31 January 2022
The European Commission has approved a €88 million (PLN 400 million) Polish scheme to support pig sows producers in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. 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 part of the losses they incurred due to the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictive measures that the Polish authorities had to implement to limit the spread of the virus.
The scheme will be open to micro, small and medium enterprises, producers of pig sows. The Commission found that the Polish scheme is in line with the conditions of the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €290,000 per beneficiary; and (ii) will be granted no later than 30 June 2022.
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.101500 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.