# Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 808/2014Show full title

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 808/2014 of 17 July 2014 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU)            No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund            for Rural Development (EAFRD)         

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# Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 808/2014                     

# of 17 July 2014

# laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on support                        for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)                     

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on support                           for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Council Regulation (EC)                           No 1698/2005(1), and in particular Article 8(3), Article 12, Article 14(6), Article 41, Articles 54(4) and 66(5), Article 67, Articles 75(5)                           and 76(1),                        

Whereas:

(1)Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 lays down general rules governing Union support for rural development financed by the European                              Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), complementing the common provisions for the European Structural and Investment                              Funds laid down in Part Two of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and the Council(2). In order to ensure that the new legal framework established by those Regulations functions smoothly and applies uniformly,                              the Commission has been empowered to adopt certain rules for its implementation.

(2)Rules for the presentation of the content of rural development programmes, based in particular on the requirements of Article                              8 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 and Article 27 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 should be laid down. It should also be established                              which of those rules for the presentation also apply to programmes dedicated to joint instruments for uncapped guarantees                              and securitisation providing capital relief implemented by the European Investment Bank (‘EIB’) referred to in Article 28                              of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013. Rules for the content of national frameworks should also be laid down.

(3)The procedures and timetables for the approval of national frameworks should be established.

(4)In order to systematise the amendment of rural development programmes, rules for their submission as well as for the frequency                              of amendments should be established. This should be done in order to reduce as much as possible the administrative burden                              while leaving flexibility for clearly defined emergencies and specific situations.

(5)Rules for amendments to national frameworks including on timing and in particular to facilitate the amendment of national                              frameworks of Member States which have regional programmes should be established.

(6)In order to ensure the good use of EAFRD resources, voucher systems or equivalent systems for payment of participants’ costs                              for knowledge transfer and information actions should be established to ensure that reimbursed expenditure is clearly connected                              to a specific, eligible training or knowledge transfer action provided to the participant.

(7)In order to ensure that the service provider offering best value for money is chosen, the selection of authorities or bodies                              offering advisory services should follow the applicable national public procurement rules.

(8)As final payments should only be granted upon the correct implementation of business plans, common parameters for such assessments                              should be established. Additionally, in order to facilitate the access for young farmers setting up for the first time to                              other measures under the farm and business development measure referred to in Article 19 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013,                              rules for the coverage of several measures in the business plans as well as for the approval procedure of the related applications                              should be established.

(9)Member States should be allowed to calculate support for commitments under the agri-environment-climate, organic farming and                              animal welfare measures on the basis of other units than those established in Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 because                              of the specific nature of those commitments. Rules should be established concerning the compliance with the maximum amounts                              allowed, the exception for payments per livestock unit and the conversion rates of different categories of animals to livestock                              units.

(10)In order to ensure that the calculation of additional costs and income foregone for measures referred to in Articles 28 to                              31, 33 and 34 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 is done in a transparent and verifiable manner certain common elements for the                              calculation that apply across Member States should be established.

(11)In order to avoid overcompensation and an increased administrative burden, rules for the combination of certain measures should                              be set up.

(12)Rules regarding the start of the operation of the national rural networks as well as on their structure should be established                              in order to ensure that the networks can work efficiently and in a timely manner in order to accompany the programme implementation.

(13)In order to ensure information and publicity on the rural development activities benefitting from support by the EAFRD, the                              Managing Authority has responsibilities to fulfil which should be further specified in this Regulation. The Managing Authority                              should systemise its overall information and publicity efforts in a strategy, and through the establishment of a single website                              or website portal raise awareness regarding the objectives of rural development policy and strengthen accessibility and transparency                              of information about funding opportunities. Provision on the responsibility of beneficiaries to inform about the EAFRD support                              provided for their projects should be made.

(14)In order to facilitate the setting up of the common monitoring and evaluation system, the common elements of that system including                              the indicators and the evaluation plan should be defined.

(15)The central elements of the annual implementation report referred to in Article 75 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 and the                              minimum requirements for the evaluation plan referred to in Article 56 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 should be established.

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

## Article 1U.K.Subject matter

This Regulation lays down rules for the implementation of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 as regards the presentation of rural                     development programmes, procedures and timetables for approval and amendment of rural development programmes and national                     frameworks, the content of national frameworks, information and publicity for rural development programmes, implementation                     of certain rural development measures, monitoring and evaluation and reporting.                  

## Article 2U.K.Content of rural development programmes and national frameworks

The presentation of the content of rural development programmes as referred to in Article 27 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013                     and Article 8 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, of national programmes dedicated to joint instruments for uncapped guarantees                     and securitisation providing capital relief implemented by the European Investment Bank (‘EIB’) as referred to in Article                     28 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and of national frameworks as referred to in Article 6(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013,                     shall be established in accordance with Annex I to this Regulation.                  

## Article 3U.K.Adoption of national frameworks

National frameworks as referred to in Article 6(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 shall be adopted in accordance with Article                     29 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013.                  

## Article 4U.K.Amendments of rural development programmes

1.Proposals to amend rural development programmes and specific programmes for the establishment and operation of national rural                        networks shall contain, in particular, the following information:                  

(a)the type of amendment that is being proposed;                  

(b)the reasons and/or implementation problems that justify the amendment;                  

(c)the expected effects of the amendment;                  

(d)the impact of the change on indicators;                  

(e)the relationship between the change and the Partnership Agreement referred to in Chapter II of Title II of Regulation (EU)                        No 1303/2013.                  

2.Programme amendments of the type referred to in Article 11(a)(i) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 may be proposed no more than                        three times during the duration of the programming period.                  

A single amendment proposal for all other types of amendments combined may be submitted per calendar year and per programme,                     with the exception of the year 2023 in which year more than a single amendment proposal may be submitted for amendments concerning                     exclusively the adaptation of the financing plan, including any resulting changes to the indicator plan.                  

The first and second subparagraphs shall not apply:

(a)in case emergency measures due to natural disasters and catastrophic events formally recognized by the competent national                        public authority need to be taken; or                  

(b)in case an amendment is necessary following a change to the Union legal framework; or                  

(c)following the performance review referred to in Article 21 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013; or                  

(d)in case of a change in the EAFRD contribution planned for each year referred to in Article 8(1)(h)(i) of Regulation (EU) No                        1305/2013 resulting from developments of the annual breakdown by Member State referred to in Article 58(7) of that Regulation.                  

3.Member States shall submit their last programme amendment of the type referred to in Article 11(a)(iii) of Regulation (EU)                        No 1305/2013 to the Commission by 30 September 2020.                  

Other types of programme amendments shall be submitted to the Commission by 30 September 2023.

4.When a programme amendment changes any of the data that is included in the table of the national framework referred to in                        the second subparagraph of Article 6(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, the approval of the programme amendment shall constitute                        approval of the corresponding revision of that table.                  

## Article 5U.K.Amendment of national frameworks

1.Article 30 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 and Article 4(1)(b) and (c) of this                        Regulation shall apply mutatis mutandis to amendments of national frameworks.                  

2.Member States that have opted for the submission of national frameworks containing the table referred to in the second subparagraph                        of Article 6(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 may submit amendments of the national framework concerning that table to the                        Commission taking into account the degree of implementation of their various programmes.                  

3.The Commission, after approving the amendments referred to in paragraph 2, shall adapt the financing plans referred to in                        Article 8(1)(h) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the programmes concerned to the revised table, provided that:                  

(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;                  

(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;                  

(e)the total EAFRD funding for environmental and climate related measures as set out in Article 59(6) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013                        is respected.                  

4.Except in cases of emergency measures due to natural disasters or catastrophic events formally recognized by the competent                        national public authority, changes to the legal framework, or changes resulting from the performance review referred to in                        Article 21 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, requests for amendment of the national framework referred to in paragraph 2 may                        be submitted only once per calendar year before 1 April. By way of derogation from the second subparagraph of Article 4(2),                        changes in programmes that result from such revision may be done in addition to a single amendment proposal submitted for                        the same year.                  

5.The implementing act approving the amendment shall be adopted in due time for allowing to amend the respective budget commitments                        before the end of the year in which the revision was submitted.                  

## Article 6U.K.Knowledge transfer and information actions

1.Member States may provide for the possibility to cover the expenditure relating to the costs for travel, accommodation and                        per diem expenses of participants in knowledge transfer and information actions referred to in Article 14 of Regulation (EU)                        No 1305/2013 as well as related costs for the replacement of farmers through a system of vouchers or another system of equivalent                        effect.                  

2.In relation to the systems referred to in paragraph 1 Member States shall provide:                  

(a)that the period of validity of the voucher or equivalent may not exceed one year;                  

(b)rules for obtaining the vouchers or equivalent, in particular that they shall be linked to a specific action;                  

(c)the definition of specific conditions under which vouchers can be reimbursed to the training or other knowledge transfer and                        information action provider.                  

## Article 7U.K.Selection of authorities or bodies offering advisory services

The calls for tenders referred to in Article 15(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 shall follow the applicable Union and national                     public procurement rules. They shall give due consideration to the degree of attainment by the applicants of the qualifications                     referred to in that Article.                  

## Article 8U.K.Business plans

1.For the purposes of Article 19(5) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, Member States shall assess the progress of the business                        plans referred to in Article 19(4) of that Regulation, in case of support under Article 19(1)(a)(i) and (ii) of that Regulation,                        in terms of the proper implementation of the actions referred to in Article 5(1) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No                        807/2014(3).                  

2.In the case of support under Article 19(1)(a)(i) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, where the business plan refers to the use                        of other rural development measures under that Regulation, Member States may provide that the approval of the application                        for support also gives access to support under those measures. Where a Member State makes use of that possibility it shall                        provide that the application for support supplies the necessary information to assess eligibility under those measures.                  

## Article 9U.K.Conversion of units

1.Where commitments under Articles 28, 29 and 34 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 are expressed in units other than those set                        out in Annex II to that Regulation, Member States may calculate payments on the basis of those other units. In such case,                        the Member States shall ensure that the maximum amounts per year eligible for EAFRD support set out in that Annex are complied                        with.                  

