# Official Journal L 368/2006

| | ISSN 1725-2555 |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | L 368 |
| | |
| English edition | Legislation | Volume 4923 December 2006 |

ISSN 1725-2555

Official Journal

of the European Union

L 368

English edition

Legislation

Volume 4923 December 2006

---

| Contents | | I   Acts whose publication is obligatory | page |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | * | Council Regulation (EC) No 1969/2006 of 19 December 2006 fixing for the 2007 fishing year the guide prices and Community producer prices for certain fishery products pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 104/2000 | 1 |
| | | Commission Regulation (EC) No 1970/2006 of 22 December 2006 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables | 6 |
| | | Commission Regulation (EC) No 1971/2006 of 22 December 2006 fixing the import duties in the cereals sector applicable from 1 January 2007 | 8 |
| | | Commission Regulation (EC) No 1972/2006 of 22 December 2006 fixing the export refunds on cereals and on wheat or rye flour, groats and meal | 11 |
| | | Commission Regulation (EC) No 1973/2006 of 22 December 2006 fixing the corrective amount applicable to the refund on cereals | 13 |
| | * | Commission Regulation (EC) No 1974/2006 of 15 December 2006 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) | 15 |
| | * | Commission Regulation (EC) No 1975/2006 of 7 December 2006 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, as regards the implementation of control procedures as well as cross-compliance in respect of rural development support measures | 74 |
| | * | Commission Regulation (EC) No 1976/2006 of 20 December 2006 amending Regulations (EC) No 2204/2002, (EC) No 70/2001 and (EC) No 68/2001 as regards the extension of the periods of application (
  1
  ) | 85 |
| | * | Commission Regulation (EC) No 1977/2006 of 21 December 2006 amending Regulation (EC) No 1201/2006 fixing the weighting coefficients to be used in calculating the Community market price for pig carcases for the 2006/07 marketing year by reason of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania | 87 |
| | * | Commission Regulation (EC) No 1978/2006 of 22 December 2006 Amending Regulation (EC) No 448/2001 of as regards reporting on cancellation proceedings and on the re-use of the funds cancelled | 89 |
| | * | Commission Regulation (EC) No 1979/2006 of 22 December 2006 opening and providing for the administration of tariff quotas for preserved mushrooms imported from third countries | 91 |
| | * | Commission Regulation (EC) No 1980/2006 of 20 December 2006 laying down transitional measures amending Regulation (EC) Νο 2076/2002 and Decisions 2001/245/EC, 2002/928/EC and 2006/797/EC as regards the continued use of certain active substances not included in Annex I to Directive 91/414/EEC by reason of the accession of Bulgaria (
  1
  ) | 96 |
| | * | Commission Regulation (EC) No 1981/2006 of 22 December 2006 on detailed rules for the implementation of Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the Community reference laboratory for genetically modified organisms (
  1
  ) | 99 |
| | * | Commission Directive 2006/142/EC of 22 December 2006 amending Annex IIIa of Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council listing the ingredients which must under all circumstances appear on the labelling of foodstuffs (
  1
  ) | 110 |

Contents

I   Acts whose publication is obligatory

page

*

Council Regulation (EC) No 1969/2006 of 19 December 2006 fixing for the 2007 fishing year the guide prices and Community producer prices for certain fishery products pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 104/2000

1

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1970/2006 of 22 December 2006 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

6

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1971/2006 of 22 December 2006 fixing the import duties in the cereals sector applicable from 1 January 2007

8

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1972/2006 of 22 December 2006 fixing the export refunds on cereals and on wheat or rye flour, groats and meal

11

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1973/2006 of 22 December 2006 fixing the corrective amount applicable to the refund on cereals

13

*

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1974/2006 of 15 December 2006 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)

15

*

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1975/2006 of 7 December 2006 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, as regards the implementation of control procedures as well as cross-compliance in respect of rural development support measures

74

*

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1976/2006 of 20 December 2006 amending Regulations (EC) No 2204/2002, (EC) No 70/2001 and (EC) No 68/2001 as regards the extension of the periods of application (
  1
  )

1

85

*

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1977/2006 of 21 December 2006 amending Regulation (EC) No 1201/2006 fixing the weighting coefficients to be used in calculating the Community market price for pig carcases for the 2006/07 marketing year by reason of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania

87

*

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1978/2006 of 22 December 2006 Amending Regulation (EC) No 448/2001 of as regards reporting on cancellation proceedings and on the re-use of the funds cancelled

89

*

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1979/2006 of 22 December 2006 opening and providing for the administration of tariff quotas for preserved mushrooms imported from third countries

91

*

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1980/2006 of 20 December 2006 laying down transitional measures amending Regulation (EC) Νο 2076/2002 and Decisions 2001/245/EC, 2002/928/EC and 2006/797/EC as regards the continued use of certain active substances not included in Annex I to Directive 91/414/EEC by reason of the accession of Bulgaria (
  1
  )

1

96

*

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1981/2006 of 22 December 2006 on detailed rules for the implementation of Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the Community reference laboratory for genetically modified organisms (
  1
  )

1

99

*

Commission Directive 2006/142/EC of 22 December 2006 amending Annex IIIa of Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council listing the ingredients which must under all circumstances appear on the labelling of foodstuffs (
  1
  )

1

110

| | | Corrigenda |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | * | Corrigendum to Commission Decision 2005/217/EC of 19 May 2004 on measures implemented by Denmark for TV2/Danmark ( OJ L 85, 23.3.2006 ) | 112 |

Corrigenda

*

Corrigendum to Commission Decision 2005/217/EC of 19 May 2004 on measures implemented by Denmark for TV2/Danmark ( OJ L 85, 23.3.2006 )

112

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| --- | --- | --- |
| | * | Notice to readers(see page 3 of the cover) | s3 |

*

Notice to readers(see page 3 of the cover)

Notice to readers

s3

| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Text with EEA relevance |

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(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

| EN | Acts whose titles are printed in light type are those relating to day-to-day management of agricultural matters, and are generally valid for a limited period.
  The titles of all other Acts are printed in bold type and preceded by an asterisk. |
| --- | --- |

EN

Acts whose titles are printed in light type are those relating to day-to-day management of agricultural matters, and are generally valid for a limited period.

The titles of all other Acts are printed in bold type and preceded by an asterisk.

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I Acts whose publication is obligatory

| 23.12.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 368/1 |
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23.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 368/1

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COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1969/2006

of 19 December 2006

fixing for the 2007 fishing year the guide prices and Community producer prices for certain fishery products pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 104/2000

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 104/2000 of 17 December 1999 on the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products (1), and in particular Article 18(3) and Article 26(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

| (1) | Article 18(1) and Article 26(1) of Regulation (EC) No 104/2000 provide that a guide price and a Community producer price should be fixed for each fishing year in order to determine price levels for intervention on the market for certain fisheries products. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Article 18(1) and Article 26(1) of Regulation (EC) No 104/2000 provide that a guide price and a Community producer price should be fixed for each fishing year in order to determine price levels for intervention on the market for certain fisheries products.

| (2) | Article 18(1) of Regulation (EC) No 104/2000 requires the guide price to be fixed for each of the products and groups of products listed in Annexes I and II to that Regulation. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Article 18(1) of Regulation (EC) No 104/2000 requires the guide price to be fixed for each of the products and groups of products listed in Annexes I and II to that Regulation.

| (3) | On the basis of currently available data on the prices for the products concerned and the criteria referred to in Article 18(2) of Regulation (EC) No 104/2000, the guide prices should be increased, maintained or reduced for the 2007 fishing year depending on the species. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

On the basis of currently available data on the prices for the products concerned and the criteria referred to in Article 18(2) of Regulation (EC) No 104/2000, the guide prices should be increased, maintained or reduced for the 2007 fishing year depending on the species.

| (4) | Article 26(1) of Regulation (EC) No 104/2000 requires the Community producer price to be fixed for the products listed in Annex III to that Regulation. It is appropriate to establish the Community producer price for one of those products and calculate the Community producer price for the others by means of the conversion factors established by Commission Regulation (EC) No 802/2006 of 30 May 2006 fixing the conversion factors applicable to fish of the genera Thunnus and Euthynnus (2). |
| --- | --- |

(4)

Article 26(1) of Regulation (EC) No 104/2000 requires the Community producer price to be fixed for the products listed in Annex III to that Regulation. It is appropriate to establish the Community producer price for one of those products and calculate the Community producer price for the others by means of the conversion factors established by Commission Regulation (EC) No 802/2006 of 30 May 2006 fixing the conversion factors applicable to fish of the genera Thunnus and Euthynnus (2).

| (5) | On the basis of the criteria laid down in the first and second indents of Article 18(2) and in Article 26(1) of Regulation (EC) No 104/2000, the Community producer price for the 2007 fishing year should be adjusted. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

On the basis of the criteria laid down in the first and second indents of Article 18(2) and in Article 26(1) of Regulation (EC) No 104/2000, the Community producer price for the 2007 fishing year should be adjusted.

| (6) | Given the urgency of the matter, it is important to grant an exception to the six-week period mentioned in paragraph 1(3) of the Protocol on the role of national parliaments in the European Union annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the treaties establishing the European Communities, |
| --- | --- |

(6)

Given the urgency of the matter, it is important to grant an exception to the six-week period mentioned in paragraph 1(3) of the Protocol on the role of national parliaments in the European Union annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the treaties establishing the European Communities,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

For the fishing year from 1 January to 31 December 2007, the guide prices as provided for in Article 18(1) of Regulation (EC) No 104/2000 shall be as set out in Annex I to this Regulation.

Article 2

For the fishing year from 1 January to 31 December 2007, the Community producer prices as provided for in Article 26(1) of Regulation (EC) No 104/2000 shall be as set out in Annex II to this Regulation.

Article 3

This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 January 2007.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 19 December 2006.

For the Council

The President

J. KORKEAOJA

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(1)  
  OJ L 17, 21.1.2000, p. 22. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1759/2006 (OJ L 335, 1.12.2006, p. 3).

1

(2)  
  OJ L 144, 31.5.2006, p. 15.

2

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ANNEX I

| Annexes | Species Products listed in Annexes I and II to Regulation (EC) No 104/2000 | Commercial presentation | Guide price
  (EUR/tonne) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| I | 1. | Herring of the species Clupea harengus |

Annexes

Species Products listed in Annexes I and II to Regulation (EC) No 104/2000

Commercial presentation

Guide price

(EUR/tonne)

I

1.

Herring of the species Clupea harengus

Whole fish

273

| 2. | Sardines of the species Sardina pilchardus |
| --- | --- |

2.

Sardines of the species Sardina pilchardus

Whole fish

563

| 3. | Dogfish (Squalus acanthias) |
| --- | --- |

3.

Dogfish (Squalus acanthias)

Whole fish or Gutted fish with head

1 090

| 4. | Spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus spp.) |
| --- | --- |

4.

Spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus spp.)

Whole fish or Gutted fish with head

740

| 5. | Redfish (Sebastes spp.) |
| --- | --- |

5.

Redfish (Sebastes spp.)

Whole fish

1 142

| 6. | Cod of the species Gadus morhua |
| --- | --- |

6.

Cod of the species Gadus morhua

Whole fish or gutted fish with head

1 623

| 7. | Saithe (Pollachius virens) |
| --- | --- |

7.

Saithe (Pollachius virens)

Whole fish or gutted fish with head

769

| 8. | Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) |
| --- | --- |

8.

Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)

Whole fish or gutted fish with head

1 028

| 9. | Whiting (Merlangius merlangus) |
| --- | --- |

9.

Whiting (Merlangius merlangus)

Whole fish or gutted fish with head

946

| 10. | Ling (Molva spp.) |
| --- | --- |

10.

Ling (Molva spp.)

Whole fish or gutted fish with head

1 196

| 11. | Mackerel of the species Scomber scombrus |
| --- | --- |

11.

Mackerel of the species Scomber scombrus

Whole fish

329

| 12. | Mackerel of the species Scomber japonicus |
| --- | --- |

12.

Mackerel of the species Scomber japonicus

Whole fish

298

| 13. | Anchovy (Engraulis spp.) |
| --- | --- |

13.

Anchovy (Engraulis spp.)

Whole fish

1 334

| 14. | Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) |
| --- | --- |

14.

Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa)

Whole fish or gutted fish with head from 1.1.2007 to 30.4.2007

1 079

Whole fish or gutted fish with head from 1.5.2007 to 31.12.2007

1 499

| 15. | Hake of the species Merluccius merluccius |
| --- | --- |

15.

Hake of the species Merluccius merluccius

Whole fish or gutted fish with head

3 675

| 16. | Megrim (Lepidorhombus spp.) |
| --- | --- |

16.

Megrim (Lepidorhombus spp.)

Whole fish or gutted fish with head

2 541

| 17. | Dab (Limanda limanda) |
| --- | --- |

17.

Dab (Limanda limanda)

Whole fish or gutted fish with head

863

| 18. | Common flounder (Platichthys flesus) |
| --- | --- |

18.

Common flounder (Platichthys flesus)

Whole fish or gutted fish with head

519

| 19. | Albacore or longfinned tunas (Thunnus alalunga) |
| --- | --- |

19.

Albacore or longfinned tunas (Thunnus alalunga)

Whole fish

2 187

Gutted fish with head

2 440

| 20. | Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis and Rossia macrosoma) |
| --- | --- |

20.

Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis and Rossia macrosoma)

Whole

1 670

| 21. | Monkfish (Lophius spp.) |
| --- | --- |

21.

Monkfish (Lophius spp.)

Whole fish or gutted fish with head

2 924

Without head

6 047

| 22. | Shrimp of the species Crangon crangon |
| --- | --- |

22.

Shrimp of the species Crangon crangon

Simply boiled in water

2 366

| 23. | Northern prawn (Pandalus borealis) |
| --- | --- |

23.

Northern prawn (Pandalus borealis)

Simply boiled in water

6 410

Fresh or chilled

1 606

| 24. | Edible crab (Cancer pagurus) |
| --- | --- |

24.

Edible crab (Cancer pagurus)

Whole

1 766

| 25. | Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) |
| --- | --- |

25.

Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus)

Whole

5 337

Tails

4 279

| 26. | Sole (Solea spp.) |
| --- | --- |

26.

Sole (Solea spp.)

Whole fish or gutted fish with head

6 813

II

| 1. | Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) |
| --- | --- |

1.

Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides)

Frozen, in original packages containing the same products

1 946

| 2. | Hake of the genus Merluccius spp. |
| --- | --- |

2.

Hake of the genus Merluccius spp.

Frozen, whole, in original packages containing the same products

1 202

Frozen, filleted, in original packages containing the same products

1 462

| 3. | Sea bream (Dentex dentex and Pagellus spp.) |
| --- | --- |

3.

Sea bream (Dentex dentex and Pagellus spp.)

Frozen, in lots or in original packages containing the same products

1 570

| 4. | Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) |
| --- | --- |

4.

Swordfish (Xiphias gladius)

Frozen, whole, in original packages containing the same products

4 079

| 5. | Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) (Rossia macrosoma) (Sepiola rondeletti) |
| --- | --- |

5.

Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) (Rossia macrosoma) (Sepiola rondeletti)

Frozen, in original packages containing the same products

1 888

| 6. | Octopus (Octopus spp.) |
| --- | --- |

6.

Octopus (Octopus spp.)

Frozen, in original packages containing the same products

2 108

| 7. | Squid (Loligo spp.) |
| --- | --- |

7.

Squid (Loligo spp.)

Frozen, in original packages containing the same products

1 168

| 8. | Squid (Ommastrephes sagittatus) |
| --- | --- |

8.

Squid (Ommastrephes sagittatus)

Frozen, in original packages containing the same products

961

| 9. | Illex argentinus |
| --- | --- |

9.

Frozen, in original packages containing the same products

896

| 10. | Prawn of the family Penaeidae







  — | Prawn of the species Parapenaeus longirostris |
| --- | --- | --- |

10.

Prawn of the family Penaeidae

—

Prawn of the species Parapenaeus longirostris

| — | Other species of the family Penaeidae |
| --- | --- |

—

Other species of the family Penaeidae

Frozen, in original packages containing the same products

4 157

Frozen, in original packages containing the same products

7 979

---

ANNEX II

| Species
  Products listed in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 104/2000 | Weight | Commercial specifications | Community producer price
  (EUR/tonne) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) | weighing more than 10 kg each | Whole | 1 225 |
| Gilled and gutted | |
| Other | |
| weighing not more than 10 kg each | Whole | |
| Gilled and gutted | |
| Other | |
| Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) | weighing more than 10 kg each | Whole | |
| Gilled and gutted | |
| Other | |
| weighing not more than 10 kg each | Whole | |
| Gilled and gutted | |
| Other | |
| Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) | | Whole | |
| | Gilled and gutted | |
| | Other | |
| Bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) | | Whole | |
| | Gilled and gutted | |
| | Other | |
| Other species of the genera Thunnus and Euthynnus | | Whole | |
| | Gilled and gutted | |
| | Other | |

Species

Products listed in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 104/2000

Weight

Commercial specifications

Community producer price

(EUR/tonne)

Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares)

weighing more than 10 kg each

Whole

1 225

Gilled and gutted

Other

weighing not more than 10 kg each

Whole

Gilled and gutted

Other

Albacore (Thunnus alalunga)

weighing more than 10 kg each

Whole

Gilled and gutted

Other

weighing not more than 10 kg each

Whole

Gilled and gutted

Other

Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis)

Whole

Gilled and gutted

Other

Bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)

Whole

Gilled and gutted

Other

Other species of the genera Thunnus and Euthynnus

Whole

Gilled and gutted

Other

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| 23.12.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 368/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

23.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 368/6

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COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1970/2006

of 22 December 2006

establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 of 21 December 1994 on detailed rules for the application of the import arrangements for fruit and vegetables (1), and in particular Article 4(1) thereof,

Whereas:

| (1) | Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 lays down, pursuant to the outcome of the Uruguay Round multilateral trade negotiations, the criteria whereby the Commission fixes the standard values for imports from third countries, in respect of the products and periods stipulated in the Annex thereto. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 lays down, pursuant to the outcome of the Uruguay Round multilateral trade negotiations, the criteria whereby the Commission fixes the standard values for imports from third countries, in respect of the products and periods stipulated in the Annex thereto.

| (2) | In compliance with the above criteria, the standard import values must be fixed at the levels set out in the Annex to this Regulation, |
| --- | --- |

(2)

In compliance with the above criteria, the standard import values must be fixed at the levels set out in the Annex to this Regulation,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The standard import values referred to in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 3223/94 shall be fixed as indicated in the Annex hereto.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 23 December 2006.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 22 December 2006.

For the Commission

Jean-Luc DEMARTY

Director-General for Agriculture and Rural Development

---

(1)  
  OJ L 337, 24.12.1994, p. 66. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 386/2005 (OJ L 62, 9.3.2005, p. 3).

1

---

ANNEX

to Commission Regulation of 22 December 2006 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

| (EUR/100 kg) |
| --- |
| CN code | Third country code (1) | Standard import value |
| 0702 00 00 | 052 | 130,3 |
| 204 | 74,9 |
| 999 | 102,6 |
| 0707 00 05 | 052 | 141,5 |
| 204 | 61,5 |
| 628 | 155,5 |
| 999 | 119,5 |
| 0709 90 70 | 052 | 126,6 |
| 204 | 48,9 |
| 999 | 87,8 |
| 0805 10 20 | 052 | 61,4 |
| 204 | 60,5 |
| 220 | 53,3 |
| 388 | 72,9 |
| 999 | 62,0 |
| 0805 20 10 | 204 | 62,8 |
| 999 | 62,8 |
| 0805 20 30 , 0805 20 50 , 0805 20 70 , 0805 20 90 | 052 | 65,4 |
| 204 | 135,9 |
| 624 | 71,6 |
| 999 | 91,0 |
| 0805 50 10 | 052 | 52,4 |
| 528 | 35,6 |
| 999 | 44,0 |
| 0808 10 80 | 388 | 120,0 |
| 400 | 83,1 |
| 404 | 93,1 |
| 512 | 57,4 |
| 720 | 91,8 |
| 999 | 89,1 |
| 0808 20 50 | 400 | 93,9 |
| 720 | 51,1 |
| 999 | 72,5 |

(EUR/100 kg)

CN code

Third country code (1)

Standard import value

0702 00 00

052

130,3

204

74,9

999

102,6

0707 00 05

052

141,5

204

61,5

628

155,5

999

119,5

0709 90 70

052

126,6

204

48,9

999

87,8

0805 10 20

052

61,4

204

60,5

220

53,3

388

72,9

999

62,0

0805 20 10

204

62,8

999

62,8

0805 20 30 , 0805 20 50 , 0805 20 70 , 0805 20 90

052

65,4

204

135,9

624

71,6

999

91,0

0805 50 10

052

52,4

528

35,6

999

44,0

0808 10 80

388

120,0

400

83,1

404

93,1

512

57,4

720

91,8

999

89,1

0808 20 50

400

93,9

720

51,1

999

72,5

---

(1)  Country nomenclature as fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 750/2005 (OJ L 126, 19.5.2005, p. 12). Code ‘
  999
  ’ stands for ‘of other origin’.

---

| 23.12.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 368/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

23.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 368/8

---

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1971/2006

of 22 December 2006

fixing the import duties in the cereals sector applicable from 1 January 2007

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003 of 29 September 2003 on the common organisation of the market in cereals (1),

Having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1249/96 of 28 June 1996 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92 as regards import duties in the cereals sector (2), and in particular Article 2(1) thereof,

Whereas:

| (1) | Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003 provides that the rates of duty in the Common Customs Tariff are to be charged on import of the products referred to in Article 1 of that Regulation. However, in the case of the products referred to in paragraph 2 of that Article, the import duty is to be equal to the intervention price valid for such products on importation and increased by 55 %, minus the cif import price applicable to the consignment in question. However, that duty may not exceed the rate of duty in the Common Customs Tariff. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003 provides that the rates of duty in the Common Customs Tariff are to be charged on import of the products referred to in Article 1 of that Regulation. However, in the case of the products referred to in paragraph 2 of that Article, the import duty is to be equal to the intervention price valid for such products on importation and increased by 55 %, minus the cif import price applicable to the consignment in question. However, that duty may not exceed the rate of duty in the Common Customs Tariff.

| (2) | Pursuant to Article 10(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003, the cif import prices are calculated on the basis of the representative prices for the product in question on the world market. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Pursuant to Article 10(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003, the cif import prices are calculated on the basis of the representative prices for the product in question on the world market.

| (3) | Regulation (EC) No 1249/96 lays down detailed rules for the application of Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003 as regards import duties in the cereals sector. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

Regulation (EC) No 1249/96 lays down detailed rules for the application of Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003 as regards import duties in the cereals sector.

| (4) | The import duties are applicable until new duties are fixed and enter into force. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

The import duties are applicable until new duties are fixed and enter into force.

| (5) | In order to allow the import duty system to function normally, the representative market rates recorded during a reference period should be used for calculating the duties. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

In order to allow the import duty system to function normally, the representative market rates recorded during a reference period should be used for calculating the duties.

| (6) | Application of Regulation (EC) No 1249/96 results in import duties being fixed as set out in Annex I to this Regulation, |
| --- | --- |

(6)

Application of Regulation (EC) No 1249/96 results in import duties being fixed as set out in Annex I to this Regulation,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The import duties in the cereals sector referred to in Article 10(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003 shall be those fixed in Annex I to this Regulation on the basis of the information given in Annex II.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 January 2007.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 22 December 2006.

For the Commission

Jean-Luc DEMARTY

Director-General for Agriculture and Rural Development

---

(1)  
  OJ L 270, 21.10.2003, p. 78. Regulation as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1154/2005 (OJ L 187, 19.7.2005, p. 11).

1

(2)  
  OJ L 161, 29.6.1996, p. 125. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1110/2003 (OJ L 158, 27.6.2003, p. 12).

2

---

ANNEX I

Import duties for the products covered by Article 10(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003 applicable from 1 January 2007

| CN code | Description | Import duty (1)

  (EUR/tonne) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1001 10 00 | Durum wheat high quality | 0,00 |
| medium quality | 0,00 |
| low quality | 0,00 |
| 1001 90 91 | Common wheat seed | 0,00 |
| ex 1001 90 99 | Common high quality wheat other than for sowing | 0,00 |
| 1002 00 00 | Rye | 0,00 |
| 1005 10 90 | Maize seed other than hybrid | 11,44 |
| 1005 90 00 | Maize other than seed (2) | 11,44 |
| 1007 00 90 | Grain sorghum other than hybrids for sowing | 0,00 |

CN code

Description

Import duty (1)

(EUR/tonne)

1001 10 00

Durum wheat high quality

0,00

medium quality

0,00

low quality

0,00

1001 90 91

Common wheat seed

0,00

ex 1001 90 99

Common high quality wheat other than for sowing

0,00

1002 00 00

Rye

0,00

1005 10 90

Maize seed other than hybrid

11,44

1005 90 00

Maize other than seed (2)

11,44

1007 00 90

Grain sorghum other than hybrids for sowing

0,00

---

(1)  For goods arriving in the Community via the Atlantic Ocean or via the Suez Canal (Article 2(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1249/96), the importer may benefit from a reduction in the duty of:

| — | EUR 3/t, where the port of unloading is on the Mediterranean Sea, or |
| --- | --- |

—

EUR 3/t, where the port of unloading is on the Mediterranean Sea, or

| — | EUR 2/t, where the port of unloading is in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Finland, Sweden or the Atlantic coasts of the Iberian peninsula. |
| --- | --- |

—

EUR 2/t, where the port of unloading is in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Finland, Sweden or the Atlantic coasts of the Iberian peninsula.

(2)  The importer may benefit from a flat-rate reduction of EUR 24/t, where the conditions laid down in Article 2(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1249/96 are met.

---

ANNEX II

Factors for calculating duties

(15.12.2006-21.12.2006)

1.

| Exchange quotations | Minneapolis | Chicago | Minneapolis | Minneapolis | Minneapolis | Minneapolis |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Product (% proteins at 12 % humidity) | HRS2 | YC3 | HAD2 | Medium quality (*1) | Low quality (*2) | US barley 2 |
| Quotation (EUR/t) | 155,30  (*3) | 111,29 | 182,08 | 172,08 | 152,08 | 160,47 |
| Gulf premium (EUR/t) | — | 10,71 | — | | | — |
| Great Lakes premium (EUR/t) | 16,94 | — | — | | | — |

Exchange quotations

Minneapolis

Chicago

Minneapolis

Minneapolis

Minneapolis

Minneapolis

Product (% proteins at 12 % humidity)

HRS2

YC3

HAD2

Medium quality (*1)

Low quality (*2)

US barley 2

Quotation (EUR/t)

155,30  (*3)

111,29

182,08

172,08

152,08

160,47

Gulf premium (EUR/t)

—

10,71

—

—

Great Lakes premium (EUR/t)

16,94

—

—

—

2.

Freight/cost: Gulf of Mexico–Rotterdam: 25,74 EUR/t; Great Lakes–Rotterdam: 31,37 EUR/t.

3.

| Subsidy within the meaning of the third paragraph of Article 4(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1249/96: | 0,00  EUR/t (HRW2)
  0,00  EUR/t (SRW2). |
| --- | --- |

Subsidy within the meaning of the third paragraph of Article 4(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1249/96:

0,00  EUR/t (HRW2)

0,00  EUR/t (SRW2).

---

(*1)  A discount of 10 EUR/t (Article 4(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1249/96).

*1

(*2)  A discount of 30 EUR/t (Article 4(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1249/96).

*2

(*3)  Premium of 14 EUR/t incorporated (Article 4(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1249/96).

*3

---

| 23.12.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 368/11 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

23.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 368/11

---

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1972/2006

of 22 December 2006

fixing the export refunds on cereals and on wheat or rye flour, groats and meal

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003 of 29 September 2003 on the common organisation of the market in cereals (1), and in particular Article 13(3) thereof,

Whereas:

| (1) | Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003 provides that the difference between quotations or prices on the world market for the products listed in Article 1 of that Regulation and prices for those products in the Community may be covered by an export refund. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003 provides that the difference between quotations or prices on the world market for the products listed in Article 1 of that Regulation and prices for those products in the Community may be covered by an export refund.

| (2) | The refunds must be fixed taking into account the factors referred to in Article 1 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1501/95 of 29 June 1995 laying down certain detailed rules under Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92 on the granting of export refunds on cereals and the measures to be taken in the event of disturbance on the market for cereals (2). |
| --- | --- |

(2)

The refunds must be fixed taking into account the factors referred to in Article 1 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1501/95 of 29 June 1995 laying down certain detailed rules under Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92 on the granting of export refunds on cereals and the measures to be taken in the event of disturbance on the market for cereals (2).

| (3) | As far as wheat and rye flour, groats and meal are concerned, when the refund on these products is being calculated, account must be taken of the quantities of cereals required for their manufacture. These quantities were fixed in Regulation (EC) No 1501/95. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

As far as wheat and rye flour, groats and meal are concerned, when the refund on these products is being calculated, account must be taken of the quantities of cereals required for their manufacture. These quantities were fixed in Regulation (EC) No 1501/95.

| (4) | The world market situation or the specific requirements of certain markets may make it necessary to vary the refund for certain products according to destination. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

The world market situation or the specific requirements of certain markets may make it necessary to vary the refund for certain products according to destination.

| (5) | The refund must be fixed once a month. It may be altered in the intervening period. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

The refund must be fixed once a month. It may be altered in the intervening period.

| (6) | It follows from applying the detailed rules set out above to the present situation on the market in cereals, and in particular to quotations or prices for these products within the Community and on the world market, that the refunds should be as set out in the Annex hereto. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

It follows from applying the detailed rules set out above to the present situation on the market in cereals, and in particular to quotations or prices for these products within the Community and on the world market, that the refunds should be as set out in the Annex hereto.

| (7) | The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Cereals, |
| --- | --- |

(7)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Cereals,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The export refunds on the products listed in Article 1(a), (b) and (c) of Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003, excluding malt, exported in the natural state, shall be as set out in the Annex hereto.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 January 2007.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 22 December 2006.

For the Commission

Jean-Luc DEMARTY

Director-General for Agriculture and Rural Development

---

(1)  
  OJ L 270, 21.10.2003, p. 78. Regulation as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1154/2005 (OJ L 187, 19.7.2005, p. 11).

1

(2)  
  OJ L 147, 30.6.1995, p. 7. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 777/2004 (OJ L 123, 27.4.2004, p. 50).

2

---

ANNEX

to the Commission Regulation of 22 December 2006 fixing the export refunds on cereals and on wheat or rye flour, groats and meal

| Product code | Destination | Unit of measurement | Amount of refunds |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1001 10 00 9200 | — | EUR/t | — |
| 1001 10 00 9400 | A00 | EUR/t | 0 |
| 1001 90 91 9000 | — | EUR/t | — |
| 1001 90 99 9000 | A00 | EUR/t | — |
| 1002 00 00 9000 | A00 | EUR/t | 0 |
| 1003 00 10 9000 | — | EUR/t | — |
| 1003 00 90 9000 | A00 | EUR/t | — |
| 1004 00 00 9200 | — | EUR/t | — |
| 1004 00 00 9400 | A00 | EUR/t | 0 |
| 1005 10 90 9000 | — | EUR/t | — |
| 1005 90 00 9000 | A00 | EUR/t | 0 |
| 1007 00 90 9000 | — | EUR/t | — |
| 1008 20 00 9000 | — | EUR/t | — |
| 1101 00 11 9000 | — | EUR/t | — |
| 1101 00 15 9100 | C01 | EUR/t | 0 |
| 1101 00 15 9130 | C01 | EUR/t | 0 |
| 1101 00 15 9150 | C01 | EUR/t | 0 |
| 1101 00 15 9170 | C01 | EUR/t | 0 |
| 1101 00 15 9180 | C01 | EUR/t | 0 |
| 1101 00 15 9190 | — | EUR/t | — |
| 1101 00 90 9000 | — | EUR/t | — |
| 1102 10 00 9500 | A00 | EUR/t | 0 |
| 1102 10 00 9700 | A00 | EUR/t | 0 |
| 1102 10 00 9900 | — | EUR/t | — |
| 1103 11 10 9200 | A00 | EUR/t | 0 |
| 1103 11 10 9400 | A00 | EUR/t | 0 |
| 1103 11 10 9900 | — | EUR/t | — |
| 1103 11 90 9200 | A00 | EUR/t | 0 |
| 1103 11 90 9800 | — | EUR/t | — |
| NB: The product codes and the ‘A ’ series destination codes are set out in the Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3846/87 (OJ L 366, 24.12.1987, p. 1), as amended.







  C01 | : | All third countries with the exception of Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Lichtenstein and Switzerland. |

Product code

Destination

Unit of measurement

Amount of refunds

1001 10 00 9200

—

EUR/t

—

1001 10 00 9400

A00

EUR/t

0

1001 90 91 9000

—

EUR/t

—

1001 90 99 9000

A00

EUR/t

—

1002 00 00 9000

A00

EUR/t

0

1003 00 10 9000

—

EUR/t

—

1003 00 90 9000

A00

EUR/t

—

1004 00 00 9200

—

EUR/t

—

1004 00 00 9400

A00

EUR/t

0

1005 10 90 9000

—

EUR/t

—

1005 90 00 9000

A00

EUR/t

0

1007 00 90 9000

—

EUR/t

—

1008 20 00 9000

—

EUR/t

—

1101 00 11 9000

—

EUR/t

—

1101 00 15 9100

C01

EUR/t

0

1101 00 15 9130

C01

EUR/t

0

1101 00 15 9150

C01

EUR/t

0

1101 00 15 9170

C01

EUR/t

0

1101 00 15 9180

C01

EUR/t

0

1101 00 15 9190

—

EUR/t

—

1101 00 90 9000

—

EUR/t

—

1102 10 00 9500

A00

EUR/t

0

1102 10 00 9700

A00

EUR/t

0

1102 10 00 9900

—

EUR/t

—

1103 11 10 9200

A00

EUR/t

0

1103 11 10 9400

A00

EUR/t

0

1103 11 10 9900

—

EUR/t

—

1103 11 90 9200

A00

EUR/t

0

1103 11 90 9800

—

EUR/t

—

NB: The product codes and the ‘A ’ series destination codes are set out in the Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3846/87 (OJ L 366, 24.12.1987, p. 1), as amended.

C01

:

All third countries with the exception of Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Lichtenstein and Switzerland.

---

| 23.12.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 368/13 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

23.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 368/13

---

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1973/2006

of 22 December 2006

fixing the corrective amount applicable to the refund on cereals

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003 of 29 September 2003 on the common organisation of the market in cereals (1), and in particular Article 15(2) thereof,

Whereas:

| (1) | Article 14(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003 provides that the export refund applicable to cereals on the day on which an application for an export licence is made must be applied on request to exports to be effected during the period of validity of the export licence. In this case, a corrective amount may be applied to the refund. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Article 14(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003 provides that the export refund applicable to cereals on the day on which an application for an export licence is made must be applied on request to exports to be effected during the period of validity of the export licence. In this case, a corrective amount may be applied to the refund.

| (2) | Commission Regulation (EC) No 1501/95 of 29 June 1995 laying down certain detailed rules under Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92 on the granting of export refunds on cereals and the cereals and the measures to be taken in the event of disturbance on the market for cereals (2), allows for the fixing of a corrective amount for the products listed in Article 1(a), (b) and (c) of Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003. That corrective amount must be calculated taking account of the factors referred to in Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 1501/95. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1501/95 of 29 June 1995 laying down certain detailed rules under Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92 on the granting of export refunds on cereals and the cereals and the measures to be taken in the event of disturbance on the market for cereals (2), allows for the fixing of a corrective amount for the products listed in Article 1(a), (b) and (c) of Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003. That corrective amount must be calculated taking account of the factors referred to in Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 1501/95.

| (3) | The world market situation or the specific requirements of certain markets may make it necessary to vary the corrective amount according to destination. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

The world market situation or the specific requirements of certain markets may make it necessary to vary the corrective amount according to destination.

| (4) | The corrective amount must be fixed according to the same procedure as the refund; it may be altered in the period between fixings. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

The corrective amount must be fixed according to the same procedure as the refund; it may be altered in the period between fixings.

| (5) | It follows from applying the provisions set out above that the corrective amount must be as set out in the Annex hereto. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

It follows from applying the provisions set out above that the corrective amount must be as set out in the Annex hereto.

| (6) | The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Cereals, |
| --- | --- |

(6)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Cereals,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The corrective amount referred to in Article 1(a), (b) and (c) of Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003 which is applicable to export refunds fixed in advance except for malt shall be as set out in the Annex hereto.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 January 2007.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 22 December 2006.

For the Commission

Jean-Luc DEMARTY

Director-General for Agriculture and Rural Development

---

(1)  
  OJ L 270, 21.10.2003, p. 78. Regulation as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1154/2005 (OJ L 187, 19.7.2005, p. 11).

1

(2)  
  OJ L 147, 30.6.1995, p. 7. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 777/2004 (OJ L 123, 27.4.2004, p. 50).

2

---

ANNEX

to the Commission Regulation of 22 December 2006 fixing the corrective amount applicable to the refund on cereals

| (EUR/t) |
| --- |
| Product code | Destination | Current
  1 | 1st period
  2 | 2nd period
  3 | 3rd period
  4 | 4th period
  5 | 5th period
  6 | 6th period
  7 |
| 1001 10 00 9200 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1001 10 00 9400 | A00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 1001 90 91 9000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1001 90 99 9000 | C01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 1002 00 00 9000 | A00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 1003 00 10 9000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1003 00 90 9000 | C02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 1004 00 00 9200 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1004 00 00 9400 | C03 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 1005 10 90 9000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1005 90 00 9000 | A00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 1007 00 90 9000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1008 20 00 9000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1101 00 11 9000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1101 00 15 9100 | C01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 1101 00 15 9130 | C01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 1101 00 15 9150 | C01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 1101 00 15 9170 | C01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 1101 00 15 9180 | C01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 1101 00 15 9190 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1101 00 90 9000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1102 10 00 9500 | A00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 1102 10 00 9700 | A00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 1102 10 00 9900 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1103 11 10 9200 | A00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 1103 11 10 9400 | A00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 1103 11 10 9900 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1103 11 90 9200 | A00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 1103 11 90 9800 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| NB: The product codes and the ‘A ’ series destination codes are set out in Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3846/87 (OJ L 366, 24.12.1987, p. 1) as amended.
  The numeric destination codes are set out in Regulation (EC) No 2081/2003 (OJ L 313, 28.11.2003, p. 11).







