04/02/2020 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 4 February, the European Commission approved, under EU state aid rules, an Irish scheme to support long-term capital investments in the primary food processing sector. The investment scheme, which will have a budget of €200 million for the period 2020-2025, will take the form of grants and will be open to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large companies engaged in the processing and marketing of agricultural products. The aim of the scheme is to strengthen the Irish agri-food sector by promoting greater product and market diversification. The Commission stated that the aid is limited to the minimum amount necessary and will encourage innovative investments that would not take place in the absence of public support. (LC)