Legalize / European Union / Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 / History

Reform history

Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005

14 versions · 2013-12-17

2023-01-01

support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rur

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2022-06-30

support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rur

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2021-06-25

support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rur

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2021-01-01

support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rur

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2020-06-26

support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rur

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@@ -30,43 +30,43 @@

In addition, the following definitions shall apply:

(a)"programming": means the process of organisation, decision making and allocation of financial resources in several stages, with the involvement of partners, intended to implement, on a multi-annual basis, joint action by the Union and the Member States to achieve the Union priorities for rural development.

(b)"region" means a territorial unit corresponding to level 1 or 2 of the Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics (NUTS level 1 and 2) within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2);

(c)"measure" means a set of operations contributing to one or more of the Union priorities for rural development;

(d)"support rate" means the rate of public contribution to an operation;

(e)"transaction cost" means an additional cost linked to fulfilling a commitment, but not directly attributable to its implementation or not included in the costs or income foregone that are compensated directly; and which can be calculated on a standard cost basis;

(f)"agricultural area" means any area taken up by arable land, permanent grassland and permanent pasture or permanent crops as defined in Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013;

(g)"economic losses" means any additional cost incurred by a farmer as a result of exceptional measures taken by the farmer with the objective of reducing supply on the market concerned or any substantial loss of production;

(h)"adverse climatic event" means weather conditions, such as frost, storms and hail, ice, heavy rain or severe drought, which can be assimilated to a natural disaster;

(i)"animal diseases" means diseases mentioned in the list of animal diseases established by the World Organisation for Animal Health or in the Annex to Council Decision 2009/470/EC (3);

(j)"environmental incident" means a specific occurrence of pollution, contamination or degradation in the quality of the environment which is related to a specific event and is of limited geographical scope; but does not cover general environmental risks not connected with a specific event, such as climate change or atmospheric pollution;

(k)"natural disaster": means a naturally occurring event of a biotic or abiotic nature that leads to important disturbances in agricultural production systems or forest structures, eventually causing important economic damage to the farming or forestry sectors;

(l)"catastrophic event": means an unforeseen event of a biotic or abiotic nature caused by human action that leads to important disturbances in agricultural production systems or forest structures, eventually causing important economic damage to the farming or forestry sectors;

(m)"short supply chain": means a supply chain involving a limited number of economic operators, committed to co-operation, local economic development, and close geographical and social relations between producers, processors and consumers;

(n)"young farmer" means a person who is no more than 40 years of age at the moment of submitting the application, possesses adequate occupational skills and competence and is setting up for the first time in an agricultural holding as head of that holding; the setting up may be done solely or jointly with other farmers, irrespective of its legal form;

(o)"thematic objectives": means the thematic objectives defined in Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;

(p)"Common Strategic Framework" ("CSF")": means the Common Strategic Framework referred to in Article 10 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;

(q)"cluster" means a grouping of independent undertakings, including start-ups, small, medium and large undertakings as well as advisory bodies and/or research organisations - designed to stimulate economic/ innovative activity by promoting intensive interactions, the sharing of facilities and the exchange of knowledge and expertise, as well as contributing effectively to knowledge transfer, networking and information dissemination among the undertakings in the cluster;

(r)"forest" means an area of land spanning more than 0,5 hectares with trees higher than 5 meters and a canopy cover of more than 10 percent, or trees able to reach these thresholds in situ; and does not include land that is predominantly under agricultural or urban land use, subject to paragraph 2;

(s)"date of setting up" means the date when the applicant performs or completes (an) action(s) related to the setting up referred to in point (n).

(a) "programming": means the process of organisation, decision making and allocation of financial resources in several stages, with the involvement of partners, intended to implement, on a multi-annual basis, joint action by the Union and the Member States to achieve the Union priorities for rural development.

(b) "region" means a territorial unit corresponding to level 1 or 2 of the Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics (NUTS level 1 and 2) within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2);

(d) "support rate" means the rate of public contribution to an operation;

(e) "transaction cost" means an additional cost linked to fulfilling a commitment, but not directly attributable to its implementation or not included in the costs or income foregone that are compensated directly; and which can be calculated on a standard cost basis;

(f) "agricultural area" means any area taken up by arable land, permanent grassland and permanent pasture or permanent crops as defined in Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013;

(g) "economic losses" means any additional cost incurred by a farmer as a result of exceptional measures taken by the farmer with the objective of reducing supply on the market concerned or any substantial loss of production;

(h) "adverse climatic event" means weather conditions, such as frost, storms and hail, ice, heavy rain or severe drought, which can be assimilated to a natural disaster;

(i) "animal diseases" means diseases mentioned in the list of animal diseases established by the World Organisation for Animal Health or in the Annex to Council Decision 2009/470/EC (3);

(j) "environmental incident" means a specific occurrence of pollution, contamination or degradation in the quality of the environment which is related to a specific event and is of limited geographical scope; but does not cover general environmental risks not connected with a specific event, such as climate change or atmospheric pollution;

(k) "natural disaster": means a naturally occurring event of a biotic or abiotic nature that leads to important disturbances in agricultural production systems or forest structures, eventually causing important economic damage to the farming or forestry sectors;

(l) "catastrophic event": means an unforeseen event of a biotic or abiotic nature caused by human action that leads to important disturbances in agricultural production systems or forest structures, eventually causing important economic damage to the farming or forestry sectors;

(m) "short supply chain": means a supply chain involving a limited number of economic operators, committed to co-operation, local economic development, and close geographical and social relations between producers, processors and consumers;

(n) "young farmer" means a person who is no more than 40 years of age at the moment of submitting the application, possesses adequate occupational skills and competence and is setting up for the first time in an agricultural holding as head of that holding; the setting up may be done solely or jointly with other farmers, irrespective of its legal form;

(o) "thematic objectives": means the thematic objectives defined in Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;

(p) "Common Strategic Framework" ("CSF")": means the Common Strategic Framework referred to in Article 10 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;

(q) "cluster" means a grouping of independent undertakings, including start-ups, small, medium and large undertakings as well as advisory bodies and/or research organisations - designed to stimulate economic/ innovative activity by promoting intensive interactions, the sharing of facilities and the exchange of knowledge and expertise, as well as contributing effectively to knowledge transfer, networking and information dissemination among the undertakings in the cluster;

(r) "forest" means an area of land spanning more than 0,5 hectares with trees higher than 5 meters and a canopy cover of more than 10 percent, or trees able to reach these thresholds in situ; and does not include land that is predominantly under agricultural or urban land use, subject to paragraph 2;

(s) "date of setting up" means the date when the applicant performs or completes (an) action(s) related to the setting up referred to in point (n).

2. A Member State or region may choose to apply a forest definition, other than the one in point (r) of paragraph 1, based on existing national law or inventory system. The Member States or regions shall provide such definition in the rural development programme;

@@ -88,11 +88,11 @@

Within the overall framework of the CAP, support for rural development, including for activities in the food and non-food sector and in forestry, shall contribute to achieving the following objectives:

(a)fostering the competitiveness of agriculture;

(b)ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources, and climate action;

(c)achieving a balanced territorial development of rural economies and communities including the creation and maintenance of employment.

(a) fostering the competitiveness of agriculture;

(b) ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources, and climate action;

(c) achieving a balanced territorial development of rural economies and communities including the creation and maintenance of employment.

#### Article 5

@@ -100,53 +100,35 @@

The achievement of the objectives of rural development, which contribute to the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, shall be pursued through the following six Union priorities for rural development, which reflect the relevant Thematic Objectives of the CSF:

(1)fostering knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture, forestry, and rural areas with a focus on the following areas:

(a)fostering innovation, cooperation, and the development of the knowledge base in rural areas;

(b)strengthening the links between agriculture, food production and forestry and research and innovation, including for the purpose of improved environmental management and performance;

(c)fostering lifelong learning and vocational training in the agricultural and forestry sectors.

(2)enhancing farm viability and competitiveness of all types of agriculture in all regions and promoting innovative farm technologies and the sustainable management of forests, with a focus on the following areas:

(a)improving the economic performance of all farms and facilitating farm restructuring and modernisation, notably with a view to increasing market participation and orientation as well as agricultural diversification;

(b)facilitating the entry of adequately skilled farmers into the agricultural sector and, in particular, generational renewal.

(3)promoting food chain organisation, including processing and marketing of agricultural products, animal welfare and risk management in agriculture, with a focus on the following areas:

(a)improving competitiveness of primary producers by better integrating them into the agri-food chain through quality schemes, adding value to agricultural products, promotion in local markets and short supply circuits, producer groups and organisations and inter-branch organisations;

(b)supporting farm risk prevention and management.

(4)restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems related to agriculture and forestry, with a focus on the following areas:

(a)restoring, preserving and enhancing biodiversity, including in Natura 2000 areas, and in areas facing natural or other specific constraints, and high nature value farming, as well as the state of European landscapes;

(b)improving water management, including fertiliser and pesticide management;

(c)preventing soil erosion and improving soil management.

(5)promoting resource efficiency and supporting the shift towards a low carbon and climate resilient economy in agriculture, food and forestry sectors, with a focus on the following areas:

(a)increasing efficiency in water use by agriculture;

(b)increasing efficiency in energy use in agriculture and food processing;

(c)facilitating the supply and use of renewable sources of energy, of by-products, wastes and residues and of other non food raw material, for the purposes of the bio-economy;

(d)reducing green house gas and ammonia emissions from agriculture;

(e)fostering carbon conservation and sequestration in agriculture and forestry;

(6)promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas, with a focus on the following areas:

(a)facilitating diversification, creation and development of small enterprises, as well as job creation;

(b)fostering local development in rural areas;

(c)enhancing the accessibility, use and quality of information and communication technologies (ICT) in rural areas.

(1) fostering knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture, forestry, and rural areas with a focus on the following areas:

(a) fostering innovation, cooperation, and the development of the knowledge base in rural areas;

(b) strengthening the links between agriculture, food production and forestry and research and innovation, including for the purpose of improved environmental management and performance;

(2) enhancing farm viability and competitiveness of all types of agriculture in all regions and promoting innovative farm technologies and the sustainable management of forests, with a focus on the following areas:

(a) improving the economic performance of all farms and facilitating farm restructuring and modernisation, notably with a view to increasing market participation and orientation as well as agricultural diversification;

(b) facilitating the entry of adequately skilled farmers into the agricultural sector and, in particular, generational renewal.

(3) promoting food chain organisation, including processing and marketing of agricultural products, animal welfare and risk management in agriculture, with a focus on the following areas:

(a) improving competitiveness of primary producers by better integrating them into the agri-food chain through quality schemes, adding value to agricultural products, promotion in local markets and short supply circuits, producer groups and organisations and inter-branch organisations;

(b) supporting farm risk prevention and management.

(4) restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems related to agriculture and forestry, with a focus on the following areas:

(a) restoring, preserving and enhancing biodiversity, including in Natura 2000 areas, and in areas facing natural or other specific constraints, and high nature value farming, as well as the state of European landscapes;

(b) improving water management, including fertiliser and pesticide management;

(5) promoting resource efficiency and supporting the shift towards a low carbon and climate resilient economy in agriculture, food and forestry sectors, with a focus on the following areas:

(a) increasing efficiency in water use by agriculture;

(b) increasing efficiency in energy use in agriculture and food processing;

(c) facilitating the supply and use of renewable sources of energy, of by-products, wastes and residues and of other non food raw material, for the purposes of the bio-economy;

(d) reducing green house gas and ammonia emissions from agriculture;

(e) fostering carbon conservation and sequestration in agriculture and forestry;

(6) promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas, with a focus on the following areas:

(a) facilitating diversification, creation and development of small enterprises, as well as job creation;

(b) fostering local development in rural areas;

All those priorities shall contribute to the cross-cutting objectives of innovation, environment and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Programmes may address fewer than six priorities if justified on the basis of the analysis of the situation in terms of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats ("the SWOT") and the ex ante evaluation. At least four priorities shall be addressed by each programme. When a Member State submits a national programme and a set of regional programmes, the national programme may address fewer than four priorities.

@@ -178,17 +160,17 @@

1. With the aim of contributing to the achievement of the Union priorities for rural development, Member States may include within their rural development programmes thematic sub-programmes that address specific needs. Such thematic sub-programmes may, inter alia, relate to:

(a)young farmers;

(b)small farms as referred to in the third subparagraph of Article 19(2);

(c)mountain areas as referred to in Article 32(2);

(d)short supply chains;

(e)women in rural areas;

(f)climate change mitigation and adaptation and biodiversity.

(a) young farmers;

(b) small farms as referred to in the third subparagraph of Article 19(2);

(d) short supply chains;

(e) women in rural areas;

(f) climate change mitigation and adaptation and biodiversity.

An indicative list of measures and types of operations of particular relevance to each thematic sub-programme is set out in Annex IV.

