Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 641/2014
of 16 June 2014
laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing rules for direct payments to farmers under support schemes within the framework of the common agricultural policy

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Regulation revoked (E.) (1.1.2024) by The Agriculture (Delinked Payments and Consequential Provisions) (England) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1430), reg. 1(2)(a), Sch. 3 para. 1 Table 1 (with Sch. 3 Pt. 2)
Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing rules for direct payments to farmers under support schemes within the framework of the common agricultural policy and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 637/2008 and Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009, and in particular Articles 24(11), 31(2), 34(5), 39(4), 43(13), 45(7), 55(2), 57(4) and 67(3) thereof,
OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 608.
Whereas:
(1) Article 24(8) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 and Articles 20 and 21 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 639/2014 provide for the possibility for farmers to sign contracts by which they transfer payment entitlements to be allocated, or the right to receive payment entitlements, in case of sale or lease of their holding. Rules should be laid down for such specific circumstances, in particular as regards applications for the allocation of payment entitlements in such cases.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 639/2014 of 11 March 2014 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing rules for direct payments to farmers under support schemes within the framework of the common agricultural policy and amending Annex X to that Regulation (See page 1 of this Official Journal).
(2) For the purposes of Articles 25(2) and 26 and Article 40(2) and (3) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, it is necessary to lay down rules on the calculation of the value of payment entitlements to be allocated in cases of transfer of a farm by way of inheritance to another farmer who intends to continue the agricultural activity on that holding and who himself is entitled to be allocated payment entitlements in the first year of application of the basic payment scheme.
(3) For the good administration of the basic payment scheme, it is appropriate to lay down rules related to the notifications of transfers of payment entitlements which farmers have to make to the national authorities.
(4) In view of the replenishment of the national or regional reserve by unused payment entitlements in accordance with Article 31(1)(a) and (b) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, it is necessary to provide for a date after which the unused entitlements, including those payment entitlements which have not been activated or which otherwise do not give rise to payments, revert to the reserve.
(5) Article 43 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 provides that Member States may decide to apply specific commitments or certification schemes as equivalent practices beneficial for the climate and the environment. In order to ensure a timely and effective assessment of the practices included in those commitments or certification schemes, rules on the procedure for the notifications and the Commission assessment should be established.
(6) Pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 45(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 no individual reconversion obligation at holding level applies in case permanent grassland area is maintained in absolute terms within certain limits. Those limits need to be fixed.
(7) According to Article 55(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, the decisions referred to in Article 53(4) and (6)(a) of that Regulation are subject to Commission approval. Therefore, rules on the procedure for the assessment and approval by the Commission should be laid down.
(8) Article 57(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 requires that the Commission adopt rules on the procedure for the authorisation of land and varieties for the purposes of the crop-specific payment for cotton. In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, those rules should be limited to fixing a final date for the completion of that procedure, leaving the establishment of the detailed rules of procedure to the Member States.
(9) The necessary information to be sent by the Member States to the producers in relation to that authorisation should be laid down. In order to ensure that the producers are informed in good time, a final date for such notifications should be set.
(10) For the purpose of monitoring the correct application of the rules laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 in respect of the flexibility between the pillars, it is necessary to specify certain notification obligations as regards the information to be notified by Member States on their decisions made in accordance with Article 14 of that Regulation.
(11) For the purpose of setting the financial ceilings established in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 and of checking the respect of those ceilings, it is necessary to specify certain notification obligations, in particular as regards the information to be notified by Member States on their decisions made in accordance with Articles 22(2) and (3), 42(1), 49(1) and 51(1) of that Regulation.
(12) For reasons of efficiency it is appropriate to provide that the notifications under Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, Delegated Regulation (EU) No 639/2014 and this Regulation are to be made in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 792/2009.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 792/2009 of 31 August 2009 laying down detailed rules for the Member States’ notification to the Commission of information and documents in implementation of the common organisation of the markets, the direct payments’ regime, the promotion of agricultural products and the regimes applicable to the outermost regions and the smaller Aegean islands (OJ L 228, 1.9.2009, p. 3).
(13) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee for Direct Payments,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

