Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) The European Commission has approved the Polish plan to provide aid to the sector of agriculture under the Temporary Crisis Framework.
The scheme is worth 836 million euro and aimed at helping the Polish sector of agriculture in the wake of Russian aggression against Ukraine, the EC noted in a statement on Tuesday.
European Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager pointed out that the scheme “will enable Poland to support the farmers affected by the input costs increase caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the related sanctions.”
She stressed that the EC stands with Ukraine and Ukrainians, and is “working closely with member states to ensure that national support measures can be put in place in a timely, coordinated and effective way, while protecting the level playing field in the single market.”
Poland proposed the scheme to the EC, pointing out that the aid would come in the form of grants and be available to farmers affected by the rising cost of fertiliser caused by the crisis and sanctions.
According to the scheme, farmers will be eligible for aid of up to 53.5 euro per hectare of pasture or grassland and up to 107 euro per hectare of agricultural land. The aid will be limited to the amount corresponding to 50 hectares per beneficiary.
The EC stressed that the proposed scheme is in line with new EU crisis rules as aid does not exceed 35,000 euro per beneficiary and will be provided before the end of the year.
The scheme is appropriate, necessary and proportionate as a response to economic disturbances, the Commission noted.
The body reminded that it adopted the Temporary Crisis Framework last month to help bloc members to support their economies in the context of the war in Ukraine.
The framework allows EU member states to provide aid of up to 35,000 euro to companies in the sectors of agriculture and aquaculture, and up to 400,000 to companies in other sectors.
It also allows EU countries to provide compensation for rising energy costs to companies, with the EC stressing that Russian state-controlled entities under sanctions are not eligible for aid.
