Brussels, 22/01/2004 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission authorised the United Kingdom to grant aid totalling EUR 21.7 million annually to "Quality Meat Scotland 'QMS)", the body that promotes red meat and red meat-based quality products in Scotland. The programme, which is financed by a parafiscal levy, lasts five years. The scheme provides aid for advertising of recognised protected geographic indications (PGIs) and quality products.
In total, EUR 68 million will be paid out over this five year period: EUR 43 million will be for advertising measures in favour of generic farm products and quality farm products, and EUR 25 million will be for technical assistance, improving the genetic quality of livestock, investments in farms, investment in favour of processing and marketing quality red meat, the promotion of production and marketing for quality products, the introduction of a quality guarantee and other quality control systems, and the setting in place of producer groups and measures aimed to encourage young farmers.