CHAPTER 1 SCOPE AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Article 1 Scope
This Regulation lays down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 in relation to:
(a) general provisions on direct payments;
(b) the basic payment scheme farm sustainability payment scheme;
Words in Art. 1(b) substituted (N.I.) (1.1.2026 in relation to the 2026 scheme year and subsequent years) by The Farm Sustainability (Transitional Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (S.R. 2025/33), Sch. 2 para. 5(4)
(c) the payment for farmers observing agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment;
Art. 1(c) omitted: (W.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1556), regs. 1(2)(a), 9(2); (E.) (1.1.2021) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers and Cross-Compliance (Simplifications) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1387), regs. 1(1), 8(2) (with reg. 1(2)); and (N.I.) (25.2.2021) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers (Simplifications) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/42), regs. 1(1), 7(2)
(d) voluntary coupled support;
Art. 1(d) omitted (E.) (1.1.2021) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1513), regs. 1(2), 4
(e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Art. 1(e)(f) omitted (31.1.2020) by virtue of The Rules for Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/91), regs. 1(2), 20(1)
(f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 2 General principles
The relevant authority shall implement this Regulation in accordance with objective criteria and in such a way as to ensure the equal treatment of farmers and to avoid distortions of the market and of competition, while promoting a sustainable management of natural resources and climate action.
Words in Art. 2 substituted (31.1.2020) by The Rules for Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/91), regs. 1(2), 20(2)

CHAPTER 2 Basic Payment Scheme Farm Sustainability Payment Scheme

SECTION 1 First allocation of payment entitlements

Article 3 Application for allocation of payment entitlements in case of sale or lease using a contract clause pursuant to Article 24(8) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013
In case of sale or lease using a contract clause in accordance with Article 24(8) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, the application for the allocation of the payment entitlements shall be made by the buyer or the lessee respectively. That application shall include the following information:
(a) details of the sale or lease contract respectively, including the relevant contract clause and/or, where required by the Member State, a copy of that contract;
(b) the identification details of the farmer having transferred the right to receive entitlements to the buyer or the lessee, including, if available, the unique identification of the beneficiary referred to in Article 8 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 640/2014.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 640/2014 of 11 March 2014 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the financing, management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy (See page 48 of this Official Journal).
In addition, Member States shall require from the buyer or lessee all information necessary to verify the application of Article 60 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on the financing, management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 352/78, (EC) No 165/94, (EC) No 2799/98, (EC) No 814/2000, (EC) No 1290/2005 and (EC) No 485/2008 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 549).

Article 4 Application for allocation of payment entitlements in case of sale using a contract clause pursuant to Article 20 of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 639/2014
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Arts. 4-7 omitted (31.1.2020) by virtue of The Rules for Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/91), regs. 1(2), 21

Article 5 Application for allocation of payment entitlements in case of lease using a contract clause pursuant to Article 21 of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 639/2014
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Article 6 Value of payment entitlements in case of inheritance
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SECTION 2 Activation and transfer of payment entitlements

Article 7 Activation of payment entitlements in case of sale or lease using a contract clause under Article 24(8) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 or Articles 20 and 21 of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 639/2014
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Article 8 Notifications of transfer
1. In case of transfer in accordance with Article 34 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, the transferor shall notify the competent authority of the transfer within a period ... established by the relevant authority prior to exit day.
Words in Art. 8(1) omitted (31.1.2020) by virtue of The Rules for Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/91), regs. 1(2), 21(1)(a)
Words in Art. 8(1) substituted (31.1.2020) by The Rules for Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/91), regs. 1(2), 21(1)(b)
Words in Art. 8(1) omitted: (W.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1556), regs. 1(2)(a), 9(3); and (N.I.) (24.2.2025) by virtue of The Farm Sustainability (Transitional Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (S.R. 2025/33), regs. 1, 15
2. The transfer shall take place as set out in the notification unless the competent authority objects to the transfer. The competent authority may only object to a transfer where the transfer is not in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, Delegated Regulation (EU) No 639/2014 and this Regulation. The competent authority shall notify the transferor as soon as possible of its objection.

