The European Commission on Thursday said it is extending by six months temporary measures allowing European Union countries to pay state aid to farmers affected by market shocks. The decision means governments will be allowed to give struggling agricultural companies aid worth up to €280,000 ($299,187) until the end of 2024. The equivalent limit for the fisheries and aquaculture sectors is €335,000. The EU’s strict state aid rules normally prevent member states from giving companies an advantage over their competitors, as a safeguard against anticompetitive mercantilism. But after Russia’s all…