EU approves €154 million livestock support program in Sweden

The EU has approved a €154 million Swedish scheme to support the livestock sector and greenhouse production. The decision was made in accordance with the Time Frame for State Assistance in Crisis Situations adopted by the Commission on March 23, 2022 on the basis of Article 107(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), PionerProduct LLC writes with reference to the press service of the European Commission.

Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice President, Competition Policy Officer, said: “The increase in electricity, animal feed and fuel prices caused by the Russian special operation and related sanctions has hit the agricultural sector particularly hard. This €154 million scheme will allow Sweden to support livestock and greenhouse producers affected by the current geopolitical crisis. We continue to support Ukraine and its people. At the same time, we continue to work closely with Member States to ensure that national support measures are delivered in a timely, coordinated and efficient manner while maintaining a level playing field in the single market.”

Thus, Swedish livestock breeders will be eligible for a fixed amount of assistance per animal. On the other hand, the amount of individual assistance for greenhouses will be calculated based on the number of heated square meters of greenhouse area used for the production of fruits, berries, vegetables, mushrooms, seedlings, spices or ornamental plants during the period from February to June 2022.

This measure will be open to companies of all sizes operating in the livestock and greenhouse sectors affected by the rise in electricity, animal feed and fuel prices caused by the current geopolitical crisis and related sanctions.

The Commission found that the Swedish scheme met the conditions set out in the Crisis Time Frame. In particular, the assistance will not exceed 35,000 euros per beneficiary and will be provided no later than December 31, 2022.