The European Commission has published in the Official Journal of the European Union of 17th July 2008 its agreement regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products. It has been estimated an anual expenditure of 2,3 million euro.

The objective of the aid is to encourage participation in recognized independently certified Quality Assurance Schemes through the payment of third party inspection and certification costs of Quality Assurance schemes within the parameters of Article 14(2)(f) of Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 based on the Bord Bia Acts 1994 to 2004. The anual budget will be 2,3 million euro with a 100% maxium aid intensity for beneficiaries. The duration of this awards will be until December 2011

Beneficiaries are participants in the An Bord Bia Beef Quality Assurance Scheme and An Bord Bia Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme from Ireland.

The granting authority is the Bord Bia which is act as a link between Irish Food, Drink & Horticulture suppliers and existing and potential customers.