areas.

2. Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings:

—	up to 100 % of actual costs for investment in non-productive features,

—	up to 60 % of actual costs, or 75 % in less-favoured areas, for investment in productive assets on farms, provided that the investment does not entail any increase in the production capacity of the farm,

—	additional aid may be granted at at rate of up to 100 % to cover the extra costs incurred by using traditional materials necessary to preserve the heritage features of buildings.

3. Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums:

—	the amount of municipal co-financing is the difference between the amount of co-financing of insurance premiums from the national budget and up to 50 % of eligible costs of insurance premiums for insuring crops and fruit and for insuring livestock against disease.

4. Aid for land reparcelling:

—	up to 100 % of actual legal and administrative costs incurred.

5. Aid to encourage the production of quality agricultural products:

—	up to 100 % of actual costs incurred; this is to be provided in the form of subsidised services and must not involve direct payments of money to producers.

6. Provision of technical support:

—

Date of implementation: January 2008

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31.12.2013

Objective of the aid: To support SMEs

Reference to Articles in Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006: Chapter II of the draft Rules on granting State aid for agricultural and rural development in the municipality of Cankova includes measures constituting State aid in accordance with the following Articles of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 of 15 December 2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 (OJ L 358, 16.12.2006, p. 3):

Article 4: Investment in agricultural holdings for primary production,

Article 5: Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings,

Article 12: Aid towards the payment of insurance premiums,

Article 13: Aid for land reparcelling,

Article 14: Aid to encourage the production of quality agricultural products,

Article 15: Provision of technical support in the agricultural sector

Name and address of granting authority:

Občina Cankova

Cankova 25

SLO-9261 Cankova

Website: http://www.uradni-list.si/1/ulonline.jsp?urlid=2007124&dhid=93792

Drago VOGRINČIČ

Mayor of the municipality of Cankova

14.5.2008

Official Journal of the European Union

C 117/30

CALL FOR PROPOSALS — EACEA/15/08

Action 4.5.b — Call for proposals for projects supporting information activities for young people and youth workers on the 2009 European elections

‘Youth in Action’ Programme

(2008/C 117/13)

1. Objectives and description

The purpose of this call for proposals is to support projects which promote information and communication actions aimed at young people, youth leaders and people working for youth organisations in order to encourage young people to vote in the 2009 European Parliament elections and to inform them of the importance of this ballot.

Given the specific national features of the ballot and the cultural identity of each European Union country, the scope of each project proposed will be confined to a European Union country. The European dimension of the projects will be based on the priority theme, activities to be organised and the possibility of carrying out the proposed activities with European partners.

The final beneficiaries of these projects are young European citizens under the age of 30 who can vote, and people working in the youth sector in youth organisations and structures.

This call for proposals concerns Action 4.5 (second part) of the ‘Youth in Action’ Programme. It is published in accordance with the procedures provided for in the annual work programme with regard to grants and contracts in the fields of education and culture for 2008, adopted by the Commission on 11 March 2008 in line with the procedure set out under Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC (1).

The Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency is responsible for implementing this call for proposals.

2. Eligible applicants

Only proposals submitted by the following are eligible:

—	non-profit-making, non governmental organisations,

—	National Youth Councils

with legal status and legally established for one year prior to the date of submission of the application in the European Union country where the project is to take place,

—	bodies operating in the youth sector at European level (ENGO) with member organisations in at least eight Youth in Action Programme Countries (2). They must have legal status and be legally established in a European Union country for one year prior to the date of application.

Youth organisations affiliated to political movements are not, however, eligible for this call for proposals.

Each applicant may submit only one project.

Projects may involve partner organisations provided that such organisations have their registered offices in a European Union Member State.

3. Budget and duration of projects

The total budget allocated to the cofinancing of projects under this call for proposals is estimated at roughly EUR 1 500 000.

Financial assistance from the Agency may not be granted for more than 80 % of a project's total eligible expenses.

The Agency proposes financing a maximum of 27 projects, thus one project for each Member State, in order to cover the entire European Union. However, depending on the number and quality of projects submitted, the Agency reserves the right not to guarantee full coverage of the European Union Member States. The Agency also reserves the possibility of not allocating all the funds available.

