Brussels, 20/11/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has approved the Danish Government's plan to extend an aid scheme for providing training to seafarers. Introduced in January 1999 for a two-year trial period, the scheme involves providing aid to shipping companies for each trainee taken on board to undergo a period of practical training as required by the Danish Ministry of Education. These mandatory training periods apply to Danish merchant ships carrying out short shipping operations but the training is also often provided on land in the case of the theoretical part of courses. The state aid covers some of the cost of teaching trainees, who are not regarded as active members of the crew. The Commission has ruled that the scheme is in keeping with EU rules on subsidies in the shipping industry