Agriculture: Gov't approves de minimis scheme to support vegetable farming in protected areas

A de minimis aid scheme to support vegetable farming in protected areas in the period 2024-2025 was approved on Wednesday by the government, with the total funds allocated to this programme standing EUR 25 million."By approving this piece of legislation, it is envisaged to grant de minimis aid for the application of the support programme for the production of vegetables in protected areas, for the period 2024-2025, for: tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, beans, lettuce, spinach, green onions. Qualifying for this support are enterprises/single enterprises that carry out their activity in the field of primary production of agricultural products, to support the production of vegetables in protected areas," according to a press release of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR).The amount of the de minimis aid is capped at EUR 1,000 /1,000 sqm/beneficiary.The submission of applications and supporting documents will be made within 10 days from the date of entry into force of the decision, and the valorisation of production will be carried out throughout January 31, 2025.As for the field checks, they will be carried out by mixed teams of and will aim at the field trip to establish the cultivated areas and evaluate the vegetable production.The budgetary impact of this form of support, financed from the national budget, within the limits of the provisions approved for 2025, is a maximum of RON124,337,500, representing the equivalent of EUR 25,000,000. If the total amount of payment to be granted to the beneficiaries, exceeds the total financial resources allocated to the de minimis aid scheme, the amount due to each beneficiary is reduced proportionally.Passing the draft government decision is said to contribute to keeping up the interest of agricultural producers in the production of vegetables in protected areas, partial compensation of the expenses necessary for these crops and the delivery of domestic vegetables to the market, including ensuring jobs in rural areas.The measure is based on Commission Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013 of 18 December 2013 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid in the agriculture sector.