PART 2Amendment of Regulations governing the 2014-2020 rural development programmes

IntroductoryI92

Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) is amended as follows.

Amendment of Title 1 (objectives and strategy)I13

1

For Article 1(1) substitute—

1

This Regulation lays down general rules governing support for rural development. It sets out the objectives to which rural development policy is to contribute and the relevant priorities for rural development. It outlines the strategic context for rural development policy and defines the measures to be adopted in order to implement rural development policy. In addition, it lays down rules on programming, networking, management, monitoring and evaluation.

2

In Article 2—

a

in paragraph 1—

i

in the first subparagraph, after “Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013” insert “ as it had effect immediately before F1IP completion day ”;

ii

in the second subparagraph—

aa

in point (a) for “joint action by the Union” to the end substitute “ action to achieve the priorities for rural development ”;

bb

in point (b), at the end insert “ as it had effect immediately before F1IP completion day; ”;

cc

in point (c) omit “Union”;

dd

at point (i) for “the Annex to Council Decision 2009/470/EC” substitute “ Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 652/2014 ”;

ee

after point (s) insert—

t

“Directive 2000/29” means Directive 2000/29/EC of 8 May 2000 on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community M1;

u

“Directive 2009/147” means Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conservation of wild birds M2;

b

in paragraph 2—

i

for “A Member State” substitute “ The relevant authority ”;

ii

for “Member States” substitute “ relevant authorities ”;

c

at the end insert—

4

In these Regulations, references to Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 are references to Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, as amended by the European Structural and Investment Funds Common Provisions (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

3

For Article 3 substitute—

Article 3

Mission

Support provided through rural development programmes shall contribute to promoting sustainable rural development in a manner that complements other support provided to the agriculture and fisheries sectors and to less developed regions. It shall contribute to the development of an agricultural sector that is more territorially and environmentally balanced, climate-friendly and resilient and competitive and innovative. It shall also contribute to the development of rural territories.

4

In Article 4, for “the CAP” substitute “ agricultural support ”.

5

In Article 5—

a

for the first paragraph substitute—

The achievement of the objectives of rural development shall be pursued through the following six priorities for rural development, which reflect the relevant Thematic Objectives of the CSF:

b

in the penultimate paragraph, omit from “When a Member State” to “four priorities”.

Amendment of Title II (programming)I24

1

For Article 6 substitute—

Article 6

Rural development programmes

Support for rural development shall be provided in accordance with rural development programmes. These programmes shall implement a strategy to meet the priorities for rural development through a set of measures as defined in Title III. Support for rural development must be provided to further the objectives and the priorities of rural development.

2

Omit Article 7.

3

In Article 8—

a

in paragraph 1—

i

omit point (a);

ii

omit “Union” in each place it occurs;

iii

in point (c)—

aa

in point (ii) omit from “supported by” to “in point (a) and”;

bb

in point (iv) omit “or thematic sub-programmes”;

iv

in point (d) —

aa

omit “the Partnership Agreement and”;

bb

omit “in accordance with the summary submitted in the Partnership Agreement”;

v

omit point (e);

vi

in point (g) for “Member States” substitute “ relevant authority ”;

vii

in point (h)—

aa

for “EAFRD” substitute “ core ” in the first, second, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh places it occurs and “support for rural development” in the third place it occurs;

bb

omit the last sentence of point (i);

viii

for point (l) substitute—

l

information on the complementarity with other support provided to the agricultural and fisheries sectors;

ix

in point (m)—

aa

in point (i) omit “by the Member State”;

bb

in point (iv), for “Member States” substitute “ the relevant authority ”;

b

omit paragraph 2.

4

In Article 9 omit “EAFRD”.

5

Omit Article 10.

F26

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

Amendment of Chapter I (measures) of Title III (rural development support)I35

1

In Article 13, omit “Union”, in both places it occurs.

