Euro exchange rates (1)

23 December 2005

(2005/C 329/01)

1 euro=

(1)  

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(2005/C 329/02)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Date of adoption:

Member State: Lithuania

Aid No: N 44/2005

Title: Excise tax reduction on biofuels

Objective (sector): Environmental protection. Tax advantage in favour of biofuel producers

Legal basis:

Budget: EUR 72 000 000 (LTL 250 000 000) in the period 2006-2010

Duration: 5 years

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

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

Date of adoption of the decision:

Member State: Austria

Aid No: N 263/2005

Title: Broadband for Kärnten

Objective: To support the provision of basic and advanced broadband services, at conditions similar to urban areas, in certain areas of Kärnten which are currently not served and where there are no plans for coverage in the near future

Legal basis: The measure is based on the tender documentation for a broadband service concession by the Land of Kärnten and linked to the general development policy of the government of Kärnten as well as to the Austrian national broadband strategy

Budget: The maximum amount of public funds is EUR […] (1)

Aid intensity: only known after signature of procurement contract

Duration of project: 3 years subject to a possible extension of 1 year

Other information: The selected provider(s) will be mandated to provide non-discriminatory wholesale access to third party operators

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

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/

(1)  Business secret.

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid

(2005/C 329/03)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises

(2005/C 329/04)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Aid No: XS 69/03

Member State: United Kingdom

Region: South-East Wales

Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an individual aid: SME Financial Assistance Scheme

Legal basis: Section 2 Local Government Act 2000

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

Maximum aid intensity: Up to 25 % of investment costs in Article 87(3)(c) areas

Date of implementation: April 2003

Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31 December 2006

Objective of aid: The project aims to stimulate, strengthen and diversify the economy of Cardiff by encouraging the creation and safeguarding of jobs through the creation of new businesses and supporting the expansion of indigenous businesses. The aid will be calculated on the basis of the costs of investment in land, buildings, machinery and equipment and the transfer of technology.

The project proposes the provision of a financial assistance package to small and medium sized enterprises. 2 components of the project are notifiable under the ‘block approval’

Entrepreneurship Grant — provision of up to GBP 5 000 to encourage new business growth

Technology Fund — to support high growth SMEs

The project will be focused on the Objective 2 wards of Grangetown, Butetown, Splott, Adamsdown, Riverside, Canton, Ely, Caerau, Rumney and Trowbridge. It is intended that the project will run for 3 years from 2003

Economic sectors concerned: Without prejudice to special rules in the regulations and directives concerning state aid in certain sectors

Name and address of granting authority:

Commission communication in the framework of the implementation of Commission Directive 95/12/EC

(2005/C 329/05)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Publication of titles and references of harmonized standards under the directive

Commission communication in the framework of the implementation of Commission Directive 95/13/EC

(2005/C 329/06)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Publication of titles and references of harmonized standards under the directive

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4086 — Charterhouse/Nocibé)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2005/C 329/07)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32.

Publication of an application for registration pursuant to Article 6(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin

(2005/C 329/08)

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Articles 7 and 12d of the abovementioned Regulation. Any objection to this application must be submitted via the competent authority in a Member State, in a WTO member country or in a third country recognized in accordance with Article 12(3) within a time limit of six months from the date of this publication. The arguments for publication are set out below, in particular under 4.6, and are considered to justify the application within the meaning of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92.

SUMMARY

COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 2081/92

‘CHOURIÇO DE ABÓBORA DE BARROSO — MONTALEGRE’

EC No: PT/00240/16.05.2005

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

This summary has been drawn up for information purposes only. For full details, in particular the producers of the PDO or PGI concerned, please consult the complete version of the product specification obtainable at national level or from the European Commission (1).

