Commission Regulation (EC) No 1974/2006 (repealed)Show full title

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

(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 U.K.

• identify the specific article (and paragraph where relevant) which covers each rural development measure. Where two or more articles are quoted (for integrated operations), the payment shall be attributed to the dominant measure and through this to the dominant axis (Article 70(7) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005), but each part shall be implemented in accordance with the rules governing the individual measures.

• identify the rationale for intervention, the objectives, the scope and actions, indicators, quantified targets and where appropriate beneficiaries.

5.2. Requirements concerning all or several measures U.K.

• Reference of all ongoing operations/contracts from the previous period, including in financial terms, and the procedures/rules (including the transitional ones) which apply to these in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006 laying down rules for the transition to the rural development support provided for by Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005(1). Where deviations from the correlation table set in Annex II to that Regulation are proposed in a programme such deviations must be explained under this indent. For operations belonging to measures which will no longer be re-conducted in the 2007-13 programming period description may be limited only to the requirements under this indent.

• Confirmation that for the measures pursuant to Articles 25 and 52 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 and for operations under the measures pursuant to Articles 28 and 29 of that Regulation which fall outside the scope of Article 36 of the Treaty, respect of the State aid procedures and material compatibility criteria, in particular aid ceilings of total public support under Articles 87 to 89 of the Treaty, is ensured.

• Confirmation that the cross-compliance requirements, which affect the implementation of several rural development measures, are identical to those provided for by Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003.

• Evidence that for investment measures support is targeted on clearly defined objectives reflecting identified territorial needs and structural disadvantages.

• Criteria and administrative rules for ensuring that operations benefiting exceptionally from rural development support in the support schemes listed in Annex I to this Regulation are not also supported by other relevant instruments of the Common Agricultural Policy.

• Evidence as referred to in Article 48(2) of this Regulation allowing the Commission to check consistency and plausibility of the calculations.

• In case of use of interest rate subsidies and capitalisation systems thereof, as well as of financial engineering actions, the arrangements in accordance with Articles 49 to 52 of this Regulation.

5.3. Information required for Axes and measures U.K.

The following specific information is required for measures:

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

Common to certain measures relating to forestry

• linkage of proposed measures with national/sub-national forest programmes or equivalent instruments and with the Community Forestry Strategy.

5.3.1.1. Measures aimed at promoting knowledge and improving human potential U.K.

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 U.K.

• description of the operations (including types of training) and the type of beneficiaries,

• details on coverage of support.

5.3.1.1.2. Setting up of young farmers U.K.

• the definition of ‘setting up’ used by the Member State/region,

• a summary of the requirements of the business plan, including in case of investments to comply with existing Community standards within a 36-month grace period, and details on frequency and treatment of reviews of the business plan,

• use of the possibility to benefit from the grace period in order to reach the occupational skills and competence requirements,

• use of the possibility to combine different measures through the business plan giving access of the young farmer to these measures,

• amount of support and choice of payment (single premium in up to five instalments, interest rate subsidy or combination of both).

5.3.1.1.3. Early retirement of farmers and farm workers U.K.

• description of the link with national retirement schemes,

• description of the link with the young farmers setting-up measure (where this options was chosen),

• duration of the aid,

• use of the possibility to transfer released land to a body which undertakes to reassign it at a later date,

• amount for payments.

5.3.1.1.4. Use of farm and forestry advisory services U.K.

• description of the farm/forestry advisory systems put in place by the Member State, including the procedure for the selection of the bodies responsible for the provision of those services to farmers/forest holders,

• amount and rate of support.

5.3.1.1.5. Setting up of management, relief and advisory services U.K.

• description of the setting-up procedures, the status of the services providers, the type of services covered,

• description of the types of eligible expenditures, level of support, including its degressivity.

5.3.1.2. Measures aimed at restructuring and developing physical potential and promoting innovation U.K.

5.3.1.2.1. Modernisation of agricultural holdings U.K.

• description of the requirements and targets with regard to the improvement of the overall performance of the agricultural holdings,

• types of investments (tangible-intangible),

• types of beneficiaries,

• designation of the newly introduced Community standards (and of existing standards in the case of young farmers receiving setting-up support) for which support may be granted, justification related to the specific problems involved in complying with these standards and duration and justification of the grace period per standard concerned,

• type of support and aid intensities.

