Brussels, 20/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission decided to clear, subject to conditions, a number of state aid measures for agricultural undertakings in Sicily. In November 2001, the Commission opened a state aid investigation into a Sicilian regional law providing aid to the agricultural sector in Sicily. The measures aim to provide aid to agricultural undertakings in Sicily through renegotiation of loans, compensation for agri-environmental commitments and compensation for losses caused by adverse weather events. Aid to compensate for weather-related damages to glasshouses (up to € 10.3 million) as well as aid to consortia towards insurance premiums for protection from natural disasters (up to € 52,000 per consortium) have been declared compatible with EU state aid rules. Aid of around € 13 million for agri-environmental commitments was found compatible under conditions as part of Sicily's approved Rural Development programme.