15.3.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 70/1

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OPINION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 3 March 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 on Community statistics relating to external trade with non-member countries and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1172/95

(CON/2008/12)

(2008/C 70/01)

Introduction and legal basis

On 7 February 2008, the European Central Bank (ECB) received a request from the Council of the European Union for an opinion on a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on Community statistics relating to external trade with non-member countries and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1172/95 (1) (hereinafter the ‘proposed Regulation’).

The ECB's competence to deliver an opinion is based on the first indent of Article 105(4) of the Treaty establishing the European Community. In accordance with the first sentence of Article 17.5 of the Rules of Procedure of the European Central Bank, the Governing Council has adopted this opinion.

General observations

1.

The ECB welcomes the proposed Regulation, which should improve the quality, comparability and timeliness of European trade statistics and provide a better link between them and business statistics. In the Member States, external trade statistics are also used as a source for compiling balance of payments and national accounts statistics, as well as for national contributions to the euro area balance of payments and euro area accounts for which the ECB is responsible.

2.

The ECB notes that under the proposed Regulation, Member States will only have to compile and transmit data on the following to the Commission of the European Communities if they are available on a customs declaration lodged with their Customs authorities: (i) the Member State of final destination, for imports; (ii) the Member State of actual export, for exports; and (iii) the nature of the transaction (2). Similarly, one Member State will only be obliged to transmit records on exports or imports to another Member State once the Customs authorities in both Member States have established a mechanism for mutual exchange of the relevant data by electronic means (3). The ECB notes that the abovementioned data are important to ensure the high quality of the euro area statistics mentioned in paragraph 1 and recommends that steps to implement the appropriate changes in the Community Customs Code (4) and in the mechanism for data exchange among Customs authorities throughout the EU should be taken without delay, in order to avoid the risk of a deterioration in data quality.

3.

As expressed in a previous opinion (5), the ECB shares the interest expressed by the European Parliament in monitoring the international role of the euro. In this context, the ECB particularly welcomes Article 6(3) of the proposed Regulation, which requires the compilation of statistics on trade broken down by invoicing currency of exports and imports of goods to and from countries outside the EU. The ECB monitors the use of the euro outside the euro area and publishes an annual review on the international role of the euro, including a specific section on the use of the euro in international trade. The international role of the euro has a strong regional dimension and is most pronounced in the EU. Data on the currency breakdown of external trade is also a key source used in the ECB's macroeconomic projections, which are used to analyse price stability, as they provide information on the extent to which exchange rate changes influence movements in the price of imports and domestically produced goods.

4.	The ECB welcomes the envisaged reduction of the statistical reporting burden on economic agents and the improved use of administrative data that should be brought about by the proposed Regulation.

5.

The ECB understands that the proposed Regulation may imply amendments to Intrastat reporting, as established by Regulation (EC) No 638/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 on Community statistics relating to the trading of goods between Member States and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 3330/91 (6), and recommends that these amendments be considered without delay.

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(1)  COM(2007) 653 final.

(2)  See Article 6(5) of the proposed Regulation.

(3)  See Article 7(3) of the proposed Regulation.

(4)  Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 of 12 October 1992 establishing the Community Customs Code (OJ L 302, 19.10.1992, p. 1). Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1791/2006 (OJ L 363, 20.12.2006, p. 1).

(5)  ECB Opinion CON/2003/26 of 1 December 2003 at the request of the Council of the European Union concerning a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on Community statistics concerning balance of payments, international trade in services and foreign direct investment (COM(2003) 507 final) (OJ C 296, 6.12.2003, p. 5).

(6)  OJ L 102, 7.4.2004, p. 1.

