http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/eur/2005/1698/adopted

TITLE IOBJECTIVES AND GENERAL RULES ON ASSISTANCE

CHAPTER ISCOPE AND DEFINITIONS

Article 1ScopeThis Regulation:

1)

lays down the general rules governing Community support for rural development, financed by the EAFRD, established by Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005;

2)

defines the Objectives to which rural development policy is to contribute;

3)

defines the strategic context for rural development policy, including the method for fixing the Community strategic guidelines for rural development policy (hereinafter the Community strategic guidelines) and the national strategy plans;

4)

defines the priorities and measures for rural development;

5)

lays down rules on partnership, programming, evaluation, financial management, monitoring and control on the basis of responsibilities shared between the Member States and the Commission.

Article 2Definitions

For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply:

(a)
‘programming’: the process of organisation, decision-taking and financing in several stages intended to implement, on a multiannual basis, the joint action by the Community and the Member States to achieve the priority goals of the EAFRD;
(b)
‘region’: 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 of 26 May 2003 on the establishment of a common classification of territorial units for statistics (NUTS) 14;
(c)
‘axis’: a coherent group of measures with specific goals resulting directly from their implementation and contributing to one or more of the objectives set out in Article 4;
(d)
‘measure’: a set of operations contributing to the implementation of an axis as referred to in Article 4(2);
(e)
‘operation’: a project, contract or arrangement, or other action selected according to criteria laid down for the rural development programme concerned and implemented by one or more beneficiaries allowing achievement of the objectives set out in Article 4;
(f)
‘common monitoring and evaluation framework’: a general approach developed by the Commission and the Member States defining a limited number of common indicators relating to the baseline situation and the financial execution, outputs, results and impacts of the programmes;
(g)
‘local development strategy’: a coherent set of operations to meet local objectives and needs implemented in partnership at the appropriate level;
(h)
‘beneficiary’: an operator, body or firm, whether public or private, responsible for implementing operations or receiving support;
(i)
‘public expenditure’: any public contribution to the financing of operations whose origin is the budget of the State, of regional and local authorities, of the European Communities and any similar expenditure. Any contribution to the financing of operations whose origin is the budget of public law bodies or associations of one or more regional or local authorities or public law bodies within the meaning of Directive 2004/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 on the coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts 15 shall be regarded as public contribution;
(j)
‘Convergence Objective’: the objective of the action for the least developed Member States and regions according to the Community legislation governing the European Regional Development Fund (hereinafter the ERDF), the European Social Fund (hereinafter the ESF) and the CF for the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013.

CHAPTER IIMISSIONS AND OBJECTIVES

Article 3Missions

The EAFRD shall contribute to the promotion of sustainable rural development throughout the Community in a complementary manner to the market and income support policies of the common agricultural policy, to cohesion policy and to the common fisheries policy.

Article 4Objectives

1

Support for rural development shall contribute to achieving the following objectives:

a

improving the competitiveness of agriculture and forestry by supporting restructuring, development and innovation;

b

improving the environment and the countryside by supporting land management;

c

improving the quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification of economic activity.

2

The objectives set out in paragraph 1 shall be implemented by means of the four axes defined in Title IV.

CHAPTER IIIPRINCIPLES OF ASSISTANCE

Article 5Complementarity, consistency and conformity

1

The EAFRD shall complement national, regional and local actions contributing to the Community’s priorities.

2

The Commission and the Member States shall ensure that the assistance from the EAFRD and the Member States is consistent with the activities, policies and priorities of the Community. The assistance of the EAFRD shall be consistent with the objectives of Economic and Social Cohesion and those of the Community support instrument for fisheries in particular.

3

This consistency shall be provided by the Community strategic guidelines referred to in Article 9, the national strategy plan referred to in Article 11, the rural development programmes referred to in Article 15 and the Commission report referred to in Article 14.

4

In accordance with their respective responsibilities, the Commission and the Member States shall ensure the coordination between the assistance from the different Funds, the ERDF, the ESF, the CF, the Community support instrument for fisheries, and the interventions of the European Investment Bank (hereinafter the EIB), and of other Community financial instruments.

5

There shall also be consistency with the measures financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund.

6

No support under this Regulation shall be granted to schemes eligible for support under common market organisations, subject to any exceptions yet to be defined, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 90(2).

7

The Member States shall ensure that the operations financed by the EAFRD are in conformity with the Treaty and any acts adopted under it.

Article 6Partnership

1

EAFRD assistance shall be implemented through close consultations (hereinafter partnership) between the Commission and the Member State and with the authorities and bodies designated by the Member State under national rules and practices, including:

a

the competent regional, local authorities and other public authorities;

b

the economic and social partners;

c

any other appropriate body representing civil society, non-governmental organisations, including environmental organisations, and bodies responsible for promoting equality between men and women.

The Member State shall designate the most representative partners at national, regional and local level and in the economic, social, environmental or other sphere (hereinafter partners). It shall create the conditions for a broad and effective involvement of all appropriate bodies, in accordance with national rules and practices, taking into account the need to promote equality between men and women and sustainable development through integration of environmental protection and improvement requirements.

2

The partnership shall be conducted with due regard to the respective institutional, legal and financial responsibilities of each category of partner as defined under paragraph 1.

3

The partnership shall be involved in the preparation and monitoring of the national strategy plan and in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the rural development programmes. Member States shall involve all appropriate partners at the various programming stages, due regard being had to the time limit set for each step.

Article 7Subsidiarity

Member States shall be responsible for implementing the rural development programmes at the appropriate territorial level, according to their own institutional arrangements, in accordance with this Regulation.

Article 8Equality between men and women and non-discrimination

Member States and the Commission shall promote equality between men and women and shall ensure that any discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation is prevented during the various stages of programme implementation.

This includes the stages of design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

TITLE IITHE STRATEGIC APPROACH TO RURAL DEVELOPMENT

CHAPTER ITHE COMMUNITY STRATEGIC GUIDELINES

Article 9Content and adoption

1

The Council shall adopt Community strategic guidelines for rural development policy for the programming period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013 in the light of the policy priorities set at Community level.

These strategic guidelines shall set at Community level the strategic priorities for rural development for the programming period with a view to implementing each of the axes laid down in this Regulation.

2

By 20 February 2006, a decision on the Community strategic guidelines shall be adopted according to the procedure laid down in Article 37 of the Treaty. The decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 10Review

With a view to taking account of major changes in the Community priorities in particular, the Community strategic guidelines may be subject to review.

CHAPTER IINATIONAL STRATEGY PLANS

Article 11Content

1

Each Member State shall submit a national strategy plan indicating the priorities of the action of the EAFRD and of the Member State concerned taking into account the Community strategic guidelines, their specific objectives, the contribution from the EAFRD and the other financial resources.

2

The national strategy plan shall ensure that Community aid for rural development is consistent with the Community strategic guidelines and that Community, national and regional priorities all coordinate. The national strategy plan shall be a reference tool for preparing EAFRD programming. It shall be implemented through the rural development programmes.

