Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 809/2014Show full title

Section 2 U.K. On-the-spot checks with regard to aid applications for area-related aid schemes and payment claims for area-related support measures

Article 37 U.K. Elements of on-the-spot checks

1. On-the-spot checks shall cover all the agricultural parcels [F1 for which aid is requested under schemes listed in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 and/or] for which support is requested under rural development measures in the scope of the integrated system.

With regard to the control of the rural development measures provided for in Article 21(1)(a) and Articles 30 and 34 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, the on-the-spot checks shall also cover all non-agricultural land for which support is being claimed.

The competent authority shall assess on the basis of the control results whether an update of the corresponding reference parcels is required, having regard to Article 5(3) of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 640/2014.

2. On-the-spot checks shall cover the area measurement and verification of the eligibility criteria, commitments and other obligations of the area declared by the beneficiary under the [F2 aid schemes and/or] support measures referred to in paragraph 1.

[F3 For beneficiaries applying for direct payments under the schemes listed in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 and whose agricultural areas are mainly areas naturally kept in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation, the on-the-spot check shall also cover the verification of the minimum activity carried out on those areas as referred to in Article 9(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013.]

3. [F4 On-the-spot checks related to greening practices shall cover all obligations to be respected by the beneficiary. Where relevant, the compliance with the thresholds referred to in Articles 44 and 46 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 for exemption from the practices shall form part of on-the-spot checks. This subparagraph shall also apply to the on-the-spot checks carried out in respect of F5 ... environmental certification schemes as referred to in Article 43(3)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013.

Where the on-the-spot check concerns F6 ... implementation in accordance with Article 46(5) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, the on-the-spot check shall also cover the area measurement and verification of the obligations imposed by the [F7 relevant authority] upon the beneficiaries or groups of beneficiaries.

Where the on-the-spot check concerns a collective implementation in accordance with Article 46(6) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, the on-the-spot check shall cover:

(a)

the verification of the criteria for close proximity set in accordance with Article 47(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 639/2014;

(b)

the area measurement and verification of the criteria for the contiguous ecological focus areas;

(c)

the additional obligations imposed by the [F8 relevant authority] upon the beneficiaries or groups of beneficiaries, where appropriate;

(d)

the individual greening obligations to be respected by the beneficiary participating in the collective implementation.]

[F9 4. For collectives selected in accordance with point (a) of Article 32(2a), the on-the-spot checks shall cover the area measurement, verification of the eligibility criteria and other obligations of the area declared in the collective claim.

For commitments selected in accordance with point (b) of Article 32(2a), the on-the-spot check shall cover the verification of the commitments notified.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Art. 37(1) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by virtue of The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(32)(a) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(24)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F2 Words in Art. 37(2) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by virtue of The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(32)(b)(i) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(24)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F3 Words in Art. 37(2) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by virtue of The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(32)(b)(ii) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(24)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F4 Art. 37(3) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by virtue of The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(32)(c) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(24)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1); and Art. 37(3) omitted (W.) (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to direct payments) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1556), regs. 1(2)(a), 4(20)

F5 Words in Art. 37(3) omitted (31.1.2020 in so far as it relates to the Common Agricultural Policy direct payment schemes) by virtue of The Financing, Management and Monitoring of Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/90), regs. 1(2), 14(32)(a)(i)

F6 Words in Art. 37(3) omitted (31.1.2020 in so far as it relates to the Common Agricultural Policy direct payment schemes) by virtue of The Financing, Management and Monitoring of Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/90), regs. 1(2), 14(32)(a)(ii)(aa)

F7 Words in Art. 37(3) substituted (31.1.2020 in so far as it relates to the Common Agricultural Policy direct payment schemes) by The Financing, Management and Monitoring of Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/90), regs. 1(2), 14(32)(a)(ii)(bb)

F8 Words in Art. 37(3)(c) substituted (31.1.2020 in so far as it relates to the Common Agricultural Policy direct payment schemes) by The Financing, Management and Monitoring of Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/90), regs. 1(2), 14(32)(a)(iii)(aa)

F9 Inserted by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2333 of 14 December 2015 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 809/2014 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the integrated administration and control system, rural development measures and cross compliance.

