10.11.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 277/4

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Summary communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 of 23 December 2003 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production, processing and marketing of agricultural products

(2005/C 277/05)

Aid No: XA 63/05

Member State: France

Region: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA)

Title of aid scheme: Aid for material investment aimed at preserving the environment.

Legal basis:

—	Article 4 du règlement (CE) no 1/2004 de la Commission européenne

—	Articles L 1511-1 et suivants du code général des collectivités territoriales

—	Délibérations no 03-177 du 17/10/2003, no 03-250 du 5/12/2003 et no 04-44 du 24/06/2004 du Conseil régional de la région PACA

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR 400 000

Maximum aid intensity: The aid will take the form of a grant at a rate of 20-27,5 % of eligible investments before tax, depending on the nature of the beneficiaries and the areas concerned. There will be an aid ceiling of EUR 7 700 per beneficiary.

Date of implementation: As soon as the aid has been registered and receipt has been acknowledged by the European Commission.

Duration of scheme: Until 31.12.2006.

Purpose of the aid: This measure falls within the scope of Article 4(3)(b), (c) and (d) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 of 23 December 2003. By promoting investments which encourage the use of environmentally-friendly farming practices, this programme meets the need to reconcile the maintenance of agricultural activities with quality improvements, food safety and the preservation of natural resources.

It will enable the following types of investment to be funded:

—	winders for retrieving plastic mulch and greenhouse covers

—	waste compactors

—	vegetable-waste shredders

—	windrow turners

—	stationary effluent–spreading systems

—	equipment and investments required for the treatment or recycling of liquid waste

—	non-chemical weed-control equipment

—	new-generation sprayers with rinse-water tank and rate control

—	soil disinfection using steam

—	equipment for retrieving pesticides and weedkillers from the bottom of sprayer tanks

—	collection-retrieval panels for plant-care products

—	enhanced security for storage of hazardous products

—	supply of electricity to isolated buildings using photovoltaic or wind-energy batteries

—	compost spreaders

—	liquid-manure tanks.

Sectors concerned: All enterprises subject to VAT which are engaged in production and managed by a person who operates chiefly as a farmer and is registered with the Mutualité sociale agricole (MSA) and Assurance maladie des exploitants agricoles (AMEXA) social- and health-insurance bodies.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Monsieur le Président du Conseil régional de la région PACA

Hôtel de région

27, place Jules Guesde

FR-13481 Marseille Cedex 20

Internet address: www.cr-paca.fr

Aid No: XA 23/05

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: Cheshire (including the county of Cheshire and the boroughs of Halton and Warrington)

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Cheshire Rural Recovery Programme — P& M Grant Initiative (Revised)

Legal basis: Section 5 of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Total allocation to the scheme during its lifetime will be GBP 190 000. This breaks down as:

Year 1: 2005/06 — GBP 70 000

Year 2: 2006/07 — GBP 70 000

Year 3: (1 April to 30 June 2007) — GBP 50 000

Maximum aid intensity: The maximum aid intensity will be 40 % with an additional ceiling of GBP 62 500 per individual grant.

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: The scheme will be open to new applicants until 31 December 2006, but payments (which are only made on completion of the work) will continue to be made until 30 June 2007.

Objective of aid: The scheme is intended to aid the long term development of the Cheshire rural economy. It will do this by helping agricultural businesses become more competitive, improve business efficiency, respond to consumer demand and add more value to their produce.

The aid will be paid in compliance with Article 7 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004. The eligible costs will be a) the construction, acquisition or improvement of immovable property, b) the purchase of new or used capital equipment and c) general costs, such as architects, engineers and consultation fees, feasibility studies and the acquisition of patents and licences (up to 12 % of the expenditure referred to in a) and b)).

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme provides grants for processing and marketing activities only, but is open to all types of Annex 1 product with the exception of forestry, fisheries and sugar products. Aids for the manufacture and marketing of products which imitate or substitute for milk and milk products are also excluded.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Cheshire Rural Recovery

Philip Leverhulme Centre

Reaseheath College

UK-Nantwich

CW5 6DF

Web-address: www.defra.gov.uk/farm/state-aid/setup/exist-exempt.htm.

Click on ‘Cheshire Rural Recovery Programme — P& M Grant Initiative’. Alternatively, you can go to http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/state-aid/setup/schemes/cheshire-pandm.pdf.

Other information: This scheme was originally set up in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 as aid XA 34/2004. This document amends XA 34/2004 by including the construction, acquisition and improvement of immovable property and general costs as eligible costs. The revised scheme replaces XA 34/2004 and the budget of XA 34/2004 is transferred to this scheme.