1.   Responsible department in the Member State:

2.   Group:

2.1   Name: Cooperativa Agrícola dos Produtores de Batata para Semente de Montalegre, CRL

2.2   Address:

2.3   Composition: producers/processors (X) other ( )

3.   Type of product:

Type 1.2 — Meat-based products

4.   Specification

(summary of requirements under Article 4(2)):

4.1   Name: ‘Chouriço de Abóbora de Barroso — Montalegre’

4.2   Description: A smoked sausage, made from the pig meat and pig fat of the Bisaro breed or of cross-breeds that must be 50 % Bisaro, and drained squash, made into a soft and dry paste in which small pieces of meat shreds are visible, stuffed into a hog casing (large intestine). The pig meat and fat are seasoned with salt, garlic, red or white wine, powdered chilli pepper (regionally known as ‘pimento’) and powdered red bell pepper (or ‘pimentão’). The sausage varies in colour from orange to dark brown. It has a cylindrical section approximately 6 cm in diameter and a rough exterior. The hog casing is tied shut with two simple knots at each end, using a single piece of cotton twine, giving the sausage a horseshoe shape.

4.3   Geographical area: Due to the special production requirements of these sausages, their flavours, the expertise available and the climatic conditions of the region, the geographical area for processing and packing is limited to the municipality of Montalegre in the Vila Real district. Taking into account the traditional animal feed and existing agricultural production, the geographical area for processing and packing is naturally limited to the municipalities of Boticas, Chaves and Montalegre, in the Vila Real district. The territory consisting of these three municipalities is known and identified as ‘Barroso’.

4.4   Proof of origin: The farms, slaughterhouses and meat-cutting and preparation plants must be licensed, authorised by the group of producers after the private control body has given its approval, and located in the specified production or processing areas respectively. The entire production process, from the farm that produces the raw materials to the place where the product is sold, is subject to a rigorous control system ensuring the product is fully traceable. The pigs are reared in livestock farms possessing an area compatible with traditional, semi-extensive farming systems, where it is possible to produce traditional animal feed. The certification mark on each sausage is numbered, ensuring full traceability to the farm where the product originated. It is possible to prove the origin of the product at any point in the production chain by means of the serial number, which must be indicated on the certification mark.

4.5   Method of production: Fatty cuts of meat (flank, topside trimmings and cured ham, and occasionally lung), cut into small pieces, are used. The squash are cut in half, cleaned and the flesh scraped out with a spoon, after which it is wrapped in a cloth for two days to drain off the excess liquid. The pig meat is seasoned with salt, red or white wine from the Trás-os-Montes region, and garlic. It is marinated for up to 5 days at a temperature below 10 °C in a room with low humidity, after which chilli pepper powder and red bell pepper powder are added. Enough squash is then added to make up approximately 20 % of the mixture. This mixture is then stuffed into a hog casing (large intestine). After filling has been stuffed into the hog casing and the ends have been knotted with cotton twine, the casing is cut to the desired size. The two ends are then tied together with simple knots, bending the sausage into a horseshoe shape. The sausage is smoked over a low fire in a smoking room or a traditional smokehouse for approximately 30 days. The smoke is obtained through the direct combustion of wood, primarily oak, from the region. The sausage is placed on the market as a whole sausage and is always pre-packed at the place of origin. Due to the product's characteristics and composition, it cannot be cut or sliced. Special material, which is innocuous and inert when it comes into contact with the product, is used for its packaging. The product may be packed in a normal or controlled atmosphere or in a vacuum. Packing can only be carried out in the geographical processing area so as to ensure traceability and control and to prevent any change to the product's taste and microbiological characteristics.

4.6   Link: Due to climatic, geographic and socio–economic conditions, and the diffículty of communicating with the rest of the country, the diet of the Barroso region was limited to local products, mainly bread, potatoes and pork. References made to taxes on pigs and pork products in various municipal registers, including that of Montalegre, prove that pig-breeding has been important in this area for a very long time. For pork to remain edible throughout the year, ways were discovered to preserve it, and these quickly became ancestral skills passed down from one generation to the next. The preparation of these products is the result of, and is very dependent on, the region's cold and dry climate, which forces every household to keep a fire burning at all times, thus providing unique conditions for smoking, characterised by a light and gradual smoke supply. It was thus that the need to take advantage of and preserve the pig meat provided by the traditional slaughter gave rise to sausages of various shapes, different ingredients and different colours and flavours, but which were always an expression of the local characteristics: the land and its people. In short, the relationship between this product and the geographical area stems from the breed of (indigenous) animal, the local produce fed to these animals, the knowledge to choose the correct pieces of pig meat, the smoking process using regional firewood and the curing process conducted in a very cold and dry environment suitable for preserving the product.

