15.8.2008

Official Journal of the European Union

C 208/1

Legislative proposals adopted by the Commission

(2008/C 208/01)

Document	Part	Date	Title
COM(2008) 5		10.1.2008	Opinion of the Commission pursuant to Article 251(2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's common position regarding the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Framework for Community Action in the field of Marine Environmental Policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive)
COM(2008) 44		29.1.2008	Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 251(2) of the EC Treaty concerning the common position of the Council on the adoption of a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the banning of exports and the safe storage of metallic mercury
COM(2008) 52		29.1.2008	Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 251(2) of the EC Treaty concerning the Common Position of the Council on the adoption of a proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council establishing the European Institute of Innovation and Technology
COM(2008) 93		11.3.2008	Amended proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market
COM(2008) 111		29.2.2008	Amended proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for the use of work equipment by workers at work (second individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (Codified version)
COM(2008) 117		25.2.2008	Commission opinion pursuant to Article 251(2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's common position regarding the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on credit agreements for consumers amending the proposal of the Commission pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty
COM(2008) 131		7.3.2008	Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 251(2) of the EC Treaty concerning the common position of the Council on the adoption of a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on certain aspects of mediation in civil and commercial matters
COM(2008) 136		7.3.2008	Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 251(2) of the EC Treaty concerning the Common Position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 881/2004 establishing a European Railway Agency
COM(2008) 137		7.3.2008	Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 251(2) of the EC Treaty concerning the Common Position of the Council on the adoption of a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2004/49/EC on safety on the Community's railways
COM(2008) 142		11.3.2008	Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 251(2) of the EC Treaty concerning the common position of the Council on the adoption of a Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council on flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties for use in and on foods and amending Council Regulations (EEC) No 1576/89 and (EEC) No 1601/91, Regulation (EC) No 2232/96 and Directive 2000/13/EC
COM(2008) 143		11.3.2008	Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 251(2) of the EC Treaty concerning the common position of the Council on the adoption of a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on food additives
COM(2008) 144		11.3.2008	Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 251(2) of the EC Treaty concerning the common position of the Council on the adoption of a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on food enzymes and amending Council Directive 83/417/EEC, Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999, Directive 2000/13/EC, Council Directive 2001/112/EC and Regulation (EC) No 258/97
COM(2008) 145		11.3.2008	Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 251(2) of the EC Treaty concerning the common position of the Council on the adoption of a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common authorisation procedure for food additives, food enzymes and food flavourings

These texts are available on EUR-Lex: http://eur-lex.europa.eu

15.8.2008

Official Journal of the European Union

C 208/3

Euro exchange rates (1)

14 August 2008

(2008/C 208/02)

1 euro=

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,4907
JPY	Japanese yen	163,36
DKK	Danish krone	7,4591
GBP	Pound sterling	0,7953
SEK	Swedish krona	9,3838
CHF	Swiss franc	1,6219
ISK	Iceland króna	120,63
NOK	Norwegian krone	8,006
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9558
CZK	Czech koruna	24,351
EEK	Estonian kroon	15,6466
HUF	Hungarian forint	237,28
LTL	Lithuanian litas	3,4528
LVL	Latvian lats	0,7035
PLN	Polish zloty	3,309
RON	Romanian leu	3,5265
SKK	Slovak koruna	30,325
TRY	Turkish lira	1,766
AUD	Australian dollar	1,701
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,5775
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	11,6426
NZD	New Zealand dollar	2,1197
SGD	Singapore dollar	2,0984
KRW	South Korean won	1 549,88
ZAR	South African rand	11,6461
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	10,2262
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,1874
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	13 685,37
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	4,9655
PHP	Philippine peso	66,86
RUB	Russian rouble	36,2275
THB	Thai baht	50,274
BRL	Brazilian real	2,3983
MXN	Mexican peso	15,1261

(1)

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

15.8.2008

Official Journal of the European Union

C 208/5

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 208/04)

XA Number: XA 53/08

Member State: Italy

Region: Provincia autonoma di Trento

Title of aid scheme: Spese per l'impianto e la tenuta dei libri genealogici e l'espletamento dei controlli morfo-funzionali

Legal basis: L.P. 4 del 28 marzo 2003«Sostegno dell'economia agricola, disciplina dell'agricoltura biologica e della contrassegnazione di prodotti geneticamente non modificati» articolo 43, lettera a).

Deliberazione della Giunta provinciale di Trento n. 3132 del 28 dicembre 2007, modificata con deliberazione n. 514 del 29 febbraio 2008, criteri attuativi dell'articolo 43, lettera a) della L.P. 4/2003

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR 2 000 000

Maximum aid intensity: The aid amount will represent 100 % of eligible expenditure for activities relating to the establishment and maintaining of herd books and 70 % of that relating to morpho-functional tests. This expenditure reflects the organisational commitment and associated costs involved in carrying out these services for the respective species, as follows:

cattle: EUR 460 per farm and EUR 62 per cow tested,

equines: EUR 62 per farm and EUR 46 per mare tested,

sheep and goats: EUR 265 per farm and EUR 41 per female tested,

rabbits: EUR 113 per farm and EUR 11 per female tested

Date of implementation: As from the publication of the identification number of the request for exemption on the website of the Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development

Duration of scheme: Aid will be granted until 31.12.2013 at the latest

Objective of aid: To ensure that up-to-date records are kept for the herd books relating to the breeds and species of livestock interest that are raised in Trento province, and to ensure that morpho-functional tests are carried out in order to gauge the animals' growth and productivity.