  C01 | : | All third countries with the exception of Albania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. |
| C02 | : | Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lybia, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, Qatar, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen. |
| C03 | : | All countries with the exception of Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. |

(EUR/t)

Product code

Destination

Current

1

1st period

2

2nd period

3

3rd period

4

4th period

5

5th period

6

6th period

7

1001 10 00 9200

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1001 10 00 9400

A00

0

0

0

0

0

—

—

1001 90 91 9000

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1001 90 99 9000

C01

0

0

0

0

0

—

—

1002 00 00 9000

A00

0

0

0

0

0

—

—

1003 00 10 9000

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1003 00 90 9000

C02

0

0

0

0

0

—

—

1004 00 00 9200

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1004 00 00 9400

C03

0

0

0

0

0

—

—

1005 10 90 9000

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1005 90 00 9000

A00

0

0

0

0

0

—

—

1007 00 90 9000

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1008 20 00 9000

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1101 00 11 9000

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1101 00 15 9100

C01

0

0

0

0

0

—

—

1101 00 15 9130

C01

0

0

0

0

0

—

—

1101 00 15 9150

C01

0

0

0

0

0

—

—

1101 00 15 9170

C01

0

0

0

0

0

—

—

1101 00 15 9180

C01

0

0

0

0

0

—

—

1101 00 15 9190

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1101 00 90 9000

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1102 10 00 9500

A00

0

0

0

0

0

—

—

1102 10 00 9700

A00

0

0

0

0

0

—

—

1102 10 00 9900

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1103 11 10 9200

A00

0

0

0

0

0

—

—

1103 11 10 9400

A00

0

0

0

0

0

—

—

1103 11 10 9900

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1103 11 90 9200

A00

0

0

0

0

0

—

—

1103 11 90 9800

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

NB: The product codes and the ‘A ’ series destination codes are set out in Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3846/87 (OJ L 366, 24.12.1987, p. 1) as amended.

The numeric destination codes are set out in Regulation (EC) No 2081/2003 (OJ L 313, 28.11.2003, p. 11).

C01

:

All third countries with the exception of Albania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

C02

:

Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lybia, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, Qatar, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen.

C03

:

All countries with the exception of Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

---

| 23.12.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 368/15 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

23.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 368/15

---

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1974/2006

of 15 December 2006

laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 of 20 September 2005 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund For Rural Development (EAFRD) (1) and in particular Article 5(6), the second sentence of Article 19(2), Article 32(1)(b), the third subparagraph of Article 66(3), Article 70(1), and Article 91 thereof,

Whereas:

| (1) | Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 established a single legal framework for the EAFRD support for rural development throughout the Community. The legal framework should be complemented by detailed implementing rules. |
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(1)

Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 established a single legal framework for the EAFRD support for rural development throughout the Community. The legal framework should be complemented by detailed implementing rules.

| (2) | As regards consistency with measures financed by other instruments of the Common Agricultural Policy, detailed provisions for the exceptions for rural development support should be defined, notably those concerning the exceptions referred to in Article 5(6) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005. Rural development investment support should take account of any sectoral limitations or restrictions and avoid creating overcapacities in the sectors concerned. |
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(2)

As regards consistency with measures financed by other instruments of the Common Agricultural Policy, detailed provisions for the exceptions for rural development support should be defined, notably those concerning the exceptions referred to in Article 5(6) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005. Rural development investment support should take account of any sectoral limitations or restrictions and avoid creating overcapacities in the sectors concerned.

| (3) | There is a need to provide rules for updates of national strategy plans in terms of content, procedures and timing. |
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(3)

There is a need to provide rules for updates of national strategy plans in terms of content, procedures and timing.

| (4) | In order to allow the Member States and the Commission to put in place the new programming framework quickly and efficiently, the deadlines between the submission of rural development programmes and their approval by the Commission should be specified. |
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(4)

In order to allow the Member States and the Commission to put in place the new programming framework quickly and efficiently, the deadlines between the submission of rural development programmes and their approval by the Commission should be specified.

| (5) | Detailed rules should be laid down for the presentation of rural development programmes and their revision. In order to facilitate the establishment of rural development programmes and their examination and approval by the Commission, common rules should be laid down for the structure and content of those programmes, based in particular on the requirements set out in Article 16 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005. Moreover, specific provisions should be established for national frameworks referred to in Article 15(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005. |
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(5)

Detailed rules should be laid down for the presentation of rural development programmes and their revision. In order to facilitate the establishment of rural development programmes and their examination and approval by the Commission, common rules should be laid down for the structure and content of those programmes, based in particular on the requirements set out in Article 16 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005. Moreover, specific provisions should be established for national frameworks referred to in Article 15(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

| (6) | Only amendments involving significant changes in programmes, shifts of EAFRD funding among axes within a programme and changes to the EAFRD co-financing rates should be adopted by a Commission Decision. Other amendments should be decided by the Member States and notified to the Commission. A procedure should be established for agreement on such notifications. |
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(6)

Only amendments involving significant changes in programmes, shifts of EAFRD funding among axes within a programme and changes to the EAFRD co-financing rates should be adopted by a Commission Decision. Other amendments should be decided by the Member States and notified to the Commission. A procedure should be established for agreement on such notifications.

| (7) | To ensure effective and regular monitoring, the Member States should make available to the Commission a consolidated and updated electronic version of their programming documents. |
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(7)

To ensure effective and regular monitoring, the Member States should make available to the Commission a consolidated and updated electronic version of their programming documents.

| (8) | Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 lays down conditions for support to young farmers. The time by which those conditions must be fulfilled should be specified, including the duration of the period that Member States may grant to certain beneficiaries in which to comply with the occupational skills and competence condition. Since support to young farmers is subject to the condition that a business plan is submitted by the young farmer, detailed rules should be laid down as regards the business plan and the respect for its provisions by the young farmer. |
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(8)

Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 lays down conditions for support to young farmers. The time by which those conditions must be fulfilled should be specified, including the duration of the period that Member States may grant to certain beneficiaries in which to comply with the occupational skills and competence condition. Since support to young farmers is subject to the condition that a business plan is submitted by the young farmer, detailed rules should be laid down as regards the business plan and the respect for its provisions by the young farmer.

| (9) | As regards the conditions for early retirement support, specific problems arising where a holding is transferred by several transferors or by a tenant farmer should be solved. The non-commercial farming activity of the transferor should not be eligible for support under the Common Agricultural Policy. |
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(9)

As regards the conditions for early retirement support, specific problems arising where a holding is transferred by several transferors or by a tenant farmer should be solved. The non-commercial farming activity of the transferor should not be eligible for support under the Common Agricultural Policy.

| (10) | The skills and resources required from the authorities and bodies selected for providing the farm advisory services eligible for support should be specified. |
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(10)

The skills and resources required from the authorities and bodies selected for providing the farm advisory services eligible for support should be specified.

| (11) | As regards support for the setting up of management, relief and advisory services, the methodology for the degressivity of support should be established. |
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(11)

As regards support for the setting up of management, relief and advisory services, the methodology for the degressivity of support should be established.

| (12) | As regards investments for the modernisation of agricultural holdings in order to comply with newly introduced Community standards, and in cases where young farmers are to comply with existing standards, a date should be fixed for compliance with the relevant standards. |
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(12)

As regards investments for the modernisation of agricultural holdings in order to comply with newly introduced Community standards, and in cases where young farmers are to comply with existing standards, a date should be fixed for compliance with the relevant standards.

| (13) | As regards investments for the improvement of the economic value of forests, forest management plans should be defined and the types of eligible investments should be set out. Those plans should be prepared in accordance with the Pan-European Operational Level Guidelines for Sustainable Forest Management established in Annex 2 of Resolution L2 (Pan-European Criteria, Indicators and Operational Level Guidelines for Sustainable Forest Management) of the Third Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe held in Lisbon (2, 3 and 4 June 1998) (2). |
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(13)

As regards investments for the improvement of the economic value of forests, forest management plans should be defined and the types of eligible investments should be set out. Those plans should be prepared in accordance with the Pan-European Operational Level Guidelines for Sustainable Forest Management established in Annex 2 of Resolution L2 (Pan-European Criteria, Indicators and Operational Level Guidelines for Sustainable Forest Management) of the Third Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe held in Lisbon (2, 3 and 4 June 1998) (2).

| (14) | As regards investments for adding value to agricultural and forestry products in order to comply with newly introduced Community standards in micro-enterprises, a date should be fixed for compliance with the relevant standards. A demarcation line should be set for wood-related investments benefiting from the rates of support established by Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 from other investments in the wood sector. |
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(14)

As regards investments for adding value to agricultural and forestry products in order to comply with newly introduced Community standards in micro-enterprises, a date should be fixed for compliance with the relevant standards. A demarcation line should be set for wood-related investments benefiting from the rates of support established by Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 from other investments in the wood sector.

| (15) | As regards cooperation for the development of new products, processes and technologies in the agriculture and food sector and in the forestry sector, indicative eligible costs should be defined. |
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(15)

As regards cooperation for the development of new products, processes and technologies in the agriculture and food sector and in the forestry sector, indicative eligible costs should be defined.

| (16) | As regards meeting standards, the level of support to farmers should be modulated by the Member State per standard with regard to the level of obligations resulting from the application of the standard, while investment costs should not be eligible for support. |
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(16)

As regards meeting standards, the level of support to farmers should be modulated by the Member State per standard with regard to the level of obligations resulting from the application of the standard, while investment costs should not be eligible for support.

| (17) | As regards support for farmers participating in a food quality scheme, the Community schemes and the criteria for the national schemes, the products concerned by this support and the types of fixed costs which may be taken into account for calculating the amount of assistance, should be specified. |
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(17)

As regards support for farmers participating in a food quality scheme, the Community schemes and the criteria for the national schemes, the products concerned by this support and the types of fixed costs which may be taken into account for calculating the amount of assistance, should be specified.

| (18) | In order to ensure complementarity between the promotion measures referred to in Article 33 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 and the rules concerning information and promotion actions established by Council Regulation (EC) No 2826/2000 of 19 December 2000 on information and promotion actions for agricultural products on the internal market (3), detailed requirements for support for the promotion of quality products should be laid down, in particular as regards beneficiaries and eligible activities. In addition, in order to avoid the risk of double financing, information and promotion measures supported under Regulation (EC) No 2826/2000 should not be eligible for rural development support. |
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(18)

In order to ensure complementarity between the promotion measures referred to in Article 33 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 and the rules concerning information and promotion actions established by Council Regulation (EC) No 2826/2000 of 19 December 2000 on information and promotion actions for agricultural products on the internal market (3), detailed requirements for support for the promotion of quality products should be laid down, in particular as regards beneficiaries and eligible activities. In addition, in order to avoid the risk of double financing, information and promotion measures supported under Regulation (EC) No 2826/2000 should not be eligible for rural development support.

| (19) | As regards support for semi-subsistence farming, the content of the business plans and the conditions for their implementation should be specified. |
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(19)

As regards support for semi-subsistence farming, the content of the business plans and the conditions for their implementation should be specified.

| (20) | As regards support to producer groups in Malta, specific rules should be laid down to take into account the specific characteristics of the Maltese agricultural sector. |
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(20)

As regards support to producer groups in Malta, specific rules should be laid down to take into account the specific characteristics of the Maltese agricultural sector.

| (21) | As regards support to less-favoured areas, in accordance with Article 93 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, the support system put in place by Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain Regulations (4) is to remain in force until 31 December 2009, subject to an act of the Council adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 37 of the Treaty. Therefore, Article 11 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 817/2004 of 29 April 2004 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) (5) should remain applicable until such act is adopted by the Council. |
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(21)

As regards support to less-favoured areas, in accordance with Article 93 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, the support system put in place by Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain Regulations (4) is to remain in force until 31 December 2009, subject to an act of the Council adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 37 of the Treaty. Therefore, Article 11 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 817/2004 of 29 April 2004 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) (5) should remain applicable until such act is adopted by the Council.

| (22) | Provision should be made to avoid overlapping between the meeting standards support to farmers on the one hand, and the Natura 2000 payments on the other. |
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(22)

Provision should be made to avoid overlapping between the meeting standards support to farmers on the one hand, and the Natura 2000 payments on the other.

| (23) | As regards support for agri-environment and animal welfare, the minimum requirements to be met by beneficiaries in connection with the various agri-environment and animal welfare commitments should ensure a balanced application of support that takes account of the objectives and should thus contribute to sustainable rural development. In this respect, establishing a methodology for the calculation of the additional costs, income foregone and likely transaction costs stemming from the commitment given should be of high importance. Where commitments are based on input limitations, support should be granted only if such limitations can be assessed in a way providing reasonable assurance about the respect of the commitment. |
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(23)

As regards support for agri-environment and animal welfare, the minimum requirements to be met by beneficiaries in connection with the various agri-environment and animal welfare commitments should ensure a balanced application of support that takes account of the objectives and should thus contribute to sustainable rural development. In this respect, establishing a methodology for the calculation of the additional costs, income foregone and likely transaction costs stemming from the commitment given should be of high importance. Where commitments are based on input limitations, support should be granted only if such limitations can be assessed in a way providing reasonable assurance about the respect of the commitment.

| (24) | Concerning support for the conservation of genetic resources in agriculture, details of the eligible operations and a description of the beneficiaries should be provided. Provision should be made to avoid overlapping with agri-environment and to exclude from support activities which are eligible under the framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities. |
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(24)

Concerning support for the conservation of genetic resources in agriculture, details of the eligible operations and a description of the beneficiaries should be provided. Provision should be made to avoid overlapping with agri-environment and to exclude from support activities which are eligible under the framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities.

| (25) | Non-productive investments targeting the sustainable use of agricultural land should be defined. |
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(25)

Non-productive investments targeting the sustainable use of agricultural land should be defined.

| (26) | In order to ensure a homogenous approach for forestry measures it is necessary to use a common definition of forests and wooded areas as appropriate. This definition should be in line with the definition used by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and by Eurostat, as applied for the Global Forest Resources Assessment Update in 2005. The forests and wooded areas not eligible for support under Article 42(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 should be defined in more detail. |
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(26)

In order to ensure a homogenous approach for forestry measures it is necessary to use a common definition of forests and wooded areas as appropriate. This definition should be in line with the definition used by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and by Eurostat, as applied for the Global Forest Resources Assessment Update in 2005. The forests and wooded areas not eligible for support under Article 42(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 should be defined in more detail.

| (27) | Detailed conditions should be laid down for support for the first afforestation of agricultural land, in particular in relation to the definition of land to be afforested, of the establishment costs, of the farmer and of the fast-growing species. |
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(27)

Detailed conditions should be laid down for support for the first afforestation of agricultural land, in particular in relation to the definition of land to be afforested, of the establishment costs, of the farmer and of the fast-growing species.

| (28) | As regards support to agricultural land subject to the first establishment of agroforestry systems, the Member States should define maximum densities of plantation of forest trees taking into account certain parameters. |
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(28)

As regards support to agricultural land subject to the first establishment of agroforestry systems, the Member States should define maximum densities of plantation of forest trees taking into account certain parameters.

| (29) | As regards support for restoring forestry potential and preventive actions in forests classified as at high or medium risk of forest fires, it should be conditional on conformity with forest fire protection plans established by the Member States. A common approach should be ensured for the definition of preventive actions against forest fires. |
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(29)

As regards support for restoring forestry potential and preventive actions in forests classified as at high or medium risk of forest fires, it should be conditional on conformity with forest fire protection plans established by the Member States. A common approach should be ensured for the definition of preventive actions against forest fires.

| (30) | As regards the areas designated in Article 50(5) and (6) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, the conditions for their designation should be specified. Care should be taken to avoid afforestation harmful to the biodiversity or causing other environmental damage. |
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(30)

As regards the areas designated in Article 50(5) and (6) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, the conditions for their designation should be specified. Care should be taken to avoid afforestation harmful to the biodiversity or causing other environmental damage.

| (31) | In order to allow an appropriate uptake of the measure for diversification into non-agricultural activities referred to in Article 52(a)(i) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 a comprehensive definition of the member of the farm household referred to in Article 53 of that Regulation should be provided. |
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(31)

In order to allow an appropriate uptake of the measure for diversification into non-agricultural activities referred to in Article 52(a)(i) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 a comprehensive definition of the member of the farm household referred to in Article 53 of that Regulation should be provided.

| (32) | The support for public-private partnerships, as provided for in Article 59(e) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, should comply with certain detailed conditions. |
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(32)

The support for public-private partnerships, as provided for in Article 59(e) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, should comply with certain detailed conditions.

| (33) | As regards the Leader Axis, the selection procedures of local action groups should be transparent and competitive to ensure that pertinent and high quality development strategies at local level are selected for support. Depending on the local conditions, minimum and maximum thresholds should be set as a general rule for the population of the areas covered by the local action groups. |
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(33)

As regards the Leader Axis, the selection procedures of local action groups should be transparent and competitive to ensure that pertinent and high quality development strategies at local level are selected for support. Depending on the local conditions, minimum and maximum thresholds should be set as a general rule for the population of the areas covered by the local action groups.

| (34) | To allow the largest possible implementation of the local development strategies, support for the running costs of the local action groups should be limited. |
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(34)

To allow the largest possible implementation of the local development strategies, support for the running costs of the local action groups should be limited.

| (35) | Cooperation projects implemented by local action groups should comply with certain conditions. A coordinated procedure should be established between the Commission and the Member States to facilitate the selection of transnational cooperation projects. |
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(35)

Cooperation projects implemented by local action groups should comply with certain conditions. A coordinated procedure should be established between the Commission and the Member States to facilitate the selection of transnational cooperation projects.

| (36) | As regards technical assistance, co-financing arrangements for rural development programmes covering regions eligible under the Convergence Objective and other regions, as well as detailed options and a deadline for the establishment of the national rural network should be provided. |
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(36)

As regards technical assistance, co-financing arrangements for rural development programmes covering regions eligible under the Convergence Objective and other regions, as well as detailed options and a deadline for the establishment of the national rural network should be provided.

| (37) | Rules common to several measures should be laid down, in particular regarding the implementation of integrated operations, investments measures, the transfer of a holding during the period for which a commitment is given as a condition for the grant of assistance, the increase of the area of the holding and the definition of different categories of force majeure or exceptional circumstances. |
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(37)

Rules common to several measures should be laid down, in particular regarding the implementation of integrated operations, investments measures, the transfer of a holding during the period for which a commitment is given as a condition for the grant of assistance, the increase of the area of the holding and the definition of different categories of force majeure or exceptional circumstances.

| (38) | Member States should take all the necessary steps and put in place adequate provisions to ensure that all rural development measures are verifiable and controllable. Member States should ensure that their control arrangements give reasonable assurance that eligibility criteria and other commitments are respected. In particular, for payment calculations for certain measures, Member States should substantiate the adequacy and accuracy of the calculations through appropriate expertise. |
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(38)

Member States should take all the necessary steps and put in place adequate provisions to ensure that all rural development measures are verifiable and controllable. Member States should ensure that their control arrangements give reasonable assurance that eligibility criteria and other commitments are respected. In particular, for payment calculations for certain measures, Member States should substantiate the adequacy and accuracy of the calculations through appropriate expertise.

| (39) | Detailed rules should be laid down on interest rate subsidies for loans and certain forms of financial engineering, where applicable. The conditions which managing authorities may apply to standard costs and consider contributions in kind as eligible expenditure should also be laid down in order to ensure efficient and homogenous management. In order to ensure a better targeting of investment operations, a set of common rules for the definition of eligible expenditure should be made available. Common rules should also be necessary in cases where the competent authorities of the Member State decide to pay advances to beneficiaries of investment support. |
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(39)

Detailed rules should be laid down on interest rate subsidies for loans and certain forms of financial engineering, where applicable. The conditions which managing authorities may apply to standard costs and consider contributions in kind as eligible expenditure should also be laid down in order to ensure efficient and homogenous management. In order to ensure a better targeting of investment operations, a set of common rules for the definition of eligible expenditure should be made available. Common rules should also be necessary in cases where the competent authorities of the Member State decide to pay advances to beneficiaries of investment support.

| (40) | In order to ensure compliance with State aid rules and procedures, specific provisions should be laid down for certain co-financed measures by the EAFRD and for additional national financing. |
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(40)

In order to ensure compliance with State aid rules and procedures, specific provisions should be laid down for certain co-financed measures by the EAFRD and for additional national financing.

| (41) | To ensure information and publicity on the rural development activities benefiting from support by the EARDF, rural development programmes should include a communication plan, the content of which should be specified. The obligations of managing authorities and beneficiaries should be defined in this respect in order to ensure the most coherent approach. |
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(41)

To ensure information and publicity on the rural development activities benefiting from support by the EARDF, rural development programmes should include a communication plan, the content of which should be specified. The obligations of managing authorities and beneficiaries should be defined in this respect in order to ensure the most coherent approach.

| (42) | In order to enhance transparency regarding the use of the EAFRD assistance, the list of beneficiaries, the names of the operations and the amount of public funding allocated to operations should be published annually by Member States electronically or by other means. Making such information accessible to the public aims to improve the transparency of the Community's action in the area of rural development, to enhance the sound financial management of the public funds involved and in particular to reinforce control of the public money used, and finally to avoid distortion of competition between beneficiaries of rural development measures. Given the overriding weight of the objectives pursued it is justified, with regard to the principle of proportionality and the requirement of the protection of personal data, to provide for the general publication of the relevant information as it does not go beyond what is necessary in a democratic society for the prevention of irregularities. |
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(42)

In order to enhance transparency regarding the use of the EAFRD assistance, the list of beneficiaries, the names of the operations and the amount of public funding allocated to operations should be published annually by Member States electronically or by other means. Making such information accessible to the public aims to improve the transparency of the Community's action in the area of rural development, to enhance the sound financial management of the public funds involved and in particular to reinforce control of the public money used, and finally to avoid distortion of competition between beneficiaries of rural development measures. Given the overriding weight of the objectives pursued it is justified, with regard to the principle of proportionality and the requirement of the protection of personal data, to provide for the general publication of the relevant information as it does not go beyond what is necessary in a democratic society for the prevention of irregularities.

| (43) | As regards monitoring, details of the annual progress report provided for in Article 82 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, as well as of the common indicators making part of the Common Monitoring and Evaluation Framework referred to in Article 80 of that Regulation, should be defined. |
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(43)

As regards monitoring, details of the annual progress report provided for in Article 82 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, as well as of the common indicators making part of the Common Monitoring and Evaluation Framework referred to in Article 80 of that Regulation, should be defined.

| (44) | In order to ensure a secure electronic exchange of data between the Commission and the Member States, an information system should be established. The contents and functioning of that system and the access rights to the system should be defined. |
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(44)

In order to ensure a secure electronic exchange of data between the Commission and the Member States, an information system should be established. The contents and functioning of that system and the access rights to the system should be defined.

| (45) | The new implementing rules should replace those laid down for the application of Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999. Therefore, Regulation (EC) No 817/2004 should be repealed from 1 January 2007. |
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(45)

The new implementing rules should replace those laid down for the application of Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999. Therefore, Regulation (EC) No 817/2004 should be repealed from 1 January 2007.

| (46) | The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Rural Development Committee, |
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(46)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Rural Development Committee,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

CHAPTER I

Scope

Article 1

This Regulation lays down detailed rules for the application of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 as regards principles and general rules for rural development support, specific and common provisions for rural development measures, and eligibility and administrative provisions, except provisions on controls.

CHAPTER II

General rules

Section 1

Complementarity, consistency and conformity

Article 2

1.   Consistency as referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall be ensured:

| (a) | between rural development support measures on the one hand, and measures implemented under other Community support instruments and in particular measures implemented under direct and other support schemes of the Common Agricultural Policy and animal and plant health measures, on the other hand; |
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(a)

between rural development support measures on the one hand, and measures implemented under other Community support instruments and in particular measures implemented under direct and other support schemes of the Common Agricultural Policy and animal and plant health measures, on the other hand;

| (b) | between the different rural development support measures. |
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(b)

between the different rural development support measures.

2.   Where support under Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 may exceptionally be granted in accordance with Article 5(6) of that Regulation, for measures falling within the scope of the support schemes listed in Annex I to this Regulation, Member States shall ensure that a beneficiary may receive support for a given operation only under one scheme.

To that end, Member States, when including measures containing such exceptions in their rural development programmes, shall describe in those programmes the criteria and administrative rules they will apply for the support schemes concerned.

3.   Where a common market organisation, including direct support schemes financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) places restrictions on production or limitations on Community support at the level of individual farmers, holdings or processing plants, no investment shall be supported under Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 which would increase production beyond those restrictions or limitations.

Section 2

Strategy and programming

Article 3

1.   National strategy plans may be updated in the programming period. For such updates one or both of the following elements shall be taken into account:

| (a) | the update affects one or more of the elements listed in Article 11(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 and/or one or more of the Community strategic guidelines referred to in Article 9 of that Regulation; |
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(a)

the update affects one or more of the elements listed in Article 11(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 and/or one or more of the Community strategic guidelines referred to in Article 9 of that Regulation;

| (b) | the update involves changes of one or more rural development programmes as referred to in Article 6(1) of this Regulation. |
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(b)

the update involves changes of one or more rural development programmes as referred to in Article 6(1) of this Regulation.

2.   Article 12(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall apply mutatis mutandis to updates of national strategy plans.

3.   In order to allow sufficient time for rural development programme adaptations, the last update of a national strategy plan shall be forwarded to the Commission by 30 June 2013 at the latest.

4.   The national strategy plans shall be confirmed or updated after approval of the rural development programmes notably in light of the quantification of the objectives and targets stemming from the ex-ante evaluation of those programmes.

Article 4

1.   The Commission shall approve the rural development programmes submitted by the Member States within a maximum of six months from the date of receipt of the programmes by the Commission. In the case of rural development programmes submitted before the date of entry into force of this Regulation, the six month period shall start from that date.

In cases of application of the second subparagraph of Article 18(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, the six-month period provided for in the first subparagraph of this paragraph shall start from the date the revised proposed programme is compliant with the first subparagraph of Article 18(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

2.   The dates for determining the time periods provided for in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be fixed in accordance with Article 63(6) and (8), where applicable.

Article 5

1.   The content of rural development programmes as referred to in Article 16 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall be established in accordance with Annex II to this Regulation.

The ex-ante evaluation referred to in Article 85 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall be annexed to each rural development programme.

2.   National frameworks referred to in Article 15(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall contain information common to several measures. For those measures, regional rural development programmes may only contain additional information, provided that information contained jointly under national frameworks and regional programmes complies with the requirements of Annex II to this Regulation.

3.   Member States shall make available to the Commission an electronic version of their rural development programmes and national frameworks where applicable, updated following each change, including the standard tables set out in Annex II to this Regulation corresponding to information required in accordance with Article 16(d), (e) and (f) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005. Member States shall forward to the Commission requests for programme changes and national framework changes, where applicable, by electronic means, in accordance with Article 63 of this Regulation.

Section 3

Changes in rural development programmes

Article 6

1.   Changes in rural development programmes shall fall under the following categories:

| (a) | revisions as referred to in Article 19(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005; |
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(a)

revisions as referred to in Article 19(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005;

| (b) | revisions stemming from coordination procedures for the uptake of the financial resources as referred to in Article 77(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005; |
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(b)

revisions stemming from coordination procedures for the uptake of the financial resources as referred to in Article 77(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005;

| (c) | other changes not covered by points (a) and (b) of this paragraph. |
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(c)

other changes not covered by points (a) and (b) of this paragraph.

2.   Programme changes as referred to in points (a) and (b) of paragraph 1 may only be proposed from the second year of implementation of the programme.

3.   Proposals for changes in rural development programmes shall be duly substantiated, in particular giving the following information:

| (a) | the reasons and any implementation problems justifying the change; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the reasons and any implementation problems justifying the change;

| (b) | the expected effects of the change; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the expected effects of the change;

| (c) | the relationship between the change and the national strategy plan. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the relationship between the change and the national strategy plan.

Article 7

1.   For programme revisions referred to in Article 6(1)(a) of this Regulation, a decision shall be adopted pursuant to the first sentence of Article 19(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, on a request submitted by a Member State, where:

| (a) | the revision goes above the flexibility ceiling between axes referred to in Article 9(2) of this Regulation; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the revision goes above the flexibility ceiling between axes referred to in Article 9(2) of this Regulation;

| (b) | the revision alters the Community co-financing rates referred to in Article 70 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 as provided for in the approved rural development programme; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the revision alters the Community co-financing rates referred to in Article 70 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 as provided for in the approved rural development programme;

| (c) | the revision changes the total Community contribution for the entire programming period and/or its annual breakdown, without changing contributions for past years; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the revision changes the total Community contribution for the entire programming period and/or its annual breakdown, without changing contributions for past years;

| (d) | the revision introduces changes relating to the exceptions referred to in Article 5(6) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

the revision introduces changes relating to the exceptions referred to in Article 5(6) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

The decision shall be taken within six months from the date of receipt by the Commission of the Member State's request.

2.   Except in cases of emergency measures due to natural disasters, requests for programme revisions referred to in Article 6(1)(a) shall not be submitted more than once per calendar year and per programme.

For revisions as referred to in paragraph 1(c), Member States shall forward requests by 30 September of each year at the latest.

For the revisions referred to in paragraph 1, Member States shall forward their last requests for revisions to the Commission by 30 June 2013 at the latest.

Article 8

1.   Member States with regionalised programming may submit programme revisions referred to in Article 6(1)(b) to transfer the contribution of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) between regional programmes for particular years, where:

| (a) | the total EAFRD contribution per programme for the entire programming period is not altered; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the total EAFRD contribution per programme for the entire programming period is not altered;

| (b) | the total EAFRD allocation to the Member State concerned is not altered; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the total EAFRD allocation to the Member State concerned is not altered;

| (c) | the annual breakdowns of the programme for the years preceding the year of the revision are not altered; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the annual breakdowns of the programme for the years preceding the year of the revision are not altered;

| (d) | the annual EAFRD allocation to the Member State concerned is respected; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

the annual EAFRD allocation to the Member State concerned is respected;

| (e) | if appropriate, the budget for achieving the Convergence Objective mentioned in the national strategy plan in accordance with Article 11(3)(f) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 is not reduced. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

if appropriate, the budget for achieving the Convergence Objective mentioned in the national strategy plan in accordance with Article 11(3)(f) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 is not reduced.

2.   The financial tables of the programmes concerned shall be adapted to reflect the transfers referred to in paragraph 1.

The revised financial tables shall be forwarded to the Commission by 30 September at the latest of the calendar year in which a transfer takes place. The last year in which such revisions can be forwarded shall be 2012.

The Commission shall adopt a Decision approving the new financial tables within three months after receipt of the Member State’s request. The procedure referred to in Article 90(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall not apply.

3.   Requests for programme revisions referred to in Article 6(1)(b) shall not be submitted more than once per calendar year.

Article 9

1.   Changes in programmes by Member States as referred to in Article 6(1)(c) may involve changes of financial breakdowns by measure within an axis as well as non-financial changes concerning the introduction of new measures, the withdrawal of existing measures, or information on and description of existing measures in the programme.

2.   Member States shall also be authorised to make changes as referred to in Article 6(1)(c) by transferring within a calendar year from and to any axis up to 1 % of the total EAFRD contribution to the programme for the entire programming period.

3.   Programme changes referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 may be made before 31 December 2015 at the latest, provided that Member States notify such changes by 31 August 2015 at the latest.

4.   Except in cases of emergency measures due to natural disasters, changes referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be notified no more than three times per calendar year and per programme provided that the 1 % ceiling referred to in paragraph 2 is respected within the calendar year in which the three notifications are made.

5.   Changes referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article shall be compatible with the rates set in Article 17 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

6.   Changes referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be notified to the Commission. The Commission shall assess their:

| (a) | compliance with Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

compliance with Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005;

| (b) | coherence with the relevant national strategy plan; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

coherence with the relevant national strategy plan;

| (c) | compliance with this Regulation. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

compliance with this Regulation.

The Commission shall inform the Member State of the results of that assessment within four months from the date of receipt by the Commission of the request of the programme change. If the changes fail to comply with one or more of the assessment parameters referred to in the first subparagraph, the four-month period shall be suspended until the Commission receives compliant programme changes.

If the Commission does not inform the Member State within the four-month period referred to in the second subparagraph the changes shall be deemed to be accepted and shall enter into force once the four-month period has expired.

Article 10

1.   For the purpose of the second subparagraph of Article 71(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, Member States shall bear the responsibility for expenditure between the date on which their request for programme revisions or changes as referred to in Article 6(1) of this Regulation is received by the Commission and the date of the Commission Decision pursuant to Articles 7 and 8 of this Regulation or that of the completion of the compliance assessment of the changes pursuant to Article 9 of this Regulation.

2.   In cases of emergency measures due to natural disasters, eligibility of expenditure relating to programme changes as referred to in Article 6(1) may start from a date earlier than the date referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 71(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

Article 11

Changes of national frameworks referred to in Article 15(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall fall within the scope of Article 6(1)(c) of this Regulation. Article 9(3) and (6) of this Regulation shall apply mutatis mutandis to such changes.

Article 12

Where Community legislation is adopted or amended, rural development programmes shall be changed in line with the new or amended legislation as necessary, in accordance with Article 6(1). Such changes shall not be taken into account for the yearly number of changes referred to in Article 7(2), Article 8(3) and Article 9(4). Article 6(2) shall not apply to such changes.

CHAPTER III

Rural development measures

Section 1

Rural development measures per axis

Sub-section 1

Axis 1

Article 13

1.   The conditions for support for the setting up of young farmers provided for in Article 22(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall be met at the time when the application for support is lodged.

However, a period not exceeding 36 months may be allowed from the date the individual decision to grant support is taken in order to meet the conditions relating to occupational skills and competence referred to in Article 22(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, if the young farmer needs a period of adaptation in which to set up or to restructure the holding, provided that the business plan referred to in point (c) of that paragraph provides for such a need.

2.   The business plan referred to in Article 22(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall describe at least:

| (a) | the initial situation of the agricultural holding and specific milestones and targets for the development of the activities of the new holding; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the initial situation of the agricultural holding and specific milestones and targets for the development of the activities of the new holding;

| (b) | details of investments, training, advice or any other action required for the development of the activities of the agricultural holding. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

details of investments, training, advice or any other action required for the development of the activities of the agricultural holding.

3.   Compliance with the business plan shall be assessed by the competent authority no later than five years from the date of the individual decision granting support. Member States shall, taking account of the circumstances in which the business plan is implemented, define the conditions for recovery of support already received if the young farmer fails to comply with the provisions of the business plan at the time of the assessment.

4.   The individual decision to grant support for the setting up of young farmers shall be taken no later than 18 months after setting up as defined by the provisions in force in the Member States. In the case of support in the form of a single premium as set out in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 and for the purpose of paragraph 3 of this Article, a Member State may divide its payment into up to five instalments.

5.   Member States may decide that where the business plan makes reference to the use of other rural development measures provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, the approval of the young farmer’s application by the competent authority also gives access to those other measures. In such case, the information to be supplied by the applicant must be sufficiently detailed to support an application for support under those other measures.

6.   Specific conditions may be applied in a situation where a young farmer is not established as sole head of the agricultural holding. Those conditions must be equivalent to those required for a young farmer setting up as sole head of a holding.

Article 14

1.   When a farm is transferred by several transferors, overall support for early retirement pursuant to Article 23 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall be limited to the amount provided for one transferor.

2.   Non-commercial farming activity continued by the transferor shall not be eligible for support under the Common Agricultural Policy.

3.   A tenant farmer may transfer the released land to the owner provided that the lease is terminated and the requirements relating to the transferee laid down in Article 23(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 are complied with.

4.   Member States may make provision for released land to be taken in charge by a body which undertakes to reassign it at a later date to transferees who satisfy the conditions laid down in Article 23(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

Article 15

1.   The advisory services to farmers for which support may be granted under Article 24 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall be in accordance with Chapter 3 of Title II of Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 (6) and implementing provisions thereof.

2.   The authorities and bodies selected to provide advisory services to farmers shall have appropriate resources in the form of qualified staff, administrative and technical facilities and advisory experience and reliability with respect to the requirements, conditions and standards referred to in points (a) and (b) of the second subparagraph of Article 24(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

Article 16

A degressive rate of support for setting-up of management, relief and advisory services as referred to in Article 25 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall be established in the rural development programmes, providing for a reduction of support in equal amounts from the first year of support, in such a way that support is completely phased out in the sixth year at the latest from the setting up of those services.

Article 17

1.   In the case of support for investments for the modernisation of agricultural holdings in order to comply with newly introduced Community standards as provided for in the second subparagraph of Article 26(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, the relevant standards shall be met by the end of the period of grace provided for in that subparagraph.

2.   Where investments are undertaken by young farmers receiving support as referred to in Article 22 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 in order to comply with existing Community standards, the relevant standards shall be met by the end of the period of grace provided for in the third subparagraph of Article 26(1) of that Regulation.

Article 18

1.   For the purpose of Article 27(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 forest management plans appropriate to the size and use of the forest area shall be based on relevant national legislation as well as existing land use plans and they shall adequately cover the forest resources.

2.   Operations for the improvement of the economic value of forests as referred to in Article 27 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall concern investments at the level of the forestry holding, and may include investments for harvesting equipment.

Activities related to regeneration after final felling shall be excluded from support.

3.   Forests referred to in Article 30(4) of this Regulation shall be excluded from the scope of the first sentence of Article 27(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

Article 19

1.   In the case of support for investments for adding value to agricultural and forestry products in order to comply with newly introduced Community standards as provided for in the second subparagraph of Article 28(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, the relevant standards shall be met by the end of the period of grace provided for in that subparagraph.

2.   In the case of support for investments for adding value to forestry products, investments related to the use of wood as a raw material shall be limited to all working operations prior to industrial processing.

