31.10.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 258/1

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.4897 — Arcapita/HT Troplast)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2007/C 258/01)

On 4 October 2007, 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 32007M4897. EUR-Lex is the on-line access to European law (http://eur-lex.europa.eu).

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31.10.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 258/2

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Euro exchange rates (1)

30 October 2007

(2007/C 258/02)

1 euro=

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,4407
JPY	Japanese yen	165,41
DKK	Danish krone	7,4546
GBP	Pound sterling	0,69720
SEK	Swedish krona	9,1782
CHF	Swiss franc	1,6751
ISK	Iceland króna	86,72
NOK	Norwegian krone	7,7210
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9558
CYP	Cyprus pound	0,5842
CZK	Czech koruna	26,860
EEK	Estonian kroon	15,6466
HUF	Hungarian forint	251,05
LTL	Lithuanian litas	3,4528
LVL	Latvian lats	0,7026
MTL	Maltese lira	0,4293
PLN	Polish zloty	3,6381
RON	Romanian leu	3,3437
SKK	Slovak koruna	33,351
TRY	Turkish lira	1,7179
AUD	Australian dollar	1,5688
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,3763
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	11,1659
NZD	New Zealand dollar	1,8779
SGD	Singapore dollar	2,0898
KRW	South Korean won	1 306,57
ZAR	South African rand	9,4923
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	10,7632
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,3440
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	13 117,57
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	4,8184
PHP	Philippine peso	63,167
RUB	Russian rouble	35,5980
THB	Thai baht	45,572

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(1)  

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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31.10.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 258/3

---

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

(2007/C 258/03)

Aid No	XA 7029/07
Member State	Italy
Region	Regione Emilia Romagna
Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid:	Misura 1.1, azione b — Progetti integrati di impresa — Programma triennale in materia di attività produttive — Regione Emilia Romagna
Legal basis	Delibera della giunta regionale n. 791 del 4.6.2007, attuativa della legge 27.10.1994, n. 598 e della legge 28.11.1965 n. 1329
Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company	Aid scheme	Annual overall amount	EUR 10 million
		Guaranteed funds	—
	Individual aid	Overall aid amount	—
		Guaranteed funds	—
Maximum aid intensity	The scheme is subject to the intensity levels laid down in Article 4(7) of Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 and may not therefore exceed: — 50 % of eligible expenditure for eligible investments in areas which qualify for aid under Article 87(3)(a) of the EC Treaty, — 40 % of eligible expenditure for eligible investments in other areas
Date of implementation:	After providing the EC with the information referred to in Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 70/2001
Duration of scheme or individual aid award	Until 31.12.2008
Objective of aid	The objective of the aid scheme is to help SMEs, via interest subsidies, financial assistance by banks and financial intermediaries, to support investments in product and process innovation. The purchase of machinery, investments in technological, organisational and commercial innovation, environmental protection and security in places of work. The amount of funding may reach 100 % of the investment plan for a period of up to seven years, including a two-year grace period. Under no circumstances may the subsidy at the level of individual applications exceed the maximum aid intensities granted under the relevant EU rules
Economic sectors concerned:	The aid is aimed at SMEs processing and marketing agricultural products as defined in Article 2(2)(m) and (n) of Regulation (EC) No 70/2001
Name and address of the granting authority	Regione Emilia Romagna
	Direzione generale Attività produttive, turismo, commercio Viale Aldo Moro, 44 I-40127 Bologna
Website	http://www.incentivi.mcc.it/ → Emilia Romagna

Aid No	XA 7030/07
Member State	Italy
Region	Sardegna
Title	Misura 124 del PSR 2007/2013 «Cooperazione per lo sviluppo di nuovi prodotti, processi e tecnologie nei settori agricolo e alimentare, nonché in quello forestale»
Legal basis	Regolamento (CE) n. 1698/2005 del Consiglio, del 20 settembre 2005, sul sostegno allo sviluppo rurale da parte del Fondo europeo agricolo per lo sviluppo rurale (FEASR) — Articolo 29
Annual expenditure planned under the scheme	EUR 335 000
Maximum aid intensity	The maximum aid intensity complies with Article 5a(4)(a) of the Regulation: — precompetitive development activities: 40 % in areas eligible for regional aid (35 % in other areas)
Date of implementation	Following receipt of the communication by the European Commission
Duration of scheme or individual aid award	31.12.2013
Objective of aid	Aid to SMEs
Economic sectors concerned	Processing and marketing of agricultural products (1)
Name and address of the granting authority	Assessorato dell'Agricoltura e riforma agro-pastorale Via Pessagno, 4 I-09125 Cagliari Website: http://intranet.sardegnaagricoltura.it/documenti/misura124/ Access credentials: user: intrasa; password: agripass
Other information	—

