22.12.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities L 326/65 COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 11 April 2000 on State aid implemented by France for the pig-farming sector (notified under document number C(2000) 1169) (Only the French text is authentic) (2000/805EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 88(2) thereof, Having called on interested parties to submit their comments pursuant to those provisions and having regard to those comments, Whereas: I PROCEDURE (1)  Following a press article of 11 September 1998 mentioning a French Government decision concerning aid measures for pig-farmers, the Director-General for Agriculture sent the French authorities a request for notification on 15 September 1998. The French authorities notified the measures referred to by letter of 2 October 1998, recorded as received on 9 October 1998. A request for further information was sent on 28 October 1998. The purpose of the letter was to request documents setting out the technical arrange- ments to be sent immediately. It drew attention to Article 88(3) of the Treaty, which prohibits the imple- mentation of State aid. It also mentioned the principle that aid which is not compatible with the common market is to be recovered. Further information containing additional details reached the Directorate- General for Agriculture on 27 November and 1 and 2 December 1998. The Commission initiated the procedure provided for in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of the above aid measure by letter No SG (98) D/12216 of 22 December 1998. The decision to initiate the procedure was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities ('). The Commission called on the other Member States and interested parties to submit their comments on the aid in question. By letter of 31 March 1999 the Commission received the comments of the Danish authorities on the initiation of the procedure by the Commission. France forwarded its comments by letter of 12 February 1999. The Commission wrote again to the French authorities by letters from the Director-General for Agriculture of 1 June and 20 October 1999. The French authorities replied by letter of 24 November 1999. II DESCRIPTION By letter of 2 October 1998 to the Commission, the French authorities wrote concerning the arrangements as follows: ‘Following the crisis in the pig-farming industry, characterised by a sharp fall in prices and an unprece- dented level of excess production in the Community, in order to back up market measures decided at Community level, the French authorities have taken a number of financial and social measures.” The measures notified are described below. () O] C 61, 3.3.1999, p. 7.