MEP Giuseppe Lupo (S&D) has asked the European Commission whether its 2011 interpretation of 'annual turnover' for State aid thresholds still applies to shellfish farms suffering losses from rising sea temperatures, and whether the guidelines should be updated to reflect the growing impact of climate change on the sector.
The written question, submitted on 1 July 2026, focuses on the 30% threshold in the EU guidelines on State aid in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. In a 2011 note concerning an Italian aid scheme, the Commission clarified that 'annual turnover' refers to the total turnover of the undertaking, not just the product affected. Lupo asks if this interpretation remains valid, whether the threshold should still be calculated on total turnover when damage is product-specific, and if the Commission will revise the guidelines to account for the specificities of shellfish farming and the increasing frequency of climate-related losses.
the threshold determines eligibility for compensation. A strict interpretation based on total turnover may make it harder for specialised shellfish farms to qualify, as losses on a single product line might not reach 30% of the company's overall revenue. Lupo's query implies that the current rule could be disproportionate for small or mono-product farms, and that updating the guidelines could ease access to aid.
Under EU rules, the Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks. The answer will signal whether the executive is open to revising the State aid framework for aquaculture in response to climate change, or whether it considers the existing interpretation sufficient.
Shellfish farmers in the Mediterranean would benefit from a more flexible turnover calculation, potentially gaining easier access to compensation. National authorities granting aid would face clearer rules. Competitors in other aquaculture sectors might seek similar adjustments. EU taxpayers could see increased State aid expenditure if thresholds are relaxed.