Aid no	XA 7033/07
Member State	Italy
Region	Regione Calabria
Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid	Agevolazioni per l'acquisto o il leasing di nuove macchine utensili o di produzione
Legal basis	Legge 28.11.1965, n. 1329 Delibera del comitato Agevolazioni Regione Calabria — MCC del 29 dicembre 2006
Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company	Aid scheme	Annual overall amount	EUR 4 million
		Loans guaranteed	—
	Individual aid	Overall aid amount	—
		Loans guaranteed	—
Maximum aid intensity	The scheme is subject to the intensity levels laid down in Article 4(7) of Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 and may not therefore exceed: — 50 % of eligible expenditure for eligible investments in areas qualifying for aid under Article 87(3)(a) of the EC Treaty, — 40 % of eligible expenditure for eligible investments in other areas
Date of implementation	1.1.2007
Duration of the scheme or individual aid award	Until 31.12.2008
Objective of the aid	The objective of the aid scheme is to help the purchase or leasing by SMEs of brand new machine tools or production equipment for an overall cost not lower than EUR 516,45. Installation, testing, transport and packaging costs are eligible up to a total of 15 % of the cost of the equipment. Eligible investments must seek to achieve at least one of the following objectives: — lower production costs, — improvement or conversion of production, — quality improvements, — protecting and improving the environment, hygiene conditions or animal welfare. The amount of funding may reach 100 % of the investment plan for a period of up to seven years, including a two-year grace period. Under no circumstances may the subsidy at the level of individual applications exceed the maximum aid intensities granted under the relevant EU rules
Economic sectors concerned	The aid is aimed at SMEs processing and marketing agricultural products as defined in Article 2(2)(m) and (n) of Regulation (EC) No 70/2001
Name and address of the granting authority	Regione Calabria Assessorato Agricoltura
	Via Lucrezia della Valle I-88100 Catanzaro
Website	http://www.incentivi.mcc.it/html/html/MCC_CALABRIA/MCC_CALABRIA_SABATINI_AGRICOLA/section_new.html

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(1)  Area as defined in Article 2(k) of this Regulation.

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31.10.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 258/6

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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

(2007/C 258/04)

XA Number: XA 7028/07

Member State: Italy

Region: Emilia Romagna

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Fondo di rotazione per la promozione e lo sviluppo della cooperazione — Foncooper — in relazione alle iniziative nella regione Emilia Romagna

Legal basis:

—	Titolo I della legge 27 febbraio 1985 n. 49, modificata con legge 5 marzo 2001 n. 57, art. 12 (G.U. n. 66 del 20 marzo 2001)

—	Direttiva del ministero dell'Industria, del commercio e dell'artigianato (ora ministero dello Sviluppo economico) del 9 maggio 2001 (G.U. n. 171 del 25 luglio 2001)

—	Deliberazione regionale n. 792 del 4.6.2007

Annual expenditure planned or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Aid scheme: the overall annual amount is EUR 15 million.

Maximum aid intensity: In accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 the intensity of aid may not exceed 7,5 % or 15 %, depending upon the size of the undertaking.

Where the investment takes place in areas that qualify for regional aid, the aid intensity must not exceed the ceiling for regional investment aid laid down in the map approved by the Commission for each Member State by more than the percentages laid down in Article 4(3) of Regulation (EC) No 70/2001.

For investment in the processing and marketing of agricultural products, the maximum aid intensity may not exceed 40 % of the costs eligible under Article 4(7)(d) of Regulation (EC) No 70/2001.

Date of implementation: Date on which this summary sheet is submitted.

Duration of the scheme or individual aid award: Until 31 December 2008

Objective of aid: Aid to cooperative SMEs for investment projects in tangible fixed assets, to be implemented after the request for funding is submitted.