The maximum amount of the grant awarded to a given project will take account of the population of the country concerned. A ceiling has been set for each European Union country as follows:

—	for information and awareness-raising projects on the European elections in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain and the United Kingdom, the maximum grant may not exceed EUR 90 000,

—

for information and awareness-raising projects on the European elections in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden, the maximum grant may not exceed EUR 45 000,

—	for information and awareness-raising projects on the European elections in Luxembourg and Malta, the maximum grant may not exceed EUR 22 500.

Projects must start between 1 January 2009 and 28 February 2009.

They will have a minimum duration of 5 months and a maximum duration of 7 months.

4. Deadline for submitting applications

Applications must be sent to the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency no later than 15 July 2008, the date of the postmark being conclusive.

5. Additional information

The full version of this call for proposals and the application forms are available at the following web address:

http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/youth/calls2008/index_en.htm

Applications must comply with the requirements set out in the full version of this call for proposals and be submitted using the form provided.

(1) Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23).

(2) The Programme Countries are: the 27 EU Member States plus Turkey, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

14.5.2008

Official Journal of the European Union

C 117/32

STATE AID — IRELAND

State aid C 2/08 (ex N 572/07) — Modification of tonnage tax

Invitation to submit comments pursuant to Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 117/14)

By means of the letter dated 15 January 2008 reproduced in the authentic language on the pages following this summary, the Commission notified Ireland of its decision to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty concerning the abovementioned measure.

Interested parties may submit their comments on the measure in respect of which the Commission is initiating the procedure within one month of the date of publication of this summary and the following letter, to:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Energy and Transport

Directorate A Internal Market and competition

Building/Office DM 28 6/109

B-1049 Brussels

Fax (32-2) 296 41 04

These comments will be communicated to Ireland. Confidential treatment of the identity of the interested party submitting the comments may be requested in writing, stating the reasons for the request.

TEXT OF SUMMARY

1. PROCEDURE

1.	By electronic letters of 3 October 2007 and 19 November 2007, the Irish authorities notified an amendment to the existing tonnage tax scheme N 504/02.

2. THE FACTS

2.	To recall, the Irish tonnage tax of 2002 is a ‘tax scheme applicable to shipping companies engaged in seagoing transport. Qualifying companies may choose to have their shipping activities taxed on basis of the net tonnage of their fleet instead of on the basis of their actual profits’ (1).

Amongst others, one ‘precondition for being eligible for the tonnage tax scheme is that the share of qualifying ships owned by the company itself, calculated on their tonnage, is not less than 25 % of the tonnage of all its qualifying ships. It is indeed required for entering and remaining within tonnage tax that a company should not have “chartered in” (also time charter) more than 75 % of the net tonnage of the qualifying ships operated by it. […] “To charter in a ship” means to rent it with a crew provided by the charterer, in contrast to the definition of the bareboat charter whereby the lessee must man the ship.’.

4.	The Irish authorities now intend to abolish the above time charter limitation. Thus, according to their present notification, a company or a group of companies could benefit from the tonnage tax without owning a single ship.

3. ASSESSMENT

5.	As regards the presence of aid, the Commission considers that the notification object of the present decision does not in any way alter the qualification as State aid of the Irish tonnage tax approved in 2002.

Even though the guidelines do not mention any limits for the inclusion of time chartered ships under tonnage tax schemes, in its decision making practice the Commission has been careful to avoid competitive distortions and to establish a de facto level playing field around a ratio of 1:3 or 1:4 owned to time chartered ships.

7.	The Commission considers that the abolition of such limits in one or several Member States could distort competition and thus distort the intra EU level playing field.

TEXT OF LETTER

‘The Commission wishes to inform Ireland that, having examined the information supplied by your authorities on the measure referred to above, it has decided to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty.

1. PROCEDURE

1.	By electronic letters of 3 October 2007 and 19 November 2007, the Irish authorities notified an amendment to the existing tonnage tax scheme N 504/02, initially approved by the Commission on 11 December 2002 (2).

2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE MEASURE

2.1. Summary of the 2002 tonnage tax

The Irish tonnage tax of 2002 is a “tax scheme applicable to shipping companies engaged in seagoing transport. Qualifying companies may choose to have their shipping activities taxed on basis of the net tonnage of their fleet instead of on the basis of their actual profits. Qualifying companies must opt for the regime within three years from the date of the entry into force of the legislation. Companies having opted for the tonnage tax must remain subject to this regime for a period of 10 years (tonnage tax period).

