Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 (repealed)Show full title

TITLE IV U.K. STATE AID

Article 51 U.K.

1. Save as otherwise provided in this Title, Articles 87 to 89 of the Treaty shall apply to aid granted by Member States for measures to support rural development.

However, Articles 87 to 89 of the Treaty shall not apply to financial contributions provided by Member States for measures subject to Community support within the scope of Article 36 of the Treaty in accordance with the provisions of this Regulation.

2. Aid for investment in agricultural holdings which exceeds the percentages referred to in Article 7 shall be prohibited.

This prohibition does not apply to aid for investments relating to:

• investments undertaken predominantly in the public interest related to the conversation of traditional landscapes shaped by agricultural and forestry activities or relocation of farm buildings,

• the protection and improvement of the environment,

• improvement of the hygiene conditions of livestock enterprises and the welfare of animals.

3. State aid granted to farmers to compensate for natural handicaps in less-favoured areas shall be prohibited if it does not satisfy the conditions laid down in Articles 14 and 15.

4. State aid to support farmers who give agri-environmental commitments which fail to satisfy the conditions laid down in Articles 22 to 24 shall be prohibited. However, additional aid exceeding maximum amounts fixed according to Article 24(2) may be granted if justified under paragraph 1 of that Article. In duly justified exceptional cases derogation may be permitted in respect of the minimum duration of these commitments as laid down in Article 23(1).

[F1 5. State aid to support farmers who adapt to demanding standards based on Community legislation in the fields of the environment, public, animal and plant health, animal welfare and occupational safety shall be prohibited if it does not satisfy the conditions provided for in Articles 21a, 21b and 21c. However, additional aid exceeding the maximum amounts fixed in accordance with Article 21c may be granted to help farmers to comply with national legislation which exceeds Community standards.

In the absence of Community legislation, state aid to support farmers who adapt to demanding standards based on national legislation in the fields of the environment, public, animal and plant health, animal welfare and occupational safety shall be prohibited if it does not satisfy the relevant conditions provided for in Articles 21a, 21b and 21c. Additional aid exceeding the maximum amounts fixed in accordance with Article 21c may be granted if justified under paragraph 1 of that Article.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Inserted by Council Regulation (EC) No 1783/2003 of 29 September 2003 amending Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF).

Article 52 U.K.

Within the scope of Article 36 of the Treaty, State aid intended to provide additional financing for rural development measures for which Community support is granted shall be notified by Member States and approved by the Commission in accordance with the provisions of this Regulation as part of programming referred to in Article 40. The first sentence of Article 88(3) of the Treaty shall not apply to aid thus notified.