Eligible expenditure (excluding VAT) on the purchase of land and buildings, on the carrying out of building works and on the purchase, upgrading and restructuring of machinery, equipment and facilities.

Economic sectors: All sectors eligible for aid to SMEs under Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 70/2001, as amended by Regulation (EC) No 364/2004 of 25 January 2004 and Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 of 15 December 2006.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Other information: Maximum amount for each individual financing project: EUR 2 million, subject to a limit of 70 % of the total eligible investment.

The aid granted represents the difference between the repayments calculated at market rates and the repayments corresponding to the subsidised rate applied to the financing.

XA Number: XA 7032/07

Member State: Ireland

Region: —

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Off-Farm Scheme of Grant Aid for the Development of the Organic Sector

Legal basis: Statutory Instrument No 112 of 2004 — European Communities (Organic Farming) Regulations 2004

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: EUR 4,5 million over 7 year period (2007-2013)

Maximum aid intensity: 40 % of approved eligible investment

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award:

Objective of aid: The objective of the Scheme is to facilitate the development of the organic sector so as to ensure a regular supply of high quality value added organic produce to the market. The Scheme is in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 as amended by Article 21(3)(d) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006. Eligible costs covered include the development of facilities for preparation, grading, packing, storage, distribution and sale of organic products in viable enterprises.

Economic Sector(s) concerned: Agriculture sector

Name and address of the granting authority:

Web-address: www.agriculture.gov.ie/organics

The Scheme documentation and conditions will be located in the Organic Food and Farming page of the Department of Agriculture and Food website: www.agriculture.gov.ie

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31.10.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 258/7

---

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

(2007/C 258/05)

XA Number: XA 127/07

Member State: Italy

Region: Emilia Romagna

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid award: Fondo di rotazione per la promozione e lo sviluppo della cooperazione — Foncooper — in relazione alle iniziative nella regione Emilia Romagna.

Legal basis:

—	Titolo I della legge 27 febbraio 1985 n. 49, modificata con legge 5 marzo 2001 n. 57, art. 12 (G.U. n. 66 del 20 marzo 2001)

—	Direttiva del ministero dell'Industria, del commercio e dell'artigianato (ora ministero dello Sviluppo economico) del 9 maggio 2001 (G.U. n. 171 del 25 luglio 2001)

—	Deliberazione regionale n. 792 del 4.6.2007

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Aid scheme: overall annual amount is EUR 5 million.

Maximum aid intensity: In accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006, the aid intensity may not exceed:

Date of implementation: As provided for in Article 20(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006, after confirmation from the Commission (within ten working days from receipt of the summary) in the form of an acknowledgement bearing an identification number and publication on the internet.

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

Objective of aid: Transparent aid to cooperative agricultural SMEs engaged in primary production for carrying out investment projects in tangible fixed assets, to be implemented after the decision to grant the funding is taken.

Eligible expenditure: Expenditure (excluding VAT) on building works, the purchase and improvement of buildings, and the purchase, modernisation and restructuring of machinery, equipment and facilities.

Expenditure on the purchase of land other than that intended for building work may be eligible, provided that it does not exceed 10 % of the eligible investment expenditure.

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme applies to small and medium-sized cooperative enterprises engaged in primary production, excluding those cases referred to in Articles 1 and 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Regione Emilia Romagna

Direzione generale Attività produttive, commercio e industria

Via Aldo Moro, 44

I-40127 Bologna

Website: http://prodotti.bnl.it/pagina.asp?Page=2213

Other information: Individual finance projects may not exceed EUR 2 million or 70 % of the eligible investment, and the overall amount of aid granted to an individual enterprise (calculated as the difference between the repayments at market rates and the repayments at the subsidised rate applicable under the scheme) may not exceed EUR 400 000 over any three-year period or EUR 500 000 if the enterprise is located in a less-favoured area or in one of the areas as referred to in Article 36(a)(i), (ii) and (iii) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, which are designated by Member States in accordance with Articles 50 and 94 of that Regulation.

XA number: XA 128/07

Member State: Spain

Region: Castilla-La Mancha

Title of aid scheme: Ayudas para paliar los daños ocasionados en el viñedo afectado por las tormentas acaecidas en mayo y junio de 2007.

