State aid: Commission approves €180 million Italian scheme to support companies active in the agricultural, forestry, fishery and aquaculture sectors in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

The European Commission has approved a €180 million Italian scheme to support companies active in the agricultural, forestry, fishery and aquaculture sectors in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The scheme was approved under the State Aid Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted by the Commission on 23 March 2022. Under the scheme, the aid will consist in limited amounts of aid in the form of guarantees on loans. The purpose of the scheme is to support the liquidity needs of the beneficiary and to help them overcome their economic and financial difficulties linked to the energy and other input costs increase due to the current geopolitical crisis. The Commission found that the Italian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €35,000 per beneficiary; and (ii) will be granted no later than 31 December 2022. 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 Temporary Crisis Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the scheme under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Crisis Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the number SA.103166 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.