Action brought on 26 September 2011 - France v Commission

(Case T-511/11)

Language of the case: French

Parties

Applicant: French Republic (represented by: E. Belliard, G. de Bergues, J. Gstalter and J. Rossi, acting as Agents)

Defendant: European Commission

Form of order sought

annul the contested decision;

order the Commission to pay the costs.

Pleas in law and main arguments

By its application, the applicant asks the Court to annul decision C(2011) 4973 final of the European Commission concerning State aid No C 46/2003 relating to contributions to the Association nationale interprofessionnelle du bétail et des viandes (Interbev). The Commission considered that the voluntary contributions that had become compulsory, levied by Interbev, constituted State aid compatible with the internal market.

In support of the action, the applicant relies on two pleas in law, the first of which is essentially identical or similar to that relied on in Case T-478/11 France v Commission.

The second plea alleges a breach by the Commission of its obligation to conduct the administrative procedure within a reasonable time.

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