Article 20

Costs for cooperation for the development of new products, processes and technologies in the agricultural and food sector and in the forestry sector, as referred to in Article 29(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, shall concern preparatory operations, such as design, product, process or technology development and tests and tangible and/or intangible investments related to the cooperation, before the use of the newly developed products, processes and technologies for commercial purposes.

Article 21

1.   The level of support for meeting standards based on Community legislation referred to in Article 31 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall be modulated by the Member States per standard with regard to the level of obligations resulting from the application of the standard. Payment shall be phased out over the maximum period of five years referred to in paragraph 2 of that Article.

2.   Costs related to investments shall not be taken into account when determining the level of annual support for meeting standards based on Community legislation referred to in Article 31 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

Article 22

1.   Community quality schemes referred to in Article 32(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall be those established under the following Regulations and provisions:

| (a) | Council Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 (7); |
| --- | --- |

(a)

Council Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 (7);

| (b) | Council Regulation (EC) No 509/2006 (8); |
| --- | --- |

(b)

Council Regulation (EC) No 509/2006 (8);

| (c) | Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 (9); |
| --- | --- |

(c)

Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 (9);

| (d) | Title VI of Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 (10). |
| --- | --- |

(d)

Title VI of Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 (10).

2.   To be eligible for support, food quality schemes recognised by the Member States, as referred to in Article 32(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, shall comply with the following criteria:

| (a) | the specificity of the final product under such schemes shall be derived from detailed obligations on farming methods that guarantee:






  — | specific characteristics including the production process, or |
| --- | --- | --- |

(a)

the specificity of the final product under such schemes shall be derived from detailed obligations on farming methods that guarantee:

—

specific characteristics including the production process, or

| — | a quality of the final product that goes significantly beyond the commercial commodity standards as regards public, animal or plant health, animal welfare or environmental protection; |
| --- | --- |

—

a quality of the final product that goes significantly beyond the commercial commodity standards as regards public, animal or plant health, animal welfare or environmental protection;

| (b) | the schemes involve binding product specifications and compliance with those specifications shall be verified by an independent inspection body; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the schemes involve binding product specifications and compliance with those specifications shall be verified by an independent inspection body;

| (c) | the schemes shall be open to all producers; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the schemes shall be open to all producers;

| (d) | the schemes shall be transparent and assure complete traceability of the products; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

the schemes shall be transparent and assure complete traceability of the products;

| (e) | the schemes shall respond to current and foreseeable market opportunities. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

the schemes shall respond to current and foreseeable market opportunities.

3.   Support may be granted to farmers participating in a food quality scheme only if the quality product or foodstuff has been officially recognised under the Regulations and provisions listed in paragraph 1, or in a food quality scheme recognised by a Member State as referred to in paragraph 2.

As regards the food quality schemes referred to in paragraph 1(b) and (c), support may only be granted in respect of products registered in a Community register.

4.   Where a support for participation in a food quality scheme under Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 for a specific product is included in a rural development programme, the fixed costs resulting from the participation in that quality scheme shall not be taken into account in calculating the amount of support in the framework of an agri-environment measure to support organic farming for the same product.

5.   For the purpose of Article 32(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, ‘fixed costs’ shall mean the costs incurred for entering a supported food quality scheme and the annual contribution for participating in that scheme, including, where necessary, expenditure on checks required to verify compliance with the specifications of the scheme.

Article 23

1.   For the purposes of Article 20(c)(iii) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, ‘producer group’ shall mean an organisation, in whatever legal form, which brings together operators actively participating in a food quality scheme as referred to in Article 32 of that Regulation for a specific agricultural product or foodstuff. Professional and/or inter-professional organisations representing one or more sectors cannot qualify as ‘producer groups’.

2.   The information and promotion activities eligible for support under Article 33 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall be activities designed to induce consumers to buy the agricultural products or foodstuffs covered by food quality schemes included in the rural development programme under Article 32 of that Regulation.

Such activities shall draw attention to the specific features or advantages of the products concerned, notably the quality, specific production methods, high animal welfare standards and respect for the environment linked to the food quality scheme concerned, and may include the dissemination of scientific and technical knowledge about those products. Such activities shall include, in particular, the organisation of, and/or participation in, fairs and exhibitions, similar public relations exercises and advertising via the different channels of communication or at the points of sale.

3.   Only information, promotion and advertising activities in the internal market shall be eligible for support pursuant to Article 20(c)(iii) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

Such activities shall not incite consumers to buy a product due to its particular origin, except for products covered by the quality scheme introduced by Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 and those under Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999. The origin of a product may nevertheless be indicated provided the mention of the origin is subordinate to the main message.

Activities related to the promotion of commercial brands shall not be eligible for support.

4.   When activities referred to in paragraph 2 concern a product included in a food quality scheme referred to in Article 22(1)(a), (b) or (c), the Community logo provided for under those schemes shall appear on information, promotion and/or advertising material.

5.   Information and promotion activities supported under Regulation (EC) No 2826/2000 shall not qualify for support pursuant to Article 20(c)(iii) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

6.   The Member States shall ensure that all draft information, promotion and advertising materials drawn up in the context of a supported activity comply with Community legislation. To that end, beneficiaries shall transmit such draft materials to the competent authority of the Member State.

Article 24

1.   The business plan referred to in Article 34 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall comply with the following:

| (a) | provide evidence that the farm can become economically viable, taking account, where applicable, of the complementarity of other sources of income of the farm household; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

provide evidence that the farm can become economically viable, taking account, where applicable, of the complementarity of other sources of income of the farm household;

| (b) | contain details of the investments required; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

contain details of the investments required;

| (c) | describe specific milestones and targets. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

describe specific milestones and targets.

2.   Where the business plan referred to in Article 34 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 makes reference to the use of other rural development measures, it must be sufficiently detailed to support an application for assistance under those other measures.

3.   For the purpose of Article 34(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, the Member States, taking account of the circumstances in which the business plan is implemented, shall not make any further payment of support if the semi-subsistence farmer fails to comply with the provisions of the business plan at the time of the assessment.

Article 25

1.   In the case of Malta, in order to set the minimum support for a sector of production where the total output is extremely small, in accordance with the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, only producer groups comprising a minimum percentage of the producers in the sector concerned and representing a minimum percentage of the production in that sector shall be eligible for that minimum support.

The minimum percentages of producers and production as well as the sectors concerned shall be determined in Malta’s rural development programme.

2.   The minimum amount of support for producer groups in Malta, calculated on the basis of the costs necessary to form a small producer group, is set in Annex III.

Sub-section 2

Axis 2

Article 26

Beneficiaries of support pursuant to Article 38 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall not be eligible for support pursuant to Article 31 of that Regulation, as regards the implementation of Council Directives 79/409/EEC (11) and 92/43/EEC (12).

Article 27

1.   For the purpose of Article 39(1) to (4) and Article 40 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, paragraphs 2 to 13 of this Article shall apply as relevant.

2.   Any commitment to extensify livestock farming or manage livestock farming differently shall comply with at least the following conditions:

| (a) | grassland management shall continue; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

grassland management shall continue;

| (b) | the whole of the grazed area per livestock unit shall be maintained, avoiding both over-grazing and under-utilisation; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the whole of the grazed area per livestock unit shall be maintained, avoiding both over-grazing and under-utilisation;

| (c) | livestock density shall be defined taking into account all grazing livestock kept on the farm or, in the case of a commitment to limit nutrient leaching, all animals kept on the farm which are relevant to the commitment in question. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

livestock density shall be defined taking into account all grazing livestock kept on the farm or, in the case of a commitment to limit nutrient leaching, all animals kept on the farm which are relevant to the commitment in question.

3.   Commitments to limit the use of fertilisers, plant protection products or other inputs shall be accepted only if such limitations can be assessed in a way that provides reasonable assurance about compliance with those commitments.

4.   Support may relate to the following commitments:

| (a) | to rear farm animals of local breeds indigenous to the area and in danger of being lost to farming; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

to rear farm animals of local breeds indigenous to the area and in danger of being lost to farming;

| (b) | to preserve plant genetic resources naturally adapted to the local and regional conditions and under threat of genetic erosion. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

to preserve plant genetic resources naturally adapted to the local and regional conditions and under threat of genetic erosion.

The eligible species of farm animals and the criteria for determining the threshold of loss to farming of local breeds are defined in Annex IV.

5.   Agri-environment and/or animal welfare support for the same production shall not be precluded by environmental measures implemented under common market organisations or direct support schemes listed in Annex I, animal and plant health measures or rural development measures other than agri-environment and animal welfare support, provided that such support is additional and consistent with the measures concerned.

Various agri-environment and/or animal welfare commitments may be combined provided that they are complementary and compatible.

Where measures or commitments referred to in the first and second subparagraph are combined, the level of support shall take account of the specific income foregone and additional costs resulting from the combination.

6.   Agri-environment measures on land set aside under Article 54 or Article 107 of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 shall qualify for support only if the agri-environment commitments go beyond the main requirements laid down in Article 3(1) of that Regulation.

In the case of support for mountain areas, areas with other handicaps, Natura 2000 agricultural areas and agricultural areas included in river basin management plans pursuant to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (13), agri-environment commitments shall, as appropriate, take account of the conditions laid down for support in the areas concerned.

7.   Any animal welfare commitment as referred to in Article 40 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall provide upgraded standards in at least one of the following areas:

| (a) | water and feed closer to their natural needs; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

water and feed closer to their natural needs;

| (b) | housing conditions, such as space allowances, bedding, natural light; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

housing conditions, such as space allowances, bedding, natural light;

| (c) | outdoor access; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

outdoor access;

| (d) | absence of systematic mutilations, isolation or permanent tethering; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

absence of systematic mutilations, isolation or permanent tethering;

| (e) | prevention of pathologies mainly determined by farming practices or/and keeping conditions. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

prevention of pathologies mainly determined by farming practices or/and keeping conditions.

8.   The reference level for calculating income foregone and additional costs resulting from the commitments given shall be the relevant standards and requirements referred to in Article 39(3) and Article 40(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

9.   Where commitments are normally expressed in units other than those used in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, Member States may calculate payments on the basis of those other units. In such cases, the Member States shall ensure that the maximum amounts per year eligible for Community support set out in that Annex are complied with. To this end the Member State may:

| (a) | set a limit on the number of units per hectare of the farm to which the agri-environment commitments applies, or |
| --- | --- |

(a)

set a limit on the number of units per hectare of the farm to which the agri-environment commitments applies, or

| (b) | determine the overall maximum amount for each participating farm and ensure that the payments for each farm are compatible with that limit. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

determine the overall maximum amount for each participating farm and ensure that the payments for each farm are compatible with that limit.

10.   Member States shall determine the need to provide compensation for transaction cost as provided for in Article 39(4) and Article 40(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 on the basis of objective criteria.

For the purpose of Article 39(4) and Article 40(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, ‘transaction cost’ shall mean cost related to letting the transaction take place and not directly attributable to the implementation cost of the commitment it relates to.

The transaction cost element shall be calculated over the length of the commitment period and shall not exceed 20 % of the income foregone and additional costs due to the commitment given.

11.   Member States may authorise one commitment to be converted into another during the period of its operation, provided that all the following conditions are fulfilled:

| (a) | any such conversion is of significant benefit to the environment or to animal welfare or to both; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

any such conversion is of significant benefit to the environment or to animal welfare or to both;

| (b) | the existing commitment is substantially reinforced; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the existing commitment is substantially reinforced;

| (c) | the approved rural development programme includes the commitments concerned. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the approved rural development programme includes the commitments concerned.

An agri-environment commitment may be converted into a commitment for first afforestation of agricultural land under Article 43 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 subject to the conditions set out in points (a) and (b) of the first subparagraph of this paragraph. The agri-environment commitment shall cease without reimbursement being required.

12.   Member States may allow agri-environment or animal welfare commitments to be adjusted during the period for which they apply, provided that the approved rural development programme includes scope for such adjustment and that the adjustment is duly justified having regard to the objectives of the commitment.

Such adjustments may also take the form of an extension of the duration of the commitment.

13.   The conversion rates of animals to livestock units (LU) are set out in Annex V. Member States may differentiate those rates within the limits set in that Annex for the relevant categories, according to objective criteria.

Article 28

1.   Support under Article 39(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 may cover operations carried out by other beneficiaries than those referred to in Article 39(2) of that Regulation.

2.   Activities entering in agri-environmental commitments referred to in Article 27(4) of this Regulation shall not be eligible for support under Article 39(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

No support shall be granted under Article 39(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 for activities eligible under the framework programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities.

3.   The operations for the conservation of genetic resources in agriculture eligible for support under Article 39(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall include the following:

| (a) | targeted actions: actions promoting the ex situ and in situ conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of genetic resources in agriculture, including web-based inventories of genetic resources currently conserved in situ, including in situ/on-farm conservation, and of ex situ collections (gene banks) and databases; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

targeted actions: actions promoting the ex situ and in situ conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of genetic resources in agriculture, including web-based inventories of genetic resources currently conserved in situ, including in situ/on-farm conservation, and of ex situ collections (gene banks) and databases;

| (b) | concerted actions: actions promoting the exchange of information for the conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of genetic resources in Community agriculture, among competent organisations in the Member States; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

concerted actions: actions promoting the exchange of information for the conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of genetic resources in Community agriculture, among competent organisations in the Member States;

| (c) | accompanying actions: information, dissemination and advisory actions involving non-governmental organisations and other relevant stakeholders, training courses and the preparation of technical reports. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

accompanying actions: information, dissemination and advisory actions involving non-governmental organisations and other relevant stakeholders, training courses and the preparation of technical reports.

4.   For the purposes of this Article, the following definitions shall apply:

| (a) | ‘in situ conservation’ means the conservation of genetic material in ecosystems and natural habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable population of species or feral breeds in their natural surroundings and, in the case of domesticated animal breeds or cultivated plant species, in the farmed environment where they have developed their distinctive properties; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

‘in situ conservation’ means the conservation of genetic material in ecosystems and natural habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable population of species or feral breeds in their natural surroundings and, in the case of domesticated animal breeds or cultivated plant species, in the farmed environment where they have developed their distinctive properties;

| (b) | ‘in situ/on-farm conservation’ means in situ conservation and development at farm level; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

‘in situ/on-farm conservation’ means in situ conservation and development at farm level;

| (c) | ‘ex situ conservation’ means the conservation of genetic material for agriculture outside their natural habitat; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

‘ex situ conservation’ means the conservation of genetic material for agriculture outside their natural habitat;

| (d) | ‘ex situ collection’ means a collection of genetic material for agriculture maintained outside their natural habitat. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

‘ex situ collection’ means a collection of genetic material for agriculture maintained outside their natural habitat.

Article 29

For the purposes of Articles 41 and 49 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, ‘non-productive investments’ shall mean investments that do not lead to any significant increase in the value or profitability of the agricultural or forestry holding.

Article 30

1.   For the purpose of Article 42(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, the definitions in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article shall apply, subject to exceptions to be duly justified in the rural development programmes.

2.   ‘Forest’ means land spanning more than 0,5 hectare with trees higher than 5 metres and a canopy cover of more than 10 percent, or trees able to reach those thresholds in situ. It does not include land that is predominantly under agricultural or urban land use.

Areas under reforestation that have not yet reached but are expected to reach a canopy cover of 10 percent and a tree height of 5 metres are included, as are temporarily unstocked areas, resulting from human intervention or natural causes, which are expected to regenerate.

Forests include areas with bamboo and palms provided that height and canopy cover criteria are met.

Forests include forest roads, firebreaks and other small open areas, forests in national parks, nature reserves and other protected areas, such as those of specific scientific, historical, cultural or spiritual interest.

Forests include windbreaks, shelterbelts and corridors of trees with an area of more than 0,5 hectare and width of more than 20 metres.

Forests include plantations primarily for forestry protection purposes, such as rubber-wood plantations and cork oak stands. Tree stands in agricultural production systems, such as those in fruit plantations, and agri-forestry systems are excluded from the definition of ‘forests’. Trees in urban parks and gardens are also excluded from that definition.

3.   ‘Wooded areas’ means land not classified as ‘forest’, spanning more than 0,5 hectare, with trees higher than 5 metres and a canopy cover of 5-10 percent, or trees able to reach those thresholds in situ, or with a combined cover of shrubs, bushes and trees above 10 percent. The term does not include land that is predominantly under agricultural or urban use.

4.   The following forests and wooded areas shall be excluded from the scope of the first sentence of Article 42(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005:

| (a) | forest and other wooded land owned by central or regional governments, or by government-owned corporations; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

forest and other wooded land owned by central or regional governments, or by government-owned corporations;

| (b) | forest and other wooded land owned by the Crown; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

forest and other wooded land owned by the Crown;

| (c) | forests owned by legal persons at least 50 % of whose capital is held by one of the institutions referred to in points (a) and (b). |
| --- | --- |

(c)

forests owned by legal persons at least 50 % of whose capital is held by one of the institutions referred to in points (a) and (b).

Article 31

1.   Agricultural land eligible for support for first afforestation under Article 43 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall be specified by the Member State and shall include land where farming takes place on a regular basis.

First afforestation in a Natura 2000 site designated pursuant to Directives 79/409/EEC and 92/43/EEC shall be consistent with the management objectives of the site concerned.

2.   For the purposes of Article 43(1)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, ‘establishment costs’ shall include the cost of the plantation material, the cost of the plantation and the cost directly linked to and necessary for the plantation.

3.   For the purposes of Article 43(1)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, ‘farmers’ shall mean persons who devote an essential part of their working time to agricultural activities and derive from them a significant part of their income according to criteria to be determined by the Member State.

4.   For the purposes of Article 43(3) and Article 44(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, ‘fast-growing species for short–term cultivation’ shall mean species with a rotation time, namely the period between two harvest cuts on the same parcel, of less than 15 years.

Article 32

For the purpose of Article 44 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 Member States, taking account of local conditions, forestry species and the need to ensure continuation of the agricultural use of the land, shall determine the maximum number of trees planted per hectare.

Article 33

1.   Where support under Article 48 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 covers the creation of forest firebreaks, eligible costs may comprise, beyond the cost of establishment, subsequent maintenance cost on the area concerned.

Support for maintaining forest firebreaks through agricultural activities shall not be granted for areas benefiting from agri-environment support.

2.   Preventive actions against fire, as referred to in Article 48 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, may cover the following:

| (a) | establishment of protective infrastructures such as forest paths, tracks, water supply points, firebreaks, cleared and felled areas, launching of operations to maintain firebreaks and cleared and felled areas; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

establishment of protective infrastructures such as forest paths, tracks, water supply points, firebreaks, cleared and felled areas, launching of operations to maintain firebreaks and cleared and felled areas;

| (b) | preventive forestry practices such as vegetation control, thinning, diversification of vegetation structure; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

preventive forestry practices such as vegetation control, thinning, diversification of vegetation structure;

| (c) | setting-up or improvement of fixed forest fire monitoring facilities and communication equipment. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

setting-up or improvement of fixed forest fire monitoring facilities and communication equipment.

Article 34

1.   Agricultural areas referred to in Article 50(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, which are included in river basin management plans in accordance with Directive 2000/60/EC, shall be eligible for payments pursuant to Article 38 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, if a relevant river basin management plan is established and implemented in those areas.

2.   Environmental reasons qualifying areas as apt for afforestation as referred to in Article 50(6) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 may comprise prevention from erosion and/or desertification, the enhancing of biodiversity, protection of water resources, prevention of floods and climate change mitigation, provided that the latter will not harm biodiversity or cause other environmental damage.

Sub-section 3

Axis 3

Article 35

For the purposes of Article 53 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, a ‘member of the farm household’ shall mean a natural or legal person or a group of natural or legal persons, whatever legal status is granted to the group and its members by national law, with the exception of the farm workers. Where a member of the farm household is a legal person or a group of legal persons, that member must exercise an agricultural activity on the farm at the time of the support application.

Article 36

The public-private partnerships referred to in Article 59(e) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 which receive support for implementing local development strategies shall respect the following conditions:

| (a) | they shall establish area-based local development strategies at sub-regional level; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

they shall establish area-based local development strategies at sub-regional level;

| (b) | they shall be representative of the public and private-sector actors identified at the geographical level referred to in point (a) of this Article; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

they shall be representative of the public and private-sector actors identified at the geographical level referred to in point (a) of this Article;

| (c) | the running costs shall not exceed 15 % of the public expenditure relating to the local development strategy of each individual public-private partnership. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the running costs shall not exceed 15 % of the public expenditure relating to the local development strategy of each individual public-private partnership.

Sub-section 4

Axis 4

Article 37

1.   For the implementation of Axis 4 as referred to in Section 4 of Chapter I of Title IV of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, Member States or regions may opt to cover either their whole territory or part of it by adapting accordingly the criteria for selecting the local action groups and the areas they represent.

The procedures for selecting the local action groups must be open to the rural areas concerned and ensure competition between the local action groups putting forward local development strategies.

2.   Calls for proposals for the selection of rural areas for the implementation of local development strategies referred to in Article 62(1)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall be organised no later than two years after the approval of the programmes. However, Member States or regions may organise additional calls for proposals, especially where Leader is open to new areas, in which case a longer time period may be needed.

3.   The population of each area referred to in Article 61(a) and Article 62(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 must as a general rule be not less than 5 000 and not more than 150 000 inhabitants.

However, in properly justified cases, the limits of 5 000 and 150 000 inhabitants may be lowered or increased respectively.

4.   Member States of the Community as constituted at 30 April 2004 shall seek to ensure that a priority is given to the selection of local action groups which have integrated cooperation into their local development strategies pursuant to Article 62(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

Article 38

Running costs of local action groups as referred to in Article 63(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall be eligible for Community support within a limit of 20 % of the total public expenditure of the local development strategy.

Article 39

1.   Cooperation as referred to in Article 65 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall involve at least one local action group selected under the Leader Axis. It shall be implemented under the responsibility of a coordinating local action group.

2.   Cooperation shall be open to public-private partnerships as referred to in Article 59(e) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 and to other rural areas organised with the following features:

| (a) | presence of a local group in a geographical territory, which is active in rural development, with the capacity to draw up a development strategy for that territory; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

presence of a local group in a geographical territory, which is active in rural development, with the capacity to draw up a development strategy for that territory;

| (b) | the organisation of that local group is based on a partnership of local actors. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the organisation of that local group is based on a partnership of local actors.

3.   Cooperation shall include the implementation of a joint action.

Only expenditure for the joint action, for running any common structures and for preparatory technical support shall be eligible for support under Article 65 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

Expenditure on animation may be eligible in all the areas concerned by the cooperation.

4.   The cooperation projects shall be selected by the competent authority of the Member State where such projects borne by the local action groups have not been integrated into their local development strategy pursuant to Article 62(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005. In that case, the cooperation projects may be submitted by the local action groups to the competent authority by 31 December 2013 at the latest.

5.   Member States shall communicate to the Commission the approved transnational cooperation projects.

Sub-section 5

Technical assistance

Article 40

In case of rural development programmes covering both regions eligible under the Convergence Objective and regions not eligible under the Convergence Objective, the EAFRD contribution rate for technical assistance referred to in Article 70(3)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 may be determined taking into account the predominant type of regions, by their number, in the programme.

Article 41

1.   The structure needed for running the national rural network provided for in Article 68 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 may be established either within the competent national authorities or by selection through tendering procedures. That structure must be able to perform the tasks referred to in paragraph 2(b) of that Article.

2.   Where a single rural development programme covers the whole territory of a Member State, the national rural network shall be part of the technical assistance component of the programme and a distinction shall be made between planned expenditure relating to elements covered by points (a) and (b) of Article 68(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005. However, expenditure related to the elements covered by that point (a) shall not exceed 25 % of the amount reserved for the national rural network.

3.   Where Member States use the possibility provided for in the second subparagraph of Article 66(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, the specific programme for the establishment and the operation of the national rural network shall be approved in accordance with Article 18(4) of that Regulation.

Article 4, Article 5(1) and (3), and Article 6 of this Regulation shall apply mutatis-mutandis for submission, approval, and changes of such specific programmes.

The specific programme and its financial table shall make a distinction between elements covered by points (a) and (b) of Article 68(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005. However, expenditure related to the elements covered by that point (a) shall not exceed 25 % of the total amount of that programme.

4.   National rural networks shall be established by 31 December 2008 at the latest.

5.   Detailed rules on the establishment and the organisation of the national rural networks are laid down in Annex II.

Section 2

Common provisions for several measures

Article 42

For the purposes of Article 70(7) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, where integrated operations fall under more than one axis and/or measure, for each part of the operation clearly identified as falling within the scope of a particular rural development measure, the conditions of that measure shall apply.

Article 43

For investment measures, Member States shall ensure that support is targeted on clearly defined objectives reflecting identified structural and territorial needs and structural disadvantages.

Article 44

1.   Where all or part of a holding of the beneficiary is transferred to another person during the period for which a commitment given as a condition for the grant of assistance runs, that other person may take over the commitment for the remainder of the period. If the commitment is not taken over, the beneficiary shall reimburse the assistance granted.

2.   Member States may choose not to require the reimbursement referred to in paragraph 1 in the following cases:

| (a) | where a beneficiary who has already honoured a significant part of the commitment concerned definitively ceases agricultural activities and it is not feasible for a successor to take over the commitment; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

where a beneficiary who has already honoured a significant part of the commitment concerned definitively ceases agricultural activities and it is not feasible for a successor to take over the commitment;

| (b) | where the transfer of a part of the holding of a beneficiary occurs during a period of extension of the commitment in accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 27(12) and the transfer does not concern more than 50 % of the area covered by the commitment before the extension. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

where the transfer of a part of the holding of a beneficiary occurs during a period of extension of the commitment in accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 27(12) and the transfer does not concern more than 50 % of the area covered by the commitment before the extension.

3.   In the event of minor changes to the situation of a holding, Member States may take specific measures to ensure that the application of paragraph 1 does not lead to inappropriate results as regards the commitment entered into.

Article 45

1.   When a beneficiary increases the area of the holding during the period for which a commitment given as a condition for the grant of assistance runs, Member States may provide for the commitment to be extended to cover the additional area for the remainder of the period of the commitment in accordance with paragraph 2, or for the original commitment to be replaced by a new one in accordance with paragraph 3.

Provision may also be made for such replacement in cases where the area covered by a commitment within a holding is extended.

2.   The extension referred to in paragraph 1 may be granted only under the following conditions:

| (a) | it is of benefit to the measure concerned; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

it is of benefit to the measure concerned;

| (b) | it is justified in terms of the nature of the commitment, the length of the remaining period and the size of the additional area; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

it is justified in terms of the nature of the commitment, the length of the remaining period and the size of the additional area;

| (c) | it does not impede the effectiveness of checks to ensure compliance with the conditions for the grant of assistance. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

it does not impede the effectiveness of checks to ensure compliance with the conditions for the grant of assistance.

3.   The new commitment referred to in paragraph 1 shall cover the whole area concerned under terms at least as strict as those of the original commitment.

4.   Where a beneficiary is unable to continue to comply with commitments given because the holding is reparcelled or is the subject of public land-consolidation measures or of land-consolidation measures approved by the competent public authorities, Member States shall take the measures necessary to allow the commitments to be adapted to the new situation of the holding. If such adaptation proves impossible, the commitment shall expire and reimbursement shall not be required in respect of the period in which the commitment was effective.

Article 46

A revision clause shall be provided for commitments undertaken pursuant to Articles 39, 40 and 47 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 in order to ensure their adjustment in the case of amendments of the relevant mandatory standards or requirements referred to in Article 39(3), Article 40(2) and Article 47(1) of that Regulation, established pursuant to Articles 4 and 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 and Annexes III and IV thereto, as well as of the minimum requirements for fertiliser and plant protection product use and of other relevant mandatory requirements established by national legislation, beyond which the commitments go as provided for in those Articles.

If such adjustment is not accepted by the beneficiary, the commitment shall expire and reimbursement shall not be required in respect of the period during which the commitment was effective.

Article 47

1.   Member States may recognise, in particular, the following categories of force majeure or exceptional circumstances in which they will not require the partial or full reimbursement of aid received by the beneficiary:

| (a) | death of the beneficiary; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

death of the beneficiary;

| (b) | long-term professional incapacity of the beneficiary; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

long-term professional incapacity of the beneficiary;

| (c) | expropriation of a large part of the holding if that could not have been anticipated on the day on which the commitment was given; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

expropriation of a large part of the holding if that could not have been anticipated on the day on which the commitment was given;

| (d) | a severe natural disaster seriously affecting land on the holding; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

a severe natural disaster seriously affecting land on the holding;

| (e) | the accidental destruction of livestock buildings on the holding; |
| --- | --- |

(e)

the accidental destruction of livestock buildings on the holding;

| (f) | an epizootic disease affecting all or part of the farmer's livestock. |
| --- | --- |

(f)

an epizootic disease affecting all or part of the farmer's livestock.

2.   Cases of force majeure or exceptional circumstances shall be notified in writing by the beneficiary, or any person entitled through or under him to the competent authority, together with relevant evidence to the satisfaction of that authority, within 10 working days from the date on which the beneficiary, or the person entitled through or under him, is in a position to do so.

CHAPTER IV

Eligibility and administrative provisions

Section 1

Verifiability and controllability of measures and eligibility rules

Sub-section 1

Verifiability and controllability of measures

Article 48

1.   For the purposes of Article 74(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 Member States shall ensure that all the rural development measures they intend to implement are verifiable and controllable. To this end, Member States shall define control arrangements that give them reasonable assurance that eligibility criteria and other commitments are respected.

2.   In order to substantiate and confirm the adequacy and accuracy of the calculations of payments under Articles 31, 38, 39, 40 and 43 to 47 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, Member States shall ensure that appropriate expertise is provided by bodies or services functionally independent from those responsible for those calculations. Provision of such expertise shall be evidenced in the rural development programme.

Sub-section 2

Interest rate subsidies

Article 49

Interest rate subsidies for loans may be co-financed by the EAFRD pursuant to Article 71(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005. When proposing interest rate subsidies, Member States shall indicate in their programmes the method of calculation of the interest rate subsidy to be used.

Member States may establish a system of capitalisation of the remaining annual instalments of the interest rate subsidy at any time during the period of the loan. Any remaining annual instalment after the final date for payments shall be capitalised and paid out by 31 December 2015 at the latest. For the purposes of claims for payment made to the Commission, the amounts paid out to the intermediary financial institution undertaking the payment of the discounted value of the subsidy shall be considered as expenditure actually incurred.

For the purposes of the second paragraph, an agreement is needed between the Member States’ paying agency and the intermediary financial institution undertaking the payment of the discounted value of the subsidy. Member States shall indicate in the programme the calculation method and future value hypotheses to be used in calculating the capitalised value of outstanding interest rate subsidy as well as the arrangements for continuing transmitting the aid to the beneficiaries.

Member States shall remain responsible for the management of the payment of the discounted value of the subsidy for the entire loan period to the financial intermediary and for any recovery of amounts unduly paid in accordance with Article 33 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 (14).

Sub-section 3

Other financial engineering actions

Article 50

Pursuant to Article 71(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, as part of a rural development programme, the EAFRD may co-finance expenditure in respect of an operation comprising contributions to support venture capital funds, guarantee funds and loan funds (hereinafter ‘the funds’), in accordance with Articles 51 and 52 of this Regulation.

Article 51

1.   Those part-financing the funds or their sponsors shall submit a business plan to the managing authority specifying, inter alia, the targeted market or guarantee portfolio, the criteria, terms and conditions of financing, the operational budget of the fund, the ownership and part-financing partners, the requirements as to the professionalism, competence and independence of the management, the fund’s by-laws, the justification and intended utilisation of the EAFRD contribution, the investment exit policy, and the winding-up provisions of the fund, including the re-utilisation of returns attributable to the EAFRD contribution. The business plan shall be appraised and its implementation monitored by or under the responsibility of the managing authority.

2.   The funds shall be set up as independent legal entities governed by agreements between the shareholders or as separate block of finance within an existing financial institution. In the latter case, the fund shall be subject to specific implementing rules, providing in particular for the keeping of separate accounts distinguishing the new resources invested in the fund, including those contributed by the EAFRD, from those initially available in the financial institution. The Commission shall not become a partner or shareholder in the fund.

3.   The funds shall invest in or provide guarantees to enterprises on their establishment, during their early stages or expansion and only in activities that the fund managers consider potentially viable. The assessment of the economic viability shall take into account all sources of income of the enterprises in question. Funds shall not invest in or provide guarantees for firms in difficulty within the meaning of the Community Guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty (15).

4.   Precautions shall be taken by managing authorities and funds to minimise distortion of competition in the venture capital or lending market. In particular, returns from equity investments and loans, less a pro rata share of the management costs, may be preferentially allocated to the private sector shareholders up to the level of remuneration laid down in the shareholder agreement, and after that, they shall be allocated proportionally between all shareholders and the EAFRD.

5.   Management costs of funds shall not exceed 3 % of the paid-up capital, or 2 % in the case of guarantee funds, on a yearly average for the duration of the programme unless, after a competitive tender, a higher percentage proves necessary.

6.   The terms and conditions for contributions to funds from rural development programmes, including deliverables, investment strategy and planning, monitoring implementation, investment exit policy and winding up provisions, shall be established in a funding agreement to be concluded between the fund on the one hand, and the Member State or the managing authority, on the other.

7.   Contributions to funds from the EAFRD and other public sources and investments made by the funds in or guarantees provided to individual undertakings shall be subject to the rules in Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 or to the Community rules on State aid.

Article 52

1.   As regards financial engineering actions referred to in Article 51 of this Regulation, the expenditure declared to the Commission in accordance with Article 26(3)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 shall be the total expenditure paid in establishing or contributing to such funds.

However, when paying the balance and closing the rural development programme in accordance with Article 28 of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005, the eligible expenditure shall be the total of:

| (a) | any payment for investment in enterprises out of each of the funds concerned, or any guarantees provided including amounts committed as guarantees by guarantee funds; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

any payment for investment in enterprises out of each of the funds concerned, or any guarantees provided including amounts committed as guarantees by guarantee funds;

| (b) | eligible management costs. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

eligible management costs.

The difference between the EAFRD contribution actually paid under financial engineering actions and the eligible expenditure under points (a) or (b) of the second subparagraph shall be cleared in the context of the annual accounts of the last year of implementation of the programme.

2.   Interest generated by payments from rural development programmes to funds shall be used to finance financial engineering actions for individual undertakings.

3.   Resources returned to the operation from investments undertaken by funds or left over after all guarantees have been honoured shall be reused by the competent authorities of the Member States concerned for the benefit of individual undertakings.

Sub-section 4

Standard costs and assumptions of income foregone, contributions in kind

Article 53

1.   Where appropriate Member States may fix the level of support provided for in Articles 31, 37 to 41, and 43 to 49 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 on the basis of standard costs and standard assumptions of income foregone.

2.   Member States shall ensure that the calculations and the corresponding support referred to in paragraph 1:

| (a) | contain only elements that are verifiable; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

contain only elements that are verifiable;

| (b) | are based on figures established by appropriate expertise; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

are based on figures established by appropriate expertise;

| (c) | indicate clearly the source of the figures; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

indicate clearly the source of the figures;

| (d) | are differentiated to take into account regional or local site conditions and actual land use as appropriate; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

are differentiated to take into account regional or local site conditions and actual land use as appropriate;

| (e) | in the case of measures pursuant to Articles 31, 37 to 40 and 43 to 47 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, do not contain elements linked to fixed investment costs. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

in the case of measures pursuant to Articles 31, 37 to 40 and 43 to 47 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, do not contain elements linked to fixed investment costs.

Article 54

1.   For measures involving investments in kind, contributions of a public or private beneficiary, namely the provision of goods or services for which no cash payment supported by invoices or equivalent documents is made, may be eligible expenditure provided that the following conditions are fulfilled:

| (a) | the contributions consist in the provision of land or real estate, equipment or raw materials, research or professional work or unpaid voluntary work; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the contributions consist in the provision of land or real estate, equipment or raw materials, research or professional work or unpaid voluntary work;

| (b) | the contributions are not made in respect of financial engineering actions referred to in Article 50; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the contributions are not made in respect of financial engineering actions referred to in Article 50;

| (c) | the value of the contributions can be independently assessed and verified. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the value of the contributions can be independently assessed and verified.

In the case of provision of land or real estate, the value shall be certified by an independent qualified expert or duly authorised official body.

In the case of unpaid voluntary work, the value of that work shall be determined taking into account the time spent and the hourly and daily rate of remuneration for equivalent work, where relevant on the basis of ex-ante established system of standard costing, provided that the control system provides reasonable assurance that the work has been carried out.

2.   Public expenditure co-financed by the EARDF, contributing to an operation which includes contributions in kind shall not exceed the total eligible expenditure, excluding contributions in kind, at the end of the operation.

Sub-section 5

Investments

Article 55

1.   In the case of investments, eligible expenditure shall be limited to:

| (a) | the construction, acquisition, including leasing, or improvement of immovable property; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the construction, acquisition, including leasing, or improvement of immovable property;

| (b) | the purchase or lease-purchase of new machinery and equipment, including computer software up to the market value of the asset. Other costs connected with the leasing contract, such as lessor’s margin, interest refinancing costs, overheads and insurance charges, shall not be eligible expenditure; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the purchase or lease-purchase of new machinery and equipment, including computer software up to the market value of the asset. Other costs connected with the leasing contract, such as lessor’s margin, interest refinancing costs, overheads and insurance charges, shall not be eligible expenditure;

| (c) | general costs linked to expenditure referred to in points (a) and (b), such as fees of architects and engineers and consultation fees, feasibility studies, the acquisition of patent rights and licences. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

general costs linked to expenditure referred to in points (a) and (b), such as fees of architects and engineers and consultation fees, feasibility studies, the acquisition of patent rights and licences.

By way of derogation from point (b) of the first subparagraph, and only for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises within the meaning of Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC (16), Member States may, in duly substantiated cases, establish the conditions under which the purchase of second-hand equipment may be regarded as eligible expenditure.

2.   In the case of agricultural investments the purchase of agricultural production rights, animals, annual plants and their planting shall not be eligible for investment support.