Article 16(1)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 provides the legal basis for the application of this aid scheme.

The maximum eligible expenditure budgeted for as regards the herd books and morpho-functional tests is based on the numbers of farms and animals concerned in the year in which the applications are presented (these can be deduced from official AIA data).

Generally speaking, eligible costs are those incurred in the keeping of herd books and for morpho-functional controls for the farms and animals concerned in the year in question

Sector(s) concerned: Livestock (cattle, sheep and goats, pigs, poultry and rabbits)

Name and address of the granting authority:

Provincia autonoma di Trento

Dipartimento Agricoltura e alimentazione

Servizio Vigilanza e promozione delle attività agricole

Via G.B. Trener, 3

I-38100 Trento

Website: http://www.delibere.provincia.tn.it/scripts/gethtmlDeli.asp?Item=0&Type=FulView

http://www.delibere.provincia.tn.it/scripts/viewAllegatoDeli.asp?Item=0

XA Number: XA 125/08

Member State: Slovak Republic

Region: —

Title of aid scheme: Schéma štátnej pomoci na zabezpečenie účasti chovateľov a pestovateľov na výstavách

Legal basis:

—	§ 2 nariadenia vlády SR č. 369/2007 Z. z. z 8. augusta 2007 o niektorých podporných opatreniach v pôdohospodárstve,

—	zákon č. 231/1999 Z. z. o štátnej pomoci v znení neskorších predpisov,

—	Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: The planned annual volume of funding under the scheme from 2008 is: SKK 10 million.

The total planned budget for the participation of livestock and arable farmers in fairs over the period 2008-2013 is: SKK 60 million

Maximum aid: Aid may be granted for up to 100 % of the eligible costs of participation in a fair, up to the amount of the grant awarded to the legal person per SME

Date of implementation: March 2008

Duration of aid scheme or individual aid award: Until 31 December 2013

Objective of aid: The aid is aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises in the stock and arable farming sector to take part in fairs approved by the Slovak Republic's Ministry of Agriculture for the relevant calendar year

Economic sector(s) concerned: Primary production of the agricultural products listed in Annex I to the EC Treaty

Name and address of the granting authority: Granting authority:

Ministerstvo pôdohospodárstva SR

Dobrovičova ul. č. 12

SK-812 66 Bratislava

Tel. (421) 2 59 26 61 11

Website: http://www.land.gov.sk/index.php?navID=161&id=592

Scheme administrator:

Pôdohospodárska platobná agentúra

Dobrovičova ul. č. 12

SK-815 26 Bratislava

Tel. (421) 2 59 26 61 11

Website: http://www.land.gov.sk/apa/index.php?p=DP_metpok (owing to restructuring of the Paying Agency's website)

Other information: The State aid may be granted only to stock and arable farmers (authorised to engage in the primary production of agricultural products) meeting the definition of small and medium-sized enterprises laid down in Annex I to Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises by a third party in the form of rebates of up to 100 % of the eligible costs of their participation in fairs.

Aid may not be provided in the form of a direct cash payment to the aid beneficiary

Approved:

M. Ľubomír MIČEK, PhD.

Director-General, Rural Development Section, Ministry of Agriculture of the Slovak Republic

XA Number: XA 127/08

Member State: Belgium

Region: État fédéral/Federale staat

Title of aid scheme: Calamité agricole: Arrêté royal considérant comme une calamité agricole la sécheresse des mois de juin et juillet 2006 suivie par les pluies abondantes du mois d'août 2006, délimitant l'étendue géographique de cette calamité et déterminant l'indemnisation des dommages.

Landbouwramp: „Koninklijk Besluit waarbij de droogte van de maanden juni en juli 2006, gevolgd door de overvloedige regenval van de maand augustus 2006, als een landbouwramp wordt beschouwd, de geografische omvang van deze ramp wordt afgebakend en waarbij de schadeloosstelling van de schade wordt vastgesteld”

Legal basis: Loi du 12 juillet 1976 relative à la réparation de certains dommages causés à des biens privés par des calamités naturelles

12 juli 1976 — Wet betreffende het herstel van zekere schade veroorzaakt aan private goederen door natuurrampen

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR 9 574 000 (1 year)

Maximum aid intensity: 70 %

Reduction of 30 % under the Royal Decree of 8 November 2007 amending the Royal Decree of 7 April 1978 setting varying rates for each portion of the total net value of the damage suffered and determining the excess and reduction for calculating compensation for certain forms of damage caused to private property by agricultural disasters

