Brussels, 03/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday the European Commission authorised France to grant national aid totalling EUR 75.5 million to cattle farmers who have suffered losses because of the BSE crisis, noting the exceptional nature of the crisis in the beef and veal markets. The aid will compensate farmers for losses incurred between November 2000 and December 2001 and covers direct aid to farmers (EUR 1000 to 2000 per farm and no more than EUR 6000 for 'groupements agricoles d'exploitation en commun' (GAECs or jointly run farms) and the payment of interest charges on the 2002 instalments of medium to long-term business loans with a lifetime greater than 24 months, contracted by 31 December 2001. In July 2001 the Commission authorised the payment by France of a first tranche of aid to cover BSE related losses.