(EC) No 1/2004 of 23 December

C 199/2EN Official Journal of the European Union 13.8.2005

Information 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 199/02)

Aid No: XA 25/04 — an additional 10 % for investment carried out by a young farmer (who has been established for less than 5 years), or implementing environmental requirements relating to Member State: France departmental policy (environmental wetlands contract …).

Region: Ille-et-Vilaine Department Date of implementation: As soon as the European Commis- sion acknowledges receipt. Title of aid scheme: Mise en place de productions agricoles sous signe officiel de qualite Duration of scheme: Until 31 December 2006 at the latest.

Legal basis: Objective of aid: To encourage agricultural holdings to start — Articles L 1511 et suivants du Code général des collectivités terri- producing quality products as part of collective measures toriales permettant aux collectivités territoriales d'intervenir dans le (product certification): official quality marks (registered designa- cadre de la création ou de l'extension d'activités économiques en tions of origin, red labels, organic products …) and Community accordant des aides directes et indirectes aux entreprises approvals (protected geographical indications …).

— Article L 3231-2 du Code général des collectivités territoriales Nature of eligible measures: autorisant les départements à accorder des aides directes et indir- — Under Article 13 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/ ectes pour favoriser le développement économique dans les condi- 2004 of 23 December 2003: tions des articles L 1511 et suivants

— preliminary studies with a view to introducing a quality — Article L 3232-1 du Code général des collectivités territoriales measure through product certification (official quality permettant l'établissement de programmes d'aide à l'équipement marks, Community approvals): audits, diagnostics, rural par les départements (prêt, subvention, aide). techno-economic feasibility studies, market studies, …

— Délibération de l'assemblée départementale d'Ille et Vilaine en date — expenditure on promotion and communication (first du 19 février 2003 year)

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR — Under Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004: investment 300 000 per year over the period in question in immovable property directly related to the specified requirements. Maximum aid intensity: Non-tangible investment carried out by a producer group (collective measure): Economic sector(s) concerned: All farming sectors undertaking quality measures. — general scheme: 20 % of non-tangible costs, up to EUR 30 000 of eligible expenditure per project: network diag- Name and address of the granting authority: nostics, study and conception of a marketing plan (promotion and communication), advice and technical support … Monsieur le Président du Conseil général d'Ille-et-Vilaine

— an additional 10 % for a collective measure implementing 1, avenue de la Préfecture — F-35042 Rennes Cedex environmental requirements relating to departmental policy (environmental wetlands contract …). Website: www.cg35.fr, heading ‘guide des aides’ Other investment carried out by farmers:

— general scheme: 20 % of investment (other than small equipment) resulting directly from the quality measure, up to EUR 30 000 of eligible expenditure per holding 13.8.2005 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 199/3

Aid No: XA 26/04 Duration of scheme: until 31 December 2006 at the latest.

Member State: France Objective of aid: to make holdings more economically viable and diversify economic activities by: Region: Department of Ille-et-Vilaine — encouraging initiatives to increase the value added of agricultural products not sold through large distribution chan- Title of aid scheme: Diversification of agricultural activities nels (first processing, increasing the value of products, direct sales on the farm, cooperative shops, etc.); Legal basis: — developing reception services on holdings (on-farm sales, — Articles L 1511 et seq. of the Code général des collectivités etc.); territoriales authorising the local authorities to grant direct and indirect aid to holdings to create or extend economic activities; — supporting innovative and unusual agricultural projects that encourage farmers to set up in rural areas.