2

In Article 15—

a

in paragraph 3a, for “Member States” substitute “ the relevant authority ”;

b

in paragraph 4—

i

omit the word “Union”;

ii

for points (d) and (e) substitute—

d

requirements arising from any programme of measures for river basin districts which has been implemented in consequence of Article 11(3) of Directive 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (‘the Water Framework Directive’) M3, which is to be construed as if references to “Community legislation” were references to “the law as it applies in the constituent nation” and references to “Member States” were references to “The competent authority”;

e

requirements which apply by virtue of Article 55 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, in particular any requirement which applies as a consequence of the implementation of Articles 14(1), (2), (4) and (5) of Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for Community action to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides M4, which are to be construed as if references to “Member States” were references to “the competent authority”.

c

for the first sentence of paragraph 5 substitute “ Advice to forest holders shall cover, as a minimum, the relevant requirements which have been implemented as a consequence of Directives 92/43, 2009/147 and 2000/60. ”.

3

In Article 16—

a

in paragraph 1—

i

in points (b) and (c), for “Member States” in both places it occurs substitute “ relevant authority ”;

ii

in point (c) omit “Union”;

b

in paragraph 2 omit the last sentence;

c

in paragraph 3, in the fourth subparagraph omit “, as applicable in the Member State concerned”.

4

In Article 17—

a

in each place it occurs, omit “Union”;

b

in paragraph 2, for “Member States” substitute “ the relevant authority ”;

c

in paragraph 6, for “Union law” substitute “ the law as it applies in the constituent nation ”.

5

In Article 18—

a

in paragraph 3—

i

omit “of Member States”;

ii

for “measures adopted in accordance with Council Directive 2000/29/EC” substitute “ requirements which apply by virtue of Council Directive 2000/29/EC ”;

b

in paragraph 4—

i

for “Member States” substitute “ The relevant authority ”;

ii

for “other national or Union support instruments” substitute “ support under Regulation 508/2014 or direct payment support ”.

6

In Article 19—

a

for “Member States”—

i

in the first and fifth places it occurs, substitute “ the relevant authority ”;

ii

in the second, third and fourth places it occurs, substitute “ The relevant authority ”;

b

in the third subparagraph of paragraph 4, for “Member State” substitute “ relevant authority ”.

7

In Article 20(2)—

a

for “Member State” substitute “ relevant authority ”;

b

for “Union instruments” substitute “ support under Regulation 508/2014 or direct payment support ”.

8

In Article 21(2)—

a

omit the first subparagraph;

b

in the second subparagraph, for “Member States” substitute “ relevant authority ”.

9

In Article 23(2), for “Member States” substitute “ relevant authority ”.

10

In Article 24—

a

in paragraph 2, for “Member States”, in each place where it occurs, substitute “ relevant authority ”;

b

in paragraph 3 —

i

for “Member States” substitute “ the relevant authority ”;

ii

for “measures adopted in accordance with Directive 2000/29/EC” substitute “ requirements which apply as a consequence of the implementation of Council Directive 2000/29/EC ”;

c

in paragraph 4—

i

for “Member States” substitute “ The relevant authority ”;

ii

omit “national or Union”.

11

In Article 26(1) omit the second sentence.

12

In Article 27—

a

in paragraph 2, for “a Member State's” substitute “ the ”;

b

in paragraph 2, for “Member States” substitute “ The relevant authority ”;

c

in paragraph 3, for “Member States” in the first place it occurs, substitute “ The relevant authority ” and in the second place it occurs, substitute “the relevant authority;

d

in paragraph 5, for “Member States” substitute “ The relevant authority ”.

13

In Article 28, for “Member States”—

a

in paragraphs 1 and 4, and the last sentence of the second subparagraph of paragraph 6, substitute “ The relevant authority ”;

b

in the remaining places where it occurs, substitute “ the relevant authority ”;

14

In Article 29—

a

in paragraph 1, for “Member State” substitute “ relevant authority ”;

b

in the second subparagraph of paragraph 4, for “Member States”, in the second place it occurs, substitute “ The relevant authority ”;

c

for “Member States” in the remaining places it occurs, substitute “ the relevant authority ”.