Date of implementation: The Royal Decree will come into force on the day of its publication in the Moniteur belge (which will take place only after the 10-day period provided for in Article 20 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006)

Duration of scheme: One-off grant. Farmers will receive compensation after submission of an application for assistance from the disaster fund accompanied by a statement detailing the crop damage. The aid payments will be made in 2008

Objective of aid: This aid scheme is intended to provide farmers with compensation, subject to certain conditions, for crops that are covered by the Royal Decree and suffered extensive damage as a result of the drought of June and July 2006 followed by the exceptionally heavy rains of August 2006. It therefore falls under Article 11 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006

Sector(s) concerned: Farms on which the following crops suffered damage: flax, maize, permanent or temporary grassland, either grazed or cut, potatoes grown under contract, peas grown under contract, cauliflowers grown under contract (1st harvest), spinach grown under contract (1st harvest), beans grown under contract (sown before 10 June 2006)

Name and address of the granting authority:

SPF Economie, P.M.E., Classes moyennes et Energie/SPF Economie, KMO, Middenstand en Energie

Direction générale «Potentiel économique»/Directoraat generaal „Economisch Potentieel”

City Atrium C

Rue du Progrès 50/Vooruitgangstraat 50

B-1210 Bruxelles/B-1210 Brussel

No d'entreprise: 0314.595.348/Bedrijfsnummer: 0314.595.348

Website: Version Fr/Versie Fr: http://economie.fgov.be/enterprises/Agriculture/home_fr.htm

Version Nl/Versie Nl: http://economie.fgov.be/enterprises/Agriculture/home_nl.htm

Version De/Versie De: http://economie.fgov.be/enterprises/Agriculture/home_de.htm

Version En/Versie En: http://economie.fgov.be/enterprises/Agriculture/home_en.htm

Other information: The Belgian State undertakes to comply with Article 11 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006. Consequently, only farms which suffered losses of at least 30 % per crop will benefit from compensation for the crop in question.

The Royal Meteorological Institute observed that these two meteorological phenomena (drought in June/July and rain in August) were of an exceptional nature (with a return period in Belgium of more than 20 years). Furthermore, the losses suffered were caused by the immediate succession of the two phenomena, with farmers therefore unable to attribute their losses to either one or the other

E. GOFFIN

Director-General

XA Number: XA 131/08

Member State: Slovenia

Region: Območje občine Ilirska Bistrica

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Državna pomoč za pospeševanje razvoja kmetijstva in gozdarstva v občini Ilirska Bistrica, v obdobju 2007-2013

Legal basis: Pravilnik o dodeljevanju državnih pomoči za ohranjanje in razvoj kmetijstva in gozdarstva v občini Ilirska Bistrica za programsko obdobje 2007-2013

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

Year	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013
Forecast annual expenditure in EUR	124 602	82 602	82 602	82 602	82 602	82 602

Maximum aid intensity:

1. Investment in agricultural holdings for primary production:

—	up to 50 % of eligible costs in less-favoured areas, or up to 40 % in other areas,

—

up to 60 % of eligible costs in less-favoured areas, or up to 50 % in other areas, if the investment is made by young farmers within five years of setting up (these investments must be set out in a business plan for the development of farming activities, as provided for by Article 22(c), and the conditions laid down in Article 22 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 must be met).

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

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 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,

—	up to EUR 10 000 per year for work undertaken by the farmer for investment in non-productive heritage on the agricultural holding.

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,

—	where relocation results in the farmer benefiting from more modern facilities, the farmer must contribute at least 60 %, or 50 % in less-favoured areas. 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 an insurance premium 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 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 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 must not involve direct payments of money to producers

Date of implementation: The aid will not be granted until a summary has been published on the European Commission's website and not before 1 March 2008

Duration of scheme or individual aid award:

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 forestry in the municipality of Ilirska Bistrica 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 the granting authority: Občina Ilirska Bistrica, Bazoviška cesta 14, SLO-6250 Ilirska Bistrica

Website: http://www.uradni-list.si/1/ulonline.jsp?urlid=200812&dhid=94338

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 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)

Anton ŠENKINC

Mayor of Ilirska Bistrica

XA Number: XA 132/08

Member State: Republic of Slovenia

Region: Območje Občine Destrnik

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Pomoč za ohranjanje in razvoj kmetijstva in podeželja v Občini Destrnik, za programsko obdobje 2007-2013

Legal basis: Pravilnik o dodeljevanju državnih in drugih pomoči ter ukrepih za programe razvoja podeželja v Občini Destrnik

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

Year	EUR
2008	16 500
2009	22 000
2010	17 500
2011	18 000
2012	18 500
2013	19 000

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 for the management of agricultural land in less-favoured areas, or up to 50 % in other areas, if the investment is made by young farmers within five years of setting up and is contained in the business plan.

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 for land reparcelling:

—	up to 50 % of actual legal and administrative costs incurred.

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

—	co-financing of up to 100 % of eligible costs. The aid is to be granted in the form of subsidised services and does not involve direct payments of money to producers.