Article 38 U.K. Area measurement

[F10 1. The actual area measurement of the agricultural parcel as part of an on-the-spot check may be limited to a randomly selected sample of at least 50 % of the agricultural parcels for which [F11 an aid application or][F11 a] payment claim has been submitted under the [F12 area-related aid schemes or] rural development measures. When this sample check reveals any non-compliance, all agricultural parcels shall be measured or conclusions from the sample shall be extrapolated.]

2. Agricultural parcel areas shall be measured by any means proven to assure measurement of quality at least equivalent to that required by applicable technical standards, as drawn up [F13 in the relevant constituent nation].

3. The competent authority may make use of remote sensing in accordance with Article 40 and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) techniques where possible.

4. A single value buffer tolerance shall be defined for all area measurements performed using GNSS and/or ortho-imagery. For this purpose the measurement tools used shall be validated for at least one validation class of buffer tolerance below the single value. However, the single tolerance value shall not exceed 1.25 m.

The maximum tolerance with regard to each agricultural parcel shall not, in absolute terms, exceed 1.0 ha.

However, for the measures referred to in Article 21(1)(a) and Articles 30 and 34 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 as far as the forestry area is concerned, [F14 the relevant authority] may define appropriate tolerances, which shall in no case be greater than twice the tolerance set out in the first subparagraph of this paragraph.

5. The total area of an agricultural parcel may be taken into account in the measurement provided that it is fully eligible. In other cases the net eligible area shall be taken into account. [F15 For that purpose, the pro-rata system as referred to in Article 10 of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 640/2014 may be applied, where appropriate.]

6. [F16 For the purpose of the calculation of shares of different crops for crop diversification as referred to in Article 44 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, the area actually covered by one crop in accordance with Article 40(2) of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 639/2014 shall be taken into account for the measurement. On areas where mixed cropping is applied, the total area covered with mixed cropping in accordance with the first and the second subparagraphs of Article 40(3) of that Regulation or covered with a mixed crop in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 40(3) of that Regulation shall be taken into account.]

7. Where [F17 Article 17 of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 640/2014] may lead to an artificial division of the area of adjacent agricultural parcels with a homogeneous land cover type into separate agricultural parcels, the measurement of this area of adjacent agricultural parcels with a homogeneous land cover type shall be combined in one single measurement of the agricultural parcels concerned.

8. Where appropriate, [F17 separate measurements] shall be carried out on the agricultural parcel for the purpose of the basic payment scheme F18 ... in accordance with Chapter 1 of Title III of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 and a spatially different overlapping agricultural parcel for the purpose of the remaining area-related aid schemes and/or rural development measures, where appropriate.

[F19 9. [F20 Where the eligible area measured in accordance with [F21 paragraphs 1 to 8][F21 this Article] is different from the area established as a basis for the calculation of the [F22 aid or] support where checks by monitoring are applied in accordance with Article 40a, the area measured in accordance with [F23 paragraphs 1 to 8 of] this Article shall prevail.]

10. In the specific case of agricultural parcels of permanent grassland [F24 or permanent pastures] used in common by several beneficiaries, the actual measurement may be substituted by checks based on the ortho-images used for the update of the identification system for agricultural parcels referred to in Article 70 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 provided that those checks are carried out on all such parcels within a period of maximum three years and the competent authority can demonstrate effective operational procedures complying with the rules laid down in Article 7 of this Regulation and effects the recoveries appropriately.]

Textual Amendments

F10 Substituted by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1804 of 28 October 2019 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 809/2014 as regards amendments of aid applications or payment claims, checks in the integrated administration and control system and the control system in relation to cross compliance.

F11 Word in Art. 38(1) substituted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(33)(za)(i) (as inserted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(25)(a)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F12 Words in Art. 38(1) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by virtue of The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(33)(za)(ii) (as inserted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(25)(a)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F13 Words in Art. 38(2) substituted (31.1.2020 in so far as it relates to the Common Agricultural Policy direct payment schemes) by The Financing, Management and Monitoring of Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/90), regs. 1(2), 14(33)(a); and words in Art. 38(2) substituted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(33)(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F14 Words in Art. 38(4) substituted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(33)(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F15 Words in Art. 38(5) omitted (W.) (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to direct payments) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1556), regs. 1(2)(a), 4(21)(a)

F16 Art. 38(6) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(33)(c) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(25)(b)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1); and Art. 38(6) omitted (W.) (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to direct payments) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1556), regs. 1(2)(a), 4(21)(b)

F17 Substituted by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/746 of 18 May 2018 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 809/2014 as regards modification of single applications and payment claims and checks.