@@ -202,71 +184,57 @@

1. In addition to the elements referred to in Article 27 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, each rural development programme shall include:

(a)the ex ante evaluation referred to in Article 55 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;

(b)a SWOT analysis of the situation and an identification of the needs that have to be addressed in the geographical area covered by the programme.

The analysis shall be structured around the Union priorities for rural development. Specific needs concerning the environment, climate change mitigation and adaptation and innovation shall be assessed across Union priorities for rural development, in order to identify relevant responses in these three areas at the level of each priority;

(c)a description of the strategy which demonstrates that:

(i)appropriate targets are set for each of the focus areas of the Union priorities for rural development included in the programme, based on the common indicators referred to in Article 69 and, where necessary, on programme specific indicators;

(ii)relevant combinations of measures are selected in relation to each of the focus areas of the Union priorities for rural development included in the programme, based on a sound intervention logic supported by the ex ante evaluation referred to in point (a) and the analysis referred to in point (b);

(iii)the allocation of financial resources to the measures of the programme is justified and adequate to achieve the targets set;

(iv)specific needs linked with specific conditions at regional or sub-regional level are taken into account and concretely addressed through adequately designed combinations of measures or thematic sub-programmes;

(v)an appropriate approach towards innovation with a view to achieving the Union priorities for rural development, including the EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainability, towards the environment, including the specific needs of Natura 2000 areas, and towards climate change mitigation and adaptation is integrated into the programme;

(vi)measures have been taken to ensure the availability of sufficient advisory capacity on the regulatory requirements and on actions related to innovation;

(d)for each ex ante conditionality, established in accordance with Article 19, and part II of Annex XI to Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 for the general ex ante conditionalities, and in accordance with Annex V to this Regulation, an assessment of which of the ex ante conditionalities are applicable to the programme and which of them are fulfilled at the date of submission of the Partnership Agreement and the programme. Where the applicable ex ante conditionalities are not fulfilled, the programme shall contain a description of the actions to be taken, the bodies responsible and a timetable for such actions in accordance with the summary submitted in the Partnership Agreement.

(e)a description of the performance framework established for the purpose of Article 21 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;

(f)a description of each of the measures selected;

(g)the evaluation plan referred to in Article 56 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013. The Member States shall provide sufficient resources to address the needs which have been identified and to ensure proper monitoring and evaluation;

(h)a financing plan comprising:

(i)a table setting out, in accordance with Article 58(4), the total EAFRD contribution planned for each year. When applicable this table shall indicate separately within the total EAFRD contribution the appropriations provided for the less developed regions and the funds transferred to the EAFRD in application of Article 7(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013. The planned annual EAFRD contribution shall be compatible with the Multi-annual Financial Framework;

(ii)a table setting out, for each measure, for each type of operation with a specific EAFRD contribution rate, for the type of operation referred to in Article 37(1) and Article 39a and for technical assistance, the total Union contribution planned and the applicable EAFRD contribution rate. Where applicable, this table shall indicate separately the EAFRD contribution rate for less developed regions and for other regions;

(i)an indicator plan, broken down into focus areas, comprising the targets referred to in point (i) of Article 8(1)(c) and the planned outputs and planned expenditure of each rural development measure selected in relation to a corresponding focus area;

(j)where applicable, a table on additional national financing per measure in accordance with Article 82;

(k)where applicable, the list of aid schemes falling under Article 81(1) to be used for the implementation of the programmes;

(l)information on the complementarity with measures financed by the other common agricultural policy instruments, and by the European Structural and Investment Funds ("ESI");

(m)programme implementing arrangements including:

(i)the designation by the Member State of all authorities referred to in Article 65(2) and, for information, a summary description of the management and control structure;

(ii)a description of the monitoring and evaluation procedures, as well as the composition of the Monitoring Committee;

(iii)the provisions to ensure that the programme is publicised, including through the national rural network referred to in Article 54;

(iv)a description of the approach laying down principles with regard to the establishment of selection criteria for operations and local development strategies that takes into account relevant targets; in this context Member States may provide for priority to be given to SMEs linked to the agriculture and forestry sector.

(v)in relation to local development, where applicable, a description of the mechanisms to ensure coherence between activities envisaged under the local development strategies, the "Cooperation" measure referred to in Article 35, and the "Basic services and village renewal in rural areas" measure referred to in Article 20 including urban-rural links;

(n)the actions taken to involve the partners referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and a summary of the results of the consultation of the partners;

(o)where applicable, the structure of the national rural network as referred to in Article 54(3), and provisions for its management, which would constitute the basis for its annual actions plans.

(a) the ex ante evaluation referred to in Article 55 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;

(b) a SWOT analysis of the situation and an identification of the needs that have to be addressed in the geographical area covered by the programme.

(i) appropriate targets are set for each of the focus areas of the Union priorities for rural development included in the programme, based on the common indicators referred to in Article 69 and, where necessary, on programme specific indicators;

(ii) relevant combinations of measures are selected in relation to each of the focus areas of the Union priorities for rural development included in the programme, based on a sound intervention logic supported by the ex ante evaluation referred to in point (a) and the analysis referred to in point (b);

(iii) the allocation of financial resources to the measures of the programme is justified and adequate to achieve the targets set;

(iv) specific needs linked with specific conditions at regional or sub-regional level are taken into account and concretely addressed through adequately designed combinations of measures or thematic sub-programmes;

(v) an appropriate approach towards innovation with a view to achieving the Union priorities for rural development, including the EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainability, towards the environment, including the specific needs of Natura 2000 areas, and towards climate change mitigation and adaptation is integrated into the programme;

(vi) measures have been taken to ensure the availability of sufficient advisory capacity on the regulatory requirements and on actions related to innovation;

(d) for each ex ante conditionality, established in accordance with Article 19, and part II of Annex XI to Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 for the general ex ante conditionalities, and in accordance with Annex V to this Regulation, an assessment of which of the ex ante conditionalities are applicable to the programme and which of them are fulfilled at the date of submission of the Partnership Agreement and the programme. Where the applicable ex ante conditionalities are not fulfilled, the programme shall contain a description of the actions to be taken, the bodies responsible and a timetable for such actions in accordance with the summary submitted in the Partnership Agreement.

(e) a description of the performance framework established for the purpose of Article 21 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;

(f) a description of each of the measures selected;

(g) the evaluation plan referred to in Article 56 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013. The Member States shall provide sufficient resources to address the needs which have been identified and to ensure proper monitoring and evaluation;

(h) a financing plan comprising:

(i) a table setting out, in accordance with Article 58(4), the total EAFRD contribution planned for each year. When applicable this table shall indicate separately within the total EAFRD contribution the appropriations provided for the less developed regions and the funds transferred to the EAFRD in application of Article 7(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013. The planned annual EAFRD contribution shall be compatible with the Multi-annual Financial Framework;

(ii) a table setting out, for each measure, for each type of operation with a specific EAFRD contribution rate, for the type of operation referred to in Article 37(1) and Article 39a and for technical assistance, the total Union contribution planned and the applicable EAFRD contribution rate. Where applicable, this table shall indicate separately the EAFRD contribution rate for less developed regions and for other regions;

(i) an indicator plan, broken down into focus areas, comprising the targets referred to in point (i) of Article 8(1)(c) and the planned outputs and planned expenditure of each rural development measure selected in relation to a corresponding focus area;

(j) where applicable, a table on additional national financing per measure in accordance with Article 82;

(k) where applicable, the list of aid schemes falling under Article 81(1) to be used for the implementation of the programmes;

(l) information on the complementarity with measures financed by the other common agricultural policy instruments, and by the European Structural and Investment Funds ("ESI");

(m) programme implementing arrangements including:

(i) the designation by the Member State of all authorities referred to in Article 65(2) and, for information, a summary description of the management and control structure;

(ii) a description of the monitoring and evaluation procedures, as well as the composition of the Monitoring Committee;

(iii) the provisions to ensure that the programme is publicised, including through the national rural network referred to in Article 54;

(iv) a description of the approach laying down principles with regard to the establishment of selection criteria for operations and local development strategies that takes into account relevant targets; in this context Member States may provide for priority to be given to SMEs linked to the agriculture and forestry sector.

(v) in relation to local development, where applicable, a description of the mechanisms to ensure coherence between activities envisaged under the local development strategies, the "Cooperation" measure referred to in Article 35, and the "Basic services and village renewal in rural areas" measure referred to in Article 20 including urban-rural links;

(n) the actions taken to involve the partners referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and a summary of the results of the consultation of the partners;

(o) where applicable, the structure of the national rural network as referred to in Article 54(3), and provisions for its management, which would constitute the basis for its annual actions plans.

2. Where thematic sub-programmes are included in a rural development programme, each sub-programme shall include:

(a)a specific analysis of the situation based on SWOT methodology and an identification of the needs that are to be addressed by the sub-programme;

(b)specific targets at sub-programme level and a selection of measures, based on a thorough definition of the intervention logic of the sub-programme, including an assessment of the expected contribution of the measures chosen to achieve the targets;

(c)a separate specific indicator plan, with planned outputs and planned expenditure for each rural development measure selected in relation to a corresponding focus area.

(a) a specific analysis of the situation based on SWOT methodology and an identification of the needs that are to be addressed by the sub-programme;

(b) specific targets at sub-programme level and a selection of measures, based on a thorough definition of the intervention logic of the sub-programme, including an assessment of the expected contribution of the measures chosen to achieve the targets;

(c) a separate specific indicator plan, with planned outputs and planned expenditure for each rural development measure selected in relation to a corresponding focus area.

3. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts laying down rules for the presentation of the elements described in paragraphs 1 and 2 in rural development programmes and rules for the content of national frameworks referred to in Article 6(3). Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 84.

@@ -294,25 +262,18 @@

Requests by Member States to amend programmes shall be approved in accordance with the following procedures:

(a)The Commission shall decide, by means of implementing acts, on requests to amend programmes that concern one or more of the following:

(i)a change in the programme strategy through a change of more than 50 % in the quantified target linked to a focus area;

(ii)a change in the EAFRD contribution rate of one or more measures;

(iii)a change of the entire Union contribution or its annual distribution at programme level;

(b)The Commission shall approve, by means of implementing acts, requests to amend the programme in all other cases. These shall include, in particular:

(i)the introduction or withdrawal of measures or types of operations;

(ii)changes in the description of measures, including changes of eligibility conditions;

(iii)a transfer of funds between measures implemented under different EAFRD contribution rates;

However, for the purposes of points (b)(i) and (ii), and point (b)(iii)where the transfer of funds concerns less than 20 % of the allocation to a measure and less than 5 % of the total EAFRD contribution to the programme, the approval shall be deemed to be given, if the Commission has not taken a decision on the request after a period of 42 working days from the receipt of the request. That period shall not include the period starting on the day following the date on which the Commission has sent its observations to the Member State and ending on the day that the Member State responded to the observations.

(c)The approval of the Commission shall not be required for corrections of a purely clerical or editorial nature that do not affect the implementation of the policy and the measures. Member States shall inform the Commission of such amendments.

(a) The Commission shall decide, by means of implementing acts, on requests to amend programmes that concern one or more of the following:

(i) a change in the programme strategy through a change of more than 50 % in the quantified target linked to a focus area;

(ii) a change in the EAFRD contribution rate of one or more measures;

(iii) a change of the entire Union contribution or its annual distribution at programme level;

(b) The Commission shall approve, by means of implementing acts, requests to amend the programme in all other cases. These shall include, in particular:

(i) the introduction or withdrawal of measures or types of operations;

(ii) changes in the description of measures, including changes of eligibility conditions;

(iii) a transfer of funds between measures implemented under different EAFRD contribution rates;

(c) The approval of the Commission shall not be required for corrections of a purely clerical or editorial nature that do not affect the implementation of the policy and the measures. Member States shall inform the Commission of such amendments.

#### Article 12

@@ -320,9 +281,9 @@

The Commission shall adopt implementing acts, laying down rules on procedures and timetables for:

(a)the approval of rural development programmes and national frameworks;

(b)the submission and approval of proposals for amendments to rural development programmes and proposals for amendments to national frameworks, including their entry into force and the frequency with which they are to be submitted during the programming period.

(a) the approval of rural development programmes and national frameworks;

(b) the submission and approval of proposals for amendments to rural development programmes and proposals for amendments to national frameworks, including their entry into force and the frequency with which they are to be submitted during the programming period.

Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 84.

@@ -370,11 +331,11 @@

1. Support under this measure shall be granted in order to:

(a)help farmers, young farmers as defined in this Regulation, forest holders, other land managers and SMEs in rural areas benefit from the use of advisory services for the improvement of the economic and environmental performance as well as the climate friendliness and resilience of their holding, enterprise and/or investment;

(b)promote the setting up of farm management, farm relief and farm advisory services, as well as forestry advisory services, including the Farm Advisory System referred to in Articles 12 to 14 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013;

(c)promote the training of advisors.