5. Provision of technical support:

—	up to 50 % of eligible costs concerning education and training, consultancy services, the organisation of forums, the dissemination of scientific knowledge, publications and replacement services,

—	the aid is to be granted in the form of subsidised services and must not involve direct payments of money to producers.

6. Conservation of traditional landscapes and buildings:

—	up to 60 % of eligible costs, or up to 75 % in less-favoured areas, for investments intended to conserve heritage features of productive assets (farm buildings),

—	up to 100 % of eligible costs for investment for the purposes of conserving non-productive heritage located on farms (sites of archaeological or historical interest),

—	up to 100 % of additional aid to cover the extra costs incurred by using traditional materials necessary to conserve the heritage features of buildings

Date of implementation: The aid will not be granted until a summary has been published on the European Commission's website and not before 1 March 2008

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31 December 2013

Objective of the aid: To support agriculture

Reference to articles in Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 and eligible costs: Articles 13 to 24 of the draft Rules on granting State and other aid and measures for rural development programmes in the municipality of Destrnik for the programming period 2007-2013 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 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

Economic sector(s) concerned: Agriculture

Name and address of granting authority: Občina Destrnik, Vintarovci 50, SLO-2253 Destrnik

Website: http://wss.destrnik.si/InformacijeJZ/Lokalni%20predpisi/Pravilnik%20o%20dodeljevanju%20dravnih%20in%20drugih%20pomoči%20ter%20ukrepih%20za%20programe%20razvoja%20podeelja%20v%20Občini%20Destrnik.pdf

Franc PUKŠIČ

Mayor of Destrnik

15.8.2008

Official Journal of the European Union

C 208/11

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

(2008/C 208/05)

Aid No

XA 7011/08

Member State

France

Region

—

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Aides à la recherche et au développement relatif au secteur agricole et alimentaire dans les départements d'Outre-mer

Legal basis

Articles L621-1 à L621-11, articles R621-1 à R621-43 et articles R684-1 à R684-12 du code rural

Article 5a of Regulation (EC) No 70/2001

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

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

EUR 532 000

Loans guaranteed

—

Individual aid

Overall aid amount

—

Loans guaranteed

—

Maximum aid intensity

In conformity with Articles 4(2)-(6) and 5 of the Regulation

Yes (up to 50 %)

Date of implementation

March 2008, subject to the Commission's acknowledgment of receipt

Duration of scheme or individual aid award

Until 31.12.2013

Objective of aid

Aid to SMEs

Yes

Economic sectors concerned

All sectors eligible for aid to SMEs

Limited to specific sectors

—	Coalmining

—	All manufacturing

Steel

Shipbuilding

Synthetic fibres

Motor vehicles

Other manufacturing

—	All services

Transport services

Financial services

Other services

Agricultural sector

Name and address of the granting authority

ODEADOM

12, rue Henri Rol-Tanguy

TSA 60006

F-93555 Montreuil Cedex

Aid No

XA 7015/08

Member State

Republic of Lithuania

Region

—

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid

Pagalba kokybiškų žemės ūkio produktų gamybai skatinti

Legal basis

Lietuvos Respublikos žemės ūkio ministro 2007 m. balandžio 23 d. įsakymas Nr. 3D-184 „Dėl pagalbos kokybiškų žemės ūkio produktų gamybai skatinti teikimo taisyklių patvirtinimo“ (Žin., 2007, Nr. 46-1759) (Décret no 3D-184)

Lietuvos Respublikos žemės ūkio ministro 2008 m. kovo 3 d. įsakymas Nr. 3D-111 „Dėl žemės ūkio ministro 2007 m. balandžio 23 d. įsakymo Nr. 3D-184 „Dėl pagalbos kokybiškų žemės ūkio produktų gamybai skatinti teikimo taisyklių patvirtinimo“ pakeitimo“ (Žin., 2008, Nr. 27-991) (Décret no 3D-111)

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

Aid scheme

Annual overall amount

LTL 4,0 million, EUR 1,159 million at the official euro exchange rate

Loans guaranteed

—

Individual aid

Overall aid amount

—

Loans guaranteed

—

Maximum aid intensity

In accordance with Articles 4(2)-(6) and 5 of the Regulation

Yes

Date of implementation

20.3.2008

Duration of the aid scheme or the individual aid

Until 30.6.2008 (1)

Objective of aid

Aid to SMEs

Yes

Economic sectors concerned

Limited to specific sectors

Yes

Other manufacturing

Processing of agricultural products

Name and address of the granting authority

Lietuvos Respublikos žemės ūkio ministerija

Gedimino pr. 19 (Lelevelio g. 6)

LT-01103 Vilnius

Large individual aid grants

In accordance with Article 6 of the Regulation

Yes

(1) When the Commission has revised Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 and extended its period of validity, the duration of the scheme will be extended, if necessary, and the Commission will be notified accordingly.

15.8.2008

Official Journal of the European Union

C 208/14

STATE AID — ITALY

State aid C 15/08 (ex N 318/07, N 319/07, N 544/07 and N 70/08) — Extension of three-year delivery limit for 4 chemical tankers produced by Cantiere Navale de Poli

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

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 208/07)

By means of the letter dated 16 April 2008 reproduced in the authentic language on the pages following this summary, the Commission notified Italy of its decision to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty concerning the abovementioned aids.

