Press Release: Formal investigation opened into aid in the malt sector in the Netherlands

The Commission on 3 May 2005 decided to open a formal investigation procedure into a measure the Dutch authorities intended to apply in favour of the malt sector. This measure consists of the granting of an investment subsidy amounting to (gross) €7,425,000 for the establishment of a production plant for malt in Eemshaven, province of Groningen. With the investment in this plant the whole chain of storage and processing of malting barley and the production and trade in malt were planned to be integrated.