If several qualifying Irish companies are members of the same group of companies, all of them must opt for the tonnage tax system. Business activities other than those subject to the tonnage tax would be taxed on the basis of the normal provisions of corporate taxation.

Under the […] tonnage tax scheme the amount of tax for qualifying maritime companies is established on the basis of the net tonnage of their qualifying fleet. For each vessel subject to the tonnage tax, the taxable profits pertaining to qualifying activities shall be fixed at a lump sum calculated by reference to its net tonnage as follows, per 100 net tons (NT) and per 24-hour period started, irrespective of whether the vessel is operational or not:

Up to and including 1 000 net tons	EUR 1,00 per 100 NT
Between 1 001 and 10 000 net tons	EUR 0,75 per 100 NT
Between 10 001 and 25 000 net tons	EUR 0,50 per 100 NT
More than 25 000 net tons	EUR 0,25 per 100 NT

The standard Irish corporation tax of 12,5 % is then applied to the profits determined in that way” (3).

Amongst others, one “precondition for being eligible for the tonnage tax scheme is that the share of qualifying ships owned by the company itself, calculated on their tonnage, is not less than 25 % of the tonnage of all its qualifying ships. It is indeed required for entering and remaining within tonnage tax that a company should not have “chartered in” (also time charter) more than 75 % of the net tonnage of the qualifying ships operated by it. In the case of a group, the limit is 75 % of the aggregate net tonnage of all the qualifying ships operated by all group members that are qualifying companies. “To charter in a ship” means to rent it with a crew provided by the charterer, in contrast to the definition of the bareboat charter whereby the lessee must man the ship” (4).

2.2. The notified amendments

2.2.1. Removal of time charter limit

The Irish authorities now intend to abolish the above time charter limitation. Thus, according to their present notification, a company or a group of companies could benefit from the tonnage tax without owning a single ship. According to the Irish authorities the abolition of that limit is required for several reasons:

(a)	to secure Irish-based shipping companies, fulfilling all other current qualification criteria but unable to elect to tonnage tax due to an excess of time chartering activity;

(b)	the amendment of the above provision allows for additional flexibility for Irish tonnage tax companies engaged in tonnage tax activity to capitalise on market conditions where otherwise they would be in breach of tonnage tax conditions;

(c)	to achieve parity with other Member State regimes on time-chartering;

(d)	to increase expansion of on-shore ship-management activity;

(e)	to avoid ceding business to non-tonnage tax and ultimately non-EU ship operators or being expelled from the Irish tonnage tax regime for breaching the limit.

2.2.2. Duration

5.	The notified amendment of the tonnage tax shall be applicable only after Commission approval, but retroactively commencing from the appearance of the amendment in national legislation in January 2006.

The amendment does not alter the duration of tonnage tax: the current tonnage tax regime is limited in duration to 10 years. “Qualifying companies” will, in general, have 36 months only in which to elect to enter the tonnage tax regime on becoming qualifying companies i.e. a company chargeable to Irish corporation tax, operating “qualifying ships” and carrying on the strategic and commercial management of the qualifying ships in Ireland.

2.2.3. Beneficiaries

The amendment will apply to all companies that are currently in a position to benefit from the tonnage tax regime and to the following: those qualifying companies, or groups of companies

(a)	chargeable to Irish corporation tax;

(b)	whose profits are derived from qualifying ships carrying on “qualifying activities” and which opt for the tonnage tax regime; and

(c)	who carry out the strategic and commercial management of qualifying shipping from the State.

2.2.4. Budget

The Irish authorities project that the first year cost of this measure, applied from 1 January 2006 will be in the region of EUR 5,88 million in the immediate short-term given the current market upturn. It is anticipated that the cost in the medium term (+ 2 years) will fall as earnings fall to more typical market levels, approximately EUR 1,38 million.

2.3. Time charter

In cases where the inclusion of time chartered vessels under the tonnage tax was notified, the Commission's decisional practice has focussed on schemes complying with a proportion of one owned vessel to maximum three time chartered vessels (1:3). In the case of Denmark, taking account of the arguments provided, a proportion of (1:4) was authorised (5).