Aid No: XA 34/05

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: Northern Ireland

Title of Aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Financial Assistance for Young Farmers Scheme for Northern Ireland (also known as the New Entrants Scheme).

Legal basis: Financial Assistance for Young Farmers Scheme Order (Northern Ireland) 2005.

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

Year	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Scheme participants	100	200	300	0	0	0	0	0
Totals	100	300	600	600	600	500	400	300
Average interest subsidy GBP	6 800	6 800	6 800	6 800	6 800	6 800	6 800	6 800
Budget GBP	680 000	2 040 000	4 080 000	4 080 000	4 080 000	3 400 000	2 720 000	2 040 000

Maximum aid intensity: The scheme allows for an interest rate subsidy on loans taken out by young farmers. The maximum amount of aid available is GBP 17 000 over 5 years. The interest rate for which subsidy is payable is capped at 3,5 % above the Bank of England Base Rate (approximately 2,5 % above the Base Rate of local lending institutions). Applicants who secure loans above this rate are liable for the excess interest payment.

Date of implementation: The scheme will open to new applicants on 6 June 2005

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: The scheme will run for three years from June 2005 to 31 May 2008. The maximum duration of subsidised interest payment is 5 years, so the final payments will be made no later than 31 May 2013. There is no restriction on the amount of loan or on the term of the loan, but the scheme will be closed by 31 May 2008, or sooner if all available funds have been committed. Since Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 only provides for exemption for aid schemes until 30 June 2007, further State aid cover will be sought for the remaining duration of the scheme nearer the time.

Objective of aid: Sectoral development. In line with Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004, the eligible costs will be an interest rate subsidy on a loan for new entrant farmers under 40 years of age setting up as the head of holding for the first time. This will promote additional farm investment which will generate new activities or add value to farming in Northern Ireland.

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme applies to young farmers who will predominately be involved in production, although processing and marketing could make up part of the farm business. The scheme applies to all types of production.

Name and address of the granting authority.:

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Dundonald House

Upper Newtownards Road

UK-Belfast

BT4 3SB

Web-address: www.defra.gov.uk/farm/state-aid/setup/exist-exempt.htm.

Click on ‘Financial Assistance for Young Farmers Scheme for Northern Ireland’. Alternatively, you can go direct to www.defra.gov.uk/farm/state-aid/setup/schemes/financialassist-farmersni.pdf.

Aid No: XA 43/05

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Title of Aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: The Kent Downs Rural Advice Service

Legal basis: Sections 84 and 85 of The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: 1 September 2005 — 31 July 2006: GBP 15 000

Maximum aid intensity: 100 % payments will last for one year only, but there may be a possibility that the time limit may be extended due to unforeseen circumstances. This will not go beyond 30 September 2006 and will not result in an increase of expenditure.

Date of implementation:

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: The scheme will close to new applicants on 31 July. Aid will be paid until 30 September 2006.

Objective of aid: Sectoral Development

The objective of the aid is to provide timely advice which will lead to diversification changes that are financially viable, environmentally sound and acceptable in planning terms. The aid is being implemented under Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004. The eligible costs are consultancy services.

Sector(s) concerned: Farmers and land based rural businesses are defined as those growing and harvesting combinable crops, field vegetables, salad crops, ornamentals (including nursery stock, flowers and bulbs), herbage seeds and turf, beef sheep, pigs, dairy products, poultry and eggs, serviced tourist accommodation on farms (bed and breakfast) self catering tourist accommodation, provision of horse livery and riding stables or farm-based visitor attractions.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Kent County Council

Invicta House

County Hall

Maidstone

UK-Kent ME 14 1XX

The organisation operating the scheme is

The Kent Downs Rural Advice Service (KDAS)

Kent Downs Unit

West Barn

Penstock Hall Farm

Canterbury Road

East Brabourne

Ashford

UK-Kent TN25 5LL

Web address: http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/state-aid/setup/exist-exempt.htm.

Click on The Kent Downs Rural Advice Service. Alternatively you can go direct to www.defra.gov.uk/farm/state-aid/setup/schemes (the Kent Downs Rural Advice Service

Other information: The Scheme will be made available to all land managers, not just farmers. Aid for non-agricultural activities will be paid with regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 69/2001 on de minimis aid. Aid will also be available in connection with diversification from farming into non-agricultural activities.

Beneficiaries will not be able to choose the service provider. The service provider will be The Kent Downs Rural Advice Service (KDAS) who will provide consultants who were selected using a tendering exercise.