— Article L 3231-2 of the Code général des collectivités territor- Aid may be granted for the following under Article 13 of iales authorising the departmental authorities to grant direct Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 of 23 December and indirect aid to promote economic development in 2003: accordance with Article L 1511 et seq.; — studies prior to implementing a diversification project: tech- — Article L 3232-1 of the Code général des collectivités territor- nico-economic feasibility studies, market surveys, drafting iales authorising departmental authorities to draw up of marketing plans, etc; programmes of aid for rural equipment (loans, grants, aid); — expenditure on promotion and communication (first year). — Decision of the Departmental Assembly of Ille-et-Vilaine of 19 February 2003. Aid may be granted for the following under Article 4 of Regu- lation (EC) No 1/2004: Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR 700 000 per year for the duration of the scheme — investments to set up small workshops to diversify into new products as a complement to the holding's principal products; Maximum aid intensity: — setting up or bringing into compliance with health stan- Intangible investments dards individual or collective processing workshop, sales points on holdings, cooperative sales infrastructures, etc. — General scheme: 20 % of intangible investments prior to an investment, with a ceiling on eligible expenditure of EUR Sector(s) concerned: all agricultural sectors where production 15 000 (market studies and technico-economic feasibility is processed or is being diversified. studies, drafting of marketing plans, etc.). The ceiling for studies is increased to EUR 30 000 where there is collective Name and address of the granting authority: responsibility for the work (producer groups). Monsieur le Président du Conseil général d'Ille-et-Vilaine — An additional 10 % for investments made by young farmers (active for less than five years) or to comply with existing 1, avenue de la Préfecture — F-35042 Rennes Cedex specifications that include environmental provisions in line with the policies of the departmental authorities (‘contrat eau paysage environnement’ (water, landscape, environment Web address: www.cg35.fr; heading ‘guide des aides’ contract) — CEPE, etc.).

Other investments:

— General scheme: 20 % of investments (excluding small-scale equipment), with a ceiling on eligible expenditure of EUR 30 000 per project. Aid No: XA 27/04 — An additional 10 % for investments made by young farmers (active for less than five years) or for projects in a zone d'ex- Member State: France cédent structurel (areas with a structural surplus of nitrogen) (ZES). Region: Ille-et-Vilaine Department

Date of implementation: on receipt of an acknowledgement Title of aid scheme: Mise en place de procedures de certification of receipt from the European Commission. ou de qualification dans les systemes de production agricoles C 199/4EN Official Journal of the European Union 13.8.2005

Legal basis: Objective of aid: In particular, to gear quality measures/ — Articles L 1511 et seq. of the General Code for regional/ systems to traceability, health safety and environmental protec- local authorities, permitting local authorities to take action tion on agricultural holdings through: in connection with establishing or expanding economic activity by granting direct or indirect aid to businesses. — certification (introducing a quality-assurance system on agricultural holdings in the department in accordance with standard NFV 01005); — Article L 3231-2 of the General Code for regional/local authorities, authorising departments to grant direct or — labelling (introducing the reference ‘sound farming’ (‘agri- indirect aid in order to promote economic development culture raisonnée’) on holdings located in structural-surplus subject to the terms of Articles L 1511 et seq. areas.

— Article L 3232-1 of the General Code for regional/local Under Article 13 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 of authorities, permitting departments to establish rural-infra- 23 December 2003, support is available for non-tangible structure support programmes (loans, subsidies, aid). investment aimed at adapting the following quality measures on the holding: audits, diagnostics, techno-economic feasibility studies, drawing up specifications and monitoring instruments — Ille-et-Vilaine Departmental Assembly debate of … 19 February 2003. Under Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004, support is avail- Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR able on a case-by-case basis for adaptation investment directly 300 000 per year over the period in question related to the specified requirements or the quality manual.

Economic sector(s) concerned: All farming sectors under- Maximum aid intensity: taking quality measures.

Non-tangible investment: Name and address of the granting authority:

Monsieur le Président du Conseil général d'Ille-et-Vilaine — general scheme: 20 % of non-tangible costs, up to EUR 15 000 of eligible expenditure per project: audits, diagnostics, advice and technical support, soil analyses in the first 1, avenue de la Préfecture — F-35042 Rennes Cedex 2 years … Website: www.cg35.fr, heading ‘guide des aides’ — an additional 10 % for investment carried out by a young farmer (who has been established for less than 5 years), or implementing environmental requirements relating to departmental policy (environmental wetlands contract …).