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15.3.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 70/3

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Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 70/02)

Date of adoption of the decision	28.1.2008
Reference number of the aid	N 337/07
Member State	Spain
Region	Comunidad Autónoma del Principado de Asturias
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Régimen de ayudas a la inversión regional del Principado de Asturias
Legal basis	Ley no 38/2003 de 17 de noviembre, General de Subvenciones Real Decreto no 887/2006, de 21 de julio, por el que se aprueba el Reglamento de la Ley no 38/2003, de 17 de noviembre, General de Subvenciones Programa Operativo FEDER del Principado de Asturias, 2007-2013 Bases reguladoras del programa de ayudas a proyectos de inversión empresarial en el Principado de Asturias
Type of measure	Aid scheme
Objective	Regional development, Small and medium-sized enterprises
Form of aid	Interest subsidy, Direct grant
Budget	Overall budget: EUR 6 million
Intensity	30 %
Duration	1.1.2007-31.12.2013
Economic sectors	Manufacturing industry, Hotels and restaurants (tourism), Computer and related activities
Name and address of the granting authority	Instituto de desarollo económico del Principado de Asturias Parque tecnológico de Asturias E-33420 Llanera-Asturias
Other information	—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision	15.1.2008
Reference number of the aid	N 463/07
Member State	Italy
Region	—
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Aiuti agli investimenti di tutela ambientale per veicoli commerciali pesanti di peso superiore a 11,5 tonnellate
Legal basis	Legge 27 dicembre 2006, n. 296 (Legge finanziaria 2007), articolo 1, commi 918 e 919
Type of measure	Aid scheme
Objective	Environmental protection
Form of aid	Grants or tax allowances
Budget	EUR 70 million
Intensity	30 % normally 40 % for SMEs and max. 50 % for companies in Article 87(3)(a) regions
Duration	1.1.2007-31.12.2008
Economic sectors	Road transport
Name and address of the granting authority	Ministero dei Trasporti Direzione Generale APC Via G. Garcia 36 I-00157 Roma
Other information	—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision	30.1.2008
Reference number of the aid	N 565/07
Member State	The Hellenic Republic
Region	—
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Δημόσια χρηματοδότηση του έργου του αυτοκινητοδρόμου Κεντρικής Ελλάδας (E65) Dimossia chrimatodotissi tou ergou tou aftokinitodromou Kentrikis Elladas (E65)
Legal basis	Νόμος 3597/2007
Type of measure	Capital grant, operation subsidies and toll revenues
Objective	Construction of infrastructure
Form of aid	Grant considered to be no State aid
Budget	EUR 500 million (no State aid)
Intensity	—
Duration	30 years
Economic sectors	Road infrastructure
Name and address of the granting authority	Ελληνικό κράτος (Greek State)
Other information	Grant under a concession agreement awarded on the basis of a public tender: considered not to constitute State aid

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision	30.1.2008
Reference number of the aid	N 566/07
Member State	The Hellenic Republic
Region	Πελοπόννησος Peloponnisos
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Αυτοκινητόδρομος Κόρινθος–Τρίπολη–Καλαμάτα και κλάδος Λεύκτρο — Σπάρτη Aftokinitrodromos Korinthos-Tripoli-Kalamata kai klados Leftkro-Sparti
Legal basis	Νόμος 3555/2007 (ΓΓ Α 81/18-04-2007)
Type of measure	Capital grant, operation subsidies and toll revenues
Objective	Construction and management of a road infrastructure
Form of aid	—
Budget	EUR 330 million
Intensity	—
Duration	30 years
Economic sectors	Road infrastructure
Name and address of the granting authority	Ελληνικό κράτος (Greek State)
Other information	Grant under a concession agreement awarded on the basis of a public tender: considered not to constitute State aid