(a) help farmers, young farmers as defined in this Regulation, forest holders, other land managers and SMEs in rural areas benefit from the use of advisory services for the improvement of the economic and environmental performance as well as the climate friendliness and resilience of their holding, enterprise and/or investment;

(b) promote the setting up of farm management, farm relief and farm advisory services, as well as forestry advisory services, including the Farm Advisory System referred to in Articles 12 to 14 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013;

2. The beneficiary of support provided in accordance with points (a) and (c) of paragraph 1 shall be either the provider of advice or training or the Managing Authority. Where the Managing Authority is the beneficiary, the provider of advice or training shall be selected by a body that is functionally independent from the Managing Authority. Support under point (b) of paragraph 1 shall be granted to the authority or body selected to set up the farm management, farm relief, farm advisory or forestry advisory service.

@@ -386,19 +347,19 @@

4. Advice to the individual farmers, young farmers as defined in this Regulation and other land managers shall be linked to at least one Union priority for rural development and shall cover as a minimum one of the following elements:

(a)obligations at farm level deriving from the statutory management requirements and/or standards for good agricultural and environmental conditions provided for in Chapter I of Title VI of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013;

(b)where applicable, the agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment as laid down in Chapter 3 of Title III of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 and the maintenance of the agricultural area as referred to in point (c) of Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013;

(c)measures at farm level provided for in rural development programmes aiming at farm modernisation, competitiveness building, sectoral integration, innovation and market orientation, as well as the promotion of entrepreneurship;

(d)requirements as defined by Member States for implementing Article 11(3) of the Water Framework Directive;

(e)requirements as defined by Member States, for implementing Article 55 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, in particular compliance with the general principles of integrated pest management as referred to in Article 14 of Directive 2009/128/EC; or

(f)where relevant, occupational safety standards or safety standards linked to the farm;

(g)specific advice for farmers setting up for the first time.

(a) obligations at farm level deriving from the statutory management requirements and/or standards for good agricultural and environmental conditions provided for in Chapter I of Title VI of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013;

(b) where applicable, the agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment as laid down in Chapter 3 of Title III of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 and the maintenance of the agricultural area as referred to in point (c) of Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013;

(c) measures at farm level provided for in rural development programmes aiming at farm modernisation, competitiveness building, sectoral integration, innovation and market orientation, as well as the promotion of entrepreneurship;

(d) requirements as defined by Member States for implementing Article 11(3) of the Water Framework Directive;

(e) requirements as defined by Member States, for implementing Article 55 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, in particular compliance with the general principles of integrated pest management as referred to in Article 14 of Directive 2009/128/EC; or

(f) where relevant, occupational safety standards or safety standards linked to the farm;

(g) specific advice for farmers setting up for the first time.

Advice may also cover other issues and in particular the information related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity and the protection of water as laid down in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 or issues linked to the economic and environmental performance of the agricultural holding, including competitiveness aspects. This may include advice for the development of short supply chains, organic farming and health aspects of animal husbandry.

@@ -416,35 +377,23 @@

1. Support under this measure shall cover new participation, or participation in the five preceding years, by farmers and groups of farmers, in:

(a)quality schemes established under the following Regulations and provisions:

(i)Regulation (EU) 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4);

(ii)Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 (5);

(iii)Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6);

(iv)Council Regulation (EEC) No 1601/91 (7);

(v)Part II, Title II, Chapter I, Section 2 of Council Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 as concerns wine.

(b)quality schemes, including farm certification schemes, for agricultural products, cotton or foodstuffs, recognised by the Member States as complying with the following criteria:

(i)the specificity of the final product under such schemes is derived from clear obligations to guarantee any of the following:

—specific product characteristics,

—specific farming or production methods, or

—a quality of the final product that goes significantly beyond the commercial commodity standards as regards public, animal or plant health, animal welfare or environmental protection;

(ii)the scheme is open to all producers;

(iii)the scheme involves binding product specifications and compliance with those specifications is verified by public authorities or by an independent inspection body;

(iv)the scheme is transparent and assures complete traceability of products; or

(c)voluntary agricultural product certification schemes recognised by the Member States as meeting the Union best practice guidelines for the operation of voluntary certification schemes relating to agricultural products and foodstuffs.

(a) quality schemes established under the following Regulations and provisions:

(i) Regulation (EU) 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4);

(ii) Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 (5);

(iii) Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6);

(iv) Council Regulation (EEC) No 1601/91 (7);

(v) Part II, Title II, Chapter I, Section 2 of Council Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 as concerns wine.

(b) quality schemes, including farm certification schemes, for agricultural products, cotton or foodstuffs, recognised by the Member States as complying with the following criteria:

(i) the specificity of the final product under such schemes is derived from clear obligations to guarantee any of the following:

— specific product characteristics,

— specific farming or production methods, or

— a quality of the final product that goes significantly beyond the commercial commodity standards as regards public, animal or plant health, animal welfare or environmental protection;

(ii) the scheme is open to all producers;

(iii) the scheme involves binding product specifications and compliance with those specifications is verified by public authorities or by an independent inspection body;

(iv) the scheme is transparent and assures complete traceability of products; or

(c) voluntary agricultural product certification schemes recognised by the Member States as meeting the Union best practice guidelines for the operation of voluntary certification schemes relating to agricultural products and foodstuffs.

2. Support under this measure may also cover costs arising from information and promotion activities implemented by groups of producers, concerning products covered by a quality scheme receiving support in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article. By way of derogation from Article 70(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, those activities may only be implemented in the internal market.

@@ -466,13 +415,13 @@

1. Support under this measure shall cover tangible and/or intangible investments which:

(a)improve the overall performance and sustainability of the agricultural holding;

(b)concern the processing, marketing and/or development of agricultural products covered by Annex I to the TFEU or cotton, except fishery products; the output of the production process may be a product not covered by that Annex; where support is provided in the form of financial instruments, the input may also be a product not covered by that Annex on condition that the investment contributes to one or more of the Union priorities for rural development;

(c)concern infrastructure related to the development, modernisation or adaptation of agriculture and forestry, including access to farm and forest land, land consolidation and improvement, and the supply and saving of energy and water; or

(d)are non -productive investments linked to the achievement of agri- environment -climate objectives as pursued under this regulation, including biodiversity conservation status of species and habitat as well as enhancing the public amenity value of a Natura 2000 area or other high nature value systems to be defined in the programme.

(a) improve the overall performance and sustainability of the agricultural holding;

(b) concern the processing, marketing and/or development of agricultural products covered by Annex I to the TFEU or cotton, except fishery products; the output of the production process may be a product not covered by that Annex; where support is provided in the form of financial instruments, the input may also be a product not covered by that Annex on condition that the investment contributes to one or more of the Union priorities for rural development;

(c) concern infrastructure related to the development, modernisation or adaptation of agriculture and forestry, including access to farm and forest land, land consolidation and improvement, and the supply and saving of energy and water; or

(d) are non -productive investments linked to the achievement of agri- environment -climate objectives as pursued under this regulation, including biodiversity conservation status of species and habitat as well as enhancing the public amenity value of a Natura 2000 area or other high nature value systems to be defined in the programme.

2. Support under point (a) of paragraph 1 shall be granted to farmers or groups of farmers.

@@ -492,9 +441,9 @@

1. Support under this measure shall cover:

(a)investments in preventive actions aimed at reducing the consequences of probable natural disasters, adverse climatic events and catastrophic events;

(b)investments for the restoration of agricultural land and production potential damaged by natural disasters, adverse climatic events and catastrophic events.

(a) investments in preventive actions aimed at reducing the consequences of probable natural disasters, adverse climatic events and catastrophic events;

(b) investments for the restoration of agricultural land and production potential damaged by natural disasters, adverse climatic events and catastrophic events.

2. Support shall be granted to farmers or groups of farmers. Support may also be granted to public entities where a link between the investment undertaken by such entities and agricultural production potential is established.

@@ -512,17 +461,14 @@

1. Support under this measure shall cover:

(a)business start-up aid for:

(i)young farmers;

(ii)non-agricultural activities in rural areas;

(iii)the development of small farms;

(b)investments in creation and development of non-agricultural activities;

(c)annual payments or one-off payments for farmers eligible for the small farmers scheme established by Title V of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 ("the small farmers scheme") who permanently transfer their holding to another farmer;

(a) business start-up aid for:

(i) young farmers;

(ii) non-agricultural activities in rural areas;

(iii) the development of small farms;

(b) investments in creation and development of non-agricultural activities;

(c) annual payments or one-off payments for farmers eligible for the small farmers scheme established by Title V of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 ("the small farmers scheme") who permanently transfer their holding to another farmer;

2. Support under point (a)(i) of paragraph 1 shall be granted to young farmers.

@@ -562,19 +508,19 @@

1. Support under this measure shall cover, in particular:

(a)the drawing up and updating of plans for the development of municipalities and villages in rural areas and their basic services and of protection and management plans relating to Natura 2000 sites and other areas of high nature value;

(b)investments in the creation, improvement or expansion of all types of small scale infrastructure, including investments in renewable energy and energy saving;

(c)broadband infrastructure, including its creation, improvement and expansion, passive broadband infrastructure and provision of access to broadband and public e-government solutions;

(d)investments in the setting up, improvement or expansion of local basic services for the rural population, including leisure and culture, and the related infrastructure;

(e)investments for public use in recreational infrastructure, tourist information and small scale tourism infrastructure;

(f)studies and investments associated with the maintenance, restoration and upgrading of the cultural and natural heritage of villages, rural landscapes and high nature value sites, including related socio-economic aspects, as well as environmental awareness actions;

(g)investments targeting the relocation of activities and conversion of buildings or other facilities located within or close to rural settlements, with a view to improving the quality of life or increasing the environmental performance of the settlement.

(a) the drawing up and updating of plans for the development of municipalities and villages in rural areas and their basic services and of protection and management plans relating to Natura 2000 sites and other areas of high nature value;

(b) investments in the creation, improvement or expansion of all types of small scale infrastructure, including investments in renewable energy and energy saving;

(c) broadband infrastructure, including its creation, improvement and expansion, passive broadband infrastructure and provision of access to broadband and public e-government solutions;

(d) investments in the setting up, improvement or expansion of local basic services for the rural population, including leisure and culture, and the related infrastructure;

(e) investments for public use in recreational infrastructure, tourist information and small scale tourism infrastructure;

(f) studies and investments associated with the maintenance, restoration and upgrading of the cultural and natural heritage of villages, rural landscapes and high nature value sites, including related socio-economic aspects, as well as environmental awareness actions;

(g) investments targeting the relocation of activities and conversion of buildings or other facilities located within or close to rural settlements, with a view to improving the quality of life or increasing the environmental performance of the settlement.

2. Support under this measure shall only concern small-scale infrastructure, as defined by each Member State in the programme. However, rural development programmes may provide for specific derogations from this rule for investments in broadband and renewable energy. In this case, clear criteria ensuring complementarity with support under other Union instruments shall be provided.

@@ -588,15 +534,15 @@

1. Support under this measure shall concern:

(a)afforestation and creation of woodland;

(b)establishment of agroforestry systems;

(c)prevention and restoration of damage to forests from forest fires, natural disasters and catastrophic events, including pest and disease outbreaks, and climate related threats;

(d)investments improving the resilience and environmental value as well as the mitigation potential of forest ecosystems;

(e)investments in forestry technologies and in the processing, the mobilising and the marketing of forest products.

(a) afforestation and creation of woodland;

(b) establishment of agroforestry systems;

(c) prevention and restoration of damage to forests from forest fires, natural disasters and catastrophic events, including pest and disease outbreaks, and climate related threats;

(d) investments improving the resilience and environmental value as well as the mitigation potential of forest ecosystems;

(e) investments in forestry technologies and in the processing, the mobilising and the marketing of forest products.

2. Limitations on ownership of forests provided for in Articles 22 to 26 shall not apply to the tropical or subtropical forests and to the wooded areas of the territories of the Azores, Madeira, the Canary islands, the smaller Aegean islands within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 229/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (9), and the French outermost regions.

@@ -630,13 +576,13 @@

1. Support under point (c) Article 21(1) shall be granted to private and public forest- holders and other private law and public bodies and their associations and shall cover the costs for:

(a)the establishment of protective infrastructure. In the case of firebreaks, support may also cover aid contributing to maintenance costs. No support shall be granted to agricultural related activities in areas covered by agri-environment commitments;

(b)local, small scale prevention activities against fire or other natural hazards; including the use of grazing animals;

(c)establishing and improving forest fire, pest and diseases monitoring facilities and communication equipment; and

(d)restoring forest potential damaged from fires and other natural disasters including pests, diseases as well as catastrophic events and climate change related events.

