Press Release: Commission proposes raising the ceiling for “de minimis” aid in the agriculture sector

The European Commission has adopted a draft regulation raising the ceiling for small amounts of aid (“de minimis” aid) in the agriculture sector to €6,000 per beneficiary over any period of three years and the maximum total per Member State to 0.6% of the value of agricultural output. It also sets out a clearer definition of the scope of such aid. The draft regulation gives the Member States greater room for manoeuvre in granting aid without distorting competition.