Legal basis: Decreto no 66/2007, de 25.5.2007, por el que se adoptan medidas urgentes para la atención a determinadas necesidades derivadas de situaciones de naturaleza catastrófica producidas por fenómenos meteorológicos adversos en el territorio de Castilla-La Mancha durante el mes de mayo de 2007; Resolución de 1.6.2007, del Vicepresidente Primero, por la que se determinan los términos municipales afectados por situaciones de naturaleza catastrófica producidas por fenómenos meteorológicos adversos en el territorio de Castilla-La Mancha, durante el mes de mayo de 2007; Orden de 11.6.2007, de la Consejería de Agricultura, por la que se declara como fenómeno climático adverso asimilable a desastre natural las tormentas acaecidas en junio de 2007 en determinados municipios de Castilla-La Mancha.

Orden de 14.6.2007, de la Consejería de Agricultura, por la que se establecen las bases reguladoras y se convoca la concesión de ayudas para la recuperación del viñedo afectado por las tormentas de 2007

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: EUR 12 000 000 lump-sum payment

Maximum aid intensity: 49 % of the damage

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award:

Objective of aid: to compensate for the reduction in income from the sale of the product due to the adverse climatic event and to help with the costs met by the farmer as a result of the event (costs of pruning and regenerating the affected parts of the vine, costs of cicatrising and cryptogamic treatments to prevent fungal attack), in accordance with Article 11(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006.

Sector(s) concerned: Crop production: vines

Name and address of the granting authority:

Consejería de Agricultura

C/ Pintor Matías Moreno, no 4

E-45004 Toledo

Internet address: Provisionally:

www.jccm.es/agricul/paginas/ayudas/agricultura/vinedo.htm

Once published:

www.jccm.es/cgi-bin/docm.php3

XA number: XA 129/07

Member State: Spain

Region: Cantabria

Title of aid scheme: Ayudas al sacrificio de animales positivos a paratuberculosis bovina.

Legal basis: Orden GAN/26/2007, de 2 de mayo, por la que se establecen las bases reguladoras y se aprueba la convocatoria para la Anualidad 2007, de las ayudas por el sacrificio de animales positivos a paratuberculosis bovina dentro del marco de la ejecución de los programas sanitarios de las Agrupaciones de Defensa Sanitaria Ganadera

BOC no 92, de 14 de mayo de 2007

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR 300 000

Maximum aid intensity:

—	The amount of aid will be set on the basis of the rates laid down in Annex I to Order GAN/26/2007, and may not exceed EUR 59 999 for any beneficiary.

—	The aforementioned rates establish different amounts which applicants may receive, based on the age of the slaughtered animals and their productive capacity, ranging from EUR 117,20 to EUR 360,61 per animal.

Date of implementation: May 2007

Duration of scheme: 2007-2013

Objective of aid: Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006

To compensate livestock holders for the losses caused by slaughtering animals diagnosed with bovine paratuberculosis, as part of the implementation of the health programmes of Livestock Health Protection Groups.

The eligible costs relate to the difference between the slaughtered animals' meat value and their commercial value, based on their age and productive capacity.

Sector(s) concerned: Bovine livestock farming

Name and address of the granting authority:

Consejería de Ganadería, Agricultura y Pesca del Gobierno de Cantabria

Edificio Europa

E-39011 Santander (Cantabria)

Internet address: http://boc.gobcantabria.es/boc/datos/MES %202007-05/OR %202007-05-14 %20092/HTML/2007-6586.asp?volver=1

Other information: —

In Santander, on 5 June 2007

Head of the Animal Health and Welfare Service

Signed: Francisco Manuel Fernandez Martinez

XA Number: XA 130/07

Member State: Italy

Region: Umbria

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid award: Fondo di rotazione per la promozione e lo sviluppo della cooperazione — Foncooper — in relazione alle iniziative nella regione Umbria.

Legal basis:

—	Titolo I della legge 27 febbraio 1985 n. 49, modificata con legge 5 marzo 2001 n. 57, art. 12 (G.U. n. 66 del 20 marzo 2001)

—	Direttiva del ministero dell'Industria, del commercio e dell'artigianato (ora ministero dello Sviluppo economico) del 9 maggio 2001 (G.U. n. 171 del 25 luglio 2001)

—	Deliberazione regionale n. 1095 del 31.7.2002.