Aid No: XA 44/05

Member State: France

Title of aid scheme: Aid for technical support for projects concerning the raising of sheep and cattle for slaughter.

Legal basis: Code rural, partie législative: articles L 621-1 à 621-11

Arrêté du ministre de l'agriculture, de l'alimentation, de la pêche et de la ruralité du 25 mai 2005

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: The planned budget for the aid in 2005 is EUR 1 500 000.

Provided funding is available, the same budget will be made available for the next two years and for subsequent years if required up to a maximum of five years.

Maximum aid intensity: Up to 40 % of eligible expenditure, up to the following maximum amounts:

EUR 100 000 per beneficiary over three years,

EUR 100 000 per programme presented by a producer organisation or EUR 150 000 per producer organisation where a programme is presented by more than one producer organisation.

Implementation date: The scheme will be implemented from the date of acknowledgment of receipt by the European Commission, subject to the funding being made available and publication of the scheme on the OFIVAL website.

Duration of the scheme: Subject to the funding being made available, three years, extended if required to five years.

Purpose of aid: The scheme is being implemented under Articles 13 and 14 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 of 23 December 2003.

It has three main aims:

to identify and characterise markets for quality products in specific niches with sales potential,

to reinforce the contractual basis of relations between livestock farmers and other operators in the beef and sheepmeat sector, including slaughterhouses, with a view to increasing the value of production and adapting to changing demand,

to ensure the technical support necessary for adapting production to identified demand.

The scheme provides funding for technical support and consultants (studies, expenditure on implementing and monitoring projects) to ensure that projects presented by the sector that meet the above aims are implemented efficiently, the cost of quality control and auditing, promotional and information measures and market studies and surveys.

Economic sectors concerned: Stockfarming sector — sheep and cattle for slaughter.

Name and address of granting authority:

Office national interprofessionnel des viandes, de l'élevage et de l'aviculture (OFIVAL), 80, avenue des terroirs de France

FR-75607 Paris Cedex 12

Website: www.legifrance.gouv.fr

heading ‘droit français’, ‘les autres textes législatifs’, search ‘JO n o 124 du 29 mai 2005 texte n o 72’

www.ofival.fr

Aid No: XA 46/05

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: North West England

Name of company receiving individual aid: Homebred Limited

Legal basis: Section 5 of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998.

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: 1.8.2005 — 31.3.2006: GBP 20 000

1.4.2006 — 31.7.2006: GBP 45 000

Maximum aid intensity: 100 % payments will last for one year only, but there may be a possibility that the time limit may be extended due to unforeseen circumstances. This will not go beyond March 2007 and will not result in an increase of expenditure.

Date of implementation: The first payment will be made after 1 August 2005. (NB see Maximum Aid Intensity)

Duration of individual aid award: Until 30.6.2006.

Objective of aid: Sectoral and regional Development

The Northwest Regional Development Agency is providing funding to establish a regional red meat marketing co-operative. This should return additional value and opportunities through a more streamlined supply chain linking farming production more effectively to the market. This should lead to a more sustainable future.

The aid comprises

Aid for the formation of a producer group in line with Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004. The eligible costs will be administrative costs, legal and administrative fees.

Sector(s) concerned: Production and marketing of red meat.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Northwest Regional Development Agency

Renaissance House

Centre Park

UK-Warrington

WA1 1HA

Web address: http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/state-aid/setup/exist-exempt.htm.

Click on ‘Homebred Programme’. Alternatively you can go direct to www.defra.gov.uk/farm/state-aid/setup/schemes/(Homebred Programme.pdf)

Aid No: XA 49/05

Member State: Greece

Region: All regions

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: Investment projects concerning the production and processing of agricultural products and falling under Law 3299/2004 on incentives for private investment in economic development and regional convergence.

Legal basis: α) Νόμος 3299/2004 ‘Κίνητρα Ιδιωτικών επενδύσεων για την Οικονομική Ανάπτυξη και την Περιφερειακή Σύγκλιση’ και β) Κοινή Υπουργική Απόφαση των Υπουργών Οικονομίας και Οικονομικών και Αγροτικής Ανάπτυξης και Τροφίμων 24935/30.6.2005 (υπό δημοσίευση)

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Annual amount of budget appropriations (commitments): EUR 150 million.

Estimated annual tax loss: EUR 20 million (the tax-free reserve fund can be set up within ten years of carrying out the investment)

Maximum aid intensity: In accordance with the maximum limits laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 (Articles 4 and 7).

Date of implementation: Once the Joint Ministerial Decision has been published in the Government Gazette.

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Duration of scheme: until 31.12.2006.

