EU: Brussels clears €75m in subsidies for French apples

France has been authorised by the European Commission to grant aid worth €74.5m (US$65.6m), to producers of apples, peaches and nectarines for a period of four years. The subsidies are for "essential adjustments" in the French fruit-producing sector to meet the requirements of both retailers and consumers by enhancing the quality of French products and cutting total fruit production. About 6,000 hectares of apple-producing land and 2,500 hectares of peaches and nectarines, accounting for over 10% of French production of these varieties, will be affected by grubbing up old trees, introducing new varieties and generally reducing arboriculture.