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ANNEX II

A.CONTENT OF A RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (ARTICLE 5)

1.Title of rural development programme

2.Member State and administrative region (if relevant)

2.1.Geographical area covered by the plan

(Article 15(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005)

2.2.Regions classified as ‘Convergence’ Objective

(Article 16(d) and Article 69 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005)

Identify:

3.Analysis of the situation in terms of strengths and weaknesses, the strategy chosen to meet them and the ex ante evaluation

(Article 16(a) and Article 85 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005)

3.1.Analysis of the situation in terms of strengths and weaknesses

Describe the current situation of the geographical area using quantified data, highlighting strengths and weaknesses, disparities, needs and gaps and potential for rural development on the basis of the baseline indicators defined in Annex VIII and of other relevant additional indicators. This description shall concern:

— The general socio-economic context of the geographical area

:

the definition of the rural area taking into account point 2.4 of the Annex to Council Decision 2006/144/EC(1); the demographic situation including analysis of the age and gender population structure, in- and out-migration and problems arising from peri-urban pressures and remoteness; economic drivers, productivity and growth; the labour market including the structure of employment, unemployment and skills levels including analysis of the age and gender employment situation; general and agricultural/forestry land use and ownership structure, average size of holdings.

— Performance of the agricultural, forestry and food sectors

:

competitiveness of agricultural, forestry and food sectors, analysis of structural disadvantages and identification, of restructuring and modernisation needs; human capital and entrepreneurship; potential for innovation and knowledge transfer; quality and compliance with Community standards.

— Environment and land management

:

the handicaps facing farms in areas at risk of abandonment and marginalisation; overall description of biodiversity with focus on that linked to agriculture and forestry, including high nature value farming and forestry systems, the situation with respect to the implementation of the Natura 2000 directives in farm/forestland; water quality and quantity descriptions, the role of agriculture in water use/pollution and implementation of Council Directive 91/676/EEC(2) and of Directive 2000/60/EC (The Nitrates and the Water Framework Directive); air pollution and climate change and their link to agriculture: Greenhouse gas (GHG) and ammonia emissions and link to different action plans/initiatives taken by the Member State/region to contribute in achieving international targets including the Code of Good Practice to reduce ammonia emissions (Convention on Long Range Transboundary Pollution); bioenergy use; soil quality descriptions (water and wind erosion, organic matter, contamination) and protection, pesticide use, organic farming and animal welfare; extent of protective and protected forest areas, forest areas under high/medium fire risk, annual average change in forest coverage. The above descriptions shall be supported by quantified data.

— Rural economy and quality of life

:

structure of the rural economy, barriers to creation of alternative employment opportunities, micro-business formation and tourism; description and gap analysis of the provision of services in rural area, including access to online services and broadband infrastructure; infrastructural needs, cultural heritage and built environment in villages; human potential and local capacity for development including governance.

— Leader

:

the population and territory of the Member States covered by bottom-up integrated rural development strategies (Leader+ and other national and Community co-financed programmes) during the 2000-06 programming period.

3.2.The strategy chosen to meet strengths and weaknesses

Describe the choice and the hierarchy of rural development measures to address the situation in the rural territory and the financial weight given to the different axes and measures justified by the analysis of the strengths and weaknesses.

3.3.The ex ante evaluation

Include this evaluation that will identify and appraise the elements contained in Article 85 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005: 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.

The ex ante evaluation shall address also the requirements of the environmental assessment provided for by Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(3) (the ‘Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive’).

The complete ex ante evaluation will be presented as an annex to the rural development programme.

3.4.Impact from the previous programming period and other information

Describe the impact of EAGGF financial resources allocated to rural development during the previous programming period on the same programming area. Present a summary of the results of evaluations.

Where relevant, also describe any supplementary measures in addition to Community rural development and accompanying measures which have had an impact on the programming area concerned.

4.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

(Article 16(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005)

4.1.Justification of the priorities chosen having regard to the Community strategic guidelines and the national strategy plan

Describe how the measures selected in the rural development programme and the financial weight given to the four Axes reflect the national strategy plan and the specific national situation.

4.2.Expected impacts deriving from the ex ante evaluation with regard to the priorities chosen

The rural development programme will include a summary of the ex ante evaluation (driven from the full ex ante evaluation annexed to the programme) and how the managing authorities took into account the results of this evaluation. This part shall also comment on the expected impacts of synergies between axes and measures and how integrated actions across them can contribute to positive externalities and win-win situations.

