EU changes regulation on State aid

THE European Commission has adopted a new regulation that allows various types of agricultural State aid without having to seek prior clearance from Brussels.

It says this block exemption will speed up the implementation of new agricultural State aids. In turn, it will facilitate national programmes aiming at the improvement of environmental, animal welfare and hygiene standards in the sector.

The commission says the regulation will not soften the State aid rule in substance and, in particular, will not allow aid in areas considered incompatible with the internal market.