The European Commission has approved 2.7m euros (20m kunas) to support companies operating in the poultry sector in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.

The program was approved under the Interim Framework for State Aid. Under this program, support will take the form of direct grants. The aim of the measure is to alleviate the lack of liquidity faced by poultry slaughterhouses and egg producers and to alleviate some of the losses suffered due to the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictive measures introduced to limit the spread of the virus.

The program will be open to companies of all sizes operating in Croatia as registered poultry slaughterhouses or primary egg producers. The amount of aid per beneficiary will be calculated on the basis of an increase in the number of frozen poultry during 2019 and 2020 or the number of eggs produced between 1 April and 31 December 2020. The Commission has determined that the Croatian program complies with the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid will not exceed EUR 1.8 million per slaughterhouse and EUR 225000 per laying hen company; ii. shall be granted by 31 December 2021 at the latest. The Commission has concluded that this measure is necessary, appropriate and appropriate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in accordance with Article 107 (3) (b) TFEU and the conditions laid down in the Temporary Framework.

On this basis, the Commission approved the program in accordance with EU state aid rules. More information on the Temporary Framework and other measures taken by the Commission to mitigate the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. A non-confidential version of the decision will be available under case number SA.64716 in the State Aid Register on the Commission's competition website once all confidentiality issues have been resolved.