Interested parties may submit their comments within one month of the date of publication of this summary and the following letter, to:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

State Aid Registry

Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200

B-1049 Brussels

Fax (32-2) 296 12 42

These comments will be communicated to Italy. 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

PROCEDURE

Italy requested an extension of the 3-year delivery limit for four chemical tankers built by Cantiere Navale de Poli (C 241, C 242, C 243 and C 244) as a condition for granting operating aid in relation to the building of these vessels (cases notified between 6 June 2007 and 6 February 2008).

DESCRIPTION OF THE AID

Italy notified the measures under scheme N 59/04 implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 1177/2002 of 27 June 2002 concerning a temporary defensive mechanism to shipbuilding (1) as amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 502/2004 (2) (the ‘TDM-regulation’). Under the TDM-regulation, only contracts signed up to 31 March 2005 and delivered within 3 years from the signing of the final contract were eligible for aid. The Commission could authorize an extension of the 3-year delivery limit if justified by exceptional circumstances, unforeseeable and external to the shipyard.

Italy claims that the contracts for the four vessels were signed on 28 January 2005, for the vessels to be delivered before 28 January 2008. Concerning vessels C 242, C 242 and C 243, the production was delayed due to late supply of essential parts of an earlier vessel in the chain (C 238), which provoked delays in cascade on the subsequent vessels, combined with late delivery of the engines of each of these vessels. Regarding vessel C 241, the delay was allegedly caused by the late supply of the gear box. Italy therefore requests the Commission to authorize the extension of the delivery deadline of these vessels by periods that vary between 6 and 10 months.

ASSESSMENT

The Commission doubts that the contracts are eligible for aid or that indeed any delays incurred by the shipyard are due to ‘unforeseeable circumstances’ as argued by Italy. The Commission's doubts are based on the fact that the contracts were originally signed by a company with ownership affiliation to the shipyard, which later transferred them to other companies, at a date when the contracts were no longer eligible for aid under the TDM. If these prove to be the final contracts, they will no longer be eligible for aid. Also, it appears that the shipyard may have accepted orders in excess of its production capacity, in order to maximise the benefits of the aid, and that it would not be able to deliver the vessels on time irrespective of other factors.

TEXT OF LETTER

‘1)	La Commissione desidera informare l'Italia che, dopo aver esaminato le informazioni fornite dalle Vostre autorità sulle misure succitate, ha deciso di avviare il procedimento di cui all'articolo 88, paragrafo 2, del trattato CE.

I. PROCEDIMENTO

Il 6 giugno 2007 l'Italia ha chiesto l'estensione del periodo di consegna di tre anni per le motonavi C 243 e C 244 costruite dal Cantiere Navale de Poli, come condizione per la concessione degli aiuti al funzionamento per la costruzione delle navi in oggetto — casi N 318/07 e N 319/07. Con lettera del 10 luglio 2007, la Commissione ha richiesto ulteriori informazioni, cui l'Italia ha risposto con le lettere del 31 agosto 2007 e del 7 settembre 2007.

Il 24 settembre 2007, l'Italia ha chiesto un'analoga estensione del periodo di consegna di tre anni per quanto riguarda la nave C 242, anch'essa costruita dal Cantiere Navale de Poli (caso N 544/07). Con lettera del 5 ottobre 2007, la Commissione ha chiesto informazioni complementari in merito e relativamente ai casi notificati precedentemente (N 318/07 e N 319/07). L'Italia ha risposto con lettera del 12 novembre 2007. La Commissione ha chiesto ulteriori informazioni con lettera del 21 dicembre 2007, cui l'Italia ha risposto con lettera del 25 febbraio 2008.

4)	Il 6 febbraio 2008, l'Italia ha chiesto un'estensione del periodo di consegna di tre anni per una quarta nave, la C 241, costruita dal Cantiere Navale de Poli (caso N 70/08).

II. DESCRIZIONE DELLA MISURA DI AIUTO

Base giuridica

L'Italia ha notificato le misure nel quadro di un regime (3) approvato dalla Commissione in base al regolamento (CE) n. 1177/2002 del Consiglio (4), modificato dal regolamento (CE) n. 502/2004 (5) relativo ad un meccanismo difensivo temporaneo per la costruzione navale, il cosiddetto regolamento MDT.

Il regolamento MDT prevede che possa essere autorizzato un sostegno fino al 6 % del valore contrattuale prima dell'aiuto “al fine di consentire effettivamente ai cantieri navali comunitari di superare la concorrenza coreana sleale” (6) nel caso in cui un cantiere navale coreano sia entrato in concorrenza per l'aggiudicazione del contratto offrendo un prezzo inferiore. Per essere ammissibili all'aiuto, i contratti definitivi dovevano essere conclusi entro il 31 marzo 2005 e le navi consegnate entro tre anni dalla data della firma del contratto definitivo. La Commissione può tuttavia concedere una proroga al periodo di tre anni qualora ciò sia giustificato “dalla complessità tecnica del progetto di costruzione navale in questione o da ritardi dovuti a perturbazioni inattese, serie e giustificabili che si ripercuotono sul programma di lavoro di un cantiere e che sono causate da circostanze eccezionali, imprevedibili ed esterne all'impresa” (articolo 2, paragrafo 4, del regolamento MDT).

