08/04/2022 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 8 April, the European Commission approved a French aid package of €175 million to support the pig farming sector in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. Public support (exceptional compensation) will be available to small and medium-sized enterprises active in primary pig production. The Commission found that the French scheme complied with the conditions set out in the temporary State aid framework. In particular, the aid will not exceed €290,000 per beneficiary and will be granted by 30 June 2022. In addition, the Commission has given the green light to a €73 million Bulgarian scheme to support farmers breeding large and small ruminants, bee keepers, and fruit, vegetable, rice and oil-bearing rose growers. The support will be in the form of direct grants. (LC)