The European Commission (EC) on Thursday approved an EUR 11 million (RON 59 million) Romanian State aid scheme to support pig farmers facing increased fuel and fertiliser prices due to the Middle East crisis.
According to a press statement released by the commission, the scheme was approved under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) adopted by the commission on April 29, 2026.
The scheme aims to mitigate the impact of additional costs incurred by pig farmers directly affected by the Middle East crisis between March 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026. The aid will take the form of direct grants, and the amount will be calculated based on the increase of fuel and fertiliser prices affecting production costs, with a maximum of EUR 50,000 per company. The scheme will run until December 31, 2026.
The commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which enables member states to support the development of certain economic activities subject to certain conditions, as well as Sections 1 and 2.1 of the METSAF.
The commission found that the scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the METSAF. In particular, the aid will be granted based on a scheme with a clear estimated budget and will be provided to temporarily support the development of companies active in the pig livestock sector. It concluded that the scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to facilitate the development of an economic activity and does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. On this basis, the commission approved the Romanian scheme under EU State aid rules.
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