However, in cases of restoration of agricultural potential damaged by natural disasters pursuant to Article 20(b)(vi) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, expenditure for the purchase of animals may be eligible expenditure.

Simple replacement investments shall not be eligible expenditure.

Sub-section 6

Payment of advances for investment support

Article 56

1.   By way of derogation from Article 26(5) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1975/2006 (17), beneficiaries of investment support may request the payment of an advance from the competent paying agencies if this option is included in the rural development programme. As regards public beneficiaries, such an advance may be paid only to municipalities and associations thereof and to public law bodies.

2.   The amount of the advances shall not exceed 20 % of the public aid related to the investment, and its payment shall be subject to the establishment of a bank guarantee or an equivalent guarantee corresponding to 110 % of the amount of the advance.

However, in the case of the public beneficiaries referred to in paragraph 1, the paying agency may accept a written guarantee from their authority, in accordance with provisions applied in the Member States, covering an amount equal to the percentage specified in the first subparagraph, provided that the authority undertakes to pay the amount covered by that guarantee should entitlement to the advance paid not be established.

3.   The guarantee shall be released when the competent paying agency establishes that the amount of actual expenditure corresponding to the public aid related to the investment exceeds the amount of the advance.

Section 2

State aid

Article 57

1.   Rural development programmes may cover State aid intended to provide additional national funding in accordance with Article 89 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 in favour of measures or operations falling within the scope of Article 36 of the Treaty only if the State aid is identified in accordance with point 9.A of Annex II to this Regulation.

2.   Rural development programmes may cover State aid intended to provide financial contributions provided by Member States as counterpart of Community support in accordance with Article 88 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 in favour of measures pursuant to Articles 25 and 52 of that Regulation and of operations under measures pursuant to Articles 28 and 29 of that Regulation or additional national funding in accordance with Article 89 of that Regulation in favour of the measures pursuant to Articles 25, 27 and 52 of that Regulation and of operations under measures pursuant to Articles 28 and 29 of that Regulation, falling outside the scope of Article 36 of the Treaty, only if the State aid is identified in accordance with point 9.B of Annex II to this Regulation.

3.   Expenditure incurred for the measures and operations referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article shall be eligible only if the underlying aid does not constitute unlawful aid within the meaning of Article 1(f) of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 (18) at the time the aid is granted.

The managing authority or any other competent authority in the Member State shall ensure that where aid is to be granted to operations under the measures referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article on the basis of existing aid schemes within the meaning of Article 1(b) and (d) of Regulation (EC) No 659/1999, any applicable notification requirements for individual aid within the meaning of Article 1(e) of that Regulation are respected, and that such operations are selected only after notification of the underlying aid and approval by the Commission pursuant to Article 88(3) of the Treaty.

Section 3

Information and publicity

Article 58

1.   The rural development programme shall include a communication plan which shall set out:

| (a) | the aims and target groups; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the aims and target groups;

| (b) | the content and strategy of the communication and information measures, stating the measures to be taken; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the content and strategy of the communication and information measures, stating the measures to be taken;

| (c) | its indicative budget; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

its indicative budget;

| (d) | the administrative departments or bodies responsible for implementation; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

the administrative departments or bodies responsible for implementation;

| (e) | the criteria to be used to evaluate the impact of the information and publicity measures in terms of transparency, awareness of the rural development programmes and the role played by the Community. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

the criteria to be used to evaluate the impact of the information and publicity measures in terms of transparency, awareness of the rural development programmes and the role played by the Community.

2.   The amount allocated for information and publicity may be part of the technical assistance component of the rural development programme.

3.   Detailed rules on information and publicity are laid down in Annex VI.

Article 59

At the meetings of the Monitoring Committee set up in accordance with Article 77 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, the Chairman shall report on progress in implementing the information and publicity measures and provide the Committee members with examples of such measures.

Section 4

Monitoring and evaluation

Article 60

The structure and the elements of the annual progress reports provided for in Article 82 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 are set out in Annex VII to this Regulation.

Article 61

Mid-term and ex-post evaluations in accordance with Article 86(4) and (5) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall be submitted to the Commission respectively by 31 December 2010 and 31 December 2015 at the latest.

If Member States fail to submit the mid-term and ex-post evaluation reports by the dates referred to in the first paragraph of this Article the Commission may apply the procedure of temporary suspension of intermediate payments referred to in Article 27(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 until it receives those evaluation reports.

Article 62

1.   The common set of baseline, output, result, and impact indicators for the rural development programmes are listed in Annex VIII to this Regulation. That list of indicators shall form the Common Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (CMEF) referred to in Article 80 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

Where relevant, those indicators shall be broken down by age and gender of beneficiaries, as well as according to whether the measures are implemented in less-favoured areas or in areas covered by the Convergence Objective.

2.   Progress on the output and result indicators shall be part of the annual progress report. That report shall include both common and additional indicators.

To measure progress in meeting the objectives of the rural development programme, indicative targets for output, result and impact indicators shall be set for the period of implementation of the programme, including additional national financing referred to in Article 89 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

3.   Guidance on the CMEF shall be drawn up by the Commission through a common approach with the Member States. That guidance shall cover at least the following:

| (a) | monitoring requirements; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

monitoring requirements;

| (b) | the organisation of the ex-ante, mid-term and ex-post evaluation and common evaluation questions for each rural development measure; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the organisation of the ex-ante, mid-term and ex-post evaluation and common evaluation questions for each rural development measure;

| (c) | guidance on the reporting system for assessing progress with respect to indicators; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

guidance on the reporting system for assessing progress with respect to indicators;

| (d) | information sheets for each measure containing the intervention logic and the different indicators; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

information sheets for each measure containing the intervention logic and the different indicators;

| (e) | information sheets describing baseline, output, result and impact indicators. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

information sheets describing baseline, output, result and impact indicators.

Section 5

Electronic exchange of information and documents

Article 63

1.   The Commission, in collaboration with the Member States, shall establish an information system (hereinafter ‘the System’) to permit the secure exchange of data of common interest between the Commission and each Member State. Those data shall cover both administrative/operational and financial aspects, the latter covered by Article 18 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 883/2006 (19).

The System shall be set up and updated by the Commission through a common approach with the Member States.

2.   As regards the administrative/operational management, the System shall contain the documentary aspects of common interest enabling monitoring to be carried out, and in particular: the national strategy plans and their updates, the summary reports, the programmes and their modifications, the Commission Decisions, the annual progress reports, including codification of measures in accordance with the table in Point 7 of Annex II, and the monitoring and evaluation indicators in Annex VIII.

3.   The managing authority and the Commission shall input into the System and update the documents for which they are responsible in the format required.

4.   The System shall be accessible to the Member States and the Commission either directly or via an interface for automatic synchronisation and inputting of data with national and regional computer management systems.

Member States shall submit requests for access rights to the System to the Commission in a centralised manner.

5.   Exchanges of data shall be signed electronically in accordance with Article 5 of Directive 1999/93/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (20). The Member States and the Commission shall recognise the legal effectiveness and admissibility as evidence in legal proceedings of the electronic signature used in the System.

6.   The date to take into account for the forwarding of documents to the Commission shall be the date on which the Member State transmits the documents, after inputting them into the System.

A document shall be regarded as having been sent to the Commission once it is no longer possible for the Member State to amend it or remove it from the System.

7.   The cost of developing and updating the common elements of the System shall be financed by the Community budget in accordance with Article 66(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

Any costs of an interface between national and local systems, on the one hand, and the System, on the other hand, and any costs of adapting national and local systems may be eligible under Article 66(2) of that Regulation.

8.   In cases of force majeure or exceptional circumstances, and in particular of malfunctioning of the System or a lack of a lasting connection, the Member State may submit the documents to the Commission in hard copy. Such submission of hard copies shall require the t prior and formal agreement of the Commission.

Once the cause of force majeure or exceptional circumstance preventing use of the System ceases, the Member State shall input the documents concerned into the System. In this event, the date of sending shall be deemed to be the date of submission of the documents in hard copy.

CHAPTER V

Final provisions

Article 64

Regulation (EC) No 817/2004 is repealed as from 1 January 2007.

It shall continue to apply to measures approved before 1 January 2007 under Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999.

Article 11 of Regulation (EC) No 817/2004 and points 9.3.V.A(1) and 9.3.V.B(1), (2) and (3) and the second indent of point 9.3.V.B. of Annex II thereto shall continue to apply until 31 December 2009 pursuant to the third paragraph of Article 94 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

Article 65

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply to Community support concerning the programming period starting on 1 January 2007.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 15 December 2006.

For the Commission

Mariann FISCHER BOEL

Member of the Commission

---

(1)  
  OJ L 277, 21.10.2005, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1463/2006 (OJ L 277, 9.10.2006, p. 1).

1

(2)  http://www.mcpfe.org/mcpfe/resolutions/lisbon/resolution_l2a2.pdf

2

(3)  
  OJ L 328, 23.12.2000, p. 2. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2060/2004 (OJ L 357, 2.12.2004, p. 3).

3

(4)  
  OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 80. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

4

(5)  
  OJ L 153, 30.4.2004, p. 30; corrected version (OJ L 231, 30.6.2004, p. 24). Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1360/2005 (OJ L 214, 19.8.2005, p. 55).

5

(6)  
  OJ L 270, 21.10.2003, p. 1.

6

(7)  
  OJ L 198, 22.7.1991, p. 1.

7

(8)  
  OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 1.

8

(9)  
  OJ L 93, 31.3.2006, p. 12.

9

(10)  
  OJ L 179, 14.7.1999, p. 1.

10

(11)  
  OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.

11

(12)  
  OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

12

(13)  
  OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1.

13

(14)  
  OJ L 209, 11.8.2005, p. 1.

14

(15)  
  OJ C 244, 1.10.2004, p. 2.

15

(16)  
  OJ L 124, 20.5.2003, p. 36.

16

(17)  See page 74 of this Official Journal.

17

(18)  
  OJ L 83, 27.3.1999, p. 1.

18

(19)  
  OJ L 171, 23.6.2006, p. 1.

19

(20)  
  OJ L 13, 19.1.2000, p. 12.

20

---

ANNEX I

SUPPORT SCHEMES REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 2(2)

| — | Fruits and Vegetables (Article 14(2) and Article 15 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 (1)) |
| --- | --- |

—

Fruits and Vegetables (Article 14(2) and Article 15 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 (1))

| — | Wine (Title II, Chapter III of Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999) |
| --- | --- |

—

Wine (Title II, Chapter III of Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999)

| — | Tobacco (Article 13(2)(b) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2075/92 (2)) |
| --- | --- |

—

Tobacco (Article 13(2)(b) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2075/92 (2))

| — | Olive oil (Article 8(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 865/2004) (3) |
| --- | --- |

—

Olive oil (Article 8(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 865/2004) (3)

| — | Hops (Article 6 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1952/2005 (4)) |
| --- | --- |

—

Hops (Article 6 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1952/2005 (4))

| — | Beef and Veal (Article 132 of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003) |
| --- | --- |

—

Beef and Veal (Article 132 of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003)

| — | Sheep and Goats (Article 114(1) and Article 119 of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003) |
| --- | --- |

—

Sheep and Goats (Article 114(1) and Article 119 of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003)

| — | Bee keeping (Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No 797/2004 (5)) |
| --- | --- |

—

Bee keeping (Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No 797/2004 (5))

| — | Sugar (Council Regulation (EC) No 320/2006 (6)) |
| --- | --- |

—

Sugar (Council Regulation (EC) No 320/2006 (6))

| — | Specific measures for agriculture in the outermost regions (Title III of Council Regulation (EC) No 247/2006 (7)) and Smaller Aegean islands (Chapter III of Council Regulation (EC) No 1405/2006 (8)) |
| --- | --- |

—

Specific measures for agriculture in the outermost regions (Title III of Council Regulation (EC) No 247/2006 (7)) and Smaller Aegean islands (Chapter III of Council Regulation (EC) No 1405/2006 (8))

| — | Direct payments (Article 42(5) and Article 69 of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003) |
| --- | --- |

—

Direct payments (Article 42(5) and Article 69 of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003)

---

(1)  
  OJ L 297, 21.11.1996, p. 1.

(2)  
  OL L 215, 30.7.1992, p. 70.

(3)  
  OJ L 161, 30.4.2004, p. 97; corrected version (OJ L 206, 9.6.2004, p. 37).

(4)  
  OJ L 314, 30.11.2005, p. 1.

(5)  
  OJ L 125, 28.4.2004, p. 1.

(6)  
  OJ L 58, 28.2.2006, p. 42.

(7)  
  OJ L 42, 14.2.2006, p. 1.

(8)  
  OJ L 265, 26.9.2006, p. 1.

---

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:

| — | Convergence regions. |
| --- | --- |

—

Convergence regions.

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

| — | 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 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. |
| --- | --- |

—

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

| — | 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 (4). 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. |
| --- | --- |

—

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 (4). 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 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. |
| --- | --- |

—

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. |
| --- | --- |

—

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. |
| --- | --- |

—

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. |
| --- | --- |

—

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. |
| --- | --- |

—

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

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

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

—

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

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

| — | description of the operations (including types of training) and the type of beneficiaries, |
| --- | --- |

—

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

| — | details on coverage of support. |
| --- | --- |

—

details on coverage of support.

5.3.1.1.2.   Setting up of young farmers

| — | the definition of ‘setting up’ used by the Member State/region, |
| --- | --- |

—

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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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 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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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). |
| --- | --- |

—

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

| — | description of the link with national retirement schemes, |
| --- | --- |

—

description of the link with national retirement schemes,

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

—

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

| — | duration of the aid, |
| --- | --- |

—

duration of the aid,

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

—

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

| — | amount for payments. |
| --- | --- |

—

amount for payments.

5.3.1.1.4.   Use of farm and forestry advisory services

| — | 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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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. |
| --- | --- |

—

amount and rate of support.

5.3.1.1.5.   Setting up of management, relief and advisory services

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

—

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. |
| --- | --- |

—

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

5.3.1.2.1.   Modernisation of agricultural holdings

| — | description of the requirements and targets with regard to the improvement of the overall performance of the agricultural holdings, |
| --- | --- |

—

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 investments (tangible-intangible),

| — | types of beneficiaries, |
| --- | --- |

—

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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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. |
| --- | --- |

—

type of support and aid intensities.

5.3.1.2.2.   Improving the economic value of forests

| — | types of investments and of the beneficiaries concerned, |
| --- | --- |

—

types of investments and of the beneficiaries concerned,

| — | type of support and aid intensities. |
| --- | --- |

—

type of support and aid intensities.

5.3.1.2.3.   Adding value to agricultural and forestry products

| — | description of the requirements and targets with regard to the overall performance of the enterprises, |
| --- | --- |

—

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

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

—

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

| — | types and size of the beneficiary enterprises, |
| --- | --- |

—

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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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. |
| --- | --- |

—

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

| — | sectors covered and types of partners involved in the cooperation projects, |
| --- | --- |

—

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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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. |
| --- | --- |

—

types of eligible costs and levels of support.

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

| — | Description of the type of operations. |
| --- | --- |

—

Description of the type of operations.

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

| — | On occurrence of such events, assurance that only investment expenditure is covered. |
| --- | --- |

—

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

5.3.1.3.1.   Meeting standards based on Community legislation

| — | 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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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. |
| --- | --- |

—

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

| — | 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), |
| --- | --- |

—

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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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. |
| --- | --- |

—

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

5.3.1.3.3.   Information and promotion activities

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

—

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 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), |
| --- | --- |

—

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. |
| --- | --- |

—

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

5.3.1.4.1.   Supporting semi-subsistence agricultural holdings undergoing restructuring

| — | 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 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; |
| --- | --- |

—

definition of the future economic viability;

| — | summary of the requirements of the business plan; |
| --- | --- |

—

summary of the requirements of the business plan;

| — | amount and duration of support. |
| --- | --- |

—

amount and duration of support.

5.3.1.4.2.   Setting up of producer groups

| — | description of the official procedure for recognising the groups including selection criteria; |
| --- | --- |

—

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

| — | sectors concerned; |
| --- | --- |

—

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, 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. |
| --- | --- |

—

solely for Malta, justification of annual amounts.

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:

| — | 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 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. |
| --- | --- |

—

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

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

| — | 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; |
| --- | --- |

—

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 (5); |
| --- | --- |

—

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 (5);

| — | amounts of support. |
| --- | --- |

—

amounts of support.

5.3.2.1.4.   Agri-environment payments

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

—

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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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 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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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 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. |
| --- | --- |

—

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

| — | 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 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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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. |
| --- | --- |

—

amounts of support.

5.3.2.1.6.   Support for non-productive investments

| — | definition of operations to be supported, |
| --- | --- |

—

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 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. |
| --- | --- |

—

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

Common to all measures:

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

—

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. |
| --- | --- |

—

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

| — | definition of ‘agricultural land’, |
| --- | --- |

—

definition of ‘agricultural land’,

| — | definition of ‘farmer’, |
| --- | --- |

—

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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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. |
| --- | --- |

—

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

| — | definition of agroforestry systems to be supported, |
| --- | --- |

—

definition of agroforestry systems to be supported,

| — | forestry use, |
| --- | --- |

—

forestry use,

| — | agricultural use, |
| --- | --- |

—

agricultural use,

| — | densities of planting, |
| --- | --- |

—

densities of planting,

| — | description of the methodology for the calculation of the establishment cost, |
| --- | --- |

—

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

| — | aid intensities for establishment support. |
| --- | --- |

—

aid intensities for establishment support.

5.3.2.2.3.   First afforestation of non-agricultural land

| — | provisions and criteria for the designation of areas to be afforested, |
| --- | --- |

—

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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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

| — | aid intensities for establishment support. |
| --- | --- |

—

aid intensities for establishment support.

5.3.2.2.4.   Natura 2000 Payments

| — | 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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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. |
| --- | --- |

—

amount of support.

5.3.2.2.5.   Forest-environment payments

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

—

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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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. |
| --- | --- |

—

amount of support.

5.3.2.2.6.   Restoring forestry potential and introducing prevention actions

| — | nature of the actions to be implemented and prevention plans. |
| --- | --- |

—

nature of the actions to be implemented and prevention plans.

5.3.2.2.7.   Support for non-productive investments

| — | definition of operations to be supported, |
| --- | --- |

—

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 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. |
| --- | --- |

—

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

5.3.3.1.   Measures to diversify the rural economy

5.3.3.1.1.   Diversification into non-agricultural activities

| — | domains of diversification covered, |
| --- | --- |

—

domains of diversification covered,

| — | aid intensities. |
| --- | --- |

—

aid intensities.

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

| — | types of beneficiary enterprises, |
| --- | --- |

—

types of beneficiary enterprises,

| — | description of the type of operations, |
| --- | --- |

—

description of the type of operations,

| — | aid intensities. |
| --- | --- |

—

aid intensities.

5.3.3.1.3.   Encouragement of tourism activities

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

—

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

| — | aid intensities. |
| --- | --- |

—

aid intensities.

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

| — | types of services supported, |
| --- | --- |

—

types of services supported,

| — | types of cost covered. |
| --- | --- |

—

types of cost covered.

5.3.3.2.2.   Village renewal and development

| — | types of actions supported, |
| --- | --- |

—

types of actions supported,

| — | types of cost covered. |
| --- | --- |

—

types of cost covered.

5.3.3.2.3.   Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage

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

—

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

| — | field(s) covered by the training and information, |
| --- | --- |

—

field(s) covered by the training and information,

| — | type of economic actors beneficiary of actions envisaged. |
| --- | --- |

—

type of economic actors beneficiary of actions envisaged.

5.3.3.4.   Skill acquisition, animation and implementation

| — | skill acquisition and animation: description of the type of operation covered, |
| --- | --- |

—

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. |
| --- | --- |

—

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

5.3.4.1.   Local development strategies

| — | 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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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), |
| --- | --- |

—

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, |
| --- | --- |

—

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

| — | description of the financial circuits applicable for local action groups. |
| --- | --- |

—

description of the financial circuits applicable for local action groups.

5.3.4.2.   Inter-territorial and transnational cooperation

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

—

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

| — | limit to apply on the share of the local action group budget for running the local action groups, |
| --- | --- |

—

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. |
| --- | --- |

—

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.

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)

| Year | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Total EAFRD | | | | | | | |
| Convergence regions (*1) | | | | | | | |

Year

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Total EAFRD

Convergence regions (*1)

6.2.   Financial plan by axis (in EUR total period) (6)

| Axis | Public contribution |
| --- | --- |
| Total public | EAFRD contribution rate
  (%) | EAFRD amount |
| Axis 1 | | | |
| Axis 2 | | | |
| Axis 3 | | | |
| Axis 4 | | | |
| Technical Assistance | | | |
| Total | | | |

Axis

Public contribution

Total public

EAFRD 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)

| Measure/Axis | Public expenditure | Private expenditure | Total 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 |

Measure/Axis

Public expenditure

Private expenditure

Total 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: |
| --- | --- |

421

Cooperation:

| 431 | Running costs, skills acquisition, animation |
| --- | --- |

431

Running costs, skills acquisition, animation

Total Axis 4 (7)

Total axes 1, 2, 3 and 4

| 511 | Technical Assistance
  of which amount for the national rural network (where relevant):






  (a) | running costs |
| --- | --- | --- |

511

Technical Assistance

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

(a)

running costs

| (b) | action plan |
| --- | --- |

(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. |

(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 | |

(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:

| — | indicate whether support will be granted in respect of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1860/2004 (8) on de minimis support in the agriculture sector; or |
| --- | --- |

—

indicate whether support will be granted in respect of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1860/2004 (8) on de minimis support in the agriculture sector; or

| — | provide the registration number and the reference to the Commission exemption Regulation adopted on the basis of Council Regulation (EC) No 994/98 (9) under which the measure was introduced; or |
| --- | --- |

—

provide the registration number and the reference to the Commission exemption Regulation adopted on the basis of Council Regulation (EC) No 994/98 (9) under which the measure was introduced; or

| — | provide the case number and reference number under which the measure has been declared compatible with the Treaty by the Commission; or |
| --- | --- |

—

provide the case number and reference number under which the measure has been declared compatible with the Treaty by the Commission; or

| — | submit the relevant information sheet annexed to Commission Regulation (EC) No 794/2004 (10). |
| --- | --- |

—

submit the relevant information sheet annexed to Commission Regulation (EC) No 794/2004 (10).

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:

| — | indicate whether support will be granted in respect of Commission Regulation (EC) No 69/2001 (11) on de minimis support; or |
| --- | --- |

—

indicate whether support will be granted in respect of Commission Regulation (EC) No 69/2001 (11) on de minimis support; or

| — | list the registration number and the reference to the Commission exemption Regulation adopted on the basis of Regulation (EC) No 994/98 under which the measure was introduced; or |
| --- | --- |

—

list the registration number and the reference to the Commission exemption Regulation adopted on the basis of Regulation (EC) No 994/98 under which the measure was introduced; or

| — | provide the case number and reference number under which the measure has been declared compatible with the Treaty by the Commission; or |
| --- | --- |

—

provide the case number and reference number under which the measure has been declared compatible with the Treaty by the Commission; or

| — | indicate for what other reasons the aid scheme concerned shall constitute existing aid within the meaning of Article 1(b) of Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 including existing aid measures within the meaning of the Accession Treaties. |
| --- | --- |

—

indicate for what other reasons the aid scheme concerned shall constitute existing aid within the meaning of Article 1(b) of Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 including existing aid measures within the meaning of the Accession Treaties.

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

| Measure code | Name of the aid scheme | Indication of lawfulness of the scheme (*2) | Duration of aid scheme |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | | |

Measure code

Name of the aid scheme

Indication of lawfulness of the scheme (*2)

Duration 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:

| — | activities, policies and priorities of the Community, in particular with the objectives of Economic and Social cohesion and those of the European Fisheries Fund, |
| --- | --- |

—

activities, policies and priorities of the Community, in particular with the objectives of Economic and Social cohesion and those of the European Fisheries Fund,

| — | measures financed by the EAGF or other instruments in the sectors listed in Annex I to this Regulation. |
| --- | --- |

—

measures financed by the EAGF or other instruments in the sectors listed in Annex I to this Regulation.

10.2.   In relation with Axes 1, 2 and 3 measures:

| — | Demarcation criteria for the measures which target operations also eligible under another Community support instrument, in particular structural funds and the European Fisheries Fund. |
| --- | --- |

—

Demarcation criteria for the measures which target operations also eligible under another Community support instrument, in particular structural funds and the European Fisheries Fund.

10.3.   In relation with Axis 4 measures:

| — | Demarcation criteria for the local development strategies falling within Axis 4 in relation to local development strategies implemented by ‘Groups’ under the European Fisheries Fund and for cooperation in relation to the Cooperation Objective under the Structural Funds. |
| --- | --- |

—

Demarcation criteria for the local development strategies falling within Axis 4 in relation to local development strategies implemented by ‘Groups’ under the European Fisheries Fund and for cooperation in relation to the Cooperation Objective under the Structural Funds.

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)

| — | Designation by the Member State of all the authorities provided for in Article 74(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 and for information a summary description of their management and control structure. |
| --- | --- |

—

Designation by the Member State of all the authorities provided for in Article 74(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 and for information a summary description of their management and control structure.

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

| — | list of organisations and administrations involved in rural development which will form part of the national rural network; |
| --- | --- |

—

list of organisations and administrations involved in rural development which will form part of the national rural network;

| — | procedure and timetable for establishing the national rural network; |
| --- | --- |

—

procedure and timetable for establishing the national rural network;

| — | summary description of the main categories of activity to be undertaken by the national rural network. These activities will form the basis of the action plan to be drawn up by the managing authority and supported under Article 68(2)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005; |
| --- | --- |

—

summary description of the main categories of activity to be undertaken by the national rural network. These activities will form the basis of the action plan to be drawn up by the managing authority and supported under Article 68(2)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005;

| — | amount reserved for establishing and operating the national rural network and implementing the action plan as referred to in Article 68(2)(a) and (b) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005. Within this amount a distinction must be made between the part covering the structure needed to run the network and the one covering the action plan. The programme must contain provisions ensuring that the part of the amount under that point (a) shall not unduly increase over time. |
| --- | --- |

—

amount reserved for establishing and operating the national rural network and implementing the action plan as referred to in Article 68(2)(a) and (b) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005. Within this amount a distinction must be made between the part covering the structure needed to run the network and the one covering the action plan. The programme must contain provisions ensuring that the part of the amount under that point (a) shall not unduly increase over time.

B.   SPECIFIC PROGRAMMES FOR NATIONAL RURAL NETWORKS (REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 41(3) AND (5))

Where, in accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 66(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, Member States with regional programmes submit for approval a specific programme for the establishment and the operation of national rural networks, those programmes must include the following elements:

| (a) | list of organisations and administrations involved in rural development which will form part of the national rural network; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

list of organisations and administrations involved in rural development which will form part of the national rural network;

| (b) | procedure and timetable for establishing the national rural network; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

procedure and timetable for establishing the national rural network;

| (c) | summary description of the main categories of activity to be undertaken by the national rural network. These activities will form the basis of the action plan to be drawn up by the managing authority and supported under Article 68(2)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

summary description of the main categories of activity to be undertaken by the national rural network. These activities will form the basis of the action plan to be drawn up by the managing authority and supported under Article 68(2)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005;

| (d) | amount reserved for establishing and operating the national rural network and implementing the action plan as referred to in Article 68(2)(a) and (b) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 and the annual breakdown of the EAFRD contribution which must be compatible with Article 69(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

amount reserved for establishing and operating the national rural network and implementing the action plan as referred to in Article 68(2)(a) and (b) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 and the annual breakdown of the EAFRD contribution which must be compatible with Article 69(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005;

| (e) | a financial table for the whole programming period of the following format (EUR current prices):







  Type of expenditure for the national rural network | Total public expenditure | EAFRD contribution |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| (a) | for running the structure of the national rural network |

(e)

a financial table for the whole programming period of the following format (EUR current prices):

Type of expenditure for the national rural network

Total public expenditure

EAFRD contribution

(a)

for running the structure of the national rural network

| (b) | for implementing the action plan of the national rural network, including its evaluation |
| --- | --- |

(b)

for implementing the action plan of the national rural network, including its evaluation

Total

| (f) | designation of competent authorities and bodies responsible; |
| --- | --- |

(f)

designation of competent authorities and bodies responsible;

| (g) | description of the monitoring and evaluation system, as well as the envisaged composition of the Monitoring Committee. |
| --- | --- |

(g)

description of the monitoring and evaluation system, as well as the envisaged composition of the Monitoring Committee.

---

(1)  
  OJ L 55, 25.2.2006, p. 20.

(2)  
  OJ L 375, 31.12.1991, p. 1.

(3)  
  OJ L 197, 21.7.2001, p. 30.

(4)  
  OJ L 243, 6.9.2006, p. 6.

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

(*1)  For Member States with convergence and non-convergence regions.

(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.

(7)  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.

(8)  
  OJ L 325, 28.10.2004, p. 4.

(9)  
  OJ L 142, 14.5.1998, p. 1.

(10)  
  OJ L 140, 30.4.2004, p. 1.

(11)  
  OJ L 10, 13.1.2001, p. 30.

(*2)  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 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 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 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, |
| --- | --- | --- |

—

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. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

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

---

ANNEX III

AID TO PRODUCER GROUPS IN MALTA

Support for the setting up of a producer group (Minimum amount referred to in Article 25(2))

| EUR | Year |
| --- | --- |
| 63 000 | 1st year |
| 63 000 | 2nd year |
| 63 000 | 3rd year |
| 60 000 | 4th year |
| 50 000 | 5th year |

EUR

Year

63 000

1st year

63 000

2nd year

63 000

3rd year

60 000

4th year

50 000

5th year

---

ANNEX IV

THRESHOLDS FOR ENDANGERED BREEDS (REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 27(4))

| Eligible farm animal species | Thresholds under which a local breed is considered as being in danger of being lost to farming (number of breeding females (*1)) |
| --- | --- |
| Cattle | 7 500 |
| Sheep | 10 000 |
| Goat | 10 000 |
| Equidae | 5 000 |
| Pigs | 15 000 |
| Avian | 25 000 |

Eligible farm animal species

Thresholds under which a local breed is considered as being in danger of being lost to farming (number of breeding females (*1))

Cattle

7 500

Sheep

10 000

Goat

10 000

Equidae

5 000

Pigs

15 000

Avian

25 000

---

(*1)  Number, calculated for all Member States, of breeding females of the same breed available for pure-bred reproduction registered in a herd book kept by an approved breeding organisation recognised by the Member State in accordance with Community zootechnical legislation.

---

ANNEX V

TABLE OF CONVERSION OF ANIMALS TO LIVESTOCK UNITS (REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 27(13))

| Bulls, cows and other bovine animals over two years, equine animals over six months | 1,0 LU |
| --- | --- |
| Bovine animals from six months to two years | 0,6 LU |
| Bovine animals below six months | 0,4 LU |
| Sheep | 0,15 LU |
| Goats | 0,15 LU |
| Breeding sows > 50 Kg | 0,5 LU |
| Other pigs | 0,3 LU |
| Laying hens | 0,014 LU |
| Other poultry | 0,003 LU |

Bulls, cows and other bovine animals over two years, equine animals over six months

1,0 LU

Bovine animals from six months to two years

0,6 LU

Bovine animals below six months

0,4 LU

Sheep

0,15 LU

Goats

0,15 LU

Breeding sows > 50 Kg

0,5 LU

Other pigs

0,3 LU

Laying hens

0,014 LU

Other poultry

0,003 LU

---

ANNEX VI

INFORMATION AND PUBLICITY ON ASSISTANCE FROM THE EAFRD (REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 58(3))

1.   Information measures for potential beneficiaries and for beneficiaries

1.1.   Information measures for potential beneficiaries

With a view to transparency, the managing authorities shall disseminate the most comprehensive information possible on the financing opportunities offered by joint assistance from the Community and the Member States in the rural development programme.

To that end, the managing authority shall ensure that the rural development programme is published widely, with details of the financial contributions from the EAFRD, and that it is supplied to all interested applicants.

The managing authority shall provide the potential beneficiaries with clear, detailed and updated information on the following:

| (a) | the administrative procedures to be followed in order to qualify for financing under an rural development programme; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the administrative procedures to be followed in order to qualify for financing under an rural development programme;

| (b) | a description of the procedures for examining applications for financing; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

a description of the procedures for examining applications for financing;

| (c) | the eligibility conditions and/or criteria for selecting and evaluating the projects to be financed; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the eligibility conditions and/or criteria for selecting and evaluating the projects to be financed;

| (d) | the names of persons or contacts at national, regional or local level who can explain the way rural development programmes work and the criteria for selecting and evaluating the operations. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

the names of persons or contacts at national, regional or local level who can explain the way rural development programmes work and the criteria for selecting and evaluating the operations.

The managing authority shall ensure that bodies that can act as relays are involved in the information measures for potential beneficiaries, and in particular:

| (a) | local and regional authorities; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

local and regional authorities;

| (b) | professional organisations; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

professional organisations;

| (c) | economic and social partners; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

economic and social partners;

| (d) | non-governmental organisations, especially bodies promoting equality between men and women and bodies working to protect the environment; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

non-governmental organisations, especially bodies promoting equality between men and women and bodies working to protect the environment;

| (e) | information centres on Europe; |
| --- | --- |

(e)

information centres on Europe;

| (f) | Commission representations in the Members States. |
| --- | --- |

(f)

Commission representations in the Members States.

The managing authority shall inform potential beneficiaries of the publication provided for in point 2.1.

1.2.   Information measures for beneficiaries

The managing authority shall ensure that the notification of award of the assistance informs beneficiaries that the action is being financed from a programme part-financed by the EAFRD and the priority axis of the rural development programme concerned.

2.   Information and publicity measures for the public

The managing authority for the rural development programme and the beneficiaries shall take all steps to provide information and publicity for the public on measures financed under a rural development programme in accordance with this Regulation.

2.1.   Responsibilities of the managing authorities

The managing authority shall inform the public of the rural development programme's adoption by the Commission and its updates, the main achievements in the implementation of the programme and its closure.

Starting from 2008 the managing authority shall publish at least annually, electronically or otherwise the list of beneficiaries receiving support from the rural development programmes, the names of the operations and the amounts of public contributions allocated to these operations.

The information measures shall be implemented by the managing authority using all media at the appropriate territorial level. They shall also involve communication campaigns, hard-copy and electronic publications and any other medium regarded as suitable.

The measures for informing the public shall include the elements set out in point 3.1.

2.2.   Responsibilities of beneficiaries

Where an operation under a rural development programme results in an investment (for example, on a farm or on food enterprise) whose total cost exceeds EUR 50 000, the beneficiary shall place an explanatory plaque.

A billboard shall be erected at the sites of infrastructures whose total cost exceeds EUR 500 000.

An explanatory plaque shall also be installed in the locations of the local action groups financed by Axis 4.

The billboards and plaques shall carry a description of the project/operation and the elements mentioned in point 3.1. That information shall take up at least 25 % of the billboard or plaque.

3.   Technical characteristics of information and publicity actions

3.1.   Slogan and logo

Each action of information and publicity shall contain the following elements:

| — | The European flag in accordance with the graphic standards set out in point 4, together with an explanation of the Community's role, by means of the following statement:

  ‘The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas’. |
| --- | --- |

—

The European flag in accordance with the graphic standards set out in point 4, together with an explanation of the Community's role, by means of the following statement:

‘The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas’.

| — | For the actions and measures financed by the Leader Axis, the Leader logo shall also be used. |
| --- | --- |

—

For the actions and measures financed by the Leader Axis, the Leader logo shall also be used.

3.2.   Information and communication material

| — | Publications (such as booklets, leaflets and newsletters) and posters about measures and actions part-financed by the EAFRD shall contain a clear indication on the title page of the Community’s participation, as well as the Community emblem if the national or regional emblem is also used. Publications shall include references to the body responsible for the information content and to the managing authority designated to implement the assistance package in question. |
| --- | --- |

—

Publications (such as booklets, leaflets and newsletters) and posters about measures and actions part-financed by the EAFRD shall contain a clear indication on the title page of the Community’s participation, as well as the Community emblem if the national or regional emblem is also used. Publications shall include references to the body responsible for the information content and to the managing authority designated to implement the assistance package in question.

| — | In the case of information made available by electronic means (websites, databases for potential beneficiaries) or as audio-visual material, the first indent shall apply by analogy. In drawing the communication plan, due regard must be had to new technologies which permit the rapid and efficient distribution of information and facilitate a dialogue with the general public. |
| --- | --- |

—

In the case of information made available by electronic means (websites, databases for potential beneficiaries) or as audio-visual material, the first indent shall apply by analogy. In drawing the communication plan, due regard must be had to new technologies which permit the rapid and efficient distribution of information and facilitate a dialogue with the general public.

Websites concerning the EAFRD shall:

| — | mention the contribution of the EAFRD at least on the home page; |
| --- | --- |

—

mention the contribution of the EAFRD at least on the home page;

| — | include a hyperlink to the Commission website concerning EAFRD. |
| --- | --- |

—

include a hyperlink to the Commission website concerning EAFRD.

4.   Instructions for creating the emblem and a definition of the standard colours

4.1.   European flag

Symbolic description

Against a background of blue sky, 12 golden stars form a circle representing the union of the peoples of Europe. The number of stars is fixed, 12 being the symbol of perfection and unity.

In projects financed by the EAFRD, the name of this Fund shall appear under the European flag.

Heraldic description

On an azure field a circle of 12 golden mullets, their points not touching.

Geometric description

The emblem has the form of a blue rectangular flag of which the fly is one and a half times the length of the hoist. 12 gold stars situated at equal intervals form an invisible circle whose centre is the point of intersection of the diagonals of the rectangle. The radius of the circle is equal to one third of the height of the hoist. Each of the stars has five points which are situated on the circumference of an invisible circle whose radius is equal to one eighteenth of the height of the hoist. All the stars are upright, therefore with one point vertical and two points in a straight line at right angles to the mast. The circle is arranged so that the stars appear in the position of the hours on the face of a clock. Their number is invariable.