15

In Article 30—

a

in paragraph 1—

i

for “the implementation” to “Water Framework Directive” substitute “ requirements on beneficiaries which apply as a consequence of the implementation of Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC and the Water Framework Directive ”;

ii

for “Member States”—

aa

in the first place it occurs, substitute “ the relevant authority ”;

bb

in the second place it occurs, substitute “ The relevant authority ”;

b

in paragraph 4—

i

in point (a), for “Union law” substitute “ law as it applies in the constituent nation ”;

ii

in point (c), for “Union law” substitute “ law as it applied in the constituent nation ” and omit “as laid down in Article 4(9) of that Directive”.

16

In Article 31—

a

in paragraph 1, for “Member States” substitute “ the relevant authority ”;

b

in paragraph 4—

i

for “Member States”—

aa

in the first place it occurs, substitute “ The relevant authority ”;

bb

in the second place it occurs, substitute “ the relevant authority ”;

ii

in point a, for “national law” substitute “ the law as it applies in the constituent nation ”;

c

in paragraph 5—

i

for “Member States” substitute “the relevant authority;

ii

for “Member State” substitute “ relevant authority ”;

d

omit paragraph 6.

17

In Article 32—

a

in paragraph 1, for “Member States” substitute “ The relevant authority ”;

b

in paragraph 2, omit the last sentence.

c

in paragraph 3 for “Member States”, substitute “ the relevant authority ”;

d

in paragraph 4—

i

for “Member State” substitute “ constituent nation ”;

ii

for “Member States”, in the first place it occurs substitute “ the relevant authority ” and in the second place it occurs substitute “ constituent nations ”;

e

in paragraph 5, for “Member States” substitute “ The relevant authorities ”.

18

In Article 33, in paragraph 1 omit “, as applicable in the Member State concerned”.

19

In Article 34—

a

for “Member States”, in both places it occurs, substitute “ the relevant authority ”;

b

in paragraph 2, omit “the national forestry act or other”.

20

In Article 35—

a

in paragraph 1, omit “Union”;

b

in paragraph 2, in point (i) omit “Union”;

c

in paragraph 6—

i

for “Member States” substitute “ the relevant authority ”;

ii

for “other Union funds” substitute “ support under Regulation 508/2014, CMO support or direct payment support ”;

d

in paragraph 7 omit “or Member States”;

e

for paragraph 9 substitute—

9

Co-operation under this measure may be combined with projects supported by support under Regulation 508/2014 or CMO support or direct payment support. The relevant authority shall ensure that overcompensation as a result of the combination of this measure with other sources of support is avoided.

21

In Article 36—

a

in paragraphs 2 and 3, for “Member State” substitute “ relevant authority ”;

b

in paragraph 4—

i

for “Member States” substitute “ The relevant authority ”;

ii

omit “national or Union”.

22

In Article 37—

a

in paragraph 2—

i

for “Member State” substitute “ relevant authority ”;

ii

for “Member States” substitute “ The relevant authority ”;

b

in paragraph 3, for “the Annex to Decision 2009/470/EC” substitute “ Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 652/2014 ”;

c

in paragraph 4, for “Member States” substitute “ The relevant authority ”.

23

In Article 38—

a

in paragraph 2—

i

in the first subparagraph—

aa

for “Member States”, in both places it occurs, substitute “ The relevant authority ”;

bb

after “shall define” insert “ in the programme ”;

cc

after “fund arrangements” insert “ as set out in the programme ”;

ii

in the second subparagraph, for “Member State” substitute “ relevant authority ”;

b

in paragraph 4, for “the Annex to Decision 2009/470/EC” substitute “ Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 652/2014 ”;

c

in paragraph 5, for “Member States” substitute “ The relevant authority ”.

