The Official Journal of the European Union has published on the 18th August 2008 the iInformation regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products related to livestock aid in Shetland Islands (Scotland).

The scheme is based in accordance with Chapter 2 Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006. The Shetland Johne's Disease Scheme (SJDS) is designed to provide a screening service for Johne's Disease in cattle both at the point of livestock entry into Shetland, and in all the existing Shetland cattle herds. Testing is effective in bulls and female cattle over 2 years of age. This Scheme is all-inclusive, and ensures that all relevant cattle entering Shetland, and in all existing 201 cattle herds in Shetland are tested for Johne's Disease. The Scheme is provided as a service for the agricultural community at large, and makes no charge nor levy for testing of imported or existing stock. Aid provided under this scheme is granted in kind by means of subsidized services, and will not involve direct payment of money to producers. By testing imported livestock for disease, the principle aim of SJDS is to sustain disease-free, High Health status of Shetland's cattle, thereby meeting all of the following objectives:

• To reduce production costs.
• To improve or redeploy production.
• To improve quality.
• To preserve and improve the natural environment, hygiene conditions and animal welfare standards.

Legal basic is the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003; Zetland County Council (ZCC) Act 1974.

The annual expenditure planned under the scheme or overall amount of individual aid granted to the company is thirty-five thousand pounds (GBP 35,000)

The organisation responsible for the scheme is:
Shetland Islands Council
Economic Development Unit
6 North Ness Business Park
Lerwick
Shetland ZE1 0LZ
United Kingdom

Further information about the aids can be found directly at the Shetland Development Trust web site.