2.Except for payments for commitments for the rearing of local breeds in danger of being lost to farming referred to in Article                        28(10)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, payments under Articles 28, 29 and 34 of that Regulation cannot be granted per                        livestock unit.                  

The conversion rates of the various categories of animals to livestock units are set out in Annex II.

## Article 10U.K.Standard assumption of additional costs and income foregone

1.Member States may fix the amount of the payments for the measures or types of operations referred to in Articles 28 to 31                        and Articles 33 and 34 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 on the basis of standard assumptions of additional costs and income                        foregone.                  

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

(a)contain only elements that are verifiable;                  

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

(c)indicate clearly the source of the figures used;                  

(d)are differentiated to take account of regional or local site conditions and actual land use, where applicable;                  

(e)do not contain elements linked to investment costs.                  

## Article 11U.K.Combination of commitments and combination of measures

1.Various agri-environment-climate commitments under Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, organic farming commitments                        under Article 29 of that Regulation, animal welfare commitments under Article 33 of that Regulation and forest-environmental                        and climate commitments under Article 34 of that Regulation may be combined provided that they are complementary and compatible.                        Member States shall attach the list of allowed combinations to their rural development programmes.                  

2.Where measures or different commitments under the same or different measures referred to in paragraph 1 are combined, in determining                        the level of support Member States shall take into account the specific income foregone and additional costs resulting from                        the combination.                  

3.Where an operation falls under two or more measures or under two or more different types of operations, Member States may                        attribute the expenditure to the dominant measure or type of operation. The specific contribution rate of that dominant measure                        or type of operation shall apply.                  

## Article 12U.K.National rural network

1.Member States shall provide for the establishment and operation of the national rural network referred to in Article 54 of                        Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 and the start of its action plan at the latest 12 months after the approval by the Commission                        of the rural development programme or the specific programme for the establishment and operation of the national rural network,                        as applicable.                  

2.The structure needed for running the national rural network shall be established either within the national or regional competent                        authorities or externally, by selection through tendering procedures or as a combination of both. That structure must be able                        to perform at least the activities referred to in Article 54(3)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013.                  

3.Where a Member State has opted for a specific programme for the establishment and operation of the national rural network,                        that programme shall include the elements referred to in Part 3 of Annex I to this Regulation.                  

## Article 13U.K.Information and publicity

1.The Managing Authority shall submit an information and publicity strategy as well as any amendments thereof to the Monitoring                        Committee for information. The strategy shall be submitted no later than six months after the adoption of the rural development                        programme. The Managing Authority shall inform the Monitoring Committee at least once a year on the progress in the implementation                        of the information and publicity strategy and on its analysis of the results as well as on the planned information and publicity                        to be carried out in the following year.                  

2.Detailed rules on the responsibilities of the Managing Authority and the beneficiaries concerning information and publicity                        are laid down in Annex III.                  

## Article 14U.K.Monitoring and evaluation system

1.The common monitoring and evaluation system referred to in Article 67 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 includes the following                        elements:                  

(a)an intervention logic showing the interactions between priorities, focus areas and measures;                  

(b)a set of common context, result and output indicators, including indicators to be used for the establishment of quantified                        targets in relation to rural development focus areas and a set of pre-defined indicators for the performance review;                  

(c)common evaluation questions, as set out in Annex V;                  

(d)data collection, storage and transmission;                  

(e)regular reporting on monitoring and evaluation activities;                  

(f)the evaluation plan;                  

(g)the *ex ante* and *ex post* evaluations and all other evaluation activities linked to the rural development programme, including those required to fulfil                        the increased requirements of the 2017 and 2019 annual implementation reports referred to in Article 50(4) and (5) of Regulation                        (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article 75(3) and (4) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013;                  

(h)support to enable all actors responsible for monitoring and evaluation to fulfil their obligations.                  

2.The common set of context, result and output indicators for rural development policy is set out in Annex IV. That Annex also                        identifies the indicators which are to be used for the establishment of quantified targets in relation to rural development                        focus areas. For the purpose of the setting of the performance framework milestones and targets referred to in point 2 of                        Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, the Member State shall either use the pre-defined performance framework indicators                        set out in point 5 of Annex IV to this Regulation or replace and/or complete these indicators by other relevant output indicators                        defined in the rural development programme.                  

3.The technical support documents set out in Annex VI shall form part of the monitoring and evaluation system.                  

4.For types of operations where a potential contribution to focus areas referred to in Article 5, first paragraph, point (2)(a),                        Article 5, first paragraph, points (5)(a) to (d), and Article 5, first paragraph, point(6)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013                        is identified in the table referred to in point 11(c) of Part 1 of Annex I to this Regulation, the electronic record of the                        operations referred to in Article 70 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 shall include flag(s) to identify those cases where the                        operation has a component contributing to one or more of those focus areas.                  

## Article 15U.K.Annual implementation report

The presentation of the annual implementation report referred to in Article 75 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 is set out                     in Annex VII to this Regulation.                  

## Article 16U.K.Evaluation Plan

The minimum requirements for the evaluation plan referred to in Article 56(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 are set out                     in point 9 of Part 1 of Annex I to this Regulation.                  

## Article 17U.K.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*.                  

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

Done at Brussels, 17 July 2014.

*For the Commission*                            

*The President*                            

José Manuel Barroso                            

## ANNEX IU.K.

## PART 1U.K.**Presentation of the content of rural development programmes**

### 1.**Title of the rural development programme (RDP)**U.K.

### 2.**Member State or administrative region**U.K.

Geographical area covered by the programme.

Classification of the region.

### 3.***Ex ante* evaluation**U.K.

**Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation                        (EU) No 1303/2013**                   

Description of the process, including timing of main events, intermediate reports, in relation to the key stages of RDP development.

Structured table containing the recommendations of the *ex ante* evaluation and how they have been addressed.                           

The complete *ex ante* evaluation report (including the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) requirements) shall be annexed to the RDP.                           

### 4.**Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (‘SWOT’) and identification of needs**U.K.

**Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation                        (EU) No 1303/2013**                   

SWOT analysis containing the following sections:

comprehensive overall description of the current situation of the programming area, based on common and programme-specific                                       context indicators and other qualitative up-to-date information;                                    

strengths identified in the programming area;

weaknesses identified in the programming area;

opportunities identified in the programming area;

threats identified in the programming area;

structured table containing the data for the common and programme-specific context indicators.

Needs assessment, based on evidence from the SWOT analysis, for each Union priority for rural development (hereafter ‘priority’)                              and focus area and the three cross-cutting objectives (environment, including the specific needs of Natura 2000 areas according                              to the Prioritized Action Framework(4), climate change mitigation and adaptation, innovation).                           

### 5.**Description of the strategy**U.K.

A justification of the needs selected to be addressed by the RDP, and the choice of objectives, priorities, focus areas and                              the target setting based on evidence from the SWOT and the needs assessment. Where relevant, a justification of thematic sub-programmes                              included in the programme. The justification shall in particular demonstrate the fulfilment of the requirements referred to                              in Article 8(1)(c)(i) and (iv) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013.                           

The combination and justification of the rural development measures for each focus area including the justification of the                              financial allocations to the measures and the adequacy of the financial ressources with the targets set, as referred to in                              Article 8(1)(c)(ii) and (iii) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013. The combination of measures included in the intervention logic                              shall be based on the evidence from the SWOT analysis and justification and prioritisation of needs referred to in point (a).                           

A description of how the cross-cutting objectives will be addressed, including the specific requirements referred to in Article                              8(1)(c)(v) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013.                           

A summary table of the intervention logic showing the priorities and focus areas selected for the RDP, the quantified targets,                              and the combination of measures to be used to achieve them, including the planned expenditure. The summary table shall be                              automatically generated from the information provided in point 5(b) and point 11, using the characteristics of the electronic                              data exchange system (‘SFC2014’) referred to in Article 4(a) and (b) of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 184/2014(5).                           

A description of the advisory capacity to ensure adequate advice and support for the regulatory requirements and for actions                              related to innovation to demonstrate the measures taken as required in Article 8(1)(c)(vi) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013.                           

### 6.**Assessment of *ex ante* conditionalities comprising the following structured tables:**U.K.

Information on the assessment of the applicability of *ex-ante* conditionalities.                           

For each applicable general and priority-linked *ex-ante* conditionality in one table:                           

assessment of its fulfilment and;

list of priorities/focus areas and measures to which the conditionality applies. An indicative list of priorities/focus areas                                       and measures of particular relevance to each *ex-ante* conditionality is set out in Part 4;                                    

list of relevant criteria as well as an assessment of their fulfilment;

references to the strategies, legal acts or other relevant documents, including references to relevant sections, articles                                       documenting the fulfilment of a given criterion.                                    

Two separate tables, one for applicable general and one for applicable priority linked *ex-ante* conditionalities which are completely unfulfilled or partially unfulfilled providing each the following information:                           

identification of the criteria not fulfilled;

actions to be taken for the fulfilment of each of those criteria;

deadlines for these actions; and

bodies responsible for the fulfilment.

### 7.**Description of the performance framework**U.K.

**Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation                        (EU) No 1303/2013**                   

Where relevant, information on the selection of the indicators as referred to in Article 14(2), of milestones, of key implementation                              steps, as well as of the allocation of the performance reserve. The target-setting shall be justified under the strategy,                              in accordance with point 5(a).                           

A table setting out for each priority the allocation of the performance reserve, and for each indicator:

targets for 2023. Targets shall not take into account additional national financing as referred to in points 12, and state                                       aid in the form of additional national funding as referred to in point 13;                                    

milestones for 2018 based on the targets.

In case the total EAFRD amount allocated to the performance reserve differs from the pro-rata distribution(6) of the total national EAFRD performance reserve allocation in the partnership agreement to all national and regional programmes,                     with the exception of national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28                     of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and specific programmes for the establishment and the operation of the national rural network                     referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 54(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, justification of the amount of the                     performance reserve allocation.                  

### 8.**Description of the measures selected**U.K.

#### (1)Description of the general conditions applied to more than one measure including, where relevant, definition of rural area,                        baselines, cross-compliance, intended use of financial instruments, intended use of advances and common provisions for investments,                        including the provisions of Articles 45 and 46 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013.U.K.