24

In Article 39(3)—

a

for “Member States”, in both places it occurs, substitute “ The relevant authority ”;

b

after “shall define” insert “ in the programme ”;

c

after “fund arrangements” insert “ as set out in the programme ”;

F324A

In Article 39b—

a

in paragraph 3—

i

for “Member States” substitute “ The relevant authority ”;

ii

for “Member State” substitute “ relevant authority ”;

b

in paragraph 4, omit the second sentence;

c

in paragraph 6—

i

for “Member States” substitute “ the relevant authority ”;

ii

for “other national or Union support instruments” substitute “ Regulation 508/2014 or direct payment support ”.

25

Omit Article 40.

26

In Article 44—

a

in paragraph 1, for point (a) substitute—

a

co-operation projects within or between constituent nations (inter-territorial co-operation) or co-operation projects with territories in third countries (transnational co-operation);

b

in paragraph 2—

i

for “under the EAFRD” substitute “ funded by support for rural development ”;

ii

omit “within or outside the Union”;

c

in paragraph 3, for “Member States” substitute “ the relevant authority ”;

d

omit paragraph 4.

Amendment of Chapters II (common provisions for several measures) and III (technical assistance and networking) of Title IIII46

1

In Article 45, for “EAFRD support”, in both places it occurs, substitute “ support for rural development ”.

2

For Article 46(2) substitute—

2

A river basin management plan, as required under the terms of the Water Framework Directive and as defined by legislation implementing the Water Framework Directive in each of the constituent nations, shall have been notified to the appropriate authority, or, before F5IP completion day, to the Commission, for the entire area in which the investment is to take place, as well as in any other areas whose environment may be affected by the investment. The requirements which apply under the river basin management plan by virtue of Article 11 of the Water Framework Directive and of relevance to the agricultural sector shall have been specified.

3

In Article 47(3), for “Member States” substitute “ the relevant authority ”.

4

In Article 48, for “of the following programming period” substitute “ in force after the current programming period ”.

5

In Article 49—

a

in paragraph 1 omit “Union”;

b

in paragraph 2, for “Member State authority” substitute “ relevant authority ”.

6

In Article 50, for “Member States” substitute “ The relevant authority ”.

7

In Article 51—

a

omit paragraph 1;

b

in paragraph 2, for “Member States” substitute “ relevant authority ”.

c

in paragraph 3, for “EAFRD” substitute “ core ”.

8

Omit Articles 52 and 53.

9

In Article 54—

a

in paragraph 1—

i

for “Each Member State” substitute “ The relevant authority ”;

ii

omit the second subparagraph;

b

in paragraph 3—

i

for “EAFRD support” substitute “ Support for rural development ”;

ii

omit point (b)(vii).

F4c

omit paragraph 4.

Amendment of Titles IV (EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainability) and V (financial provisions)I57

1

In Article 55(3)—

a

for “The EAFRD” substitute “ Support for rural development ”;

b

omit “and the EIP network referred to in Article 53”.

2

In Article 56(3), for “Member States” substitute “ relevant authority ”.

3

In Article 57(3) omit “, in particular through the EIP network”.

4

In Article 58—

a

for paragraph 1 substitute—

1

Without prejudice to paragraphs 5, 6 and 7 of this Article, the core contribution to rural development under this Regulation (‘the core contribution’) for the period from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2020 shall be EUR 5,195,417,491, in 2011 prices.

b

omit paragraphs 2 and 3;

c

in paragraph 4, for “by Member State of the amounts referred to in paragraph 1, after deduction of the amount referred to in paragraph 2” substitute “ of the core contribution ”;

d

for paragraph 5 substitute—

5

Funds transferred under Article 14(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 shall be subtracted from the core contribution.

e

in paragraph 6, for “EAFRD”, in both places it occurs, substitute “ core contribution ”;

f

omit paragraph 8.

