Press Release: The Commission investigates Portuguese aid for the collection, transportation, treatment and destruction of slaughterhouse waste

The European Commission decided to open a formal investigation procedure, under the Treaty rules on State aid, into the aid which Portugal has been granting since 1998 to cover the costs of the collection, transportation, treatment and destruction of mammalian and poultry meat by-products. The aid has been funded by means of parafiscal charges levied inter alia on any overcompensation given to undertakings which provide services and on any benefit granted to slaughtering and cutting centres and to livestock farmers for services rendered to them.