3

Each national strategy plan shall include:

a

an evaluation of the economic, social and environmental situation and the potential for development;

b

the strategy chosen for joint action by the Community and the Member State concerned, showing the consistency of the choices made with the Community strategic guidelines;

c

the thematic and territorial priorities for rural development under each axis, including the main quantified objectives and the appropriate monitoring and evaluation indicators;

d

a list of the rural development programmes implementing the national strategy plan and an indicative EAFRD allocation for each programme, including the amounts provided for in Article 12(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005;

e

the means to ensure coordination with the other common agricultural policy instruments, the ERDF, the ESF, the CF, the Community support instrument for fisheries and the EIB;

f

if appropriate, the budget for achieving the Convergence Objective;

g

a description of the arrangements and the indication of the amount earmarked for establishing the national rural network referred to in Articles 66(3) and 68.

Article 12Preparation

1

Each Member State shall prepare a national strategy plan after the Community strategic guidelines are adopted.

This plan shall be prepared in accordance with the Member States’ institutional arrangements, following close collaboration with the partners referred to in Article 6. It shall be drawn up in close collaboration with the Commission and shall cover the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013.

2

Each Member State shall send the Commission its national strategy plan before submitting its rural development programmes.

CHAPTER IIISTRATEGIC MONITORING

Article 13Summary reports by Member States

1

For the first time in 2010 and no later than 1 October each second year, each Member State shall submit to the Commission a summary report setting out the progress made in implementing its national strategy plan and objectives and its contribution to the achievement of the Community strategic guidelines. The last summary report shall be submitted no later than 1 October 2014.

2

The report shall summarise the previous years’ annual progress reports referred to in Article 82 and shall describe in particular:

a

the achievements and results of the rural development programmes relative to the indicators set out in the national strategy plan;

b

the results of the ongoing evaluation activities for each programme.

3

By way of derogation from paragraph 1, for single programmes as referred to in Article 15(2) Member States may include in the annual progress reports referred to in Article 82 the elements provided for in paragraph 2 of this Article within the time limit set in Article 82.

Article 14Commission report

1

For the first time in 2011 and at the start of each second year, the Commission shall present a report summarising the main developments, trends and challenges relating to the implementation of the national strategy plans and the Community strategic guidelines. The last Commission report shall be presented at the start of 2015.

This report shall be based on the Commission’s analysis and appraisal of the Member States’ summary reports referred to in Article 13 and any other available information. It shall indicate the measures taken or to be taken by the Member States and Commission in order to provide an appropriate follow-up to the report’s conclusions.

2

The Commission report shall be sent to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.

TITLE IIIPROGRAMMING

CHAPTER IPROGRAMMING CONTENT

Article 15Rural development programmes

1

The EAFRD shall act in the Member States through rural development programmes. These programmes implement a rural development strategy through a set of measures grouped together in accordance with the axes defined in Title IV, for the achievement of which aid from the EAFRD will be sought.

Each rural development programme shall cover a period between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2013.

2

A Member State may submit either a single programme for its entire territory or a set of regional programmes.

3

Member States with regional programmes may also submit for approval a national framework containing common elements for these programmes.

Article 16Content of programmes

Each rural development programme shall include:

(a)
an analysis of the situation in terms of strengths and weaknesses, the strategy chosen to meet them and the ex ante evaluation referred to in Article 85;
(b)
a justification of the priorities chosen having regard to the Community strategic guidelines and the national strategy plan, as well as the expected impact according to the ex ante evaluation;
(c)
information on the axes and measures proposed for each axis and their description, including the specific verifiable objectives and indicators referred to in Article 81 that allow the programme’s progress, efficiency and effectiveness to be measured;
(d)
a financing plan, comprising two tables:
- a table setting out, in accordance with Article 69(4) and (5), the total EAFRD contribution planned for each year. When applicable, this financing plan shall indicate separately within the total EAFRD contribution the appropriations provided for the regions eligible under the Convergence Objective. The planned annual EAFRD contribution shall be compatible with the Financial Perspectives;
- a table setting out for the entire programming period the total Community contribution planned and the matching national public funding for each axis, the EAFRD contribution rate for each axis and the amount earmarked for technical assistance. When applicable, this table shall also indicate separately the planned EAFRD contribution for the regions eligible under the Convergence Objective and the matching national public funding;
(e)
for information, an indicative breakdown of the initial amounts by measure in terms of public and private expenditure;
(f)
where applicable, a table on additional national financing per axis in accordance with Article 89;
(g)
the elements needed for the appraisal under competition rules and, when applicable, the list of aid schemes authorised under Articles 87, 88 and 89 of the Treaty to be used for the implementation of the programmes;
(h)
information on the complementarity with the measures financed by the other common agricultural policy instruments, through cohesion policy as well as by the Community support instrument for fisheries;
(i)
programme implementing arrangements, including:
1. (i)
  the designation by the Member State of all the authorities provided for in Article 74(2) and for information a summary description of the management and control structure;
2. (ii)
  a description of the monitoring and evaluation systems, as well as the composition of the Monitoring Committee;
3. (iii)
  the provisions to ensure that the programme is publicised;
(j)
the designation of the partners referred to in Article 6 and the results of the consultations of the partners.

Article 17Balance between objectives

1

The Community financial contribution to each of the three objectives referred to in Article 4 shall cover at least 10 % of the EAFRD total contribution to the programme for axis 1 and 3 referred to in Sections 1 and 3 respectively of Chapter I of Title IV and at least 25 % of the EAFRD total contribution to the programme for axis 2 referred to in Section 2 of Chapter I of Title IV. For the programmes of the French overseas departments, the minimum Community financial contribution for axis 2 shall be 10 %.

2

5 % at least of the EAFRD total contribution to the programme shall be reserved for axis 4 referred to in Section 4 of Chapter I of Title IV. This amount contributes to the percentages laid down in paragraph 1. For the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia, the minimum Community financial contribution for axis 4 of 5 % may be phased in over the programming period in such a way that on average at least 2,5 % of the EAFRD total contribution is reserved for axis 4.

CHAPTER IIPREPARATION, APPROVAL AND REVIEW

Article 18Preparation and approval

1

Rural development programmes shall be established by a Member State following close cooperation with the partners referred to in Article 6.

2

Member States shall submit to the Commission a proposal for each rural development programme, containing the information mentioned in Article 16.

3

The Commission shall assess the proposed programmes on the basis of their consistency with the Community strategic guidelines, the national strategy plan and this Regulation.

Where the Commission considers that a rural development programme is not consistent with the Community strategic guidelines, the national strategy plan or this Regulation, it shall request the Member State to revise the proposed programme accordingly.

4

Each rural development programme shall be approved in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 90(2).

Article 19Review

1

The rural development programmes shall be re-examined and, if appropriate, adapted for the remainder of the period by the Member State following Monitoring Committee approval. The revisions shall take into account the outcome of evaluations and the Commission’s reports, particularly with a view to strengthening or adapting the way in which the Community priorities are taken into account.

2

The Commission shall adopt a decision on requests to revise rural development programmes after the submission of such a request by a Member State in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 90(2). Changes requiring approval by Commission decision shall be defined in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 90(2).

