State aid: Commission approves €6.5 million Belgian scheme to support pig farmers affected by coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved a €6.5 million Belgian scheme to support pig farmers with breeding sows in the Walloon region in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State Aid Temporary Framework. Under the scheme, the public support will take the form of direct grants of up to €100,000 per beneficiary, to partially address the loss of income they incurred due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Commission found that the Belgian scheme is in line with the conditions of the Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the aid does not exceed the limits per beneficiary active in the primary agricultural sector provided by the Temporary Framework; and (ii) the scheme will run until 31 December 2021. The Commission concluded that the measure 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 Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the scheme under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.62393 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.