Regulation colours

| | The emblem is in the following colours:

  PANTONE REFLEX BLUE for the surface of the rectangle; PANTONE YELLOW for the stars. The international PANTONE range is very widely available and easily accessible even for non-professionals. |
| --- | --- |
| | Four-colour process:
  If the four-colour process is used, the two standard colours cannot be used. They must therefore be recreated using the four colours of the four-colour process. PANTONE YELLOW is obtained by using 100 % ‘Process Yellow’. Mixing 100 % ‘Process Cyan’ and 80 % ‘Process Magenta’ gives a colour that is very similar to PANTONE REFLEX BLUE.
  Internet:
  In the web-palette PANTONE REFLEX BLUE corresponds to colour RGB:0/0/153 (hexadecimal: 000099) and PANTONE YELLOW to colour RGB:255/204/0 (hexadecimal: FFCC00). |

Image 2

The emblem is in the following colours:

PANTONE REFLEX BLUE for the surface of the rectangle; PANTONE YELLOW for the stars. The international PANTONE range is very widely available and easily accessible even for non-professionals.

Image 3

Four-colour process:

If the four-colour process is used, the two standard colours cannot be used. They must therefore be recreated using the four colours of the four-colour process. PANTONE YELLOW is obtained by using 100 % ‘Process Yellow’. Mixing 100 % ‘Process Cyan’ and 80 % ‘Process Magenta’ gives a colour that is very similar to PANTONE REFLEX BLUE.

Internet:

In the web-palette PANTONE REFLEX BLUE corresponds to colour RGB:0/0/153 (hexadecimal: 000099) and PANTONE YELLOW to colour RGB:255/204/0 (hexadecimal: FFCC00).

| Monochrome reproduction process: |
| --- |
| If only black is available, outline the rectangle in black and print the stars in black and white. | |
| Where blue is the only colour available (it must be Reflex Blue, of course), use 100 % with the stars reproduced in negative white and the field 100 % blue. | |
| Reproduction on a coloured background: |
| The emblem should preferably be reproduced on a white background. Avoid a background of varied colours, and in any case one that does not go with blue. If there is no alternative to a coloured background, put a white border around the rectangle, the width of the border being 1/25th of the height of the rectangle. | |

Monochrome reproduction process:

If only black is available, outline the rectangle in black and print the stars in black and white.

Image 4

Where blue is the only colour available (it must be Reflex Blue, of course), use 100 % with the stars reproduced in negative white and the field 100 % blue.

Image 5

Reproduction on a coloured background:

The emblem should preferably be reproduced on a white background. Avoid a background of varied colours, and in any case one that does not go with blue. If there is no alternative to a coloured background, put a white border around the rectangle, the width of the border being 1/25th of the height of the rectangle.

Image 6

4.2.   Leader logo

---

ANNEX VII

A.   STRUCTURE AND CONTENT OF ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORTS OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES (ARTICLE 60)

1.   Changes to the general conditions (Article 82(2)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005):

| — | Changes to the general conditions having a direct impact on the conditions for implementing the programme (namely legislative changes or unexpected socio-economic developments) |
| --- | --- |

—

Changes to the general conditions having a direct impact on the conditions for implementing the programme (namely legislative changes or unexpected socio-economic developments)

| — | Change to Community and national policies affecting consistency between the EAFRD and other financial instruments |
| --- | --- |

—

Change to Community and national policies affecting consistency between the EAFRD and other financial instruments

2.   The progress of the programme in relation to the objectives set, on the basis of output and result indicators (Article 82(2)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005):

An analysis of the achievements as measured by monitoring indicators including a qualitative analysis on the progress achieved in relation to the targets set out initially shall be given. The list of indicators (output and result) as set out in Annex VIII to this Regulation is to be used. Along with these indicators which make part of the CMEF, additional indicators specific to the programme to effectively monitor progress towards its objectives shall also be included.

3.   The financial implementation of the programme giving, for each measure, a statement of the expenditure paid to beneficiaries; if the programme covers regions eligible under the Convergence Objective, expenditure shall be identified separately (Article 82(2)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005).

The table summarising the financial implementation of the programme shall have at least the following information:

| (in Euro) |
| --- |
| Axes/measures | Annual payments-year N | Cumulative payments from year 2007 to year N |
| Axis 1 |
| Measure 111






  — | of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006 |

(in Euro)

Axes/measures

Annual payments-year N

Cumulative payments from year 2007 to year N

Axis 1

Measure 111

—

of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006

Measure ...

| — | of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006 |
| --- | --- |

—

of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006

Total Axis 1

| — | of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006 |
| --- | --- |

—

of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006

Axis 2

Measure 211

| — | of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006 |
| --- | --- |

—

of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006

Measure ...

| — | of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006 |
| --- | --- |

—

of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006

Total Axis 2

| — | of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006 |
| --- | --- |

—

of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006

Axis 3

Measure 311

| — | of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006 |
| --- | --- |

—

of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006

Measure...

| — | of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006 |
| --- | --- |

—

of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006

Total Axis 3

| — | of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006 |
| --- | --- |

—

of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006

Axis 4

Measure 411

| — | of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006 |
| --- | --- |

—

of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006

Measure 4...

| — | of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006 |
| --- | --- |

—

of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006

Total Axis 4

| — | of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006 |
| --- | --- |

—

of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006

Technical Assistance

| — | of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006 |
| --- | --- |

—

of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006

Total programme

| — | of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006 |
| --- | --- |

—

of which transitional expenditure according to Regulation (EC) No 1320/2006

A separate table with at least the same information shall be established for the regions covered by the Convergence Objective, as well as a table consolidated at programme-level for programmes covering both Convergence and non-Convergence regions.

4.   A summary of the ongoing evaluation activities in accordance with Article 86(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 (Article 82(2)(d) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005)

A summary of the ongoing evaluation activities, established on the basis of the reporting to the Monitoring Committee in accordance with Article 86(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, including the activities related notably to the elements referred to in Articles 84(5) and 86(1) and (2) of that Regulation.

5.   The steps taken by the Managing Authority and the Monitoring Committee to ensure the quality and effectiveness of programme implementation (Article 82(2)(e) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005), in particular:

| (i) | monitoring and evaluation measures |
| --- | --- |

(i)

monitoring and evaluation measures

| (ii) | a summary of the major problems encountered in managing the programme and any measures taken, including in response to comments made under Article 83 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

a summary of the major problems encountered in managing the programme and any measures taken, including in response to comments made under Article 83 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005

| (iii) | use of technical assistance
  In case of coverage under the programme technical assistance of the establishment and functioning of national rural networks, the annual progress report shall describe the procedures for setting up and running the network and the state-of-play of the implementation of the action plan. It shall also indicate how expenditure was carried out (distinction between the elements covered by points (a) and (b) of Article 68(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005). |
| --- | --- |

(iii)

use of technical assistance

In case of coverage under the programme technical assistance of the establishment and functioning of national rural networks, the annual progress report shall describe the procedures for setting up and running the network and the state-of-play of the implementation of the action plan. It shall also indicate how expenditure was carried out (distinction between the elements covered by points (a) and (b) of Article 68(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005).

| (iv) | steps taken to ensure that the programme is publicised in accordance with Article 76 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 |
| --- | --- |

(iv)

steps taken to ensure that the programme is publicised in accordance with Article 76 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005

The report shall include summary descriptions for information and publicity taken to provide information on the rural development programme in accordance with Article 58 of this Regulation and Annex VI thereto.

6.   A declaration on compliance with Community policies in the context of the support, including identification of the problems encountered and the measures adopted to deal with them (Article 82(2)(f) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005)

This compliance with the Community law shall in particular cover the respect of rules on competition, public procurement, environmental protection and improvement, and promotion of gender equality and non-discrimination.

7.   Where applicable, re-utilisation of aid recovered under Article 33 of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 (Article 82(2)(g) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005)

B.   FORMAT OF ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORTS FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAMMES COVERING NATIONAL RURAL NETWORKS (‘NRN’) (ARTICLE 60)

Where Member States make use of the possibility provided for in the second subparagraph of Article 66(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 the annual progress reports of the specific programmes shall include:

| (a) | a description of the procedures for setting up and running the network, |
| --- | --- |

(a)

a description of the procedures for setting up and running the network,

| (b) | the state-of-play of the implementation of the action plan, |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the state-of-play of the implementation of the action plan,

| (c) | a financial table showing the financial implementation of the programme and distinguishing between the elements covered by points (a) and (b) of Article 68(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005:







  Type of expenditure for NRN | Annual payments-year N | Cumulative payments from year 2007 to year N |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| (a) | for running the structure of the national rural network |

(c)

a financial table showing the financial implementation of the programme and distinguishing between the elements covered by points (a) and (b) of Article 68(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005:

Type of expenditure for NRN

Annual payments-year N

Cumulative payments from year 2007 to year N

(a)

for running the structure of the national rural network

| (b) | for implementing the action plan of the national rural network |
| --- | --- |

(b)

for implementing the action plan of the national rural network

Total

| (d) | information, as appropriate, covered by points 4 to 7 of part A of this Annex. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

information, as appropriate, covered by points 4 to 7 of part A of this Annex.

---

ANNEX VIII

LIST OF COMMON BASELINE, OUTPUT, RESULT AND IMPACT INDICATORS

I.   COMMON BASELINE INDICATORS

1.   Baseline indicators related to objectives

| AXIS | | Indicator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Horizontal | (*1) 1 | Economic development |
| (*1) 2 | Employment rate |
| (*1) 3 | Unemployment |
| AXIS 1,
  Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector | (*1) 4 | Training and education in agriculture |
| 5 | Age structure in agriculture |
| (*1) 6 | Labour productivity in agriculture |
| 7 | Gross fixed capital formation in agriculture |
| 8 | Employment development of primary sector |
| 9 | Economic development of primary sector |
| (*1) 10 | Labour productivity in food industry |
| 11 | Gross fixed capital formation in food industry |
| 12 | Employment development in food industry |
| 13 | Economic development of food industry |
| (*1) 14 | Labour productivity in forestry |
| 15 | Gross fixed capital formation in forestry |
| 16 | Importance of semi-subsistence farming in New Member States |
| AXIS 2,
  Improving the environment and the countryside through land management | (*1) 17 | Biodiversity: Population of farmland birds |
| (*1) 18 | Biodiversity: High nature value farmland and forestry |
| 19 | Biodiversity: Tree species composition |
| (*1) 20 | Water quality: Gross Nutrient Balances |
| 21 | Water quality: Pollution by nitrates and pesticides |
| 22 | Soil: Areas at risk of soil erosion |
| 23 | Soil: Organic farming |
| (*1) 24 | Climate change: Production of renewable energy from agriculture and forestry |
| 25 | Climate change: UAA devoted to renewable energy |
| 26 | Climate change/air quality: gas emissions from agriculture |
| AXIS 3,
  Improving the quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification of economic activity | (*1) 27 | Farmers with other gainful activity |
| (*1) 28 | Employment development of non-agricultural sector |
| (*1) 29 | Economic development of non-agricultural sector |
| (*1) 30 | Self-employment development |
| 31 | Tourism infrastructure in rural area |
| (*1) 32 | Internet take-up in rural areas |
| (*1) 33 | Development of services sector |
| 34 | Net migration |
| (*1) 35 | Lifelong learning in rural areas |
| Leader | (*1) 36 | Development of Local Action Groups |

AXIS

Indicator

Horizontal

(*1) 1

Economic development

(*1) 2

Employment rate

(*1) 3

Unemployment

AXIS 1,

Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector

(*1) 4

Training and education in agriculture

5

Age structure in agriculture

(*1) 6

Labour productivity in agriculture

7

Gross fixed capital formation in agriculture

8

Employment development of primary sector

9

Economic development of primary sector

(*1) 10

Labour productivity in food industry

11

Gross fixed capital formation in food industry

12

Employment development in food industry

13

Economic development of food industry

(*1) 14

Labour productivity in forestry

15

Gross fixed capital formation in forestry

16

Importance of semi-subsistence farming in New Member States

AXIS 2,

Improving the environment and the countryside through land management

(*1) 17

Biodiversity: Population of farmland birds

(*1) 18

Biodiversity: High nature value farmland and forestry

19

Biodiversity: Tree species composition

(*1) 20

Water quality: Gross Nutrient Balances

21

Water quality: Pollution by nitrates and pesticides

22

Soil: Areas at risk of soil erosion

23

Soil: Organic farming

(*1) 24

Climate change: Production of renewable energy from agriculture and forestry

25

Climate change: UAA devoted to renewable energy

26

Climate change/air quality: gas emissions from agriculture

AXIS 3,

Improving the quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification of economic activity

(*1) 27

Farmers with other gainful activity

(*1) 28

Employment development of non-agricultural sector

(*1) 29

Economic development of non-agricultural sector

(*1) 30

Self-employment development

31

Tourism infrastructure in rural area

(*1) 32

Internet take-up in rural areas

(*1) 33

Development of services sector

34

Net migration

(*1) 35

Lifelong learning in rural areas

Leader

(*1) 36

Development of Local Action Groups

2.   Baseline indicators related to context

| AXIS | | Indicator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Horizontal | 1 | Designation of rural areas |
| 2 | Importance of rural areas |
| AXIS 1,
  Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector | 3 | Agricultural land use |
| 4 | Farm structure |
| 5 | Forestry structure |
| 6 | Forest productivity |
| AXIS 2,
  Improving the environment and the countryside through land management | 7 | Land cover |
| 8 | Less favoured areas |
| 9 | Areas of extensive agriculture |
| 10 | Natura 2000 area |
| 11 | Biodiversity: Protected forest |
| 12 | Development of forest area |
| 13 | Forest ecosystem health |
| 14 | Water quality |
| 15 | Water use |
| 16 | Protective forests concerning primarily soil and water |
| AXIS 3,
  Improving the quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification of economic activity | 17 | Population density |
| 18 | Age structure |
| 19 | Structure of the Economy |
| 20 | Structure of Employment |
| 21 | Long-term unemployment |
| 22 | Educational attainment |
| 23 | Internet Infrastructure |

AXIS

Indicator

Horizontal

1

Designation of rural areas

2

Importance of rural areas

AXIS 1,

Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector

3

Agricultural land use

4

Farm structure

5

Forestry structure

6

Forest productivity

AXIS 2,

Improving the environment and the countryside through land management

7

Land cover

8

Less favoured areas

9

Areas of extensive agriculture

10

Natura 2000 area

11

Biodiversity: Protected forest

12

Development of forest area

13

Forest ecosystem health

14

Water quality

15

Water use

16

Protective forests concerning primarily soil and water

AXIS 3,

Improving the quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification of economic activity

17

Population density

18

Age structure

19

Structure of the Economy

20

Structure of Employment

21

Long-term unemployment

22

Educational attainment

23

Internet Infrastructure

II.   COMMON OUTPUT INDICATORS

AXIS 1   IMPROVING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF THE AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY SECTOR

| Code | Measure | Output Indicators (*2) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 111 | Vocational training and information actions | — | Number of participants in training |

Code

Measure

Output Indicators (*2)

111

Vocational training and information actions

—

Number of participants in training

| — | Number of training days received |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of training days received

112

Setting up of young farmers

| — | Number of assisted young farmers |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of assisted young farmers

| — | Total volume of investments |
| --- | --- |

—

Total volume of investments

113

Early retirement

| — | Number of farmers early retired |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of farmers early retired

| — | Number of farm workers early retired |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of farm workers early retired

| — | Number of hectares released |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of hectares released

114

Use of advisory services

| — | Number of farmers supported |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of farmers supported

| — | Number of forest holders supported |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of forest holders supported

115

Setting up of management, relief and advisory services

| — | Number of newly set up management, relief or advisory services |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of newly set up management, relief or advisory services

121

Modernisation of agricultural holdings

| — | Number of farm holdings that received investment support |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of farm holdings that received investment support

| — | total volume of investments |
| --- | --- |

—

total volume of investments

122

Improvement of the economic value of forests

| — | Number of forest holdings that received investment support |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of forest holdings that received investment support

| — | Total volume of investments |
| --- | --- |

—

Total volume of investments

123

Adding value to agricultural and forestry products

| — | Number of enterprises supported |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of enterprises supported

| — | Total volume of investments |
| --- | --- |

—

Total volume of investments

124

Cooperation for development of new products, processes and technologies in the agriculture and food sector and the forestry sector

| — | Number of cooperation initiatives supported |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of cooperation initiatives supported

125

Infrastructure related to the development and adaptation of agriculture and forestry

| — | Number of operations supported |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of operations supported

| — | Total volume of investments |
| --- | --- |

—

Total volume of investments

126

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

| — | Supported area of damaged agricultural land |
| --- | --- |

—

Supported area of damaged agricultural land

| — | Total volume of investments |
| --- | --- |

—

Total volume of investments

131

Meeting standards based on Community legislation

| — | Number of beneficiaries |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of beneficiaries

132

Participation of farmers in food quality schemes

| — | Number of supported farm holdings participating in a quality scheme |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of supported farm holdings participating in a quality scheme

133

Information and promotion activities

| — | Number of supported actions |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of supported actions

141

Semi-subsistence farming

| — | Number of semi-subsistence farm holdings supported |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of semi-subsistence farm holdings supported

142

Producer groups

| — | Number of supported producer groups |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of supported producer groups

| — | Turnover of supported producer groups |
| --- | --- |

—

Turnover of supported producer groups

AXIS 2   IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE COUNTRYSIDE THROUGH LAND MANAGEMENT

| Code | Measure | Output Indicators (*3) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 211 | Natural handicap payments to farmers in mountain areas | — | Number of supported holdings in mountain areas |

Code

Measure

Output Indicators (*3)

211

Natural handicap payments to farmers in mountain areas

—

Number of supported holdings in mountain areas

| — | Supported agricultural land in mountain areas |
| --- | --- |

—

Supported agricultural land in mountain areas

212

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

| — | Number of supported holdings in areas with handicaps, other than mountain areas |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of supported holdings in areas with handicaps, other than mountain areas

| — | Agricultural land area supported in areas with handicaps, other than mountain areas |
| --- | --- |

—

Agricultural land area supported in areas with handicaps, other than mountain areas

213

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

| — | Number of supported holdings in Natura 2000 areas/under Water Framework Directive |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of supported holdings in Natura 2000 areas/under Water Framework Directive

| — | Supported agricultural land under Natura 2000/under Water Framework Directive |
| --- | --- |

—

Supported agricultural land under Natura 2000/under Water Framework Directive

214

Agri-environment payments

| — | Number of farm holdings and holdings of other land managers receiving support |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of farm holdings and holdings of other land managers receiving support

| — | Total area under agri-environmental support |
| --- | --- |

—

Total area under agri-environmental support

| — | Physical area under agri-environmental support under this measure |
| --- | --- |

—

Physical area under agri-environmental support under this measure

| — | Total Number of contracts |
| --- | --- |

—

Total Number of contracts

| — | Number of actions related to genetic resources |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of actions related to genetic resources

215

Animal welfare payments

| — | Number of farm holdings receiving support |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of farm holdings receiving support

| — | Number of animal welfare contracts |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of animal welfare contracts

216

Non-productive investments

| — | Number of farm holdings and holdings of other land managers receiving support |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of farm holdings and holdings of other land managers receiving support

| — | Total volume of investments |
| --- | --- |

—

Total volume of investments

221

First afforestation of agricultural land

| — | Number of beneficiaries receiving afforestation aid |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of beneficiaries receiving afforestation aid

| — | Number of ha afforested land |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of ha afforested land

222

First establishment of agroforestry systems on agricultural land

| — | Number of beneficiaries |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of beneficiaries

| — | Number of ha under new agroforestry systems |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of ha under new agroforestry systems

223

First afforestation of non-agricultural land

| — | Number of beneficiaries receiving afforestation aid |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of beneficiaries receiving afforestation aid

| — | Number of ha of afforested land |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of ha of afforested land

224

Natura 2000 payments

| — | Number of forest holdings receiving aid in Natura 2000 area |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of forest holdings receiving aid in Natura 2000 area

| — | Supported forest land (ha) in Natura 2000 area |
| --- | --- |

—

Supported forest land (ha) in Natura 2000 area

225

Forest-environment payments

| — | Number of forest holdings receiving support |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of forest holdings receiving support

| — | Total forest area under forest environment support |
| --- | --- |

—

Total forest area under forest environment support

| — | Physical forest area under forest environment support |
| --- | --- |

—

Physical forest area under forest environment support

| — | Number of Contracts |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of Contracts

226

Restoring forestry potential and introducing prevention actions

| — | Number of prevention/restoration actions |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of prevention/restoration actions

| — | Supported area of damaged forests |
| --- | --- |

—

Supported area of damaged forests

| — | Total volume of investments |
| --- | --- |

—

Total volume of investments

227

Non-productive investments

| — | Number of supported forest holders |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of supported forest holders

| — | Total volume of investments |
| --- | --- |

—

Total volume of investments

AXIS 3   IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN RURAL AREAS AND ENCOURAGING DIVERSIFICATION OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

| Code | Measure | Output indicators (*4) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 311 | Diversification into non-agricultural activities | — | Number of beneficiaries |

Code

Measure

Output indicators (*4)

311

Diversification into non-agricultural activities

—

Number of beneficiaries

| — | Total volume of investments |
| --- | --- |

—

Total volume of investments

312

Business creation and development

| — | Number of micro-enterprises supported/created |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of micro-enterprises supported/created

313

Encouragement of tourism activities

| — | Number of new tourism actions supported |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of new tourism actions supported

| — | Total volume of investments |
| --- | --- |

—

Total volume of investments

321

Basic services for the economy and rural population

| — | Number of supported actions |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of supported actions

| — | Total volume of investments |
| --- | --- |

—

Total volume of investments

322

Village renewal and developmen

| — | Number of villages where actions took place |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of villages where actions took place

| — | Total volume of investments |
| --- | --- |

—

Total volume of investments

323

Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage

| — | Number of rural heritage actions supported |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of rural heritage actions supported

| — | Total volume of investments |
| --- | --- |

—

Total volume of investments

331

Training and information

| — | Number of participating economic actors to supported activities |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of participating economic actors to supported activities

| — | Number of days of training received by participants |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of days of training received by participants

341

Skills acquisition, animation and implementation of local development strategies

| — | Number of skills acquisition and animation actions |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of skills acquisition and animation actions

| — | Number of participants in actions |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of participants in actions

| — | Number of public-private partnerships supported |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of public-private partnerships supported

AXIS 4   LEADER

| Code | Measure | Output indicators (*5) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 41 | Implementing local development strategies







  411 | — | competitiveness |
| 412 | — | environment/land management |
| 413 | — | quality of life/diversification |

Code

Measure

Output indicators (*5)

41

Implementing local development strategies

411

—

competitiveness

412

—

environment/land management

413

—

quality of life/diversification

| — | Number of local action groups (‘LAG’) |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of local action groups (‘LAG’)

| — | Total size of the LAG area (km2) |
| --- | --- |

—

Total size of the LAG area (km2)

| — | Total population in LAG area |
| --- | --- |

—

Total population in LAG area

| — | Number of projects financed by LAGs |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of projects financed by LAGs

| — | Number of beneficiaries supported |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of beneficiaries supported

421

Implementing cooperation projects

| — | Number of cooperation projects |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of cooperation projects

| — | Number of cooperating LAGs |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of cooperating LAGs

431

Running the local action group, acquiring skills and animating the territory as referred to in Article 59

| — | Number of actions supported |
| --- | --- |

—

Number of actions supported

III.   COMMON RESULT INDICATORS

| Axis/Objective | Indicator |
| --- | --- |
| Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector | (1) | Number of participants that successfully ended a training activity related to agriculture and/or forestry |

Axis/Objective

Indicator

Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector

(1)

Number of participants that successfully ended a training activity related to agriculture and/or forestry

| (2) | Increase in gross value added in supported holdings/enterprises |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Increase in gross value added in supported holdings/enterprises

| (3) | Number of holdings/enterprises introducing new products and/or new techniques |
| --- | --- |

(3)

Number of holdings/enterprises introducing new products and/or new techniques

| (4) | Value of agricultural production under recognized quality label/standards |
| --- | --- |

(4)

Value of agricultural production under recognized quality label/standards

| (5) | Number of farms entering the market |
| --- | --- |

(5)

Number of farms entering the market

Improving the environment and the countryside through land management

| (6) | Area under successful land management contributing to:






  (a) | biodiversity and high nature value farming/forestry |
| --- | --- | --- |

(6)

Area under successful land management contributing to:

(a)

biodiversity and high nature value farming/forestry

| (b) | water quality |
| --- | --- |

(b)

water quality

| (c) | climate change |
| --- | --- |

(c)

climate change

| (d) | soil quality |
| --- | --- |

(d)

soil quality

| (e) | avoidance of marginalisation and land abandonment |
| --- | --- |

(e)

avoidance of marginalisation and land abandonment

Improving the quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification of economic activity

| (7) | Increase in non-agricultural gross value added in supported businesses |
| --- | --- |

(7)

Increase in non-agricultural gross value added in supported businesses

| (8) | Gross number of jobs created |
| --- | --- |

(8)

Gross number of jobs created

| (9) | Additional number of tourists |
| --- | --- |

(9)

Additional number of tourists

| (10) | Population in rural areas benefiting from improved services |
| --- | --- |

(10)

Population in rural areas benefiting from improved services

| (11) | Increase in Internet penetration in rural areas |
| --- | --- |

(11)

Increase in Internet penetration in rural areas

| (12) | Number of participants that successfully ended a training activity |
| --- | --- |

(12)

Number of participants that successfully ended a training activity

IV.   COMMON IMPACT INDICATORS

| | Indicator |
| --- | --- |
| 1 | Economic growth |
| 2 | Employment creation |
| 3 | Labour productivity |
| 4 | Reversing biodiversity decline |
| 5 | Maintenance of high nature value farmland and forestry |
| 6 | Improvement in water quality |
| 7 | Contribution to combating climate change |

Indicator

1

Economic growth

2

Employment creation

3

Labour productivity

4

Reversing biodiversity decline

5

Maintenance of high nature value farmland and forestry

6

Improvement in water quality

7

Contribution to combating climate change

---

(*1)  Refers to LEAD indicators in the framework of the national strategy and strategic monitoring foreseen in Article 11(3)c and 13(2)A of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

(*2)  For each measure, number of applications received and number of applications approved will be provided.

(*3)  For each measure, number of applications received and number of applications approved will be provided.

(*4)  For each measure, number of applications received and number of applications approved will be provided.

(*5)  For each measure, number of applications received and number of applications approved will be provided.

---

| 23.12.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 368/74 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

23.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 368/74

---

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1975/2006

of 7 December 2006

laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, as regards the implementation of control procedures as well as cross-compliance in respect of rural development support measures

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 of 20 September 2005 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) (1), and in particular Articles 51(4), 74(4) and 91 thereof,

Whereas:

| (1) | Experience shows that the integrated administration and control system (hereinafter referred to as IACS), provided for in Chapter 4 of Title II of Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 of 29 September 2003 establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers and amending Regulations (EEC) No 2019/93, (EC) No 1452/2001, (EC) No 1453/2001, (EC) No 1454/2001, (EC) No 1868/94, (EC) No 1251/1999, (EC) No 1254/1999, (EC) No 1673/2000, (EEC) No 2358/71 and (EC) No 2529/2001 (2), has proven to be an effective and efficient means for the implementation of direct payment schemes. Therefore, as far as the area and animal-related measures under Axis 2 in Section 2 of Chapter I of Title IV of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 are concerned, the administration and control rules, as well as the provisions concerning reductions and exclusions in cases of false declarations, related to such measures should follow the principles set out in the IACS, and in particular in Commission Regulation (EC) No 796/2004 of 21 April 2004 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of cross-compliance, modulation and the integrated administration and control system provided for in Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers (3). |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Experience shows that the integrated administration and control system (hereinafter referred to as IACS), provided for in Chapter 4 of Title II of Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 of 29 September 2003 establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers and amending Regulations (EEC) No 2019/93, (EC) No 1452/2001, (EC) No 1453/2001, (EC) No 1454/2001, (EC) No 1868/94, (EC) No 1251/1999, (EC) No 1254/1999, (EC) No 1673/2000, (EEC) No 2358/71 and (EC) No 2529/2001 (2), has proven to be an effective and efficient means for the implementation of direct payment schemes. Therefore, as far as the area and animal-related measures under Axis 2 in Section 2 of Chapter I of Title IV of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 are concerned, the administration and control rules, as well as the provisions concerning reductions and exclusions in cases of false declarations, related to such measures should follow the principles set out in the IACS, and in particular in Commission Regulation (EC) No 796/2004 of 21 April 2004 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of cross-compliance, modulation and the integrated administration and control system provided for in Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers (3).

| (2) | However, for certain support schemes set out under Axis 2, and equivalent support under Axis 4 provided for in Section 2 of Chapter I of Title IV of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, the administration and control rules need to be adapted to their particular characteristics. The same applies in the case of support schemes set out in Axes 1 and 3 in Sections 1 and 3 respectively of that Regulation and equivalent support under Axis 4. Special provisions therefore need to be established for those support schemes. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

However, for certain support schemes set out under Axis 2, and equivalent support under Axis 4 provided for in Section 2 of Chapter I of Title IV of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, the administration and control rules need to be adapted to their particular characteristics. The same applies in the case of support schemes set out in Axes 1 and 3 in Sections 1 and 3 respectively of that Regulation and equivalent support under Axis 4. Special provisions therefore need to be established for those support schemes.

| (3) | In order to ensure that all national administrations are in the position to organise an efficient integrated control of all areas for which payment is claimed under Axis 2 on the one hand and under the area-related aid schemes covered by Regulation (EC) No 796/2004, on the other hand, payment claims for area-related measures under Axis 2 should be submitted within the same deadline as the single application provided for in Chapter I of Title II of Part II of that Regulation. Nevertheless, to allow the necessary administrative arrangements to be made, a transitional period should be granted. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

In order to ensure that all national administrations are in the position to organise an efficient integrated control of all areas for which payment is claimed under Axis 2 on the one hand and under the area-related aid schemes covered by Regulation (EC) No 796/2004, on the other hand, payment claims for area-related measures under Axis 2 should be submitted within the same deadline as the single application provided for in Chapter I of Title II of Part II of that Regulation. Nevertheless, to allow the necessary administrative arrangements to be made, a transitional period should be granted.

| (4) | In order to ensure the deterrent effect of controls, payments should, as a general rule, not be made before checks on the aid applications have been finalised. However, it is appropriate to allow payments up to a certain level after the completion of administrative checks. When fixing that level, account should be taken of the risk of overpayment. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

In order to ensure the deterrent effect of controls, payments should, as a general rule, not be made before checks on the aid applications have been finalised. However, it is appropriate to allow payments up to a certain level after the completion of administrative checks. When fixing that level, account should be taken of the risk of overpayment.

| (5) | The control rules provided for in this Regulation should take into account the special characteristics of the measures under Axis 2 concerned. Particular rules should therefore be established. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

The control rules provided for in this Regulation should take into account the special characteristics of the measures under Axis 2 concerned. Particular rules should therefore be established.

| (6) | In accordance with Article 51 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, payments under certain of the measures provided for in that Regulation have been made subject to the respect of cross-compliance as provided for in Chapter 1 of Title II of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003. It is therefore appropriate to align the rules related to cross-compliance with those contained in Regulations (EC) No 1782/2003 and (EC) No 796/2004. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

In accordance with Article 51 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, payments under certain of the measures provided for in that Regulation have been made subject to the respect of cross-compliance as provided for in Chapter 1 of Title II of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003. It is therefore appropriate to align the rules related to cross-compliance with those contained in Regulations (EC) No 1782/2003 and (EC) No 796/2004.

| (7) | Ex post checks of investment operations should be undertaken to verify the respect of Article 72(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, to ensure that operations have been properly carried out and that the same investment has not been financed in an irregular manner from different national or Community sources. The basis and contents of these checks should be specified. |
| --- | --- |

(7)

Ex post checks of investment operations should be undertaken to verify the respect of Article 72(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, to ensure that operations have been properly carried out and that the same investment has not been financed in an irregular manner from different national or Community sources. The basis and contents of these checks should be specified.

| (8) | Special rules are needed to set out the responsibilities for control of local action groups referred to in Article 62 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 and approved by the Member States. |
| --- | --- |

(8)

Special rules are needed to set out the responsibilities for control of local action groups referred to in Article 62 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 and approved by the Member States.

| (9) | To allow the Commission to carry out its obligations for the management of the measures, Member States should report to the Commission on the number of controls undertaken and their results. |
| --- | --- |

(9)

To allow the Commission to carry out its obligations for the management of the measures, Member States should report to the Commission on the number of controls undertaken and their results.

| (10) | All the eligibility criteria established by Community or national legislation or the rural development programmes should be able to be controlled according to a set of verifiable indicators. |
| --- | --- |

(10)

All the eligibility criteria established by Community or national legislation or the rural development programmes should be able to be controlled according to a set of verifiable indicators.

| (11) | Member States may use evidence received from other services or organisations to verify the respect of eligibility criteria. However, they should have assurance that the service or organisation is operating to a standard sufficient to control compliance with the eligibility criteria. |
| --- | --- |

(11)

Member States may use evidence received from other services or organisations to verify the respect of eligibility criteria. However, they should have assurance that the service or organisation is operating to a standard sufficient to control compliance with the eligibility criteria.

| (12) | Certain general control principles should be established, covering the right of the Commission to carry out checks. |
| --- | --- |

(12)

Certain general control principles should be established, covering the right of the Commission to carry out checks.

| (13) | Member States should ensure that the paying agencies referred to in Article 6 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 of 21 June 2005 on the financing of the common agricultural policy (4) have sufficient information on controls carried out by other services or bodies in order to fulfil their duties under that Regulation. |
| --- | --- |

(13)

Member States should ensure that the paying agencies referred to in Article 6 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 of 21 June 2005 on the financing of the common agricultural policy (4) have sufficient information on controls carried out by other services or bodies in order to fulfil their duties under that Regulation.

| (14) | The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Rural Development Committee, |
| --- | --- |

(14)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Rural Development Committee,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

PART I

Scope and general provisions

Article 1

Scope

This Regulation lays down the detailed rules for the implementation of the control procedures as well as cross-compliance in respect of the co-financed rural development support measures established pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

Article 2

Application of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004

Without prejudice to specific provisions of this Regulation, Articles 5, 22, 23, 69 and 73 of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

mutatis mutandis

Article 3

Definitions

For the purposes of this Regulation:

| (a) | ‘Application for support’ shall mean the application to be accepted for support, or to enter into a scheme; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

‘Application for support’ shall mean the application to be accepted for support, or to enter into a scheme;

| (b) | ‘Payment claim’ shall mean an application presented by a beneficiary for payment by the national authorities. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

‘Payment claim’ shall mean an application presented by a beneficiary for payment by the national authorities.

Article 4

Applications for support and payment claims

1.   Without prejudice to specific provisions in this Regulation, the Member States shall provide for appropriate procedures for the submission of applications for support.

2.   For measures with multiannual commitments, the beneficiary shall submit an annual payment claim.

However, Member States may dispense with annual physical payment claims if they introduce effective alternative procedures to carry out the administrative checks provided for in Article 11 or 26 as appropriate.

3.   Applications for support and payment claims may be adjusted at any time after their submission in cases of obvious errors recognised by the competent authority.

Article 5

General principles of control

1.   Without prejudice to specific provisions in this Regulation, Member States shall ensure that all the eligibility criteria established by Community or national legislation or by the rural development programmes can be controlled according to a set of verifiable indicators to be established by the Member States.

2.   Where possible, on-the-spot checks provided for in Articles 12, 20 and 27 and other checks provided for in Community rules regarding agricultural subsidies shall be carried out at the same time.

3.   Without prejudice to specific provisions, no payment shall be made in favour of beneficiaries for whom it is established that they artificially created the conditions required for obtaining such payments with a view to obtaining an advantage contrary to the objectives of the support scheme.

PART II

Administration and control rules

TITLE I

Rural development support for certain measures under Axis 2 and Axis 4

CHAPTER I

General provisions

Article 6

Scope and definitions

1.   Save as otherwise provided for in this Regulation, this Title shall apply to:

| (a) | support granted in accordance with Article 36 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

support granted in accordance with Article 36 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005;

| (b) | support granted in accordance with Article 63(a) of that Regulation with regard to operations corresponding to measures defined under Axis 2. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

support granted in accordance with Article 63(a) of that Regulation with regard to operations corresponding to measures defined under Axis 2.

However, this Title shall not apply to measures referred to in Article 36(a)(vi) and (b)(vi) and (vii) and in Article 39(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 as well as to measures under Article 36(b)(i) and (iii) of that Regulation as far as the establishment cost is concerned.

2.   For the purposes of this Title the following definitions shall apply:

| (a) | ‘area-related measure’ shall mean measures or sub-measures for which support is based on the size of the area declared; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

‘area-related measure’ shall mean measures or sub-measures for which support is based on the size of the area declared;

| (b) | ‘animal-related measure’ shall mean measures or sub-measures for which support is based on the number of animals declared. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

‘animal-related measure’ shall mean measures or sub-measures for which support is based on the number of animals declared.

Article 7

Application of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004

Article 2(10), (22) and (23) and Articles 9, 18, 21 and 25(1) of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004 shall apply mutatis mutandis for the purpose of this Title.

mutatis mutandis

Article 6(1) of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004 shall also apply mutatis mutandis. However, for the measures referred to in Articles 36(b)(iii), (iv) and (v) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, the Member States may establish appropriate alternative systems to uniquely identify the land subject to support.

mutatis mutandis

Article 8

Payment claims

1.   For all contracts entering into force after 1 January 2007, payment claims under area-related measures shall be submitted in accordance with the deadline set out in Article 11 of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004. However, Member States may decide to apply this provision only as from the claim year 2008.

2.   If a Member State applies the dispositions of Article 4(2), second sub paragraph, then the payment claim shall be deemed to be delivered in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004.

3.   Articles 11(3), 12 and 15 of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004 shall apply mutatis mutandis to payment claims under this Title. Further to the information referred to in Article 12(1)(d) of that Regulation, the payment claim shall also contain the information set out in that provision with regard to non-agricultural land for which support is being claimed.