F18 Words in Art. 38(8) omitted (31.1.2020 in so far as it relates to the Common Agricultural Policy direct payment schemes) by virtue of The Financing, Management and Monitoring of Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/90), regs. 1(2), 14(33)(b); and words in Art. 38(8) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(33)(d) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(25)(b)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F19 Inserted by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1804 of 28 October 2019 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 809/2014 as regards amendments of aid applications or payment claims, checks in the integrated administration and control system and the control system in relation to cross compliance.

F20 Art. 38(9) omitted (W.) (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to direct payments) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1556), regs. 1(2)(a), 4(21)(c)

F21 Words in Art. 38(9) substituted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(33)(e)(i) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(25)(b)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F22 Words in Art. 38(9) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(33)(e)(iii) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(25)(b)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F23 Words in Art. 38(9) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by virtue of The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(33)(e)(ii) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(25)(b)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F24 Words in Art. 38(10) omitted (W.) (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to direct payments) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1556), regs. 1(2)(a), 4(21)(d)

Article 39 U.K. Verification of eligibility conditions

[F10 1. The verification of the eligibility criteria, commitments and other obligations of the agricultural parcels as part of an on-the-spot check may be limited to a randomly selected sample of at least 50 % of the agricultural parcels for which [F25 an aid application or][F25 a] payment claim has been submitted under the [F26 area-related aid schemes or] rural development measures.

However, for rural development measures, when some eligibility criteria, commitments or other obligations of the agricultural parcels cannot be adequately checked when limiting the checks to a randomly selected sample in accordance with the first subparagraph, an additional risk based sample allowing the checking of these criteria, commitments or obligations shall be selected.

When the randomly selected sample or the risk based sample reveal any non-compliance, all agricultural parcels shall be subject to the verification of the eligibility criteria, commitments and other obligations or conclusions from the sample shall be extrapolated.

The eligibility of agricultural parcels shall be verified by any appropriate means, including evidence provided by the beneficiary at the request of the competent authority. That verification shall also include a verification of the crop, where appropriate. To that end, additional proof shall be requested where necessary.]

2. [F27 [F28 For permanent grassland which can be grazed and which forms part of the established local practices where grasses and other herbaceous forage are traditionally not predominant in grazing areas, the reduction coefficient according to Article 32(5) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 may be applied, where appropriate, to the eligible area measured in accordance with Article 38 of this Regulation.] Where an area is used in common, the competent authorities shall allocate it between the individual beneficiaries in proportion to their use or right of use of it.]

3. [F29 Landscape features declared by beneficiaries as ecological focus area that are not included in the eligible area in accordance with Articles 9 and 10 of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 640/2014 shall be verified according to the same principles as applicable to the eligible area.]

[F10 4. In the specific case of agricultural parcels of permanent grassland or permanent pastures used in common by several beneficiaries, the verification of the eligibility criteria, commitments and other obligations may be substituted by checks based on the ortho-images used for the update of the identification system for agricultural parcels referred to in Article 70 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 provided that those checks are carried out on all such parcels within a period of maximum three years and the competent authority can demonstrate effective operational procedures complying with the rules laid down in Article 7 of this Regulation and effects the recoveries appropriately.]

Textual Amendments

F10 Substituted by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1804 of 28 October 2019 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 809/2014 as regards amendments of aid applications or payment claims, checks in the integrated administration and control system and the control system in relation to cross compliance.

F25 Word in Art. 39(1) substituted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(34)(a)(i) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(26)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F26 Words in Art. 39(1) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by virtue of The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(34)(a)(ii) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(26)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F27 Art. 39(2) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by virtue of The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(34)(b) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(26)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F28 Words in Art. 39(2) omitted (W.) (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to direct payments) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1556), regs. 1(2)(a), 4(22)(a)

F29 Art. 39(3) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by virtue of The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(34)(b) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(26)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1); and Art. 39(3) omitted (W.) (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to direct payments) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1556), regs. 1(2)(a), 4(22)(b)