3. ASSESSMENT

3.1. Presence of aid

10.	As regards the presence of aid, the Commission considers that the notification that is the subject matter of the present decision does not in any way alter the qualification as State aid of the Irish tonnage tax approved in 2002.

11.

Indeed, even after a potential abolition of the said time charter limit, the Irish authorities would still be granting subsidies through State resources and thereby favour certain undertakings since the measure is specific to the shipping sector. Such subsidies threaten to distort competition and could affect trade between Member States since such shipping activities are essentially carried out on an international level playing field. For these reasons, the notified amendment of the 2002 Irish tonnage tax does not alter its aid qualification within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the Treaty.

3.2. Legal basis for assessment

12.	The legal basis for assessing the compatibility of the notified measures are the Community Guidelines on State aid to maritime transport (6) (hereinafter the guidelines).

3.3. Compatibility of the measure

13.

Even though the guidelines do not mention any limits for the inclusion of time chartered ships under tonnage tax schemes, in its decision making practice the Commission has authorised schemes where companies with a ratio of 1:3 or 1:4 owned to time chartered ships were eligible to tonnage tax. The exception of the 1:4 ratio as compared to the initial 1:3 ratio in Decision No 563/2001/EC concerning the initial approval of the Danish tonnage tax was justified on the basis of an in depth market analysis and the following arguments reproduced below:

14.

It should first be mentioned that the Commission is promoting the respect of a level playing field between Member States that apply a Tonnage Tax. A first observation in this respect shows that the guidelines do not provide for any restriction to the proportion of chartered vessels, which may be allowed under a Tonnage Tax. Second, it is to be noted that the Member States which notified the Commission of a Tonnage Tax in the past could thus freely choose the proportion of chartered ships to notify. Third, Denmark has chosen a respective proportion of 1:4 on the basis that its maritime industry has a long lasting tradition to operate in a more intensive way by means of chartered ships as compared to those Member States which notified a lower proportion. Fourth, the Commission can accept that a lower proportion than 1:4 in other Member States will thus not provide a competitive disadvantage to their Tonnage Tax schemes as compared to the Danish one, since they could have notified otherwise. And fifth, the Danish Tonnage Tax has a feature (the non-remittance of deferred taxes) which may potentially make this scheme less attractive as compared to other Tonnage Tax schemes (7).

15.

The Commission notes that Ireland did not provide arguments such as the ones provided here above under point three and five and notes that the full abolition of such time charter limits may trigger fiscal competition between more or less attractive tonnage tax schemes across the EU. In the light of the guidelines' acknowledgement that such fiscal competition needs to be taken into account (8), the amendments proposed by the Irish authorities under the present notification to fully remove the time charter limit may be contrary to the “common interest” expressed in Article 87(3) c of the Treaty on which the approval of tonnage taxes is based.

3.4. The Commission's doubts

16.	For the above mentioned reasons the Commission expresses its doubts as regards the compatibility of a unilateral abolition by Ireland of the maximum number of time chartered ships allowable under its tonnage tax scheme.

17.	On the same grounds the Commission also expresses its doubts as regards any potential retroactivity of the planned measure. This may occur in case aid related to the amendment in object is effectively granted as from January 2006.

In the light of the foregoing considerations, the Commission, acting under the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty, requests Ireland to submit its comments and to provide all such information as may help to assess the measure, within one month of the date of receipt of this letter. It requests your authorities to forward a copy of this letter to the potential recipient of the aid immediately.

The Commission wishes to remind Ireland that Article 88(3) of the EC Treaty has suspensory effect, and would draw your attention to Article 14 of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999, which provides that all unlawful aid may be recovered from the recipient.

The Commission warns Ireland that it will inform interested parties by publishing this letter and a meaningful summary of it in the Official Journal of the European Union. It will also inform interested parties in the EFTA countries which are signatories to the EEA Agreement, by publication of a notice in the EEA Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union and will inform the EFTA Surveillance Authority by sending a copy of this letter. All such interested parties will be invited to submit their comments within one month of the date of such publication.’.

(1) Commission Decision of 11 December 2002, C(2002) 4371 fin, point (26).

(2) Document C(2002) 4371 fin.

(3) Commission Decision of 11 December 2002 C(2002) 4371 fin, points (3) to (6).

(4) Commission Decision of 11 December 2002 C(2002) 4371 fin, point (26).