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Aid scheme: the overall annual amount is EUR 3 million.

Maximum aid intensity: In accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006, the aid intensity may not exceed:

Date of implementation: As provided for in Article 20(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006, the scheme will be implemented after confirmation from the Commission (within ten working days from receipt of the summary) in the form of an acknowledgement bearing an identification number and publication on the internet.

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

Objective of aid: Transparent aid to cooperative agricultural SMEs engaged in primary production, for carrying out investment projects in tangible fixed assets, implemented after the decision to grant the funding is taken.

Eligible expenditure: (excluding VAT) on building works, the purchase and improvement of buildings, and the purchase, modernisation and restructuring of machinery, equipment and facilities.

Expenditure on the purchase of land other than that intended for building work may be eligible, provided that it does not exceed 10 % of the eligible investment expenditure.

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme applies to small and medium-sized cooperative enterprises engaged in primary production, excluding those cases referred to in Articles 1 and 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006.

Name and address of the granting authority:

«Regione Umbria — Servizio Politiche di sostegno alle imprese»

Via Mario Angeloni, 61

I-06100 Perugia

Decision-making body: ‘Comitato di Gestione Foncooper’ (Foncooper Management Committee), provided for in the agreement concluded on 26 June 2000 between the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Crafts (now the Ministry of Economic Development) and Coopercredito SpA (now Banca Nazionale del Lavoro SpA, Via Veneto 119, I-00187 Rome) and the Addenda adopted on 31 October 2002 between the Umbria Region and Coopercredito SpA (now Banca Nazionale del Lavoro SpA) and on 9 November 2006 between the Umbria Region and Banca Nazionale del Lavoro SpA.

Website: http://prodotti.bnl.it/pagina.asp?Page=2212

Other information: Individual finance projects may not exceed EUR 2 million or 70 % of the eligible investment, and the overall amount of aid granted to an individual enterprise (calculated as the difference between the repayments at market rates and the repayments at the subsidised rate applicable under the scheme) may not exceed EUR 400 000 over any three-year period or EUR 500 000 if the enterprise is located in a less-favoured area or in one of the areas referred to in Article 36(a)(i), (ii) and (iii) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, which are designated by Member States in accordance with Articles 50 and 94 of that Regulation.

The annual expenditure planned for the aid scheme includes the annual expenditure under the scheme, with the same legal basis, intended for SMEs that are not covered by Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 but are covered by Regulation (EC) No 70/2001.

XA Number: XA 131/07

Member State: Ireland

Region: —

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: On-Farm Scheme of Grant Aid for the Development of the Organic Sector.

Legal basis: Statutory Instrument No 112 of 2004 — European Communities (Organic Farming) Regulations 2004.

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: EUR 3,5 million over 7 year period (2007-2013)

Maximum aid intensity: 40 % of approved eligible investment with additional amount of 10 % for eligible young farmers

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award:

Objective of aid: The objective of the Scheme is to facilitate the development of the organic sector so as to ensure a regular supply of high quality organic produce to the market. The Scheme is in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006. Eligible costs covered include investment towards equipment and facilities for production, preparation, grading, packing and storage of organic products. Only activities preparing a product for first sale are eligible for investment aid under this Scheme.

Sector(s) concerned: All Agriculture sectors

Name and address of the granting authority:

Organic Unit, Department of Agriculture and Food

Johnstown Castle Estate

Co. Wexford

Ireland

Web-address: www.agriculture.gov.ie/organics

The Scheme documentation and conditions will be located in the Organic Food and Farming page of the Department of Agriculture and Food website: www.agriculture.gov.ie

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31.10.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 258/10

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Recruitment notice PE/96/S

(2007/C 258/06)

The European Parliament is organising the following selection procedure: PE/96/S — Temporary member of staff — Assistant (AST4) — IT developer.

This selection procedure requires post-secondary education in the field of information technology, of at least two years, attested by a diploma

or

a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education followed by professional experience of at least three years in a field relevant to the job description.

By the closing date for applications candidates must, after obtaining the qualifications mentioned, have acquired at least five years' experience in a field relevant to the job description.

This recruitment notice is published only in English, French and German. The full text is in Official Journal C 258 A in the three languages.

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31.10.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 258/11

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4892 — Infineon/Siemens/JV)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2007/C 258/07)

1.