Article 40 U.K. Checks with remote sensing

Where a [F30 relevant authority] carries out on-the-spot checks by remote sensing, the competent authority shall:

(a)

perform photo interpretation of ortho-images (satellite or aerial) of all agricultural parcels per [F31 aid application and/or] payment claim to be checked with a view to recognising the land cover types, and where appropriate the crop type, and measuring the area;

(b)

[F17 carry out physical inspections in the field of all agricultural parcels for which photo interpretation or other relevant evidence requested by the competent authority does not make it possible to verify the accuracy of the declaration of areas to the satisfaction of the competent authority;]

(c)

carry out all checks required to verify the compliance with the eligibility criteria, commitments and other obligations of the agricultural parcels;

(d)

take alternative action to cover the area measurement in accordance with Article 38(1) of any parcels not covered by imagery.

Textual Amendments

F17 Substituted by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/746 of 18 May 2018 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 809/2014 as regards modification of single applications and payment claims and checks.

F30 Words in Art. 40 substituted (31.1.2020 in so far as it relates to the Common Agricultural Policy direct payment schemes) by The Financing, Management and Monitoring of Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/90), regs. 1(2), 14(34); and words in Art. 40 substituted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(35)(a) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(26)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F31 Words in Art. 40(a) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by virtue of The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(35)(b) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(26)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[F32 [F33 Article 40a U.K. Checks by monitoring

1. Competent authorities may carry out checks by monitoring. Where they elect to do so, they shall:

(a)

set up a procedure of regular and systematic observation, tracking and assessment of all eligibility criteria, commitments and other obligations which can be monitored by Copernicus Sentinels satellite data or other data with at least equivalent value, over a period of time that allows to conclude on the eligibility of the aid or support requested;

(b)

carry out, where necessary, and in order to conclude on the eligibility of aid or support requested, appropriate follow-up activities;

(c)

carry out checks for 5 % of the beneficiaries concerned by eligibility criteria, commitments and other obligations which cannot be monitored by Copernicus Sentinels satellite data or other data with at least equivalent value, and are relevant to conclude on the eligibility of aid or support. Between 1 % and 1,25 % of the beneficiaries shall be selected randomly. The remaining beneficiaries shall be selected on the basis of a risk analysis;

(d)

[F10 inform beneficiaries about the decision to carry out checks by monitoring and set up appropriate tools to communicate with beneficiaries on at least provisional results at parcel level of the procedure set up in accordance with point (a) of this subparagraph, warning alerts and evidence requested for the purposes of points (b) and (c). Competent authorities shall ensure timely communication with the beneficiaries to support them in fulfilling the eligibility criteria, commitments and other obligations and allow the beneficiaries to address or remedy the situation before the conclusions are drawn in the control report referred to in Article 41.]

[F10 For the purposes of points (b) and (c) of the first subparagraph, physical inspections in the field shall be carried out when relevant evidence, including evidence provided by the beneficiary at the request of the competent authority, does not allow to conclude on the eligibility of the aid or support requested. Physical inspections in the field may be limited to checks of eligibility criteria, commitments and other obligations that are relevant to conclude on the eligibility of the aid or support requested. These physical inspections shall include area measurement only where necessary to conclude on the compliance with these eligibility criteria, commitments or other obligations.]

[F19 For the purposes of point (c) of the first subparagraph, checks of eligibility criteria, commitments and other obligations which cannot be monitored by Copernicus Sentinels satellite data or other data with at least equivalent value may be limited to a sample of at least 50 % of the agricultural parcels declared by a beneficiary. The competent authority may select this sample randomly or on the basis of other criteria. Where the sample of agricultural parcels is selected randomly and the checks reveal any non-compliance, the competent authority shall extrapolate the conclusions from the sample or shall check all agricultural parcels. Where the sample is selected on the basis of other criteria and the checks reveal any non-compliance, the competent authority shall check all agricultural parcels.]

2. Where the competent authority carries out checks by monitoring in accordance with paragraph 1, can demonstrate effective operational procedures fulfilling the requirements laid down in Articles 7, 17 and 29 of this Regulation and has proven the quality of the identification system for agricultural parcels as assessed in accordance with Article 6 of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 640/2014:

(a)

Articles 25, 26, [F34 30, 31,] 32, 34, 35, 36, Article 37(2), (3) and (4) and Articles 38 and 40 of this Regulation do not apply;

(b)

[F35 the verification of tetrahydrocannabinol content in hemp growth carried out in accordance with Article 9 of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 639/2014 shall be made for 30 % of the area or 20 % of the area in case the [F36 relevant authority] has a system of prior approval in place.]

