L 59/14 Official Journal of the European Union 1.3.2012 DECISIONS COMMISSION DECISION of 13 July 2011 on levies for Interbev (notified under document C(2011) 4923) (Only the French text is authentic) (2012/131/EV) THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 108(2) thereof (1), Having invited interested parties to submit comments in accordance with the first subparagraph of Article 108(2) TFEU, and having regard to those comments, ©) On 25 February 2011, a request for further information was sent to France, and a meeting took place on 29 March 2011. The French authorities replied by letter of 24 May 2011. II. DESCRIPTION OF THE MEASURE IN QUESTION Whereas: 1. LEVIES FOR INTERBEV 1.1. INTER-BRANCH ORGANISATIONS (IPO) AND THE [. PROCEDURE COMPULSORY VOLUNTARY LEVIES SCHEME (1) In the light of the information received regarding the (7)  Inter-branch organisations (IPO) are umbrella groups that measure in question, the European Commission asked the French authorities a number of questions by letter of 2 October 2001. The Permanent Representation of France to the European Union replied to the Commission by letter of 9 November 2001. bring together, by farm sector, the different professions which are the most representative of agricultural production, and, if appropriate, processing, marketing and distribution, and which are recognised as inter- branch organisations by the competent administrative authority. Their existence, missions and operation are governed by Articles L. 631-1 et seq. of the Rural 2) Sin‘ce the measure was applie(i, without prior a}lthori— Code. In order for this type of organisation to be recog- sat1.0r1 by the Cgrpmls§10n, it was entered in the nised, the competent authorities must check to ensure register of non-notified aid under number NN 39/03. that they meet various criteria, in particular that their statutes comply with the legislation (Article L.632-1 of (3) The Commission initiated the procedure provided for in the Rural COd?)’ and that their constituent organisations Article 108(2) TFEU with respect to the aid measure in are representative. question by letter No C(2003) 2057 final on 9 July 2003. (8)  The mission of the IPO is to act in the interests of all the (4) The decision to initiate the procedure was pubhshed in players in a sector, and they can Condude agreements for ~ the Official Journal of the European Union (?). The Commission invited the other Member States and interested third parties to submit their comments on the aid in question. The Commission did not receive any comments from third parties. The French authorities sent their comments by letters of 8 and 10 October 2003 and 13 September and 29 November 2005. With effect from 1 December 2009, Articles 87 and 88 of the EC that purpose. These agreements and the collection of voluntary levies intended to fund the measures provided for in these agreements can be made compulsory (be extended’) by joint ministerial decree to all the stakeholders in the sector, whether or not they belong to a professional organisation which is an IPO member, so long as they comply with objectives laid down in legislation. The main aim of these agreements is to promote market awareness, inter-professional Treaty have become Articles 107 and 108 TFEU, respectively. The provisions of the respective articles are identical in terms of substance. For the purposes of this Decision, references to Articles 107 and 108 TFEU should be understood as references to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty, where appropriate. (%) Commission Decision C(2003) 2057 final of 9 July 2003 (OJ C 189, 9.8.2003, p. 21). relations, quality and products. The Rural Code only authorises the extension of the agreements where there is ‘a common interest’ based on measures ‘in line with the general interest and compatible with the rules of the Common Agricultural Policy’ (cf. Article L.632-3 of the Rural Code).