5.3.1.2.2. Improving the economic value of forests U.K.

• types of investments and of the beneficiaries concerned,

• type of support and aid intensities.

5.3.1.2.3. Adding value to agricultural and forestry products U.K.

• description of the requirements and targets with regard to the overall performance of the enterprises,

• primary production sectors and types of investments (tangible-intangible),

• types and size of the beneficiary enterprises,

• designation of the standards for which a period of grace can be granted to micro-enterprises in order to comply with a newly introduced Community standard,

• type of support and aid intensities.

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 U.K.

• sectors covered and types of partners involved in the cooperation projects,

• description of any distinction between cooperation projects in the fields of new products/new processes/new technologies,

• types of eligible costs and levels of support.

5.3.1.2.5. Infrastructure related to the development and adaptation of agriculture and forestry U.K.

• Description of the type of operations.

5.3.1.2.6. Restoring agricultural production potential damaged by natural disasters and introducing appropriate prevention actions U.K.

• On occurrence of such events, assurance that only investment expenditure is covered.

5.3.1.3. Measures aimed at improving the quality of agricultural production and products U.K.

5.3.1.3.1. Meeting standards based on Community legislation U.K.

• list of standards based on Community legislation eligible for support under Article 31(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, date from which each standard is mandatory in accordance with Community legislation and justification of choice,

• description of the significant impact on farm operating costs stemming from the obligations or restrictions imposed by the new standard,

• amount of support per eligible standard and methodology used to determine this amount.

5.3.1.3.2. Participation of farmers in food quality schemes U.K.

• list of Community and national quality schemes eligible for support, including the list of products qualifying for support under the quality schemes chosen. For national schemes, description of the scheme regarding the criteria referred to in Article 22(2),

• indication of the official authority or authorities responsible for the supervision of the functioning of the quality scheme and description of the organisational arrangements for the supervision,

• amount of support per type of eligible scheme and justification of fixed costs.

5.3.1.3.3. Information and promotion activities U.K.

• list of products qualifying for support under the quality scheme chosen under measure ‘Participation of farmers in food quality schemes’,

• procedure for ensuring that actions benefiting from rural development support are not also supported under Regulation (EC) No 2826/2000,

• procedure for ex ante checks on information, promotion, and advertising materials (Article 23(6) of this Regulation),

• summary description of the type of eligible costs and rates of support.

5.3.1.4. Transitional measures for the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia U.K.

5.3.1.4.1. Supporting semi-subsistence agricultural holdings undergoing restructuring U.K.

• definition of the semi-subsistence farm taking account of the minimum and/or maximum size of the farm, the proportion of production marketed, and/or the level of income of the eligible farm;

• definition of the future economic viability;

• summary of the requirements of the business plan;

• amount and duration of support.

5.3.1.4.2. Setting up of producer groups U.K.

• description of the official procedure for recognising the groups including selection criteria;

• sectors concerned;

• solely for Malta, indication of the sector or sectors benefiting from the derogation with the justification related to the extremely small total output, and the conditions of eligibility for the derogation: minimum percentage of the group’s production compared to total production in the sector, minimum number of producers in the sector who are members of the group;

• solely for Malta, justification of annual amounts.

5.3.2. Axis 2: Improving the environment and the countryside U.K.

5.3.2.1. Measures targeting the sustainable use of agricultural land U.K.

Common to certain measures

Detailed description of the national implementation:

• for the specific purposes of Article 39(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 the minimum requirements for fertilizer and plant protection products use and other relevant mandatory requirements; minimum requirements for fertilisers must include, inter alia, the Codes of Good Practice introduced under Directive 91/676/EEC for farms outside Nitrate Vulnerable Zones, and requirements concerning phosphorus pollution; minimum requirements for plant protection products must include, inter alia, requirements to have a licence to use the products and meet training obligations, requirements on safe storage, the checking of application machinery and rules on pesticide use close to water and other sensitive sites, as established by national legislation;

• for the specific purposes of Article 40(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 other relevant mandatory requirements established by national legislation.

