May 20, 2021 11:57 am
State aid rules for agriculture, forestry and rural areas are “broadly fit for purpose” according to an evaluation from the European Commission.
The evalaution concludes that “overall the existing rules work well; are fit for purpose; and meet the needs of the sectors concerned”.
However, the evaluation found that “some targeted adjustment” may be needed to align current rules with EU priorities, including the European Green Deal.
State aid rules for agriculture, in their current form, were extended to December 31, 2022, the commission confirmed last December.
The evaluation was aimed at assessing how the current rules – which have applied since 2014 – have performed across three areas, including: minimising distortions of competition and trade in agriculture and forestry; ensuring the consistency of the agricultural state aid rules with the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP); and simplifying procedures.