(5)

1.	Dutch tonnage tax (N 738/95, approved on 20 March 1996) no indications on ratio;

2.	German tonnage tax (Case N 396/ 98, approved on 25 November 1998) ratio owned to time chartered shps 1:3;

3.	UK tonnage tax (Case N 790/99, approved on 2 August 2000) ratio owned to time chartered shps 1:3;

4.	Spanish tonnage tax (Case N 736/01, approved on 27 February 2002) ratio owned to time chartered shps 1:3;

5.	Danish tonnage tax (Case N 563/01, approved on 12 March 2002) ratio owned to time chartered shps 1:4;

6.	Finnish tonnage tax (Case N 195/02, approved on 16 October 2002) ratio owned to time chartered shps 1:1;

7.	Irish tonnage tax (Case N 504/02, approved on 11 December 2002) ratio owned to time chartered shps 1:3;

8.	Belgian tonnage tax (Case N 433/02, approved on 19 March 2003) ratio owned to time chartered shps 1:3;

9.	French tonnage tax (Case N 737/02, approved on 13 May 2003) ratio owned to time chartered shps 1:3;

10.	Basque (Sp) tonnage tax (Case N 572/02, approved on 5 February 2003) ratio owned to time chartered shps 1:3;

11.	Italian tonnage tax (N 114/04, approved on 20 October 2004) no indications on ratio;

12.	Lithuanian tonnage tax (Case N 330/05, approved on 19 July 2006) ratio owned to time chartered shps 1:3;

13.	Polish tonnage tax (Case N 93/06, approved on 10 July 2007) ratio owned to time chartered shps 1:4.

(6) OJ C 13. 17.1.2004.

(7) Commission Decision No 563/2001/EC, point 3.3.2.

(8) Guidelines point 3.1: Fiscal treatment of shipowning companies.

14.5.2008

Official Journal of the European Union

C 117/39

Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2008/C 117/18)

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 (1). Statements of objection must reach the Commission within six months from the date of this publication.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘ZAFFERANO DI SARDEGNA’

EC No: IT/PDO/005/0570/21.11.2006

PGIPDO

1. Name

‘Zafferano di Sardegna’

2. Member State or Third Country

Italy

3. Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1. Type of product

Class 1.8 — Other products listed in Annex I to the Treaty (spices, etc.)

3.2. Description of the product to which the name in point 1 applies

The Protected Designation of Origin ‘Zafferano di Sardegna’ is restricted to saffron in the form of dried stigmas or pistils from cultivated Crocus sativus L. On release for consumption it is bright red in colour due to the crocin content, with a very intense aroma resulting from the safranal content and a distinctive taste attributable to the picrocrocin content.

Category	Colouring power (expressed as a direct measure of absorbency of crocin at around 440 nm over dry base)	Bitterness (expressed as a direct measure of absorbency of picrocrocin at around 257 nm over dry base)	Aromatic power — safranal (expressed as a direct measure of absorbency at around 330 nm over dry base)
I	≥ 190	≥ 70	from 20 to 50

In addition, it may not be falsified or adulterated in any way.

3.3. Raw materials

—

3.4. Feed (for products of animal origin only)

—

3.5. Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area

‘Zafferano di Sardegna’ PDO must be grown, picked and prepared in the geographical area identified under point 4.

3.6. Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc.

‘Zafferano di Sardegna’ PDO must be packaged in the area indicated under point 4, in order to guarantee the origin of the product, ensure that production is supervised and prevent the saffron being transported in a loose state, which would expose it to light and air and impair or even cause it to lose its specific properties (see point 3.2 above). In fact, until it is packaged, ‘Zafferano di Sardegna’ PDO must be kept in glass, tin or stainless steel containers hermetically sealed against light and air. It must be packaged with care in such a way that it is protected from internal or external damage. The packaging material must be glass, terracotta, cork or cardboard (with only glass or paper coming into direct contact with the saffron) and must be such as to avoid the product being damaged or altered during transport or storage. Packages come in the following weights: 0,25 g, 0,50 g, 1 g, 2 g and 5 g.

3.7. Specific rules concerning labelling

The label must show the ‘Zafferano di Sardegna’ PDO logo, the EU PDO symbol, any other details stipulated by the legislation in force, and the stamp with the serial number of the quantities produced as issued by the protection body under delegation from the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy or, alternatively, by the inspection body.