5.3.2.1.1. Natural handicap payments to farmers in mountain areas U.K.

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 U.K.

Point 5.3.2.1.1 applies.

5.3.2.1.3. Natura 2000 payments and payments linked to Directive 2000/60/EC U.K.

• the areas designated to implement Directives 79/409/EEC and 92/43/EEC and the obligations for farmers resulting from the corresponding national/regional management provisions;

• description of the methodology and the agronomic assumptions used as reference point for the calculations justifying additional costs and income foregone resulting from the disadvantages in the area concerned related to the implementation of Directives 79/409/EEC and 92/43/EEC(2);

• amounts of support.

5.3.2.1.4. Agri-environment payments U.K.

• description and justification of the different types of commitments, based on their expected environmental impact in relation to environmental needs and priorities,

• the description of the methodology and of the agronomic assumptions and parameters (including the description of the baseline requirements as stated in Article 39(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 which are relevant for each particular type of commitment) used as reference point for the calculations justifying: (a) additional costs, (b) income foregone resulting from the commitment made and (c) level of the transaction costs; where relevant, this methodology shall take into account aid granted under Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003; where appropriate, the conversion method used for other units in accordance with Article 27(9) of this Regulation,

• amounts of support,

• the measures, objectives and criteria applied in case of the selection of beneficiaries by calls for tender in accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 39(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005,

• the list of local breeds in danger of being lost to farming and the number of breeding females concerned. That number must be certified by a duly recognised technical body — or breeder’s organisation/association — which must register and keep up-to-date the herd or flock book for the breed. Evidence that the body concerned possesses the necessary skills and knowledge to identify animals of the breeds in danger,

• for plant genetic resources under threat of genetic erosion, evidence of genetic erosion based upon scientific results and indicators for the occurrence of landraces/primitive (local) varieties, their population diversity and the prevailing agricultural practices at local level,

• for conservation of genetic resources in agriculture (Article 39(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005): types of beneficiaries, of operations and details on eligible costs.

5.3.2.1.5. Animal welfare payments U.K.

• description and justification of the different types of commitments, in at least one of the areas identified in Article 27(7) of this Regulation, based on their expected impact,

• description of the methodology and of the agronomic/zoo-technical assumptions and parameters (including the description of the baseline requirements as stated in Article 40(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 which are relevant for each particular type of commitment) used as reference point for the calculations justifying: (a) additional costs and income foregone resulting from the commitment made; (b) level of the transaction costs,

• amounts of support.

5.3.2.1.6. Support for non-productive investments U.K.

• definition of operations to be supported,

• description of the link to commitments provided for in Article 36(a)(iv) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 or other agri-environmental objectives,

• description of the public amenity values of a Natura 2000 area or other high nature value area to be enhanced.

5.3.2.2. Measures targeting the sustainable use of forestry land U.K.

Common to all measures:

• linkage of proposed measures with national/sub-national forest programmes or equivalent instruments and with the Community Forestry Strategy,

• reference to the forest protection plans for areas classified as high or medium risk for forest fires and the elements ensuring conformity of proposed measures with these protection plans.

5.3.2.2.1. First afforestation of agricultural land U.K.

• definition of ‘agricultural land’,

• definition of ‘farmer’,

• provisions and criteria for the selection of the areas to be afforested ensuring that the planned measures are suited to local conditions and compatible with the environmental requirements, particularly biodiversity, in accordance with Article 50(6) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 and Article 34(2) of this Regulation,

• description of the methodology for the calculation of establishment and maintenance cost as well as income foregone to be compensated. Where relevant for the latter, this methodology shall take into account aid granted under Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003,

• aid intensity for establishment support, amounts and duration of annual premiums contributing to covering maintenance costs and loss of income.

5.3.2.2.2. First establishment of agroforestry systems on agricultural land U.K.

• definition of agroforestry systems to be supported,

• forestry use,

• agricultural use,

• densities of planting,

• description of the methodology for the calculation of the establishment cost,

• aid intensities for establishment support.