5.Information on the axes and measures proposed for each axis and their description

(Article 16(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005)

This information shall include the description of the axes and measures proposed, as well as specific verifiable objectives and indicators referred in Article 81 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 that allow the programme’s progress, efficiency and effectiveness to be measured. These indicators will include common indicators included in the CMEF (Annex VIII to this Regulation) and additional indicators specific to the programme.

5.1.General requirements
5.2.Requirements concerning all or several measures
5.3.Information required for Axes and measures

The following specific information is required for measures:

5.3.1.Axis 1: Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector

Common to certain measures relating to forestry

5.3.1.1.Measures aimed at promoting knowledge and improving human potential
5.3.1.1.1. Vocational training and information actions, including diffusion of scientific knowledge and innovative practices, for persons engaged in the agricultural, food and forestry sectors
5.3.1.1.2.Setting up of young farmers
5.3.1.1.3.Early retirement of farmers and farm workers
5.3.1.1.4.Use of farm and forestry advisory services
5.3.1.1.5.Setting up of management, relief and advisory services
5.3.1.2.Measures aimed at restructuring and developing physical potential and promoting innovation
5.3.1.2.1.Modernisation of agricultural holdings
5.3.1.2.2.Improving the economic value of forests
5.3.1.2.3.Adding value to agricultural and forestry products
5.3.1.2.4.Cooperation for development of new products, processes and technologies in the agriculture and food sector and in the forestry sector
5.3.1.2.5.Infrastructure related to the development and adaptation of agriculture and forestry
5.3.1.2.6.Restoring agricultural production potential damaged by natural disasters and introducing appropriate prevention actions
5.3.1.3.Measures aimed at improving the quality of agricultural production and products
5.3.1.3.1.Meeting standards based on Community legislation
5.3.1.3.2.Participation of farmers in food quality schemes
5.3.1.3.3.Information and promotion activities
5.3.1.4.Transitional measures for the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia
5.3.1.4.1.Supporting semi-subsistence agricultural holdings undergoing restructuring
5.3.1.4.2.Setting up of producer groups
5.3.2.Axis 2: Improving the environment and the countryside
5.3.2.1.Measures targeting the sustainable use of agricultural land

Common to certain measures

Detailed description of the national implementation:

5.3.2.1.1.Natural handicap payments to farmers in mountain areas

The provisions of points 9.3.V.A(1) and 9.3.V.B(1), (2) and (3) and of the second indent of point 9.3.V.B. of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 817/2004 apply until 31 December 2009. However, the distinction between A and B, main features/other information respectively is invalidated.

5.3.2.1.2.Payments to farmers in areas with handicaps, other than mountain areas

Point 5.3.2.1.1 applies.

5.3.2.1.3.Natura 2000 payments and payments linked to Directive 2000/60/EC
5.3.2.1.4.Agri-environment payments
5.3.2.1.5.Animal welfare payments
5.3.2.1.6.Support for non-productive investments
5.3.2.2.Measures targeting the sustainable use of forestry land

Common to all measures:

5.3.2.2.1.First afforestation of agricultural land
5.3.2.2.2.First establishment of agroforestry systems on agricultural land
5.3.2.2.3.First afforestation of non-agricultural land
5.3.2.2.4.Natura 2000 Payments
5.3.2.2.5.Forest-environment payments
5.3.2.2.6.Restoring forestry potential and introducing prevention actions
5.3.2.2.7.Support for non-productive investments
5.3.3.Axis 3: Quality of life in rural areas and diversification of the rural economy
5.3.3.1.Measures to diversify the rural economy
5.3.3.1.1.Diversification into non-agricultural activities
5.3.3.1.2.Support for the creation and development of micro-enterprises
5.3.3.1.3.Encouragement of tourism activities
5.3.3.2.Measures to improve the quality of life in rural areas
5.3.3.2.1.Basic services for the economy and rural population
5.3.3.2.2.Village renewal and development
5.3.3.2.3.Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage
5.3.3.3. Training and information
5.3.3.4. Skill acquisition, animation and implementation
5.3.4.Axis 4: Implementation of the Leader approach
5.3.4.1.Local development strategies
5.3.4.2.Inter-territorial and transnational cooperation
5.3.4.3.Running the local action group, acquiring skills and animating the territory

6.A financing plan, comprising two tables

(Article 16(d) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005)

6.1.Annual Contribution from the EAFRD (in EUR)
a

For Member States with convergence and non-convergence regions.