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision	30.1.2008
Reference number of the aid	N 633/07
Member State	The Hellenic Republic
Region	—
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Δημόσια χρηματοδότηση των τμημάτων αυτοκινητοδρόμου Μαλιακός — Κλειδί (τμήμα του προγράμματος ΠΑΘΕ), Τέμπη — Σκοτίνα και Ευαγγελισμός — Λεπτοκαρυά Dimossia chrimatodotissi ton tmimaton aftokinitodromou Maliakos — Klidi (tmima tou programmatos PATHÉ), Tempi — Skotina kai Evagelismos-Leptokarya
Legal basis	Νόμος 3605/2007 της 1ης Αυγούστου 2007
Type of measure	Capital grant, operation subsidies and toll revenues
Objective	Construction of infrastructure
Form of aid	Grant
Budget	EUR 278 million (no State aid)
Intensity	—
Duration	30 years
Economic sectors	Road infrastructure
Name and address of the granting authority	Ελληνικό κράτος (Greek State)
Other information	Grant under a concession agreement awarded on the basis of a public tender: considered not to constitute State aid

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

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15.3.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 70/7

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Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 70/03)

Date of adoption of the decision	11.12.2007
Reference number of the aid	N 848/06
Member State	Italy
Region	—
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Fondo per favorire il potenziamento, la sostituzione e l'ammodernamento delle unità navali destinate al servizio di trasporto pubblico locale effettuato per via marittima, fluviale e lacuale.
Legal basis	Articolo 18, comma 593, del disegno di legge n. 1183 recante «Disposizioni per la formazione del bilancio annuale e pluriennale dello Stato» all'esame del Parlamento.
Type of measure	Aid scheme
Objective	To encourage the scrapping of older vessels intended exclusively for local maritime and inland navigation (river or lake) public transport which no longer comply with recent maritime or inland navigation safety and environmental protection standards in order to prevent accidents, safeguard human life and limit the consequences of disasters which could cause substantial damage to the environment
Form of aid	Direct grant
Budget	EUR 30 million annually and the overall budget is EUR 90 million
Intensity	—
Duration	1 January 2007-31 December 2009
Economic sectors	Maritime and inland navigation local transport
Name and address of the granting authority	Ministero dei Trasporti
Other information	—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision	14.2.2008
Reference number of the aid	N 754/07
Member State	Italy
Region	Regione Toscana
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	Aiuti di avviamento a favore di compagnie aeree operanti sull'aeroporto regionale di Grosseto
Legal basis	Convenzione fra la Camera di commercio di Grosseto, la Provincia e il Comune di Grosseto
Type of measure	Regime
Objective	Regional development
Form of aid	Direct subsidies
Budget	EUR 927 000
Intensity	30 % of the eligible costs
Duration	Three years (as of June 2008)
Economic sectors	Air transport
Name and address of the granting authority	Camera di Commercio di Grosseto Comune e Provincia di Grosseto Regione Toscana
Other information	Decision not to raise objections to the measure

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/

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15.3.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 70/9

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.4945 — Arcelor/OFZ)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 70/04)

On 25 February 2008, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

—	from the Europa competition website (http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

—	in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website under document number 32008M4945. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law (http://eur-lex.europa.eu).

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15.3.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 70/10

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Euro exchange rates (1)

14 March 2008

(2008/C 70/05)

1 euro=

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,5561
JPY	Japanese yen	157,07
DKK	Danish krone	7,4569
GBP	Pound sterling	0,76755
SEK	Swedish krona	9,4361
CHF	Swiss franc	1,5741
ISK	Iceland króna	108,95
NOK	Norwegian krone	7,9885
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9558
CZK	Czech koruna	25,034
EEK	Estonian kroon	15,6466
HUF	Hungarian forint	257,07
LTL	Lithuanian litas	3,4528
LVL	Latvian lats	0,6975
PLN	Polish zloty	3,5280
RON	Romanian leu	3,6986
SKK	Slovak koruna	32,302
TRY	Turkish lira	1,8898
AUD	Australian dollar	1,6531
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,5479
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	12,1104
NZD	New Zealand dollar	1,8998
SGD	Singapore dollar	2,1536
KRW	South Korean won	1 552,05
ZAR	South African rand	12,2348
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	11,0318
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,2584
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	14 367,47
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	4,9212
PHP	Philippine peso	64,648
RUB	Russian rouble	36,8500
THB	Thai baht	48,893
BRL	Brazilian real	2,6110
MXN	Mexican peso	16,7001