TITLE IVRURAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT

CHAPTER IAXES

SECTION 1Axis 1

Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector

Article 20Measures

Support targeting the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector shall concern:

(a)
measures aimed at promoting knowledge and improving human potential through:
1. (i)
  vocational training and information actions, including diffusion of scientific knowledge and innovative practises, for persons engaged in the agricultural, food and forestry sectors;
2. (ii)
  setting up of young farmers;
3. (iii)
  early retirement of farmers and farm workers;
4. (iv)
  use of advisory services by farmers and forest holders;
5. (v)
  setting up of farm management, farm relief and farm advisory services, as well as of forestry advisory services;
(b)
measures aimed at restructuring and developing physical potential and promoting innovation through:
1. (i)
  modernisation of agricultural holdings;
2. (ii)
  improving the economic value of forests;
3. (iii)
  adding value to agricultural and forestry products;
4. (iv)
  cooperation for development of new products, processes and technologies in the agriculture and food sector and in the forestry sector;
5. (v)
  improving and developing infrastructure related to the development and adaptation of agriculture and forestry;
6. (vi)
  restoring agricultural production potential damaged by natural disasters and introducing appropriate prevention actions;
(c)
measures aimed at improving the quality of agricultural production and products by:
1. (i)
  helping farmers to adapt to demanding standards based on Community legislation;
2. (ii)
  supporting farmers who participate in food quality schemes;
3. (iii)
  supporting producer groups for information and promotion activities for products under food quality schemes;
(d)
transitional measures for the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia concerning:
1. (i)
  supporting semi-subsistence agricultural holdings undergoing restructuring;
2. (ii)
  supporting setting up of producer groups.

SUBSECTION 1Conditions for measures aimed at promoting knowledge and improving human potential

Article 21Vocational training and information actions

Support provided for in Article 20(a)(i) shall not include courses of instruction or training which form part of normal programmes or systems of agricultural and forestry education at secondary or higher levels.

Article 22Setting up of young farmers

1

Support provided for in Article 20(a)(ii), shall be granted to persons who:

a

are less than 40 years of age and are setting up for the first time on an agricultural holding as head of the holding;

b

possess adequate occupational skills and competence;

c

submit a business plan for the development of their farming activities.

2

The support shall be granted up to the maximum amount laid down in the Annex

belong to a social security scheme.

5

The total duration of early retirement support shall not exceed 15 years for the transferor and for the farm worker. It shall not go beyond the 70th birthday of the transferor and the normal retirement age of the farm worker.

Where, in the case of a transferor, a retirement pension is paid by the Member State, early retirement support shall be granted as a supplement taking into account the amount of the national retirement pension.

6

The maximum eligible amount of support is laid down in the Annex.

Article 24Use of advisory services

1

Support provided for in Article 20(a)(iv) shall be granted in order to help farmers and forest holders to meet costs arising from the use of advisory services for the improvement of the overall performance of their holding.

As a minimum the advisory service to farmers shall cover:

a

the statutory management requirements and the good agricultural and environmental conditions provided for in Articles 4 and 5 of and in Annexes III and IV to Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003;

b

occupational safety standards based on Community legislation.

2

Support for the use of advisory services shall be limited to the maxima laid down in the Annex.

Article 25Setting up of management, relief and advisory services

Support provided for in Article 20(a)(v) shall be granted in order to cover costs arising from the setting up of farm management, farm relief and farm advisory services as well as forestry advisory services and shall be degressive over a maximum period of five years from setting up.

SUBSECTION 2Conditions for measures aimed at restructuring and developing physical potential and promoting innovation

Article 26Modernisation of agricultural holdings

1

Support provided for in Article 20(b)(i), shall be granted for tangible and/or intangible investments which:

a

improve the overall performance of the agricultural holding; and

b

respect the Community standards applicable to the investment concerned.

Where investments are made in order to comply with Community standards, support may be granted only to those which are made in order to comply with newly introduced Community standards. In that case, a period of grace, not exceeding 36 months from the date on which the standard becomes mandatory for the agricultural holding, may be provided to meet that standard.

In the case of young farmers receiving support provided for in Article 20(a)(ii), support may be granted for investments to comply with existing Community standards, when identified in the business plan referred to in Article 22(1)(c). The period of grace within which the standard needs to be met, may not exceed 36 months from the date of setting up.

2

Support shall be limited to the maximum rate laid down in the Annex.

Article 27Improvement of the economic value of forests

1

Investment support provided for in Article 20(b)(ii) shall be granted for forests owned by private owners or their associations or by municipalities or their associations. This limitation does 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 (EEC) No 2019/93 and the French overseas departments.

2

Investments shall be based on forest management plans for forest holdings above a certain size to be defined by the Member States in their programmes.

3

Support shall be limited to the maximum rate laid down in the Annex.

Article 28Adding value to agricultural and forestry products

1

Support provided for in Article 20(b)(iii), shall be granted for tangible and/or intangible investments which:

a

improve the overall performance of the enterprise;

b

concern:

the processing and/or marketing of products covered by Annex I to the Treaty, except fishery products, and of forestry products; and/or
the development of new products, processes and technologies linked to products covered by Annex I to the Treaty, except fishery products, and to forestry products; and

c

respect the Community standards applicable to the investment concerned.

Where investments are made in order to comply with Community standards, support may be granted only to those which are made by micro-enterprises, as referred in paragraph 2, in order to comply with a newly introduced Community standard. In that case a period of grace, not exceeding 36 months from the date on which the standard becomes mandatory for the enterprise, may be provided to meet the standard.

2

Support shall be limited to the maximum rate laid down in the Annex.

3

Support under paragraph 1 at its maximum rate shall be limited to micro, small and medium- sized enterprises within the meaning of Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC 16. For the territories of the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, the smaller Aegean Islands within the meaning of Regulation (EEC) No 2019/93 and the French overseas departments, no size limits apply for the maximum rate. For enterprises that are not covered by Article 2(1) of that recommendation with less than 750 employees or with a turn over of less than EUR 200 million the maximum aid intensity is halved. In the case of forestry, support shall be limited to micro-enterprises.

Support shall not be granted to enterprises in difficulty within the meaning of the Community guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty 17.

Article 29Cooperation for development of new products, processes and technologies in the agriculture and food sector and in the forestry sector

1

Support provided for in Article 20(b)(iv) shall be granted to promote the cooperation between primary producers in agriculture and forestry, the processing industry and/or third parties.

2

Support shall contribute to cover costs incurred for the cooperation.

Article 30Infrastructure related to the development and adaptation of agriculture and forestry

Support provided for in Article 20(b)(v), may cover notably operations related to access to farm and forest land, land consolidation and improvement, energy supply and water management.

SUBSECTION 3Conditions for measures aiming to improve the quality of agricultural production and products

Article 31Meeting standards based on Community legislation

1

Support provided for in Article 20(c)(i) shall contribute partly to costs incurred and income foregone caused to farmers who have to apply standards in the fields of the environmental protection, public health, animal and plant health, animal welfare and occupational safety.

These standards must be newly introduced in national legislation implementing Community law and impose new obligations or restrictions to farming practice which have a significant impact on typical farm operating costs and concern a significant number of farmers.

2

The support shall be granted as a flat-rate, temporary and degressive aid on an annual basis, for a maximum duration of five years from the date the standard becomes mandatory in accordance with Community legislation. Support shall be limited to the maximum amount laid down in the Annex.

Article 32Participation of farmers in food quality schemes

Support provided for in Article 20(d)(ii) shall be granted in order to facilitate the setting up and administrative operation of producer groups for the purposes of:

a

adapting the production and output of producers who are members of such groups 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.

2

The support shall be granted as a flat-rate aid in annual instalments for the first five years following the date on which the producer group was recognised. It shall be calculated on the basis of the group’s annual marketed production, up to the ceilings set in the Annex.

3

The support shall be granted to producer groups which are officially recognised by the Member State’s competent authority by 31 December 2013.