SECTION 3 National or regional reserves

Article 9 Reversion to the national or regional reserve
1. For the purposes of Article 31(1)(a) or (b) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, except in cases of force majeure or exceptional circumstances, unused payment entitlements shall be deemed to have reverted to the national or regional reserve on the day following the final date as fixed by the relevant authority on the basis of Article 78(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 for amending the single application under the basic payment schemefarm sustainability payment scheme in the calendar year in which the period referred to in Article 31(1)(a) or (b) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 expires.
Words in Art. 9(1) substituted (31.1.2020) by The Rules for Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/91), regs. 1(2), 21(2)(a)
Words in Art. 9(1) substituted (N.I.) (1.1.2026 in relation to the 2026 scheme year and subsequent years) by The Farm Sustainability (Transitional Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (S.R. 2025/33), Sch. 2 para. 5(4)
2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Art. 9(2) omitted (31.1.2020) by virtue of The Rules for Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/91), regs. 1(2), 21(2)(b)
Art. 9 omitted (E.) (1.1.2021) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers and Cross-Compliance (Simplifications) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1387), regs. 1(1), 8(3); and Art. 9 omitted (S.) (1.1.2024) by virtue of The Rural Support (Simplification and Improvement) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 (S.S.I. 2023/308), regs. 1, 4
Words in Ch. 2 heading substituted (N.I.) (1.1.2026 in relation to the 2026 scheme year and subsequent years) by The Farm Sustainability (Transitional Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (S.R. 2025/33), Sch. 2 para. 5(4)

CHAPTER 3 GREENING

Article 10 Procedure for the notification and the assessment of the practices included in the specific commitments or certification schemes
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Art. 10 omitted (31.1.2020) by virtue of The Rules for Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/91), regs. 1(2), 22

Article 11 Limits for the maintenance of permanent grassland in absolute terms
The limits to be used for the purpose of assessing the maintenance of permanent grassland in absolute terms referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 45(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 shall be a maximum decrease of 0,5 % of the areas of permanent grassland established in accordance with Article 45(2)(a) of that Regulation.
Art. 11 omitted (E.) (1.1.2021) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers and Cross-Compliance (Simplifications) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1387), regs. 1(1), 8(4) (with reg. 1(2)); and (N.I.) (25.2.2021) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers (Simplifications) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/42), regs. 1(1), 7(3)
Ch. 3 omitted (W.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Direct Payments to Farmers and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1556), regs. 1(2)(a), 9(4)

CHAPTER 4 COUPLED SUPPORT

SECTION 1 Voluntary coupled support

Article 12 Procedure for the assessment and the approval of decisions referred to in Article 55(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013
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Arts. 12-14 omitted (31.1.2020) by virtue of The Rules for Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/91), regs. 1(2), 23

SECTION 2 Crop-specific payment for cotton

Article 13 Procedure for the authorisation of land and varieties
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Article 14 Notifications to the producers
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CHAPTER 5 RULES ON NOTIFICATION

Article 15 Notifications concerning the flexibility between pillars
1. The information to be notified to the Commission pursuant to Article 14(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 and Article 136a(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 shall be in the form of annual percentages of the annual national ceilings referred to in the first subparagraph of Article 14(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 and the first subparagraph of Article 136a(1) of Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 for each calendar year until 2019.
Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 of 19 January 2009 establishing common rules for direct support schemes for farmers under the common agricultural policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers, amending Regulations (EC) No 1290/2005, (EC) No 247/2006, (EC) No 378/2007 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 (OJ L 30, 31.1.2009, p. 16).
2. The information to be notified to the Commission pursuant to Article 14(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 and Article 136a(1) of Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 shall be in the form of annual percentages of the annual amounts allocated to support for measures under rural development programming referred to in the first subparagraph of Article 14(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 and the first subparagraph of Article 136a(2) of Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 for each financial year until 2020.

Article 16 Notification on the increase of the basic payment scheme ceiling as referred to in Article 22(2) and (3) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013
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Arts. 16-18 omitted (31.1.2020) by virtue of The Rules for Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/91), regs. 1(2), 23

Article 16a Notification on the increase of the single area payment scheme ceiling as referred to in Article 36(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013
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Article 17 Financial allocations under the redistributive payment, the payment for areas under natural constraints and the payment for young farmers
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Article 18 Application of Regulation (EC) No 792/2009
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CHAPTER 6 FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 19 Entry into force and application
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Art. 19 omitted (31.1.2020) by virtue of The Rules for Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/91), regs. 1(2), 24
...
Words in Signature omitted (31.1.2020) by virtue of The Rules for Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/91), regs. 1(2), 24

Regulation as it has effect for the claim year 2020 brought into domestic law on exit day (31.1.2020) by virtue of Direct Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity) Act 2020 (c. 2), ss. 1, 4, 9(3)
Art. 8(1) modified (W.) (30.4.2020) by The Common Agricultural Policy (Payments to Farmers) (Coronavirus) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/473), regs. 1(2), 3