(a) the establishment of protective infrastructure. In the case of firebreaks, support may also cover aid contributing to maintenance costs. No support shall be granted to agricultural related activities in areas covered by agri-environment commitments;

(b) local, small scale prevention activities against fire or other natural hazards; including the use of grazing animals;

(d) restoring forest potential damaged from fires and other natural disasters including pests, diseases as well as catastrophic events and climate change related events.

2. In the case of preventive actions concerning pests and diseases, the risk of a relevant disaster occurrence must be supported by scientific evidence and acknowledged by scientific public organisations. Where relevant, the list of species of organisms harmful to plants which may cause a disaster must be provided in the programme.

@@ -676,13 +622,13 @@

1. Support under this measure shall be granted in order to facilitate the setting up of producer groups and organisations in the agriculture and forestry sectors for the purpose of:

(a)adapting the production and output of producers who are members of such groups or organisations to market requirements;

(b)jointly placing goods on the market, including preparation for sale, centralisation of sales and supply to bulk buyers;

(c)establishing common rules on production information, with particular regard to harvesting and availability; and

(d)other activities that may be carried out by producer groups and organisations, such as the development of business and marketing skills and the organisation and facilitation of the innovation processes.

(a) adapting the production and output of producers who are members of such groups or organisations to market requirements;

(b) jointly placing goods on the market, including preparation for sale, centralisation of sales and supply to bulk buyers;

(d) other activities that may be carried out by producer groups and organisations, such as the development of business and marketing skills and the organisation and facilitation of the innovation processes.

2. Support shall be granted to producer groups and organisations which are officially recognised by a Member State's competent authority on the basis of a business plan. It shall be limited to producer groups and organisations that are SMEs.

@@ -726,11 +672,11 @@

10. In order to ensure that agri-environment-climate commitments are defined in accordance with the Union priorities for rural development, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 83 concerning the following:

(a)the conditions applicable to commitments to extensify livestock farming;

(b)the conditions applicable to commitments to rear local breeds that are in danger of being lost to farming or to preserve plant genetic resources that are under threat of genetic erosion, and

(c)the definition of eligible operations under paragraph 9.

(a) the conditions applicable to commitments to extensify livestock farming;

(b) the conditions applicable to commitments to rear local breeds that are in danger of being lost to farming or to preserve plant genetic resources that are under threat of genetic erosion, and

11. In order to ensure that double funding, as referred to in the second subparagraph of paragraph 6 is excluded, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 83 laying down the calculation method to be used, including in the case of equivalent measures under Article 43 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013.

@@ -766,23 +712,23 @@

4. Support to farmers, linked to the Water Framework Directive shall only be granted in relation to specific requirements that:

(a)were introduced by the Water Framework Directive, are in accordance with the programmes of measures of the river basin management plans for the purpose of achieving the environmental objectives of that Directive and go beyond the measures required to implement other Union law for the protection of water;

(b)go beyond the statutory management requirements and the good agricultural and environmental condition provided for in Chapter I of Title VI of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 and the relevant criteria and minimum activities as established pursuant to points (c)(ii) and (c)(iii) of Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013;

(c)go beyond the level of protection of the Union law existing at the time the Water Framework Directive was adopted as laid down in Article 4(9) of that Directive; and

(d)impose major changes in type of land use, and/or major restrictions in farming practice resulting in a significant loss of income.

(a) were introduced by the Water Framework Directive, are in accordance with the programmes of measures of the river basin management plans for the purpose of achieving the environmental objectives of that Directive and go beyond the measures required to implement other Union law for the protection of water;

(b) go beyond the statutory management requirements and the good agricultural and environmental condition provided for in Chapter I of Title VI of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 and the relevant criteria and minimum activities as established pursuant to points (c)(ii) and (c)(iii) of Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013;

(c) go beyond the level of protection of the Union law existing at the time the Water Framework Directive was adopted as laid down in Article 4(9) of that Directive; and

(d) impose major changes in type of land use, and/or major restrictions in farming practice resulting in a significant loss of income.

5. The requirements referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4 shall be identified in the programme.

6. The following areas shall be eligible for payments:

(a)Natura 2000 agricultural and forest areas designated pursuant to Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC;

(b)other delimited nature protection areas with environmental restrictions applicable to farming or forests which contribute to the implementation of Article 10 of Directive 92/43/EEC, provided that, per rural development programme, those areas do not exceed 5 % of the designated Natura 2000 areas covered by its territorial scope;

(c)agricultural areas included in river basin management plans according to the Water Framework Directive.

(a) Natura 2000 agricultural and forest areas designated pursuant to Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC;

(b) other delimited nature protection areas with environmental restrictions applicable to farming or forests which contribute to the implementation of Article 10 of Directive 92/43/EEC, provided that, per rural development programme, those areas do not exceed 5 % of the designated Natura 2000 areas covered by its territorial scope;

7. Support shall be limited to the maximum amounts laid down in Annex II.

@@ -798,9 +744,9 @@

When calculating additional costs and income foregone, Member States may, where duly justified, differentiate the level of payment taking into account:

—the severity of the identified permanent constraint affecting farming activities;

—the farming system.

— the severity of the identified permanent constraint affecting farming activities;

— the farming system.

2. Payments shall be granted to farmers who undertake to pursue their farming activity in the areas designated pursuant to Article 32 and are active farmers within the meaning of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, as applicable in the Member State concerned.

@@ -810,9 +756,9 @@

In the case of a legal person, or a group of natural or legal persons, Member States may apply the degressivity of payments at the level of the members of these legal persons or groups on condition that:

(a)national law provides for the individual members to assume rights and obligations comparable to those of individual farmers who have the status of head of holding, in particular as regards their economic, social and tax status; and

(b)those individual members have contributed to strengthening the agricultural structures of the legal persons or groups concerned.

(a) national law provides for the individual members to assume rights and obligations comparable to those of individual farmers who have the status of head of holding, in particular as regards their economic, social and tax status; and

(b) those individual members have contributed to strengthening the agricultural structures of the legal persons or groups concerned.

5. In addition to the payments provided for in paragraph 2, Member States may grant payments under this measure between 2014 and 2020 to beneficiaries in areas which were eligible under Article 36(a)(ii) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 during the 2007-2013 programming period. For beneficiaries in areas that are no longer eligible following the new delimitation referred to in Article 32(3), those payments shall be degressive over a maximum period of four years. That period shall start on the date that the delimitation in accordance with Article 32(3) is completed and at the latest in 2019. Those payments shall start at no more than 80 % of the average payment fixed in the programme for the programming period 2007-2013 in accordance with Article 36(a)(ii) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, and shall end in 2020 at the latest at no more than 20 %. When the application of degressivity results in the level of the payment reaching EUR 25, the Member State can continue payments at this level until the phasing out period is completed.

@@ -828,17 +774,17 @@

1. Member States shall, on the basis of paragraphs 2, 3 and 4, designate areas eligible for payments provided for in Article 31 under the following categories:

(a)mountain areas;

(b)areas, other than mountain areas, facing significant natural constraints; and

(c)other areas affected by specific constraints.

(a) mountain areas;

(b) areas, other than mountain areas, facing significant natural constraints; and

2. In order to be eligible for payments under Article 31, mountain areas shall be characterized by a considerable limitation of the possibilities for using the land and by an appreciable increase in production costs due to:

(a)the existence, because of altitude, of very difficult climatic conditions, the effect of which is to substantially shorten the growing season;

(b)at a lower altitude, the presence over the greater part of the area in question of slopes too steep for the use of machinery or requiring the use of very expensive special equipment, or a combination of these two factors, where the constraints resulting from each taken separately are less acute but the combination of the two gives rise to an equivalent constraints.

(a) the existence, because of altitude, of very difficult climatic conditions, the effect of which is to substantially shorten the growing season;

(b) at a lower altitude, the presence over the greater part of the area in question of slopes too steep for the use of machinery or requiring the use of very expensive special equipment, or a combination of these two factors, where the constraints resulting from each taken separately are less acute but the combination of the two gives rise to an equivalent constraints.

Areas north of the 62nd parallel and certain adjacent areas shall be considered to be mountain areas.

@@ -854,9 +800,9 @@

In addition, areas may also be eligible for payments under this paragraph, where:

—at least 60 % of the agricultural area meets at least two of the criteria listed in Annex III each within a margin of not more than 20 % of the threshold value indicated, or

—at least 60 % of the agricultural area is composed of areas meeting at least one of the criteria listed in Annex III at the threshold value indicated, and areas meeting at least two of the criteria listed in Annex III each within a margin of not more than 20 % of the threshold value indicated.

— at least 60 % of the agricultural area meets at least two of the criteria listed in Annex III each within a margin of not more than 20 % of the threshold value indicated, or

— at least 60 % of the agricultural area is composed of areas meeting at least one of the criteria listed in Annex III at the threshold value indicated, and areas meeting at least two of the criteria listed in Annex III each within a margin of not more than 20 % of the threshold value indicated.

Compliance with those conditions shall be ensured at LAU2 level or at the level of a clearly delineated local unit which covers a single clear contiguous geographical area with a definable economic and administrative identity. When delimiting areas concerned by this subparagraph, Member States shall undertake a fine-tuning exercise as described in Article 32(3). Areas considered eligible pursuant to this subparagraph, shall be taken into account for calculating the 10 % limit referred to in the second subparagraph.

@@ -864,9 +810,9 @@

5. Member States shall attach to their rural development programmes:

(a)the existing or amended delimitation pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 4;

(b)the new delimitation of the areas referred to in paragraph 3.

(a) the existing or amended delimitation pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 4;

(b) the new delimitation of the areas referred to in paragraph 3.

#### Article 33

@@ -910,35 +856,35 @@

1. Support under this measure shall be granted in order to promote forms of co-operation involving at least two entities and in particular:

(a)co-operation approaches among different actors in the Union agriculture sector, forestry sector and food chain and other actors that contribute to achieving the objectives and priorities of rural development policy, including producer groups, cooperatives and inter-branch organisations;

(b)the creation of clusters and networks;

(c)the establishment and operation of operational groups of the EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainability as referred to in Article 56.

(a) co-operation approaches among different actors in the Union agriculture sector, forestry sector and food chain and other actors that contribute to achieving the objectives and priorities of rural development policy, including producer groups, cooperatives and inter-branch organisations;

(b) the creation of clusters and networks;

(c) the establishment and operation of operational groups of the EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainability as referred to in Article 56.

2. Co-operation under paragraph 1 shall relate, in particular, to the following:

(a)pilot projects;

(b)the development of new products, practices, processes and technologies in the agriculture, food and forestry sectors;

(c)co-operation among small operators in organising joint work processes and sharing facilities and resources and for the development and/or marketing of tourism services relating to rural tourism;

(d)horizontal and vertical co-operation among supply chain actors for the establishment and the development of short supply chains and local markets;

(e)promotion activities in a local context relating to the development of short supply chains and local markets;

(f)joint action undertaken with a view to mitigating or adapting to climate change;

(g)joint approaches to environmental projects and ongoing environmental practices, including efficient water management, the use of renewable energy and the preservation of agricultural landscapes;

(h)horizontal and vertical co-operation among supply chain actors in the sustainable provision of biomass for use in food and energy production and industrial processes;

(i)implementation, in particular by groups of public and private partners other than those defined in point (b) of Article 32(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, of local development strategies other than those defined in Article 2(19) of Regulation (EU) 1303/2013 addressing one or more of the Union priorities for rural development;

(j)drawing up of forest management plans or equivalent instruments;

(k)diversification of farming activities into activities concerning health care, social integration, community-supported agriculture and education about the environment and food.

(a) pilot projects;

(b) the development of new products, practices, processes and technologies in the agriculture, food and forestry sectors;

(c) co-operation among small operators in organising joint work processes and sharing facilities and resources and for the development and/or marketing of tourism services relating to rural tourism;

(d) horizontal and vertical co-operation among supply chain actors for the establishment and the development of short supply chains and local markets;

(e) promotion activities in a local context relating to the development of short supply chains and local markets;

(f) joint action undertaken with a view to mitigating or adapting to climate change;

(g) joint approaches to environmental projects and ongoing environmental practices, including efficient water management, the use of renewable energy and the preservation of agricultural landscapes;

(h) horizontal and vertical co-operation among supply chain actors in the sustainable provision of biomass for use in food and energy production and industrial processes;

(i) implementation, in particular by groups of public and private partners other than those defined in point (b) of Article 32(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, of local development strategies other than those defined in Article 2(19) of Regulation (EU) 1303/2013 addressing one or more of the Union priorities for rural development;

(j) drawing up of forest management plans or equivalent instruments;

(k) diversification of farming activities into activities concerning health care, social integration, community-supported agriculture and education about the environment and food.

3. Support under point (b) of paragraph 1 shall be granted only to newly formed clusters and networks and those commencing an activity that is new to them.

