On Thursday 28 April, the European Commission authorised €169 million in Spanish aid to support the dairy farming sector in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The aid was authorised on the basis of the State aid Temporary Crisis Framework adopted by the Commission on 23 March.
The aid will take the form of direct grants to cow, sheep and goat milk producers operating in Spain and affected by the increase in electricity, feed and fuel prices resulting from the current geopolitical crisis and related sanctions.
Eligible beneficiaries will be entitled to an amount of aid calculated as follows: - for producers of cow’s milk: €210 per cow for the first 40 animals; €140 per cow for any additional animal up to 180; and €100 per cow beyond 180 animals; - for producers of sheep’s milk: €15 per sheep; - for producers of goat’s milk: €10 per goat.
The Commission found that the Spanish scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis Framework. In particular, the aid will not exceed €35,000 per beneficiary; and will be granted no later than 31 December 2022. The Commission concluded that the Spanish support was necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)