SECTION 2Axis 2

Improving the environment and the countryside

Article 36Measures

Support under this section shall concern:

(a)
measures targeting the sustainable use of agricultural land through:
1. (i)
  natural handicap payments to farmers in mountain areas;
2. (ii)
  payments to farmers in areas with handicaps, other than mountain areas;
3. (iii)
  Natura 2000 payments and payments linked to Directive 2000/60/EC;
4. (iv)
  agri-environment payments;
5. (v)
  animal welfare payments;
6. (vi)
  support for non-productive investments;
(b)
measures targeting the sustainable use of forestry land through:
1. (i)
  first afforestation of agricultural land;
2. (ii)
  first establishment of agroforestry systems on agricultural land;
3. (iii)
  first afforestation of non-agricultural land;
4. (iv)
  Natura 2000 payments;
5. (v)
  forest-environment payments;
6. (vi)
  restoring forestry potential and introducing prevention actions;
7. (vii)
  support for non-productive investments.

Subsection 1Conditions for measures targeting the sustainable use of agricultural land

Article 37Natural handicap payments in mountain areas and payments in other areas with handicaps

1

Payments provided for in Article 36(a)(i) and (ii) shall be granted annually per hectare of utilised agricultural area (hereinafter UAA) within the meaning of Commission Decision 2000/115/EC of 24 November 1999 relating to the definitions of the characteristics, the list of agricultural products, the exceptions to the definitions and the regions and districts regarding the surveys on the structure of agricultural holdings 18.

Payments should compensate for farmers’ additional costs and income forgone related to the handicap for agricultural production in the area concerned.

2

Payments shall be granted to farmers who undertake to pursue their farming activity in areas designated pursuant to Article 50(2) and (3) for at least five years from the first payment.

3

Payments shall be fixed between the minimum and maximum amount laid down in the Annex.

Payments higher than the maximum amount may be granted in duly justified cases provided that the average amount of all these payments granted at the Member State level concerned does not exceed this maximum amount.

4

Payments shall be degressive above a threshold level of area per holding, to be defined in the programme.

Article 38Natura 2000 payments and payments linked to Directive 2000/60/EC

1

Support provided for in Article 36(a)(iii), shall be granted annually and per hectare of UAA to farmers in order to compensate for costs incurred and income foregone resulting from disadvantages in the areas concerned related to the implementation of Directives 79/409/EEC, 92/43/EEC and 2000/60/EC.

2

Support shall be limited to the maximum amount laid down in the Annex. For payments linked to Directive 2000/60/EC, detailed rules, including the maximum amount of support, shall be fixed in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 90(2).

Article 39Agri-environment payments

1

Member States shall make available support provided for in Article 36(a)(iv) throughout their territories, in accordance with their specific needs.

2

Agri-environment payments shall be granted to farmers who make on a voluntary basis agri-environmental commitments. Where duly justified to achieve environmental objectives, agri-environment payments may be granted to other land managers.

3

Agri-environment payments cover only those commitments going beyond the relevant mandatory standards established pursuant to Articles 4 and 5 of and Annexes III and IV to Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 as well as minimum requirements for fertiliser and plant protection product use and other relevant mandatory requirements established by national legislation and identified in the programme.

These commitments shall be undertaken as a general rule for a period between five and seven years. Where necessary and justified, a longer period shall be determined according to the procedure referred to in Article 90(2) for particular types of commitments.

4

The payments shall be granted annually and shall cover additional costs and income foregone resulting from the commitment made. Where necessary, they may cover also transaction cost.

Where appropriate, the beneficiaries may be selected on the basis of calls for tender, applying criteria of economic and environmental efficiency.

Support shall be limited to the maximum amount laid down in the Annex.

5

Support may be provided for the conservation of genetic resources in agriculture for operations not covered by the provisions under paragraphs 1 to 4.

Article 40Animal welfare payments

1

Animal welfare payments provided for in Article 36(a)(v) shall be granted to farmers who make on a voluntary basis animal welfare commitments.

2

Animal welfare payments cover only those commitments going beyond the relevant mandatory standards established pursuant to Article 4 of and Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 and other relevant mandatory requirements established by national legislation and identified in the programme.

3

The payments shall be granted annually and shall cover additional costs and income foregone resulting from the commitment made. Where necessary, they may cover also transaction cost.

Support shall be limited to the maximum amount laid down in the Annex.

Article 41Non-productive investments

Support provided in Article 36(a)(vi) shall be granted for:

(a)
investments linked to the achievement of commitments undertaken pursuant to the measure provided for in Article 36(a)(iv) or other agri-environmental objectives;
(b)
on-farm investments which enhance the public amenity value of a Natura 2000 area or other high nature value areas to be defined in the programme.

Subsection 2Conditions for measures targeting the sustainable use of forestry land

Article 42General conditions

1

Support under this subsection shall be granted only for forests and wooded areas owned by private owners or by their associations or by municipalities or their associations. This limitation does 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 (EEC) No 2019/93 and the French overseas departments.

This restriction shall not apply to the support provided for in Article 36(b)(i), (iii), (vi) and (vii).

2

Measures proposed under this subsection in areas classified as high or medium forest fire risk within the framework of the Community action on protection of forests against fires shall conform to the forest protection plans established by the Member States for those areas.

Article 43First afforestation of agricultural land

1

Support provided for in Article 36(b)(i), shall cover only one or more of the following:

a

establishment costs;

b

an annual premium per hectare afforested to contribute to covering maintenance costs for a maximum of five years,

c

an annual premium per hectare to contribute to covering loss of income resulting from afforestation for a maximum of 15 years for farmers or associations thereof who worked the land before its afforestation or for any other natural person or private law body.

2

Support for the afforestation of agricultural land owned by public authorities shall cover only the cost of establishment. If the agricultural land to be afforested is rented by a natural person or private law body, the annual premiums referred to in paragraph 1 may be granted.

3

Support for the afforestation of agricultural land shall not be granted:

a

for farmers benefiting from early retirement support;

b

for the planting of Christmas trees.

In the case of fast-growing species for short-term cultivation, support for afforestation shall be granted for establishment costs only.

4

Support to farmers or other natural persons and private law bodies shall be limited to the maxima laid down in the Annex.

Article 44First establishment of agroforestry systems on agricultural land

1

Support provided for in Article 36(b)(ii), shall be granted to farmers to create agroforestry systems combining extensive agriculture and forestry systems. Support shall cover the establishment costs.

2

Agroforestry systems refer to land use systems in which trees are grown in combination with agriculture on the same land.

3

Christmas trees and fast-growing species for short-term cultivation shall be excluded from support.

4

Support shall be limited to the maximum rate laid down in the Annex.

Article 45First afforestation of non-agricultural land

1

Support provided for in Article 36(b)(iii) for afforestation of land not eligible under Article 36(b)(i) shall cover the establishment costs. In the case of abandoned farmland, support shall also cover the annual premium as referred to in Article 43(1)(b).

2

Support shall not be granted for the planting of Christmas trees.

3

When support covering establishment costs is granted to natural persons or private law bodies, it shall be limited to the maximum rate laid down in the Annex.

Article 46Natura 2000 payments

Support provided for in Article 36(b)(iv), shall be granted annually and per hectare of forest to private forest owners or associations thereof in order to compensate for costs incurred and income foregone resulting from the restrictions on the use of forests and other wooded land due to the implementation of Directives 79/409/EEC and 92/43/EEC in the area concerned. Support shall be fixed between the minimum and maximum amounts laid down in the Annex.

