National support schemes

State aid (hereinafter referred to as national support) is national support for agriculture and rural development, which is implemented under  the Programmes for Promotion of Agriculture, Food Business and Rural Development, Fisheries Development and Competitiveness as well as Phytosanitary, Plant Propagating Material and Grain Quality Control, Examination of Varieties Programmes (hereinafter referred to as the Programmes).

The major support objectives: 

• To enhance the efficiency of farms able to compete on the Lithuanian and foreign markets;
• To implement promising production technologies;
• To improve the labour conditions for farmers and rural population.

The main financing source for the Programmes is the State budget funds of the Republic of Lithuania. The Government of the Republic of Lithuania following the allocation of the State budget appropriations each year approves the Estimate of Programme Expenditure under Measures. Accordingly, the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania approves the Detailed Estimate of Programme Expenditure under Measures.

The Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania or a competent authority approves the implementation rules, amendments thereof for each envisaged measure of the Programmes that establish the funding targets and axes, beneficiaries of support, the procedure for submission of documents and disbursement of support, liabilities and responsibilities.

Social partners are also involved in administration of national support: the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania, SE Agricultural Data Centre, PI Rural Business and Markets Development Agency, State Food and Veterinary Service, State Plant Service and municipalities. Since 2012 the National Paying Agency under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter referred to as the NPA) administers national direct payments and compensation payments on the basis of the National Support  Administration Information System.