@@ -948,15 +894,15 @@

5. The following costs, linked to the forms of co-operation referred to in paragraph 1 shall be eligible for support under this measure:

(a)the cost of studies of the area concerned, of feasibility studies, and of drawing up a business plan or a forest management plan or equivalent or a local development strategy other than the one referred to in Article 33 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;

(b)the cost of animation of the area concerned in order to make feasible a collective territorial project or a project to be carried out by an operational group of the EIP for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability as referred to in Article 56. In the case of clusters, animation may also concern the organisation of training, networking between members and the recruitment of new members;

(c)the running costs of the co-operation;

(d)the direct costs of specific projects linked to the implementation of a business plan an environmental plan, a forest management plan or equivalent, a local development strategy other than the one referred to in Article 33 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 or direct costs of other actions targeted towards innovation, including testing;

(e)the cost of promotion activities.

(a) the cost of studies of the area concerned, of feasibility studies, and of drawing up a business plan or a forest management plan or equivalent or a local development strategy other than the one referred to in Article 33 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;

(b) the cost of animation of the area concerned in order to make feasible a collective territorial project or a project to be carried out by an operational group of the EIP for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability as referred to in Article 56. In the case of clusters, animation may also concern the organisation of training, networking between members and the recruitment of new members;

(d) the direct costs of specific projects linked to the implementation of a business plan an environmental plan, a forest management plan or equivalent, a local development strategy other than the one referred to in Article 33 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 or direct costs of other actions targeted towards innovation, including testing;

(e) the cost of promotion activities.

6. Where a business plan or an environmental plan or a forest management plan or equivalent or a development strategy is implemented, Member States may grant the aid either as a global amount covering the costs of co-operation and the costs of the projects implemented or cover only the costs of the co- operation and use funds from other measures or other Union Funds for project implementation.

@@ -976,13 +922,13 @@

1. Support under this measure shall cover:

(a)financial contributions to premiums for crop, animal and plant insurance against economic losses to farmers caused by adverse climatic events, animal or plant diseases, pest infestation, or an environmental incident;

(b)financial contributions to mutual funds to pay financial compensations to farmers, for economic losses caused by adverse climatic events or by the outbreak of an animal or plant disease or pest infestation or an environmental incident;

(c)an income stabilisation tool, in the form of financial contributions to mutual funds, providing compensation to farmers of all sectors for a severe drop in their income;

(d)a sector-specific income stabilisation tool, in the form of financial contributions to mutual funds, providing compensation to farmers of a specific sector for a severe drop in their income.

(a) financial contributions to premiums for crop, animal and plant insurance against economic losses to farmers caused by adverse climatic events, animal or plant diseases, pest infestation, or an environmental incident;

(b) financial contributions to mutual funds to pay financial compensations to farmers, for economic losses caused by adverse climatic events or by the outbreak of an animal or plant disease or pest infestation or an environmental incident;

(c) an income stabilisation tool, in the form of financial contributions to mutual funds, providing compensation to farmers of all sectors for a severe drop in their income;

(d) a sector-specific income stabilisation tool, in the form of financial contributions to mutual funds, providing compensation to farmers of a specific sector for a severe drop in their income.

2. For the purposes of this Article, ‘farmer’ means active farmer within the meaning of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, as applicable in the Member State concerned.

@@ -1000,9 +946,9 @@

The measurement of the extent of the loss caused may be tailored to the specific characteristics of each type of product using:

(a)biological indexes (quantity of biomass loss) or equivalent yield loss indexes established at farm, local, regional or national level, or

(b)weather indexes (including quantity of rainfall and temperature) established at local, regional or national level.

(a) biological indexes (quantity of biomass loss) or equivalent yield loss indexes established at farm, local, regional or national level, or

(b) weather indexes (including quantity of rainfall and temperature) established at local, regional or national level.

2. The occurrence of an adverse climatic event or the outbreak of an animal or plant disease or pest infestation or an environmental incident has to be formally recognised as such by the competent authority of the Member State concerned.

@@ -1022,11 +968,11 @@

1. In order to be eligible for support the mutual fund concerned shall:

(a)be accredited by the competent authority in accordance with national law;

(b)have a transparent policy towards payments into and withdrawals from the fund;

(c)have clear rules attributing responsibilities for any debts incurred.

(a) be accredited by the competent authority in accordance with national law;

(b) have a transparent policy towards payments into and withdrawals from the fund;

2. Member States shall define the rules for the constitution and management of the mutual funds, in particular for the granting of compensation payments and the eligibility of farmers in the event of crisis, as well as for the administration and monitoring of compliance with these rules. Member States shall ensure that the fund arrangements provide for penalties in case of negligence on the part of the farmer.

@@ -1034,13 +980,13 @@

3. The financial contributions referred to in point (b) of Article 36(1) may only relate to:

(a)the administrative costs of setting up the mutual fund, spread over a maximum of three years in a degressive manner;

(b)the amounts paid by the mutual fund as financial compensation to farmers. In addition, the financial contribution may relate to interest on commercial loans taken out by the mutual fund for the purpose of paying the financial compensation to farmers in case of crisis;

(c)supplementing the annual payments into the fund;

(d)the initial capital stock of the mutual fund.

(a) the administrative costs of setting up the mutual fund, spread over a maximum of three years in a degressive manner;

(b) the amounts paid by the mutual fund as financial compensation to farmers. In addition, the financial contribution may relate to interest on commercial loans taken out by the mutual fund for the purpose of paying the financial compensation to farmers in case of crisis;

(d) the initial capital stock of the mutual fund.

Support under point (b) of Article 36(1) shall only be granted to cover for loss caused by the outbreak of adverse climatic events, an animal or plant disease, a pest infestation, or a measure adopted in accordance with Directive 2000/29/EC to eradicate or contain a plant disease or pest or an environmental incident, which destroy more than 30 % of the average annual production of the farmer in the preceding three-year period or a three-year average based on the preceding five-year period, excluding the highest and lowest entry. Indexes may be used in order to calculate the annual production of the farmer. The calculation method used shall permit the determination of the actual loss of an individual farmer in a given year.

@@ -1050,9 +996,9 @@

Member States may limit the costs that are eligible for support by applying:

(a)ceilings per fund;

(b)appropriate per unit ceilings.

(a) ceilings per fund;

(b) appropriate per unit ceilings.

#### Article 39

@@ -1062,23 +1008,23 @@

2. In order to be eligible for support the mutual fund concerned shall:

(a)be accredited by the competent authority in accordance with national law;

(b)have a transparent policy towards payments into and withdrawals from the fund;

(c)have clear rules attributing responsibilities for any debts incurred.

(a) be accredited by the competent authority in accordance with national law;

(b) have a transparent policy towards payments into and withdrawals from the fund;

3. Member States shall define the rules for the constitution and management of the mutual funds, in particular for the granting of compensation payments to farmers in the event of crisis and for the administration and monitoring of compliance with these rules. Member States shall ensure that the fund arrangements provide for penalties in case of negligence on the part of the farmer.

4. The financial contributions referred to in point (c) of Article 36(1) may only relate to:

(a)the administrative costs of setting up the mutual fund, spread over a maximum of three years in a degressive manner;

(c)supplementing the annual payments into the fund;

(d)the initial capital stock of the mutual fund.

(a) the administrative costs of setting up the mutual fund, spread over a maximum of three years in a degressive manner;

(b) the amounts paid by the mutual fund as financial compensation to farmers. In addition, the financial contribution may relate to interest on commercial loans taken out by the mutual fund for the purpose of paying the financial compensation to farmers in case of crisis;

(d) the initial capital stock of the mutual fund.

5. Support shall be limited to the maximum rate laid down in Annex II. Support under point (b) of paragraph 4 shall take into account any support already provided under points (c) and (d) of paragraph 4.

@@ -1090,6 +1036,22 @@

2. Article 39(2) to (5) shall apply for the purpose of support under point (d) of Article 36(1).

#### Article 39b

##### Exceptional temporary support to farmers and SMEs particularly affected by the COVID-19 crisis

1. Support under this measure shall provide emergency assistance to farmers and SMEs particularly affected by the COVID-19 crisis, aiming at ensuring continuity of their business activity, subject to the conditions set out in this Article.

2. Support shall be granted to farmers, as well as to SMEs active in processing, marketing or development of agricultural products covered by Annex I to the TFEU or cotton, except fishery products. The output of the production process may be a product not covered by that Annex.

3. Member States shall target the support to beneficiaries who are most affected by the COVID-19 crisis, by determining, on the basis of available evidence, eligibility conditions and, where considered appropriate by the Member State concerned, selection criteria, which shall be objective and non-discriminatory.

4. The support shall take the form of a lump sum payment to be paid by 30 June 2021, based on applications for support approved by the competent authority by 31 December 2020. The subsequent reimbursement by the Commission shall be made in accordance with budget appropriations and subject to available funding. The level of payment may be differentiated by categories of beneficiaries, in accordance with objective and non-discriminatory criteria.

5. The maximum amount of support shall not exceed EUR 7 000 per farmer and EUR 50 000 per SME.

6. When granting support under this Article, Member States shall take into account the support granted under other national or Union support instruments or private schemes to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

#### Article 40

##### Financing of complementary national direct payments for Croatia

@@ -1098,9 +1060,9 @@

2. The support granted to a farmer in respect of the years 2014, 2015 and 2016 shall not exceed the difference between:

(a)the level of direct payments applicable in Croatia for the year concerned in accordance with Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013; and

(b)45 % of the corresponding level of the direct payments as applied from 2022.

(a) the level of direct payments applicable in Croatia for the year concerned in accordance with Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013; and

(b) 45 % of the corresponding level of the direct payments as applied from 2022.

3. The Union contribution to support granted under this Article in Croatia in respect of the years 2014, 2015 and 2016 shall not exceed 20 % of its respective total annual EAFRD allocation.

@@ -1112,15 +1074,15 @@

The Commission shall adopt implementing acts, laying down rules on the implementation of the measures in this section concerning:

(a)procedures for selection of authorities or bodies offering farm and forestry advisory services, farm management or farm relief services and the degressivity of the aid under the advisory services measure referred to in Article 15;

(b)the assessment by the Member State of the progress of the business plan, payment options as well as modalities for access to other measures for young farmers under the farm and business development measure referred to in Article 19;

(c)conversion to units other than those used in Annex II, and conversion rates of animals to livestock units (LU) under the measures referred to in Articles 28, 29, 33 and 34;

(d)the possibility of using standard assumptions of additional costs and income foregone under the measures of Articles 28 to 31, 33 and 34 and criteria for its calculation;

(e)calculation of the amount of support where an operation is eligible for support under more than one measures.

(a) procedures for selection of authorities or bodies offering farm and forestry advisory services, farm management or farm relief services and the degressivity of the aid under the advisory services measure referred to in Article 15;

(b) the assessment by the Member State of the progress of the business plan, payment options as well as modalities for access to other measures for young farmers under the farm and business development measure referred to in Article 19;

(c) conversion to units other than those used in Annex II, and conversion rates of animals to livestock units (LU) under the measures referred to in Articles 28, 29, 33 and 34;

(d) the possibility of using standard assumptions of additional costs and income foregone under the measures of Articles 28 to 31, 33 and 34 and criteria for its calculation;

(e) calculation of the amount of support where an operation is eligible for support under more than one measures.

Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 84.

@@ -1146,15 +1108,15 @@

1. The support referred to in point (c) of Article 35(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 shall be granted to

(a)co-operation projects within a Member State (inter-territorial co-operation) or co-operation projects between territories in several Member States or with territories in third countries (transnational co-operation).

(b)preparatory technical support for inter-territorial and transnational co-operation projects, on condition that local action groups are able to demonstrate that they are envisaging the implementation of a concrete project.

(a) co-operation projects within a Member State (inter-territorial co-operation) or co-operation projects between territories in several Member States or with territories in third countries (transnational co-operation).

(b) preparatory technical support for inter-territorial and transnational co-operation projects, on condition that local action groups are able to demonstrate that they are envisaging the implementation of a concrete project.

2. Apart from other local action groups, the partners of a local action group under the EAFRD may be:

(a)a group of local public and private partners in a rural territory that is implementing a local development strategy within or outside the Union;

(b)a group of local public and private partners in a non- rural territory that is implementing a local development strategy.

(a) a group of local public and private partners in a rural territory that is implementing a local development strategy within or outside the Union;

(b) a group of local public and private partners in a non- rural territory that is implementing a local development strategy.

3. In cases where co-operation projects are not selected by the local action groups, Member States shall establish a system of ongoing application.

@@ -1176,15 +1138,15 @@

2. Expenditure that is eligible for EAFRD support shall be limited to:

(a)the construction, acquisition, including leasing, or improvement of immovable property;

(b)the purchase or lease purchase of new machinery and equipment up to the market value of the asset;

(c)general costs linked to expenditure referred to in points (a) and (b), such as architect, engineer and consultation fees, fees relating to advice on environmental and economic sustainability, including feasibility studies. Feasibility studies shall remain eligible expenditure even where, based on their results, no expenditure under points (a) and (b) is made;

(d)the following intangible investments: acquisition or development of computer software and acquisitions of patents, licenses, copyrights, trademarks;

(e)the costs of establishing forest management plans and their equivalent.

