07/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - Visiting Brittany in France, European Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki announced on Friday 7 May that the European Commission had approved the aid granted by French authorities to oyster growers following the abnormally high mortality rate among oysters in the summer of 2009. The high level of mortality was the result of the spread of an oyster virus which developed with the particularly bad weather conditions. More than 1,000 firms in the 13 departments affected (6 coastal regions) were hit. The Commission took the view that the French aid was in line with Community state aid rules which cover damage caused by natural disasters and unusual events. The scientific evidence put forward by the French authorities and assessed by the Commission showed that there was a direct link between the damage caused by the particularly adverse weather conditions and the aid granted to firms. (L.C./transl.rt)