Brussels, 02/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 2 February, the European Commission decided to authorise the extension until 31 March 2011 of the French state scheme to help farmers in difficulty as a result of the current economic crisis. Aid of up to €15,000 per enterprise may take the form of direct subsidies, interest rebates, low interest loans or assistance with payment of social security contributions.
The scheme was initially approved on 2 December 2009. The Commission formed the view that continuing the scheme is in line with provisions of the extension of the temporary framework for state aid, adopted in December 2010, to promote access to finance in the context of the current economic and financial crisis. (L.C./transl.rt)