5

In Article 59—

a

in paragraph 1, for “maximum contribution from the EAFRD” substitute “ core contribution ”;

b

in paragraph 2, for “EAFRD” substitute “ core ”;

c

in paragraph 3—

i

for the introductory wording of the first subparagraph substitute—

3

The rural development programmes shall establish a single core contribution rate applicable to all measures. Where applicable, a separate core contribution rate shall be established for less-developed regions, as well as for transition regions. The maximum core contribution rate shall be:

ii

in point (a) omit “, in the outermost regions and in the smaller Aegean islands within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No. 229/2013”;

iii

in the second subparagraph, for “EAFRD” substitute “ core ”;

d

in paragraph 4—

i

in the words before point (a), for “EAFRD” substitute “ core ”;

ii

in point (a) omit “, of the outermost regions, of the smaller Aegean islands within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 229/2013,”;

iii

omit point (c);

iv

in point (e), for “EAFRD” substitute “ core contribution ”;

v

omit points (f) to (h);

e

in paragraph 5—

i

omit “, and in the case of Croatia 2,5%,”;

ii

for “EAFRD” substitute “ core ”;

f

in paragraph 6—

i

for “EAFRD” substitute “ core ”;

ii

omit the second subparagraph;

F6fa

in paragraph 6a—

i

omit “EAFRD” in the first place it occurs;

ii

for “EAFRD”, in the second place it occurs, substitute “ core ”;

g

omit paragraph 7;

h

for paragraph 8, substitute—

8

An expenditure receiving support for rural development shall not be co-financed by way of a contribution from under Regulation 508/2014 or CMO support or direct payment support.

6

In Article 60—

a

in paragraph 1, for “Member State” substitute “ constituent nation ”;

b

in paragraph 2—

i

for “an EAFRD contribution” substitute “ rural development support ”;

ii

in the second subparagraph—

aa

for “falling within the scope of Article 42 TFEU” substitute “ in relation to the production of, and trade in, agricultural products ”;

bb

for “Member States” substitute “ relevant authorities ”;

cc

for “Member State” substitute “ constituent nation ”;

iii

in the third subparagraph, for “Member States” substitute “ Relevant authorities ”.

7

In Article 62—

a

for paragraph 1, substitute—

1

The relevant authority must ensure that all the rural development measures that they intend to implement are verifiable and controllable. The Managing Authority and paying agency must also undertake the assessment of the verifiability and controllability of measures during the implementation of the rural development programme. Assessment during the implementation period must take into account the results of controls in the previous and current programming period. Where the assessment reveals that the requirements of verifiability and controllability are not met, the measures concerned must be adjusted accordingly.

b

in paragraph 2, for “Member States” substitute “ the relevant authority ”.

Amendment of Titles VI (management, control and publicity), VII (monitoring and evaluation), VIII (competition provisions) and IX (common provisions and transitional and final provisions)I68

1

Omit Article 64.

2

In Article 65—

a

omit paragraph 1;

b

in paragraph 2—

i

for the words above point (a) substitute “ The relevant authority shall ensure each rural development programme is administered by the following bodies: ”;

ii

in point (a), for “Member State” substitute “ relevant authority ”;

F10iii

in point (b) for “accredited” substitute “ designated ”;

iv

omit point (c);

c

in paragraphs 3 and 4, for “Member States”, in each place it occurs, substitute “ The relevant authority ”.

3

In Article 66—

a

in paragraph 1 —

i

omit point (d);

ii

in point (e) omit “and the Commission”;

iii

in point (g) for “, and, after approval by the Monitoring Committee, submitting it to the Commission” substitute “ and submitting it to the Monitoring Committee for approval ”;

iv

omit point (i);

b

in paragraph 2 omit “Member State or the”;

c

omit paragraph 3;

d

for paragraph 4 substitute—

4

Subject to the role of the paying agencies and other bodies as set out in Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013, a co-ordinating body may be designated with the purpose of ensuring consistency in the management of the programmes between constituent nations.

e

omit paragraph 5.

4

In Article 69—

a

in paragraph 1 omit “at Union level”;

b

in paragraph 2 omit “Union,”.

c

in paragraph 3 omit the second sentence.

5

Omit Article 73.

6

In Article 74(e), omit from “before they are sent to the Commission”.

