Article 3

The measure in the form of exemption from payment of the levy on meat purchases in favour of certain undertakings marketing meat, in force from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2002, constitutes State aid which is incompatible with the common market.

France shall take the necessary steps to recover the aid paid to beneficiaries under this scheme. The total amount of aid to be recovered shall be updated to take account of interest from the date on which the aid was paid up to the date on which it is actually recovered. The interest shall be based on the Commission reference rate calculated by the method used for setting the reference and discount rates.