ISSN 1977-091X doi:10.3000/1977091X.C_2011.315.eng |
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Official Journal of the European Union |
C 315 |
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English edition |
Information and Notices |
Volume 54 |
Notice No |
Contents |
page |
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I Resolutions, recommendations and opinions |
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RECOMMENDATIONS |
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European Commission |
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2011/C 315/01 |
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II Information |
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INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
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European Commission |
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2011/C 315/02 |
Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.6223 — Aegon/Banca Civica/Cajaburgos Vida) ( 1 ) |
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2011/C 315/03 |
Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU — Cases where the Commission raises no objections ( 2 ) |
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IV Notices |
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NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
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European Commission |
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2011/C 315/04 |
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NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
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2011/C 315/05 |
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V Announcements |
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PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
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European Commission |
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2011/C 315/06 |
Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6404 — Hochtief Solutions/Ventizz/JV) — Candidate case for simplified procedure ( 1 ) |
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(1) Text with EEA relevance |
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(2) Text with EEA relevance, except for products falling under Annex I to the Treaty |
EN |
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I Resolutions, recommendations and opinions
RECOMMENDATIONS
European Commission
28.10.2011 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 315/1 |
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
of 27 October 2011
on the research Joint Programming Initiative ‘The Microbial Challenge — An Emerging Threat to Human Health’
2011/C 315/01
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 181 and Article 292 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) |
The microbial challenge, due to the increasing resistance to antimicrobial drugs, represents one of the major emerging threats to human health in the 21st century (1). More than 25 000 patients die in the Union each year from infections caused by bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics, so-called multidrug-resistant bacteria (2). Resistance rates to a single antibiotic exceed 40-50 % in some European countries (3), and resistance to multiple antibiotics is a common and growing problem. |
(2) |
Infectious diseases caused by resistant bacteria lead to additional healthcare costs and indirect costs, such as sick-leave and lost output due to premature death. The overall direct costs to society in terms of extra healthcare costs and productivity losses total EUR 1,5 billion each year in Europe (4); and the indirect costs to European countries are likely to be several times higher (5). |
(3) |
The problem of drug resistance is a natural and unavoidable consequence of treating infectious diseases with antimicrobial drugs. However, this is exacerbated by indiscriminate use of antimicrobials and the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment. The dynamics of human populations, including travel and worldwide distribution of food, contribute significantly to the rapid spread of resistant infectious micro-organisms (6). Moreover, the misuse of antibiotics in livestock is increasing the risk of spread of resistant micro-organisms to humans through food consumption (7). At the same time, the development of new antimicrobials is declining dramatically. |
(4) |
A comprehensive solution to the problem requires measures to be taken by many sectors of society: policy-makers, healthcare, education, industry, environmental agencies, agriculture, veterinary medicine, research and other areas. |
(5) |
Cross-border collaboration is essential given that the increasing resistance of micro-organisms to antibiotics is not confined to individual countries, but poses a real threat to public health on a global scale. Sharing the burden in order to efficiently handle the challenges ahead will yield benefits for all countries involved and will enable better management and treatment of infectious diseases in the future. |
(6) |
While excellent research is being carried out throughout Europe, the current European landscape for antimicrobial resistance research appears to be rather complex and fragmented. Many research networks and organisations at European and national level define antimicrobial resistance research agendas in isolation, leading to overlaps or competing research activities that often lack critical mass. |
(7) |
The Commission staff working paper of 18 November 2009 on antimicrobial resistance (8) summarised the initiatives in this field at Union level. Several actions were proposed and followed up, including the improved monitoring of antimicrobial resistance and usage, and also risk management measures. |