Article 9

Payments

1.   No payment for any measure or set of operations falling within the scope of this Title shall be made before the checks of this measure or set of operations with regard to eligibility criteria, as referred to in Section I of Chapter II, have been finalised.

However, Member States may decide, taking into account the risk of overpayment, to pay up to 70 % of the aid after finalisation of the administrative checks provided for in Article 11. The percentage of payment shall be the same for all beneficiaries of the measure or set of operations.

2.   With regard to cross-compliance checks provided for in Section II of Chapter II, where such checks cannot be finalised before payment, any undue payments shall be recovered in accordance with Article 73 of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004.

CHAPTER II

Controls, reductions and exclusions

Article 10

General principles

1.   Applications for support and subsequent payment claims shall be checked in a manner which ensures effective verification of compliance with the conditions for granting support.

2.   The Member States shall define suitable methods and means for verifying the conditions for granting support for each support measure.

3.   Member States shall make use of the integrated administration and control system provided for in Chapter 4 of Title II of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 (hereinafter referred to as ‘IACS’).

4.   Verification of the eligibility criteria shall consist of administrative and on-the-spot checks.

5.   Respect of cross-compliance shall be verified through on-the-spot checks and where appropriate through administrative checks.

6.   During the period covered by a commitment, parcels for which support is being granted may not be exchanged except in cases specifically provided for in the rural development programme.

SECTION I

Respect of the eligibility criteria

SUBSECTION I

Controls

Article 11

Administrative checks

1.   Administrative checks shall be undertaken on all applications for support and payment claims, and shall cover all elements that it is possible and appropriate to control by administrative means. The procedures shall ensure the recording of control work undertaken, the results of the verification and the measures taken in respect of discrepancies.

2.   The administrative checks shall include cross-checks wherever possible and appropriate, inter alia with data from the IACS. These cross-checks shall relate at least to parcels and livestock covered by a support measure in order to avoid any undue payments of aid.

3.   Compliance with long-term commitments shall be checked.

4.   Indications of irregularities resulting from cross-checks shall be followed-up by any other appropriate administrative procedure, and, where necessary, by an on-the-spot check.

5.   Where applicable, administrative checks on eligibility shall take into account the results of verifications carried out by other services, bodies or organisations involved in controls of agricultural subsidies.

Article 12

On-the-spot checks

1.   The total number of on-the-spot checks carried out each year shall cover at least 5 % of all beneficiaries subject to a commitment under one or more of the measures falling within the scope of this Title.

However, applicants found not to be eligible after administrative checks shall not form part of the overall number of beneficiaries referred to in the first subparagraph.

2.   Article 26(3) and (4) of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004 shall apply to on-the-spot checks provided for in this Article.

3.   The control sample referred to in the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 shall be selected in accordance with the criteria set out in Article 27 of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004.

4.   For any multiannual measures involving payments exceeding five years, the Member States may decide to halve the rate of control provided for in paragraph 1 after the fifth year of payment for a beneficiary.

Beneficiaries in respect of which the Member State makes use of the possibility set out in the first subparagraph of this paragraph shall not form part of the overall number of beneficiaries referred to in the first subparagraph of paragraph 1.

Article 13

Control report

On-the-spot checks under this Subsection shall be the subject of a control report to be established in accordance with Article 28 of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004.

Article 14

General principles concerning on-the-spot checks

1.   On-the-spot checks shall be spread over the year on the basis of an analysis of the risks presented by the different commitments under each rural development measure.

2.   On-the-spot checks shall cover all the commitments and obligations of a beneficiary which can be checked at the time of the visit.

Article 15

Elements of the on-the-spot checks and determination of areas

1.   The Member States shall determine criteria and control methods that allow the controls of the different commitments and obligations of the beneficiary to satisfy the requirements of Article 48(1) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1974/2006 (5).

2.   With regard to controls on area-related measures, the on-the-spot checks shall be carried out in accordance with Articles 29, 30 and 32 of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004.

However, for the measures set out in Articles 36(b)(iii), (iv) and (v) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, the Member States may define appropriate tolerances, which shall in no case be greater than twice the tolerances set down in Article 30(1) of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004.

3.   With regard to controls on animal-related measures, the on-the-spot checks shall be carried out in accordance with Article 35 of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004.

SUBSECTION II

Reductions and exclusions

Article 16

Area-related measures

1.   The basis for the calculation of the aid in respect of area-related measures shall be established in accordance with Article 50(1), (3) and (7) of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004. For the purpose of this Article, the areas declared by a beneficiary which receive the same rate of aid shall be considered as forming one crop group.

2.   If the area declared for payment under an area-related measure exceeds the area determined in accordance with Article 50(3) of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004, the aid shall be calculated on the basis of the area determined reduced by twice the difference found if that difference is more than either 3 % or two hectares, but no more than 20 % of the area determined.

If the difference is more than 20 % of the area determined, no aid shall be granted for the area-related measure concerned.

3.   If the area declared exceeds the area determined in accordance with Article 50(3) of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004 by more than 30 %, the beneficiary shall be excluded from receiving the aid he would have been entitled to pursuant to that Article for the calendar year in question for the measures concerned.

If the difference is more than 50 %, the beneficiary shall be additionally excluded from receiving aid up to an amount equal to the amount which corresponds to the difference between the area declared and the area determined in accordance with Article 50(3) of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004.

4.   By way of derogation from paragraphs 2 and the first subparagraph of paragraph 3, for beneficiaries in Member States applying the single area payment scheme as provided for in Article 143b of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003, the reductions and exclusions to be applied shall be calculated in accordance with the first and second subparagraphs of Article 138(1) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1973/2004 (6).

5.   Where differences between the area declared and the area determined in accordance with Article 50(3) of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004 result from irregularities committed intentionally, the beneficiary shall be excluded from the aid he would have been entitled to pursuant to that Article for the EAFRD year in question for the area-related measure concerned.

6.   The amount resulting from the exclusions provided for in the second subparagraph of paragraph 3 and in paragraph 5 shall be off-set against aid payments under any of the support measures under Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 or Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 to which the beneficiary concerned is entitled in the context of applications he lodges in the course of the three calendar years following the calendar year of the finding. If the amount cannot be fully off-set against those payments, the outstanding balance shall be cancelled.

Article 17

Animal-related measures

1.   The basis for the calculation of the aid in respect of animal-related measures shall be established in accordance with Article 57(2), (3) and (4) of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004.

2.   Any reductions or exclusions to be applied in the case of overdeclaration of bovine animals or of ovine or caprine animals respectively shall be calculated in accordance with Article 59 of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004.

Support measures in relation to bovine animals and those relating to ovine or caprine animals shall be treated separately.

3.   By way of derogation from the second subparagraph of Article 59(2) and the second subparagraph of Article 59(4) of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004, the amount resulting from the exclusion shall be off-set against aid payments under any of the support measures under Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 to which the beneficiary concerned is entitled in the context of applications he lodges in the course of the three calendar years following the calendar year of the finding. If the amount cannot be fully off-set against those payments, the outstanding balance shall be cancelled.

4.   In respect of overdeclarations concerning animals other than those referred to in paragraph 2, the Member State shall fix an appropriate system of reductions and exclusions.

Article 18

Reductions and exclusions in the case of non-respect of eligibility criteria

1.   In case any of the commitments attached to the granting of the aid, other than those related to the size of area or number of animals declared, are not respected, the aid claimed shall be reduced or refused.

2.   The Member State shall determine the amount of the reduction of the aid, in particular, on the basis of the severity, extent and permanence of the non-respect found.

The severity of a non-respect shall depend, in particular, on the importance of the consequences of the non-respect taking into account the objectives pursued by the criteria which have not been respected.

The extent of a non-respect shall depend, in particular, on the effect of the non-respect on the operation as a whole.

Whether a non-compliance is of permanence shall depend, in particular, on the length of time for which the effect lasts or the potential for terminating those effects by reasonable means.

3.   In case the non-respect results from irregularities committed intentionally, the beneficiary shall be excluded from the measure in question for the EAFRD year concerned as well as for the following EAFRD year.

4.   The reductions and exclusions provided for in this Article shall apply without prejudice to any additional penalties provided for under national rules.

SECTION II

Respect of cross-compliance

SUBSECTION I

Controls

Article 19

General principles

1.   Without prejudice to Article 51(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, ‘Cross-compliance’ shall mean the mandatory requirements referred to in the first subparagraph of Article 51(1) of that Regulation and the minimum requirements for fertiliser and plant protection product use referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 51(1) of that Regulation.

2.   Articles 3(2) and 25 of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 and Article 2(2), (2a) and (31) to (36) as well as Articles 9, 41, 42, 43, 46, 47 and 48 of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004 shall apply with regard to controls on the respect of cross-compliance.

Article 20

On-the-spot checks

1.   The competent control authority shall, with regard to the requirements or standards for which it is responsible, carry out on-the-spot checks on at least 1 % of all beneficiaries submitting payment claims under Article 36(a)(i) to (v) and (b)(i), (iv) and (v) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

2.   The second subparagraph of Article 44(1) and Article 44(2) of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004 shall apply.

Article 21

Selection of the control sample

1.   Article 45(1) of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004 shall apply as regards the selection of the control sample referred to in Article 20 of this Regulation.

2.   The competent control authority shall, with regard to the requirements or standards for which it is responsible, select the beneficiaries to be checked in accordance with Article 20 by selecting the sample from the sample of beneficiaries which were already selected pursuant to Article 12 and to whom the relevant requirements or standards apply.

3.   By way of derogation from paragraph 2, the competent control authority may, with regard to the requirements or standards for which it is responsible, select a control sample of 1 % of all beneficiaries submitting payment claims under Article 36(a)(i) to (v) and (b)(i), (iv) and (v) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 and who are under the obligation to respect at least one of the requirements or standards.

SUBSECTION II

Reductions and exclusions

Article 22

General

1.   Article 25 of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 and Article 2(2), (2a) and (31) to (36), Article 41 and Article 65(2) of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004 shall apply with regard to reductions or exclusions to be applied following the determination of non-compliances.

2.   Where more than one paying agency is responsible in the context of the management of the different support measures under Article 36(a)(i) to (v) and (b)(i), (iv) and (v) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, the Member States shall take the appropriate measures to ensure the appropriate application of the provisions of this Subsection, in particular that one rate of reduction is applied to the entirety of those payments applied for by the beneficiary.

Article 23

Calculation of reductions and exclusions

Without prejudice to Article 51(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, where a non-compliance is determined, a reduction shall be applied on the overall amount of aid under Article 36(a)(i) to (v) and (b)(iv) and (v) of that Regulation that has been, or has to be, granted to the beneficiary concerned following payment claims he has submitted or will submit in the course of the calendar year of the finding.

Where the non-compliance is due to negligence of the beneficiary, the reduction shall be calculated in accordance with the rules set out in Article 66 of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004.

In the case of intentional non-compliance, the reduction shall be calculated in accordance with Article 67 of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004.

Article 24

Accumulation of reductions

Where there is an accumulation of reductions, reductions shall be applied firstly for late submission in accordance with Article 21 of Regulation (EC) No 796/2004, then in accordance with Articles 16 or 17 of this Regulation, then in accordance with Article 18 and finally in accordance with Articles 22 and 23.

TITLE II

Rural development support under Axis 1 and Axis 3 and certain measures under Axis 2 and Axis 4

CHAPTER I

General provisions

Article 25

Scope

This Title shall apply to:

| (a) | the support measures set out in Articles 20 and 52 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the support measures set out in Articles 20 and 52 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005;

| (b) | the support measures set out in Articles 36(a)(vi), (b)(vi), (b)(vii) and 39(5) of that Regulation and in Articles 36(b) (i) and (iii) of that Regulation as far as the establishment costs are concerned; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the support measures set out in Articles 36(a)(vi), (b)(vi), (b)(vii) and 39(5) of that Regulation and in Articles 36(b) (i) and (iii) of that Regulation as far as the establishment costs are concerned;

| (c) | support granted in accordance with Article 63(a) and (b) of that Regulation with regard to operations corresponding to measures provided for in points (a) and (b) of this Article. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

support granted in accordance with Article 63(a) and (b) of that Regulation with regard to operations corresponding to measures provided for in points (a) and (b) of this Article.

SECTION I

Controls

Article 26

Administrative checks

1.   Administrative checks shall be carried out on all applications for support or payment claims, and shall cover all elements that it is possible and appropriate to control by administrative means. The procedures shall require the recording of control work undertaken, the results of the verification and the measures taken in respect of discrepancies.

2.   Administrative checks on applications for support shall in particular include a verification of:

| (a) | the eligibility of the operation for which support is requested; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the eligibility of the operation for which support is requested;

| (b) | the respect of the selection criteria set out in the rural development programme; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the respect of the selection criteria set out in the rural development programme;

| (c) | the compliance of the operation for which support is requested with applicable national and Community rules on, in particular, and where relevant, public procurement, State aid and the other appropriate obligatory standards established by national legislation or established in the rural development programme; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the compliance of the operation for which support is requested with applicable national and Community rules on, in particular, and where relevant, public procurement, State aid and the other appropriate obligatory standards established by national legislation or established in the rural development programme;

| (d) | the reasonableness of the costs proposed, which shall be evaluated using a suitable evaluation system, such as reference costs, a comparison of different offers or an evaluation committee; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

the reasonableness of the costs proposed, which shall be evaluated using a suitable evaluation system, such as reference costs, a comparison of different offers or an evaluation committee;

| (e) | the reliability of the applicant, with reference to any previous co-financed operations undertaken since 2000. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

the reliability of the applicant, with reference to any previous co-financed operations undertaken since 2000.

3.   Administrative checks on payment claims shall include in particular, and as far as this is appropriate for the claiming question, a verification of:

| (a) | the delivery of the products and services co-financed; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the delivery of the products and services co-financed;

| (b) | the reality of expenditure claimed; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the reality of expenditure claimed;

| (c) | the completed operation compared with the operation for which the application for support was submitted and granted. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the completed operation compared with the operation for which the application for support was submitted and granted.

4.   Administrative checks relating to investment operations shall include at least one visit to the operation supported or the investment site to verify the realisation of the investment.

However, Member States may decide not to carry out such visits for smaller investments, or where they consider that the risk that the conditions for receiving aid are not fulfilled, or that the reality of the investment has not been respected, is low. That decision and its justification shall be recorded.

5.   Payments by beneficiaries shall be supported by invoices and documents proving payment. Where this cannot be done, payments shall be supported by documents of equivalent probative value.

6.   Administrative checks shall include procedures to avoid irregular double financing with other Community or national schemes and with other programming periods. Where financing from other sources exists these checks shall ensure that the total aid received does not breach the maximum permissible aid ceilings.

7.   For support relating to food quality schemes recognised by Member States, as provided for in Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, paying agencies may, where appropriate, make use of evidence received from other services, bodies or organisations to verify the respect of eligibility criteria. However, they must have assurance that the service, body or organisation is operating to a standard sufficient to control compliance with the eligibility criteria.

Article 27

On-the-spot checks

1.   Member States shall organise on-the-spot checks on approved operations on an appropriate sampling basis. These shall be, as far as is possible, carried out before the final payment is made for a project.

2.   The expenditure controlled shall represent at least 4 % of the public expenditure that has been declared to the Commission each year, and at least 5 % of the public expenditure declared to the Commission over the whole programming period.

3.   The sample of approved operations to be checked in accordance with paragraph 1 shall take into account in particular:

| (a) | the need to check an appropriate mix of types and sizes of operations; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the need to check an appropriate mix of types and sizes of operations;

| (b) | any risk factors which have been identified following national or Community checks; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

any risk factors which have been identified following national or Community checks;

| (c) | the need to maintain a balance between the axes and measures. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the need to maintain a balance between the axes and measures.

4.   The results of the on-the-spot checks shall be evaluated to establish whether any problems encountered are of a systemic character, entailing a risk for other similar operations, beneficiaries or other bodies. The evaluation shall also identify the causes of such situations, any further examination which may be required and the necessary corrective and preventive action.

5.   Advance notice of on-the-spot checks may be given, provided that the purpose of the control is not jeopardised. If the advance notice exceeds 48 hours then it should be limited to the minimum necessary, depending on the nature of the measure and the operation being co-financed.

Article 28

Content of on-the-spot checks

1.   Through the on-the-spot checks, the Member States shall endeavour to verify the following:

| (a) | that the payments made to the beneficiary can be supported by accounting or other documents held by the bodies of firms carrying out the operations supported; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

that the payments made to the beneficiary can be supported by accounting or other documents held by the bodies of firms carrying out the operations supported;

| (b) | for an adequate number of expenditure items, that the nature and timing of the relevant expenditure comply with Community provisions and correspond to the approved specifications of the operation and the works actually executed or services delivered; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

for an adequate number of expenditure items, that the nature and timing of the relevant expenditure comply with Community provisions and correspond to the approved specifications of the operation and the works actually executed or services delivered;

| (c) | that the use or intended use of the operation is consistent with the use described in the application for Community support; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

that the use or intended use of the operation is consistent with the use described in the application for Community support;

| (d) | that the publicly funded operations have been implemented in accordance with Community rules and policies, especially the rules on public tendering and relevant mandatory standards established by national legislation or established in the rural development programme. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

that the publicly funded operations have been implemented in accordance with Community rules and policies, especially the rules on public tendering and relevant mandatory standards established by national legislation or established in the rural development programme.

2.   The on-the-spot checks shall cover all the commitments and obligations of a beneficiary which can be checked at the time of the visit.

3.   Except in exceptional circumstances, duly recorded and explained by the national authorities, the on-the-spot checks shall include a visit to the operation or, if the operation is intangible, to the operation promoter.

4.   Only checks meeting the full requirements of this Article may be counted towards the achievement of the control rate set out in Article 27(2).

Article 29

Control of Early retirement and semi-subsistence farming measures

1.   For applications for support under Articles 23 and 34 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, the administrative checks shall additionally include those referred to in Article 11(2) of this Regulation.

2.   For the measure provided for in Article 23 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, Member States may dispense with on-the-spot checks after the first payment of the support, provided that administrative checks, including inter alia appropriate cross-checks, in particular with the information contained in the electronic database referred to in Article 19 of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003, provide the necessary assurance of legality and regularity of payments.

Article 30

Ex-post checks

1.   Ex-post checks shall be carried out on investment operations that are still subject to commitments pursuant to Article 72(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 or detailed in the rural development programme.

2.   The objective of the ex-post checks shall be to:

| (a) | verify the respect of Article 72(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

verify the respect of Article 72(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005;

| (b) | verify the reality and finality of payments made by the beneficiary, except in the case of contributions in kind or standard costs; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

verify the reality and finality of payments made by the beneficiary, except in the case of contributions in kind or standard costs;

| (c) | ensure that the same investment has not been financed in an irregular manner from different national or Community sources. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

ensure that the same investment has not been financed in an irregular manner from different national or Community sources.

3.   The ex-post checks shall cover each year at least 1 % of eligible expenditure for operations referred to in paragraph 1 for which the final payment has been made. They shall be carried out within 12 months of the end of the relevant EAFRD year.

4.   The ex-post checks shall be based on an analysis of the risks and financial impact of different operations, groups of operations or measures.

The controllers for the ex-post checks shall not have been involved in pre-payment checks of the same investment operation.

SECTION II

Reductions and exclusions

Article 31

Reductions and exclusions

1.   Payments shall be calculated on the basis of what is found to be eligible.

The Member State shall examine the payment claim received from the beneficiary, and establish the amounts that are eligible for support. It shall establish:

| (a) | the amount that is payable to the beneficiary based solely on the payment claim; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the amount that is payable to the beneficiary based solely on the payment claim;

| (b) | the amount that is payable to the beneficiary after an examination of the eligibility of the payment claim. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the amount that is payable to the beneficiary after an examination of the eligibility of the payment claim.

If the amount established pursuant to point (a) exceeds the amount established pursuant to point (b) by more than 3 %, a reduction shall be applied to the amount established pursuant to point (b). The amount of the reduction shall be difference between those two amounts.

However, no reduction shall be applied if the beneficiary can demonstrate that he/she is not at fault for the inclusion of the ineligible amount. The reductions shall be applied mutatis mutandis to ineligible expenditure identified during checks under Article 28 and 30.

2.   If a beneficiary is found to have intentionally made a false declaration the operation in question shall be excluded from support of the EAFRD and any amounts already paid for that operation shall be recovered. Moreover, the beneficiary shall be excluded from receiving support under the same measure for the EAFRD year in question and for the following EAFRD year.

3.   The penalties provided for in paragraphs 2 and 3 shall apply without prejudice to additional penalties provided for under national rules.

CHAPTER II

Specific provisions for Axis 4 (Leader)

Article 32

Controls

In the case of expenditure incurred under Article 63(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, the Member State shall organise controls in conformity with this Title. Those controls shall be carried out by persons independent from the local action group concerned.

Article 33

Responsibilities for control

1.   In the case of expenditure incurred under Article 63(a) and (b) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, the administrative checks referred to in Article 26 of this Regulation may be carried out by local action groups under a formal delegation. However, the Member State remains responsible for verifying that local action groups have the administrative and control capacity to undertake that work.

2.   The Member State shall implement an appropriate system of supervision of the local action groups. This shall include regular controls of the operations of the local action groups, including bookkeeping checks and sample reperformance of administrative checks.

PART III

Final Provisions

Article 34

Notifications

Member States shall send to the Commission by 15 July each year, and for the first time by 15 July 2008, a report covering the previous EAFRD financial year relating, in particular, to the following points:

| (a) | the number of payment claims for each rural development measure, the total amount checked as well as, where appropriate, the total area and total number of animals covered by on-the-spot checks under Articles 12, 20 and 27; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the number of payment claims for each rural development measure, the total amount checked as well as, where appropriate, the total area and total number of animals covered by on-the-spot checks under Articles 12, 20 and 27;

| (b) | for area-related support, the total area broken down by individual aid scheme; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

for area-related support, the total area broken down by individual aid scheme;

| (c) | for animal-related measures, the total number of animals broken down by individual aid scheme; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

for animal-related measures, the total number of animals broken down by individual aid scheme;

| (d) | the result of the checks carried out, indicating the reductions and exclusions applied pursuant to Articles 16, 17, 18, 22 and 23; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

the result of the checks carried out, indicating the reductions and exclusions applied pursuant to Articles 16, 17, 18, 22 and 23;

| (e) | the number of ex-post checks undertaken under Article 30, the amount of expenditure verified and the results of the checks, indicating the reduction and exclusions applied pursuant to Article 31. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

the number of ex-post checks undertaken under Article 30, the amount of expenditure verified and the results of the checks, indicating the reduction and exclusions applied pursuant to Article 31.

Article 35

Control by the Commission

Article 27(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 shall apply to support paid under Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.

Article 36

Reporting of controls to the paying agency

1.   Where controls are not carried out by the paying agency, the Member State shall ensure that sufficient information on the controls carried out is received by the paying agency. It is for the paying agency to define its needs for information.

A sufficient audit trail shall be maintained. An indicative description of the requirements of a satisfactory audit trail is given in the Annex.

2.   The information referred to in the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 may be a report on every control carried out or, if appropriate, be in the form of a summary report.

3.   The paying agency shall have the right to verify the quality of controls carried out by other bodies, and to receive all other information it needs for the execution of its functions.

Article 37

Entry into force

This Regulation shall enter into force on the seventh day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Official Journal of the European Union

It shall apply to Community support concerning the programming period starting on 1 January 2007.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 7 December 2006.

For the Commission

Mariann FISCHER BOEL

Member of the Commission

---

(1)  
  OJ L 277, 21.10.2005, p. 1.

1

(2)  
  OJ L 270, 21.10.2003, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1405/2006 (OJ L 265, 26.9.2006, p. 1).

2

(3)  
  OJ L 141, 30.4.2004, p. 18. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 659/2006 (OJ L 116, 29.4.2006, p. 20).

3

(4)  
  OJ L 209, 11.8.2005, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 320/2006 (OJ L 58, 28.2.2006, p. 42).

4

(5)  See page 15 of this Official Journal.

5

(6)  
  OJ L 345, 20.11.2004, p. 1.

6

---

ANNEX

INDICATIVE DESCRIPTION OF INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS FOR A SUFFICIENT AUDIT TRAIL

A sufficient audit trail, as referred to in Article 36(1), is present when, for a given assistance:

| (a) | it allows for a reconciliation between the global amounts declared to the Commission and the invoices, accounting and other supporting documents held by the paying agency or other service for all the operations supported by the EAFRD; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

it allows for a reconciliation between the global amounts declared to the Commission and the invoices, accounting and other supporting documents held by the paying agency or other service for all the operations supported by the EAFRD;

| (b) | it allows for a verification of the payment of the public expenditure to the beneficiary; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

it allows for a verification of the payment of the public expenditure to the beneficiary;

| (c) | it allows for the verification of the application of selection criteria to the operations financed by the EAFRD; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

it allows for the verification of the application of selection criteria to the operations financed by the EAFRD;

| (d) | it contains, as far as it is appropriate, the financial plan, reports of activities, documents relating to the granting of support, documents relative to public tendering procedures and reports relating to any controls carried out. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

it contains, as far as it is appropriate, the financial plan, reports of activities, documents relating to the granting of support, documents relative to public tendering procedures and reports relating to any controls carried out.

---

| 23.12.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 368/85 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

23.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 368/85

---

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1976/2006

of 20 December 2006

amending Regulations (EC) No 2204/2002, (EC) No 70/2001 and (EC) No 68/2001 as regards the extension of the periods of application

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 994/98 of 7 May 1998 on the application of Articles 92 and 93 of the Treaty establishing the European Community to certain categories of horizontal State aid (1), and in particular points (a)(i), (ii),(iv) and point (b) of Article 1(1) thereof,

Having published a draft of this Regulation,

After consulting the Advisory Committee on State Aid,

Whereas:

| (1) | Commission Regulation (EC) No 2204/2002 of 12 December 2002 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid for employment (2), Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises (3) and Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid (4) will expire on 31 December 2006. In its State Aid Action Plan (5) the Commission has proposed regrouping these Regulations in one single block exemption Regulation and possibly adding other areas referred to in Article 1 and 2 of Regulation (EC) No 994/98. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Commission Regulation (EC) No 2204/2002 of 12 December 2002 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid for employment (2), Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises (3) and Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid (4) will expire on 31 December 2006. In its State Aid Action Plan (5) the Commission has proposed regrouping these Regulations in one single block exemption Regulation and possibly adding other areas referred to in Article 1 and 2 of Regulation (EC) No 994/98.

| (2) | The contents of the future block exemption Regulation depends in particular on the results of the public consultations initiated by the State aid action plan on less and better targeted State aid: a roadmap for State aid reform 2005 (6) and the consultation paper on aid for innovation. Discussions with representatives of Member States are also necessary in order to define the categories of aid which might be considered compatible with the Treaty. In order to proceed with the current consultations and the analysis of their results, it is appropriate to extend the period of application of Regulations (EC) No 2204/2002, (EC) No 70/2001 and (EC) No 68/2001 until 30 June 2008. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

The contents of the future block exemption Regulation depends in particular on the results of the public consultations initiated by the State aid action plan on less and better targeted State aid: a roadmap for State aid reform 2005 (6) and the consultation paper on aid for innovation. Discussions with representatives of Member States are also necessary in order to define the categories of aid which might be considered compatible with the Treaty. In order to proceed with the current consultations and the analysis of their results, it is appropriate to extend the period of application of Regulations (EC) No 2204/2002, (EC) No 70/2001 and (EC) No 68/2001 until 30 June 2008.

| (3) | Regulations (EC) No 2204/2002, (EC) No 70/2001 and (EC) No 68/2001 should therefore be amended accordingly. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

Regulations (EC) No 2204/2002, (EC) No 70/2001 and (EC) No 68/2001 should therefore be amended accordingly.

| (4) | In addition it is appropriate not to request Member States to send in new summary information sheets for measures which are prolonged under this Regulation without being modified in substance, |
| --- | --- |

(4)

In addition it is appropriate not to request Member States to send in new summary information sheets for measures which are prolonged under this Regulation without being modified in substance,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

In Article 11(1) of Regulation (EC) No 2204/2002, the second sentence is replaced by the following:

‘It shall apply until 30 June 2008’.

Article 2

In Article 10(1) of Regulation (EC) No 70/2001, the second sentence is replaced by the following:

‘It shall apply until 30 June 2008’.

Article 3

In Article 8(1) of Regulation (EC) No 68/2001, the second sentence is replaced by the following:

‘It shall apply until 30 June 2008’.

Article 4

The obligation to communicate summary information sheets on measures implemented, pursuant to Article 7(1) of Regulation (EC) No 68/2001, Article 9(1) of Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 and Article 10(1) of Regulation (EC) No 2204/2002 shall not apply to State aid measures prolonging existing measures pursuant to this Regulation, provided no substantive amendment is made to such measures and that summary information sheets were duly submitted on the implementation of such measures.

Article 5

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 20 December 2006.

For the Commission

Neelie KROES

Member of the Commission

---

(1)  
  OJ L 142, 14.5.1998, p. 1.

1

(2)  
  OJ L 337, 13.12.2002, p. 3. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1040/2006 (OJ L 187, 8.7.2006, p. 8).

2

(3)  
  OJ L 10, 13.1.2001, p. 33. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1040/2006.

3

(4)  
  OJ L 10, 13.1.2001, p. 20. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1040/2006.

4

(5)  COM(2005) 107 final.

5

(6)  COM(2005) 436 final.

6

---

| 23.12.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 368/87 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

23.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 368/87

---

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1977/2006

of 21 December 2006

amending Regulation (EC) No 1201/2006 fixing the weighting coefficients to be used in calculating the Community market price for pig carcases for the 2006/07 marketing year by reason of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania, and in particular Article 4(3) thereof,

Having regard to the Act of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania, and in particular Article 56 thereof,

Whereas:

| (1) | The Community market price for pig carcases, as referred to in Article 4(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 2759/75, must be established by weighting the prices recorded in each Member State by coefficients expressing the relative size of the pig population of each Member State. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

The Community market price for pig carcases, as referred to in Article 4(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 2759/75, must be established by weighting the prices recorded in each Member State by coefficients expressing the relative size of the pig population of each Member State.

| (2) | In view of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union, those coefficients should be adjusted to take account of data from the new Member States. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

In view of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union, those coefficients should be adjusted to take account of data from the new Member States.

| (3) | Commission Regulation (EC) No 1201/2006 (1) must therefore be amended. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1201/2006 (1) must therefore be amended.

| (4) | The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Pigmeat, |
| --- | --- |

(4)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Pigmeat,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1201/2006 is replaced by the Annex hereto.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force subject to and on the date of the entry into force of the Treaty of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 21 December 2006

For the Commission

Mariann FISCHER BOEL

Member of the Commission

---

(1)  
  OJ L 218, 9.8.2006, p. 10.

1

---

ANNEX

‘ANNEX

Weighting coefficients to be used in calculating the Community market price for pig carcases for the 2006/07 marketing year, applicable from 1 January 2007

Article 4(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 2759/75

| Belgium | 3,9 |
| --- | --- |
| Bulgaria | 0,6 |
| Czech Republic | 1,7 |
| Denmark | 7,9 |
| Germany | 16,9 |
| Estonia | 0,2 |
| Greece | 0,7 |
| Spain | 15,5 |
| France | 9,5 |
| Ireland | 1,1 |
| Italy | 5,8 |
| Cyprus | 0,3 |
| Latvia | 0,3 |
| Lithuania | 0,7 |
| Luxembourg | 0,1 |
| Hungary | 2,4 |
| Malta | 0,1 |
| Netherlands | 6,9 |
| Austria | 2,0 |
| Poland | 11,8 |
| Portugal | 1,5 |
| Romania | 4,1 |
| Slovenia | 0,3 |
| Slovakia | 0,7 |
| Finland | 0,9 |
| Sweden | 1,1 |
| United Kingdom | 3,0 ’ |

Belgium

3,9

Bulgaria

0,6

Czech Republic

1,7

Denmark

7,9

Germany

16,9

Estonia

0,2

Greece

0,7

Spain

15,5

France

9,5

Ireland

1,1

Italy

5,8

Cyprus

0,3

Latvia

0,3

Lithuania

0,7

Luxembourg

0,1

Hungary

2,4

Malta

0,1

Netherlands

6,9

Austria

2,0

Poland

11,8

Portugal

1,5

Romania

4,1

Slovenia

0,3

Slovakia

0,7

Finland

0,9

Sweden

1,1

United Kingdom

3,0 ’

---

| 23.12.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 368/89 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

23.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 368/89

---

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1978/2006

of 22 December 2006

Amending Regulation (EC) No 448/2001 of as regards reporting on cancellation proceedings and on the re-use of the funds cancelled

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds (1), and in particular Article 53(2) thereof,

After consulting the Committee set up pursuant to Article 147 of the Treaty,

After consulting the Committee on Agricultural Structures and Rural Development,

After consulting the Committee on Structures for Fisheries and Aquaculture,

Whereas:

| (1) | Article 2(3) and Article 3(2) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 448/2001 of 2 March 2001 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 as regards the procedure for making financial corrections to assistance granted under the Structural Funds (2) require the Member States to report to the Commission on cancellation proceedings, the steps already taken or required to adjust the management and control systems, and to inform it about the re-use of the funds cancelled and the amendments of the financial plan for the assistance. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Article 2(3) and Article 3(2) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 448/2001 of 2 March 2001 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 as regards the procedure for making financial corrections to assistance granted under the Structural Funds (2) require the Member States to report to the Commission on cancellation proceedings, the steps already taken or required to adjust the management and control systems, and to inform it about the re-use of the funds cancelled and the amendments of the financial plan for the assistance.

| (2) | Experience gained during the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 448/2001 has shown that there is a need to clarify and simplify those requirements. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Experience gained during the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 448/2001 has shown that there is a need to clarify and simplify those requirements.

| (3) | In particular, the information to be provided to the Commission should be limited to the total amounts of public funding, by measure, withdrawn from the programme concerned as a result of the cancellation of all or part of the Community contribution to operations, and to information about the actual re-use of funds released following the withdrawal of such funding. Information on adjustments to management and control systems is supplied by Member States in the annual reports required by Article 13 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 438/2001 of 2 March 2001 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 as regards the management and control systems for assistance granted under the Structural Funds (3). |
| --- | --- |

(3)

In particular, the information to be provided to the Commission should be limited to the total amounts of public funding, by measure, withdrawn from the programme concerned as a result of the cancellation of all or part of the Community contribution to operations, and to information about the actual re-use of funds released following the withdrawal of such funding. Information on adjustments to management and control systems is supplied by Member States in the annual reports required by Article 13 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 438/2001 of 2 March 2001 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 as regards the management and control systems for assistance granted under the Structural Funds (3).

| (4) | Regulation (EC) No 448/2001 should therefore be amended accordingly. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

Regulation (EC) No 448/2001 should therefore be amended accordingly.

| (5) | The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee for the Development and Conversion of Regions, |
| --- | --- |

(5)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee for the Development and Conversion of Regions,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Regulation (EC) No 448/2001 is amended as follows:

| 1. | In Article 2, paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:

  ‘3.   Without prejudice to the information required on recoveries under Article 8 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 438/2001 (*1), Member States shall send to the Commission, as an Annex to the last quarterly report of each year supplied under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1681/94 (*2), a statement identifying, by measure, the total amounts of public funding withdrawn, following cancellation of all or part of the Community contribution to operations, from statements of expenditure submitted during the preceding year for the programme concerned.


  (*1)  
  OJ L 63, 3.3.2001, p. 21."


  (*2)  
  OJ L 178, 12.7.1994, p. 43.’
  " |
| --- | --- |

1.

In Article 2, paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:

‘3.   Without prejudice to the information required on recoveries under Article 8 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 438/2001 (*1), Member States shall send to the Commission, as an Annex to the last quarterly report of each year supplied under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1681/94 (*2), a statement identifying, by measure, the total amounts of public funding withdrawn, following cancellation of all or part of the Community contribution to operations, from statements of expenditure submitted during the preceding year for the programme concerned.

(*1)  
  OJ L 63, 3.3.2001, p. 21."

*1

(*2)  
  OJ L 178, 12.7.1994, p. 43.’
  "

*2

| 2. | In Article 3(2), the second sentence is replaced by the following:

  ‘Member States shall inform the Commission in the report referred to in Article 2(3) of the way in which Community funds released following the withdrawal of funding from the programme have been re-used.’ |
| --- | --- |

2.

In Article 3(2), the second sentence is replaced by the following:

‘Member States shall inform the Commission in the report referred to in Article 2(3) of the way in which Community funds released following the withdrawal of funding from the programme have been re-used.’

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 22 December 2006.

For the Commission

Danuta HÜBNER

Member of the Commission

---

(1)  
  OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 173/2005 (OJ L 29, 2.2.2005, p. 3) and replaced by Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 (OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 25) as of 1 January 2007.

1

(2)  
  OJ L 64, 6.3.2001, p. 13.

2

(3)  
  OJ L 63, 3.3.2001, p. 21. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2355/2002 (OJ L 351, 28.12.2002, p. 42).