Objective of aid: The aid is granted under Article 4 (Investments in agricultural holdings) and Article 7 (Investments in processing and marketing) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004.

Eligible expenditure includes: (a) the construction, purchase or improvement of real estate, (b) the purchase or financial leasing of equipment, up to the purchase value of the asset, (c) general intangible expenditure on amortisable assets (expenditure on importation, development, technology transfer, acquisition of patents and licences, studies relating to the investment project and architects', engineers' and consultants' fees) up 8 % of the total cost of the investment plan.

Sector(s) concerned: The aid scheme concerns the production and processing of both livestock and plant production, on condition that it is compatible with Community legislation and, more specifically, restrictions under the common organisation of the market.

Name and address of the granting authority:

Ministry of Economy and Finance

Nikis 5,

EL-10180, Athens

Ministry of Development

Mesogion 119

EL-10192, Athens

Planning and Development Directorates of the 13 regions

Web address: http://www.mnec.gr/anaptyksiakos_nomos_3299_2004_main.aspx

Other information: The Joint Ministerial Decision of the Ministers of Economy and Finance and Rural Development and Food No 24935/30-7-2005 will also be available on the web site once it has been published in the Government Gazette, at which time it will enter into force.

Aid No: XA 53/05

Member State: France

Region: Picardy

Title of aid scheme: Aid for investment in agricultural diversification

Legal basis:

—	Article 4 du règlement (CE) no 1/2004 du 23 décembre 2003 de la Commission

—	Article L. 1511-1 et L. 1511-2 du code général des collectivités territoriales

—	Délibération no ECO 103-2 de la commission permanente du conseil régional du 29 octobre 2004

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR 300 000

Maximum aid intensity:

—	25 % in general cases

—	35 % for farmers who have been in farming for less than 5 years.

Ceiling for eligible investment: EUR 40 000 per project, or ceilings of EUR 10 000 in general cases and EUR 14 000 for farmers in farming for less than 5 years.

These ceilings can be increased to 40 % and the ceilings for eligible investment doubled where there are agreements with other authorities (départements, joint municipal structures, municipalities, etc.) to support projects in particular geographical areas (e.g. farming close to urban areas).

For associations with several members that are farmers, the ceilings for eligible investment — and thus the corresponding maximum aid rates as indicated above — can be doubled.

Implementation date: After the receipt advice slip has been received from the European Commission.

Duration of scheme: Indefinite, subject to budget availability

Purpose of the aid: To encourage the establishment of production diversification workshops in Picardy, to make farms more profitable.

Economic sectors concerned: All sectors involved in producing, processing and marketing agricultural produce.

The aid will cover all farms seeking to invest in diversification projects for processing and marketing agricultural produce, the development of services for local people and bodies, farm accommodation schemes, launching or developing new products and developing horse riding activities.

Name and address of granting authority:

Conseil régional de Picardie

11, mail Albert 1er

BP 2616

FR-80026 Amiens cedex 1

Website: http://www.picardie.fr/fr/page.cfm?pageref=guidedesaidagri

Aid No: XA 54/05

Member State: France

Region: Limousin.

Title of aid scheme: Aid for the maintenance of organic farming certification.

Legal basis:

—	Article 13 du règlement (CE) no 1/2004 du 23 décembre 2003 de la Commission

—	Articles L. 1511-1 et L. 1511-2 du code général des collectivités territoriales

—	Décision du Conseil régional du Limousin du 23 juin 2005

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR 85 000.

Maximum aid intensity: Non-tangible investments. The Regional Council will bear part of the cost of certification, i.e. a subsidy of 80 % of the unit cost, excluding tax, of certification, between EUR 200 and EUR 800 for 2005.

Implementation date: As soon as acknowledgement of receipt has been received from the European Commission

Duration of scheme: Up to 31.12.2005

Purpose of the aid: Council Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 requires all operators in the organic farming sector to have themselves inspected and certified by certification bodies authorised by the Ministry of Agriculture under standard EN 45011. The purpose of the aid is to support the development of organic farming by bearing the costs of farm certification

Sector(s) concerned: All organic farmers whose farm is situated in Limousin who notified their organic farming activity (1) or conversion in 2005 and who were not receiving conversion aid (CTE-CAB (2) or CAD (3)-CAB) on 1 July 2005 or whose combined CTE or CAD/CAB aid (over the five years) (4) and certification aid applied for is less than EUR 15 000.

Name and address of granting authority:

Monsieur le Président du Conseil Régional du Limousin.

