19.4.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities L 98/1 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 10 November 1999 concerning aid which the Region of Tuscany (Italy) intends to grant in the livestock sector in favour of the Chianina cattle breed (notified under document number C(1999) 3866) (Only the Italian text is authentic) (2000/286EC) 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 the aforementioned provisions(!), and having regard to those comments, Whereas: ey . Procedure By letter dated 5 December 1997, the Italian Permanent Representation to the European Union notified the Commission under Article 88(3) of the Treaty of an aid scheme in the livestock sector in favour of the Chianina cattle breed. By letters dated 4 March 1998, received on 5 March 1998, and 7 July 1998, received on 13 July 1998, Italy furnished the Commission with  supplementary information. By letter of 28 August 1998, the Commission asked the Italian authorities, in view of the summer break, for a five-working-day extension of the term within which it was due to adopt a decision on the aid concerned. () 0 C 390, 15.12.1998, p. 15. (4) By letter dated 29 September 1998, the Commission informed Italy of its decision to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of this aid. The Italian Permanent Representation was informed of the Commission decision to initiate the procedure by letter SG(98) 035729 dated 16 September 1998. The Commission decision to initiate the procedure was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. The Commission invited interested parties to submit their comments. By letters dated 23 October and 11 December 1998, the Italian authorities submitted to the Commission their comments with respect to the opening of the procedure. The Commission also received comments from interested third parties by letters dated 14 and 15 January 1999. It forwarded them to Italy, which was given the opportunity to express its views. Comments were sent by the Italian authorities by letter dated 12 May 1999. II. Description of the scheme and implementation period Description The aid scheme notified provides for a three-year programme (1997 to 1999) to protect and improve the Chianina cattle breed, a local breed which derives its name from the Chiana Valley, in Tuscany, from which it originated.