3

---

| 23.12.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 368/91 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

23.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 368/91

---

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1979/2006

of 22 December 2006

opening and providing for the administration of tariff quotas for preserved mushrooms imported from third countries

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to the Treaty of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania, and in particular its Article 4(3),

Having regard to the Act of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania, and in particular its Article 41,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/96 of 28 October 1996 on the common organisation of the markets in processed fruit and vegetable products (1), and in particular Article 15(1) thereof,

Whereas:

| (1) | Following the Agreement on Agriculture (2) concluded during the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations, the Community undertook to open from 1 July 1995, under certain conditions, Community tariff quotas for certain preserved mushrooms of the genus Agaricus spp. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Following the Agreement on Agriculture (2) concluded during the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations, the Community undertook to open from 1 July 1995, under certain conditions, Community tariff quotas for certain preserved mushrooms of the genus Agaricus spp.

| (2) | The conditions for the administration of those quotas have been established by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1864/2004 of 26 October 2004 opening and providing for the administration of tariff quotas for preserved mushrooms imported from third countries (3). For the sake of clarity, that Regulation should be repealed and replaced by a new Regulation as from 1 January 2007. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

The conditions for the administration of those quotas have been established by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1864/2004 of 26 October 2004 opening and providing for the administration of tariff quotas for preserved mushrooms imported from third countries (3). For the sake of clarity, that Regulation should be repealed and replaced by a new Regulation as from 1 January 2007.

| (3) | The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the People's Republic of China pursuant to Article XXIV:6 and Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994, approved by Council Decision 2006/398/EC (4), provides for an increase by 5 200 tonnes of the tariff quota of preserved mushrooms of the genus Agaricus falling within CN codes 0711 51 00, 2003 10 20 and 2003 10 30 originating in China. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the People's Republic of China pursuant to Article XXIV:6 and Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994, approved by Council Decision 2006/398/EC (4), provides for an increase by 5 200 tonnes of the tariff quota of preserved mushrooms of the genus Agaricus falling within CN codes 0711 51 00, 2003 10 20 and 2003 10 30 originating in China.

| (4) | Commission Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006 of 31 August 2006 laying down common rules for the administration of import tariff quotas for agricultural products managed by a system of import licences (5) applies to import licences for import tariff quota periods starting from 1 January 2007. Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006 lays down in particular detailed provisions on applications for import licences, the status of applicants and the issue of licences. That Regulation limits the period of validity of licences to the last day of the import tariff quota period. The provisions of Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006 should apply to import licences issued pursuant to this Regulation, without prejudice to additional conditions and derogations concerning the applicants laid down in this Regulation. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006 of 31 August 2006 laying down common rules for the administration of import tariff quotas for agricultural products managed by a system of import licences (5) applies to import licences for import tariff quota periods starting from 1 January 2007. Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006 lays down in particular detailed provisions on applications for import licences, the status of applicants and the issue of licences. That Regulation limits the period of validity of licences to the last day of the import tariff quota period. The provisions of Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006 should apply to import licences issued pursuant to this Regulation, without prejudice to additional conditions and derogations concerning the applicants laid down in this Regulation.

| (5) | Detailed arrangements should be laid down to ensure that the quantities in excess of the tariff quotas are subjected to the levying of the full duty provided for in the Common Customs Tariff. Licences should therefore be issued at the end of a period in which the quantities are checked and the necessary notifications are made by the Member States. These provisions are either supplementary to or derogate from the provisions of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1291/2000 of 9 June 2000 laying down common detailed rules for the application of the system of import and export licences and advance fixing certificates for agricultural products (6). |
| --- | --- |

(5)

Detailed arrangements should be laid down to ensure that the quantities in excess of the tariff quotas are subjected to the levying of the full duty provided for in the Common Customs Tariff. Licences should therefore be issued at the end of a period in which the quantities are checked and the necessary notifications are made by the Member States. These provisions are either supplementary to or derogate from the provisions of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1291/2000 of 9 June 2000 laying down common detailed rules for the application of the system of import and export licences and advance fixing certificates for agricultural products (6).

| (6) | There should continue to be an adequate supply of the products concerned on the Community market at stable prices whilst avoiding unnecessary market disruptions in the form of severe price fluctuations and negative effects on the Community producers. To this end, competition amongst importers should be encouraged to an increasing degree and administrative burdens on importers reduced. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

There should continue to be an adequate supply of the products concerned on the Community market at stable prices whilst avoiding unnecessary market disruptions in the form of severe price fluctuations and negative effects on the Community producers. To this end, competition amongst importers should be encouraged to an increasing degree and administrative burdens on importers reduced.

| (7) | In the interest of existing importers, who normally import substantial quantities of the products concerned, and also in the interest of new importers who join the market and should also have a fair opportunity to apply for licences for a quantity of preserved mushrooms under tariff quotas, a distinction should be drawn between traditional importers and new importers. A clear definition of these two categories of importers should be provided, and certain criteria relating to the status of the applicants and the use of the licences allocated should be laid down. |
| --- | --- |

(7)

In the interest of existing importers, who normally import substantial quantities of the products concerned, and also in the interest of new importers who join the market and should also have a fair opportunity to apply for licences for a quantity of preserved mushrooms under tariff quotas, a distinction should be drawn between traditional importers and new importers. A clear definition of these two categories of importers should be provided, and certain criteria relating to the status of the applicants and the use of the licences allocated should be laid down.

| (8) | It is appropriate to establish an allocation between the two categories of importers on the basis of the quantities effectively imported rather than on the basis of the licences issued. |
| --- | --- |

(8)

It is appropriate to establish an allocation between the two categories of importers on the basis of the quantities effectively imported rather than on the basis of the licences issued.

| (9) | In the interest of existing importers, those quantities of preserved mushrooms that fall under the tariff quotas managed by this Regulation and could not be imported during an import tariff quota period due to force majeure should also be taken into account in the calculation of the reference quantities, in order to prevent the subsequent reduction of their reference quantity. |
| --- | --- |

(9)

In the interest of existing importers, those quantities of preserved mushrooms that fall under the tariff quotas managed by this Regulation and could not be imported during an import tariff quota period due to force majeure should also be taken into account in the calculation of the reference quantities, in order to prevent the subsequent reduction of their reference quantity.

| (10) | Licence applications to import preserved mushrooms from third countries presented by each category of importers should be subject to certain restrictions. Such restrictions are necessary to ensure not only that competition between importers is preserved, but also that each importer with a genuine commercial activity in the fruit and vegetable market is given the opportunity to defend its legitimate trading positions vis-à-vis other importers and that no single importer is able to control the market. |
| --- | --- |

(10)

Licence applications to import preserved mushrooms from third countries presented by each category of importers should be subject to certain restrictions. Such restrictions are necessary to ensure not only that competition between importers is preserved, but also that each importer with a genuine commercial activity in the fruit and vegetable market is given the opportunity to defend its legitimate trading positions vis-à-vis other importers and that no single importer is able to control the market.

| (11) | In order to improve and simplify the administration of tariff quotas for preserved mushrooms, clear provisions should be made as regards the dates and procedures for lodging the licence applications and the issuing of the licences by the competent authorities of the Member States. |
| --- | --- |

(11)

In order to improve and simplify the administration of tariff quotas for preserved mushrooms, clear provisions should be made as regards the dates and procedures for lodging the licence applications and the issuing of the licences by the competent authorities of the Member States.

| (12) | Measures are also needed to keep speculative applications for licences which may result in the tariff quotas not being fully utilised to a minimum. Because of the nature and the value of the product concerned, a security should be lodged in respect of each tonne (drained net weight) of the product concerned for which an application for a licence to import is made. The security should be at a level sufficiently high to discourage speculative applications, but not so high as to discourage those engaged in genuine commercial activity in relation to processed fruit and vegetable products. The most appropriate objective criteria for setting the level of the security is a limit of 2 % of the average additional duty applicable to imports into the Community of preserved mushrooms of the genus Agaricus spp. currently falling within CN codes 0711 51 00, 2003 10 20 and 2003 10 30. |
| --- | --- |

(12)

Measures are also needed to keep speculative applications for licences which may result in the tariff quotas not being fully utilised to a minimum. Because of the nature and the value of the product concerned, a security should be lodged in respect of each tonne (drained net weight) of the product concerned for which an application for a licence to import is made. The security should be at a level sufficiently high to discourage speculative applications, but not so high as to discourage those engaged in genuine commercial activity in relation to processed fruit and vegetable products. The most appropriate objective criteria for setting the level of the security is a limit of 2 % of the average additional duty applicable to imports into the Community of preserved mushrooms of the genus Agaricus spp. currently falling within CN codes 0711 51 00, 2003 10 20 and 2003 10 30.

| (13) | Bulgaria and Romania are due to join the European Union on 1 January 2007. Consequently, the GATT quota currently allocated for them should be reallocated to other suppliers. |
| --- | --- |

(13)

Bulgaria and Romania are due to join the European Union on 1 January 2007. Consequently, the GATT quota currently allocated for them should be reallocated to other suppliers.

| (14) | Transitional measures should be laid down in order to allow importers from Bulgaria and Romania to benefit from this Regulation. |
| --- | --- |

(14)

Transitional measures should be laid down in order to allow importers from Bulgaria and Romania to benefit from this Regulation.

| (15) | Arrangements should be laid down for the years 2007 and 2008 to ensure that a distinction is made between, on the one hand, traditional importers and new importers within the Community as constituted at 31 December 2006 and, on the other hand, traditional importers and new importers in Bulgaria and Romania. |
| --- | --- |

(15)

Arrangements should be laid down for the years 2007 and 2008 to ensure that a distinction is made between, on the one hand, traditional importers and new importers within the Community as constituted at 31 December 2006 and, on the other hand, traditional importers and new importers in Bulgaria and Romania.

| (16) | The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Products Processed from Fruit and Vegetables, |
| --- | --- |

(16)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Products Processed from Fruit and Vegetables,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Opening of tariff quotas and applicable duties

1.   Tariff quotas are hereby opened in relation to imports into the Community of preserved mushrooms of the genus Agaricus classifiable within CN codes 0711 51 00, 2003 10 20 and 2003 10 30 (hereinafter referred to as ‘preserved mushrooms’), subject to the conditions laid down in this Regulation. The volume of each of the tariff quotas, their order number and the period for which they apply, are specified in Annex I.

2.   The rate of duty applicable shall be 12 % ad valorem in the case of products falling within CN code 0711 51 00 and 23 % in the case of products falling within CN codes 2003 10 20 and 2003 10 30.

Article 2

Application of Regulations (EC) No 1291/2000 and (EC) No 1301/2006

Regulations (EC) No 1291/2000 and (EC) No 1301/2006 shall apply, save as otherwise provided for in this Regulation.

Article 3

Definitions

1.   For the purposes of this Regulation, ‘competent authorities’ shall mean the body or bodies designated by the Member State for the implementation of this Regulation.

2.   For the purposes of this Regulation, ‘reference quantity’ shall mean the maximum quantity (drained net weight) of preserved mushrooms imported per calendar year by a traditional importer during one of the last three calendar years.

Imports of preserved mushrooms originating in Member States of the Community as constituted at 31 December 2006 or in Bulgaria and Romania shall not be taken into account in the calculation of the reference quantity.

Quantities of preserved mushrooms that fall under the tariff quotas referred to in Article 1(1) and could not be imported during an import tariff quota period due to force majeure shall be taken into account in the calculation of the reference quantity.

Article 4

Categories of importers

1.   By way of derogation from Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006, ‘traditional importers’ shall mean importers who can prove that:

| (a) | they have imported into the Community preserved mushrooms in at least two of the previous three calendar years; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

they have imported into the Community preserved mushrooms in at least two of the previous three calendar years;

| (b) | they have imported into the Community at least 100 tonnes of processed fruit and vegetable products, as referred to in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC) No 2201/96, during the year preceding their application. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

they have imported into the Community at least 100 tonnes of processed fruit and vegetable products, as referred to in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC) No 2201/96, during the year preceding their application.

2.   By way of derogation from Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006, ‘new importers’ shall mean importers other than those referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, that have imported into the Community at least 50 tonnes of processed fruit and vegetable products, as referred to in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC) No 2201/96, in each of the two previous calendar years.

3.   Traditional and new importers shall submit the proof that the criteria laid down in paragraphs 1 or 2 are met, at the time of their first application for a given import tariff quota period to the competent authorities of the Member State in which they are established and in which they are registered for VAT purposes.

Proof of trade with third countries shall be furnished exclusively by means of the customs documents of release for free circulation, duly endorsed by the customs authorities and containing a reference to the applicant concerned as being the consignee.

Article 5

Licence applications and licences

1.   Import licences (hereinafter referred to as ‘licences’) shall be valid from their effective date of issue within the meaning of Article 23(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1291/2000.

2.   The amount of the security shall be EUR 40 per tonne (drained net weight).

3.   The country of origin shall be entered in Box 8 of the licence application and the licence, and the word ‘yes’ shall be marked with a cross. The licence shall be valid only for imports originating in the country indicated.

4.   By way of derogation from Article 9(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1291/2000, the rights arising from import licences shall not be transferable.

Article 6

Allocation of total quantities among traditional and new importers

1.   The total quantity allocated to China and other third countries, pursuant to Annex I, shall be distributed as follows:

| (a) | 95 % to traditional importers; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

95 % to traditional importers;

| (b) | 5 % to new importers. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

5 % to new importers.

2.   If the quantity allocated to China and other third countries is not fully exhausted by one category of importers, the remainder shall be allocated to the other category.

3.   Box 20 of licence applications shall indicate ‘traditional importer’ or ‘new importer’ as appropriate.

Article 7

Restrictions applicable to applications

1.   The total amount (drained net weight) of the licence applications to import into the Community preserved mushrooms submitted by a traditional importer may not relate to a quantity exceeding 150 % of the reference quantity.

2.   The total amount (drained net weight) of the licence applications to import into the Community preserved mushrooms submitted by a new importer for a certain origin may not exceed 1 % of the total quantity referred to in Annex I for that origin.

Article 8

Lodging of licence applications by importers

1.   Importers shall submit their applications for licences during the first five working days of January.

2.   When new importers have obtained licences pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1864/2004 or this Regulation in the previous calendar year, they shall also produce proof that at least 50 % of the quantity allocated to them has actually been released into free circulation in the Community.

Article 9

Notifications of licence applications

Member States shall notify the Commission, no later than on the 10th working day of January, of the quantities in kilograms for which licence applications have been lodged.

Notifications shall be broken down by CN code and origin, and shall also give separate figures for the quantities of each product applied for by traditional and new importers, respectively.

Article 10

Issuing of licences

Licences shall be issued by the competent authorities of the Member States on the seventh working day following the deadline for notification provided for in the first paragraph of Article 9.

Article 11

International commitments applicable to imports from China

1.   The entry into free circulation in the Community of preserved mushrooms originating in China shall be subject to Articles 55 to 65 of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 (7).

2.   The authorities competent to issue the certificate of origin for preserved mushrooms originating in China are listed in Annex II.

Article 12

Administrative cooperation between Member States

The Member States shall take the measures required to ensure reciprocal administrative cooperation with a view to ensuring that this Regulation is properly applied.

Article 13

Transitional measures for the years 2007 and 2008

By way of derogation from Articles 4(1) and (2), for the years 2007 and 2008, and only in Bulgaria and Romania, the following definitions shall apply:

| 1. | ‘traditional importers’ shall mean importers who can prove that:






  (a) | they have imported preserved mushrooms in at least two of the three preceding calendar years; |
| --- | --- | --- |

1.

‘traditional importers’ shall mean importers who can prove that:

(a)

they have imported preserved mushrooms in at least two of the three preceding calendar years;

| (b) | they have imported during the preceding calendar year at least 100 tonnes of processed fruit and vegetable products, as referred to in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC) No 2201/96; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

they have imported during the preceding calendar year at least 100 tonnes of processed fruit and vegetable products, as referred to in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC) No 2201/96;

| (c) | the imports referred to in points (a) and (b) have taken place in Bulgaria or Romania, where the importer concerned has its head office; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the imports referred to in points (a) and (b) have taken place in Bulgaria or Romania, where the importer concerned has its head office;

| 2. | ‘new importers’ shall mean importers other than those referred to in point 1, that have imported into Bulgaria or Romania at least 50 tonnes of processed fruit and vegetable products, as referred to in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC) No 2201/96, in each of the two previous calendar years. |
| --- | --- |

2.

‘new importers’ shall mean importers other than those referred to in point 1, that have imported into Bulgaria or Romania at least 50 tonnes of processed fruit and vegetable products, as referred to in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EC) No 2201/96, in each of the two previous calendar years.

Article 14

Repeal

Regulation (EC) No 1864/2004 is repealed with effect from 1 January 2007.

Article 15

Entry into force

This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Official Journal of the European Union

It shall apply from 1 January 2007.

Article 13 shall apply subject to and on the date of the entry into force of the Treaty of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 22 December 2006.

For the Commission

Mariann FISCHER BOEL

Member of the Commission

---

(1)  
  OJ L 297, 21.11.1996, p. 29. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 386/2004 (OJ L 64, 2.3.2004, p. 25).

1

(2)  
  OJ L 336, 23.12.1994, p. 22.

2

(3)  
  OJ L 325, 28.10.2004, p. 30. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1995/2005 (OJ L 320, 8.12.2005, p. 34).

3

(4)  
  OJ L 154, 8.6.2006, p. 22.

4

(5)  
  OJ L 238, 1.9.2006, p. 13.

5

(6)  
  OJ L 152, 24.6.2000, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1713/2006 (OJ L 321, 21.11.2006, p. 11).

6

(7)  
  OJ L 253, 11.10.1993, p. 1.

7

---

ANNEX I

Volume, order numbers and period of application of the tariff quotas referred to in Article 1(1) in tonnes (drained net weight)

| Country of origin | Order Numbers | 1 January to 31 December of each year |
| --- | --- | --- |
| China | Traditional importers: 09.4157
  New importers: 09.4193 | 28 950 |
| Other third countries | Traditional importers: 09.4158
  New importers: 09.4194 | 5 030 |

Country of origin

Order Numbers

1 January to 31 December of each year

China

Traditional importers: 09.4157

New importers: 09.4193

28 950

Other third countries

Traditional importers: 09.4158

New importers: 09.4194

5 030

---

ANNEX II

List of competent Chinese authorities for issuing the certificates of origin referred to in Article 10(2):

| — | General Administration of Quality Supervision |
| --- | --- |

—

General Administration of Quality Supervision

| — | Entry-exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau of the People’s Republic of China in:






  — | Beijing |
| --- | --- | --- |

—

Entry-exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau of the People’s Republic of China in:

—

Beijing

| — | Jiangxi |
| --- | --- |

—

Jiangxi

| — | Shenzhen |
| --- | --- |

—

Shenzhen

| — | Shanxi |
| --- | --- |

—

Shanxi

| — | Zhuhai |
| --- | --- |

—

Zhuhai

| — | Ningxia |
| --- | --- |

—

Ningxia

| — | Inner Mongolia |
| --- | --- |

—

Inner Mongolia

| — | Sichuan |
| --- | --- |

—

Sichuan

| — | Tianjin |
| --- | --- |

—

Tianjin

| — | Hebei |
| --- | --- |

—

Hebei

| — | Chongqing |
| --- | --- |

—

Chongqing

| — | Shanghai |
| --- | --- |

—

Shanghai

| — | Liaoning |
| --- | --- |

—

Liaoning

| — | Yunnan |
| --- | --- |

—

Yunnan

| — | Ningbo |
| --- | --- |

—

Ningbo

| — | Jilin |
| --- | --- |

—

Jilin

| — | Guizhou |
| --- | --- |

—

Guizhou

| — | Jiangsu |
| --- | --- |

—

Jiangsu

| — | Shandong |
| --- | --- |

—

Shandong

| — | Shaanxi |
| --- | --- |

—

Shaanxi

| — | Guangxi |
| --- | --- |

—

Guangxi

| — | Zhejiang |
| --- | --- |

—

Zhejiang

| — | Gansu |
| --- | --- |

—

Gansu

| — | Heilongjiang |
| --- | --- |

—

Heilongjiang

| — | Anhui |
| --- | --- |

—

Anhui

| — | Qinghai |
| --- | --- |

—

Qinghai

| — | Hainan |
| --- | --- |

—

Hainan

| — | Hubei |
| --- | --- |

—

Hubei

| — | Tibet |
| --- | --- |

—

Tibet

| — | Henan |
| --- | --- |

—

Henan

| — | Guangdong |
| --- | --- |

—

Guangdong

| — | Fujian |
| --- | --- |

—

Fujian

| — | Xinjiang |
| --- | --- |

—

Xinjiang

| — | Xiamen |
| --- | --- |

—

Xiamen

| — | Hunan |
| --- | --- |

—

Hunan

---

| 23.12.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 368/96 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

23.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 368/96

---

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1980/2006

of 20 December 2006

laying down transitional measures amending Regulation (EC) Νο 2076/2002 and Decisions 2001/245/EC, 2002/928/EC and 2006/797/EC as regards the continued use of certain active substances not included in Annex I to Directive 91/414/EEC by reason of the accession of Bulgaria

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania, and in particular Article 4(3) thereof,

Having regard to the Act of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania, and in particular Article 42 thereof,

Whereas:

| (1) | Commission Regulation (EC) No 2076/2002 (1) and Commission Decisions 2001/245/EEC (2), 2002/928/EEC (3), and 2006/797/EC (4) contain provisions for the non-inclusion of certain active substances in Annex I to Directive 91/414/EEC and for the withdrawal by Member States of all authorizations for plant protection products containing those active substances. Those acts provide for derogations permitting the continued use of some of those substances for a limited period of time while alternatives are being developed. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Commission Regulation (EC) No 2076/2002 (1) and Commission Decisions 2001/245/EEC (2), 2002/928/EEC (3), and 2006/797/EC (4) contain provisions for the non-inclusion of certain active substances in Annex I to Directive 91/414/EEC and for the withdrawal by Member States of all authorizations for plant protection products containing those active substances. Those acts provide for derogations permitting the continued use of some of those substances for a limited period of time while alternatives are being developed.

| (2) | Bulgaria applied for transitional measures for certain active substances in order to ensure that the production may be phased out gradually or that a dossier satisfying the requirements of Directive 91/414/EEC may be submitted. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Bulgaria applied for transitional measures for certain active substances in order to ensure that the production may be phased out gradually or that a dossier satisfying the requirements of Directive 91/414/EEC may be submitted.

| (3) | Information has been presented and evaluated by the Commission together with Member States' experts which has shown a need for further use of the substances concerned. It is therefore justified to allow, under strict conditions aimed at minimising any possible risk, a longer period for the withdrawal of existing authorisations for essential uses for which no alternatives are currently available. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

Information has been presented and evaluated by the Commission together with Member States' experts which has shown a need for further use of the substances concerned. It is therefore justified to allow, under strict conditions aimed at minimising any possible risk, a longer period for the withdrawal of existing authorisations for essential uses for which no alternatives are currently available.

| (4) | Regulation (EC) 2076/2002 and Decisions 2001/245/EEC, 2002/928/EEC and 2006/797/EC should therefore be amended accordingly. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

Regulation (EC) 2076/2002 and Decisions 2001/245/EEC, 2002/928/EEC and 2006/797/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.

| (5) | The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, |
| --- | --- |

(5)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Regulation (EC) No 2076/2002 is amended as follows:

| 1. | In Article 2 the following paragraph 4 is added:

  ‘4.   By way of derogation from paragraph 3, for the authorisations of plant protection products containing substances listed in column A of Annex II, Bulgaria may maintain in force authorisations for plant protection products containing those substances for the uses listed in column C until 30 June 2009 provided that:






  (a) | the continued use is only accepted so far as it has no harmful effects on human or animal health and no unacceptable influence on the environment; |
| --- | --- | --- |

1.

In Article 2 the following paragraph 4 is added:

‘4.   By way of derogation from paragraph 3, for the authorisations of plant protection products containing substances listed in column A of Annex II, Bulgaria may maintain in force authorisations for plant protection products containing those substances for the uses listed in column C until 30 June 2009 provided that:

(a)

the continued use is only accepted so far as it has no harmful effects on human or animal health and no unacceptable influence on the environment;

| (b) | such plant protection products remaining on the market are relabelled in order to match the restricted use conditions; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

such plant protection products remaining on the market are relabelled in order to match the restricted use conditions;

| (c) | all appropriate risk mitigation measures are imposed to reduce any possible risks; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

all appropriate risk mitigation measures are imposed to reduce any possible risks;

| (d) | alternatives for such uses are being seriously sought. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

alternatives for such uses are being seriously sought.

Bulgaria shall inform the Commission about the measures taken in application of this paragraph, and in particular about the actions taken pursuant to points (a) to (d), by 31 December of each year.’

| 2. | In Article 3 the following point (c) is added:






  ‘(c) | for the uses for which the authorisation is to be withdrawn by 30 June 2009, shall expire not later than 31 December 2009.’ |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

In Article 3 the following point (c) is added:

‘(c)

for the uses for which the authorisation is to be withdrawn by 30 June 2009, shall expire not later than 31 December 2009.’

| 3. | Annex II is amended as follows:






  (a) | The heading is replaced by the following:

  ‘List of authorisations referred to in Article 2(3) and 2(4)’. |
| --- | --- | --- |

3.

Annex II is amended as follows:

(a)

The heading is replaced by the following:

‘List of authorisations referred to in Article 2(3) and 2(4)’.

| (b) | In the line referring to bensultap, under column B the word ‘Bulgaria’ is added and under column C the words ‘Sunflower, beet, potatoes and alfalfa’ are added. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

In the line referring to bensultap, under column B the word ‘Bulgaria’ is added and under column C the words ‘Sunflower, beet, potatoes and alfalfa’ are added.

| (c) | in the line referring to prometryne, under column B the word ‘Bulgaria’ is added and under column C the words ‘Sunflower, cotton and Umbelliferae’ are added. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

in the line referring to prometryne, under column B the word ‘Bulgaria’ is added and under column C the words ‘Sunflower, cotton and Umbelliferae’ are added.

| (d) | in the line referring to terbufos, under column B the word ‘Bulgaria’ is added and under column C the words ‘Limited to professional users with appropriate protective equipment. Soil treatment of potatoes, tobacco, cotton and beet.’ are added. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

in the line referring to terbufos, under column B the word ‘Bulgaria’ is added and under column C the words ‘Limited to professional users with appropriate protective equipment. Soil treatment of potatoes, tobacco, cotton and beet.’ are added.

Article 2

Decision 2001/245/EC is amended as follows:

| 1. | Article 2 is replaced by the following:

  ‘Article 2

  1.   Member States shall ensure that:






  (a) | authorisations for plant protection products containing zineb are withdrawn within a period of six months from the date of adoption of the present Decision; |
| --- | --- | --- |

1.

Article 2 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 2

1.   Member States shall ensure that:

(a)

authorisations for plant protection products containing zineb are withdrawn within a period of six months from the date of adoption of the present Decision;

| (b) | from the date of adoption of the present Decision no authorisations for plant protection products containing zineb are granted or renewed under the derogation provided for in Article 8(2) of Directive 91/414/EEC. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

from the date of adoption of the present Decision no authorisations for plant protection products containing zineb are granted or renewed under the derogation provided for in Article 8(2) of Directive 91/414/EEC.

2.   By way of derogation from paragraph 1, for the authorisations of plant protection products containing zineb, Bulgaria may maintain in force authorisations for plant protection products containing that substance for the use on horticultural crops, grapevine, tobacco, apples and stone fruit, provided that:

| (a) | the continued use is only accepted so far as it has no harmful effects on human or animal health and no unacceptable influence on the environment; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the continued use is only accepted so far as it has no harmful effects on human or animal health and no unacceptable influence on the environment;

| (b) | such plant protection products remaining on the market are relabelled in order to match the restricted use conditions; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

such plant protection products remaining on the market are relabelled in order to match the restricted use conditions;

| (c) | all appropriate risk mitigation measures are imposed to reduce any possible risks; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

all appropriate risk mitigation measures are imposed to reduce any possible risks;

| (d) | alternatives for such uses are being seriously sought. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

alternatives for such uses are being seriously sought.

Bulgaria shall inform the Commission about the measures taken in application of this paragraph, and in particular about the actions taken pursuant to points (a) to (d), by 31 December of each year.’

| 2. | In Article 3 a second paragraph is added:
  ‘By way of derogation from the first paragraph, any period of grace granted by Bulgaria, in accordance with Article 4(6) of Directive 91/414/EEC, for the uses referred to in Article 2(2), shall be as short as possible and shall expire not later than 31 December 2009.’ |
| --- | --- |

2.

In Article 3 a second paragraph is added:

‘By way of derogation from the first paragraph, any period of grace granted by Bulgaria, in accordance with Article 4(6) of Directive 91/414/EEC, for the uses referred to in Article 2(2), shall be as short as possible and shall expire not later than 31 December 2009.’

Article 3

Decision 2002/928/EC is amended as follows:

| 1. | In Article 2 the following point (d) is added:






  ‘(d) | for the authorisations of plant protection products containing substances listed in column A of the Annex, Bulgaria may maintain in force authorisations for plant protection products containing those substances for the uses listed in column C until 30 June 2009 provided that:






  (i) | the continued use is only accepted so far as it has no harmful effects on human or animal health and no unacceptable influence on the environment; |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

1.

In Article 2 the following point (d) is added:

‘(d)

for the authorisations of plant protection products containing substances listed in column A of the Annex, Bulgaria may maintain in force authorisations for plant protection products containing those substances for the uses listed in column C until 30 June 2009 provided that:

(i)

the continued use is only accepted so far as it has no harmful effects on human or animal health and no unacceptable influence on the environment;

| (ii) | such plant protection products remaining on the market are relabelled in order to match the restricted use conditions; |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

such plant protection products remaining on the market are relabelled in order to match the restricted use conditions;

| (iii) | all appropriate risk mitigation measures are imposed to reduce any possible risks; |
| --- | --- |

(iii)

all appropriate risk mitigation measures are imposed to reduce any possible risks;

| (iv) | alternatives for such uses are being seriously sought. |
| --- | --- |

(iv)

alternatives for such uses are being seriously sought.

Bulgaria shall inform the Commission about the measures taken in application of this paragraph, and in particular about the actions taken pursuant to points (a) to (d), by 31 December of each year.’

| 2. | In Article 3 the following point c) is added:






  ‘(c) | for the uses for which the authorisation is to be withdrawn by 30 June 2009, shall expire not later than 31 December 2009.’ |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

In Article 3 the following point c) is added:

‘(c)

for the uses for which the authorisation is to be withdrawn by 30 June 2009, shall expire not later than 31 December 2009.’

| 3. | In the Annex, in the line referring to benomyl, under column B the word ‘Bulgaria’ is added and under column C the words ‘Limited to professional users with appropriate protective equipment. Vineyards, peaches, tomatoes and tobacco’ are added. |
| --- | --- |

3.

In the Annex, in the line referring to benomyl, under column B the word ‘Bulgaria’ is added and under column C the words ‘Limited to professional users with appropriate protective equipment. Vineyards, peaches, tomatoes and tobacco’ are added.

Article 4

Decision 2006/797/EC is amended as follows:

| 1. | In Article 3, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:

  ‘2.   By way of derogation from the first paragraph, and from Article 2, Bulgaria may maintain in force authorisations for plant protection products containing sodium tetrathiocarbonate for the uses listed in column C until 30 June 2009 provided that:






  (a) | the continued use is only accepted so far as it has no harmful effects on human or animal health and no unacceptable influence on the environment; |
| --- | --- | --- |

1.

In Article 3, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:

‘2.   By way of derogation from the first paragraph, and from Article 2, Bulgaria may maintain in force authorisations for plant protection products containing sodium tetrathiocarbonate for the uses listed in column C until 30 June 2009 provided that:

(a)

the continued use is only accepted so far as it has no harmful effects on human or animal health and no unacceptable influence on the environment;

| (b) | such plant protection products remaining on the market are relabelled in order to match the restricted use conditions; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

such plant protection products remaining on the market are relabelled in order to match the restricted use conditions;

| (c) | all appropriate risk mitigation measures are imposed to reduce any possible risks; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

all appropriate risk mitigation measures are imposed to reduce any possible risks;

| (d) | alternatives for such uses are being seriously sought. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

alternatives for such uses are being seriously sought.

3.   The Member State concerned shall inform the Commission about the measures taken in application of paragraphs 1 and 2, and in particular about the actions taken pursuant to points (a) to (d) of each paragraph, by 31 December of each year.’

| 2. | In Article 4 the third paragraph is replaced by the following:
  ‘Where authorisations shall be withdrawn in accordance with Article 3(1) by 31 May 2010 at the latest, the period shall expire on 30 November 2010 at the latest.
  Where authorisations shall be withdrawn in accordance with Article 3(3) by 30 June 2009 at the latest, the period shall expire on 31 December 2009 at the latest.’ |
| --- | --- |

2.

In Article 4 the third paragraph is replaced by the following:

‘Where authorisations shall be withdrawn in accordance with Article 3(1) by 31 May 2010 at the latest, the period shall expire on 30 November 2010 at the latest.

Where authorisations shall be withdrawn in accordance with Article 3(3) by 30 June 2009 at the latest, the period shall expire on 31 December 2009 at the latest.’

| 3. | In the Annex to Decision 2006/797/EC, the title to the annex is replaced by the words ‘List of authorisations referred to in Article 3(1) and 3(2)’. In the line referring to Sodium tetrathiocarbonate under column B the word ‘Bulgaria’ is added and under column C the words ‘Soil disinfection in horticulture and vineyards.’ are added. |
| --- | --- |

3.

In the Annex to Decision 2006/797/EC, the title to the annex is replaced by the words ‘List of authorisations referred to in Article 3(1) and 3(2)’. In the line referring to Sodium tetrathiocarbonate under column B the word ‘Bulgaria’ is added and under column C the words ‘Soil disinfection in horticulture and vineyards.’ are added.

Article 5

This Regulation shall enter into force subject to and on the date of entry into force of the Treaty of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 20 December 2006.

For the Commission

Markos KYPRIANOU

Member of the Commission

---

(1)  
  OJ L 319, 23.11.2002, p. 3. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1335/2005, (OJ L 211, 13.8.2005, p. 6).

1

(2)  
  OJ L 88, 28.3.2001, p. 19.

2

(3)  
  OJ L 322, 27.11.2002, p. 53. Decision as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1335/2005.

3

(4)  
  OJ L 324, 23.11.2006, p. 8.

4

---

| 23.12.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 368/99 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

23.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 368/99

---

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1981/2006

of 22 December 2006

on detailed rules for the implementation of Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the Community reference laboratory for genetically modified organisms

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed (1), and in particular Article 32, fifth sub-paragraph, thereof,

Whereas:

| (1) | Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 provides for a Community reference laboratory (CRL) to carry out certain duties and tasks set out in that Regulation. It also provides that the CRL is to be assisted by national reference laboratories. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 provides for a Community reference laboratory (CRL) to carry out certain duties and tasks set out in that Regulation. It also provides that the CRL is to be assisted by national reference laboratories.

| (2) | Methods of detection and identification which have to be tested and validated by the CRL and samples and control samples have to meet the requirements laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No 641/2004 of 6 April 2004 on detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the application for the authorisation of new genetically modified food and feed, the notification of existing products and adventitious or technically unavoidable presence of genetically modified material which has benefited from a favourable risk evaluation (2). |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Methods of detection and identification which have to be tested and validated by the CRL and samples and control samples have to meet the requirements laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No 641/2004 of 6 April 2004 on detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the application for the authorisation of new genetically modified food and feed, the notification of existing products and adventitious or technically unavoidable presence of genetically modified material which has benefited from a favourable risk evaluation (2).

| (3) | It is necessary to provide detailed rules for implementing Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

It is necessary to provide detailed rules for implementing Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.

| (4) | The financial contribution to be paid by applicants in accordance with Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 should be used only towards supporting the costs of the duties and tasks as set out in the Annex to that Regulation. The CRL should be authorised to charge a financial contribution to applicants for new authorisations, for renewal of authorisations and in the case of modification of authorisations where appropriate. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

The financial contribution to be paid by applicants in accordance with Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 should be used only towards supporting the costs of the duties and tasks as set out in the Annex to that Regulation. The CRL should be authorised to charge a financial contribution to applicants for new authorisations, for renewal of authorisations and in the case of modification of authorisations where appropriate.

| (5) | The determination of the amount of the financial contribution should take into account the burden of work to be carried out by the CRL in each case, depending on the level of method testing and validation already carried out prior to the submission of the application for authorisation. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

The determination of the amount of the financial contribution should take into account the burden of work to be carried out by the CRL in each case, depending on the level of method testing and validation already carried out prior to the submission of the application for authorisation.

| (6) | Applicants should be encouraged to provide data that refer to modules which have already been validated and published by the CRL in order to facilitate both the establishment of the application dossier and the validation of the detection method. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

Applicants should be encouraged to provide data that refer to modules which have already been validated and published by the CRL in order to facilitate both the establishment of the application dossier and the validation of the detection method.

| (7) | A financial contribution should be levied on a flat-rate basis in order to contribute to supporting the costs incurred in the comprehensive data analysis and in-house laboratory verification of the method and samples received to be carried out by the CRL in all cases where a new method is submitted. |
| --- | --- |

(7)

A financial contribution should be levied on a flat-rate basis in order to contribute to supporting the costs incurred in the comprehensive data analysis and in-house laboratory verification of the method and samples received to be carried out by the CRL in all cases where a new method is submitted.

| (8) | An additional financial contribution should be charged to applicants where the validation of the proposed method requires the performance of a collaborative study involving national reference laboratories in order to comply with the criteria referred to in Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 641/2004. |
| --- | --- |

(8)

An additional financial contribution should be charged to applicants where the validation of the proposed method requires the performance of a collaborative study involving national reference laboratories in order to comply with the criteria referred to in Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 641/2004.

| (9) | The amount of the financial contributions should cover the costs directly associated with the validation tasks to be performed. Those include in particular the manpower, the reagents and other associated disposable material, the distribution of material to members of the European Network of GMO laboratories (ENGL) where appropriate and the administrative costs. They should be calculated on the basis of the experience gained by the Commission’s Joint Research Centre in carrying out validations of detection methods, including collaboration with members of the ENGL where appropriate, and should not exceed the actual costs incurred in carrying out that validation. |
| --- | --- |

(9)

The amount of the financial contributions should cover the costs directly associated with the validation tasks to be performed. Those include in particular the manpower, the reagents and other associated disposable material, the distribution of material to members of the European Network of GMO laboratories (ENGL) where appropriate and the administrative costs. They should be calculated on the basis of the experience gained by the Commission’s Joint Research Centre in carrying out validations of detection methods, including collaboration with members of the ENGL where appropriate, and should not exceed the actual costs incurred in carrying out that validation.

| (10) | Where the validation costs for a specific application for authorisation exceeds substantially the amount of the financial contributions provided for in this Regulation, the CRL should be able to charge an additional contribution to the applicant. In that case, the applicant should have the right to be exempted from the payment of the additional contribution if he withdraws its application within a set time limit. |
| --- | --- |

(10)

Where the validation costs for a specific application for authorisation exceeds substantially the amount of the financial contributions provided for in this Regulation, the CRL should be able to charge an additional contribution to the applicant. In that case, the applicant should have the right to be exempted from the payment of the additional contribution if he withdraws its application within a set time limit.

| (11) | Due consideration should be given to the specific case of biotechnological research originating in developing countries. A reduction of the amount of the financial contribution should therefore be provided where the head office of the applicant for authorisation is established in a developing country. |
| --- | --- |

(11)

Due consideration should be given to the specific case of biotechnological research originating in developing countries. A reduction of the amount of the financial contribution should therefore be provided where the head office of the applicant for authorisation is established in a developing country.

| (12) | In order to facilitate the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the Community procedure for authorisation of genetically modified (GM) food and feed, it is appropriate to provide for a reduced financial contribution where applicants are SMEs. The model declaration on the information relating to the qualification of an enterprise as an SME (3) could serve for the written evidence to be provided by applicants as to their SME status. |
| --- | --- |

(12)

In order to facilitate the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the Community procedure for authorisation of genetically modified (GM) food and feed, it is appropriate to provide for a reduced financial contribution where applicants are SMEs. The model declaration on the information relating to the qualification of an enterprise as an SME (3) could serve for the written evidence to be provided by applicants as to their SME status.

| (13) | Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 already lays down the rule that applicants should make a financial contribution, so any applicants who have lodged applications before the entry into force of this Regulation will be aware of this rule. Consequently, the financial contribution should also be required for applications for authorisation submitted before the date of entry into force of this Regulation. |
| --- | --- |

(13)

Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 already lays down the rule that applicants should make a financial contribution, so any applicants who have lodged applications before the entry into force of this Regulation will be aware of this rule. Consequently, the financial contribution should also be required for applications for authorisation submitted before the date of entry into force of this Regulation.

| (14) | National reference laboratories assisting the CRL for the duties and tasks set out in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 should be part of the European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL), whose members represent the state-of-the-art in GMO detection, including expertise in method development, performance and validation, sampling and management of biological and analytical uncertainties. They should also meet specific requirements where they have to assist the CRL specifically for testing and validation of detection methods in the context of collaborative studies according to international standards. |
| --- | --- |

(14)

National reference laboratories assisting the CRL for the duties and tasks set out in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 should be part of the European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL), whose members represent the state-of-the-art in GMO detection, including expertise in method development, performance and validation, sampling and management of biological and analytical uncertainties. They should also meet specific requirements where they have to assist the CRL specifically for testing and validation of detection methods in the context of collaborative studies according to international standards.

| (15) | In the interests of stability and efficacy and in order to make the validation procedure operational in accordance with this Regulation, it is necessary to designate the national reference laboratories apt to assist the CRL for testing and validation of detection methods. |
| --- | --- |

(15)

In the interests of stability and efficacy and in order to make the validation procedure operational in accordance with this Regulation, it is necessary to designate the national reference laboratories apt to assist the CRL for testing and validation of detection methods.

| (16) | The relationship between the national reference laboratories assisting the CRL for testing and validation of detection methods and between them and the CRL should be defined by a written agreement. |
| --- | --- |

(16)

The relationship between the national reference laboratories assisting the CRL for testing and validation of detection methods and between them and the CRL should be defined by a written agreement.

| (17) | The Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 should be amended accordingly. |
| --- | --- |

(17)

The Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 should be amended accordingly.

| (18) | The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, |
| --- | --- |

(18)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Subject matter and scope

This Regulation lays down detailed rules for the implementation of Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 as regards:

| (a) | the contribution to the costs of the tasks of the Community reference laboratory (CRL) and of the national reference laboratories, as referred to in the Annex to the said Regulation; and |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the contribution to the costs of the tasks of the Community reference laboratory (CRL) and of the national reference laboratories, as referred to in the Annex to the said Regulation; and

| (b) | the establishment of national reference laboratories. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the establishment of national reference laboratories.

