Coronavirus: Brussels supports the agricultural sector

The Brussels-Capital Region has decided to support the agricultural sector, which is strongly affected by the Covid-19 crisis. The sector can benefit from a one-off premium of € 3,000, to be applied for before 29 May 2020.

Who can benefit from this aid?

You must meet the following conditions: 

• Be a business (company or self-employed person) operating in at least one establishment unit in the Brussels-Capital Region in the primary food production sector, i.e. the growing of plants and raising of animals for the production of food and animal feed;
• Carry out an activity which is included among the NACE codes listed below;
• Have at least one establishment unit in the Brussels-Capital Region, registered on 13 March 2020 with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises with one of these NACE codes;
• Suffer a loss of income as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. Brussels Economy and Employment will ask you for proof of this;
• Have not already benefited from any other aid from the Brussels-Capital Region in the context of the Covid-19 crisis;
• Have not been in difficulty on 31 December 2019;
• Have not yet reached the maximum amounts laid down in the temporary framework for State aid measures (€ 100,000 for companies active in the primary production of agricultural products and € 120,000 for companies active in the fishing and aquaculture sector or, if the company is active in both sectors, a maximum of € 120,000 aid, of which € 100,000 is aid for the primary production of agricultural products).

What is the amount of the premium?

The premium amounts to € 3,000. It is a one-off premium, which is paid in one instalment.

Please note that if budgetary credits are insufficient, the premium will be granted in priority to employers in category 1:

• Category 1 = Growing and propagation of plants (NACE codes 01.110 to 01.309)
• Category 2 = animal production, mixed farming, support activities to agriculture, fishing and aquaculture (NACE codes 01.410 to 01.640, 03.110 to 03.220).

Which formalities do you have to fulfil?

You must complete the online form on the website of Brussels, Economy and Employment before 29 May 2020.

List of NACE codes (on 13 March 2020 herewith registered in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises) eligible for the Covid-19 agriculture premium.

Source: Special Powers Decree of 7 May 2020 of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region No 2020/015 relating to aid in the context of the Covid-19 health crisis to compensate companies active in the primary production of agricultural products and in aquaculture in the field of food, Belgian Official Gazette of 13.05.2020.