(8) |
At its meeting of 1 December 2009 (9), the Council of the European Union called upon the Member States and the Commission to ‘support the sharing of research infrastructures, recruitment of researchers, stimulation of and support for global research cooperation, increasing the spread of research results and knowledge through information exchange structures and considering existing and new financial instruments’ on innovative incentives for effective antibiotics. |
(9) |
At its meeting of 26 May 2010 (10), the Competitiveness Council identified and substantiated a set of potential Joint Programming Initiatives (hereinafter referred to as JPIs), including ‘The Microbial Challenge — An Emerging Threat to Human Health’ as areas where joint research programming would provide major added value to the fragmented efforts currently being made by Member States. It therefore adopted conclusions recognising the need to launch a JPI on the subject and inviting the Commission to contribute to the preparation of that JPI. |
(10) |
Member States have confirmed their participation in this JPI by the sending of formal letters of commitment. |
(11) |
Joint programming in research in the area of antimicrobial resistance, as in the proposed initiative ‘The Microbial Challenge — An Emerging Threat to Human Health’, will contribute to tackling the fragmentation of research efforts by Member States and will step-up the mobilisation of skills, knowledge and resources, with a view to advancing and strengthening Europe’s leadership and research competitiveness in this field. In addition, by tackling a major societal challenge, it complements the Europe 2020 strategy (11) and the Innovation Union (12). |
(12) |
In order to achieve the goals set out in this Recommendation, Member States should ensure cooperation and synergy with major related initiatives such as: the Innovative Medicines Initiative; research, development and innovation supported by the Framework Programme, including in the fields of health, food, agriculture and environment, where necessary enabled by information technology, as well as other initiatives, such as relevant ERA-NETs. |
(13) |
In order for the Commission to be able to report to the European Parliament and to the Council, Member States should report regularly to the Commission on the progress made on this JPI, |
HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:
1. |
Member States are encouraged to develop a common vision, based on a multidisciplinary approach, on how cooperation and coordination in the field of research at European level can improve, addressing the challenges of antimicrobial resistance and capitalising on the opportunities it presents, in order to ensure the efficiency of the joint efforts of the Member States. |
2. |
Member States are encouraged to develop a common Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) establishing medium to long-term research needs and objectives in the area of antimicrobial resistance. The SRA should be further developed towards an implementation plan, establishing priorities and timelines and specifying the actions, instruments and resources required for its implementation. |
3. |
Member States are encouraged to include the following actions, as part of the SRA and of the implementation plan:
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4. |
Member States are encouraged to maintain an efficient common management structure in the field of research on antimicrobial resistance, with a mandate to establish appropriate conditions, rules and procedures for cooperation and coordination, and to monitor the implementation of the SRA. This management structure should be lean, efficient and flexible, and should take account of the Voluntary Guidelines on Framework Conditions for Joint Programming in Research developed by the High Level Group on Joint Programming (GPC). |
5. |
Member States are encouraged to jointly implement the common SRA, including via their national research programmes in accordance with the Voluntary Guidelines on Framework Conditions for Joint Programming in Research developed by the GPC or other national research activities. |
6. |
Member States are encouraged to build on the existing expertise within the Commission and take the Voluntary Guidelines on Framework Conditions into account when developing and implementing the SRA, and with a view to coordinating the JPIs with other programmes and initiatives in this field. |
7. |
Member States are encouraged to report regularly to the Council and to the Commission on the progress and results of this JPI, including lessons learned on achieving optimal efficiency. |
Done at Brussels, 27 October 2011.
For the Commission
Máire GEOGHEGAN-QUINN
Member of the Commission
(1) Priority Medicines for Europe and the World, Kaplan W, Laing R. Geneva: World Health Organization (2004).
(2) The bacterial challenge: time to react. ECDC/EMA joint technical report (September 2009).
(3) Goldstein FW. Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae: selection by both beta lactam and non-beta lactam antibiotics. J Antimicrob Chemother 44:141-144 (1999).
(4) See footnote 2.
(5) Conference report; Innovative Incentives for Effective Antibacterials (2009).
(6) World health report 2007. A safer future: global public health security in the 21st century. WHO (2007).
(7) Joint opinion on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) focused on zoonotic infections. EFSA Journal 7(11):1372 (2009).
(8) SANCO/6867/2009r6.
(9) Council of the European Union. Council Conclusions on innovative incentives for effective antibiotics. Adopted at 2980th Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council Meeting in Brussels, 1 December 2009.
(10) 10246/10.
(11) COM(2010) 2020.
(12) COM(2010) 546.
