CHAPTER IVINFORMATION, REPORTS AND CHECKS

SECTION 2Checks

Article 34Checks

Without prejudice to specific provisions of this Regulation or other F2retained EU law, the appropriate authority must conduct checks and F3take measures to ensure the proper application of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/891 and this Regulation. Those checks and measures shall be effective, proportionate and dissuasive F4in order to ensure proper management of public funds.

In particular, F5the appropriate authority shall ensure that:

  1. (a)

    F6all eligibility criteria established by applicable legislation or by the strategy and framework referred to in Article 36 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the constituent nation in which the producer organisation or association of producer organisations (as the case may be) has its head office can be checked;

  2. (b)

    F7it has a sufficient number of suitably qualified and experienced staff to carry out the checks effectively; and

  3. (c)

    provision is made for checks to avoid irregular duplicated financing of measures under Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 in the fruit and vegetables sector and under other F8schemes funded in whole or in part by European Union or public funds.

F1If a check reveals any non-compliance with the recognition criteria, a detailed report must be made and sent to the Secretary of State in accordance with Article 28.