Other investment:

— 20 % of investment (other than small equipment) resulting Aid No: XA 28/04 directly from the quality measure, up to EUR 30 000 of eligible expenditure per holding Member State: France

— an additional 10 % for investment carried out by a young Region: Ille-et-Vilaine Department farmer (who has been established for less than 5 years), or implementing environmental requirements relating to Title of aid scheme: Audits d'exploitation dans le cadre d'un departmental policy (environmental wetlands contract …). changement de systeme de production vers les systemes respec- tueux de l'environnement For investment in storage and packaging or in horticultural greenhouses, the investment limit is EUR 230 000 subject to Legal basis: the ad hoc committee's opinion on a case-by-case basis, or — Articles L 1511 et seq. of the General Code for regional/ higher for projects presented in the assembly and approved local authorities, permitting local authorities to take action there. in connection with establishing or expanding economic activity by granting direct or indirect aid to businesses. Date of implementation: As soon as the European Commis- sion acknowledges receipt. — Article L 3231-2 of the General Code for regional/local authorities, authorising departments to grant direct or indirect aid in order to promote economic development Duration of scheme: Until 31 December 2006 at the latest. subject to the terms of Articles L 1511 et seq. 13.8.2005 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 199/5

— Article L 3232-1 of the General Code for regional/local Aid No: XA 30/04 authorities, permitting departments to establish rural-infra- structure support programmes (loans, subsidies, aid). Member State: France — Ille-et-Vilaine Departmental Assembly debate of 19 February 2003. Title of aid scheme: aid for the payment of insurance premiums and contributions to cover damage caused by certain climatic events. Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR 300 000 per year over the period in question Legal basis: Maximum aid intensity: — Article L 361-8 of the Rural Code — 50 % of the cost of the audit or study, up to EUR 2 500 of eligible expenditure per holding, — Law 64.706 of 10 July 1964

— an additional 20 % for investment carried out by a young farmer (who has been established for less than 5 years) or Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: EUR implementing environmental requirements relating to 10 000 000 from the Fonds national de garantie des calamités departmental policy (environmental wetlands contract …). agricoles (National Agricultural Disaster Guarantee Fund) (FNGCA). Date of implementation: As soon as the European Commis- sion acknowledges receipt. Maximum aid intensity:

Duration of scheme: Until 31 December 2006 at the latest. variable, with the following basic rates:

Objective of aid: This specific measure is intended to encou- — 7,5 % for the risk of hail affecting fruit and vegetable rage the techno-economic reorientation of agricultural holdings harvests, towards developing low-input (extensive, green, organic …) systems which help to protect the environment. — 25 % for the risk of frost and hail affecting fruit harvests, The audit/study will endeavour to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the rural business (farming system and ancillary — 10 % for the risk of frost and hail affecting vines and for activities) in economic, agronomic, social and environmental the risk of frost, hail, flooding or excessive rainfall affecting terms, resulting in strategic recommendations: field crops (cereals, oilseeds and protein crops).

— describing and analysing the technical methods applied These basic rates are increased for young farmers and aid additional to that granted by the FNGCA may be granted by the — analysing the economic and social results conseil général or the conseil régional, up to the following maximum levels: — proposing improvements or, where appropriate, reorienta- tions geared to the farmer's objectives and ensuring the — 15 % for the risk of hail affecting fruit and vegetable system's viability. harvests, 20 % for young farmers,

Under Article 13 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 of 23 December 2003, support is available for preliminary — 29 % for the risk of frost and hail affecting fruit harvests, techno-economic feasibility studies and for setting up projects 38 % for young farmers, to switch over to a low-input, environment-friendly system. — 14 % for the risk of frost, hail, flooding or excessive rainfall Economic sector(s) concerned: All farming sectors orienting affecting field crops, 18 % for young farmers. themselves towards environment-friendly systems. Date of implementation: 2004 Name and address of the granting authority:

Duration of scheme: one year Monsieur le Président du Conseil général d'Ille-et-Vilaine

1, avenue de la Préfecture — F-35042 Rennes Cedex Objective of aid: to encourage farmers to take out insurance against agricultural risks. The insurance premiums for which aid is granted are those referred to in Article 11 of Commission Website: www.cg35.fr, heading ‘guide des aides’ Regulation (EC) No 1/2004.

