03/10/24 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 3 October, the European Commission approved a €120 million French aid package to support winegrowers in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine (see EUROPE 13476/10). The support was authorised under the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework for State aid adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023 and 2 May 2024. The aid will take the form of direct subsidies to support winegrowers who need cash to partially offset the losses caused in particular by the war in Russia. They will be able to reduce their production potential and thus guarantee the long-term future of their business. To qualify, winegrowers will have to permanently grub up the vineyards concerned in order to reduce the winegrowing potential. (LC)