Aid for innovation in aquaculture
Article 32
1. Aid for innovation in aquaculture fulfilling the conditions laid down in Chapter I of this Regulation shall be compatible with the internal market within the meaning of Article 107(3), point (c), TFEU and shall be exempted from the notification requirement of Article 108(3) thereof provided that: (a) the aid stimulates innovation in aquaculture; (b) the aid aims to achieve the following: (i) develop technical, scientific or organisational knowledge in aquaculture farms, which, in particular, reduces the impact on the environment, reduces dependence on fish meal and oil, fosters a sustainable use of resources in aquaculture, improves animal welfare or facilitates new sustainable production methods; (ii) develop or introduce on the market new aquaculture species with market potential, new or substantially improved products, new or improved processes, or new or improved management and organisation systems; (iii) explore the technical or economic feasibility of innovative products or processes. 2. Subsidised services under this Article shall be carried out by, or in collaboration with, public or private scientific or technical bodies, recognised by the Member State, which shall validate the results of subsidised services. 3. The results of projects receiving support shall be adequately publicised by the Member State. 4. The eligible costs may be the following: (a) direct personnel costs related to researchers, technicians and other supporting staff to the extent employed on the project; (b) costs of instruments and equipment to the extent and for the period used for the project; (c) costs of buildings, to the extent and for the duration period used for the project and under the following conditions: (i) with regard to buildings, only the depreciation costs corresponding to the life of the project, as calculated on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles, are considered as eligible; (ii) with regard to land, costs of commercial transfer or actually incurred capital costs are eligible; (d) costs of contractual research, knowledge and patents bought or licensed from outside sources at arm’s length conditions, as well as costs of consultancy and equivalent services used exclusively for the project; or (e) additional overheads and other operating expenses, including costs of materials, supplies and similar products, incurred directly as a result of the project. For the purposes of point (b), where those instruments and equipment are not used for their full life for the project, only the depreciation costs corresponding to the life of the project, as calculated on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles, are considered as eligible. 5. The amount of the aid granted under this Article shall not exceed, in gross grant equivalent, a maximum aid intensity rate of 50 % of the eligible costs. Specific maximum aid intensity rates shall be as set out in Annex IV. Where one operation falls under several of the rows 1 to 11 of Annex IV, the highest maximum aid intensity rate shall apply.