Research in non-food use of agricultural products
The European Commission has decided not to raise objections to a German aid scheme aiming to promote research in the area of non-food use of agricultural raw materials. Recourse to agricultural raw materials in the non-food industrial sector replaces the use of finite resources and environmental polluting materials. It also increases market outlets for agricultural products, thereby relieving oversupplied markets and creating new income possibilities for farmers. This research programme is not only considered by German authorities as important and forward-looking for agriculture, but also corresponds to Community research initiatives such as FAIR, CEET and ALTENER. In taking this decision the Commission took account of its guidelines on state aid for research and development (OJ No C 45 of 17.2.1996) and established compliance of the national aid scheme with these rules.