ANNEX

In Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 794/2004, Parts III.12.A to III.12.Q, are replaced by the following:

‘PART III. 12

GENERAL INFORMATION SHEET FOR THE EU GUIDELINES FOR STATE AID IN THE AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY SECTORS AND IN RURAL AREAS

Please note that this general information sheet for the notification of State aid applies to all sectors covered by the European Union Guidelines for State aid in the agriculture and forestry sectors and in rural areas 2014–2020 (1) (‘the Guidelines’). In addition for all measures covered by the Guidelines the relevant Supplementary Information Sheet must be completed.

0. COMMON ASSESSMENT PRINCIPLES

1. Does the State aid measure satisfy the following common assessment principles?  the measure contributes to a well-defined objective of common interest;  the need for State intervention: a State aid measure must be targeted towards a situation where aid can bring about a material improvement that the market cannot deliver itself, by remedying a well-defined market failure;  the appropriateness of the aid measure: the proposed aid measure must be an appropriate policy instrument to address the objective of common interest;  the incentive effect: the aid must change the behaviour of the undertaking(s) concerned in such a way that it engages in an additional activity which it would not carry out without the aid or it would carry out in a restricted or different manner;  the proportionality of the aid (aid limited to the minimum necessary): the aid amount must be limited to the minimum needed to induce the activity in the sector concerned;  the avoidance of major undue negative effects on competition and trade between Member States: the negative effects of aid must be sufficiently limited, so that the overall balance of the measure is positive;  transparency of aid: Member States, the Commission, economic operators, and the public must have easy access to all relevant acts and to pertinent information about the aid granted thereunder.

2. Does the State aid measure entail one of the following non-severable violations of European Union law?  the obligation for the beneficiary to have its headquarters in the relevant Member State or to be predominantly established in that Member State (2);  the obligation for the beneficiary to use nationally produced goods or national services;  a restriction on the possibility for the beneficiaries to exploit the research, development and innovation results in other Member States;  other non-severable violation of European Union law. If one of these points is answered positively, please note that in accordance with point (41) of the Guidelines such aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

1. CONTRIBUTION TO A COMMON OBJECTIVE

1.1. Will the aid ensure viable food production and promote the efficient and sustainable use of resources in order to achieve intelligent and sustainable growth?  yes  no

1.2. Is the aid related closely to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and consistent with the rural development objectives referred to in point (10) of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that in accordance with point (44) of the Guidelines, such aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

1.3. For agricultural products, is the aid compatible with the rules on the common organisation of the markets in agricultural products?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that in accordance with point (44) of the Guidelines, such aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

Rural development objectives

1.4. As regards rural development like measures, can the Member State demonstrate how the aid fits into and is consistent with the relevant rural development programmes?  yes  no If the answer is yes, this notification must be accompanied by such documentation.

Additional conditions for individually notified investment aid on the basis of a scheme

1.5. When awarding aid to individually notified investment projects on the basis of a scheme, can the granting authority confirm that the selected project will contribute towards the objectives of the scheme and thus towards the objectives of aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas? For that purpose, the Member State may rely on the information provided by the applicant for aid where the positive effects of the investment must be described.  yes  no

Environmental objectives

1.6. Does the State aid notification contain an assessment on whether or not the aided activity is expected to have any environmental impact?  yes  no

1.7. Will the aid have an environmental impact?  yes  no If the answer is yes, the Member State must provide with the notification information demonstrating that the aid will not result in an infringement of applicable Union environmental protection legislation.