I fatti

7)	In base alle informazioni disponibili, il 28 gennaio 2005 il Cantiere Navale de Poli ha firmato i contratti per tutte le quattro navi, che avrebbero dovuto essere consegnate entro il 28 gennaio 2008 (7), data limite superata la quale le navi non sarebbero più risultate ammissibili all'aiuto.

L'Italia sostiene però che a causa di circostanze eccezionali, la costruzione delle quattro navi ha subito ritardi. L'Italia chiede quindi alla Commissione di autorizzare la proroga della data di consegna delle navi, rispettivamente di 8 mesi (nave C 241), 6 mesi (nave C 242), 9 mesi (nave C 243) e 10 mesi (nave C 244) rispetto alla data di consegna prevista del 28 gennaio 2008.

L'acquirente originario delle quattro navi è la Arcoin (8), una società collegata al Cantiere Navale de Poli a livello di proprietà (9). Per tre navi (C 242, C 243 e C 244), la Arcoin ha successivamente trasferito i contratti ad un nuovo proprietario, la Utkilen Shipping AS, il 3 marzo 2006, ovverosia in una data in cui i contratti non erano più ammissibili agli aiuti nel quadro del regime MDT. Le informazioni disponibili indicano che una procedura analoga sia stata seguita anche nel caso della quarta nave, la C 241.

10)

L'Italia sostiene che i ritardi di costruzione delle navi C 242, C 243 e C 244 siano stati causati da una nave (C 238), già inserita nel processo di produzione, la cui costruzione è stata ritardata a causa del ritardo nella fornitura di parti in acciaio e dei motori. Ciò ha prodotto un ritardo a cascata nella costruzione delle navi in oggetto, che devono essere assemblate sullo stesso scalo di costruzione, aggravato inoltre dalla consegna in ritardo dei motori di tutte quattro le navi in oggetto. Dopo la notifica, l'Italia ha chiesto un'ulteriore proroga della data di consegna delle navi a causa della fornitura in ritardo delle eliche della nave C 242, che ha avuto ripercussioni sulla C 243 e sulla C 244 (per i dettagli, si vedano gli allegati).

11)

Per quanto riguarda la nave C 241, secondo le informazioni disponibili, il ritardo è stato causato dal ritardo con cui il costruttore della scatola del cambio ha consegnato le parti. Secondo la notifica, la scatola del cambio avrebbe dovuto essere consegnata il 3 settembre 2007, ma a causa di problemi tecnici incontrati dal costruttore, non sarà consegnata prima della fine di febbraio 2008. L'Italia sostiene che tali eventi fossero imprevedibili ed esterni al cantiere, il quale, al contrario, ha cercato di minimizzarne gli effetti, completando l'assemblaggio di una nave (C 243) in una struttura vicina.

12)	L'Italia sostiene che gli aiuti relativi a tali contratti non siano ancora stati formalmente concessi al Cantiere Navale de Poli, a causa di problemi di bilancio.

III. VALUTAZIONE

Esistenza di aiuto

13)

Ai sensi dell'articolo 87, paragrafo 1, del trattato CE, sono incompatibili con il mercato comune, nella misura in cui incidano sugli scambi tra Stati membri, gli aiuti concessi dagli Stati, ovvero mediante risorse statali, sotto qualsiasi forma che, favorendo talune imprese o talune produzioni, falsino o minaccino di falsare la concorrenza.

14)

L'Italia ha notificato le misure nel quadro del regime N 59/04, approvato ai sensi del regolamento MDT. La Commissione osserva che, ai sensi del paragrafo 16 del regime, la questione dell'estensione del periodo di tre anni è decisiva per determinare se i contratti in questione potrebbero essere ammissibili ad un aiuto al funzionamento connesso al contratto. L'aiuto al funzionamento consiste nel finanziamento mediante fondi statali di parte dei costi che il cantiere dovrebbe normalmente sostenere per costruire una nave. Inoltre, la costruzione navale è un'attività economica che comporta scambi tra Stati membri. Di conseguenza l'aiuto rientra nel disposto dell'articolo 87, paragrafo 1, del trattato CE.

Compatibilità con il mercato comune

Dubbi relativi all'eccezionalità delle circostanze

15)

La Commissione dubita che i motivi indicati dall'Italia possano essere considerati “ritardi dovuti a perturbazioni inattese, gravi e documentate che si ripercuotano sul programma di lavoro di un cantiere, causate da circostanze eccezionali, imprevedibili ed esterne all'impresa” ai sensi del paragrafo 29 del regime N 59/04.