7

In Article 75—

a

in paragraph 1—

i

for “Member State” substitute “ Managing Authority ”;

ii

for “Commission” substitute “ Monitoring Committee ”.

b

omit paragraph 3;

c

in paragraph 4—

i

omit from “, a description” to “programme and”;

ii

omit “the EAFRD and other EU”.

F77A

In Article 76—

a

in paragraph 2, for “Member States” substitute “ The relevant authority ”;

b

in paragraph 3, for the words from “Member States” to “Commission” substitute “ relevant authority ”.

8

Omit Articles F877 to 79.

9

For Article 82 substitute—

Article 82

Additional financing

Payments in relation to operations for the production of, and trade in, agricultural products, and intended to provide additional financing for rural development for which support is granted at any time during the programming period, shall be included by relevant authorities in the rural development programme as provided for in paragraph 1(j) of Article 8 and, where they comply with the criteria under this Regulation, shall be approved by the relevant authority.

10

In the heading to Title IX, omit “COMMISSION POWERS,”.

F911

Omit Article 85.

12

In Article 86—

a

for “Member States”, in each place it occurs, substitute “ The relevant authority ”;

b

in paragraph 1 omit “and the Commission”;

c

in paragraph 3, for “applicable national and Union law” substitute “ law as it applies in the constituent nation ”;

d

in paragraph 4, for “national and Union” substitute “ public ”.

13

After Article 90 omit the third paragraph.

Amendments to AnnexesI79

1

For Annex 1 substitute—

Annex 1Breakdown of Support for Rural Development (2014-2020) in EUR

Art. 58

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

TOTAL 2014 -2020

475 531 544

848 443 195

850 859 320

754 569 938

754 399 511

755 442 113

756 171 870

5 195 417 491

2

In Annex 2—

a

in the row for Article 17(3)—

i

in each place it occurs, omit “75%”;

ii

in the fourth column—

aa

in both places it occurs, omit from “Of the amount” to “outermost regions”;

bb

in the third row, omit from “Of the amount” to “that Directive”;

cc

in both places it occurs, omit from “Of the amount” to “Aegean islands”;

b

in the row for Article 26(4)—

i

in each place it occurs, omit “75%”;

ii

in the fourth column—

aa

in the second row omit from “Of the amount” to “outermost regions”;

bb

in the third row omit from “Of the amount” to “Aegean islands”.

3

Omit Annex 4.

4

In Annex 5—

a

in the heading to the first column, omit “EU”;

b

for “supported by the EAFRD” substitute “ funded by support for rural development ”;

c

for “Member State”, in both places it occurs, substitute “ relevant authority ”;

d

omit “Union” in both places it occurs.

5

In Annex 6, in both places it occurs, including in the heading, omit “Union”.

Amendment of Regulation (EU) No 1310/2013I810

1

Regulation (EU) No 1310/2013 of the European Parliament and Council laying down certain transitional provisions on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) is amended as follows.

2

In Article 1—

a

for “Member States”, in both places it occurs, substitute “ relevant authorities ”;

b

omit the second subparagraph of paragraph 1;

c

after paragraph 2 insert—

3

In this Article, “relevant authority” means—

a

in England, the Secretary of State;

b

in Northern Ireland, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs;

c

in Scotland, the Scottish Ministers;

d

in Wales, the Welsh Ministers;

3

In Article 3—

a

in paragraph 1—

i

in the first subparagraph—

aa

omit from “without prejudice to Point E” to “Regulation (EC) No 718/2007”;

bb

for “EAFRD” substitute “ support for rural development ”;

ii

in point (a) omit—

aa

from “and, in the” to “31 December 2016”;

bb

“or Regulation (EC) No 718/2007”;

iii

in point (b) omit “and, in the case of Croatia, after 31 December 2016”;

b

after paragraph 2 insert—

3

In this Article, “support for rural development” means financial support granted under Title 3 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 or Title 3, Chapter 2 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, as amended by the European Structural and Investment Funds Common Provisions (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

4

After Article 11 omit from “This Regulation” to “Member States.”