(a) the construction, acquisition, including leasing, or improvement of immovable property;

(b) the purchase or lease purchase of new machinery and equipment up to the market value of the asset;

(c) general costs linked to expenditure referred to in points (a) and (b), such as architect, engineer and consultation fees, fees relating to advice on environmental and economic sustainability, including feasibility studies. Feasibility studies shall remain eligible expenditure even where, based on their results, no expenditure under points (a) and (b) is made;

(d) the following intangible investments: acquisition or development of computer software and acquisitions of patents, licenses, copyrights, trademarks;

(e) the costs of establishing forest management plans and their equivalent.

3. In the case of agricultural investments, the purchase of agricultural production rights, payment entitlements, animals, annual plants and their planting shall not be eligible for investment support. However, in case of the restoration of agricultural production potential damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events, in accordance with point (b) of Article 18(1), expenditure for the purchase of animals may be eligible expenditure.

@@ -1210,35 +1172,35 @@

If the investment affects bodies of ground- or surface water whose status has been identified as less than good in the relevant river basin management plan for reasons related to water quantity:

(a)the investment shall ensure an effective reduction in water use, at the level of the investment, amounting to at least 50 % of the potential water saving made possible by the investment;

(b)in the case of an investment on a single agricultural holding, it shall also result in a reduction to the holding's total water use amounting to at least 50 % of the potential water saving made possible at the level of the investment. The total water use of the holding shall include water sold by the holding.

(a) the investment shall ensure an effective reduction in water use, at the level of the investment, amounting to at least 50 % of the potential water saving made possible by the investment;

(b) in the case of an investment on a single agricultural holding, it shall also result in a reduction to the holding's total water use amounting to at least 50 % of the potential water saving made possible at the level of the investment. The total water use of the holding shall include water sold by the holding.

None of the conditions in paragraph 4 shall apply to an investment in an existing installation which affects only energy efficiency or to an investment in the creation of a reservoir or to an investment in the use of recycled water which does not affect a body of ground or surface water.

5. An investment resulting in a net increase of the irrigated area affecting a given body of ground or surface water shall be eligible only if:

(a)the status of the water body has not been identified as less than good in the relevant river basin management plan for reasons related to water quantity; and

(b)an environmental analysis shows that there will be no significant negative environmental impact from the investment; such an environmental impact analysis shall be either carried out by or approved by the competent authority and may also refer to groups of holdings.

(a) the status of the water body has not been identified as less than good in the relevant river basin management plan for reasons related to water quantity; and

(b) an environmental analysis shows that there will be no significant negative environmental impact from the investment; such an environmental impact analysis shall be either carried out by or approved by the competent authority and may also refer to groups of holdings.

Areas which are not irrigated but in which an irrigation installation was active in the recent past, to be established and justified in the programme, may be considered as irrigated areas for the purpose of determining the net increase of the irrigated area.

6. By way of derogation from point (a) of paragraph 5 investments resulting in a net increase of the irrigated area may still be eligible if:

(a)the investment is combined with an investment in an existing irrigation installation or element of irrigation infrastructure assessed ex ante as offering potential water savings of a minimum of between 5 % and 25 % according to the technical parameters of the existing installation or infrastructure and

(b)the investment ensures an effective reduction in water use, at the level of the investment as a whole, amounting to at least 50 % of the potential water saving made possible by the investment in the existing irrigation installation or element of infrastructure.

(a) the investment is combined with an investment in an existing irrigation installation or element of irrigation infrastructure assessed ex ante as offering potential water savings of a minimum of between 5 % and 25 % according to the technical parameters of the existing installation or infrastructure and

(b) the investment ensures an effective reduction in water use, at the level of the investment as a whole, amounting to at least 50 % of the potential water saving made possible by the investment in the existing irrigation installation or element of infrastructure.

Furthermore, by way of derogation, the condition in point (a) of paragraph 5 shall not apply to investments in the establishment of a new irrigation installation supplied with water from an existing reservoir approved by the competent authorities before 31 October 2013 if the following conditions are met:

—the reservoir in question is identified in the relevant river basin management plan and is subject to the control requirements set out in article 11(3)(e) of the Water Framework Directive;

—on 31 October 2013, there was in force either a maximum limit on total abstractions from the reservoir or a minimum required level of flow in water bodies affected by the reservoir;

—that maximum limit or minimum required level of flow complies with the conditions set out in Article 4 of the Water Framework Directive; and

—the investment in question does not result in abstractions beyond the maximum limit in force on 31 October 2013 or result in a reduction of the level of flow in affected water bodies below the minimum required level in force on 31 October 2013.

— the reservoir in question is identified in the relevant river basin management plan and is subject to the control requirements set out in article 11(3)(e) of the Water Framework Directive;

— on 31 October 2013, there was in force either a maximum limit on total abstractions from the reservoir or a minimum required level of flow in water bodies affected by the reservoir;

— that maximum limit or minimum required level of flow complies with the conditions set out in Article 4 of the Water Framework Directive; and

— the investment in question does not result in abstractions beyond the maximum limit in force on 31 October 2013 or result in a reduction of the level of flow in affected water bodies below the minimum required level in force on 31 October 2013.

#### Article 47

@@ -1246,11 +1208,11 @@

1. The number of hectares to which a commitment pursuant to Articles 28, 29 and 34 applies may vary from year to year where:

(a)this possibility is provided for in the rural development programme;

(b)the commitment in question does not apply to fixed parcels; and

(c)the achievement of the commitment's objective is not jeopardised.

(a) this possibility is provided for in the rural development programme;

(b) the commitment in question does not apply to fixed parcels; and

2. Where all or part of the land under commitment or the entire holding is transferred to another person during the period of that commitment, the commitment, or part thereof corresponding to the land transferred, may be taken over for the remainder of the period by that other person or may expire and reimbursement shall not be required in respect of the period during which the commitment was effective.

@@ -1280,7 +1242,7 @@

By way of derogation from the first subparagraph, in exceptional and duly justified cases where it is not possible to establish selection criteria due to the nature of the type of operations concerned, the Managing Authority may define another selection method to be described in the rural development programme following consultation with the Monitoring Committee.

2. The Member State authority responsible for the selection of operations shall ensure that operations, with the exception of operations under point (b) of Article 18(1), point (d) of Article 24(1) and Articles 28 to 31, 33 to 34 and 36 to 39a, are selected in accordance with the selection criteria referred to in paragraph 1 and according to a transparent and well documented procedure.

2. The Member State authority responsible for the selection of operations shall ensure that operations, with the exception of operations under point (b) of Article 18(1), point (d) of Article 24(1) and Articles 28 to 31, 33, 34 and 36 to 39b, are selected in accordance with the selection criteria referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article and according to a transparent and well-documented procedure.

3. Beneficiaries may be selected on the basis of calls for proposals, applying economic, social and environmental efficiency criteria.

@@ -1324,35 +1286,33 @@

2. Networking through the European network for rural development shall aim to:

(a)increase the involvement of all stakeholders, and in particular agricultural, forestry and other rural development stakeholders in the implementation of rural development;

(b)improve the quality of rural development programmes;

(c)play a role in informing the broader public on the benefits of rural development policy;

(d)support the evaluation of rural development programmes.

(a) increase the involvement of all stakeholders, and in particular agricultural, forestry and other rural development stakeholders in the implementation of rural development;

(b) improve the quality of rural development programmes;

(d) support the evaluation of rural development programmes.

3. The tasks of the network shall be to:

(a)collect, analyse and disseminate information on action in the field of rural development;

(b)provide support on evaluation processes and on data collection and management;

(c)collect, consolidate and disseminate at Union level good rural development practices, including on evaluation methodologies and tools;

(d)set up and run thematic groups and/or workshops with a view to facilitating the exchange of expertise and to supporting the implementation, monitoring and further development of rural development policy;

(e)provide information on developments in rural areas of the Union and in third countries;

(f)organise meetings and seminars at Union level for those actively involved in rural development;

(g)support the national networks and transnational co-operation initiatives and the exchange concerning actions and experience in the field of rural development with networks in third countries;

(h)specifically for local action groups:

(i)create synergies with the activities carried out at national or regional level, or at both by the respective networks with regard to capacity building actions and exchange of experience; and

(ii)cooperate with the networking and technical support bodies for local development set up by the ERDF, the ESF and the EMFF as regards their local development activities and transnational co-operation.

(a) collect, analyse and disseminate information on action in the field of rural development;

(b) provide support on evaluation processes and on data collection and management;

(c) collect, consolidate and disseminate at Union level good rural development practices, including on evaluation methodologies and tools;

(d) set up and run thematic groups and/or workshops with a view to facilitating the exchange of expertise and to supporting the implementation, monitoring and further development of rural development policy;

(e) provide information on developments in rural areas of the Union and in third countries;

(f) organise meetings and seminars at Union level for those actively involved in rural development;

(g) support the national networks and transnational co-operation initiatives and the exchange concerning actions and experience in the field of rural development with networks in third countries;

(h) specifically for local action groups:

(i) create synergies with the activities carried out at national or regional level, or at both by the respective networks with regard to capacity building actions and exchange of experience; and

(ii) cooperate with the networking and technical support bodies for local development set up by the ERDF, the ESF and the EMFF as regards their local development activities and transnational co-operation.

4. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts, setting out the organisational structure and operation of the European network for rural development network. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 84.

@@ -1364,33 +1324,26 @@

2. The aim of the EIP network shall be to:

(a)facilitate the exchange of expertise and good practices;

(b)establish a dialogue between farmers and the research community and facilitate the inclusion of all stakeholders in the knowledge exchange process.

(a) facilitate the exchange of expertise and good practices;

(b) establish a dialogue between farmers and the research community and facilitate the inclusion of all stakeholders in the knowledge exchange process.

3. The tasks of the EIP network shall be to:

(a)provide a help desk function and provide information to key actors concerning the EIP;

(b)encourage the setting up of operational groups and provide information about the opportunities provided by Union policies;

(c)facilitate the setting up of cluster initiatives and pilot or demonstration projects which may relate, inter alia, to the following issues::

(i)increased agricultural productivity, economic viability, sustainability, output and resource efficiency;

(ii)innovation in support of the bio-based economy;

(iii)biodiversity, ecosystem services, soil functionality and sustainable water management;

(iv)innovative products and services for the integrated supply chain;

(v)opening up new product and market opportunities for primary producers;

(vi)food quality, food safety and healthy diet;

(vii)reduce post-harvest losses and food wastage.

(d)collect and disseminate information in the field of the EIP, including research findings and new technologies relevant to innovation and knowledge exchange and exchanges in the field of innovation with third countries.

(a) provide a help desk function and provide information to key actors concerning the EIP;

(b) encourage the setting up of operational groups and provide information about the opportunities provided by Union policies;

(c) facilitate the setting up of cluster initiatives and pilot or demonstration projects which may relate, inter alia, to the following issues::

(i) increased agricultural productivity, economic viability, sustainability, output and resource efficiency;

(ii) innovation in support of the bio-based economy;

(iii) biodiversity, ecosystem services, soil functionality and sustainable water management;

(iv) innovative products and services for the integrated supply chain;

(v) opening up new product and market opportunities for primary producers;

(vi) food quality, food safety and healthy diet;

(vii) reduce post-harvest losses and food wastage.

(d) collect and disseminate information in the field of the EIP, including research findings and new technologies relevant to innovation and knowledge exchange and exchanges in the field of innovation with third countries.

4. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts, setting out the organisational structure and operation of the EIP network. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 84.

@@ -1404,33 +1357,26 @@

2. Networking by the national rural network shall aim to:

(a)increase the involvement of stakeholders in the implementation of rural development;

(b)improve the quality of implementation of rural development programmes;

(c)inform the broader public and potential beneficiaries on rural development policy and funding opportunities;

(d)foster innovation in agriculture, food production, forestry and rural areas.

(a) increase the involvement of stakeholders in the implementation of rural development;

(b) improve the quality of implementation of rural development programmes;

(d) foster innovation in agriculture, food production, forestry and rural areas.

3. EAFRD support under Article 51(2) shall be used:

(a)for the structures needed to run the network;

(b)for the preparation and implementation of an action plan covering at least the following:

(i)activities regarding the collection of examples of projects covering all priorities of the rural development programmes;

(ii)activities regarding the facilitation of thematic and analytical exchanges between rural development stakeholders, sharing and dissemination of findings;

(iii)activities regarding the provision of training and networking for local action groups and in particular technical assistance for inter-territorial and transnational co-operation, facilitation of co-operation among local action groups and the search of partners for the measure referred to in Article 35;

(iv)activities regarding the provision of networking for advisors and innovation support services;

(v)activities regarding the sharing and dissemination of monitoring and evaluation findings;

(vi)a communication plan including publicity and information concerning the rural development programme in agreement with the Managing Authorities and information and communication activities aimed at a broader public;

(vii)activities regarding the participation in and contribution to the European network for rural development.