Article 2

Definitions

For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions apply:

| (a) | ‘full validation procedure’ means the assessment through a ring trial involving national reference laboratories of the method performance criteria set by the applicant as compliant with the document entitled ‘Definition of minimum performance requirements for analytical methods of GMO testing’ referred to in point 1(B) of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 641/2004, and the assessment of the repeatability and trueness of the method provided by the applicant; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

‘full validation procedure’ means the assessment through a ring trial involving national reference laboratories of the method performance criteria set by the applicant as compliant with the document entitled ‘Definition of minimum performance requirements for analytical methods of GMO testing’ referred to in point 1(B) of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 641/2004, and the assessment of the repeatability and trueness of the method provided by the applicant;

| (b) | ‘small and medium-sized enterprise (SME)’ means small and medium-sized enterprises as defined in Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC (4); |
| --- | --- |

(b)

‘small and medium-sized enterprise (SME)’ means small and medium-sized enterprises as defined in Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC (4);

4

| (c) | ‘developing countries’ means beneficiary countries as referred to in Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No 980/2005 of 27 June 2005 applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences (5); |
| --- | --- |

(c)

‘developing countries’ means beneficiary countries as referred to in Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No 980/2005 of 27 June 2005 applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences (5);

5

| (d) | ‘application’ where used without further specification, means an application for authorisation submitted in accordance with Article 5 or 17 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, including applications submitted under other Community legislation which are transformed or supplemented in accordance with Article 46 of that Regulation. It also refers to applications for renewal of authorisations according to Article 11 or 23 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 and modifications of authorisations according to Articles 9(2), 10, 21(2) or 22 of that Regulation, where the CRL is requested to test and validate a method of detection and identification. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

‘application’ where used without further specification, means an application for authorisation submitted in accordance with Article 5 or 17 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, including applications submitted under other Community legislation which are transformed or supplemented in accordance with Article 46 of that Regulation. It also refers to applications for renewal of authorisations according to Article 11 or 23 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 and modifications of authorisations according to Articles 9(2), 10, 21(2) or 22 of that Regulation, where the CRL is requested to test and validate a method of detection and identification.

Article 3

Contributions

1.   For each application, a flat-rate contribution of EUR 30 000 shall be paid by the applicant to the CRL.

2.   Where a full validation procedure of a method of detection and identification for a single GMO event according to the requirements laid down in Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 641/2004 is required, the CRL shall request the applicant to pay an additional contribution of EUR 60 000.

This amount shall be multiplied by the number of GMO events to be fully validated.

The CRL shall reduce the amount of the additional contribution, in proportion of the costs saved:

| (a) | where the material needed to perform the full validation procedure is supplied by the applicant; and/or |
| --- | --- |

(a)

where the material needed to perform the full validation procedure is supplied by the applicant; and/or

| (b) | where the applicant provides data that refer to modules, such as DNA extraction protocols and species specific reference systems, already validated and published by the CRL. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

where the applicant provides data that refer to modules, such as DNA extraction protocols and species specific reference systems, already validated and published by the CRL.

3.   Where the costs of the validation of the detection method proposed by the applicant exceed substantially the amount of the financial contributions mentioned under paragraphs 1 and 2, an additional contribution shall be requested.

The additional contribution shall cover 50 % of the part of the costs exceeding the amount of the contributions referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2.

4.   The contributions provided for in paragraphs 1 and 2 remain due in case of withdrawal of the application.

Article 4

Reductions and exemptions

1.   Where the applicant is a SME or has its head office established in a developing country, the financial contributions referred to in Article 3(1) and (2) shall be reduced by 50 %.

2.   Where the same method of detection and identification has already been included in a previous application by the same applicant for products related to the same GMO and that method has been validated and published by the CRL or its validation is pending, that applicant shall be exempted from the payment of the financial contributions referred to Article 3.

However, where costs are incurred by the CRL in carrying out the validation tasks laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, the CRL may charge the applicant a maximum contribution of EUR 30 000.

3.   Article 3(3) shall not apply where the applicant is a SME or has its head office established in a developing country, nor to applications submitted before the entry into force of this Regulation.

Article 5

Procedure

1.   The applicant shall provide evidence that the flat-rate contribution of EUR 30 000 referred to in Article 3(1) has been paid to the CRL when it submits the samples of the food and feed and their control samples to the CRL in accordance with Article 5(3)(j) or Article 17(3)(j) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.

2.   Where, as provided for in Article 3(2), a full validation procedure is required, the CRL shall notify the applicant in writing of this fact and require the payment of the amount due in accordance with that provision.

3.   Where, as provided for in Article 3(3), the CRL expects the costs of the validation of the detection method proposed by the applicant to exceed substantially the amount of the financial contributions referred to in Article 3(1) and (2), it shall notify the applicant in writing of the estimated amount of the additional costs.

If, within one month of the date of receipt of the notification, the applicant withdraws its application, the additional contribution referred to in Article 3(3) is not due.

After completion of the validation of the detection method, the CRL shall notify the applicant in writing the actual and duly justified costs incurred in carrying out the validation of the detection method and require payment of the contribution due in accordance with Article 3(3).

4.   Where, as provided for in Article 4(2), costs are incurred, the CRL shall notify the applicant in writing of the amount of the contribution due, including a justification of that amount.

5.   Where an application has been submitted before the date of entry into force of this Regulation, the CRL shall, within three months of that date, notify in writing the applicant of the amount of the financial contribution to be paid according to Article 3(1) and (2) as appropriate.

6.   When a reduction of the contribution is claimed in accordance with Article 4(1), the application shall be accompanied by written evidence that the conditions laid down in that Article are fulfilled. The CRL may require supplementary information where appropriate.

7.   The contributions mentioned in paragraph 2 to 5 shall be payable by the applicant within 45 days of the date of reception of the notification.

Where the applicant has not provided proof of payment within the set time limit, and where the evaluation report referred to in point 3(e), of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 has not yet been sent to the European Food Safety Authority (the Authority), the CRL shall not submit it to the Authority until the reception of the due payment. The CRL shall immediately notify the Authority that its report will be delayed, to enable the Authority to inform the applicant and take any further steps required under Articles 6(1) to (2) and 18(1) to (2) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.

Article 6

National reference laboratories assisting the CRL for testing and validating the methods of detection and identification

1.   Laboratories which assist the CRL in testing and validating the method of detection and identification, as provided for in Articles 6(3)(d) and 18(3)(d) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, shall fulfil the minimum requirements laid down in Annex I to this Regulation.

The laboratories listed in Annex II, are meeting those requirements, and are hereby appointed as national reference laboratories under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 to assist the CRL for testing and validating the method of detection.

2.   The CRL and the national reference laboratories listed in Annex II shall enter into a written agreement to define the relations between them, notably in financial matters. In particular, the written agreement shall provide that the CRL is to distribute a share of the financial contributions it receives to the national reference laboratories.

Article 7

Reporting

The CRL shall be responsible for preparing an annual report on each year’s activities carried out for the implementation of this Regulation and shall submit it to the Commission. The national reference laboratories under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 shall contribute to this annual report.

The CRL may also organise an annual meeting with the national reference laboratories, in view of the establishment of the annual report.

Article 8

Amendment to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003

The Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 is amended in accordance with Annex III to this Regulation.

Article 9

Entry into force

This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Official Journal of the European Union

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 22 December 2006.

For the Commission

Markos KYPRIANOU

Member of the Commission

---

(1)  
  OJ L 268, 18.10.2003, p. 1.

1

(2)  
  OJ L 102, 7.4.2004, p. 14.

2

(3)  Commission communication 2003/C 118/03 (OJ C 118, 20.5.2003, p. 5). Corrigendum published in OJ C 156, 4.7.2003, p. 14.

3

(4)  
  OJ L 124, 20.5.2003, p. 36.

4

(5)  
  OJ L 169, 30.6.2005, p. 1.

5

---

ANNEX I

Requirements for laboratories assisting the Community reference laboratory for testing and validation of methods for detection, as referred to in Article 6(1)

Laboratories assisting the Community reference laboratory for testing and validating the method for detection, as set out in point 3(d) of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, must:

| (a) | be accredited, or being in the process of accreditation according to EN ISO/IEC 17025 on ‘General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories’ or an equivalent international standard which ensures that the laboratories:






  — | have suitably qualified staff with adequate training in analytical methods used for the detection and identification of GMOs and GM food and feed, |
| --- | --- | --- |

(a)

be accredited, or being in the process of accreditation according to EN ISO/IEC 17025 on ‘General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories’ or an equivalent international standard which ensures that the laboratories:

—

have suitably qualified staff with adequate training in analytical methods used for the detection and identification of GMOs and GM food and feed,

| — | possess the equipment needed to carry out the analysis of GMOs and GM food and feed, |
| --- | --- |

—

possess the equipment needed to carry out the analysis of GMOs and GM food and feed,

| — | have an adequate administrative infrastructure, |
| --- | --- |

—

have an adequate administrative infrastructure,

| — | have sufficient data-processing capacity to produce technical reports and to enable rapid communication with the other laboratories participating in the testing and validation of detection methods; |
| --- | --- |

—

have sufficient data-processing capacity to produce technical reports and to enable rapid communication with the other laboratories participating in the testing and validation of detection methods;

| (b) | provide assurance that their staff respect the confidential nature of subjects, data, results or communications involved in the handling of applications for authorisation, for renewal of authorisations or for modification of authorisations submitted in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 and in particular the confidential information referred to in Article 30 of that Regulation. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

provide assurance that their staff respect the confidential nature of subjects, data, results or communications involved in the handling of applications for authorisation, for renewal of authorisations or for modification of authorisations submitted in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 and in particular the confidential information referred to in Article 30 of that Regulation.

---

ANNEX II

National reference laboratories assisting the CRL for testing and validation of methods for detection, as referred to in Article 6(1)

Belgique/België

| — | Centre wallon de Recherches agronomiques (CRA-W), |
| --- | --- |

—

Centre wallon de Recherches agronomiques (CRA-W),

| — | Institut Scientifique de Santé Publique (ISP) — Wetenschappelijk Instituut Volksgezondheid (WIV), |
| --- | --- |

—

Institut Scientifique de Santé Publique (ISP) — Wetenschappelijk Instituut Volksgezondheid (WIV),

| — | Instituut voor Landbouw- en Visserijonderzoek (ILVO); |
| --- | --- |

—

Instituut voor Landbouw- en Visserijonderzoek (ILVO);

Česká republika

| — | Státní veterinární ústav Jihlava (SVU Jihlava), |
| --- | --- |

—

Státní veterinární ústav Jihlava (SVU Jihlava),

| — | Státní zdravotní ústav (SZÚ), Laboratoř pro molekulárně biologické metody (LMBM), Centrum hygieny potravinových řetězců v Brně, |
| --- | --- |

—

Státní zdravotní ústav (SZÚ), Laboratoř pro molekulárně biologické metody (LMBM), Centrum hygieny potravinových řetězců v Brně,

| — | Státní zemědělská a potravinářská inspekce (SZPI), |
| --- | --- |

—

Státní zemědělská a potravinářská inspekce (SZPI),

| — | Vysoká škola chemicko-technologická v Praze (VŠCHT), |
| --- | --- |

—

Vysoká škola chemicko-technologická v Praze (VŠCHT),

| — | Výzkumný ústav rostlinné výroby (VÚRV), Praha; |
| --- | --- |

—

Výzkumný ústav rostlinné výroby (VÚRV), Praha;

Danmark

| — | Danmarks Fødevareforskning (DFVF), |
| --- | --- |

—

Danmarks Fødevareforskning (DFVF),

| — | Ministeriet for Fødevarer, Landbrug og Fiskeri, Plantedirektoratet, Laboratorium for Diagnostik i Planter, Frø og Foder; |
| --- | --- |

—

Ministeriet for Fødevarer, Landbrug og Fiskeri, Plantedirektoratet, Laboratorium for Diagnostik i Planter, Frø og Foder;

Deutschland

| — | Bayerisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit (LGL), |
| --- | --- |

—

Bayerisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit (LGL),

| — | Berliner Betrieb für Zentrale Gesundheitliche Aufgaben (BBGes) — Institut für Lebensmittel, Arzneimittel und Tierseuchen (ILAT), |
| --- | --- |

—

Berliner Betrieb für Zentrale Gesundheitliche Aufgaben (BBGes) — Institut für Lebensmittel, Arzneimittel und Tierseuchen (ILAT),

| — | Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung, |
| --- | --- |

—

Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung,

| — | Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt (CVUA) Freiburg, |
| --- | --- |

—

Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt (CVUA) Freiburg,

| — | Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt Ostwestfalen-Lippe, |
| --- | --- |

—

Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt Ostwestfalen-Lippe,

| — | Institut für Hygiene und Umwelt der Hansestadt Hamburg, |
| --- | --- |

—

Institut für Hygiene und Umwelt der Hansestadt Hamburg,

| — | Landesamt für Landwirtschaft, Lebensmittelsicherheit und Fischerei — Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (LALLF MV), |
| --- | --- |

—

Landesamt für Landwirtschaft, Lebensmittelsicherheit und Fischerei — Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (LALLF MV),

| — | Landesamt für Soziales, Gesundheits- und Verbraucherschutz — Abteilung F: Verbraucherschutz, Veterinärmedizin, Lebensmittelhygiene und Molekularbiologie, |
| --- | --- |

—

Landesamt für Soziales, Gesundheits- und Verbraucherschutz — Abteilung F: Verbraucherschutz, Veterinärmedizin, Lebensmittelhygiene und Molekularbiologie,

| — | Landesamt für Umweltschutz Sachsen-Anhalt, |
| --- | --- |

—

Landesamt für Umweltschutz Sachsen-Anhalt,

| — | Landesamt für Verbraucherschutz Sachsen-Anhalt — Fachbereich Lebensmittelsicherheit, |
| --- | --- |

—

Landesamt für Verbraucherschutz Sachsen-Anhalt — Fachbereich Lebensmittelsicherheit,

| — | Landesbetrieb Hessisches Landeslabor — Standort Kassel, |
| --- | --- |

—

Landesbetrieb Hessisches Landeslabor — Standort Kassel,

| — | Landeslabor Brandenburg, |
| --- | --- |

—

Landeslabor Brandenburg,

| — | Landeslabor Schleswig-Holstein, |
| --- | --- |

—

Landeslabor Schleswig-Holstein,

| — | Landesuntersuchungsamt Rheinland-Pfalz — Institut für Lebensmittelchemie Trier, |
| --- | --- |

—

Landesuntersuchungsamt Rheinland-Pfalz — Institut für Lebensmittelchemie Trier,

| — | Landesuntersuchungsanstalt für das Gesundheits- und Veterinärwesen Sachsen (LUA), |
| --- | --- |

—

Landesuntersuchungsanstalt für das Gesundheits- und Veterinärwesen Sachsen (LUA),

| — | Landwirtschaftliche Untersuchungs- und Forschungsanstalt Rostock der LMS Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, |
| --- | --- |

—

Landwirtschaftliche Untersuchungs- und Forschungsanstalt Rostock der LMS Mecklenburg-Vorpommern,

| — | Niedersächsisches Landesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit (LAVES) — Lebensmittelinstitut (LI) Braunschweig, |
| --- | --- |

—

Niedersächsisches Landesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit (LAVES) — Lebensmittelinstitut (LI) Braunschweig,

| — | Sächsische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft — Fachbereich Landwirtschaftliches Untersuchungswesen, |
| --- | --- |

—

Sächsische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft — Fachbereich Landwirtschaftliches Untersuchungswesen,

| — | Staatliche Landwirtschaftliche Untersuchungs- und Forschungsanstalt Augustenberg (Baden-Württemberg), |
| --- | --- |

—

Staatliche Landwirtschaftliche Untersuchungs- und Forschungsanstalt Augustenberg (Baden-Württemberg),

| — | Thüringer Landesamt für Lebensmittelsicherheit und Verbraucherschutz (TLLV); |
| --- | --- |

—

Thüringer Landesamt für Lebensmittelsicherheit und Verbraucherschutz (TLLV);

Eesti

| — | DNA analüüsi laboratoorium, Geenitehnoloogia Instituut (GTI), Tallinna Tehnikaülikool (TTÜ), |
| --- | --- |

—

DNA analüüsi laboratoorium, Geenitehnoloogia Instituut (GTI), Tallinna Tehnikaülikool (TTÜ),

| — | Keemilise ja Bioloogilise Füüsika Instituut (KBFI), Molekulaargeneetika laboratoorium (MG), |
| --- | --- |

—

Keemilise ja Bioloogilise Füüsika Instituut (KBFI), Molekulaargeneetika laboratoorium (MG),

| — | Veterinaar-ja Toidulaboratoorium (VTL); |
| --- | --- |

—

Veterinaar-ja Toidulaboratoorium (VTL);

Elláda

| — | Εθνικό Ίδρυμα Αγροτικής Έρευνας Εργαστήριο Γενετικής Ταυτοποίησης Γεωργικών Προϊόντων, Μικροοργανισμών και Ελέγχου Σπόρων Σποράς για την Ανίχνευση, Γενετικών Τροποποιήσεων, |
| --- | --- |

—

Εθνικό Ίδρυμα Αγροτικής Έρευνας Εργαστήριο Γενετικής Ταυτοποίησης Γεωργικών Προϊόντων, Μικροοργανισμών και Ελέγχου Σπόρων Σποράς για την Ανίχνευση, Γενετικών Τροποποιήσεων,

| — | Υπουργείο Οικονομίας και Οικονομικών, Γενική Διεύθυνση Γενικού Χημείου του Κράτους (ΓΧΚ), Διεύθυνση Τροφίμων — Αθήνα; |
| --- | --- |

—

Υπουργείο Οικονομίας και Οικονομικών, Γενική Διεύθυνση Γενικού Χημείου του Κράτους (ΓΧΚ), Διεύθυνση Τροφίμων — Αθήνα;

España

| — | Centro Nacional de Alimentación, Agencia Española de Seguridad Alimentartia (CNA-AESA), |
| --- | --- |

—

Centro Nacional de Alimentación, Agencia Española de Seguridad Alimentartia (CNA-AESA),

| — | Laboratorio Arbitral Agroalimentario del Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación (LAA-MAPA); |
| --- | --- |

—

Laboratorio Arbitral Agroalimentario del Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación (LAA-MAPA);

France

| — | Groupement d’Intérêt Public — Groupe d’Etude et de contrôle des Variétés et des Semences (GIP-GEVES), |
| --- | --- |

—

Groupement d’Intérêt Public — Groupe d’Etude et de contrôle des Variétés et des Semences (GIP-GEVES),

| — | Laboratoire de Phytopathologie et de méthodologies de la détection (INRA Versailles), |
| --- | --- |

—

Laboratoire de Phytopathologie et de méthodologies de la détection (INRA Versailles),

| — | Laboratoire Direction Générale de la Consommation, de la Concurrence et de la Répression des Fraudes de Strasbourg (Laboratoire de la DGCCRF de Strasbourg), |
| --- | --- |

—

Laboratoire Direction Générale de la Consommation, de la Concurrence et de la Répression des Fraudes de Strasbourg (Laboratoire de la DGCCRF de Strasbourg),

| — | Laboratoire National de la Protection des Végétaux d'Orléans (LNPV Orléans); |
| --- | --- |

—

Laboratoire National de la Protection des Végétaux d'Orléans (LNPV Orléans);

Ireland

| — | The State Laboratory (SL), Celbridge; |
| --- | --- |

—

The State Laboratory (SL), Celbridge;

Italia

| — | Ente Nazionale Sementi Elette (E.N.S.E.), Laboratorio Analisi Sementi, |
| --- | --- |

—

Ente Nazionale Sementi Elette (E.N.S.E.), Laboratorio Analisi Sementi,

| — | Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Centro Nazionale per la Qualità degli Alimenti e per i Rischi Alimentari (CNQARA), |
| --- | --- |

—

Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Centro Nazionale per la Qualità degli Alimenti e per i Rischi Alimentari (CNQARA),

| — | Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Regioni Lazio e Toscana, Centro di Referenza Nazionale per la Ricerca di OGM (CROGM); |
| --- | --- |

—

Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Regioni Lazio e Toscana, Centro di Referenza Nazionale per la Ricerca di OGM (CROGM);

Kypros

| — | Γενικό χημείο του κράτους (γχκ); |
| --- | --- |

—

Γενικό χημείο του κράτους (γχκ);

Latvija

| — | Pārtikas un veterinārā dienesta Nacionālais diagnostikas centrs (PVD NDC); |
| --- | --- |

—

Pārtikas un veterinārā dienesta Nacionālais diagnostikas centrs (PVD NDC);

Lietuva

| — | Nacionalinė Veterinarijos Laboratorija, GMO Tyrimų Skyrius; |
| --- | --- |

—

Nacionalinė Veterinarijos Laboratorija, GMO Tyrimų Skyrius;

Luxembourg

| — | Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Division du contrôle des denrées alimentaires; |
| --- | --- |

—

Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Division du contrôle des denrées alimentaires;

Magyarország

| — | Országos Élelmiszerbiztonsági és Táplálkozástudományi Intézet (OÉTI), |
| --- | --- |

—

Országos Élelmiszerbiztonsági és Táplálkozástudományi Intézet (OÉTI),

| — | Országos Mezőgazdasági Minősítő Intézet, Központi Laboratórium (OMMI); |
| --- | --- |

—

Országos Mezőgazdasági Minősítő Intézet, Központi Laboratórium (OMMI);

Nederland

| — | RIKILT Instituut voor Voedselveiligheid, |
| --- | --- |

—

RIKILT Instituut voor Voedselveiligheid,

| — | Voedsel en Waren Autoriteit (VWA); |
| --- | --- |

—

Voedsel en Waren Autoriteit (VWA);

Österreich

| — | Österreichische Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit GmbH — Kompetenzzentrum Biochemie (AGES - CC BIOC), |
| --- | --- |

—

Österreichische Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit GmbH — Kompetenzzentrum Biochemie (AGES - CC BIOC),

| — | Umweltbundesamt GmbH; |
| --- | --- |

—

Umweltbundesamt GmbH;

Polska

| — | Instytut Biochemii i Biofizyki Polskiej Akademii Nauk, Laboratorium Analiz Modyfikacji Genetycznych Instytutu Biochemii i Biofizyki Polskiej Akademii Nauk (GMOIBB), Warszawa, |
| --- | --- |

—

Instytut Biochemii i Biofizyki Polskiej Akademii Nauk, Laboratorium Analiz Modyfikacji Genetycznych Instytutu Biochemii i Biofizyki Polskiej Akademii Nauk (GMOIBB), Warszawa,

| — | Instytut Hodowli i Aklimatyzacji Roślin (IHAR); Laboratorium Kontroli Genetycznie Modyfikowanych Organizmów, Błonie, |
| --- | --- |

—

Instytut Hodowli i Aklimatyzacji Roślin (IHAR); Laboratorium Kontroli Genetycznie Modyfikowanych Organizmów, Błonie,

| — | Instytut Zootechniki (National Feed Laboratory – NFL), Lublin, |
| --- | --- |

—

Instytut Zootechniki (National Feed Laboratory – NFL), Lublin,

| — | Państwowego Instytutu Weterynaryjnego – Państwowego Instytutu Badawczego w Puławach, Puławy, |
| --- | --- |

—

Państwowego Instytutu Weterynaryjnego – Państwowego Instytutu Badawczego w Puławach, Puławy,

| — | Regionalne Laboratorium Badań Żywności Genetycznie Modyfikowanej (RLG); |
| --- | --- |

—

Regionalne Laboratorium Badań Żywności Genetycznie Modyfikowanej (RLG);

Portugal

| — | Direcção-Geral de Protecção das Culturas (DGPC), Laboratório de Caracterização de Materiais de Multiplicação de Plantas (LCMMP), |
| --- | --- |

—

Direcção-Geral de Protecção das Culturas (DGPC), Laboratório de Caracterização de Materiais de Multiplicação de Plantas (LCMMP),

| — | Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Tecnologia e Inovação (INETI), Laboratório para a Indústria Alimentar (LIA); |
| --- | --- |

—

Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Tecnologia e Inovação (INETI), Laboratório para a Indústria Alimentar (LIA);

Slovenija

| — | Kmetijski inštitut Slovenije (KIS), Ljubljana, |
| --- | --- |

—

Kmetijski inštitut Slovenije (KIS), Ljubljana,

| — | Nacionalni inštitut za biologijo (National institute of Biology, NIB), Ljubljana; |
| --- | --- |

—

Nacionalni inštitut za biologijo (National institute of Biology, NIB), Ljubljana;

Slovensko

| — | Štátny veterinárny a potravinový ústav, Dolný Kubín (State Veterinary and Food Institute Dolný Kubín), |
| --- | --- |

—

Štátny veterinárny a potravinový ústav, Dolný Kubín (State Veterinary and Food Institute Dolný Kubín),

| — | Ústav molekulárnej biológie SAV (Molecular Biology Institute of the Slovak Academy of Slovakia), |
| --- | --- |

—

Ústav molekulárnej biológie SAV (Molecular Biology Institute of the Slovak Academy of Slovakia),

| — | Ústredný kontrolný a skúšobný ústav poľnohospodársky, Oddelenie molekulárnej biológie Bratislava, (Central Control and Testing Institute of Agriculture); |
| --- | --- |

—

Ústredný kontrolný a skúšobný ústav poľnohospodársky, Oddelenie molekulárnej biológie Bratislava, (Central Control and Testing Institute of Agriculture);

Suomi/Finland

| — | Tullilaboratorio |
| --- | --- |

—

Tullilaboratorio

Sverige

| — | Livsmedelsverket (SLV) |
| --- | --- |

—

Livsmedelsverket (SLV)

United Kingdom

| — | Central Science Laboratory (CSL), |
| --- | --- |

—

Central Science Laboratory (CSL),

| — | LGC Limited (LGC), |
| --- | --- |

—

LGC Limited (LGC),

| — | Scottish Agricultural Science Agency (SASA). |
| --- | --- |

—

Scottish Agricultural Science Agency (SASA).

---

ANNEX III

Amendments to the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003

Points 2, 3 and 4 are replaced by the following:

| ‘2. | For the duties and tasks outlined in this Annex, the Community reference laboratory shall be assisted by the national reference laboratories referred to in Article 32, which shall consequently be considered as members of the consortium referred to as the “European Network of GMO laboratories”. |
| --- | --- |

‘2.

For the duties and tasks outlined in this Annex, the Community reference laboratory shall be assisted by the national reference laboratories referred to in Article 32, which shall consequently be considered as members of the consortium referred to as the “European Network of GMO laboratories”.

| 3. | The Community reference laboratory shall be responsible, in particular, for:






  (a) | the reception, preparation, storage, maintenance and distribution to the members of the European Network of GMO laboratories of the appropriate positive and negative control samples, subject to assurance given by such members of the respect of the confidential nature of the data received where applicable; |
| --- | --- | --- |

3.

The Community reference laboratory shall be responsible, in particular, for:

(a)

the reception, preparation, storage, maintenance and distribution to the members of the European Network of GMO laboratories of the appropriate positive and negative control samples, subject to assurance given by such members of the respect of the confidential nature of the data received where applicable;

| (b) | without prejudice to the responsibilities of the Community reference laboratories laid down in Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council (*1), the distribution to national reference laboratories within the meaning of Article 33 of that Regulation of the appropriate positive and negative control samples, subject to assurance given by such laboratories of the respect of the confidential nature of the data received where applicable; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

without prejudice to the responsibilities of the Community reference laboratories laid down in Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council (*1), the distribution to national reference laboratories within the meaning of Article 33 of that Regulation of the appropriate positive and negative control samples, subject to assurance given by such laboratories of the respect of the confidential nature of the data received where applicable;

| (c) | evaluating the data provided by the applicant for authorisation for placing the food or feed on the market, for the purpose of testing and validation of the method for sampling and detection; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

evaluating the data provided by the applicant for authorisation for placing the food or feed on the market, for the purpose of testing and validation of the method for sampling and detection;

| (d) | testing and validating the method for detection, including sampling and identification of the transformation event and, where applicable, for the detection and identification of the transformation event in the food or feed; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

testing and validating the method for detection, including sampling and identification of the transformation event and, where applicable, for the detection and identification of the transformation event in the food or feed;

| (e) | submitting full evaluation reports to the Authority. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

submitting full evaluation reports to the Authority.

| 4. | The Community reference laboratory shall play a role in dispute settlements concerning the results of the tasks outlined in this Annex, without prejudice to the responsibilities of the Community reference laboratories laid down in Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. |
| --- | --- |

4.

The Community reference laboratory shall play a role in dispute settlements concerning the results of the tasks outlined in this Annex, without prejudice to the responsibilities of the Community reference laboratories laid down in Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004.

---

(*1)  
  OJ L 165, 30.4.2004, p. 1, as corrected by OJ L 191, 28.5.2004, p. 1.’
  ”

---

| 23.12.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 368/110 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

23.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 368/110

---

COMMISSION DIRECTIVE 2006/142/EC

of 22 December 2006

amending Annex IIIa of Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council listing the ingredients which must under all circumstances appear on the labelling of foodstuffs

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 March 2000 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs (1) and in particular Article 6(11), third paragraph, thereof,

Having regard to the opinions of the European Food Safety Authority of 6 December 2005 and 15 February 2006,

Whereas:

| (1) | Annex IIIa of Directive 2000/13/EC lists the ingredients which must under all circumstances appear on the labelling of foodstuffs, as they are likely to cause adverse reactions in susceptible individuals. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Annex IIIa of Directive 2000/13/EC lists the ingredients which must under all circumstances appear on the labelling of foodstuffs, as they are likely to cause adverse reactions in susceptible individuals.

| (2) | Article 6(11), first paragraph, of the aforementioned Directive stipulates that the list in Annex IIIa will be systematically re-examined and, where necessary, updated on the basis of the most recent scientific knowledge. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Article 6(11), first paragraph, of the aforementioned Directive stipulates that the list in Annex IIIa will be systematically re-examined and, where necessary, updated on the basis of the most recent scientific knowledge.

| (3) | As part of this re-examination, the Commission asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to give its opinion on the possible inclusion in Annex IIIa of a number of other products. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

As part of this re-examination, the Commission asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to give its opinion on the possible inclusion in Annex IIIa of a number of other products.

| (4) | As far as lupin is concerned, the EFSA states in its opinion of 6 December 2005 that this leguminous plant, of which there are 450 species, has long been consumed in its current state but that lupin flour is being added for a number of years in wheat flour for the production of bakery products. Cases of direct allergic reactions, some of them severe, have been documented and studies show that there is a relatively high risk of a cross-allergy to lupin in between 30 % and 60 % of persons who are allergic to peanuts. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

As far as lupin is concerned, the EFSA states in its opinion of 6 December 2005 that this leguminous plant, of which there are 450 species, has long been consumed in its current state but that lupin flour is being added for a number of years in wheat flour for the production of bakery products. Cases of direct allergic reactions, some of them severe, have been documented and studies show that there is a relatively high risk of a cross-allergy to lupin in between 30 % and 60 % of persons who are allergic to peanuts.

| (5) | In the case of molluscs (gastropods, bivalves or cephalopods), the EFSA states in its opinion of 15 February 2006 that they are most often consumed in their current state but are also used as ingredients, after any processing, in a number of preparations and in products such as surimi. Allergic reactions, which can be serious, affect up to 0,4 % of the population, i.e. 20 % of all cases of allergic reactions to seafood. The main allergenic protein in molluscs is tropomyosin, which is the same as that in crustaceans, and cases of cross-allergies between molluscs and crustaceans occur frequently. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

In the case of molluscs (gastropods, bivalves or cephalopods), the EFSA states in its opinion of 15 February 2006 that they are most often consumed in their current state but are also used as ingredients, after any processing, in a number of preparations and in products such as surimi. Allergic reactions, which can be serious, affect up to 0,4 % of the population, i.e. 20 % of all cases of allergic reactions to seafood. The main allergenic protein in molluscs is tropomyosin, which is the same as that in crustaceans, and cases of cross-allergies between molluscs and crustaceans occur frequently.

| (6) | It can be concluded from these observations that lupin and molluscs should be added to the list in Annex IIIa of Directive 2000/13/EC. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

It can be concluded from these observations that lupin and molluscs should be added to the list in Annex IIIa of Directive 2000/13/EC.

| (7) | The measures provided for in this Directive comply with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, |
| --- | --- |

(7)

The measures provided for in this Directive comply with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Article 1

The following ingredients shall be added to Annex IIIa of Directive 2000/13/EC:

‘Lupin and products thereof

Molluscs and products thereof.’

Article 2

1.   The Member States shall, as from 23 December 2007, authorise the sale of foodstuffs which comply with this Directive.

2.   The Member States shall, as from 23 December 2008, prohibit the sale of foodstuffs which fail to comply with this Directive. However, the sale of foodstuffs which fail to comply with this Directive and which have been labelled prior to this date shall be authorised until stocks run out.

Article 3

1.   The Member States shall, by 23 December 2007 at the latest, adopt and publish the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive. They shall immediately communicate the text of those provisions to the Commission together with a correlation table of those provisions and this Directive.

When the Member States adopt those measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such reference shall be laid down by the Member States.

2.   The Member States shall communicate to the Commission the texts of the main provisions of domestic law which they adopt in the field governed by this Directive.

Article 4

This Directive shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 5

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 22 December 2006.

For the Commission

Markos KYPRIANOU

Member of the Commission

---

(1)  
  OJ L 109, 6.5.2000, p. 29. Directive as last amended by Directive 2003/89/EC (OJ L 308, 25.11.2003, p. 15).

1

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Corrigenda

| 23.12.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 368/112 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

23.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 368/112

---

Corrigendum to Commission Decision 2005/217/EC of 19 May 2004 on measures implemented by Denmark for TV2/Danmark

(
  Official Journal of the European Union L 85 of 23 March 2006
  )

In the Contents page and on page one:

for:

‘(2005/217/EC)’,

read:

‘(2006/217/EC)’.

---

23.12.2006

| 23.12.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 368/s3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 368/s3

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From 1 January 2007, the structure of the Official Journal will be modified in the direction of a clearer classification of the acts published which preserves, nevertheless, essential continuity.

The new structure, with examples illustrating its use in the classification of acts, can be consulted on the EUR-Lex site on the following address:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm

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