Year2007200820092010201120122013
Total EAFRD
Convergence regionsa
6.2.Financial plan by axis (in EUR total period)(6)
AxisPublic contribution
Total publicEAFRD contribution rate(%)EAFRD amount
Axis 1
Axis 2
Axis 3
Axis 4
Technical Assistance
Total

NB: Transitional expenditure according to the first indent of point 5.2 of this Annex shall be integrated in the tables in points 6.1, 6.2 and point 7. For the identification of such expenditure Member States shall use the correlation table in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006.

7.Indicative breakdown by Rural Development Measure (in EUR, total period)

a

In order to verify compliance with Article 17 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 the distribution key between axes resulting from the local development strategies will be applied to the total allocation of axis 4.

Measure/AxisPublic expenditurePrivate expenditureTotal Cost
Measure 111
Measure 112
Measure 121
Measure 1 …
Total Axis 1
Measure 211
Measure 212
Measure 221
Measure 2 …
Total Axis 2
Measure 311
Measure 312
Measure 321
Measure 3 …
Total Axis 3
41

Local development strategies:

— 411

Competitiveness

— 412

Environment/land management

— 413

Quality of life/diversification

421

Cooperation:

431

Running costs, skills acquisition, animation

Total Axis 4a
Total axes 1, 2, 3 and 4
511

Technical Assistance

of which amount for the national rural network (where relevant):

(a)

running costs

(b)

action plan

Grand total

The consolidated financial table and the indicative initial measure table must follow the structure of the tables in points 6.1, 6.2 and point 7 and the order of the following list:

The different measures are codified as follows:

(111)

vocational training, information actions, including diffusion of scientific knowledge and innovative practices for persons engaged in the agricultural, food and forestry sectors;

(112)

setting up of young farmers;

(113)

early retirement of farmers and farm workers;

(114)

use by farmers and forest holders of advisory services;

(115)

setting up of farm management, farm relief and farm advisory services, as well as forestry advisory services;

(121)

farm modernisation;

(122)

improving the economic value of the forest;

(123)

adding value to agricultural and forestry products;

(124)

cooperation for development of new products, processes and technologies in the agricultural and food sector;

(125)

improving and developing infrastructure related to the development and adaptation of agriculture and forestry;

(126)

restoring agricultural production potential damaged by natural disasters and introducing appropriate prevention actions;

(131)

helping farmers to adapt to demanding standards based on Community legislation;

(132)

supporting farmers who participate in food quality schemes;

(133)

supporting producer groups for information and promotion activities for products under food quality schemes;

(141)

supporting semi-subsistence farms undergoing restructuring;

(142)

setting up of producer groups;

(211)

natural handicap payments to farmers in mountain areas;

(212)

payments to farmers in areas with handicaps, other than mountain areas;

(213)

Natura 2000 payments and payments linked to Directive 2000/60/EC;

(214)

agri-environmental payments;

(215)

animal welfare payments;

(216)

support for non-productive investments;

(221)

first afforestation of agricultural land;

(222)

first establishment of agroforestry systems on agricultural land;

(223)

first afforestation of non-agricultural land;

(224)

Natura 2000 payments;

(225)

forest environment payments;

(226)

restoring forestry potential and introducing prevention actions;

(227)

support for non-productive investments;

(311)

diversification into non-agricultural activities;

(312)

support for the creation and development of micro-enterprises;

(313)

encouragement of tourism activities;

(321)

basic services for the economy and rural population;

(322)

village renewal and development;

(323)

conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage;

(331)

training and information for economic actors operating in the fields covered by Axis 3;

(341)

skills acquisition and animation with a view to preparing and implementing a local development strategy;

(41)

local development strategies;

(411)

competitiveness;

(412)

environment/land management;

(413)

quality of life/diversification;

(421)

transnational and inter-regional cooperation;

(431)

running the local action group, skills acquisition, animation;

(511)

technical assistance.

8.Where applicable, a table on additional national financing per axis, distinguishing the measures concerned as identified in Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005

Table

Additional national financing (Article 16(f) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005)

(In Euro, total period)
Axis 1
Measure 111
Total Axis 1
Axis 2
Measure 211
Total Axis 2
Axis 3
Measure 311
Total Axis 3
Axis 4
Measure 411
Total Axis 4
Total Axis 1, Axis 2, Axis 3, Axis 4

9.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

(Article 16(g) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005)

Elements under points A and B for state aid rules and procedures must be valid over the entire life cycle of the programme and cover both the initial submission and subsequent changes thereof.

