The Agency for Payments and Intervention in Agriculture (APIA) informs potential beneficiaries that until March 14, 2024, inclusive, it accepts applications for the state aid scheme to support the activities of breeders in the pig and poultry sectors in the context of the crisis caused by Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

The total maximum value of the state aid scheme is:

• 126,694,400.00 lei, equivalent to 25,600,000.00 euros, for the pig sector;
• 151,934,300.00 lei, equivalent to 30,700,000.00 euros, for the poultry sector

and is provided from the state budget, through the budget of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) for the year 2024.

The amount of state aid is:

100 euros/LSU for pig fattening and/or breeding animals, respectively sows and/or mounted gilts; 100 euros/LSU for meat chicken production capacity, turkey production capacity, heavy breed reproduction hens and/or replacement youth, laying hens and/or replacement youth, as well as hatched chicken and/or hatched turkey.

Applications for state aid and supporting documents are submitted/transmitted to the County Centers of APIA, respectively to the Municipality of Bucharest where they have their registered office or where they have submitted the payment application for M14 or DR 06.

Documents submitted/transmitted in copy by the beneficiary will bear the phrase "in accordance with the original", will be dated and endorsed by the beneficiary's signature.

The total amount of aid that can be granted to each beneficiary does not exceed the equivalent in lei of 280,000 euros. The exchange rate used is the one established at the exchange rate of 4.9334 lei for 1 euro.

The scheme is cumulative with any other support schemes financed from the state budget under section 2.1 - Limited amounts of aid, point 62 letter a) undertakings engaged in primary agricultural production activities from the Communication of the European Commission (2023/C 1.188), respecting the maximum threshold of 280,000 euros/beneficiary.

The payment of state aid is made by APIA - Central Office by June 30, 2024, based on the payment requests authorized by the APIA Centers. Payments can also be made after this date for invalid accounts, but no later than December 31, 2024.

Information regarding beneficiaries, eligibility conditions, documents accompanying the application for state aid, as well as the Applicant's Guide can be found published on the APIA website www.apia.org.ro.

Legislation:

Government Ordinance no. 12/2024 regarding the establishment of a state aid scheme to support breeders in the pig and poultry sectors, during the period August 1, 2022 - August 31, 2023, in the context of the crisis caused by Russia's aggression against Ukraine.