(a) for the structures needed to run the network;

(b) for the preparation and implementation of an action plan covering at least the following:

(i) activities regarding the collection of examples of projects covering all priorities of the rural development programmes;

(ii) activities regarding the facilitation of thematic and analytical exchanges between rural development stakeholders, sharing and dissemination of findings;

(iii) activities regarding the provision of training and networking for local action groups and in particular technical assistance for inter-territorial and transnational co-operation, facilitation of co-operation among local action groups and the search of partners for the measure referred to in Article 35;

(iv) activities regarding the provision of networking for advisors and innovation support services;

(v) activities regarding the sharing and dissemination of monitoring and evaluation findings;

(vi) a communication plan including publicity and information concerning the rural development programme in agreement with the Managing Authorities and information and communication activities aimed at a broader public;

(vii) activities regarding the participation in and contribution to the European network for rural development.

4. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts, laying down rules for the establishment and operation of national rural networks and the content of the specific programmes referred to in paragraph 1. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 84.

@@ -1444,21 +1390,21 @@

1. The EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainability shall:

(a)promote a resource efficient, economically viable, productive, competitive, low emission, climate friendly and resilient agricultural and forestry sector, working towards agro-ecological production systems and working in harmony with the essential natural resources on which farming and forestry depend;

(b)help deliver a steady and sustainable supply of food, feed and biomaterials, including existing and new types;

(c)improve processes to preserve the environment, adapt to climate change and mitigate it;

(d)build bridges between cutting-edge research knowledge and technology and farmers, forest managers, rural communities, businesses, NGOs and advisory services.

(a) promote a resource efficient, economically viable, productive, competitive, low emission, climate friendly and resilient agricultural and forestry sector, working towards agro-ecological production systems and working in harmony with the essential natural resources on which farming and forestry depend;

(b) help deliver a steady and sustainable supply of food, feed and biomaterials, including existing and new types;

(d) build bridges between cutting-edge research knowledge and technology and farmers, forest managers, rural communities, businesses, NGOs and advisory services.

2. The EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainability shall seek to achieve its aims by:

(a)creating added value by better linking research and farming practice and encouraging the wider use of available innovation measures;

(b)promoting the faster and wider transposition of innovative solutions into practice; and

(c)informing the scientific community about the research needs of farming practice.

(a) creating added value by better linking research and farming practice and encouraging the wider use of available innovation measures;

(b) promoting the faster and wider transposition of innovative solutions into practice; and

3. The EAFRD shall contribute to the aims of the EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainability through support, in accordance with Article 35, of the EIP operational groups referred to in Article 56 and the EIP network referred to in Article 53.

@@ -1478,15 +1424,15 @@

1. EIP operational groups shall draw up a plan that contains the following:

(a)a description of the innovative project to be developed, tested, adapted or implemented;

(b)a description of the expected results and the contribution to the EIP objective of enhancing productivity and sustainable resource management.

(a) a description of the innovative project to be developed, tested, adapted or implemented;

(b) a description of the expected results and the contribution to the EIP objective of enhancing productivity and sustainable resource management.

2. When implementing their innovative projects operational groups shall:

(a)make decisions on the elaboration and implementation of innovative actions; and

(b)implement innovative actions through measures financed through the rural development programmes.

(a) make decisions on the elaboration and implementation of innovative actions; and

(b) implement innovative actions through measures financed through the rural development programmes.

3. Operational groups shall disseminate the results of their project, in particular through the EIP network.

@@ -1524,33 +1470,33 @@

3. The rural development programmes shall establish a single EAFRD contribution rate applicable to all measures. Where applicable, a separate EAFRD contribution rate shall be established for less-developed regions, for outermost regions and for the smaller Aegean islands within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 229/2013, as well as for transition regions. The maximum EAFRD contribution rate shall be:

(a)85 % of the eligible public expenditure in the less developed regions, in the outermost regions and in the smaller Aegean islands within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 229/2013;

(b)75 % of the eligible public expenditure for all regions whose GDP per capita for the 2007-2013 period was less than 75 % of the average of the EU-25 for the reference period but whose GDP per capita is above 75 % of the GDP average of the EU-27;

(c)63 % of the eligible public expenditure for the transition regions other than those referred to in point (b) of this paragraph;

(d)53 % of the eligible public expenditure in the other regions.

(a) 85 % of the eligible public expenditure in the less developed regions, in the outermost regions and in the smaller Aegean islands within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 229/2013;

(b) 75 % of the eligible public expenditure for all regions whose GDP per capita for the 2007-2013 period was less than 75 % of the average of the EU-25 for the reference period but whose GDP per capita is above 75 % of the GDP average of the EU-27;

(c) 63 % of the eligible public expenditure for the transition regions other than those referred to in point (b) of this paragraph;

(d) 53 % of the eligible public expenditure in the other regions.

The minimum EAFRD contribution rate shall be 20 %.

4. By way of derogation from paragraph 3, the maximum EAFRD contribution shall be:

(a)80 % for the measures referred to in Articles 14, 27 and 35, for the LEADER local development referred to in Article 32 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and for operations under point (a)(i) of Article 19(1). That rate may be increased to a maximum of 90 % for the programmes of less developed regions, of the outermost regions, of the smaller Aegean islands within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 229/2013, and of transition regions referred to in points (b) and (c) of paragraph 3;

(b)75 % for operations contributing to the objectives of environment and climate change mitigation and adaptation under Article 17, points (a) and (b) of Article 21(1), Articles 28 29, 30 31 and 34;

(d)the contribution rate applicable to the measure concerned increased by an additional 10 percentage points for contributions to financial instruments referred to in point (b) of Article 38(1) of Regulation 1303/2013;

(e)100 % for operations receiving funding from funds transferred to the EAFRD in application of Article 136a(1) of Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 and Article 7(2) and Article 14(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013;

(f)100 % for an amount of EUR 100 million, in 2011 prices, allocated to Ireland, for an amount of EUR 500 million, in 2011 prices, allocated to Portugal and for an amount of EUR 7 million, in 2011 prices, allocated to Cyprus;

(g)for Member States receiving on 1 January 2014 or thereafter financial assistance in accordance with Article 136 and 143 TFEU, the EAFRD contribution rate resulting from the application of Article 24(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 may be increased by a maximum of an additional 10 percentage points up to a total maximum of 95 %, for expenditure to be paid by these Member States in the first two years of implementation of the rural development programme. The EAFRD contribution rate which would be applicable without this derogation shall, however, be respected for the total public expenditure made during the programming period;

(h)the contribution rate referred to in Article 39a(13) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 for the financial instrument referred to in point (c) of Article 38(1) of that Regulation.

(a) 80 % for the measures referred to in Articles 14, 27 and 35, for the LEADER local development referred to in Article 32 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and for operations under point (a)(i) of Article 19(1). That rate may be increased to a maximum of 90 % for the programmes of less developed regions, of the outermost regions, of the smaller Aegean islands within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 229/2013, and of transition regions referred to in points (b) and (c) of paragraph 3;

(b) 75 % for operations contributing to the objectives of environment and climate change mitigation and adaptation under Article 17, points (a) and (b) of Article 21(1), Articles 28 29, 30 31 and 34;

(d) the contribution rate applicable to the measure concerned increased by an additional 10 percentage points for contributions to financial instruments referred to in point (b) of Article 38(1) of Regulation 1303/2013;

(e) 100 % for operations receiving funding from funds transferred to the EAFRD in application of Article 136a(1) of Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 and Article 7(2) and Article 14(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013;

(f) 100 % for an amount of EUR 100 million, in 2011 prices, allocated to Ireland, for an amount of EUR 500 million, in 2011 prices, allocated to Portugal and for an amount of EUR 7 million, in 2011 prices, allocated to Cyprus;

(g) for Member States receiving on 1 January 2014 or thereafter financial assistance in accordance with Article 136 and 143 TFEU, the EAFRD contribution rate resulting from the application of Article 24(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 may be increased by a maximum of an additional 10 percentage points up to a total maximum of 95 %, for expenditure to be paid by these Member States in the first two years of implementation of the rural development programme. The EAFRD contribution rate which would be applicable without this derogation shall, however, be respected for the total public expenditure made during the programming period;

(h) the contribution rate referred to in Article 39a(13) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 for the financial instrument referred to in point (c) of Article 38(1) of that Regulation.

5. At least 5 %, and in the case of Croatia 2,5 %, of the total EAFRD contribution to the rural development programme shall be reserved for LEADER.

@@ -1558,6 +1504,8 @@

The first subparagraph shall not apply to the outermost regions and the overseas territories of the Member States.

6a. The EAFRD support provided under Article 39b shall not exceed 2 % of the total EAFRD contribution to the rural development programme.

7. Where a Member State submits both a national programme and a set of regional programmes, paragraphs 5 and 6 shall not apply to the national programme. The EAFRD contribution to the national programme shall be taken into account for the purpose of calculating the percentages referred to in paragraphs 5 and 6 for each regional programme, in proportion to that regional programme's share of the national allocation.

8. An expenditure co-financed by the EAFRD shall not be co-financed by way of a contribution from the Structural Funds, from the Cohesion Fund or from any other Union financial instrument.

@@ -1586,17 +1534,17 @@

1. Where running costs are covered by support under this Regulation the following types of costs shall be eligible:

(a)operating costs;

(b)personnel costs;

(c)training costs;

(d)costs linked to public relations;

(e)financial costs;

(f)networking costs.

(a) operating costs;

(b) personnel costs;

(d) costs linked to public relations;

(e) financial costs;

(f) networking costs.

2. Studies shall only be eligible expenditure where they are linked to a specific operation under the programme or the specific objectives and targets of the programme.

@@ -1638,11 +1586,11 @@

2. Member States shall designate, for each rural development programme, the following authorities:

(a)the Managing Authority, which may be either a public or private body acting at national or regional level, or the Member State itself when it carries out that task, to be in charge of the management of the programme concerned;

(b)the accredited paying agency within the meaning of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013;

(c)the certification body within the meaning of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013.

(a) the Managing Authority, which may be either a public or private body acting at national or regional level, or the Member State itself when it carries out that task, to be in charge of the management of the programme concerned;

(b) the accredited paying agency within the meaning of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013;

3. Member States shall ensure, for each rural development programme, that the relevant management and control system has been set up in such a way that ensures a clear allocation and separation of functions between the Managing Authority and other bodies. Member States shall be responsible for ensuring that the systems function effectively throughout the programme period.

@@ -1654,25 +1602,23 @@

1. The Managing Authority shall be responsible for managing and implementing the programme in an efficient, effective and correct way and in particular for:

(a)ensuring that there is an appropriate secure electronic system to record, maintain, manage and report statistical information on the programme and its implementation required for the purposes of monitoring and evaluation and, in particular, information required to monitor progress towards the defined objectives and priorities;

(c)ensuring that beneficiaries and other bodies involved in the implementation of operations:

(i)are informed of their obligations resulting from the aid granted, and maintain either a separate accounting system or an adequate accounting code for all transactions relating to the operation;

(ii)are aware of the requirements concerning the provision of data to the Managing Authority and the recording of outputs and results;

(d)ensuring that the ex ante evaluation referred to in Article 55 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 conforms to the evaluation and monitoring system and accepting and submitting it to the Commission;

(e)ensuring that the evaluation plan referred to in Article 56 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 is in place, that the ex post programme evaluation referred to in Article 57 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 is conducted within the time limits laid down in that Regulation, ensuring that such evaluations conform to the monitoring and evaluation system and submitting them to the Monitoring Committee and the Commission;

(f)providing the Monitoring Committee with the information and documents needed to monitor implementation of the programme in the light of its specific objectives and priorities;

(g)drawing up the annual progress report, including aggregate monitoring tables, and, after approval by the Monitoring Committee, submitting it to the Commission;

(h)ensuring that the paying agency receives all necessary information, in particular on the procedures operated and any controls carried out in relation to operations selected for funding, before payments are authorised;

(i)ensuring publicity for the programme, including through the national rural network, by informing potential beneficiaries, professional organisations, the economic and social partners, bodies involved in promoting equality between men and women, and the non-governmental organisations concerned, including environmental organisations, of the possibilities offered by the programme and the rules for gaining access to programme funding as well as by informing beneficiaries of the Union contribution and the general public on the role played by the Union in the programme.

