Source: European Parliament
According to the information forwarded by the Portuguese authorities, Bioadvance received EUR 3,7 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)[1] under the COMPETE 2020 programme[2] to build an industrial plant to produce biodiesel from used food oil.
Under the ongoing COMPETE 2030 programme[3], Bioadvance’s application for a project to invest in the production of second-generation bioethanol from the residues of biomass has been approved for an ERDF amount of EUR 9,9 million.
In accordance with Article 9(4) of the Common Provisions Regulation for the EU shared management funds[4], the objectives of these Funds shall be pursued in full respect of the Union environmental acquis. The Commission expects that the responsible authorities conduct a robust environmental impact assessment to ensure that the project complies with the applicable legislation.
In any case, without prejudice to the Commission’s role as guardian of the Treaties, Member States are primarily responsible to ensure compliance with EU law. National means of redress are available, and, in case of alleged breaches of the law, the competent national Courts could order the suspension of the project, where appropriate.
- [1] Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 on the European Regional Development Fund and on the Cohesion Fund (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 60).
- [2] https://www.compete2020.gov.pt/documentacao/detalhe/POCI-vrs-adaptada.
- [3] Compete 2030: https://www.compete2030.gov.pt/ .
- [4] Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculturea Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159).