asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the member states of the EC which are authorised to pay national aids; and if he will give details thereof.
Written Answers. - National Aids Payments.
107.
The payment of national aids by member states is governed by Article 92 of the Treaty of Rome which prohibits such aids if they distort, or threaten to distort, competition in trade. Aids, which have some or all of the characteristics set out below, may be permitted under the Treaty. Included in particular are aids which are: (a) of a social nature; (b) to make good damage caused by natural disasters; (c) to promote the economic development of areas where the standard of living is abnormally low or where there is serious underemployment; (d) to facilitate the development of certain economic activities or of certain economic areas where such aid does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest.
While each member state is required to submit an annual inventory of state aids in agriculture and fisheries to the EC Commission, my Department do not have precise details of the aids paid in the member states.