1.The State aid which Italy implemented in favour of the meat sector, provided for by Article 15(16) of Law No 67/88, Article 5 of Law No 290/99 and Law No 252/91 (integrated projects) and Finagra's interventions under Law No 252/91 relating to the granting of loans to private companies are compatible with the common market within the meaning of Article 87(3)(c) of the Treaty.
2.The measures provided for in Article 4 of Law No 290/99 concerning the operating, improvement and agricultural loans due on 31 March 1998 were never implemented and did not result, therefore, in State aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the Treaty.
3.The interventions of Finagra, under Law No 252/91 relating to the acquisition of shareholdings, the granting of loans to cooperatives and the provisions of guarantees did not constitute State aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the Treaty.
This Decision is addressed to the Italian Republic.
Done at Brussels, 5 July 2005.
For the Commission
Mariann Fischer Boel
Member of the Commission