Press Release: Commission adopts first-ever ‘de minimis’ aid rules for agriculture and fisheries

The European Commission adopted a regulation on 6 October 2004 concerning 'de minimis' aid for the agriculture and fisheries sectors. The regulation exempts national aid of up to € 3,000 per farmer and fisherman over three years from the requirement of prior notification. This initiative will be a useful tool to help farmers in a crisis situation. To avoid distortions of competition, Member States granting such aid have to respect an overall ceiling roughly equal to 0.3% of agricultural or fisheries output. Member States may grant aid fulfilling all the conditions of the regulation without prior approval by the Commission. But they have to keep registers to show both ceilings have been respected. The regulation was adopted following a broad consultation of Member States and third parties.

European Commission: DG Fisheries: Press Release: Commission adopts first-ever "de minimis" aid rules for agriculture and fisheries, 6.10.04 http://ec.europa.eu/comm/fisheries/news_corner/press/inf04_41_en.htm

European Commission: DG Agriculture: State Aid http://ec.europa.eu/comm/agriculture/stateaid/index_en.htm

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