5.3.2.2.3. First afforestation of non-agricultural land U.K.

• provisions and criteria for the designation of areas to be afforested,

• provisions ensuring that the planned measures are suited to local conditions and compatible with the environmental requirements, particularly biodiversity,

• description of the methodology for the calculation of establishment and maintenance costs,

• aid intensities for establishment support.

5.3.2.2.4. Natura 2000 Payments U.K.

• the areas designated to implement Directives 79/409/EEC and 92/43/EEC as well as the obligations for forest owners resulting from the corresponding national/regional management provisions,

• description of the methodology for the calculations justifying costs incurred and income foregone resulting from the restrictions on the use of forests and other wooded land due to implementation of Directives 79/409/EEC and 92/43/EEC in the area concerned,

• amount of support.

5.3.2.2.5. Forest-environment payments U.K.

• justification for the commitments, based on their expected environmental impact in relation to environmental needs and priorities,

• description of the methodology and of the assumptions and parameters used as reference point for the calculations justifying additional costs and income foregone resulting from the commitment given,

• amount of support.

5.3.2.2.6. Restoring forestry potential and introducing prevention actions U.K.

• nature of the actions to be implemented and prevention plans.

5.3.2.2.7. Support for non-productive investments U.K.

• definition of operations to be supported,

• description of the link to commitments provided for in Article 36(b)(v) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 or other environmental objective,

• description of the public amenity values to be enhanced.

5.3.3. Axis 3: Quality of life in rural areas and diversification of the rural economy U.K.

5.3.3.1. Measures to diversify the rural economy U.K.

5.3.3.1.1. Diversification into non-agricultural activities U.K.

• domains of diversification covered,

• aid intensities.

5.3.3.1.2. Support for the creation and development of micro-enterprises U.K.

• types of beneficiary enterprises,

• description of the type of operations,

• aid intensities.

5.3.3.1.3. Encouragement of tourism activities U.K.

• description of the type of operations covered, referred to in Article 55 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005,

• aid intensities.

5.3.3.2. Measures to improve the quality of life in rural areas U.K.

5.3.3.2.1. Basic services for the economy and rural population U.K.

• types of services supported,

• types of cost covered.

5.3.3.2.2. Village renewal and development U.K.

• types of actions supported,

• types of cost covered.

5.3.3.2.3. Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage U.K.

• description of the type of operations covered, referred to in Article 57 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

5.3.3.3. Training and information U.K.

• field(s) covered by the training and information,

• type of economic actors beneficiary of actions envisaged.

5.3.3.4. Skill acquisition, animation and implementation U.K.

• skill acquisition and animation: description of the type of operation covered,

• public-private partnerships under Article 59(e) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 other than those referred to in Article 62(1)(b) of that Regulation that will implement local development strategies: description of the type (partners represented, percentage of private partners represented, decision-making power), indicative estimate of the number of the public-private partnerships and area and population covered; indication of Axis 3 measures implemented by these public-private partnerships; provision ensuring that the running costs of these partnerships fit within the ceiling of 15 % of the public expenditure of their local development strategy.

5.3.4. Axis 4: Implementation of the Leader approach U.K.

5.3.4.1. Local development strategies U.K.

• procedure and timetable for selecting the local action groups, including objective selection criteria and planned indicative number of local action groups and planned percentage of rural territories covered by local development strategies,

• justification for selection of areas whose population falls outside the limits set out in Article 37(3),

• procedure for the selection of operations by the local action groups,

• description of the financial circuits applicable for local action groups.

5.3.4.2. Inter-territorial and transnational cooperation U.K.

• Procedure, timetable and objective criteria to select inter-territorial and transnational cooperation projects.

5.3.4.3. Running the local action group, acquiring skills and animating the territory U.K.

• limit to apply on the share of the local action group budget for running the local action groups,

• indicative estimate of expenditure under Article 59(a) to (d) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 which will be used for skills acquisition and animation for the Leader axis.

(1)

OJ L 243, 6.9.2006, p. 6.

(2)

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