Where relevant, the list of allowed combinations of commitments referred to in Article 11(1) shall be annexed to the RDP.

#### (2)Description by measure including:U.K.

legal basis.

general description of the measure including its intervention logic and contribution to focus areas and cross-cutting objectives.

scope, level of support, eligible beneficiaries, and where relevant, methodology for calculation of the amount or support                              rate broken down by sub-measure and/or type of operation where necessary. For each type of operation specification of eligible                              costs, eligibility conditions, applicable amounts and support rates and principles with regard to the setting of selection                              criteria.                           

description of the verifiability and controllability of the measures and/or types of operations:

risk(s) in the implementation of the measures and/or type of operations;

mitigating actions;

overall assessment of the measure and/or type of operations.’

For the measure under Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, the description shall include a table illustrating the relation                              between agri-environment-climate commitments and the methods of their verification and control.                           

description specific to each measure and/or type of operation as follows:

##### 1.*Knowledge transfer and information actions (Article 14 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013)*U.K.

                -  definition of appropriate capacities of bodies providing knowledge transfer services to carry out their tasks in the form                                    of staff qualifications and regular training;                                  
                -  definition of the duration and content of farm and forest exchange schemes and visits as referred to in Article 3 of Delegated                                    Regulation (EU) No 807/2014.                                  

##### 2.*Advisory services, farm management and farm relief services (Article 15 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013)*U.K.

                -  general principles to ensure appropriate resources in the form of regularly trained and qualified staff and advisory experience                                    and reliability with respect to the field of advice. Identification of the elements that the advice will cover.                                  

##### 3.*Quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs (Article 16 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013)*U.K.

                -  indication of eligible quality schemes, including farm certification schemes, for agricultural products, cotton or foodstuffs                                    recognized at national level and confirmation that these quality schemes are fulfilling the criteria laid down in Article                                    16(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013;                                  
                -  indication of eligible voluntary agricultural product certification schemes recognized by the Member State as meeting the                                    Union best practice guidelines.                                  

##### 4.*Investments in physical assets (Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013)*U.K.

                -  definition of non productive investments; 
                -  definition of collective investments; 
                -  definition of integrated projects; 
                -  definition and identification of the eligible Natura 2000 sites and other eligible areas of high nature value; 
                -  description of the targeting of the support to farms in accordance with the SWOT carried out in relation to the priority referred                                    to in Article 5(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013;                                  
                -  list of new requirements imposed by Union legislation for complying with which support may be granted under Article 17(6)                                    of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013;                                  
                -  where relevant, the minimum standards for energy efficiency referred to in Article 13(c) of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 807/2014; 
                -  where relevant, definition of the thresholds referred to in Article 13(e) of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 807/2014. 

##### 5.*Farm and business development (Article 19 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013)*U.K.

                -  definition of small farm referred to in Article 19(1)(a)(iii) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013; 
                -  definition of upper and lower thresholds as referred to in the third subparagraph of Article 19(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013; 
                -  specific conditions for support for young farmers where they are not setting up as a sole head of the holding in accordance                                    with Article 2(1) and (2) of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 807/2014;                                  
                -  information on the application of the grace period referred to in Article 2(3) of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 807/2014; 
                -  summary of the requirements of the business plan; 
                -  use of the possibility to combine different measures through the business plan giving access of the young farmer to those                                    measures;                                  
                -  domains of diversification covered. 

##### 6.*Basic services and village reveal in rural areas (Article 20 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013)*U.K.

                -  Definition of small scale infrastructure, including small scale tourism infrastructure as referred to in Article 20(1)(e)                                    of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013;                                  
                -  if applicable, specific derogation allowing to support bigger scale infrustructure for investments in broad band and renewable                                    energy;                                  
                -  the minimum standards for energy efficiency referred to in Article 13(c) of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 807/2014; 
                -  definition of the thresholds referred to in Article 13(e) of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 807/2014. 

##### 7.*Investments in forest area development and improvement of the viability of forests (Article 21 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013)*U.K.

                -  definition and justification of the holding size above which support will be conditional on the submission of a forest management                                    plan or equivalent instrument in line with sustainable forest management;                                  
                -  definition of an ‘equivalent instrument’. 

###### *Afforestation and creation of woodlands*U.K.

                -  Identification of species, areas and methods to be used to avoid inappropriate afforestation as referred to in Article 6(a)                                    of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 807/2014, including the description of the environmental and climatic conditions of the areas                                    in which afforestation is foreseen as referred to in Article 6(b) of that Regulation;                                  
                -  definition of the minimum environmental requirements referred to in Article 6 of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 807/2014. 

###### *Establishment of agro-forestry systems*U.K.

                -  Specification of minimum and maximum number of trees to be planted and, when mature, to be retained, per hectare and forest                                    species to be used as referred to in Article 23(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013;                                  
                -  indication of expected environmental benefits of the supported systems. 

###### *Prevention and restoration of damage from forest fires and natural disasters and catastrophic events*U.K.

                -  Where relevant, list of species of organisms harmful to plants which may cause a disaster; 
                -  identification of forest areas classified as being at medium to high risk of forest fire according to the relevant forest                                    protection plan;                                  
                -  in case of preventive actions concerning pests and diseases, description of a relevant disaster occurrence, supported by scientific                                    evidence, including, where relevant, recommendations on dealing with pests and diseases made by scientific organisations.                                  

###### *Investments improving the resilience and environmental value of forest ecosystems*U.K.

                -  Definition of types of eligible investment and their expected environmental outcome and/or public amenity value. 

##### 8.*Setting up of producer groups and organisations (Article 27 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013)*U.K.

                -  Description of the official procedure for recognising the groups and organisations. 

##### 9.*Agri-environment-climate (Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013)*U.K.

                -  Identification and definition of the relevant baseline elements; this shall include the relevant mandatory standards established                                    pursuant to Chapter I of Title VI of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council(7), the relevant criteria and minimum activities established pursuant to Article 4(1)(c)(ii) and (iii) of Regulation (EU) No                                    1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council(8), the relevant minimum requirements for fertilisers and plant protection products use, and other relevant mandatory requirements                                    established by national law;                                  
                -  the minimum requirements for fertilisers must include, inter alia, the Codes of Good Practice introduced by Council Directive                                    91/676/EEC(9) for farms outside nitrate vulnerable zones, and requirements concerning phosphorous pollution; the minimum requirements for                                    plant protection products use must include, inter alia, general principles for integrated pest management introduced by Directive                                    2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(10), 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, established by national legislation;                                  
                -  a table illustrating the relation between agri-environment-climate commitments and relevant usual farming practices and the                                    relevant elements of the reference level (baseline elements), i.e. good agricultural and environmental conditions and statutory                                    management requirements, minimum requirements for fertilisers and pesticides, other relevant national/regional requirements,                                    and minimum activities.                                  
                -  list of local breeds in danger of being lost to farming and of plant genetic resources under threat of genetic erosion; 
                -  description of the methodology and of the agronomic assumptions and parameters including the description of the baseline requirements                                    as referred to in Article 28(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, which are relevant for each particular type of commitment                                    used as reference for the calculations justifying additional costs, income foregone resulting from the commitment made and                                    level of the transaction costs; where relevant, that methodology shall take into account aid granted under Regulation (EU)                                    No 1307/2013, including payment for agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment, in order to exclude                                    double funding; where appropriate, the conversion method used for other units in accordance with Article 9 of this Regulation.                                  

##### 10.*Organic farming (Article 29 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013)*U.K.

                -  Identification and definition of the relevant baseline elements; this shall include the relevant mandatory standards established                                    pursuant to Chapter I of Title VI of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013, the relevant criteria and minimum activities established                                    pursuant to Article 4(1)(c)(ii) and (iii) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, the relevant minimum requirements for fertilisers                                    and plant protection products use, and other relevant mandatory requirements established by national law;                                  
                -  Description of the methodology and of the agronomic assumptions and parameters including the description of the baseline requirements                                    referred to in Article 29(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 which are relevant for each particular type of commitment, used                                    as reference for the calculations justifying additional costs, income foregone resulting from the commitment made and level                                    of the transaction costs; where relevant, that methodology shall take into account aid granted under Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013,                                    including payment for agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment, in order to exclude double funding;                                    where appropriate, the conversion method used for other units in accordance with Article 9 of this Regulation.                                  

##### 11.*Natura 2000 and Water Framework Directive (‘WFD’) payments (Article 30 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013)*U.K.

                -  for Natura 2000: the areas designated to implement Council Directive 92/43/EEC and Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament                                    and of the Council(11) and the obligations for farmers resulting from the corresponding national and/or regional management provisions;                                  
                -  in case other delimited nature protection areas with environmental restrictions are chosen to be supported within this measure,                                    specification of the sites and contribution to the implementation of Article 10 of Directive 92/43/EEC;                                  
                -  for WFD payments: definition of major changes in type of land use and description of the links with the programmes of measures                                    of the river basin management plan referred to in Article 13 of Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the                                    Council(12) (‘WFD’);                                  
                -  identification and definition of the baseline elements; for Natura 2000 payments this shall include the good agricultural                                    and environmental condition referred to in Article 94 and Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 and the relevant criteria                                    and minimum activities referred to in Article 4(1)(c)(ii) and (iii) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013; for WFD payments this                                    shall include mandatory standards established pursuant to Chapter I of Title VI of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 and the relevant                                    criteria and minimum activities established pursuant to Article 4(1)(c)(ii) and (iii) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013;                                  
                -  indication of the link between the implementation of the measure and the Prioritized Action Framwework (Art 8(4) of Directive                                    92/43/EEC);                                  
                -  identification of the restrictions/disadvantages based on which payments can be granted and indication of compulsory practices; 
                -  description of the methodology and the agronomic assumptions including the description of the baseline requirements referred                                    to in Article 30(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 for Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC and in Article 30(4) of that                                    Regulation for the WFD used as reference for the calculations justifying additional costs and income foregone resulting from                                    the disadvantages in the areas concerned related to the implementation of Directives 92/43/EEC, 2009/147/EC and the WFD; where                                    relevant, that methodology shall take into account payment for agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment                                    granted in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, in order to exclude double funding.                                  