The logo for the designation is made up of three distinct parts with, in the central part, the stylised symbol of a saffron flower with six petals placed to the left, leaving space for the stigmas which stick out on both sides; the upper part contains the words ‘Zafferano di Sardegna’ in the form of an arc and the phrase ‘Denominazione di Origine Protetta’ (protected designation of origin) appears in a bar in the lower part.

The name of the designation must appear on the label in distinct, indelible lettering of a colour that strongly contrasts with that of the label itself so as to be clearly distinguishable from the other information given on the label.

It is forbidden to add to the PDO any description that is not expressly provided for, though business and brand names may be used, on condition that they have no laudatory purport and are not such as to mislead the purchaser.

Goods that are produced using ‘Zafferano di Sardegna’ PDO, even after preparation or processing, may be put up for consumption in packages featuring a reference to the protected designation of origin, but without the EU symbol, on condition that the PDO product, certified as such, is the only ingredient from the product category in question and that the users of the PDO product are authorised by the PDO producers' consortium under delegation from the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy. The consortium is also responsible for entering them in appropriate registers and supervising the correct use of the protected designation. If there is no such consortium, these duties will be carried out by the Ministry as the national authority for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006.

4. Concise definition of the geographical area

The production area of ‘Zafferano di Sardegna’ PDO comprises the whole of the municipalities of San Gavino Monreale, Turri and Villanovafranca, in the province of Medio Campidano.

5. Link with the geographical area

5.1. Specificity of the geographical area

The area where the saffron is cultivated has a typical Mediterranean climate, which is generally mild, with rainfall concentrated in the autumn and winter, and hot, dry summers. Temperatures average 11,3 °C in the winter, around 24 °C in the summer and 17,6 °C over the year as a whole. Frost is very rare and snow exceptional. The land used for cultivating the saffron is extremely fertile, with deep alluvial deposits (vertisoils) and a light sand/clay consistency, is permeable, features little or no earth structure and has extremely good water retention.

5.2. Specificity of the product

The application for PDO status for ‘Zafferano di Sardegna’ is justified by the fact that it is set apart from other products of the same type by its high crocin, picrocrocin and safranal content. In other words, what makes ‘Zafferano di Sardegna’ PDO special are its colouring power, eutectic effects and aromatic properties.

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 characteristics of the product (for PGI)

The special properties of ‘Zafferano di Sardegna’ described under point 5.2 stem directly from the morphological characteristics, soil and climate of the production area. These properties are testimony to the strength of the product's connection with a home region which is especially suitable, be it because of its human assets or the favourable climatic conditions, and highly hospitable to a plant which, it is said, ‘timit su frius e cikat su kallenti’ (dislikes the cold and searches out warmth). The morphological characteristics, soil and climate of certain parts of Sardinia and traditional growing and preparation techniques handed down from father to son combine to form a product with unique and unmistakeable organoleptic characteristics and taste. Sardinian saffron owes its special properties to the ways in which the product is cultivated, handled and processed through the various stages of production. In particular, right from the start of the growing process, when propagating material is selected with great care and attention to detail, through the stages of picking, separating, drying and then storing the saffron, the know-how and techniques that the locals have acquired over centuries ensure a product of real quality. One such practice, centuries-old and requiring the hands of an expert, is the moistening of the stigmas with extra virgin olive oil before they are dried. This particularly important and distinctive practice demonstrates the strength and closeness of the link which the product has to the history and culture of the region in which it is produced. This link is seen also in the influence that ‘Zafferano di Sardegna’ has had in various economic circumstances and its importance for the lives of the local population in the areas where it has been grown, as documented in historical sources.

Cultivation of saffron in Sardinia goes back to the time of the Phoenicians, the people who, in all probability, introduced it to the island. It was consolidated under Punic rule and in the Roman and Byzantine periods when the saffron was used predominantly as a dye and for therapeutic and ornamental purposes. But the first authentic evidence of saffron being traded is found in the 14th century, in the 1317 statutes of the port of Cagliari (the Breve Portus), which contain rules governing the export of stigmas from Sardinia. The cultivation and use of saffron spread further in the 1800s, when it was in demand not only for its aromatic and medicinal qualities, but also for dyeing silk and cotton, for use in cooking and as a form of currency in the marketplace. During the period of economic recovery after the war, saffron remained important for many families as a means of supplementing their income, as well as the symbol of the culture and traditions of a community that has always been engaged in agriculture and sheep-farming.

