28/11/2025 (Agence Europe) – On Friday, 28 November, the European Commission approved a €70 million Latvian State aid scheme designed to support investment in farms active in primary agricultural production. This aid will take the form of loans with a capital discount (direct grants awarded to write off part of the principal amount of a loan). The scheme will be in effect until 31 December 2026. The European Commission considers this aid to be proportionate, since it is limited to “the minimum necessary” and would have “a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States”. In accordance with EU State aid rules, the European Commission has also approved a new method for calculating the guarantee premiums that Latvia applies to new loans granted to businesses. The total national budget for guarantees during the methodology’s period of validity is €380 million. (PLD)