##### 12.*Payments to areas facing natural or other specific constraints (Article 31 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013)*U.K.

                -  definition of the threshold level of area per holding on the basis of which the Member State calculates degressivity of payments; 

###### *Designation of areas facing natural and other specific constraints*U.K.

                -  description of the local unit-level applied for the designation of the areas; 
                -  description of the application of the method including the criteria referred to in Article 32 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013                                    for the delimitation of the three categories of areas referred to in that Article including the description and results of                                    the fine-tuning exercise for areas facing natural and other specific constraints other than mountain areas.                                  

##### 13.*Animal welfare (Article 33 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013)*U.K.

                -  definition and identification of the national and the Union requirements corresponding to the mandatory standards established                                    pursuant to Chapter I of Title VI of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013;                                  
                -  description of the methodology and of the agronomic/zoo-technical assumptions and parameters, including the description of                                    the baseline requirements referred to in Article 33(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 which are relevant for each particular                                    type of commitment, used as reference for the calculations justifying additional costs and income foregone resulting from                                    the commitment made.                                  

##### 14.*Forest-environmental and climate services and forest conservation (Article 34 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013)*U.K.

                -  Definition and justification of the holding size above which support will be conditional on the submission of a forest management                                    plan or equivalent instrument;                                  
                -  definition of an ‘equivalent instrument’; 
                -  identification of relevant mandatory requirements established by the national forestry act or other relevant national legislation; 
                -  description of the methodology and of the assumptions and parameters, including the description of the baseline requirements                                    as referred to in Article 34(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 which are relevant for each particular type of commitment,                                    used as reference for the calculations justifying additional costs and income foregone resulting from the commitment made.                                  

##### 15.*Cooperation (Article 35 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013)*U.K.

                -  Specification of the characteristics of pilot projects, clusters, networks, short supply chains and local markets. 

##### 16.*Risk management (Articles 36.37 and 38 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013)*U.K.

                -  Description of mechanisms to ensure that no overcompensation takes place. 

###### *Crop, animal, and plant insurance*U.K.

                -  Description of conditions for insurance contracts to be eligible for support, to include at least:  (a)
particular risks insured against,
(b)
particular economic losses covered;
 
                -  rules to be used for establishing the calculation of the proportion of the average annual production of a farmer which has                                    been destroyed.                                  

###### *Mutual funds for adverse climatic events, animal and plant diseases, pest infestations and environmental incidents*U.K.

                -  Principles for funding arrangements, constitution and management of the mutual funds, to include in particular:  (a)
the list of adverse climatic events, animal or plant diseases, pest infestations or environmental incidents which may give                                             rise to compensation to be paid to farmers, including geographical scope where appropriate,                                          
(b)
the criteria for assessing whether a given event shall give rise to the payment of compensation to farmers,
(c)
the methods for calculating the additional costs which constitute economic losses,
(d)
the calculation of the administrative costs,
(e)
the method to be used for establishing the calculation of the proportion of the average annual production of a farmer which                                             has been destroyed,                                          
(f)
any limits to the costs that are eligible for a financial contribution;
 
                -  where the source of the financial compensation to be paid by the mutual fund is a commercial loan, minimum and maximum duration                                    of the commercial loan.                                  

###### *Income stabilisation tool*U.K.

                -  Principles for funding arrangements, constitution and management of the mutual funds, for granting of compensation payments                                    to farmers, to include in particular:                                   (a)
the calculation of the administrative costs,
(b)
rules to be used for establishing the calculation of the drop in income,
(c)
any limits to the costs that are eligible for a financial contribution;
 
                -  where the source of the financial compensation to be paid by the mutual fund is a commercial loan, minimum and maximum duration                                    of the commercial loan.                                  

##### 17.*Community-led local development (LEADER) (Article 35 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, Articles 43 and 44 of Regulation (EU)                                    No 1305/2013)*U.K.

                -  description of the obligatory community-led local development (hereafter ‘CLLD’) elements of which the LEADER measure is composed:                                    preparatory support, implementation of operations under the CLLD strategy, preparation and implementation of cooperation activities                                    of the local action group (hereafter ‘LAG’), running costs and animation, referred to in Article 35(1) of Regulation (EU)                                    No 1303/2013;                                  
                -  description of the use of the LEADER start-up-kit referred to in Article 43 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 as specific type                                    of preparatory support, if relevant;                                  
                -  description of the system for ongoing application for LEADER cooperation projects referred to in Article 44(3) of Regulation                                    (EU) No 1305/2013;                                  
                -  the procedure and the timetable to select the local development strategies; 
                -  justification for selection of geographical areas for local development strategy implementation whose population falls outside                                    the limits laid down in Article 33(6) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;                                  
                -  coordination with the other European Structural and Investment (hereafter ‘ESI’) Funds as regards CLLD, including possible                                    solution applied with regard to the use of the lead fund option, and any global complementarities between the ESI Funds in                                    financing the preparatory support;                                  
                -  possibility or not of paying advances; 
                -  definition of the tasks of the Managing Authority, the paying agency and the LAGs under LEADER, in particular with regard                                    to a non-discriminatory and transparent selection procedure and objective criteria for the selection of operations referred                                    to in Article 34(3)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;                                  
                -  description of coordination mechanisms foreseen and complementarities ensured with operations supported under other rural                                    development measures especially as regards:                                                     -  investments in non-agricultural activities and business start-up aid under Article 19 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, 
                  -  investments under Article 20 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 and 
                  -  cooperation under Article 35 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 in particular implementation of local development strategies                                          by public-private partnerships. 

### 9.**Evaluation plan, containing the following sections**U.K.

**Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation                        (EU) No 1303/2013**                   

#### (1)Objectives and purposeU.K.

A statement of the objectives and purpose of the evaluation plan, based on ensuring that sufficient and appropriate evaluation                     activities are undertaken, in particular to provide information needed for programme steering, for the annual implementation                     reports in 2017 and 2019 and the *ex-post* evaluation, and to ensure that data needed for RDP evaluation are available.                  

#### (2)Governance and coordinationU.K.

Brief description of the monitoring and evaluation arrangements for the RDP, identifying the main bodies involved and their                     responsibilities. Explanation of how evaluation activities are linked with RDP implementation in terms of content and timing.                  

#### (3)Evaluation topics and activitiesU.K.

Indicative description of evaluation topics and activities anticipated, including, but not limited to, fulfilment of evaluation                     requirements provided for in Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013. It shall cover:                  

activities needed to evaluate the contribution of each RDP Union priority as referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No                              1305/2013 to the rural development objectives laid down in Article 4 of that Regulation, assessment of result and impact indicator                              values, analysis of net effects, thematic issues, including sub-programmes, cross-cutting issues, national rural network,                              contribution of CLLD strategies;                           

planned support for evaluation at LAG level;

programme specific elements such as work needed to develop methodologies or to address specific policy areas.

#### (4)Data and informationU.K.

Brief description of the system to record, maintain, manage and report statistical information on RDP implementation and provision                     of monitoring data for evaluation. Identification of data sources to be used, data gaps, potential institutional issues related                     to data provision, and proposed solutions. This section shall demonstrate that appropriate data management systems will be                     operational in due time.                  

#### (5)TimelineU.K.

Major milestones of the programming period, and indicative outline of the timing needed to ensure that results are available                     at the appropriate time.                  

#### (6)CommunicationU.K.

Description of how evaluation findings will be disseminated to target recipients, including a description of the mechanisms                     established to follow-up on the use of evaluation results.                  

#### (7)ResourcesU.K.

Description of the resources needed and foreseen to implement the evaluation plan, including an indication of administrative                     capacity, data, financial resources, IT needs. Description of capacity building activities foreseen to ensure that the evaluation                     plan can be fully implemented.                  

### 10.**Financing plan**, comprising separate structured tables setting out:U.K.

#### (a)**The annual EAFRD contribution**U.K.

for all types of the regions referred to in Article 59(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013,

for the amounts referred to in Article 59(4)(f) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, and funds transferred to the EAFRD, referred                              to in Article 58(6) of that Regulation,                           

for resources allocated to the performance reserve in accordance with Article 20 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;

#### (b)**The single EAFRD contribution rate** for all measures broken down by type of region as referred to in Article 59(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013;U.K.

#### (c)**The breakdown by measure or type of operation** with a specific EAFRD contribution rate:U.K.

total Union contribution, EAFRD contribution rate, and indicative breakdown of the total Union contribution by focus area(13),                           

for the measures referred to in Articles 17 and 30 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 the total Union contribution reserved for                              operations referred to in Article 59(6) of that Regulation,                           

for technical assistance the total Union contribution and the EAFRD contribution rate used in accordance with Article 51(3)                              of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013,                           

for the expenditure related to legal commitments to beneficiaries incurred under the measures of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005,                              which have no correspondence in the programming period 2014 to 2020, the total Union contribution and the EAFRD contribution                              rate.                           

When a measure or a type of operation with specific EAFRD contribution rate contributes to the financial instruments referred                     to in Article 38(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, the table shall indicate separately the contribution rates for financial                     instruments and for other operations and an indicative EAFRD amount corresponding to the planned contribution to the financial                     instrument.                  

For the measure referred to in Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, the EAFRD contribution reserved for operations                     falling within the scope of Article 59(6) of that Regulation corresponds to the contribution of the measure to the priorities                     laid down in Article 5(4) and (5) of that Regulation.                  

#### (d)**For each sub-programme an indicative breakdown by measure** of the total Union contribution by measure.U.K.

### 11.**Indicator plan**, comprising separate structured tables setting out:U.K.

by focus area, the quantified targets accompanied by planned outputs and planned total public expenditure of the measures                              selected to address the focus area;                           

for agriculture and forestry the detailed calculation of the targets of priorities laid down in Article 5(4) and Article 5(5)(d)                              and (e) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013;                           

qualitatively, the additional contribution of measures to other focus areas.

### 12.**Additional national financing:**U.K.

For measures and operations falling within the scope of Article 42 of the Treaty, a table on additional national financing                     per measure in accordance with Article 82 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, including the amounts per measure and indication                     of compliance with the criteria under that Regulation.                  

### 13.**Elements needed for State aid assessment:**U.K.

For the measures and operations which fall outside the scope of Article 42 of the Treaty, the table of aid schemes falling                     under Article 81(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 to be used for the implementation of the programmes, including the title                     of the aid scheme, as well as the EAFRD contribution, national cofinancing and additional national funding. Compatibility                     with Union State aid rules must be ensured over the entire duration of the programme.                  

The table shall be accompanied by a commitment from the Member State that, where required under State aid rules or under specific                     conditions in a State aid approval decision, such measures will be notified individually pursuant to Article 108(3) of the                     Treaty.                  

### 14.**Information on complementarity** containing the following sections:U.K.

**Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation                        (EU) No 1303/2013**                   

#### (1)Description of means for the complementarity and coherence with:U.K.

          -  other Union instruments and, in particular with ESI Funds and Pillar 1, including greening, and other instruments of the common                           agricultural policy;                         
          -  where a Member State has opted to submit a national programme and a set of regional programmes as referred to in Article 6(2)                           of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, information on complementarity between them.                         

#### (2)Where relevant, information on the complementarity with other Union instruments, including LIFE(14).U.K.

### 15.**Programme implementing arrangements**, containing the following sections:U.K.

**For national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU)                        No 1303/2013 only points (a), (b) and (c) of this point are applicable**                   

the designation by the Member State of all authorities referred to in Article 65(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 and a                              summary description of the management and control structure of the programme referred to in Article 8(1)(m)(i) of Regulation                              (EU) No 1305/2013 and arrangements under Article 74(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;                           

the envisaged composition of the Monitoring Committee;

provisions to ensure that the programme is publicised, including through the national rural network, making reference to the                              information and publicity strategy referred to in Article 13;                           

description of mechanisms to ensure coherence with regard to local development strategies implemented under LEADER, activities                              envisaged under the cooperation measure referred to in Article 35 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, the basic services and                              village renewal in rural areas measure referred to in Article 20 of that Regulation, and other ESI Funds;                           

description of actions to achieve a reduction of administrative burden for beneficiaries referred to in Article 27(1) of Regulation                              (EU) No 1303/2013;                           

description of the use of technical assistance including actions related to the preparation, management, monitoring, evaluation,                              information and control of the programme and its implementation, as well as the activities concerning previous or subsequent                              programming periods as referred to in Article 59(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013.                           

### 16.**Actions taken to involve partners**U.K.

**Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation                        (EU) No 1303/2013**                   

List of actions taken to involve partners, subject and summary of the outcome of the corresponding consultations.

### 17.**National rural network**U.K.

**Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation                        (EU) No 1303/2013**                   

Description of:

the procedure and the timetable for establishing the national rural network (hereinafter ‘NRN’);

the planned organisation of the NRN, namely the way organisations and administrations involved in rural development, including                              the partners, as referred to in Article 54(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 will be involved and how the networking activities                              will be facilitated;                           

a summary description of the main categories of activity to be undertaken by the NRN in accordance with the objectives of                              the programme;                           

the resources available for establishing and operating the NRN.

### 18.***Ex ante* assessment of verifiability, controllability and error risk**U.K.

**Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation                        (EU) No 1303/2013**                   
          -  statement by the Managing Authority and the paying agency on the verifiability and controllability of the measures supported                           under the RDP;                         
          -  statement by the functionally independent body referred to in Article 62(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 confirming the                           adequacy and accuracy of the calculations of standard costs, additional costs and income foregone.                         

### 19.**Transitional arrangements**U.K.

**Not applicable to national programmes dedicated to joint instruments implemented by the EIB referred to in Article 28 of Regulation                        (EU) No 1303/2013**                   
          -  description of the transitional conditions by measure; 
          -  indicative carry-over table. 

### 20.**Thematic sub-programmes**U.K.

#### 20.1.**SWOT and identification of needs**U.K.

Analysis based on the SWOT methodology containing the following sections:

comprehensive overall description of the theme of the sub-programme using common and programme-specific context indicators                                       and qualitative information;                                    

strengths identified with regard to the theme of the sub-programme;

weaknesses with regard to the theme of the sub-programme;

opportunities with regard to the theme of the sub-programme;

threats with regard to the theme of the sub-programme;

needs assessment, based on evidence from the SWOT analysis, for each priority and focus area and the three cross-cutting objectives                              (environment, climate change mitigation and adaption, innovation) to which the thematic sub-programme contributes.                           

#### 20.2.**Description of the strategy**U.K.

Where not all the needs identified under point 20(1)(b) can be addressed by the thematic sub-programme, a justification of                              the needs selected to be addressed and the choice of objectives, priorities and focus areas based on evidence from the SWOT                              and the needs assessment;                           

the combination and justification of the rural development measures for each focus area to which the thematic sub-programme                              contributes, including the justification of the financial allocations to the measures and the adequacy of the financial ressources                              with the targets set as referred to in Article 8(1)(c)(ii) and (iii) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013. The combination of measures                              included in the intervention logic shall be based on the evidence from the SWOT analysis and, where relevant, justification                              and prioritisation of needs under point (a);                           

a description of how the cross-cutting themes will be addressed, including the specific requirements referred to in Article                              8(1)(c)(v) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013;                           

a summary table of the intervention logic showing the priorities and focus areas selected for the sub-programme, the quantified                              targets, and the combination of measures to be used to achieve them, including the planned expenditure. The summary table                              shall be automatically generated from the information provided in point 5(b) and point 11, using the characteristics of SFC2014.                           

#### 20.3.**Indicator plan**, comprising separate structured tables setting out:U.K.

By focus area, quantified targets accompanied by planned outputs and planned total public expenditure of the measures selected                              to address the focus area;                           

for agriculture and forestry, the detailed calculation of the targets of priorities laid down in Article 5(4) and Article                              5(5)(d) and (e) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013.                           

## PART 2U.K.**Presentation of the content of national frameworks**

### 1.**Title of the national framework**U.K.

### 2.**Member State**U.K.

#### (a)Geographical area covered by the framework;U.K.

#### (b)Classification of the regions.U.K.

### 3.**General presentation of the relations between national framework, partnership agreement and RDPs**U.K.

### 4.**Table summarising, by region and by year, the total EAFRD contribution to the Member State for the whole programming period**U.K.

### 5.**Description of the measures**U.K.

#### (1)Description of the general conditions applied to more than one measure including, where relevant, definition of rural area,                        baselines, cross-compliance, intended use of financial instruments, intended use of advances.U.K.

#### (2)Description by measure including:U.K.

Legal basis.

General description of the measure including general principles for its intervention logic and contribution to focus areas                              and cross-cutting objectives.                           

Scope, level of support, eligible beneficiaries, and where relevant, methodology for calculation of the support rate broken                              down by sub-measure and/or type of operation where necessary. For each type of operation specification of eligible costs,                              eligibility conditions, applicable amounts and support rates and principles with regard to the setting of selection criteria.                           

General principles for verifiability and controllability of the measures and, where relevant, the methodology for the calculation                              of the amount of support.                           

Where relevant, description specific to each measure referred to in point 8(2) of Part 1.

### 6.**Where relevant, additional national financing:**U.K.

For measures and operations falling within the scope of Article 42 of the Treaty, a table on additional national financing                     per measure in accordance with Article 82 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, including the indication of compliance with the                     criteria under that Regulation.                  

### 7.**Where relevant, elements needed for State aid assessment:**U.K.

For the measures and operations which fall outside the scope of Article 42 of the Treaty the table of aid schemes falling                     under Article 81(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 to be used for the implementation of the programmes, including the title                     and the references of the aid scheme, the EAFRD contribution, national cofinancing and additional national financing. Compatibility                     with Union State aid rules must be ensured over the entire duration of the programmes concerned.                  

The table shall be accompanied by a commitment from the Member State that, where required under State aid rules or under specific                     conditions in a State aid approval decision, such measures will be notified individually pursuant to Article 108(3) of the                     Treaty.                  

Statement whether the measure/operation has State aid cover under the national framework or under the rural development programmes                     concerned.                  

## PART 3U.K.**Presentation of the content of the NRN programme**

### 1.**Title of the specific NRN programme**U.K.

### 2.**Member State or administrative region**U.K.

geographical area covered by the programme;

classification of the region.

### 3.***Ex ante* evaluation**U.K.

#### (a)description of the process, including timing of main events, intermediate reports, in relation to the key stages of the NRN                        programme development.U.K.

#### (b)Structured table containing the recommendations of the *ex ante* evaluation and how they have been addressed.U.K.

#### (c)The complete *ex ante* evaluation report shall be annexed to the NRN programme.U.K.

### 4.**Evaluation plan, containing the following sections**U.K.

#### (1)Objectives and purposeU.K.

A statement of the objectives and purpose of the evaluation plan, based on ensuring that sufficient and appropriate evaluation                     activities are undertaken, in particular to provide information needed for programme steering, for the annual implementation                     reports in 2017 and 2019 and the *ex-post* evaluation, and to ensure that data needed for the NRN programme evaluation are available.                  

#### (2)Governance and coordinationU.K.

Brief description of the monitoring and evaluation arrangements for the NRN programme, identifying the main bodies involved                     and their responsibilities. Explanation of how evaluation activities are linked with the NRN programme implementation in terms                     of content and timing.                  

#### (3)Evaluation topics and activitiesU.K.

Indicative description of evaluation topics related to the NRN and activities anticipated, including, but not limited to,                     fulfilment of evaluation requirements provided for in Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013. It shall                     cover activities needed to evaluate the contribution of the programme to the NRN objectives, assessment of result indicator                     values, analysis of net effects. Programme specific elements such as work needed to develop methodologies or to address specific                     policy areas.                  

#### (4)Data and informationU.K.

Brief description of the system to record, maintain, manage and report statistical information on the NRN programme implementation                     and provision of monitoring data for evaluation. Identification of data sources to be used, data gaps, potential institutional                     issues related to data provision, and proposed solutions. This section shall demonstrate that appropriate data management                     systems will be operational in due time.                  

#### (5)TimelineU.K.

Major milestones of the programming period, and indicative outline of the timing needed to ensure that results are available                     at the appropriate time.                  

#### (6)CommunicationU.K.

Description of how evaluation findings will be disseminated to target recipients, including a description of the mechanisms                     established to follow-up on the use of evaluation results.                  