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(1)  

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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15.3.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 70/11

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State aid — Community guidelines for State aid in the agriculture and forestry sector 2007-2013 — Acceptance by Member States of the proposal for appropriate measures made by the Commission in accordance with Article 88(1) of the EC Treaty

(Pursuant to Article 26(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 93 of the EC Treaty  (1) )

(2008/C 70/06)

In accordance with point 196 of the Community guidelines for State aid in the agriculture and forestry sector 2007 to 2013 (2), Member States must amend their amend their existing aid schemes to conform with the guidelines by 31 December 2007 at the latest, except for existing aid schemes for investments in connection with processing and marketing of agricultural products, that have to be eliminated by 31 December 2008 at the latest, and for investments concerning land purchase in agricultural holdings, that have to be amended to conform with the guidelines by 31 December 2009.

Point 197 of the guidelines states that Member States are invited to confirm that they accept the proposals for appropriate measures in writing by 28 February 2007 at the latest.

Member States were reminded of the need to accept the above-mentioned appropriate measures in a letter from the Commission of 29 January 2007.

The following Member States have given their explicit and unconditional agreement to the proposed appropriate measures in writing:

Member State	Date of Agreement
Belgium	29 January 2007
Czech Republic	27 February 2007
Denmark	27 February 2007
Germany	25 April 2007
Estonia	28 February 2007
Ireland	21 February 2007
Greece	27 February 2007
Spain	27 February 2007
France	13 February 2007
Italy	13 March 2007
Cyprus	18 April 2007
Latvia	20 February 2007
Lithuania	22 March 2007
Luxembourg	23 April 2007
Hungary	7 February 2007
Malta	16 February 2007
Netherlands	27 February 2007
Austria	1 March 2007
Poland	26 February 2007
Portugal	22 March 2007
Slovenia	26 February 2007
Slovakia	26 February 2007
Finland	21 February 2007
Sweden	13 February 2007
United Kingdom	16 February 2007

Pursuant to Article 19(1) of Regulation (EC) No 659/1999, the Commission hereby takes note of the unconditional and explicit agreement of the above-mentioned Member States to the appropriate measures which it has proposed.

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(1)  OJ L 83, 27.3.1999, p. 1.

(2)  OJ C 319, 27.12.2006, p. 1.

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15.3.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 70/13

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PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN 2008

(2008/C 70/07)