4.7   Inspection body:

Tradição e Qualidade has been recognised as complying with the requirements of Standard 45011:2001.

4.8   Labelling: It is compulsory for the labelling to include the following: the wording ‘Chouriça de abóbora de Barroso — Montalegre — Indicação Geográfica Protegida’ (Protected Geographical Indication), the Community's own logo, the logo for Barroso-Montalegre, reproduced below, together with the words ‘Montalegre’ and ‘Chouriça de abóbora’. It must also include the certification mark, which must state the name of the product, the control body and the serial number (numeric or alphanumeric code ensuring the product's traceability).

4.9   National requirements: —

(1)  European Commission, Directorate-General for Agriculture, Agricultural product quality policy, B-1049 Brussels.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS — DG INFSO — MEDIA 10/2005

MEDIA PLUS

Support for television broadcasting of European audiovisual works

(2005/C 329/09)

1.   Objectives and description

This call for proposals is based on Council Decision on the implementation of a programme encouraging the development, distribution and promotion of European audiovisual works (Media Plus — Development, Distribution and Promotion 2001 — 2005), of 20 December 2000 and published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 17 January 2001 (OJ L 13, pp. 34-43).

The objectives of the programme is to promote the movement, in the Community and outside it, of European television programmes produced by independent companies by encouraging cooperation between broadcasters, on one hand, and independent European distributors and producers, on the other hand.

2.   Eligible applicants

This notice is aimed at European companies whose activities contribute to the attainment of the above objectives, and in particular to independent TV production companies.

Applicants must be established in one of the following countries:

3.   Budget and duration of projects

The budget for 2005 will be minimum EUR 12 million.

The maximum financial contribution which may be awarded is EUR 500 000 per work. The financial contribution awarded will in no event exceed 12,5 % of the production budget submitted by the producer for fiction and animated films and 20 % of the production budget for documentary films.

The maximum duration of the projects is 37 or 49 (in the case of series and animation projects) months.

4.   Deadline for submission of applications.

Applications must be submitted to the Commission by no later than 17 February 2006, 16 June 2006 and 3 November 2006.

5.   Full details

The full text of the call for proposals, together with the application forms, can be found at the following Internet address:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/avpolicy/media/distr_en.html.

Applications must comply with all the terms of the guidelines and be submitted on the forms provided.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS — DG INFSO — MEDIA 12/2005

MEDIA PLUS

Support for the transnational distribution of European films and the networking of distributors — the ‘selective’ scheme

(2005/C 329/10)

1.   Objectives and description

This call for proposals is based on Council Decision 2000/821/EC on the implementation of a programme encouraging the development, distribution and promotion of European audiovisual works (Media Plus — Development, distribution and promotion 2001 — 2005), adopted by the Council on 20 December 2000 and published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 17 January 2001 (OJ L 13, pages 34-43). The proposal to prolong the MEDIA Programme until 31 December 2006 was approved by the Council of Ministers on 26 April 2004.

The measures covered by the Decision include support for the transnational distribution of European cinema films.

2.   Eligible applicants

This notice is addressed to European distribution companies whose activities contribute to the attainment of the above objectives.

Applicants must be established in one of the following countries:

3.   Budget and duration of projects

The total budget available for this Call for Proposals amounts to EUR 12 million.

The financial assistance from the Commission may in no case exceed 50 % of the total eligible costs.

The theatrical release may not start before the deadline of the Call for Proposals and must have started 18 months after this date at the latest.

The maximum duration of the projects is 12 months.