#### (7)ResourcesU.K.

Description of the resources needed and foreseen to implement the evaluation plan, including an indication of administrative                     capacity, data, financial resources, IT needs. Description of capacity building activities foreseen to ensure that the evaluation                     plan can be fully implemented.                  

### 5.**Financing plan**, setting out:U.K.

The annual EAFRD contribution;

the total Union contribution and the EAFRD contribution rate.

### 6.**Programme implementing arrangements**, containing the following sections:U.K.

The designation by the Member State of all authorities referred to in Article 65(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 and a                              summary description of the management and control structure of the programme referred to in Article 8(1)(m)(i) of Regulation                              (EU) No 1305/2013 and arrangements under Article 74(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;                           

the envisaged composition of the Monitoring Committee;

description of the monitoring and evaluation system.

### 7.**NRN**U.K.

Description of:

the procedure and the timetable for establishing the NRN;

the planned establishment and operation of the NRN, namely the way organisations and administrations involved in rural development,                              including the partnership referred to in Article 54(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 will be involved and how the networking                              activities will be facilitated.                           

Where a Member State has opted to support the NRN from the NRN specific programme and regional programmes, information on                              complementarity between them;                           

a summary description of the main categories of activities to be undertaken by the NRN in accordance with the objectives of                              the programme;                           

the resources available for establishing and operating the NRN.

## PART 4U.K.**Indicative list of priorities/focus areas and measures of particular relevance to *ex-ante* conditionalities (rural development priority-linked and general) referred to in point 6(b)(ii) of Part 1**

### 1.

### **SPECIFIC *EX-ANTE* CONDITIONALITIES FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT**

### 2.

### **GENERAL *EX-ANTE* CONDITIONALITIES**

## PART 5U.K.

### **Measures and sub-measures codes**

## PART 6U.K.

### **Union priorities for rural development and focus area codes**

## ANNEX IIU.K.

### **Conversion rates of animals to livestock units (‘LU’) referred to in Article 9(2)**

## ANNEX IIIU.K.**Information and publicity referred to in Article 13**

## PART 1U.K.**Information and publicity actions**

### 1.**Responsibilities of the Managing Authority**U.K.

#### 1.1.*Information and publicity strategy*U.K.

The Managing Authority shall ensure that the information and publicity actions are implemented in accordance with its information                     and publicity strategy which shall cover at least the following:                  

the aims of the strategy and its target groups;

a description of the content of the information and publicity actions;

the indicative budget of the strategy;

a description of the administrative bodies, including the staff resources, responsible for implementing the information and                              publicity actions;                           

a description of the role played by the NRN and how its communication plan referred to in Article 54(3)(vi) of Regulation                              (EU) No 1305/2013 will contribute to the implementation of the strategy;                           

a description of how the information and publicity actions shall be assessed in terms of visibility and awareness of the policy                              framework, programmes and operations, and of the role played by the EAFRD and the Union;                           

an annual update setting out the information and publicity activities to be carried out in the following year.

#### 1.2.*Information for the potential beneficiaries*U.K.

The Managing Authority shall ensure that potential beneficiaries have access to the relevant information, including updated                     information where necessary, taking into account the accessibility of electronic or other communication services for certain                     potential beneficiaries, on at least the following:                  

the funding opportunities and the launching of calls under the RDPs;

the administrative procedures to be followed in order to qualify for financing under a RDP;

the procedures for examining applications for financing;

the eligibility conditions and/or criteria for selecting and evaluating the projects to be financed;

the names of persons or contacts at national, regional or local level who can explain the way RDPs work and the criteria for                              selecting and evaluating the operations;                           

the responsibility of beneficiaries to inform the public about the aim of the operation and the support from the EAFRD to                              the operation in accordance with section 2 of Part 1. The Managing Authority may request potential beneficiaries to propose                              indicative communication activities, proportional to the size of the operation, in the applications;                           

the procedures for the examination of complaints under Article 74(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013.

#### 1.3.*Information for the general public*U.K.

The Managing Authority shall inform the public of the content of the RDP, its adoption by the Commission and its updates,                     the main achievements in the implementation of the programme and its closure, as well as its contribution to the achievement                     of the Union priorities as set out in the Partnership Agreement.                  

The Managing Authority shall ensure the establishment of a single website or single website portal providing the information                     referred to in points 1.1 and 1.2, and the first paragraph of this point. The establishment of the single website shall not                     disrupt smooth implementation of the EAFRD and not restrict access for potential beneficiaries and stakeholders to the information.                     The actions for informing the public shall include the elements set out in point 1 of Part 2.                  

#### 1.4.*Involvement of bodies acting as relays*U.K.

The Managing Authority shall ensure, including through the NRN, that bodies that can act as relays are involved in the information                     actions for potential beneficiaries, and in particular:                  

partners as referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;

information centers on Europe, as well as Commission representation offices, and Information offices of the European Parliament                              in Member States;                           

educational and research institutions.

#### 1.5.*Notification of the award of support*U.K.

The Managing Authority shall ensure that the notification of award of the support informs beneficiaries that the action is                     being financed under a programme part-financed by the EAFRD and of the measure and priority of the RDP concerned.                  

### 2.**Responsibilities of beneficiaries**U.K.

#### 2.1.All information and communication actions of the beneficiary shall acknowledge support from the EAFRD to the operation by                        displaying:U.K.

the Union emblem;

a reference to the support from the EAFRD.

Where an information or publicity action relates to an operation or to several operations co-financed by more than one Fund,                     the reference provided for in point (b) may be replaced by a reference to the ESI Funds.                  

#### 2.2.During the implementation of an operation, the beneficiary shall inform the public about the support obtained from the EAFRD                        by:U.K.

providing on the beneficiary’s website for professional use, where such a website exists, a short description of the operation                              where a link between the purpose of the website and the support provided to the operation can be established, proportionate                              to the level of support, including its aims and results, and highlighting the financial support from the Union;                           

for operations not falling under point (c) the total public support of which exceeds EUR 10 000 and depending on the operation                              funded (for example for operations under Article 20 on village renewal or LEADER operations), at least one poster with information                              about the operation (minimum size A3), highlighting the financial support from the Union, at a location readily visible to                              the public, such as the entrance area of a building. Where an operation under a RDP results in an investment (for example,                              on a farm or on food enterprise) the total public support of which exceeds EUR 50 000, the beneficiary shall place an explanatory                              plaque with information about the project, highlighting the financial support from the Union. An explanatory plaque shall                              also be installed in the premises of the local action groups financed by LEADER;                           

putting up, at a location readily visible to the public, a temporary billboard of a significant size for each operation consisting                              of the financing of infrastructure or construction operations for which the total public support to the operation exceeds                              EUR 500 000.                           

No later than three months after completion of an operation, the beneficiary shall put up a permanent plaque or billboard                     of significant size at a location readily visible to the public for each operation that fulfils the following criteria:                  

the total public support to the operation exceeds EUR 500 000;

the operation consists of the purchase of a physical object or of the financing of infrastructure or of construction operations.

This billboard shall state the name and the main objective of the operation and highlight the financial support provided from                     the Union.                  

The billboards, posters, plaques and websites shall carry a description of the project/operation and the elements referred                     to in of point 1 of Part 2. That information shall take up at least 25 % of the billboard, plaque or webpage.                  

## PART 2U.K.**Technical characteristics of information and publicity actions**

### 1.**Logo and slogan**U.K.

Each action of information and publicity shall display the following elements:

the Union emblem in accordance with the graphic standards as presented on http://europa.eu/abc/symbols/emblem/download_en.htm,                              together with an explanation of the Union’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 LEADER, the LEADER logo:

++ LEADER logo++

### 2.**Information and communication material**U.K.

Publications (such as booklets, leaflets and newsletters) and posters about measures and actions co-financed by the EAFRD                     shall contain a clear indication on the title page of the Union’s participation, as well as the Union’s emblem if a national                     or regional emblem is also used. Publications shall include references to the body responsible for the content and to the                     Managing Authority designated to implement the EAFRD and/or national assistance in question.                  

In the case of information made available by electronic means (websites, databases for potential beneficiaries) or as audiovisual                     material, the first paragraph shall apply by analogy.                  

Websites concerning the EAFRD shall:

mention the contribution of the EAFRD at least on the home page;

include a hyperlink to the Commission website concerning EAFRD.

## ANNEX IVU.K.**Common set of context, result and output indicators referred to in Article 14(2)**

### 1.**Context indicators**U.K.

Population

Age structure

Territory

Population density

Employment rate(15)                      

Self-employment rate

Unemployment rate

GDP per capita(15)                      

Poverty rate(15)                      

Structure of the economy

Structure of the employment

Labour productivity by economic sector

Employment by economic activity

Labour productivity in agriculture

Labour productivity in forestry

Labour productivity in the food industry

Agricultural holdings (farms)

Agricultural area

Agricultural area under organic farming

Irrigated land

Livestock units

Farm labour force

Age structure of farm managers

Agricultural training of farm managers

Agricultural factor income(15)                      

Agricultural entrepreneurial income(15)                      

Total factor productivity in agriculture(15)                      

Gross fixed capital formation in agriculture

Forest and other wooded land (FOWL)

Tourism infrastructure

Land cover

Less favoured areas

Farming intensity

Natura 2000 areas

Farmland birds index (FBI)(15)                      

Conservation status of agricultural habitats (grassland)

HNV (high nature value) farming(15)                      

Protected forest

Water abstraction in agriculture(15)                      

Water quality(15)                      

Soil organic matter in arable land(15)                      

Soil erosion by water(15)                      

Production of renewable energy from agriculture and forestry

Energy use in agriculture, forestry and food industry

Emissions from agriculture(15)                      

### 2.**Result indicators**U.K.

*R1*

:

*percentage of agricultural holdings with RDP support for investments in restructuring or modernisation (focus area 2A)*                      

:

Change in Agricultural output on supported farms/AWU (Annual Work Unit) (focus area 2A)(16)                      

*R3*

:

*percentage of agricultural holdings with RDP supported business development plan/investments for young farmers (focus area                           2B)*                      

*R4*

:

