March 24 (SeeNews) - The European Commission said on Friday that it has approved a Bulgarian scheme of about 109 million euro ($117.3 million) to support farmers in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine.
The aid under the scheme will take the form of direct grants, the Commission said in a statement.
The measure will be open to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises active in the primary production of certain agricultural products, such as fruits, vegetables, rice and cultivated mushrooms, as well as to livestock farmers. The purpose of the scheme is to compensate eligible farmers for part of the additional production costs incurred due to higher energy prices and other inputs in the context of the current crisis.
The Commission found that the Bulgarian scheme is in line with its temporary crisis framework. In particular, the aid will not exceed 250,000 euro per beneficiary and will be granted no later than December 31, 2023.
The Bulgarian government approved the 109 million euro disbursement earlier in March.
($ = 0.9294 euro)