Sector(s) concerned: enterprises involved in the primary production of fruit, vegetables, vines, cereals, oilseeds and protein plants. C 199/6EN Official Journal of the European Union 13.8.2005

Name and address of the granting authority: Ministère de The amounts relate to the agricultural sector in the Pays de la l'agriculture, de la pêche, de l'alimentation et des affaires rurales Loire Region. — Direction des affaires financières — bureau des calamités — 78 rue de Varenne — F-75700 Paris Aid may be provided for investments to create growing sheds in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 of Web address: www.agriculture.gouv.fr heading ‘ressources’in 23 December 2003, i.e: ‘recherche’, enter ‘calamités’ (a) the construction, acquisition or improvement of immovable property;

(b) the purchase or lease-purchase of new machinery and equipment (including computer software);

Aid No: XA 48/04 (c) general costs relating to the project (architects, engineers and consultation fees, feasibility studies, etc.), up to 12 % of Member State: France the expenditure referred to in points A and B.

Region: Pays de la Loire Maximum aid intensity: The maximum amount for which aid may be granted is EUR 150 000 per labour unit. Account Title of aid scheme or name of company receiving an indi- is taken of a maximum of two labour units per holding. vidual aid: ‘Aid for the creation of “maisons de cultures” However, the limit is six labour units in the case of labour- (growing sheds) for agricultural production’. intensive production systems. A growing shed is a building in which agricultural production is carried out. It allows production to be carried out indepen- The gross aid intensity increases as the total investment dently of weather conditions, while facilitating harvest and increases: guaranteeing the health of the crop. The building has thermal insulation and controlled internal temperature, humidity and Total investment (EUR) air flow. A group of buildings may also be equipped with a Gross aid Holding limited to intensity picking line. Holding limited to six labour units two labour units

Legal basis: Up to 300 000 Up to 900 000 20 % — Article 4 du règlement d'exemption (CE) no 1/2004 du 23 décembre 2003 From 300 001 to From 900 001 to 1 012 500 22,5 % — Code général des collectivités (partie législative) article L 1511-1 337 500 et L 1511-2.

— Décision du Conseil Régional des Pays de la Loire des 30 juin et From 337 501 to From 1 012 001 to 1 125 000 25 % 375 000 1er juillet 2004

Objective of aid: to make holdings more competitive, From 375 001 to From 1 125 001 to 1 237 500 27,5 % improve product quality and reduce production costs. 412 500

Sector(s) concerned: all agricultural production sectors except for horticultural greenhouses receiving financial assis- From 412 501 to From 1 237 501 to 1 350 000 30 % tance under schemes already notified (N 572/2001 and 450 000 N 523/2001).

Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall From 450 001 to From 1 350 001 to 1 462 500 32,5 % amount of individual aid granted to the company: 487 500

Forecasts until 2006: From 487 501 to From 1 462 501 to 1 575 000 35 % 525 000 Forecasts 2004 2005 2006

Grant EUR 400 000 EUR 400 000 EUR 400 000 From 525 001 to From 1 575 001 to 1 687 500 37,5 % 562 500

Total EUR EUR EUR investments 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 From 562 501 to From 1 687 501 to 1 800 000 40 % concerned 600 000

Number of 10 10 10 holdings Above 600 000 Above 1 800 000 40 % 13.8.2005 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 199/7

Date of implementation: on receipt of an acknowledgement Aim of aid: This aid scheme comes under Article 14 of of receipt from the European Commission. Commission Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 of 23 December 2003. Duration of scheme or individual aid award: the aid scheme will run until 31 December 2006, the date until which It meets two main objectives: Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 applies. — developing and consolidating quality production chains in growth niches, Name and address of the granting authority: — strengthening structures to increase the value of agricultural Conseil Régional des Pays de la Loire products and adapt to developments on the different Hôtel de la Région markets 1, rue de la Loire F-44266 Nantes Cedex 2 The scheme finances the cost of technical support and consul- Tel. 02 28 20 50 00 tancy (studies, audits, cost of organising and following up on Fax 02 28 20 50 38 projects) to ensure that business projects meeting these objec- E-mai: franç[email protected] tives are successfully implemented. As an indication, the Contact: Alain Thebaud following activities may qualify:

