Commission approves €60 million Italian state aid measure to support Nestlé Italiana's construction of a wet pet food production plant in Lombardy

The European Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, an Italian €60 million State aid measure to support Nestlé Italiana SpA in the construction of a new production plant for wet pet food in the municipality of Mantua, Lombardy. The aid will take the form of a direct grant for the construction of the factory and the production line. The measure will help promote a smart, competitive, resilient and diversified agricultural sector that guarantees long-term food security. It will also support environmental protection and climate action, contribute to EU climate goals, and help strengthen the socio-economic fabric of rural areas. The aid will run until 30 June 2029.

The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, and in particular under the Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas and Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which allows member states to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions.

The Commission found that the measure is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to contribute to a sustainable growth of the agricultural sector. On this basis, the Commission approved the scheme.

This individual aid is related to an existing scheme the Commission approved on 4 October 2023 (SA.107569 (2023/N)). This scheme covers agro-industrial contracts in Italy and has the objective to foster the development and resilience of the national agro-industrial system. Individual aid above the threshold of 12 million must be notified separately.

The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.115174 in the state aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.

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