The European Commission has approved a €10 million Greek State aid scheme to support the floriculture primary production sector in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework adopted by the Commission on 19 March 2020, as amended on 3 April 2020.
Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “This €10 million Greek scheme will support farmers active in floriculture primary production, which are currently experiencing difficulties due to the coronavirus outbreak. It will help these farmers to cover their immediate liquidity needs and continue their activities during these challenging times. Our work with Member States continues and ensures that national support measures can be put in place in a coordinated and effective way, in line with EU rules”.
The Greek support measure
Greece notified to the Commission under the Temporary Framework a €10 million scheme to support companies active in the primary production of floricultural products affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The support will be accessible to companies of all sizes active in this sector in Greece.
The public support, which will take the form of direct grants, aims at ensuring that those companies which are experiencing cash difficulties due to the coronavirus outbreak have sufficient liquidity to maintain their activities during and after the outbreak.
The Commission found that the Greek measure is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the support will not exceed €100,000 per company. Aid under the scheme can be granted until 31 December 2020.
The Commission therefore 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 measure under EU State aid rules.
Source: European Commission