II Information
INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
European Commission
28.10.2011 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 315/4 |
Non-opposition to a notified concentration
(Case COMP/M.6223 — Aegon/Banca Civica/Cajaburgos Vida)
(Text with EEA relevance)
2011/C 315/02
On 20 October 2011, 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:
— |
in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/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 (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm) under document number 32011M6223. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to the European law. |
28.10.2011 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 315/5 |
Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU
Cases where the Commission raises no objections
(Text with EEA relevance, except for products falling under Annex I to the Treaty)
2011/C 315/03
Date of adoption of the decision |
20.9.2011 |
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Reference number of State Aid |
SA.32899 (11/N) |
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Member State |
Czech Republic |
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Region |
— |
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Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) |
Podpora vybraných činností zaměřených na ozdravování chovů prasat |
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Legal basis |
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Type of measure |
Scheme |
— |
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Objective |
Animal diseases |
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Form of aid |
Direct grant |
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Budget |
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Intensity |
100 % |
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Duration (period) |
Until 31.12.2017 |
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Economic sectors |
Crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities |
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Name and address of the granting authority |
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Other information |
— |
The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:
http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/state_aids_texts_en.htm
Date of adoption of the decision |
20.9.2011 |
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Reference number of State Aid |
SA.32900 (11/N) |
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Member State |
Czech Republic |
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Region |
— |
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Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) |
Podpora vybraných činností zaměřených na ozdravování chovů drůbeže zvýšením biologické bezpečnosti |
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Legal basis |
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Type of measure |
Scheme |
— |
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Objective |
Animal diseases |
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Form of aid |
Direct grant |
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Budget |
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Intensity |
100 % |
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Duration (period) |
Until 31.12.2017 |
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Economic sectors |
Crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities |
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Name and address of the granting authority |
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Other information |
— |
The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:
http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/state_aids_texts_en.htm
Date of adoption of the decision |
20.9.2011 |
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Reference number of State Aid |
SA.32928 (11/N) |
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Member State |
Germany |
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Region |
Bayern |
— |
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Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) |
Richtlinie des Bayerischen Staatsministeriums für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Forsten zur Einzelbetrieblichen Investitionsförderung |
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Legal basis |
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Type of measure |
Scheme |
— |
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Objective |
Investments in agricultural holdings |
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Form of aid |
Direct grant |
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Budget |
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Intensity |
20 % |
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Duration (period) |
Until 31.12.2013 |
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Economic sectors |
Agriculture, forestry and fishing |
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Name and address of the granting authority |
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Other information |
— |
The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:
http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/state_aids_texts_en.htm
Date of adoption of the decision |
22.9.2011 |
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Reference number of State Aid |
SA.32939 (11/N) |
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Member State |
Czech Republic |
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Region |
— |
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Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) |
Lesnická infrastruktura |
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Legal basis |
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Type of measure |
Scheme |
— |
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Objective |
Forestry |
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Form of aid |
Direct grant |
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Budget |
Overall budget: CZK 500 million |
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Intensity |
100 % |
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Duration (period) |
Until 31.12.2013 |
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Economic sectors |
Forestry and logging |
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Name and address of the granting authority |
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Other information |
— |
The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:
http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/state_aids_texts_en.htm
IV Notices
NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
European Commission
28.10.2011 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 315/8 |
Euro exchange rates (1)
27 October 2011
2011/C 315/04
1 euro =
|
Currency |
Exchange rate |
USD |
US dollar |
1,4038 |
JPY |
Japanese yen |
106,39 |
DKK |
Danish krone |
7,4441 |
GBP |
Pound sterling |
0,87630 |
SEK |
Swedish krona |
9,0280 |
CHF |
Swiss franc |
1,2213 |
ISK |
Iceland króna |
|
NOK |
Norwegian krone |
7,6560 |
BGN |
Bulgarian lev |
1,9558 |
CZK |
Czech koruna |
24,833 |
HUF |
Hungarian forint |
302,20 |
LTL |
Lithuanian litas |
3,4528 |
LVL |
Latvian lats |
0,7043 |
PLN |
Polish zloty |
4,3420 |
RON |
Romanian leu |
4,3323 |
TRY |
Turkish lira |
2,4798 |
AUD |
Australian dollar |
1,3188 |
CAD |
Canadian dollar |
1,3964 |
HKD |
Hong Kong dollar |
10,9113 |
NZD |
New Zealand dollar |
1,7231 |
SGD |
Singapore dollar |
1,7555 |
KRW |
South Korean won |
1 558,65 |
ZAR |
South African rand |
10,9256 |
CNY |
Chinese yuan renminbi |
8,9284 |
HRK |
Croatian kuna |
7,4900 |
IDR |
Indonesian rupiah |
12 381,61 |
MYR |
Malaysian ringgit |
4,3405 |
PHP |
Philippine peso |
60,146 |
RUB |
Russian rouble |
42,3128 |
THB |
Thai baht |
42,872 |
BRL |
Brazilian real |
2,4341 |
MXN |
Mexican peso |
18,5408 |
INR |
Indian rupee |
69,5020 |
(1) Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.
NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES
28.10.2011 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 315/9 |
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 Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products and amending Regulation (EC) No 70/2001
2011/C 315/05
Aid No: SA.33762 (11/XA)
Member State: Netherlands
Region: Nederland
Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Steunmaatregelen technische ondersteuning en kwaliteitsbevordering bloemkwekerijproducten
Legal basis: Ontwerp-verordening PT heffing handel bloemkwekerijproducten 2010
Ontwerp-verordening PT heffing aanbod bloemkwekerijproducten 2010
Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Annual overall amount of the budget planned under the scheme: EUR 14,10 million
Maximum aid intensity: 100 %
Date of implementation: —
Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 26 October 2011-30 June 2014
Objective of aid: Production of quality agricultural products (Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006), Technical support (Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006)
Sector(s) concerned: Crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities
Name and address of the granting authority:
Productschap Tuinbouw |
Postbus 280 |
2700 AG Zoetermeer |
NEDERLAND |
Louis Pasteurlaan 6 |
2719 EE Zoetermeer |
NEDERLAND |
Website: http://www.tuinbouw.nl/files/page/Ontwerp-Verordening%20PT%20heffing%20handel%20bloemkwekerijproducten%202010.pdf
http://www.tuinbouw.nl/files/page/Ontwerp-Verordening%20PT%20heffing%20aanbod%20bloemkwekerijproducten%202010.pdf
Other information: —
Aid No: SA.33813 (11/XA)
Member State: France
Region: Moselle
Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: aides aux audits sanitaires des élevages et aux programmes pluriannuels d’intervention en Moselle.
Legal basis: Articles L 1511-2 et L 1511-5 du code général des collectivités territoriales,
délibération du Conseil général de la Moselle (Commission permanente du 13 décembre 2010).
Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Annual overall amount of the budget planned under the scheme: EUR 0,20 million
Maximum aid intensity: 100 %
Date of implementation: —
Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 26 October 2011-30 June 2014
Objective of aid: Animal diseases (Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006)
Sector(s) concerned: Animal production, Mixed farming
Name and address of the granting authority:
Monsieur le Président du Conseil général de la Moselle |
Direction de l'environnement et de l'aménagement du territoire |
Division de l'environnement et de l'espace rural/SAEN |
Hôtel du Département |
1 rue du Pont Moreau |
BP 11096 |
57036 Metz Cedex 1 |
FRANCE |
Website: http://www.cg57.fr/SiteCollectionDocuments/LaMoselleEtVous/Agriculture/FichesUE/audit_sanitaire_et_programme_pluriannuel_elevages.pdf
Other information: —
Aid No: SA.33826 (11/XA)
Member State: Bulgaria
Region: Bulgaria
Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Помощ за участие в изложение по овцевъдство-Специализирано регионално есенно изложение на Бели и Вакли Маришки овце с. Избегли общ. Асеновград обл. Пловдив
Legal basis: Чл. 12, ал. 1, т. 10 от Закона за подпомагане на земеделските производители; Указания, приети с Решение на Управителния съвет на Държавен фонд „Земеделие“ за схема на държавна помощ за участие в изложение
Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Annual overall amount of the budget planned under the scheme: BGN 0,02 million
Maximum aid intensity: 70 %
Date of implementation: —
Duration of scheme or individual aid award: 8 November 2011-31 December 2013
Objective of aid: Technical support (Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006)
Sector(s) concerned: Agriculture, forestry and fishing
Name and address of the granting authority:
Държавен фонд „Земеделие“ |
бул. „Цар Борис III“ № 136 |
1618 София/Sofia |
БЪЛГАРИЯ/ВULGАRIА |
Website: http://www.dfz.bg/bg/darzhavni-pomoshti/shemi_durjavni_pomoshti_reglament_1857_2006/
Other information: —
V Announcements
PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY
European Commission
28.10.2011 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 315/11 |
Prior notification of a concentration
(Case COMP/M.6404 — Hochtief Solutions/Ventizz/JV)
Candidate case for simplified procedure
(Text with EEA relevance)
2011/C 315/06
1. |
On 21 October 2011, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which Hochtief Solutions AG (‘Hochtief Solutions’, Germany) and Ventizz Capital Fund IV L.P. (‘Ventizz IV’, Jersey) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of a newly created company constituting a joint venture (‘JV’, Luxembourg) by way of a purchase of shares. |
2. |
The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
|
3. |
On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the EC Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the EC Merger Regulation (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 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.6404 — Hochtief Solutions/Ventizz/JV, to the following address:
|
(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘EC Merger Regulation’).
(2) OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32 (‘Notice on a simplified procedure’).