State aid: Commission approves €650,000 Latvian scheme to support companies active in microgreen production, fishery and aquaculture sectors affected by the coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved a €650,000 Latvian scheme to support companies active in primary microgreen production, fishery and aquaculture sectors affected by the coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures that the Latvian government had to implement to limit the spread of the virus. The scheme was approved under the State Aid Temporary Framework. Under the scheme, the public support will take the form of direct grants. The measure aims at mitigating the liquidity shortages that the beneficiaries are facing and at addressing the losses that they incurred during the period from 1 October 2020 to 31 May 2021 for companies active in the microgreen production sector and from 1 January 2021 to 31 May 2021 for companies active in fishery and aquaculture sector. The Commission found that the Latvian scheme is in line with the conditions of the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €225,000 per beneficiary active in the primary agricultural sector and €270,000 per beneficiary active in the fishery and aquaculture sector; and (ii) will be granted no later than 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.64033 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.