Article 47Forest-environment payments

1

Forest-environment payments provided for in Article 36(b)(v), shall be granted per hectare of forest to beneficiaries who make forest-environmental commitments on a voluntary basis. These payments shall cover only those commitments going beyond the relevant mandatory requirements.

These commitments shall be undertaken as a general rule for a period between five and seven years. Where necessary and justified, a longer period shall be determined in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 90(2) for particular types of commitments.

2

The payments shall cover additional costs and income foregone resulting from the commitment made. Support shall be fixed between the minimum and maximum amounts laid down in the Annex.

Article 48Restoring forestry potential and introducing prevention actions

1

Support provided for in Article 36(b)(vi), shall be granted for restoring forestry potential in forests damaged by natural disasters and fire and for introducing appropriate prevention actions.

2

Preventive actions against fires shall concern forests classified by the Member States as high or medium forest fire risk according to their forest protection plans.

Article 49Non-productive investments

Support provided in Article 36(b)(vii), shall be granted for investments in forests:

(a)
linked to the achievement of commitments undertaken pursuant to the measure provided for in Article 36(b)(v), or other environmental objectives;
(b)
which enhance the public amenity value of forest and wooded land of the area concerned.

Subsection 3Designation of areas

Article 50Eligible areas

1

Member States shall designate the areas eligible for payments provided for in Article 36(a)(i), (ii) and (iii) as well as in Article 36(b)(i), (iii), (iv) and (vi), taking into account paragraphs 2 to 5 of this Article.

2

In order to be eligible for payments provided for in Article 36(a)(i) mountain areas shall be characterised by a considerable limitation of the possibilities for using the land and an appreciable increase in the cost of working it due to:

a

the existence, because of altitude, of very difficult climatic conditions, the effect of which is substantially to 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 handicap resulting from each taken separately is less acute but the combination of the two gives rise to an equivalent handicap.

Areas north of the 62nd parallel and certain adjacent areas shall be regarded as mountain areas.

3

In order to be eligible for payments provided for in Article 36(a)(ii), areas other than mountain areas referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article must be:

a

affected by significant natural handicaps, notably a low soil productivity or poor climate conditions and where maintaining extensive farming activity is important for the management of the land; or

b

affected by specific handicaps, and where land management should be continued in order to conserve or improve the environment, maintain the countryside and preserve the tourist potential of the area or in order to protect the coastline.

As concerns areas affected by specific handicaps referred to in point (b), they shall comprise farming areas which are homogeneous from the point of view of natural production conditions and their total extent shall not exceed 10 % of the area of the Member State concerned.

4

In the programmes, the Member States, according to specific provisions to be defined in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 90(2), shall:

confirm the existing delimitation pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 3(b) or amend it, or
delimitate the areas referred to in paragraph 3(a).

5

Natura 2000 agricultural areas designated pursuant to Directives 79/409/EEC and 92/43/EEC and agricultural areas included in river basin management plans according to Directive 2000/60/EC shall be eligible for payments provided for in Article 36(a)(iii).

6

Areas apt for afforestation for environmental reasons such as protection against erosion or extension of forest resources contributing to climate change mitigation, shall be eligible for payments provided for in Article 36(b)(i) and (iii).

7

Natura 2000 forest areas designated pursuant to Directives 79/409/EEC and 92/43/EEC, shall be eligible for payments provided for in Article 36(b)(iv).

8

Forest areas with a medium to high forest fire risk shall be eligible for payments provided for in Article 36(b)(vi) relating to prevention actions against fires.

Subsection 4Respect of standards

Article 51Reduction or exclusion from payments

1

Where beneficiaries receiving payments under Article 36(a)(i) to (v) and Article 36(b)(i), (iv) and (v) do not respect on the whole holding, as a result of an action or omission directly attributable to them, the mandatory requirements provided for in Articles 4 and 5 of and in Annexes III and IV to Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003, the total amount of their payments to be granted in the calendar year in which the non-compliance occurs shall be reduced or cancelled.

The reduction or cancellation referred to in the first subparagraph shall also apply in cases where the beneficiaries receiving payments under Article 36(a)(iv) do not respect on the whole holding, as a result of an action or omission directly attributable to them, the minimum requirements for fertiliser and plant protection product use referred to in Article 39(3).

2

The reduction or cancellation of payments referred to in paragraph 1 shall not apply for standards for which a period of grace has been granted in accordance with Article 26(1)(b) during the period of grace.

3

By way of derogation from paragraph 1, for beneficiaries in Member States applying the single area payment scheme as provided for in Article 143b of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003, the mandatory requirements to be respected are those provided for in Article 5 of and Annex IV to that Regulation.

4

Detailed rules for the reductions and exclusions shall be laid down in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 90(2). In this context account shall be taken of the severity, extent, permanence and repetition of non-compliance.

5

Paragraphs 1 to 4 shall not apply to Article 39(5).

SECTION 3Axis 3

The quality of life in rural areas and diversification of the rural economy

Article 52Measures

Support under this section shall involve:

(a)
measures to diversify the rural economy, comprising:
1. (i)
  diversification into non-agricultural activities,
2. (ii)
  support for the creation and development of micro-enterprises with a view to promoting entrepreneurship and developing the economic fabric,
3. (iii)
  encouragement of tourism activities;
(b)
measures to improve the quality of life in the rural areas, comprising:
1. (i)
  basic services for the economy and rural population,
2. (ii)
  village renewal and development,
3. (iii)
  conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage;
(c)
a training and information measure for economic actors operating in the fields covered by axis 3;
(d)
a skills-acquisition and animation measure with a view to preparing and implementing a local development strategy.

Subsection 1Conditions governing the measures to diversify the rural economy

Article 53Diversification into non-agricultural activities

The aid beneficiary referred to in Article 52(a)(i) shall be a member of the farm household.

Article 54Support for business creation and development

The support provided for in Article 52(a)(ii) shall relate only to micro-enterprises as defined in the Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC.

Article 55Encouragement of tourism activities

The support referred to in Article 52(a)(iii) shall cover the following:

(a)
small-scale infrastructure such as information centres and the signposting of tourist sites;
(b)
recreational infrastructure such as that offering access to natural areas, and small-capacity accommodation;
(c)
the development and/or marketing of tourism services relating to rural tourism.

Subsection 2Conditions governing the measures to improve the quality of life in rural areas

Article 56Basic services for the economy and rural population

The support referred to in Article 52(b)(i) shall cover the setting up of basic services, including cultural and leisure activities, concerning a village or group of villages, and related small-scale infrastructure.

Article 57Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage

The support referred to in Article 52(b)(iii) shall cover:

(a)
the drawing-up of protection and management plans relating to Natura 2000 sites and other places of high natural value, environmental awareness actions and investments associated with maintenance, restoration and upgrading of the natural heritage and with the development of high natural value sites;
(b)
studies and investments associated with maintenance, restoration and upgrading of the cultural heritage such as the cultural features of villages and the rural landscape.

Subsection 3Training, skills acquisition and animation

Article 58Training and information

Support under Article 52(c), shall not include courses of instruction or training which form part of normal education programmes or systems at secondary or higher levels.

Article 59Skills acquisition, animation and implementation

The support referred to in Article 52(d) shall cover:

(a)
studies of the area concerned;
(b)
measures to provide information about the area and the local development strategy;
(c)
the training of staff involved in the preparation and implementation of a local development strategy;
(d)
promotional events and the training of leaders;
(e)
implementation by public-private partnerships other than those defined by Article 62(1)(b) of the local development strategy encompassing one or more of the measures under Article 52(a), (b) and (c).