16)

Pertanto, la clausola relativa ai tempi di consegna di 3 anni è stata inserita nel regolamento MDT per evitare che le imprese carichino artificialmente il portafoglio commesse, per esempio firmando un numero eccessivo di commesse che esse non sono in grado di soddisfare in tempi prevedibili e firmando commesse provvisorie in attesa di trovare un vero acquirente in un secondo momento, al fine di beneficiare al massimo degli aiuti entro il periodo di validità del regolamento MDT (10).

17)

In tale contesto, è lecito chiedersi se i contratti conclusi con la Arcoin, una società collegata al Cantiere Navale de Poli a livello di proprietà, fossero contratti definitivi o se non rappresentassero piuttosto una soluzione con cui il Cantiere Navale de Poli si è assicurato i contratti entro il 31 marzo 2005 — termine ultimo oltre il quale i contratti non sarebbero risultati ammissibili agli aiuti — per poi ricercare, in una fase successiva, i compratori definitivi.

18)

In base alle informazioni fornite dall'Italia, per quanto concerne la nave C 242, il contratto iniziale è stato concluso con la Arcoin il 28 gennaio 2005. Il contratto è stato modificato una prima volta il 21 febbraio 2006, per adeguare la nave ad esigenze di mercato (11), per essere poi trasferito alla Utkilen Shipping AS il 3 marzo 2006 (secondo l'Italia, senza modifiche ulteriori delle caratteristiche tecniche della nave). Nel luglio 2006, la Utkilen Shipping AS lo ha trasferito alla consociata Utkilen Chemtrans. L'Italia ha confermato che la stessa procedura è stata seguita per le navi C 243 e C 244 (12).

19)

Alla luce di quanto precede, la Commissione ha motivi per dubitare che i contratti iniziali fossero contratti “definitivi”, ai sensi del regime MDT. Sembra invece che i contratti definitivi siano stati quelli conclusi con gli ultimi acquirenti delle navi. Poiché gli ordini sono stati trasferiti a tali acquirenti nel marzo 2006 (o nel luglio 2006), essi non sarebbero ammissibili agli aiuti, indipendentemente dalle date di consegna delle navi.

20)	Non è inoltre chiaro in che misura i trasferimenti dei contratti tra armatori abbiano causato ritardi, soprattutto in quanto essi possono implicare modifiche delle caratteristiche delle navi e delle condizioni dei contratti.

21)

L'Italia ha spiegato che nel periodo 2005-2008, il Cantiere Navale de Poli ha accettato un totale di 18 commesse, una metà delle quali da realizzare nei due scali principali e l'altra metà in una struttura minore. L'Italia non ha però fornito elementi di prova sufficienti che dimostrino che, alla luce di una tale quantità di commesse, la capacità del cantiere avrebbe garantito la consegna delle quattro navi in tempo, anche senza la presenza di ritardi nella fornitura dei pezzi. Ciò potrebbe indicare che il Cantiere Navale de Poli abbia deliberatamente firmato commesse in quantità superiori alle proprie capacità, contando sul fatto che i prevedibili ritardi che ne fossero seguiti sarebbero poi stati approvati dalla Commissione.

22)

Per quanto riguarda la consegna in ritardo di parti essenziali delle navi, nel quadro di decisioni passate la Commissione ha accettato un evento di questo tipo come motivo per autorizzare l'estensione del periodo di tre anni, a condizione che vi fosse un nesso causale chiaro tra l'evento e il ritardo (13). Non si può escludere che nei casi in oggetto la consegna in ritardo delle parti in acciaio e dei motori possa avere ritardato la costruzione. Sembra tuttavia che alcune parti possano essere state ordinate comunque in ritardo (14). Non è inoltre chiaro se tali eventi fossero imprevedibili e se non rientrino invece nei normali rischi commerciali di cui un cantiere scrupoloso dovrebbe tenere conto nel suo piano di lavoro. La stessa Italia riconosce che una porzione significativa delle attività è subappaltata e che basta che un subappaltatore non rispetti gli impegni perché l'intero programma ne risulti ritardato. Si può pertanto concludere che nella programmazione dei lavori di un cantiere si dovrebbe tenere conto di un certo margine di ritardo, a differenza di quanto sembra sia avvenuto nel caso in oggetto.

IV. DECISIONE

23)

Alla luce delle considerazioni precedenti, la Commissione ha deciso di avviare il procedimento di cui all'articolo 88, paragrafo 2, del trattato CE e chiede all'Italia di trasmettere, entro un mese dal ricevimento della presente lettera, i documenti, le informazioni e di dati necessari alla valutazione della compatibilità dell'aiuto. In particolare, essa chiede all'Italia di fornire:

—	copia di tutti i contratti relativi alle navi C 241, C 243 e C 244,

—	dati che dimostrino che la capacità del cantiere era sufficiente alla costruzione delle quattro navi entro il 31 gennaio 2008, in base alla programmazione dei lavori del cantiere per il periodo in oggetto,

—	copia del programma di lavoro generale del cantiere per il periodo 2005-2008,

—	un prospetto relativo alla capacità del cantiere.