Internet address where the full text of the scheme can be — activities to improve the quality of products, found: — setting up quality signs, www.paysdelaloire.fr/services de la région/les aides — developing organic farming,

— ‘product’ and ‘firm’ certification,

— developing new products which better meet consumers' requirements,

— development of traceability arrangements all along the chain, Aid No: XA 61/04 — setting up environment-friendly production systems, Member State: France — improving knowledge of markets and identifying new markets, Title of aid scheme: Aid for technical support in the fruit and vegetables, horticulture and specialist products sectors — strategic segmentation,

o Legal basis: Le décret n 83-246 du 18 mars 1983 portant créa- — diversification of production, tion d'un Office National Interprofessionnel des fruits, des légumes et de l'horticulture et les textes subséquents repris notamment dans la partie réglementaire du code rural (livre 6 ‘productions et marchés’ — — concentrating supply of agricultural products, articles R 621-120, R 621-134, R 621-140 and R 621-161 to R 621-174) — setting up partnerships between producers and distributors

Sectors concerned: production, processing and marketing of Annual expenditure planned under the scheme: The fruit, vegetables, potatoes, ornamental horticulture (including actions are planned for one year, renewable, and the total aid nurseries) and specialist products (tobacco, hops, beekeeping, budget is estimated at EUR 6 000 000 for 2004 truffles)

Maximum aid intensity: Up to 100 % of eligible costs. Name and address of responsible authority:

The total amount of state aid may not exceed EUR 100 000 Office National Interprofessionnel des Fruits, des Légumes et de per beneficiary over three years or 50 % of eligible costs, l'horticulture (ONIFLHOR), head office at 164, rue de Javel — whichever is higher F-75739 Paris Cedex 15

Date of implementation: The aid scheme will be imple- Address of website: mented from the date on the receipt showing the identification number of the measure, subject to mobilisation of the appro- www.oniflhor.fr priations and publication on the ONIFLHOR internet site

Duration of scheme: One year, renewable, subject to mobilisation of the corresponding appropriations C 199/8EN Official Journal of the European Union 13.8.2005

Aid No: XA 68/04 Maximum aid intensity: The annual interest rate subsidy granted to agricultural undertakings by local authorities in each Member State: Italy. case will be made up as follows:

Region: Marche, Province of Macerata, Municipalities of: Camerino; Civitanova Marche; Colmurano; Matelica; Monte San — Province: 1,5 % for 2004 and 1 % for 2005; Giusto; Morrovalle; Muccia; Penna San Giovanni; San Ginesio; San Severino Marche; Tolentino; Treia. — Municipality: 0,5 %; Mountain Community of Alte Valli del Potenza e dell'Esino — Zone ‘H’. — Mountain Community: 0,5 %. Title of aid scheme: Agreement on interest subsidies for agricultural undertakings in the Province of Macerata. The permitted subsidies take the form of unsecured loans and Legal basis: D. Lgs. n. 267/2000 (Testo Unico delle Leggi sull'Or- therefore no mortgage (security) is involved. They are medium- dinamento degli Enti Locali), art. 19, 2o comma, che conferisce alle term loans (from three to five years) and 50 % of the amount Province il compito di promuovere, coordinare e realizzare attività, requested is guaranteed by the participating guarantee funds. nonché opere di rilevante interesse provinciale, in settori predetermi- nati, tra i quali il settore economico-produttivo, da svolgere in colla- borazione con i Comuni e sulla base di programmi proposti dalla Aid may not be granted for guarantees or to the guarantee stessa Provincia. funds.

Planned annual expenditure under the scheme (may increase if other municipalities in the Province participate The maximum investment by each beneficiary undertaking for in the programme): which aid may be granted is EUR 50 000,00.

