Official Journal of the European Union

C 278/4

(Case C-128/19) (*)

(Reference for a preliminary ruling - State aid - Agriculture sector - Slaughtering of animals affected by infectious diseases - Compensation for farmers - Notification and standstill requirements - Article 108(3) TFEU - Concepts of ‘existing aid’ and ‘new aid’ - Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 - Exemptions by categories of aid - Regulation (EU) No 702/2014 - De minimis aid - Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013)

(2021/C 278/04)

Language of the case: Italian

Referring court

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicant: Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale di Catania

Defendant: Assessorato della Salute della Regione Siciliana

Intervener: AU

Operative part of the judgment

Article 108(3) TFEU must be interpreted as meaning that a measure introduced by a Member State to finance, for a period extending over several years and up to a maximum amount of EUR 20 million, both compensation to support farmers who have been obliged to slaughter animals affected by infectious diseases and payment of fees due to self-employed veterinary surgeons involved in remediation activities, must be subject to the preliminary-examination procedure laid down in that provision in the case where that measure is not covered by an authorisation decision of the European Commission to that effect, unless that measure fulfils the conditions laid down by Commission Regulation (EU) No 702/2014 of 25 June 2014 declaring certain categories of aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas compatible with the internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 [TFEU], or the conditions laid down by Commission Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013 of 18 December 2013 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 [TFEU] to de minimis aid in the agriculture sector.

(*)

Language of the case: Italian

ECLI:EU:C:2021:140