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Representation in Ireland
News article22 July 2022Representation in Ireland

State aid: Commission approves €1 million Irish scheme to support fisheries cooperatives in the context of Brexit

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €1 million Irish scheme to support fisheries cooperatives affected by the effects of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Image with text "State Aid"

The aim of the scheme is to mitigate the impact of the reduced quotas for landed fish on fisheries cooperatives.

The support will be available to fisheries cooperatives that are primarily focused on fish species whose quota has been reduced and are reliant on the commission earned from landings of fish species caught by their members’ vessels for revenue.

Under the scheme, compensation will be granted in the form of a direct grant to cover for the losses in revenue resulting from the shortage of landed fish. Eligible fisheries cooperatives will be able to receive up to €250,000. The scheme will run until 31 December 2022.

The measure is planned to be financed under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve, established to mitigate the economic and social impact of Brexit, subject to approval under the specific provisions governing funding from that instrument.

The Commission assessed the measure under Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which allows Member States to support the development of certain economic activities or regions under certain conditions, and under the Guidelines for the examination of State aid to the fishery and aquaculture sector.

The Commission found that the scheme will ensure that the fishing and processing sector and onshore fishing-related activities remain economically viable and competitive. The Commission concluded that the scheme facilitates the development of an economic activity and does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. On this basis, the Commission approved the Irish measure under EU State aid rules.

The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.102241 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. 

Details

Publication date
22 July 2022
Author
Representation in Ireland