BELGIQUE/BELGIË	1.1, 24.3, 1.5, 2.5, 12.5, 21.7, 15.8, 1.11, 2.11, 11.11, 15.11, 25.12, 26.12, 27.12, 28.12, 29.12, 30.12, 31.12
БЪЛГАРИЯ	1.1, 3.3, 27.4, 28.4, 1.5, 6.5, 24.5, 6.9, 22.9, 1.11, 24.12, 25.12, 26.12
ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA	1.1, 24.3, 1.5, 8.5, 5.7, 6.7, 28.9, 28.10, 17.11, 24.12, 25.12, 26.12
DANMARK	1.1, 20.3, 21.3, 24.3, 18.4, 1.5, 12.5, 5.6, 24.12, 25.12, 26.12, 31.12
DEUTSCHLAND	1.1, 21.3, 24.3, 1.5, 12.5, 3.10, 25.12
EESTI	1.1, 24.2, 21.3, 23.3, 1.5, 23.6, 24.6, 20.8, 24.12, 25.12, 26.12
ÉIRE/IRELAND	1.1, 17.3, 24.3, 5.5, 2.6, 4.8, 27.10, 25.12, 26.12
ΕΛΛΆΔΑ	1.1, 6.1, 10.3, 25.3, 25.4, 28.4, 1.5, 16.6, 15.8, 28.10, 25.12, 26.12
ESPAÑA	1.1, 2.1, 20.3, 21.3, 24.3, 1.5, 2.5, 9.5, 12.5, 21.7, 24.12, 25.12, 26.12, 29.12, 30.12, 31.12
FRANCE	1.1, 24.3, 1.5, 8.5, 14.7, 15.8, 1.11, 11.11, 25.12
ITALIA	1.1, 24.3, 1.5, 2.5, 12.5, 2.6, 21.7, 15.8, 1.11, 25.12, 26.12
ΚΎΠΡΟΣ/KIBRIS	1.1, 6.1, 10.3, 25.3, 1.4, 25.4, 28.4, 1.5, 16.6, 15.8, 1.10, 28.10, 24.12, 25.12, 26.12
LATVIJA	1.1, 21.3, 24.3, 1.5, 5.5, 23.6, 24.6, 18.11, 24.12, 25.12, 26.12, 31.12
LIETUVA	1.1, 16.2, 11.3, 1.5, 24.6, 6.7, 15.8, 1.11, 25.12, 26.12
LUXEMBOURG	1.1, 24.3, 1.5, 12.5, 23.6, 15.8, 25.12, 26.12
MAGYARORSZÁG	1.1, 15.3, 24.3, 1.5, 2.5, 12.5, 20.8, 23.10, 24.10, 1.11, 24.12, 25.12, 26.12
MALTA	1.1, 10.2, 19.3, 21.3, 31.3, 1.4, 7.6, 29.6, 15.8, 8.9, 21.9, 8.12, 13.12, 25.12
NEDERLAND	1.1, 24.3, 1.5, 2.5, 5.5, 12.5, 25.12, 26.12
ÖSTERREICH	1.1, 6.1, 24.3, 1.5, 12.5, 22.5, 15.8, 26.10, 1.11, 8.12, 25.12, 26.12
POLSKA	1.1, 23.3, 24.3, 1.5, 3.5, 11.5, 22.5, 15.8, 1.11, 11.11, 25.12, 26.12
PORTUGAL	1.1, 21.3, 25.4, 1.5, 22.5, 10.6, 15.8, 5.10, 1.11, 1.12, 8.12, 25.12
ROMÂNIA	1.1, 2.1, 28.4, 1.5, 1.12, 25.12, 26.12
SLOVENIJA	1.1, 2.1, 8.2, 23.3, 24.3, 27.4, 1.5, 2.5, 11.5, 25.6, 15.8, 31.10, 1.11, 25.12, 26.12
SLOVENSKO	1.1, 6.1, 21.3, 24.3, 1.5, 8.5, 5.7, 29.8, 1.9, 15.9, 1.11, 17.11, 24.12, 25.12, 26.12
SUOMI/FINLAND	1.1, 6.1, 21.3, 23.3, 24.3, 1.5, 21.6, 1.11, 6.12, 25.12, 26.12
SVERIGE	1.1, 6.1, 21.3, 23.3, 24.3, 1.5, 11.5, 6.6, 21.6, 1.11, 25.12, 26.12
UNITED KINGDOM	Wales and England: 1.1, 21.3, 24.3, 5.5, 26.5, 25.8, 25.12, 26.12 Northern Ireland: 1.1, 17.3, 21.3, 24.3, 5.5, 26.5, 14.7, 25.8, 25.12, 26.12 Scotland: 1.1, 2.1, 21.3, 5.5, 26.5, 4.8, 25.12, 26.12

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15.3.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 70/14

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Call for Expressions of Interest for External Experts of the Scientific Committee of the European Food Safety Authority (Parma, Italy)

(2008/C 70/08)

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is the keystone of European Union (EU) risk assessment regarding food and feed safety; its independent scientific advice underpins the policies and decisions of risk managers in the European Institutions and EU Member States.