*percentage of agricultural holdings receiving support for participating in quality schemes, local markets and short supply                           circuits, and producer groups/organisations (focus area 3A)*                      

*R5*

:

*percentage of farms participating in risk management schemes (focus area 3B)*                      

*R6*

:

*percentage of forest or other wooded areas under management contracts supporting biodiversity (focus area 4A)*                      

*R7*

:

*percentage of agricultural land under management contracts supporting biodiversity and/or landscapes (focus area 4A)*                      

*R8*

:

*percentage of agricultural land under management contracts to improve water management (focus area 4B)*                      

*R9*

:

*percentage of forestry land under management contracts to improve water management (focus area 4B)*                      

*R10*

:

*percentage of agricultural land under management contracts to improve soil management and/or prevent soil erosion (focus area                           4C)*                      

*R11*

:

*percentage of forestry land under management contracts to improve soil management and/or prevent soil erosion (focus area                           4C)*                      

*R12*

:

*percentage of irrigated land switching to more efficient irrigation systems (focus area 5A)*                      

*R13*

:

Increase in efficiency of water use in agriculture in RDP supported projects (*focus area* 5A)(16)                      

:

Increase in efficiency of energy use in agriculture and food-processing in RDP supported projects (*focus area* 5B)(16)                      

:

Renewable energy produced from supported projects (*focus area* 5C)(16)                      

*R16*

:

*percentage of LU (Live-stock Unit) concerned by investments in live-stock management in view of reducing GHG (Green House                           Gas) and/or ammonia emissions (focus area 5D)*                      

*R17*

:

*percentage of agricultural land under management contracts targeting reduction of GHG and/or ammonia emissions (focus area                           5D)*                      

:

Reduced emissions of methane and nitrous oxide (*focus area* 5D)(16)                      

:

Reduced ammonia emissions (*focus area* 5D)(16)                      

:

*percentage of agricultural and forest land under management contracts contributing to carbon sequestration or conservation                           (focus area 5E)*                      

*R21*

:

*Jobs created in supported projects (focus area 6A)*                      

*R22*

:

*percentage of rural population covered by local development strategies (focus area 6B)*                      

*R23*

:

*percentage of rural population benefiting from improved services/infrastructures (focus area 6B)*                      

*R24*

:

*Jobs created in supported projects (Leader) (focus area 6B)*                      

*R25*

:

*percentage of rural population benefiting from new or improved services/infrastructures (Information and Communication Technology                           — ICT) (focus area 6C)*                      

***Indicators in italics are also target indicators as listed under Point 4.***                   

### 3.**RD Output indicators**U.K.

### 4.**Target indicators**U.K.

:

percentage of expenditure under Articles 14, 15 and 35 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 in relation to the total expenditure                        for the RDP (focus area 1A)                     

:

Total number of cooperation operations supported under the cooperation measure (Article 35 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013)                        (groups, networks/clusters, pilot projects...) (focus area 1B)                     

:

Total number of participants trained under Article 14 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 (focus area 1C)

:

percentage of agricultural holdings with RDP support for investments in restructuring or modernisation (focus area 2A)

:

percentage of agricultural holdings with RDP supported business development plan/investments for young farmers (focus area                        2B)                     

:

percentage of agricultural holdings *receiving support for participating in* quality schemes, local markets and short supply circuits, and producer groups/organisations (focus area 3A)                     

:

percentage of farms participating in risk management schemes (focus area 3B)

:

percentage of forest/other wooded area under management contracts supporting biodiversity (focus area 4A)

:

percentage of agricultural land under management contracts supporting biodiversity and/or landscapes (focus area 4A)

:

percentage of agricultural land under management contracts to improve water management (focus area 4B)

:

percentage of forestry land under management contracts to improve water management (focus area 4B)

:

percentage of agricultural land under management contracts to improve soil management and/or prevent soil erosion (focus area                        4C)                     

:

percentage of forestry land under management contracts to improve soil management and/or prevent soil erosion (focus area                        4C)                     

:

percentage of irrigated land switching to more efficient irrigation system (focus area 5A)

:

Total investment for energy efficiency (focus area 5B)

:

Total investment in renewable energy production (focus area 5C)

:

percentage of LU concerned by investments in live-stock management in view of reducing GHG and/or ammonia emissions (focus                        area 5D)                     

:

percentage of agricultural land under management contracts targeting reduction of GHG and/or ammonia emissions (focus area                        5D)                     

:

percentage of agricultural and forest land under management contracts contributing to carbon sequestration and conservation                        (focus area 5E)                     

:

Jobs created in supported projects (focus area 6A)

:

percentage of rural population covered by local development strategies (focus area 6B)

:

percentage of rural population benefiting from improved services/infrastructures (focus area 6B)

:

Jobs created in supported projects (Leader) (focus area 6B)

:

percentage of rural population benefiting from new or improved services/infrastructures (ICT) (focus area 6C)

### 5.**Proposed Performance Framework Indicators**U.K.

## ANNEX VU.K.**Common evaluation questions for rural development**

### **Focus area-related evaluation questions**U.K.

*For each focus area included in the RDP, the related question shall be answered in the enhanced annual implementation reports                        (hereafter ‘AIRs’) submitted in 2017 and 2019, and in the ex-post evaluation report.*                   

Focus area 1A: To what extent have RDP interventions supported innovation, cooperation and the development of the knowledge                              base in rural areas?                           

Focus area 1B: To what extent have RDP interventions supported the strengthening of links between agriculture, food production                              and forestry and research and innovation, including for the purpose of improved environmental management and performance?                           

Focus area 1C: To what extent have RDP interventions supported lifelong learning and vocational training in the agriculture                              and forestry sectors?                           

Focus area 2A: To what extent have RDP interventions contributed to improving the economic performance, restructuring and                              modernization of supported farms in particular through increasing their market participation and agricultural diversification?                           

Focus area 2B: To what extent have RDP interventions supported the entry of adequately skilled farmers into the agricultural                              sector and in particular, generational renewal?                           

Focus area 3A: To what extent have RDP interventions contributed to improving the competitiveness of supported primary producers                              by better integrating them into the agri-food chain through quality schemes, adding value to the agricultural products, promoting                              local markets and short supply circuits, producer groups and inter-branch organization?                           

Focus area 3B: To what extent have RDP interventions supported farm risk prevention and management?

Focus area 4A: To what extent have RDP interventions supported the restoration, preservation and enhancement of biodiversity                              including in Natura 2000 areas, areas facing natural or other specific constraints and HNV farming, and the state of European                              landscape?                           

Focus area 4B: To what extent have RDP interventions supported the improvement of water management, including fertilizer and                              pesticide management?                           

Focus area 4C: To what extent have RDP interventions supported the prevention of soil erosion and improvement of soil management?

Focus area 5A: To what extent have RDP interventions contributed to increasing efficiency in water use by agriculture?

Focus area 5B: To what extent have RDP interventions contributed to increasing efficiency in energy use in agriculture and                              food processing?                           

Focus area 5C: To what extent have RDP interventions contributed to the supply and use of renewable sources of energy, of                              by-products, wastes, residues and other non-food raw material for purposes of the bio-economy?                           

Focus area 5D: To what extent have RDP interventions contributed to reducing GHG and ammonia emissions from agriculture?

Focus area 5E: To what extent have RDP interventions supported carbon conservation and sequestration in agriculture and forestry?

Focus area 6A: To what extent have RDP interventions supported the diversification, creation and development of small enterprises                              and job creation?                           

Focus area 6B: To what extent have RDP interventions supported local development in rural areas?

Focus area 6C: To what extent have RDP interventions enhanced the accessibility, use and quality of information and communication                              technologies (ICT) in rural areas?                           

### **Evaluation questions related to other aspects of the RDP**U.K.

*The following questions shall be answered in the enhanced AIRs submitted in 2017 and 2019, and in the ex-post evaluation report.*                   

To what extent have the synergies among priorities and focus areas enhanced the effectiveness of the RDP?

To what extent has technical assistance contributed to achieving the objectives laid down in Article 59 of Regulation (EU)                              No 1303/2013 and Article 51(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013?                           

To what extent has the NRN contributed to achieving the objectives laid down in Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013?

### **Evaluation questions related to Union level objectives**U.K.

*The following questions shall be answered in the enhanced AIR submitted in 2019, and in the ex-post evaluation report.*                   

To what extent has the RDP contributed to achieving the EU 2020 headline target of raising the employment rate of the population                              aged 20 to 64 to at least 75 %?                           

To what extent has the RDP contributed to achieving the EU2020 headline target of investing 3 % of EU’s GDP in research and                              development and innovation?                           

To what extent has the RDP contributed to climate change mitigation and adaptation and to achieving the EU 2020 headline target                              of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 % compared to 1990 levels, or by 30 % if the conditions are right, to                              increasing the share of renewable energy in final energy consumption to 20 %, and achieving 20 % increase in energy efficiency?                           

To what extent has the RDP contributed to achieving the EU 2020 headline target of reducing the number of Europeans living                              below the national poverty line?                           

To what extent has the RDP contributed to improving the environment and to achieving the EU biodiversity strategy target of                              halting the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services, and to restore them?                           

To what extent has the RDP contributed to the CAP objective of fostering the competitiveness of agriculture?

To what extent has the RDP contributed to the CAP objective of ensuring sustainable management of natural resources and climate                              action?                           

To what extent has the RDP contributed to the CAP objective of achieving a balanced territorial development of rural economies                              and communities including the creation and maintenance of employment?                           

To what extent has the RDP contributed to fostering innovation?

## ANNEX VIU.K.**Main elements of technical support documents for the monitoring and evaluation system**

One of the key elements of the monitoring and evaluation system for rural development is the technical support that is provided                     to Member States, evaluators and other evaluation stakeholders to build evaluation capacity and to increase the quality and                     consistency of evaluation activities. The Commission, working in conjunction with the Member States, shall produce technical                     support documents covering the following topics:                  

Fiches for each of the common indicators, which include a definition of the indicator; the link to the intervention logic;                              the unit of measurement; methodology used to obtain values; the data required and the sources of the data; information on                              data collection including the body responsible and the frequency of data collection; reporting requirements.                           

