The EU will make state aid rules more flexible to expedite support for fishing from April 1

BRUSSELS / SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, March 17. () –

The European Commission has adopted this Friday the revision of the rules of state aid to expedite support to the fishing and aquaculture sectors as of April 1 with the purpose of facilitating Member States to meet the ambitious ecological objectives of the EU by improving energy efficiency and mitigating the effects of climate change, without undue distortion of competition in the Single Market.

The revised guidelines set out the conditions under which state aid granted by Member States to support the fisheries and aquaculture sectors can be considered compatible with the Single Market.

They reflect the strategic priorities of the EU, in particular the Common Fisheries Policy, especially as regards the new European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and the European Green Deal.

The new rules introduce an extension of the scope of application of measures to combat animal diseases in aquaculture; new categories of aid, such as the fleet and stoppage and support for investment in equipment that contributes to the safety of fishing vessels in the outermost regions of the Union.

These guidelines were approved by the Commission in December 2022 and will be applicable from April 1, 2023.