3. The competent authority may decide to apply checks by monitoring at the level of the individual [F37 area-related aid scheme or] support measure or type of operation [F38 or to defined groups of beneficiaries subject to on-the-spot checks for the greening payment, as referred to in points (a) to (h) of Article 31(1)].

In the first two years of application, the competent authority may decide to apply checks by monitoring to beneficiaries of an aid scheme or support measure in areas chosen on the basis of objective and non-discriminatory criteria. In such cases the areas subject to checks by monitoring in the second year of application shall be greater than in the first year of application.

Where the competent authority decides to carry out checks in accordance with the first or second subparagraph, paragraphs 1 and 2 shall apply only to the beneficiaries subject to checks by monitoring.

[F19 4. Where the procedure referred to in point (a) of paragraph 1 reveals findings relevant for [F39 direct payment schemes,] rural development measures and requirements and/or standards not checked by monitoring, competent authorities may decide to take into account those findings only in respect of beneficiaries selected in accordance with Articles [F40 30, 31,] 32 and 68 for on-the-spot checks of [F39 direct payment schemes,] rural development measures and requirements and/or standards not checked by monitoring. The derogation shall be limited to the three years following the 1 ^st of January of the calendar year in which the competent authority started carrying out checks by monitoring.]]]

Textual Amendments

F10 Substituted by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1804 of 28 October 2019 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 809/2014 as regards amendments of aid applications or payment claims, checks in the integrated administration and control system and the control system in relation to cross compliance.

F19 Inserted by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1804 of 28 October 2019 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 809/2014 as regards amendments of aid applications or payment claims, checks in the integrated administration and control system and the control system in relation to cross compliance.

F32 Inserted by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/746 of 18 May 2018 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 809/2014 as regards modification of single applications and payment claims and checks.

F33 Art. 40a omitted (W.) (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to direct payments) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1556), regs. 1(2)(a), 4(23)

F34 Words in Art. 40a(2)(a) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by virtue of The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(36)(a)(i) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(26)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F35 Art. 40a(2)(b) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by virtue of The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(36)(a)(ii) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(26)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F36 Words in Art. 40a(2)(b) substituted (31.1.2020 in so far as it relates to the Common Agricultural Policy direct payment schemes) by The Financing, Management and Monitoring of Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/90), regs. 1(2), 14(35)

F37 Words in Art. 40a(3) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by virtue of The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(36)(b)(i) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(26)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F38 Words in Art. 40a(3) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by virtue of The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(36)(b)(ii) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(26)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F39 Words in Art. 40a(4) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by virtue of The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(36)(c)(i) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(26)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F40 Words in Art. 40a(4) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by virtue of The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(36)(c)(ii) (as substituted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(26)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F41 Article 40b U.K. Notifications

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F41 Art. 40b omitted (31.1.2020 in so far as it relates to the Common Agricultural Policy direct payment schemes) by virtue of The Financing, Management and Monitoring of Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/90), regs. 1(2), 14(36); and Art. 40b omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by virtue of The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(37); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Article 41 U.K. Control report

1. Every on-the-spot check under this Section shall be the subject of a control report which makes it possible to review the details of the checks carried out and to draw conclusions on the compliance with the eligibility criteria, commitments and other obligations. The report shall indicate in particular:

(a)

the [F42 aid schemes or] support measures [F43 , the aid applications] or payment claims checked;

(b)

the persons present;

(c)

the agricultural parcels checked, the agricultural parcels measured including, where applicable, the result of the measurements per measured agricultural parcel and the measuring methods used;

(d)

where applicable, the results of the measurement of non-agricultural land for which support under rural development measures is being claimed and the measuring methods used;

(e)

whether notice of the check was given to the beneficiary and, if so, the period of prior notice;

(f)

indications of any specific control measures to be carried out in the context of individual [F42 aid schemes or] support schemes;

(g)

indication of any further control measures carried out;

(h)

indication of any non-compliance found that could require cross-notification in view of other [F44 aid schemes,] support measures and/or cross-compliance;

(i)

indication of any non-compliance found that could require follow-up during the following years.

