26/02/2024 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 26 February, the European Commission announced that it had approved a French aid scheme worth €300 million to support investments by large companies active in the processing and marketing of agricultural products. The aid will reach beneficiaries in several forms, including direct grants, interest rate subsidies, advances, guarantees and loans at favourable rates. This measure will finance 65% of the investments made by these companies and, in some cases, up to 80%. The European Commission found that the aid complied with Article 107(3) c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU and the Guidelines for State aid in the agriculture and forestry sector and in rural areas. (EV)