6. 8. 96 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 194/21 COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 7 February 1996 on aid granted by the Region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia for the improvement of zootechnical practices, in the form of special financing for natural reproductive techniques (Only the Italian text is authentic) (96/474/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 93 (2) thereof, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 805/68 of 27 June 1968 on the common organization of the market in beef and veal (), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 424/95 (%), and in particular Article 24 thereof, Having given notice to the parties concerned, pursuant to the first subparagraph of Article 93 (2), to submit their comments, and having regard to those comments, Whereas: 1. By letter of 1 September 1992, recorded as received on 7 September 1992, the Italian Permanent Representa- tive to the European Communities notified the Commission, in accordance with Article 93 (3) of the EC Treaty, of draft Regional Law (Friuli-Venezia Giulia) No 364/1 on aid for natural livestock-breeding establishments (covering stations). The Italian authori- ties provided further information to the Commission by letters of 25 January, 3 June and 9 December 1993. By letter of 22 February 1994, the Commission informed the Italian Government of its decision to initiate the procedure in Article 93 (2) of the Treaty with regard to the measures in Article 30 of draft Regional Law No 364/1 which appeared to constitute operating aid not qualifying for any of the derogations " laid down in Article 92 of the Treaty and were conse- () OJ No L 148, 28. 6. 1968, p. 24. () O] No L 45, 1. 3. 1995, p. 2. quently to be regarded as incompatible with the common market. The Commission gave notice to Italy to submit its comments under the above procedure. The Commission, through a notice in the Official Journal of the European Communities, also invited the other Member States and interested parties to submit their comments (?). The draft law was adopted meanwhile (as Regional Law No 20/1952). Comments were submitted by the Italian Government by letter of 30 September 1994, recorded as received on 5 October 1994. 2. The measures in question involve a single non- recoverable grant to the ‘Associazione tenutari stazioni taurine’ (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Associazione’), an agency involved in natural cattle-breeding practices in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Article 30 of Regional Law No 20/1992 provides for the subsidy in question totalling Lit 200 million primarily for natural insemination activities in accor- dance with the Associazione’s statutes. Under the said statute such activities consist in parti- cular in improving the operation of cattle insemination establishments, breeding promotion, the purchase, management and distribution of breeding cattle and aid towards their upkeep. The law specifies that the purpose of the measures is to implement a plan for the improvement of zootechnical practices in the mountainous zones of the region. The plan, according to the details given on the form submitted by the Italian authorities, must show the expenditure incurred, which may relate to any equip- ment, staff and transport costs. () OJ No C 159, 10. 6. 1994, p. 8.