Brussels clears 54 million euro Spanish aid for farm diesel

The European Commission has decided to raise no objections to a Spanish State aid scheme worth 54 million euros designed to help agricultural producers pay for the diesel they consume, after the conflict in the Middle East drove up fuel prices. The decision, adopted on 2 June 2026, was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (C series) of 26 August 2026 under reference C/2026/4598.

The measure, registered under aid number SA.122724, is a direct grant scheme targeting the crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities sectors. It is part of the Spanish response to the energy shock triggered by the crisis in the Middle East, channelled through the Plan Integral de Respuesta a la Crisis en Oriente Medio approved by Real Decreto-ley 7/2026 of 20 March 2026.

Scope and conditions of the aid

The scheme, named METSAF, is designed to offset the increase in the price of agricultural diesel caused by the regional conflict. It is implemented through a draft ministerial order that adapts and specifies the aid to the agricultural and fishing sectors provided for in articles 46, 50 and 51 of the decree.

• Budget: 54,000,000 euros (overall and annual)
• Aid intensity: 70.0%
• Duration: until 31 December 2026
• Form of aid: direct grant
• Objective: sectorial development of agriculture, forestry and rural areas

Granting authority and legal framework

The aid is granted by the Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, based at Paseo de la Infanta Isabel 1, 28014 Madrid. The Commission’s assessment concluded that the measure is compatible with the internal market under Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and therefore no objections were raised.

The decision falls within the category of State aid cases where the Commission raises no objections, meaning the scheme can be implemented without further scrutiny. The authentic text of the decision, with confidential information removed, is available through the Commission’s competition case search.

Impact for readers

For Spanish farmers and livestock producers, the authorisation unlocks a targeted financial cushion against a fuel cost spike that directly threatens their margins. By covering 70% of the additional diesel cost until the end of 2026, the scheme offers a defined, time-limited relief window while the Middle East crisis continues to weigh on energy markets.

Source: Official Journal of the European Union, C series, C/2026/4598, 26 August 2026 (official reference: C/2026/4598, aid SA.122724).