Body 2004 (EUR) 2005 (EUR) The interest subsidy, understood as a reduction in the interest rate, is a one-off aid and is calculated in proportion to the size Province of Macerata 40 000,00 30 000,00 of the investment and on the basis of the total interest due over the whole period. The subsidy may not exceed EUR 3 000,00 per eligible investment. Municipality of Camerino 500,00 500,00

Municipality of Civitanova Marche 5 000,00 5 000,00 The maximum percentages of each grant will be in accordance with those laid down by the rules on investment aid. This will also apply where aid for the same investment is received from Municipality of Colmurano 500,00 500,00 various sources:

Municipality of Matelica 2 500,00 5 165,00 — Article 4: 50 % in less-favoured areas and 40 % in other areas. This may be increased to 60 % and 50 % respectively Municipality of Monte San Giusto 2 000,00 2 000,00 for young farmers within five years of start-up;

Municipality of Morrovalle 4 500,00 4 500,00 — Article 7: 50 % in Objective 1 regions and 40 % in other regions (these percentages may not be increased). Municipality of Muccia 150,00 150,00

Municipality of Penna San 500,00 500,00 Date of application and duration of the scheme: The Giovanni Agreement was initialled on 4 June 2004 and will enter into force on the day following receipt of confirmation from the European Commission that it has received the summary Municipality of San Ginnasio 2 000,00 2 000,00 referred to in Article 19(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 and will be valid only for financing operations that commence Municipality of San Severino 2 500,00 2 500,00 between that date and 31 December 2005. Marche

Municipality of Tolentino 1 500,00 1 500,00 Purpose of the aid: Investments in agricultural holdings to improve the quality of typical and traditional products within the Province (in accordance with the objective set out in Municipality of Treia 3 100,00 3 100,00 Article 4(3)(c)).

Mountain Community of Alte 3 500,00 3 500,00 Valli del Potenza e dell'Esino Eligible investments must be to:

TOTAL 68 250,00 60 915,00 (a) improve storage, processing, preservation, packaging and marketing facilities for the holding's production; 13.8.2005 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 199/9

(b) purchase new equipment, plant and machinery, including Date of implementation: From December 2004 vehicles for moving products both on the holding and from Duration of scheme or individual aid award: Until 31 the holding to distribution and sales points, in order to December 2006 make production more efficient as regards quantity and quality and to reduce the environmental impact of proces- Objective of aid: The objective of the pilot and demonstration sing and marketing production. project is to garner knowledge about the practical implications Articles of the Regulation used 4, 7. of supplying schools with regional agricultural products, to work out universal and operational standards for logistics, Sectors concerned: The scheme applies to the production, costing and meal planning and to boost regional demand as processing and marketing of all typical local agricultural well as regional supply by setting up networks. products. Two project promoters selected to execute the project Name and address of the authority granting the aid: following an invitation to tender are engaged in working out Lead body: Province of Macerata, Corso della Repubblica n. 28, appropriate programmes in the various regions, implementing I-62100 Macerata. them and — with the help of the knowledge they have gained Website: www.provincia.mc.it — developing universally applicable and practical standards for the pilot and demonstration project. http://economia.provincia.mc.it/Agricoltura/ Within this context there may be economic benefits as set out in Article 14(2)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2004 for agricultural enterprises participating in the pilot and demonstration project arising from the project promoters' consultancy work Aid No: XA 70/04 on project-related aspects of the enterprises. These are limited Member State: Germany to a maximum amount of EUR 10 000 per enterprise over 3 years. Region: Germany (Hessen and Lower Saxony) Title of aid scheme: Pilot and demonstration project for Project promoters are not permitted to carry out consultancy supplying schools with regional products (consultation) work related to advertising. Legal basis: Bewilligungsbescheide an die Projektträger, die jeweils Sector(s) concerned: Agriculture, small and medium-sized regionale Aufforderungen zur Beteiligung an dem Modell- und enterprises in accordance with Annex I to Regulation (EC) Demonstrationsvorhaben veröffentlichen. No 70/2001 in the areas of production, processing and marketing of all agricultural products Annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company: Max- Name and address of the granting authority: imum amount: EUR 10 000 per enterprise over three years Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung (BLE) Maximum aid intensity: In total, maximum amount: EUR Adickesallee 40 10 000 per enterprise over three years D-60631 Frankfurt