EFSA has set up a selection procedure that aims to draw up a reserve list of:

Scientific Experts to be considered as External Experts of the EFSA Scientific Committee

Ref.: EFSA/S/2008/001

The call is addressed to leading scientists with a broad expertise in science-based risk assessment wishing to be considered as external experts of EFSA's Scientific Committee. The required expertise of the external experts is within the field of EFSA's remit, e.g. in:

human health risk assessment, food consumption and exposure assessment, environmental risk assessment, animal health risk assessment, toxicology, microbiology, human nutrition, epidemiology, animal health, animal welfare, human medicine, veterinary medicine, food hygiene, food technology, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, life sciences.

The reserve list will be used to identify and select external experts for the EFSA Scientific Committee. It is expected that in 2008 two experts will be appointed from this reserve list to support the work of the Scientific Committee members.

The role of EFSA

EFSA brings together Europe's leading scientists in risk assessment in the field of food and feed safety, to provide the European Commission, Member States and the European Parliament with scientific advice of the highest standard. EFSA's most critical commitment is to provide objective, transparent and independent scientific advice and clear communication grounded in the most up-to-date scientific methodologies, information and data available.

Since EFSA's advice serves to inform the policies and decisions of risk managers, a large part of EFSA's work is undertaken in response to specific requests for scientific advice. Requests for scientific assessments are received from the European Commission, the European Parliament and EU Member States. EFSA also undertakes scientific work on its own initiative, so-called self-tasking.

Through its Scientific Committee, Scientific Panels and Working Groups, EFSA undertakes to respond quickly and proactively to urgent issues and emerging risks.

For more information on EFSA, please see:

http://www.efsa.europa.eu

The role of the EFSA Scientific Committee

EFSA's Scientific Committee provide scientific opinions and advice, support the work of EFSA's Scientific Panels on scientific matters of a horizontal nature. It is also responsible for general co-ordination to ensure consistency in the scientific opinions prepared by the Scientific Panels. Another role of the Scientific Committee is in developing harmonised risk assessment methodologies in fields where EU-wide approaches are not already defined.

The Scientific Committee is composed of the Chairs of the Scientific Panels and six additional independent experts who do not belong to any of the Scientific Panels.

For more information on EFSA Scientific Committee:

http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/ScientificPanels/efsa_locale-1178620753812_ScientificCommittee.htm

The work of the external experts of the Scientific Committee

The external experts of the Scientific Committee will support the work of the Scientific Committee members and be invited to attend and contribute to all meetings of the Scientific Committee. It is estimated that the Scientific Committee meets five to six times per year in two-day meetings usually in Parma, Italy. The external experts are also supporting the work of the Scientific Committee members through the participation in working groups, as appropriate, and this will mean attending additional meetings. Applicants should take into account that meetings generally involve preparatory work and that meetings and most documents are in English.

The external experts of the Scientific Committee are entitled to a compensation decided by EFSA Management Board for each full day meeting (currently EUR 300). In addition, experts receive subsistence allowance and incurred travelling expenses.

Selection procedure

A.   Eligibility criteria

Applicants must have:

—	a university degree in areas including toxicology, microbiology, human nutrition, epidemiology, animal health, animal welfare, human medicine, veterinary medicine, food hygiene, food technology, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, life sciences, preferably at post-graduate level,

—	at least ten (10) years professional experience relevant to the remit of the Scientific Committee at a level to which above required qualifications give admission,

—	good knowledge of the English language,

—	candidates must complete the declaration of interests included in the expression of interest in a true and complete manner. Please note that failure to fill in this part of the form in a true and complete manner will result in the rejection of the expression of interest.

B.   Selection criteria

—	experience in carrying out scientific risk assessment and/or providing scientific advice in fields related to food and feed safety in general and, in particular in the areas of competence and expertise of the Scientific Committee,

—	proven scientific excellence in one, or preferably several fields linked to the area covered by the Scientific Committee,

—	proven experience in peer reviewing scientific work and publications, preferably in fields related to the area covered by the Scientific Committee,

—	the ability to analyse complex information and dossiers, often from a wide range of scientific disciplines and sources and to contribute to the preparation of draft scientific opinions and reports,

—	professional experience in a multidisciplinary environment, preferably in an international context,

—	experience in project management related to scientific matters,

—	proven communication skills,

—	experts from non-European countries will be considered when the required level of expertise cannot be found among European experts.