Subsection 4Implementation of the axis

Article 60Demarcation

Where a measure falling within this section targets operations eligible also under another Community support instrument, including the Structural Funds and the Community support instrument for fisheries, the Member State shall set in each programme the demarcation criteria for the operations supported by the EAFRD and those supported by the other Community support instrument.

SECTION 4Axis 4

Leader

Article 61Definition of the Leader approach

The Leader approach shall comprise at least the following elements:

(a)
area-based local development strategies intended for well-identified subregional rural territories;
(b)
local public-private partnerships (hereinafter local action groups);
(c)
bottom-up approach with a decision-making power for local action groups concerning the elaboration and implementation of local development strategies;
(d)
multi-sectoral design and implementation of the strategy based on the interaction between actors and projects of different sectors of the local economy;
(e)
implementation of innovative approaches;
(f)
implementation of cooperation projects;
(g)
networking of local partnerships.

Article 62Local action groups

1

A partnered local development approach shall be implemented by the local action groups satisfying the following conditions:

a

they must propose an integrated local development strategy based at least on the elements set out in Article 61(a) to (d) and (g) and be responsible for its implementation;

b

they must consist of either a group already qualified for the Leader II 19 or Leader+ 20 initiatives, or according to the Leader approach, or be a new group representing partners from the various locally based socioeconomic sectors in the territory concerned. At the decision-making level the economic and social partners, as well as other representatives of the civil society, such as farmers, rural women, young people and their associations, must make up at least 50 % of the local partnership;

c

they must show an ability to define and implement a development strategy for the area.

2

The Managing Authority shall ensure that the local action groups either select an administrative and financial lead actor able to administer public funds and ensure the satisfactory operation of the partnership, or come together in a legally constituted common structure the constitution of which guarantees the satisfactory operation of the partnership and the ability to administer public funds.

3

The area covered by the strategy shall be coherent and offer sufficient critical mass in terms of human, financial and economic resources to support a viable development strategy.

4

The local action groups shall choose the projects to be financed under the strategy. They may also select cooperation projects.

Article 63Measures

The support granted under the Leader axis shall be for:

(a)
implementing local development strategies as referred to in Article 62(1)(a), with a view to achieving the objectives of one or more of the three other axes defined in Sections 1, 2 and 3;
(b)
implementing cooperation projects involving the objectives selected under point (a);
(c)
running the local action group, acquiring skills and animating the territory as referred to in Article 59.

Article 64Implementing local strategies

If the operations under the local strategy correspond to the measures defined in this Regulation for the other axes, the relevant conditions shall apply in accordance with Sections 1, 2 and 3.

Article 65Cooperation

1

The support referred to in Article 63(b) shall be granted to inter-territorial or transnational cooperation projects.

‘Inter-territorial cooperation’ means cooperation within a Member State. ‘Transnational cooperation’ means cooperation between territories in several Member States and with territories in third countries.

2

Only expenditure relating to the territories within the Community shall be eligible for support.

3

Article 64 shall also apply to cooperation projects.

CHAPTER IITECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Article 66Funding technical assistance

1

In accordance with Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005, the EAFRD may use up to 0,25 % of its annual allocation to finance the preparatory, monitoring, administrative support, evaluation and control measures, at the Commission’s initiative and/or on its behalf. These actions shall be carried out in accordance with Article 53(2) of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities 21 and any other provisions of that Regulation and of its implementing provisions applicable to this form of execution of the budget.

2

At the initiative of the Member States, for each rural development programme, the EAFRD may finance preparation, management, monitoring, evaluation, information and control activities of programme assistance.

Up to 4 % of the total amount for each programme may be devoted to these activities.

3

Within the limit set out in paragraph 2, an amount shall be reserved for establishing and operating the national rural network referred to in Article 68.

Member States with regional programmes may submit for approval a specific programme for the establishment and the operation of their national rural network.

Details concerning the establishment and the operation of the national rural network shall be fixed in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 90(2).

Article 67European Network for Rural Development

A European Network for Rural Development for the networking of national networks, organisations and administrations active in the field of rural development at Community level shall be put in place in accordance with Article 66(1).

The aims of the Network shall be to:

(a)
collect, analyse and disseminate information on Community rural development measures;
(b)
collect, disseminate and consolidate at Community level good rural development practice;
(c)
provide information on developments in the Community’s rural areas and in third countries;
(d)
organise meetings and seminars at Community level for those actively involved in rural development;
(e)
set up and run expert networks with a view to facilitating an exchange of expertise and supporting implementation and evaluation of the rural development policy;
(f)
support the national networks and transnational cooperation initiatives.

Article 68National rural network

1

Each Member State shall establish a national rural network, which groups the organisations and administrations involved in rural development.

2

The amount referred to in Article 66(3) first subparagraph shall be used:

a

for the structures needed to run the network;

b

for an action plan containing at least the identification and analysis of good transferable practices and the provision of information about them, network management, the organisation of exchanges of experience and know-how, the preparation of training programmes for local action groups in the process of formation and technical assistance for inter-territorial and transnational cooperation.

TITLE VEAFRD CONTRIBUTION

Article 69Resources and their distribution

1

The amount for Community support to rural development under this Regulation for the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013, its annual breakdown and the minimum amount to be concentrated in regions eligible under the Convergence Objective shall be fixed by the Council, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, in accordance with the financial perspective for the period 2007 to 2013 and the Interinstitutional Agreement on budgetary discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure for the same period.

2

0,25 % of the resources referred to in paragraph 1 shall be devoted to technical assistance for the Commission as referred to in Article 66(1).

3

For the purpose of their programming and subsequent inclusion in the general budget of the European Communities, the amounts referred to in paragraph 1 shall be indexed at 2 % per year.

4

The Commission shall make an annual breakdown by Member State of the amounts referred to in paragraph 1, after deduction of the amount referred to in paragraph 2, and taking into account:

a

the amounts reserved for regions eligible under the Convergence Objective;

b

past performance; and

c

particular situations and needs based on objective criteria.

5

In addition to the amounts referred to in paragraph 4, the Member States shall take into account for the purpose of programming the amounts resulting from modulation as provided for in Article 12(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005.

6

The Commission shall ensure that total annual allocations from the EAFRD originating from the EAGGF Guidance Section for any Member State pursuant to this Regulation, and from the ERDF, the ESF and the CF, according to the Community legislation laying down general provisions governing these Funds for the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013, including the contribution of ERDF according to the Community legislation governing the European Neighbourhood Instrument, from the Instrument for Pre-Accession, according to the Community legislation governing that instrument, and from the part of the FIFG contributing to the Convergence Objective, shall not exceed 4 % of that Member State’s GDP as estimated at the time of the adoption of the Interinstitutional Agreement on budgetary discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure.

Article 70Fund contribution

1

The Decision adopting a rural development programme shall set the maximum contribution from the EAFRD for each axis within a flexibility threshold to be defined in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 90(2). The decision shall clearly identify, where necessary, the appropriations allocated to the regions eligible under the Convergence Objective.

2

The EAFRD contribution shall be calculated on the basis of the amount of eligible public expenditure.

