The European Investment Bank and the EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Phil Hogan announced on 16^th April a new financing initiative targeted at the agriculture and bio economy sector. This large EIB lending programme, with up €1bn available will be open to agricultural co-operatives.

Projects allocated under the programme loan will be implemented in the period 2018-2022. Targeted investments will seek to promote the efficient and sustainable use of resources and the re-use of by-products, and to develop intellectual property through the support of private sector research, development and innovation.

The EIB statement is available here

By Eamonn Farrell

Agri Food Policy Executive