Selection process, appointment and term

Experts meeting the eligibility requirements will be submitted to a comparative evaluation carried out by EFSA on the basis of the selection criteria given above. EFSA reserves the right to consult third parties on the professional experience of experts as mentioned in their expression of interest. The selected external experts will initially be appointed for one year, which is renewable.

Experts meeting the requirement to become external experts of the Scientific Committee but who are not appointed will be retained on the reserve list. The reserve list may be used for similar activities and will be valid until 31 December 2009. The validity of the reserve list may be extended. The experts in the reserve list will also be added to the EFSA Database of External Scientific Experts.

Independence and declarations of commitment and interest

The external experts of the Scientific Committee are appointed on a personal basis. They are required to fill in a declaration of interests which may be deemed to be prejudicial to their independence. The declaration of interest of the selected external experts will be published on the EFSA website.

Equal opportunity

EFSA is an equal opportunities employer and takes care to avoid any form of discrimination.

Submission of expression of interests

Candidates are requested to submit their expression of interest together with the declaration of interests electronically through the EFSA's website:

http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/header/efsa_locale-1178620753812_Jobs.htm

The forms can also be downloaded from the website and sent by registered mail to the following address:

Ref.: EFSA/S/2008/001

EFSA — European Food Safety Authority

Human Resource Unit

Largo Natale Palli, 5/A

I-43100 Parma

Expression of interests delivered via email will not be accepted. An expression of interest will be deemed admissible only if duly completed. Candidates are kindly invited to fill in the form in English in order to facilitate the selection procedure.

Please note that EFSA will not return expression of interests to candidates. The personal information EFSA requests from candidates will be processed in line with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data. The purpose of processing of the personal data candidates submit is to manage expression of interests in view of a possible pre-selection and selection at EFSA.

Closing date for sending expression of interests

Expression of interests must be submitted no later than 1 June 2008 at midnight (Local time, GMT +1). For those sent by registered mail, the postmark date will serve as a proof.

Note:

In the event of inconsistency or discrepancy between the English version and any of the other linguistic versions of this publication, the English language version shall prevail.

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15.3.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 70/18

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.5083 — Groupama/OTP Garancia)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 70/09)

1.

On 10 March 2008, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Groupama Int (‘Groupama’, France) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking OTP Garancia Biztosító Zártkörűen Működő Részvénytársaság (‘OTP Garancia’, Hungary) by way of purchase of shares.

2.	The business activities of the undertakings concerned are: — for Groupama: insurance group providing insurance and banking services, — for OTP Garancia: insurances.

3.	On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission. Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5083 — Groupama/OTP Garancia, to the following address: European Commission Directorate-General for Competition Merger Registry J-70 B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

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15.3.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 70/19

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.5106 — Candover/Bourne Leisure)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 70/10)

1.

On 7 March 2008, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Candover Partners Limited (‘Candover’, United Kingdom) belonging to the Candover Group acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Bourne Leisure Holdings Limited (‘Bourne Leisure’, United Kingdom) by way of purchase of shares.

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are: — for Candover: a private global investment firm, arranging and providing private equity for large European buy-outs, — for Bourne Leisure: provision of accommodation and other related facilities for holidays or short breaks in hotels, caravan parks and holiday parks in the United Kingdom.

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission. Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5106 — Candover/Bourne Leisure, to the following address: European Commission Directorate-General for Competition Merger Registry J-70 B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32.

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15.3.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 70/20

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Withdrawal of notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4967 — Marel/SFS)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 70/11)

(Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004)

On 18 February 2008, the Commission of the European Communities received notification of a proposed concentration between Marel Food Systems hf and Stork Food Systems. On 12 March 2008, the notifying parties informed the Commission that they withdrew their notification.

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