30/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 30 March, the European Commission authorised a UK scheme with a budget of approximately £20 million (€22.3 million) which aims at supporting farmers in the UK who encounter difficulties as a result of the current economic crisis. Aid under this scheme can be granted until 31 December 2010 and will take the form of a direct grant for all farmers in all sub-sectors of primary agricultural production, provided they were not already in difficulty on 1 July 2oo8 (before the beginning of the crisis). Once approved, the plan will cover the whole of the United Kingdom and the aid, limited to €15,000, can be allocated at national, regional and local levels by the competent authorities. The British scheme respects all conditions established in the Temporary Crisis Framework as amended. (A.B.)