1.8. Where State aid is notified, which forms part of the rural development programme, is the environmental requirement for the State aid measure identical with the environmental requirement of the rural development measure?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that in accordance with point (52) of the Guidelines the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

2. APPROPRIATENESS OF AID

2.1. Is the aid notified provided for at the same time in the relevant rural development programme?  yes  no If the answer is yes, could the Member State demonstrate the advantages of such a national aid instrument compared to the rural development programme measure at stake? … … …

2.2. As regards investment aid, which is not covered by Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) as part of the rural development programme or as additional financing for such a rural development measure, is the aid granted in forms that provide a direct pecuniary advantage (for example direct grants, exemptions or reductions in taxes, social security or other compulsory charges, etc.)?  yes  no If the answer is yes, the Member State must demonstrate why other potentially less distortive forms of aid, such as repayable advances or forms of aid that are based on debt or equity instruments (for example, low-interest loans or interest rebates, State guarantees or an alternative provision of capital on favourable terms) are less appropriate. … …

2.3. Does the aid fall within the framework of aid to the forestry sector with ecological, protective and recreational objectives referred to in Section 2.8 of Chapter 2 of Part II of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, the Member State must demonstrate that the ecological, protective and recreational objectives aimed at cannot be achieved with the rural development like forestry measures referred to in sections 2.1 to 2.7 of Chapter 2 of Part II of the Guidelines. … … …

2.4. Does the measure cover one of the following categories of aid?  aid towards the costs of market research activities, product conception and design and for the preparation of applications for the recognition of quality schemes  aid for knowledge transfer and information actions  aid for advisory services  aid for farm replacement services  aid for promotion measures  aid to compensate for the costs of the prevention and eradication of animal diseases and plant pest  aid to the livestock sector Please note that the aid must be granted to the final aid beneficiaries indirectly, in kind, by means of subsidised services. In these cases the aid must be paid to the provider of the service or activity in question.

3. INCENTIVE EFFECT

3.1. Will the beneficiary submit an application for the aid to the Member State before wherever work on the project or activity has started, which include at least the applicant’s name and the size of the undertaking, a description of the project or activity, including its location and start and end dates, the amount of aid needed to carry it out and the eligible costs?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that in accordance with point (70) of the Guidelines the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market, unless the aid is included in one of the categories listed in question 3.6 of this General Information Sheet.

3.2. Will the aid be granted to large enterprises?  yes  no If the answer is yes, will the beneficiaries explain in the application, what would happen without aid (namely, the counterfactual scenario) and submit documentary evidence in support of the counterfactual scenario described in the application?  yes  no

3.3. Does the aid concern investment aid for meeting standards granted to large enterprises in accordance with point (148)(c) of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, will the undertaking concerned be required to prove that without the aid, it would face the risk of closure?  yes  no

3.4. In the case of aid granted to large enterprises, will the granting authority carry out a credibility check of the counterfactual scenario and confirm that the aid has the required incentive effect?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that in accordance with point (73) of the Guidelines a counterfactual scenario is credible if it is genuine and relates to the decision-making factors prevalent at the time of the decision by the beneficiary regarding the project or activity concerned.

3.5. Is the aid in the form of tax advantages, is it granted to SMEs and are the following conditions complied with: (a) the aid scheme establishes a right to aid in accordance with objective criteria and without further exercise of discretion by the Member State; and (b) the aid scheme has been adopted and in force before work on the aided project or activity has started (4)?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that points (70) to (73) of the Guidelines do not apply.