[F45 [F32 Where checks by monitoring are carried out in accordance with Article 40a, points (b) to (e) of the first subparagraph shall not apply. The control report shall indicate the results of the checks by monitoring at parcel level.]]

2. The beneficiary shall be given the opportunity to sign the report during the check to attest his presence at the check and to add observations. Where [F46 the relevant authority makes] use of a control report established by electronic means during the check, the competent authority shall provide for the possibility of an electronic signature by the beneficiary or the control report shall be sent without delay to the beneficiary giving him the opportunity to sign the report and to add any observations. Where any non-compliance is found the beneficiary shall receive a copy of the control report.

[F9 By way of derogation from the first subparagraph, where the [F47 relevant authority] uses the option to introduce collective claims, the [F47 relevant authority] may decide not to give the collective the opportunity to sign the control report if no non-compliance is revealed during the check. If any non-compliance is revealed as a consequence of such checks, the opportunity to sign the report shall be given before the competent authority draws its conclusions from the findings with regard to any resulting reductions, refusals, withdrawals or penalties.]

[F10 Where the on-the-spot check is carried out by means of remote sensing in accordance with Article 40 [F48 or by means of monitoring in accordance with Article 40a,] the [F49 relevant authority] may decide not to give the beneficiary the opportunity to sign the control report if no non-compliance is revealed during the check by remote-sensing [F50 or by monitoring]. If any non-compliance is revealed as a consequence of such checks [F50 or by monitoring], the opportunity to sign the report shall be given before the competent authority draws its conclusions from the findings with regard to any resulting reductions, refusals, withdrawals or administrative penalties. [F51 Where checks by monitoring are applied, this obligation shall be considered fulfilled if beneficiaries are notified of non-compliances through the tools set up to communicate with beneficiaries in accordance with point (d) of Article 40a(1) and beneficiaries are given the opportunity to contest the non-compliances before the competent authority draws its conclusions from the findings with regard to any resulting reductions, refusals, withdrawals or administrative penalties.]]

Textual Amendments

F9 Inserted by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2333 of 14 December 2015 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 809/2014 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the integrated administration and control system, rural development measures and cross compliance.

F10 Substituted by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1804 of 28 October 2019 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 809/2014 as regards amendments of aid applications or payment claims, checks in the integrated administration and control system and the control system in relation to cross compliance.

F32 Inserted by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/746 of 18 May 2018 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 809/2014 as regards modification of single applications and payment claims and checks.

F42 Words in Art. 41(a)(f) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by virtue of The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(38)(za)(i) (as inserted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(27)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F43 Words in Art. 41(a) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by virtue of The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(38)(za)(ii) (as inserted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(27)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F44 Words in Art. 41(h) omitted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by virtue of The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(38)(za)(iii) (as inserted by S.I. 2020/1445, regs. 1(2)(b), 8(27)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F45 Words in Art. 41(1) omitted (W.) (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to direct payments) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1556), regs. 1(2)(a), 4(24)(a)

F46 Words in Art. 41(2) substituted (31.1.2020 in so far as it relates to the Common Agricultural Policy direct payment schemes) by The Financing, Management and Monitoring of Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/90), regs. 1(2), 14(37)(a)(i); and words in Art. 41(2) substituted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(38)(a)(i); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F47 Words in Art. 41(2) substituted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(38)(a)(ii); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F48 Words in Art. 41(2) omitted (W.) (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to direct payments) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1556), regs. 1(2)(a), 4(24)(b)(i)

F49 Words in Art. 41(2) substituted (31.1.2020 in so far as it relates to the Common Agricultural Policy direct payment schemes) by The Financing, Management and Monitoring of Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/90), regs. 1(2), 14(37)(a)(ii); and words in Art. 41(2) substituted (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to common organisation of the markets and rural development measures) by The Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/765), regs. 1, 5(38)(a)(iii); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F50 Words in Art. 41(2) omitted (W.) (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to direct payments) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1556), regs. 1(2)(a), 4(24)(b)(ii)

F51 Words in Art. 41(2) omitted (W.) (31.12.2020 in so far as it relates to direct payments) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1556), regs. 1(2)(a), 4(24)(b)(iii)