Reference to publication of the specification

(Article 5(7) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)

The Government launched the national objection procedure with the publication of the proposal for recognising ‘Zafferano di Sardegna’ as a protected designation of origin in Official Gazette of the Italian Republic No 277 of 28 November 2005.

The full text of the product specification is available on the following website:

www.politicheagricole.it/DocumentiPubblicazioni/Search_Documenti_Elenco.htm?txtTipoDocumento=Disciplinare%20in%20esame%20UE&txtDocArgomento=Prodotti%20di%20Qualit%E0>Prodotti%20Dop,%20Igp%20e%20Stg

(1) OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12.

		ISSN 1725-2423
Official Journal of the European Union		C 117

English edition	Information and Notices	Volume 51 14 May 2008

Notice No	Contents	page
	I Resolutions, recommendations and opinions
	OPINIONS
	European Central Bank
2008/C 117/01	Opinion of the European Central Bank of 5 May 2008 at the request of the Council of the European Union on a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council adapting a number of instruments subject to the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty to Council Decision 1999/468/EC, as amended by Decision 2006/512/EC, with regard to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny (CON/2008/19)	1

	II Information
	INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES
	Commission
2008/C 117/02	Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty — Cases where the Commission raises no objections ( 1 )	3

2008/C 117/03	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.5035 — Radeberger/Getränke Essmann/Phoenix) ( 1 )	5

2008/C 117/04	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.5031 — ACE/CICA) ( 1 )	5

	V Announcements
	ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
	Commission
2008/C 117/11	MEDIA 2007 — Call for proposals — EACEA/11/08 — Measures to support Promotion and Market Access	27

2008/C 117/12	MEDIA 2007 — Call for proposals — EACEA/12/08 — Measures to support Promotion outside MEDIA countries	29

2008/C 117/13	Call for proposals — EACEA/15/08 — Action 4.5.b — Call for proposals for projects supporting information activities for young people and youth workers on the 2009 European elections — Youth in Action Programme	30

	PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPETITION POLICY
	Commission
2008/C 117/14	State aid — Ireland — State aid C 2/08 (ex N 572/07) — Modification of tonnage tax — Invitation to submit comments pursuant to Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty ( 1 )	32

2008/C 117/15	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.5066 — Eurogate/APMM) ( 1 )	36

2008/C 117/16	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.5121 — News Corp/Premiere) ( 1 )	37

2008/C 117/17	Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.5086 — BAT/Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni) ( 1 )	38

	OTHER ACTS
	Commission
2008/C 117/18	Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs	39

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,5473
JPY	Japanese yen	160,71
DKK	Danish krone	7,4625
GBP	Pound sterling	0,7938
SEK	Swedish krona	9,294
CHF	Swiss franc	1,6227
ISK	Iceland króna	122,75
NOK	Norwegian krone	7,846
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9558
CZK	Czech koruna	24,939
EEK	Estonian kroon	15,6466
HUF	Hungarian forint	250,1
LTL	Lithuanian litas	3,4528
LVL	Latvian lats	0,6975
PLN	Polish zloty	3,3838
RON	Romanian leu	3,654
SKK	Slovak koruna	31,71
TRY	Turkish lira	1,9364
AUD	Australian dollar	1,6408
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,5562
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	12,0649
NZD	New Zealand dollar	2,0118
SGD	Singapore dollar	2,1204
KRW	South Korean won	1 616,93
ZAR	South African rand	11,7429
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	10,8139
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,2537
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	14 328
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	4,9815
PHP	Philippine peso	66,124
RUB	Russian rouble	36,8267
THB	Thai baht	49,97
BRL	Brazilian real	2,5739
MXN	Mexican peso	16,2191

	IV Notices
	NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES
	Commission
2008/C 117/05	Euro exchange rates	6

2008/C 117/06	Euro exchange rates	7

	NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES
2008/C 117/07	Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1628/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to national regional investment aid ( 1 )	8

2008/C 117/08	Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001	10

2008/C 117/09	Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001	16

2008/C 117/10	Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001	22