3

The EAFRD contribution rate shall be established for each axis.

a

In the case of axis 1 (competitiveness) and axis 3 (diversification and quality of life) as well as for the technical assistance according to Article 66(2) the following ceilings shall apply respectively:

(i)
75 % of the eligible public expenditure in the regions eligible under the Convergence Objective;
(ii)
50 % of the eligible public expenditure in the other regions.

b

In the case of axis 2 (improving the environment and the countryside) and axis 4 (Leader) the following ceilings shall apply respectively:

(i)
80 % of the eligible public expenditure in the regions eligible under the Convergence Objective;
(ii)
55 % of the eligible public expenditure in the other regions.

The minimum EAFRD contribution rate at axis level shall be 20 %.

4

Notwithstanding the ceilings set out in paragraph 3, the EAFRD contribution may be increased to 85 % for the programmes of the outermost regions and the smaller Aegean Islands within the meaning of Regulation (EEC) No 2019/93.

5

For Member States opting for a specific programme pursuant to Article 66(3), second subparagraph, the ceiling of the EAFRD contribution shall be 50 % of the eligible public expenditure.

6

Technical assistance measures taken at the initiative of the Commission or on its behalf may be funded at 100 %.

7

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

It may be co-financed under only one axis of the rural development programme. Where an operation falls under measures from more than one axis, the expenditure shall be attributed to the dominant axis.

8

Public expenditure on aid to enterprises shall comply with the aid limits laid down in respect of State aid, unless this Regulation provides otherwise.

Article 71Eligibility of expenditure

1

Without prejudice to Article 39(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005, expenditure shall be eligible for a EAFRD contribution if the relevant aid is actually paid by the paying agency between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2015. Co-financed operations should not be completed before the eligibility starting date.

A new expenditure added at the moment of the modification of a programme referred to in Article 19, shall be eligible from the date of the reception by the Commission of the request for modification of the programme.

2

Expenditure shall be eligible for a EAFRD contribution only where incurred for operations decided on by the Managing Authority of the programme in question or under its responsibility, in accordance with the selection criteria fixed by the competent body.

3

The rules on eligibility of expenditure shall be set at national level, subject to the special conditions laid down by this Regulation for certain rural development measures.

Article 75Managing Authority

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 operations are selected for funding in accordance with the criteria applicable to the rural development programme;

b

ensuring that there is a system to record and maintain statistical information on implementation in computerised form adequate for the purposes of monitoring and evaluation;

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 programme evaluations are conducted within the time limits laid down in this Regulation and conform to the common monitoring and evaluation framework and for submitting evaluations undertaken to the relevant national authorities and the Commission;

e

leading the Monitoring Committee and sending it the documents needed to monitor implementation of the programme in the light of its specific objectives;

f

ensuring compliance with the obligations concerning publicity referred to in Article 76;

g

drawing up the annual progress report 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.

2

When a part of its tasks is delegated to another body, the Managing Authority shall retain full responsibility for the efficiency and correctness of management and implementation of those tasks.

CHAPTER IIINFORMATION AND PUBLICITY

Article 76Information and publicity

1

Member States shall provide information on and publicise national strategy plans, rural development programmes and the Community contribution.

This information shall be aimed at the general public. It shall spotlight the role of the Community and ensure the transparency of EAFRD assistance.

2

The Managing Authority for the programme shall be responsible for its publicity as follows:

a

it shall inform 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;

b

it shall inform the beneficiaries of the Community contribution;

c

it shall inform the general public about the role played by the Community in the programmes and the results thereof.

TITLE VIIMONITORING AND EVALUATION

CHAPTER IMONITORING

Article 77Monitoring Committee

1

For each rural development programme a Monitoring Committee shall be set up within a maximum of three months following the decision approving the programme.

Each Monitoring Committee shall draw up its rules of procedure within the institutional, legal and financial framework of the Member State concerned and adopt them in agreement with the Managing Authority in order to perform its duties in accordance with this Regulation.

2

Each Monitoring Committee shall be chaired by a representative of the Member State or of the Managing Authority.

Its composition shall be decided by the Member State and shall include the partners referred to in Article 6(1).

At their own initiative, Commission representatives may participate in the work of the Monitoring Committee in an advisory capacity.

3

Member States with regional programmes may establish a national Monitoring Committee to coordinate the implementation of these programmes in relation to the national strategy and the uptake of financial resources.

Article 78Responsibilities of the Monitoring Committee

The Monitoring Committee shall satisfy itself as to the effectiveness of the implementation of the rural development programme. To that end, the Monitoring Committee:

(a)
shall be consulted, within four months of the decision approving the programme, on the selection criteria for financed operations. The selection criteria shall be revised according to programming needs;
(b)
shall periodically review progress made towards achieving the specific targets of the programme, on the basis of the documents submitted by the Managing Authority;
(c)
shall examine the results of implementation, particularly achievement of the targets set for each axis and ongoing evaluations;
(d)
shall consider and approve the annual progress report and the last progress report before they are sent to the Commission;
(e)
may propose to the Managing Authority any adjustment or review of the programme aimed at achieving the Objectives of the EAFRD defined in Article 4 or improving its management, including its financial management;
(f)
shall consider and approve any proposal to amend the content of the Commission decision on the contribution from the EAFRD.

b

the progress of the programme in relation to the objectives set, on the basis of output and result indicators;

c

the financial implementation of the programme giving, for each measure, a statement of the expenditure paid to beneficiaries; if the programme covers regions eligible under the Convergence Objective, expenditure shall be identified separately;

d

a summary of the ongoing evaluation activities in accordance with Article 86(3);

e

the steps taken by the Managing Authority and the Monitoring Committee to ensure the quality and effectiveness of programme implementation, in particular:

(i)
monitoring and evaluation measures;
(ii)
a summary of the major problems encountered in managing the programme and any measures taken, including in response to comments made under Article 83;
(iii)
use of technical assistance;
(iv)
steps taken to ensure that the programme is publicised in accordance with Article 76;

f

a declaration on compliance with Community policies in the context of the support, including identification of the problems encountered and the measures adopted to deal with them;

g

where applicable, re-utilisation of aid recovered under Article 33 of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005.

3

The report shall be judged admissible with a view to applying Article 26 of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 if it contains all the elements listed in paragraph 2 and enables programme implementation to be appraised.

The Commission shall have two months to comment on the annual progress report after it has been sent by the Managing Authority. That time limit shall be increased to five months for the last report of the programme. If the Commission does not respond within the time limit set, the report shall be deemed accepted.

4

Details concerning annual progress reports for specific programmes pursuant to Article 66(3) shall be fixed in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 90(2).

Article 83Annual examination of programmes

1

Each year, on presentation of the annual progress report, the Commission and the Managing Authority shall examine the main results of the previous year, in accordance with procedures to be determined in agreement with the Member State and Managing Authority concerned.

2

Following that examination the Commission may make comments to the Member State and to the Managing Authority, which will inform the Monitoring Committee thereof. The Member State shall inform the Commission of action taken in response to those comments.

CHAPTER IIEVALUATION

Article 84General provisions

1

Rural development programmes shall be subject to ex ante, mid-term and ex post evaluations in accordance with Articles 85, 86 and 87.

2

The evaluations shall aim to improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the implementation of rural development programmes. They shall assess the impact of the programmes as regards the strategic guidelines of the Community provided for in Article 9 and the rural development problems specific to the Member States and regions concerned, taking into account sustainable development requirements and environmental impact, meeting the requirements of relevant Community legislation.

3

The evaluation shall be organised, as appropriate, under the responsibility of either Member States or the Commission.