Methodological guidance to support Member States and evaluators in fulfilling the requirements of the monitoring and evaluation                              system, covering its various components, including evaluation methodologies and approaches, and the provision of support on                              specific issues such as evaluation of CLLD.                           

Guidance on the *ex ante* evaluation of RDPs covering the purpose of *ex ante* evaluation, the process and roles of the actors involved, and the scope of the exercise and providing methodological support                              on suitable approaches and methods, and a toolbox of indicative templates.                           

Guidance on the preparation of evaluation plans covering the purpose and benefits of an evaluation plan, the elements which                              shall be included, and recommendations on appropriate processes to establish it. Considerations linked to governance and implementation                              are covered, as are indicative templates for aspects of the exercise.                           

Guidance on the use and establishment of proxy indicators, targeted particularly at regional RDPs, describing the purpose                              and characteristics of proxy indicators and identifying data and methods which could be used where proxies are required.                           

Guidance on the indicator plan covering the elements which shall be included, the rules to be applied and the template tables.

Guidance on the monitoring covering the elements which shall be included in the annual implementation reports, rules to be                              applied and the template tables.                           

Guidance on the assessment of values for the complementary result indicators, covering identification of the relevant population                              of projects, sampling strategies, appropriate methodologies, data sources and assessment techniques.                           

Guidance on assessing the impacts of RDPs, covering the purpose and use of the impact indicators, linkages between rural development                              policy and other policies and factors which affect impact indicator values, and proposed methods for estimating the net effect                              of rural development interventions.                           

Guidance on answering the common evaluation questions for rural development, including links to the intervention logic and                              common indicators, and proposing additional data, judgement criteria and a range of possible approaches which could be used                              to answer the questions.                           

Guidance on the *ex post* evaluation of 2014-2020 RDPs covering the purpose, process and scope of the exercise, providing methodological support and                              identifying good practices, and including indicative templates for aspects of the exercise.                           

## ANNEX VIIU.K.**Structure and content of annual implementation reports (referred to in Article 50 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Article                           75 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013)**

### 1.**Key information on implementation of the programme and its priorities**U.K.

#### a)*Financial data*U.K.

Financial implementation data giving, for each measure and focus area, a statement of the expenditure incurred and declared                     in the declarations of expenditure. It shall cover the total incurred public expenditure as well as the financial recoveries                     and corrections brought by the Member States during the previous calendar year.                  

#### b)*Common and programme-specific indicators and quantified target values*U.K.

Information on RDP implementation as measured by common and specific indicators, including the progress achieved in relation                     to the targets set for each focus area and on realised output compared to planned output as set out in the indicator plan.                     Beginning from the annual implementation report to be submitted in 2017, the achievements towards the milestones set in the                     performance framework (table F). Additional information on the stage of RDP implementation is provided through data on financial                     commitments by measure and focus area, and the related expected progress towards targets.                  

Tables:
          -  Table A: Committed expenditure by measure and focus area 
          -  Table B: Realised output indicators by measure and focus area 
          -  Table C: Breakdown for relevant outputs and measures by type of area, gender and/or age 
          -  Table D: Progress towards targets 
          -  Table E: Monitoring of transitional measures 
          -  Table F: Achievement of the performance framework indicators 

### 2.**The progress in implementing the evaluation plan shall be presented as follows:**U.K.

Description of any modifications made to the evaluation plan in the RDP during the year, with their justification.

A description of the evaluation activities undertaken during the year (in relation to section 3 of the evaluation plan).*

A description of activities undertaken in relation to the provision and management of data (in relation to section 4 of the                              evaluation plan).*                           

A list of completed evaluations, including references to where they have been published on-line.

A summary of completed evaluations, focussing on evaluation findings.

A description of communication activities undertaken in relation to publicising evaluation findings (in relation to section                              6 of the evaluation plan).*                           

Description of the follow-up given to evaluation results (in relation to section 6 of the evaluation plan).*

#### *Reference shall be made to the evaluation plan, any difficulties encountered in implementation shall be described, together                        with solutions adopted or proposed.U.K.

### 3.**Issues which affect the performance of the programme and the measures taken**U.K.

Description of the steps taken by the Managing Authority and the Monitoring Committee to ensure the quality and effectiveness                     of programme implementation and in particular as regards issues encountered in managing the programme and any corrective measures                     taken, notably in response to comments made by the Commission.                  

### 4.**Steps taken to implement technical assistance and programme publicity requirements**U.K.

#### a)In case of coverage under the technical assistance of the establishment and functioning of NRN, the report shall describe                        actions taken and state of play as regards the establishment of the NRN and the implementation of its action plan;U.K.

#### b)Steps taken to ensure that the programme is publicised (Article 13 of this Regulation).U.K.

### 5.**Actions taken to fulfil *ex ante* conditionalities (in 2017 and in 2016 where relevant)**U.K.

Descriptions of actions taken by priority/focus area/measure to fulfil the applicable priority-linked and general *ex-ante* conditionalities not fulfilled or partially fulfilled at the time of the adoption of the RDP. Reference shall be made to                     the criteria which were not or only partially fulfilled, to any strategy, legal act or other relevant document including references                     to the relevant sections and articles, to the bodies responsible for fulfilment. Where necessary, Member States can provide                     explanations or additional information to complement that description.                  

### 6.**Description of implementation of sub-programmes**U.K.

The AIRs submitted in 2017 and 2019 shall also include the information on the implementation as measured by common and specific                     indicators including on the progress achieved in relation to the targets set in the indicator plan of the sub-programme as                     well as on realised output and expenditure compared to planned output and expenditure set in the sub-programme.                  

### 7.**Assessment of the information and progress towards achieving the objectives of the programme**U.K.

The AIRs submitted in 2017 and 2019 shall also include the following information resulting from evaluation activities:

Reporting and quantification of programme achievements, in particular through assessment of the complementary result indicators,                     and relevant evaluation questions.                  

The AIRs submitted in 2019 shall also include the following information resulting from evaluation activities:

Reporting on the progress towards the objectives of the programme and its contribution to achieving the Union strategy for                     smart, sustainable and inclusive growth through, inter alia, assessment of the programme’s net contribution to changes in                     CAP impact indicator values, and relevant evaluation questions.                  

### 8.**Implementation of actions to take into account the principles set out in Articles 6, 7 and 8 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013**U.K.

The AIRs submitted in 2017 and 2019 shall also include the following information:

#### (a)*Promotion of equality between men and women and non-discrimination (Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013)*U.K.

Assessment of actions taken to ensure that equality between men and women and the integration of gender perspective are taken                     into account and promoted throughout the preparation and implementation of programmes, including in relation to monitoring,                     reporting and evaluation.                  

#### (b)*Sustainable development (Article 8 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013)*U.K.

Assessment of actions taken to ensure that the objectives and implementation of EAFRD is in line with the principle of sustainable                     development and with the Union’s promotion of the aim of preserving, protecting and improving the environment, as set out                     in Article 11 and Article 91(1) of the Treaty, taking into account the polluter pays principle.                  

In addition, information is provided on the support for climate change objectives (Climate change tracking).

#### (c)*The role of the partners referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 in the implementation of the programme*U.K.

Assessment of actions taken to ensure that the partners referred to in Article 5(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 are involved                     in the preparation of progress reports and throughout the implementation of programmes, including through participation in                     the monitoring committees for programmes in accordance with Article 48 of that Regulation and in the activities of the NRN.                  

### 9.**Progress made in ensuring integrated approach**U.K.

The AIRs submitted in 2019 shall also include the following information:

Description of progress made in ensuring an integrated approach to use the EAFRD and other Union financial instruments to                     support the territorial development of rural areas, including through local development strategies.                  

### 10.**Report on Implementation of Financial Instruments** (Article 46 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013)U.K.

The AIRs shall also include as an annex:

a specific report covering the operations comprising financial instruments. The content of this report is set out in Article                     46(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and this submission shall be done through the ESI Funds template.                  

1

JO L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 487.                           

2

Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and the Council of 17 December 2013 laying down common provisions                              on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for                              Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and laying down general provisions on the European Regional                              Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and repealing Council                              Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 320).                           

3

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 807/2014 of 11 March 2014 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European                              Parliament and of the Council on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)                              and introducing transitional provisions (see page 1 of this Official Journal).                           

4

Article 8(4) of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora                              (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7).                           

5

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 184/2014 of 25 February 2014 laying down pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013                              of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the                              European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and                              Fisheries Fund and laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the                              Cohesion Fund and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, the terms and conditions applicable to the electronic data exchange                              system between the Member States and the Commission and adopting pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013 of the European                              Parliament and of the Council on specific provisions for the support from the European Regional Development Fund to the European                              territorial cooperation goal, the nomenclature of the categories of intervention for support from the European Regional Development                              Fund under the European territorial cooperation goal (OJ L 57, 27.2.2014, p. 7).                           

6

Using the total EAFRD contribution to each of the programmes concerned.

7

Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on the financing, management                              and monitoring of the common agricultural policy and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 352/78, (EC) No 165/94, (EC) No                              2799/98, (EC) No 814/2000, (EC) No 1290/2005 and (EC) No 485/2008 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 549).                           

8

Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing rules for direct                              payments to farmers under support schemes within the framework of the common agricultural policy and repealing Council Regulation                              (EC) No 637/2008 and Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 608).                           

9

Council Directive 91/676/EEC of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates                              from agricultural sources (OJ L 375, 31.12.1991, p. 1).                           

10

Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for Community                              action to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides (OJ L 309, 24.11.2009, p. 71).                           

11

Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds                              (OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7).                           

12

Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community                              action in the field of water policy (OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1).                           

13

The indicative breakdown of the total Union contribution by focus area is to be used within the context of the contribution                              of the rural development programme to the thematic objectives and climate change objectives referred to in Article 15(1)(a)(iv)                              of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, of suspensions referred to in Articles 19(5) and 22(6) of that Regulation and, where relevant,                              of the calculation of amounts to be reserved under Article 59(6) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013.                           

14

Article 8(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the establishment                              of a Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 614/2007 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 185).                           

15

**Context indicators which incorporate Common Agricultural Policy (‘CAP’) impact indicators**                            

16

**Complementary result indicators**