24)	La Commissione invita l'Italia a trasmettere immediatamente copia della presente lettera al potenziale beneficiario dell'aiuto.

25)	La Commissione richiama l'attenzione dell'Italia sul fatto che l'articolo 88, paragrafo 3, del trattato CE ha effetto sospensivo e che l'articolo 14 del regolamento (CE) n. 659/1999 del Consiglio stabilisce che ogni aiuto illegale può essere recuperato presso il beneficiario.

26)

Con la presente la Commissione comunica all'Italia che informerà gli interessati attraverso la pubblicazione della presente lettera e di una sintesi della stessa nella Gazzetta ufficiale dell'Unione europea. Essa informerà inoltre l'autorità di vigilanza EFTA, inviandole copia della presente lettera. Tali parti interessate saranno invitate a presentare osservazioni entro un mese dalla data di tale pubblicazione.’

(1) OJ L 172, 2.7.2002, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 81, 19.3.2004, p. 6.

(3) N 59/04, approvato il 19 maggio 2004.

(4) GU C 172 del 2.7.2002, pag. 1.

(5) GU L 81 del 19.3.2004, pag. 6.

(6) Cfr. considerando 6 del regolamento MDT.

(7) Secondo le notifiche, la data di consegna prevista dal contratto per le navi C 241 e C 242 era il 31 dicembre 2007, mentre per quanto riguarda le navi C 243 e C 244, la Commissione non è stata informata della data precisa di consegna prevista dai contratti.

(8) Per la nave C 241, l'acquirente era la Arcotur Srl, che è nel frattempo diventata la Arcoin SpA.

(9) La Arcoin appartiene attualmente al 100 % alla De Poli di Chiara de Poli & C. S.A.P.A., che sembra inoltre essere azionista della Cantiere Navale de Poli e che, all'epoca della firma del contratto, era controllata da membri della famiglia De Poli.

(10) La stessa clausola, che ha dato origine ad una prassi decisionale della Commissione, esisteva già nel regolamento (CE) n. 1540/98 (il regolamento relativo agli aiuti alla costruzione navale) (GU L 202 del 18.7.1988, pag. 1).

(11) Le prime modifiche hanno riguardato le principali dimensioni, la velocità e la capacità della nave, nonché il suo prezzo.

(12) Per quanto riguarda la nave C 241, non sono disponibili notizie precise, se non che l'acquirente iniziale è stato la Arcoin (il cui nome era all'epoca Arcotur).

(13) Cfr. per esempio, i casi N 586/03, N 587/03 e N 589/03, in cui la Commissione ha autorizzato la proroga della data di consegna per tre navi costruite dal Cantiere Navale de Poli a causa della fornitura di serbatoi difettosi (GU C 42 del 18.2.2005, pag. 15).

(14) Per esempio, parti essenziali della nave C 238 (timone) sono state ordinate nel giugno 2006, quando il varo della nave era previsto per il luglio/agosto 2006. Ora, la stessa Italia ha ammesso che tra la consegna delle macchine e il varo bisogna calcolare un periodo di 2-4 mesi.

		ISSN 1725-2423
Official Journal of the European Union		C 208

English edition	Information and Notices	Volume 51 15 August 2008

Notice No	Contents	page
	III Preparatory Acts
	COMMISSION
2008/C 208/01	Legislative proposals adopted by the Commission	1

	V Announcements
	PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPETITION POLICY
	Commission
2008/C 208/07	State aid — Italy — State aid C 15/08 (ex N 318/07, N 319/07, N 544/07 and N 70/08) — Extension of three-year delivery limit for 4 chemical tankers produced by Cantiere Navale de Poli — Invitation to submit comments pursuant to Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty ( 1 )	14

2008/C 208/08	Communication from the French Government concerning Directive 94/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conditions for granting and using authorisations for the prospection, exploration and production of hydrocarbons (Notice regarding an application for an exclusive licence to prospect for oil and gas, designated the Permis de Savigny) ( 1 )	18

	Corrigenda
2008/C 208/09	Corrigendum to the Notice of initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of certain aluminium foil originating in Armenia, Brazil and the People's Republic of China (OJ C 177, 12.7.2008)	20

Point	Longitude degrees east	Latitude degrees north
A	0,20	54,10
B	0,50	54,10
C	0,50	54,00
D	0,42	54,00
E	0,42	53,99
F	0,41	53,99
G	0,41	53,98
H	0,40	53,98
I	0,40	53,90
J	0,30	53,90
K	0,30	53,80
L	0,20	53,80

	IV Notices
	NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES
	Commission
2008/C 208/02	Euro exchange rates	3

2008/C 208/03	Latest publication of COM documents other than legislative proposals and legislative proposals adopted by the Commission OJ C 207 of 14.8.2008	4

	NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES
2008/C 208/04	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	5

2008/C 208/05	Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises	11

2008/C 208/06	EU-27 ethyl alcohol balance for 2007 (Established on 10 July 2008 in accordance with Article 2 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 2336/2003)	13