4

The evaluations referred to in paragraph 1 shall be carried out by independent evaluators. The results shall be made available subject to Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents 23.

5

Member States shall provide the human and financial resources necessary for carrying out the evaluations, shall organise the production and gathering of the requisite data, and shall use the various pieces of information provided by the monitoring system.

6

Member States and the Commission shall agree evaluation methods and standards to be applied at the initiative of the Commission within the framework provided for in Article 80.

Article 85Ex ante evaluation

1

Ex ante evaluation shall form part of drawing up each rural development programme and aim to optimise the allocation of budgetary resources and improve programming quality. It shall identify and appraise medium and long-term needs, the goals to be achieved, the results expected, the quantified targets particularly in terms of impact in relation to the baseline situation, the Community value-added, the extent to which the Community’s priorities have been taken into account, the lessons drawn from previous programming and the quality of the procedures for implementation, monitoring, evaluation and financial management.

2

Ex ante evaluation shall be carried out under the responsibility of the Member State.

Article 86Mid-term and ex post evaluation

1

Member States shall establish a system of ongoing evaluation for each rural development programme.

2

The Managing Authority for the programme and the Monitoring Committee shall use ongoing evaluation to:

a

examine the progress of the programme in relation to its goals by means of result and, where appropriate, impact indicators;

b

improve the quality of programmes and their implementation;

c

examine proposals for substantive changes to programmes;

d

prepare for mid-term and ex post evaluation.

3

From 2008, the Managing Authority shall report each year on the ongoing evaluation activities to the Monitoring Committee. A summary of the activities shall be included in the annual progress report provided for in Article 82.

4

In 2010, ongoing evaluation shall take the form of a separate mid-term evaluation report. That mid-term evaluation shall propose measures to improve the quality of programmes and their implementation.

A summary of the mid-term evaluation reports shall be undertaken on the initiative of the Commission.

5

In 2015, ongoing evaluation shall take the form of a separate ex post evaluation report.

6

The mid-term and ex post evaluations shall examine the degree of utilisation of resources, the effectiveness and efficiency of the programming of the EAFRD, its socioeconomic impact and its impact on the Community priorities. They shall cover the goals of the programme and aim to draw lessons concerning rural development policy. They shall identify the factors which contributed to the success or failure of the programmes’ implementation, including as regards sustainability, and identify best practice.

7

Ongoing evaluation shall be organised on the initiative of the Managing Authorities in cooperation with the Commission. It shall be organised on a multiannual basis and cover the period 2007-2015.

8

The Commission shall organise measures on its initiative to provide training, exchanges of best practice and information for ongoing evaluators, experts in the Member States and Monitoring Committee members, as well as thematic and summary evaluations.

Article 87Summary of ex post evaluations

1

A summary of ex post evaluations shall be made, under the responsibility of the Commission, in cooperation with the Member State and the Managing Authority, which shall gather the data required for its completion.

2

The summary of ex post evaluations shall be completed at the latest by 31 December 2016.

TITLE VIIISTATE AID

Article 88Application of the rules to State aid

1

Save as otherwise provided in this Title, Articles 87, 88 and 89 of the Treaty shall apply to support for rural development by Member States.

However, Articles 87, 88 and 89 of the Treaty shall not apply to financial contributions provided by Member States as counterpart of Community support for rural development within the scope of Article 36 of the Treaty in accordance with this Regulation.

2

Aid for modernisation of agricultural holdings which exceeds the percentages set in the Annex, as regards Article 26(2), shall be prohibited. This prohibition shall not apply to aid for investments relating to:

a

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

b

the protection and improvement of the environment;

c

improvement of the hygiene conditions of livestock undertakings and animal welfare and those with regard to occupational safety at the workplace.

3

State aid granted to farmers to compensate for natural handicaps in mountain areas and in other areas with handicaps shall be prohibited if it does not satisfy the conditions laid down in Article 37. However, additional aid exceeding amounts fixed according to Article 37(3) may be granted in duly justified cases.

4

State aid to support farmers who enter into agri-environmental or animal welfare commitments which fail to satisfy the conditions laid down in Articles 39 and 40 respectively shall be prohibited. However, additional aid exceeding maximum amounts set in the Annex, as regards Articles 39(4) and 40(3), may be granted if duly justified. In exceptional cases, duly justified derogation may be permitted in respect of the minimum duration of those commitments as laid down in Articles 39(3) and 40(2).

5

State aid to support farmers who adapt to demanding standards based on Community legislation in the fields of the environmental protection, public health, animal and plant health, animal welfare and occupational safety shall be prohibited if it does not satisfy the conditions laid down in Article 31. However, additional aid exceeding the maximum amounts fixed in accordance with that Article may be granted to help farmers to comply with national legislation which exceeds Community standards.

6

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 health, animal and plant health, animal welfare and occupational safety shall be prohibited if it does not satisfy the conditions laid down in Article 31. Additional aid exceeding the maximum amounts set in the Annex, as regards Article 31(2), may be granted if justified under Article 31.

Article 89Additional national financing

State aid intended to provide additional financing for rural development for which Community support is granted, shall be notified by Member States and approved by the Commission in accordance with this Regulation as part of the programming referred to in Article 16. The first sentence of Article 88(3) of the Treaty shall not apply to aid thus notified.

TITLE IXTRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 90Committee

1

The Commission shall be assisted by the Rural Development Committee (hereinafter the Committee).

2

Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply.

The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at one month.

3

The Committee shall adopt its Rules of Procedure.

Article 91Implementing rules

Over and above the measures set out in particular provisions of this Regulation, detailed rules shall be adopted for the implementation of this Regulation in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 90(2). They shall cover in particular:

(a)
the presentation of proposed rural development programmes;
(b)
the conditions governing rural development measures.

Article 92Transitional provisions

1

Should specific measures be necessary to facilitate the transition from the system in force to that established by this Regulation, such measures shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 90(2).

2

Such measures shall in particular be adopted to integrate existing Community support approved by the Commission from either the EAGGF Guidance or Guarantee section for a period ending after 1 January 2007 into the rural development support provided for by this Regulation and to cover ex post evaluations of the programmes of the period 2000-2006.

Article 93Repeal

1

Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 shall be repealed with effect from 1 January 2007 with the exception of Articles 13(a), 14(1) and the first two indents of Article 14(2), 15, 17 to 20, 51(3) and 55(4) and the part of Annex I which specifies the amounts under Article 15(3). These provisions shall be repealed with effect from 1 January 2010, subject to an act of the Council adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 37 of the Treaty.

References made to the repealed Regulation shall be construed as being made to this Regulation.

Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 shall continue to apply to actions approved by the Commission under that Regulation before 1 January 2007.

2

Council Directives and Decisions laying down and amending the lists of less favoured areas adopted pursuant to Article 21(2) of Regulation (EC) No 950/97 are hereby repealed with effect from 1 January 2010, subject to an act of the Council adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 37 of the Treaty.

Article 94Entry into force

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply to Community support concerning the programming period starting on 1 January 2007. However, this Regulation shall not apply before the entry into force of the Community legislation laying down general provisions governing the ERDF, the ESF and the CF, for the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013, with the exception of Articles 9, 90, 91 and 92, which shall apply from the entry into force of this Regulation.

Notwithstanding the second subparagraph, Articles 37, 50(2) to (4) and 88(3) shall apply from 1 January 2010, subject to an act of the Council adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 37 of the Treaty.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 20 September 2005.

For the Council

The President

M. Beckett