A.For measures and operations falling within the scope of Article 36 of the Treaty, either:
B.For the measures pursuant to Articles 25, 27 (for the latter only for additional national funding referred to in Article 89 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005) and 52 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 and operations under the measures pursuant to Articles 28 and 29 of that Regulation which fall outside the scope of Article 36 of the Treaty, either:

Those measures must be provided in the format of State aid table, as set out below:

C.Format of State aid table, to be attached to each rural development programme
a

To indicate respectively:

  • For the measures covered by a de minimis Regulation: ‘Any aid granted under this measure will be in conformity with the de minimis Regulation (EC) No […]’,

  • For approved aid schemes: reference to Commission State aid approval decision, including State aid number and references of approval letter,

  • For Block Exempted aid: reference to the individual Block Exemption Regulation and the registration number,

  • For other existing aid measures:

    (a)

    in the case of the Member States that acceded to the Community on 1 May 2004 and on 1 January 2007‘the new Member States’]: (1) ‘none’ for pre-1995 aid; (2) reference to the measure's number on the Accession Treaty list, (3) reference to the ‘interim procedure’ no objections letter,

    (b)

    for other cases of existing aid: please indicate the applicable relevant justification.

Measure codeName of the aid schemeIndication of lawfulness of the schemeaDuration of aid scheme

The State aid table shall be accompanied by a commitment from the Member State that any cases of application of the schemes enumerated in point B for which individual notifications are required under State aid rules or under conditions and commitments laid down in the respective State aid approval decision, will be notified individually pursuant to Article 88(3) of the Treaty.

10.Information on the complementarity with the measures financed by the other Common Agricultural Policy instruments, through Cohesion policy as well as by the European Fisheries Fund

(Article 5, Article 16(h) and Article 60 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005)

10.1.Appraisal of and means for the complementarity with:
10.2.In relation with Axes 1, 2 and 3 measures:
10.3.In relation with Axis 4 measures:
10.4.Where relevant, information on the complementarity with other Community financial instruments shall be supplied.

11.Designation of competent authorities and bodies responsible

(Article 16(i)(i) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005)

12.A description of the monitoring and evaluation systems, as well as the envisaged composition of the Monitoring Committee

(Article 16 (i)(ii) and Article 77 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005)

12.1.A description of the monitoring and evaluation systems

These will be constructed on the basis of the common list of output, result, baseline and impact indicators of the rural development programme, included in the CMEF in Annex VIII and the other elements referred to in Article 62(3). Each rural development programme shall specify additional indicators reflecting national and/or regional needs, conditions and objectives specific to the programme area. The data gathered for the indicators could be inspired from standards developed by the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) or Community projects such as the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES).

12.2.The envisaged composition of the Monitoring Committee

13.Provisions to ensure that the programme is publicised

(Article 76 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005)

Describe the communication plan and the elements included in Article 58 of this Regulation and Annex VI thereto:

13.1.Actions foreseen to inform potential beneficiaries, professional organisations, the economic, social and environmental partners, bodies involved in promoting equality between men and women and the non-governmental organisations, of the possibilities offered by the programme and the rules for gaining access to programme funding.
13.2.Actions foreseen to inform the beneficiaries of the Community contribution.
13.3.Actions to inform the general public about the role played by the Community in the programmes and the results thereof.

14.The designation of the partners consulted and the results of the consultation

(Article 6 and Article 16(j) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005)

14.1.The designation of the partners consulted

List of the consulted competent regional, local authorities and other public authorities, the economic and social partners and any other appropriate body representing civil society, non-governmental organisations, including environmental organisations, and bodies responsible for promoting equality between men and women.

14.2.The results of the consultation

Supply a summary of the results of consultations including the dates of consultation and the time given to comment and contribute to the programme preparation and indicate the extent to which the views and advice received have been taken into account.

15.Equality between men and women and non-discrimination

(Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005)

15.1.Describe how equality between men and women will be promoted at the various stages of programme implementation (design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation).
15.2.Describe how any discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or beliefs, disability, age or sexual orientation is prevented during the various stages of programme implementation.

16.Technical assistance operations

(Article 66(2) and Article 68 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005)

16.1.Description of the preparation, management, monitoring, evaluation, information and control activities of programme assistance financed by technical assistance.
16.2.National rural network
(5)

Details for Directive 2000/60/EC will be issued at a later stage.

(6)

In so far the rural development programme covers different types of regions and the EAFRD co-financing rates are differentiated, table 6.2 needs to be repeated for each type of region: Convergence Objective regions, Outermost regions and smaller Aegean Islands, other regions.