27 boulevard de la Corderie

FR-87031 Limoges cedex

Internet address: http://www.cr-limousin.fr rubrique ‘guide des aides’

Aid No: XA 56/05

Member State: Federal Republic of Germany

Region: Bavaria

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Florapharm Pflanzliche Naturprodukte GmbH, DE-96110 Scheßlitz

Legal basis: Richtlinie zur Durchführung der bayerischen regionalen Förderungsprogramme für die gewerbliche Wirtschaft (veröffentlicht im Allgemeinen Ministerialblatt AllMBl. 2002 S. 168; Beihilfe Nr. XS 29/02)

Im Rahmen des Programms können Investitionen von KMU branchenunabhängig und ohne Beschränkung auf bestimmte Produkte gefördert werden. Zweck dieser Beihilferegelungen ist die Stärkung der Wettbewerbs- und Anpassungsfähigkeit der Wirtschaft und die Schaffung bzw. Sicherung von Arbeitsplätzen insbesondere in strukturschwachen und ländlichen Räumen. Gefördert werden Investitionen von förderungswürdigen Unternehmen der Industrie, des Handwerks, des Handels, des Fremdenverkehrsgewerbes und des sonstigen Dienstleistungsgewerbes.

Annual expenditure planned/overall amount of individual aid granted to company: EUR 330 000

Maximum aid intensity: grant equivalent of the project: 14,96 %

Implementation date: (expected) 1.9.2005

Duration of scheme or period during which individual aid is paid: Aid planned to be paid by the end of 2005

Purpose of the aid: Aid for investment pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 (see above). Firms will be assisted by the planned extension work (building of storage and production facilities as well as the acquisition of new machines and equipment). The aid scheme will help secure 38 long-term jobs and create a further 19, of which 10 will be trainee places.

Economic sectors concerned: Processing and marketing; production of tea

Name and address of granting authority:

Regierung von Oberfranken

Ludwigstraße 20

DE-95444 Bayreuth

Website: At www.regierung.oberfranken.bayern.de\brf you can find the criteria and conditions for the granting of the aid following the decision to grant aid.

Aid No: XA 58/05

Member State: Italy

Region: Veneto

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving individual aid: Annual training plan 2005. training programmes in the primary sector. Deliberazione di Giunta della Regione Veneto No 1101 of 18 March 2005

Legal basis: L. 845/1978 ‘Legge quadro in materia di formazione professionale’

L.R. n. 10 del 30.1.1990. ‘Ordinamento del sistema della formazione professionale e organizzazione delle politiche regionali del lavoro’

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: Under the scheme a total of EUR 2 000 000 may be granted to training bodies approved by the Veneto Region's Training Unit for the provision of training programmes in the primary sector

The eligible schemes are training programmes aimed at existing workers as defined in the legal basis

In accordance with Article 17(1)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004, the resources available from the relevant regional budget to carry out the scheme total:

Chapter 72040 — financial contribution of EUR 2 000 000

Maximum aid intensity: Aid is granted on the basis of the hourly cost of training, currently EUR 110

Date of implementation: Aid is granted after the scheme is authorised by a Decreto del Dirigente Regionale and published in the Veneto Region's Official Gazette

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: The aid scheme ceases when the balance is paid to each training body, after the report is checked and approved

Objective of aid: Each year, the Veneto Region allocates resources for implementing continuing vocational training programmes that support farmers and their assistants, technical support staff and other tradesmen working in the agricultural sector (Regional Law No 32 of 9 August 2003) with the aim of:

promoting a culture of entrepreneurship;

improving the occupational qualifications of agricultural workers;

raising awareness of technological innovations.

Regional Law No 1101/2005 refers to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004. In particular, the eligible costs covered by the aid scheme are those of organising the training programme.

Sector(s) concerned: The scheme applies to vocational training for individuals who qualify for education and training under Law 53/2003.

Name and address of granting authority:

Regione Veneto

Segreteria Formazione e Lavoro

Direzione regionale Formazione

Via G. Allegri n. 29 30174 Mestre

Venice (Italy)

Website: www.regione.veneto.it /servizi alla persona/formazione e lavoro/formazione continua e permanente

Other information: For further details, please contact the

Training Unit:

Tel. (39) 412 79 50 30 — 5029

Fax (39) 412 79 50 85

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(1)  Organic notification must be made to the ‘Agence Bio’ and is compulsory.

(2)  Contrat Territorial d'Exploitation (CTE), Land Use Contract, Conversion Agriculture Biologique (CAB, Organic Farming Conversion.

(3)  Contrat Agriculture Durable (CAD), Sustainable Farming Contract.

(4)  This amount will be verified by means of the copy of the CTE/CAD/CAB contract.

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