4.   Deadline for submission of applications

Applications must be submitted to the Commission by no later than 1 April 2006, 7 July 2006 and 1 December 2006.

5.   Full details

The full text of the call for proposals, together with the application forms, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/avpolicy/media/distr_en.html.

Applications must comply with all the terms of the guidelines and be submitted on the forms provided.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS — DG INFSO — MEDIA 13/2005

MEDIA PLUS

Support for the transnational distribution of European films — the ‘automatic’ scheme

(2005/C 329/11)

1.   Objectives and description

This call for proposals is based on Council Decision 2000/821/EC on the implementation of a programme encouraging the development, distribution and promotion of European audiovisual works (Media Plus — Development, distribution and promotion 2001 — 2005), adopted by the Council on 20 December 2000 and published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 17 January 2001 (OJ L 13, pages 34-43). The proposal to prolong the MEDIA Program until 31 December 2006 was approved by the Council of Ministers on 26 April 2004.

The measures covered by the Decision include support for the transnational distribution of European cinema films.

2.   Eligible applicants

This notice is addressed to European distribution companies whose activities contribute to the attainment of the above objectives.

Applicants must be established in one of the following countries:

3.   Budget and duration of projects

The financial assistance from the Commission may in no case exceed 60 % of the total eligible costs.

The maximum duration of the projects is 6 (module 3) or 16 (modules 1 and 2) months.

4.   Deadline for submission of applications

Applications must be submitted to the Commission by no later than 30 April 2006.

5.   Full details

The full text of the call for proposals, together with the application forms, can be found at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/avpolicy/media/distr_en.html.

Applications must comply with all the terms of the guidelines and be submitted on the forms provided.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS — DG INFSO — MEDIA 14/2005

MEDIA PLUS

Support for the transnational distribution of European films and audiovisual works on video (VHS and DVD)

(2005/C 329/12)

1.   Objectives and description

This call for proposals is based on Council Decision 2000/821/EC on the implementation of a programme encouraging the development, distribution and promotion of European audiovisual works (Media Plus — Development, distribution and promotion 2001 — 2006), adopted by the Council on 20 December 2000 and published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 17 January 2001 (OJ L 13, pages 34-43). The proposition to prolong the MEDIA Program until 31 December 2006 was approved by the Council of Ministers on 26 April 2004.

In the distribution sector, the objective of the programme is to strengthen the distribution sector for European works on video intended for private use, by encouraging publishers to invest in digital technology and the promotion of non-domestic European works.

2.   Eligible applicants

This notice is intended for European video and DVD publishers whose activities contribute to the attainment of the above objectives, in particular to publishers of works on video for private use.

Applicants must be established in one of the following countries:

3.   Budget and duration of projects

The potential fund available to each publisher is determined on the basis of the market performance by the publisher in the reference years (2004-2005). Under any circumstances the fund allocated to one company may not exceed EUR 150 000.

The financial assistance from the Commission per project will amount to a minimum of EUR 1 000 but may in no case exceed 50 % of the total eligible costs of the presented reinvestment project.

The maximum duration of the projects is 6 months.

4.   Deadline for submission of applications

Applications must be submitted to the Commission by no later than 15 April 2006.

5.   Full details

The full text of the call for proposals, together with the application forms, can be found at the following Internet address:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/avpolicy/media/distr_en.html.

Applications must comply with all the terms of the guidelines and be submitted on the forms provided.

2005 Actions in support of civil society in the Member States which acceded to the European Union on 1 May 2004

Call for Proposals for specific projects to be co-funded in 2005

(2005/C 329/13)

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Justice, Freedom and Security has launched a call for proposals concerning preparatory action to support civil society in the Member States which acceded to the European Union on 1 May 2004 (Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia).

The Call for Proposals, in English, French and German, complete with the Grant Application form and guidelines to use this form, is available at the following address:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/justice_home/funding/support_ngo/funding_support_en.htm

Grant Application forms must be filled in English.

The completed application form and all its annexes must be sent to the European Commission by 15 February 2006, exclusively at the following address:

The envelope must be marked: