Commission approves €32.5 million Irish State aid scheme to support agricultural producers in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine

The European Commission has approved a €32.5 million Irish scheme to support tillage and horticulture producers in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (‘TCTF'), adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023 and on 2 May 2024.

Under the scheme, the aid will consist in limited amounts of aid in the form of direct grants. The measure will be open to tillage and horticulture producers that are at risk of losing financial liquidity due to the difficulties in the agricultural market provoked by Russia's war against Ukraine.

The Commission found that the Irish scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the TCTF. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €280,000 per beneficiary; and (ii) will be granted no later than 31 December 2024. The Commission concluded that the scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the TCTF. On this basis, the Commission approved the scheme under EU State aid rules.

More information on the TCTF can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.116765 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.