(a) ensuring that there is an appropriate secure electronic system to record, maintain, manage and report statistical information on the programme and its implementation required for the purposes of monitoring and evaluation and, in particular, information required to monitor progress towards the defined objectives and priorities;

(i) are informed of their obligations resulting from the aid granted, and maintain either a separate accounting system or an adequate accounting code for all transactions relating to the operation;

(ii) are aware of the requirements concerning the provision of data to the Managing Authority and the recording of outputs and results;

(d) ensuring that the ex ante evaluation referred to in Article 55 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 conforms to the evaluation and monitoring system and accepting and submitting it to the Commission;

(e) ensuring that the evaluation plan referred to in Article 56 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 is in place, that the ex post programme evaluation referred to in Article 57 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 is conducted within the time limits laid down in that Regulation, ensuring that such evaluations conform to the monitoring and evaluation system and submitting them to the Monitoring Committee and the Commission;

(f) providing the Monitoring Committee with the information and documents needed to monitor implementation of the programme in the light of its specific objectives and priorities;

(g) drawing up the annual progress report, including aggregate monitoring tables, and, after approval by the Monitoring Committee, submitting it to the Commission;

(h) ensuring that the paying agency receives all necessary information, in particular on the procedures operated and any controls carried out in relation to operations selected for funding, before payments are authorised;

(i) ensuring publicity for the programme, including through the national rural network, by informing potential beneficiaries, professional organisations, the economic and social partners, bodies involved in promoting equality between men and women, and the non-governmental organisations concerned, including environmental organisations, of the possibilities offered by the programme and the rules for gaining access to programme funding as well as by informing beneficiaries of the Union contribution and the general public on the role played by the Union in the programme.

2. The Member State or the Managing Authority may designate one or more intermediate bodies including local authorities, regional development bodies or non-governmental organisations, to carry out the management and implementation of rural development operations.

@@ -1710,11 +1656,11 @@

The monitoring and evaluation system shall aim to:

(a)demonstrate the progress and achievements of rural development policy and assess the impact, effectiveness, efficiency and relevance of rural development policy interventions;

(b)contribute to better targeted support for rural development;

(c)support a common learning process related to monitoring and evaluation.

(a) demonstrate the progress and achievements of rural development policy and assess the impact, effectiveness, efficiency and relevance of rural development policy interventions;

(b) contribute to better targeted support for rural development;

## Section 2

@@ -1766,15 +1712,15 @@

The Monitoring Committee shall satisfy itself as to the performance of the rural development programme and the effectiveness of its implementation. To that end, in addition to the functions referred to in Article 49 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 the Monitoring Committee shall:

(a)be consulted and shall issue an opinion, before publication of the relevant call for proposals, on the selection criteria for financed operations, which shall be revised according to programming needs;

(b)examine the activities and outputs related to the progress in the implementation of the evaluation plan of the programme;

(c)examine, in particular, actions in the programme relating to the fulfilment of ex ante conditionalities, which fall within the responsibilities of the Managing Authority, and be informed of actions relating to the fulfilment of other ex ante conditionalities;

(d)participate in the national rural network to exchange information on programme implementation; and

(e)consider and approve the annual implementation reports before they are sent to the Commission.

(a) be consulted and shall issue an opinion, before publication of the relevant call for proposals, on the selection criteria for financed operations, which shall be revised according to programming needs;

(b) examine the activities and outputs related to the progress in the implementation of the evaluation plan of the programme;

(c) examine, in particular, actions in the programme relating to the fulfilment of ex ante conditionalities, which fall within the responsibilities of the Managing Authority, and be informed of actions relating to the fulfilment of other ex ante conditionalities;

(d) participate in the national rural network to exchange information on programme implementation; and

(e) consider and approve the annual implementation reports before they are sent to the Commission.

#### Article 75

@@ -2016,21 +1962,21 @@

| 40 % | Of the amount of eligible investment in other regions | | |

| 27(4) | Setting up of producer groups and organisations | 10 % | As a percentage of marketed production during the first five years following recognition The support shall be degressive. |

| 100 000 | Maximum amount per year in all cases. | | |

| 28(8) | Agri-environment-climate | 600 (1) | Per ha per year for annual crops |

| 900 (1) | Per ha per year for specialised perennial crops | | |

| 450 (1) | Per ha per year for other land uses | | |

| 200 (1) | Per livestock unit ("LU") per year for local breeds in danger of being lost to farmers | | |

| 29(5) | Organic farming | 600 (1) | Per ha per year for annual crops |

| 900 (1) | Per ha per year for specialised perennial crops | | |

| 450 (1) | Per ha per year for other land uses | | |

| 30(7) | Natura 2000 and Water Framework Directive payments | 500 (1) | Per ha per year maximum in the initial period not exceeding five years |

| 200 (1) | Per ha per year maximum | | |

| 50 (2) | Per ha per year minimum for Water Framework Directive payments | | |

| 28(8) | Agri-environment-climate | 600 (*1) | Per ha per year for annual crops |

| 900 (*1) | Per ha per year for specialised perennial crops | | |

| 450 (*1) | Per ha per year for other land uses | | |

| 200 (*1) | Per livestock unit ("LU") per year for local breeds in danger of being lost to farmers | | |

| 29(5) | Organic farming | 600 (*1) | Per ha per year for annual crops |

| 900 (*1) | Per ha per year for specialised perennial crops | | |

| 450 (*1) | Per ha per year for other land uses | | |

| 30(7) | Natura 2000 and Water Framework Directive payments | 500 (*1) | Per ha per year maximum in the initial period not exceeding five years |

| 200 (*1) | Per ha per year maximum | | |

| 50 (*2) | Per ha per year minimum for Water Framework Directive payments | | |

| 31(3) | Payments to areas facing natural or other specific constraints | 25 | Minimum per ha per year on average of the area of the beneficiary receiving support |

| 250 (1) | Maximum per ha per year | | |

| 450 (1) | Maximum per ha per year in mountain areas as defined in Article 32(2) | | |

| 250 (*1) | Maximum per ha per year | | |

| 450 (*1) | Maximum per ha per year in mountain areas as defined in Article 32(2) | | |

| 33(3) | Animal welfare | 500 | Per LU |

| 34(3) | Forest-environmental and climate services and forest conservation | 200 (1) | Per ha per year |

| 34(3) | Forest-environmental and climate services and forest conservation | 200 (*1) | Per ha per year |

| | | | |

| 37(5) | Crop, animal and plant insurance | 70 % | Of the insurance premium due |

| 38(5) | Mutual funds for adverse climatic events, animal and plant diseases, pest infestations and environmental incidents | 70 % | Of the eligible costs |

@@ -2043,20 +1989,20 @@

| CRITERION | DEFINITION | THRESHOLD |

| --- | --- | --- |

| CLIMATE | | |

| Low Temperature (1) | Length of growing period (number of days) defined by number of days with daily average temperature > 5 °C (LGPt5) or | ≤ 180 days |

| Low Temperature (*1) | Length of growing period (number of days) defined by number of days with daily average temperature > 5 °C (LGPt5) or | ≤ 180 days |

| Thermal-time sum (degree-days) for Growing Period defined by accumulated daily average temperature > 5 °C | ≤ 1 500 degree-days | |

| Dryness | Ratio of the annual precipitation (P) to the annual potential evapotranspiration (PET) | P/PET ≤ 0.5 |

| CLIMATE AND SOIL | | |

| Excess Soil Moisture | Number of days at or above field capacity | ≥ 230 days |

| SOIL | | |

| Limited Soil Drainage (1) | Areas which are water logged for significant duration of the year | Wet within 80 cm from the surface for over 6 months, or wet within 40 cm for over 11 months or Poorly or very poorly drained soil or Gleyic colour pattern within 40 cm from the surface |

| Unfavourable Texture and Stoniness (1) | Relative abundance of clay, silt, sand, organic matter (weight %) and coarse material (volumetric %) fractions | ≥ 15 % of topsoil volume is coarse material, including rock outcrop, boulder or |

| Limited Soil Drainage (*1) | Areas which are water logged for significant duration of the year | Wet within 80 cm from the surface for over 6 months, or wet within 40 cm for over 11 months or Poorly or very poorly drained soil or Gleyic colour pattern within 40 cm from the surface |

| Unfavourable Texture and Stoniness (*1) | Relative abundance of clay, silt, sand, organic matter (weight %) and coarse material (volumetric %) fractions | ≥ 15 % of topsoil volume is coarse material, including rock outcrop, boulder or |

| texture class in half or more (cumulatively) of the 100 cm soil surface is sand, loamy sand defined as: Silt % + (2 × clay %) ≤ 30 % or | | |

| Topsoil texture class is heavy clay (≥ 60 % clay) or | | |

| Organic soil (organic matter ≥ 30 %) of at least 40 cm or | | |

| Topsoil contains 30 % or more clay, and there are vertic properties within 100 cm of the soil surface | | |

| Shallow Rooting Depth | Depth (cm) from soil surface to coherent hard rock or hard pan | ≤ 30 cm |

| Poor Chemical Properties (1) | Presence of salts, exchangeable sodium, excessive acidity | Salinity: ≥ 4 deci-Siemens per meter (dS/m) in topsoil or |

| Poor Chemical Properties (*1) | Presence of salts, exchangeable sodium, excessive acidity | Salinity: ≥ 4 deci-Siemens per meter (dS/m) in topsoil or |

| Sodicity: ≥ 6 Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) in half or more (cumulatively) of the 100 cm soil surface layer or | | |

| Soil Acidity: pH ≤ 5 (in water) in topsoil | | |

| TERRAIN | | |

@@ -2069,125 +2015,17 @@

Young farmers:

Business start-up aid for young farmers setting up for the first time in an agricultural holding

Investments in physical assets

Knowledge transfer and information actions

Advisory services, farm management and farm relief services

Co-operation

Small farms:

Investments in non-agricultural activities

Small farms:

Business start-up aid for the development of small farms

Investments in physical assets

Quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

Knowledge transfer and information actions

Advisory services, farm management and farm relief services

Co-operation

Investments in non-agricultural activities

Setting up of producer groups

LEADER

Mountain areas:

Payments to areas facing natural or other specific constraints

Agri-environment climate operations

Co-operation

Investments in physical assets

Farm and business development in rural areas

Quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

Establishment of agroforestry systems

Basic services and village renewal in rural areas

Knowledge transfer and information actions

Advisory services, farm management and farm relief services

Setting up of producer groups

LEADER

Short supply chains:

Co-operation

Setting up of producer groups

LEADER

Quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

Basic services and village renewal in rural areas

Investments in physical assets

Knowledge transfer and information actions

Advisory services, farm management and farm relief services

Women in rural areas:

Knowledge transfer and information actions

Advisory services, farm management and farm relief services

Investments in physical assets

Farm and business development

Basic services and village renewal in rural areas

Co-operation

LEADER

Climate change mitigation and adaptation and biodiversity:

Knowledge transfer & information actions

Advisory services, farm management and farm relief services

Investments in physical assets

Restoring agricultural production potential damaged by natural disasters and catastrophic events and introduction of appropriate prevention action

Basic services & village renewal in rural areas

Investments in forest area development and improvement of the viability of forests

Agri-environment-climate

Organic farming

Natura 2000 and Water framework directive payments

Payments to areas facing natural and other specific constraints (biodiversity)

Forest-environmental and climate services and forest conservation

Co-operation

Risk management

## ANNEX V

@@ -2211,8 +2049,6 @@

### **INDICATIVE LIST OF MEASURES WITH RELEVANCE TO ONE OR MORE UNION PRIORITIES FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT**

Measures of particular relevance to several Union priorities

Article 15 Advisory services, farm management and farm relief services

Article 17 Investments in physical assets

@@ -2223,18 +2059,12 @@

Article 42 - 44 LEADER

Measures of particular relevance to fostering knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture, forestry, and rural areas

Article 14 Knowledge transfer and information actions

Article 26 Investments in forestry technologies and in processing in mobilising and in the marketing of forestry products

Measures of particular relevance for enhancing the competitiveness of all types of agriculture and enhancing farm viability

Article 16 Quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

Measures of particular relevance to promoting food chain organisation and risk management in agriculture

Article 18 Restoring agricultural production potential damaged by natural disasters and catastrophic events and introduction of appropriate prevention actions

Article 24 Prevention and restoration of damage to forests from forest fires and natural disasters and catastrophic events

@@ -2251,12 +2081,6 @@

Article 39 Income stabilisation tool

Measure of particular relevance to restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems related to agriculture and forestry

and

Promoting resource efficiency and supporting the shift towards a low carbon and climate resilient economy in agriculture, food and forestry sectors

Article 21(1)(a) Afforestation and creation of woodland

Article 21(1)(b) Establishment of agroforestry systems

@@ -2273,8 +2097,6 @@

Article 34 Forest-environmental and climate services and forest conservation

Measures of particular relevance to promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas

Article 20 Basic services and village renewal in rural areas

Article 42 – 44 LEADER

2019-03-01

support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rur

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2018-02-05

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2018-01-01

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2017-05-20

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2015-05-23

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2014-12-24

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