On 23 October 2007, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which Infineon Technologies AG (‘Infineon AG’, Germany) and Siemens AG (‘Siemens’, Germany) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertaking Infineon Technologies GmbH & Co KG (‘Infineon GmbH & Co KG’, Germany) by way of purchase of shares in a newly created company constituting a joint venture.

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are: — Infineon AG: development, manufacture and distribution of electronic semiconductor devices, chip cards, security appliances, electronics, wireless and wired communication and data processing, — Siemens: production, transfer and distribution of energy, automation and control systems, medical solutions, transportation systems, lightening, financing and real estate services, information and communication technology, — Infineon GmbH & Co KG: development, production and distribution of bipolar high power semiconductors (high power rectifiers/diodes, high power thyristors).

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.4892 — Infineon/Siemens/JV, 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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31.10.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 258/12

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

(2007/C 258/08)

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

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘ARROZ CAROLINO DAS LEZÍRIAS RIBATEJANAS’

EC No: PT/PGI/005/0552/07.08.2006

( X ) PGI ( ) PDO

1.   Name

‘Arroz Carolino das Lezírias Ribatejanas’

2.   Member State or Third Country

Portugal

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.6 — Fresh or processed fruit, vegetables and cereals

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

Hulled caryopsis of the Aríete variety (2nd generation) of the Japonica subspecies of the Oryza sativa L. plant, duly dried, shelled, whitened and polished.

Physical Characteristics (Mean values (± 0,3))

Moisture (%)	13
Length (mm)	6,4
Width (mm)	2,5
Length/width ratio	2,5
Total ash (%)	0,45
Husk-on colour	Yellowish-brown
Colour after whitening	Glassy

Chemical Characteristics (Mean values (± 5 %))

Fat (%)	0,9-1,3
Protein (%)	5,2-6,8
Carbohydrates (%)	77,1-82,3
Energy (Kcal/100g)	346,5-350,1

Aroma and flavour — When plain-boiled it smells of freshly stored rice with a velvety, spongy, smooth taste. When mixed with other ingredients, it has a slight hint of the added condiments and has a creamy smooth texture which lingers in the mouth.

Vitreousness — Vitreous crystalline aspect.

Cooking characteristics (mean values)

Cooking time	9-10,5 mins
Water absorption	219-235 %

3.3.   Raw materials (for processed products only)

The only rice eligible is the abovementioned variety from the defined geographical area, since it is only in these conditions that the rice has a very low amylose/amylopectin content (33,5 %/66,5 %); this allows the rice to absorb a high proportion of the water in which it is cooked and adsorb flavours, while having a minimum industrial yield of 70 %. This is possible only in the geomorphologic conditions of the Lezírias Ribatejanas (nature of the soil, quality of the irrigation water, number of hours of sunshine, narrow range of temperatures, etc.).

3.4.   Feed (for products of animal origin only)

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

The whole of the production cycle must take place in the defined geographical area, including the acquisition of the 2nd generation seed, to ensure that it is entirely suited to the geomorphologic conditions specific to that area. Needless to say, given the growing conditions, the entire biological cycle up to harvesting is carried out in the same place, i.e. where the rice was originally sown. Harvesting is governed by special rules which cover dates, phenological stage and moisture of the grain (including the machinery used for harvesting, transportation, storage, drying, hulling, whitening and polishing) as a way of guaranteeing the hygiene and safety of the product, preventing the introduction of biological, chemical and microbiological contamination into the harvested crop and into the equipment and excluding rice of other origin; it also ensures the complete traceability of the ‘Carolino’ rice to the region of origin and even, in many cases, to the original farmer.

The geographical area in which the processing and packaging takes place coincides with the production area, this being justified on the abovementioned grounds and by the fact that it serves to reduce to a minimum the time taken to transport the rice to the drying areas, thus helping to avoid a deterioration in quality.

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

For the same reasons (safety and hygiene, avoiding contamination, excluding rice from other sources, avoiding quality deterioration and maintaining traceability, which moreover make it possible to monitor the whole of the production chain) packaging must be carried out in the region of origin, using materials specifically approved for the purpose.

