Regulation (EC) No 2759/1999 is amended as follows:

1. 1.

   In Article 3, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

   ‘1.

   Support may be granted for investments provided for in Article 25 of Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 relating to improving the processing and marketing of the agricultural including fishery products included in Annex I to the Treaty. Agricultural products, excluding fishery products, must originate in applicant countries or the Community. Investments at the retail level shall be excluded from support.

   Support shall be granted to those persons ultimately responsible for financing the investment in enterprises fulfilling the conditions provided for in the first and second indents of Article 2(2) of this Regulation.

   However, where acquis-related minimum standards regarding the environment, hygiene and animal welfare have been newly introduced at the time the application is received, the decision to grant support will be conditional on the enterprise meeting those new standards by the end of the realisation of the investment.’

2. 2.

   In Article 8, paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:

   ‘4.

   For the application of Article 8(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1268/1999 the following definitions shall apply:

   (a)

   ‘young farmers’ shall mean a farmer under 40 years of age at the time when the decision to grant support is taken, possessing adequate occupational skills and competence;

   (b)

   ‘mountain areas’ shall mean mountain areas as defined in Article 18(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999;

   (c)

   ‘public aid’ shall mean all such aid whether or not granted under the programme.’