3.7.   Specific rules concerning labelling

The following indications are mandatory: Arroz Carolino das Lezírias Ribatejanas — Indicação Geográfica Protegida; Certification marking; Community PGI logo; Arroz Carolino das Lezírias Ribatejanas logo.

The label must bear the name or company name and address of the producer even where other entities are involved in the marketing. To the sales name — Arroz Carolino das Lezírias Ribatejanas — IGP — may be added other indications or words (distributors' trademarks or others), subject to the approval of the group.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The parishes of Azambuja, Alcoentre, Aveiras de Baixo, Aveiras de Cima, Macussa, Manique do Intendente, Vale do Paraíso, Vila Nova da Rainha and Vila Nova de São Pedro in the municipality of Azambuja; Barrosa, Benavente, Samora Correia and Santo Estevão in the municipality of Benavente; Foros de Salvaterra, Glória do Ribatejo, Granho, Marinhais, Muge and Salvaterra de Magos in the municipality of Salvaterra de Magos; Alhandra, Alverca do Ribatejo, Cachoeiras, Castanheira do Ribatejo, Calhandriz, Forte da Casa, Póvoa de Santa Iria, São João dos Montes, Sobralinho, Vialonga and Vila Franca de Xira in the municipality of Vila Franca de Xira; Azervadinha, Coruche, Couço, Erra, Foros da Branca, Lamarosa, São Torcato and Santana do Mato in the municipality of Coruche.

5.   Link with the geographical area

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area

The defined geographical area has special characteristics relating, in particular, to the soil (differentiated pedogenesis), water quality, number of hours of sunshine and narrow range of temperatures, as a result of its location on the estuary of the River Tagus. The area is low-lying (less than 100 m a.s.e.) and practically flat (riverside meadows and plains). The soil is composed entirely of a mixture of brown, clayey alluvial and colluvial lutum, created from fertile deposits and left by floods and tides as sediment on sandy layers. These conditions, together with a pH level of between 5,5 and 6,5, but which may range from 4,5 to 8,7, and the saltiness of the waters, since the region is subject to tidal influence, render crops other than rice unviable almost throughout the area. Growing rice in the abovementioned areas is sustainable inasmuch as it enables the associated ecosystem, the fauna and the flora, to be maintained and furthermore avoids agricultural problems such as the salinisation of the soil. Moreover, very thorough and specific knowledge has developed in the region as a result of having grown rice for over two centuries.

5.2.   Specificity of the product

‘Arroz Carolino das Lezírias Ribatejanas’ has a low amylose/amylopectin ratio, has high capacity to absorb water and the aromatic molecules of condiments, and a very high industrial yield.

5.3.   Causal link between the geographical area and the quality or characteristics of the product (for PDO) or a specific quality, the reputation or other characteristic of the product (for PGI)

The soil and climate conditions which are typical of this region of the Tagus estuary (temperate warm Mediterranean-type climate characterised by dry summers in which the driest month is 1/3 as rainy as the rainiest month and mitigated by the influence of the Atlantic Ocean; annual rainfall of less than 30 mm; 2 800 to 2 900 hours of sunshine, solar radiation of 145 to 150 Kcal/cm2, total precipitation of approximately 714,8 mm; and only 12 days of frost) keep fungal infestation at bay, as a result of which the rice is harder, less liable to break and has a higher specific weight than that produced in other regions. It accordingly enjoys a great reputation and is more highly valued than that grown elsewhere. The natural dehydration which takes place in the latter stages of ripening which, in Lezírias Ribatejanas, coincides with high temperatures and relatively low humidity in September and the first half of October, allows the rice to be harvested uniformly and dried naturally in the field — contrary to what occurs in other production areas — making for greater stability and uniformity in the case of the product of this region. Arroz Carolino das Lezírias Ribatejanas grains accordingly have a unique vitreous and crystalline aspect. The natural conditions described give them a velvety, soft and smooth flavour when eaten as plain boiled rice. Moreover, a particular characteristic of this rice is its very low amylose/amylopectin ratio (33,5 %/66,5 %), enhancing its ability to absorb the water in which it is cooked and the flavours of the ingredients added when preparing gastronomic dishes, and giving it a smooth and creamy texture which lingers in the mouth.

Reference to publication of the specification

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

www.idrha.min-agricultura.pt

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(1)  OJ L 93, 31.3.2006 p. 12.

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