3.6. Does the aid fall under one of the following aid categories of the Guidelines: (a) aid schemes for agricultural and forestry land consolidation in accordance with Sections 1.3.4. and 2.9.2. of Part II of the Guidelines and aid schemes for the forestry sector with ecological, protective and recreational objectives in accordance with Section 2.8 of Part II of the Guidelines and where: (i) the aid scheme establishes a right to aid in accordance with objective criteria and without further exercise of discretion by the Member State; (ii) the aid scheme has been adopted and in force before eligible costs in accordance with Sections 1.3.4 and 2.9.2 and Section 2.8. of Part II of the Guidelines are incurred by the beneficiary; and (iii) the aid scheme only covers SMEs?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that points (70) to (74) of the Guidelines do not apply. (b) aid for disadvantages related to Natura 2000 areas and to the Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (the Water framework directive) (5) granted to SMEs in accordance with Section 1.1.6 of Part II of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that points (70) to (74) of the Guidelines do not apply. (c) aid to areas facing natural or other specific constraints in accordance with Section 1.1.7 of Part II of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that points (70) to (74) of the Guidelines do not apply. (d) aid to make good the damage caused by natural disasters or exceptional occurrences in accordance with Section 1.2.1.1 of Part II of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that points (70) to (74) of the Guidelines do not apply. (e) aid to compensate for the damage caused by adverse climatic events which can be assimilated to natural disaster in accordance with Section 1.2.1.2 of Part II of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that points (70) to (74) of the Guidelines do not apply. (f) aid to compensate for the costs of the prevention, control and eradication of animal diseases and plant pests and for losses caused by those animal diseases and plant pests in accordance with Section 1.2.1.3 of Part II of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that points (70) to (74) of the Guidelines do not apply. (g) aid to cover the costs of the removal and destruction of fallen stock in accordance with Section 1.2.1.4 of Part II of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that points (70) to (74) of the Guidelines do not apply. (h) aid to compensate for the damage caused by protected animals in accordance with Section 1.2.1.5 of Part II of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that points (70) to (74) of the Guidelines do not apply. (i) aid to make good the damage in forests caused by animals regulated by law in accordance with Section 2.8.5 of Part II of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that points (70) to (74) of the Guidelines do not apply. (j) investment aid for meeting standards in accordance with point (148)(a) and (b) of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that points (70) to (74) of the Guidelines do not apply. (k) investment aid for meeting standards granted to SMEs in accordance with point (148)(c) of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that points (70) to (74) of the Guidelines do not apply. (l) aid for investments in favour of conservation of cultural and natural heritage on the agricultural holding in accordance with Section 1.1.1.2 of Part II of the Guidelines, with the exception of individual aid which exceeds EUR 500 000 per undertaking per investment project?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that points (70) to (74) of the Guidelines do not apply. (m) aid for promotion measures in accordance with point (464)(b), (c) and (d) of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that points (70) to (74) of the Guidelines do not apply. (n) aid for research and development in the agricultural and forestry sectors in accordance with Sections 1.3.6 and 2.9.1. of Part II of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that points (70) to (74) of the Guidelines do not apply. (o) aid for the maintenance, restoration and upgrading of the cultural and natural heritage of villages, rural landscapes and high nature value sites in accordance with point (644)(e) of the Guidelines, with the exception of investment aid associated with the cultural and natural heritage of villages, rural landscapes and high nature value sites, which exceeds the notification thresholds set out in point (37)(c) of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that points (70) to (74) of the Guidelines do not apply. (p) aid for the drawing up and updating of plans for the development of municipalities and villages in rural areas and their basic services and of protection and management plans relating to Natura 2000 sites and other areas of high nature value, in accordance with point (644)(a) of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that points (70) to (74) of the Guidelines do not apply. (q) aid for the restoration of damage to forests from fires, natural disasters, adverse climatic events, plant pests, animal diseases, catastrophic events and climate change related events in accordance with Section 2.1.3 of Part II of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that points (70) to (74) of the Guidelines do not apply. (r) aid for the costs of treatment and preventing the spreading of pests and tree diseases and aid to make good the damage caused by the pests and tree diseases in accordance with Section 2.8.1 of Part II of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that points (70) to (74) of the Guidelines do not apply.

Individually notifiable investment aid

3.7. For individually notified investment aid, does the Member State provide in the notification clear evidence that the aid effectively has an impact on the investment choice?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please specify how the aid has such an impact: … … If the answer is yes, please note that in accordance with point (76) of the Guidelines, to allow a comprehensive assessment, the Member State must provide not only information concerning the aided project but also a comprehensive description of the counterfactual scenario, in which no aid is granted to the beneficiary by any public authority. If the answer is no, please note that in accordance with point (76) of the Guidelines the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market. Please note that where no specific counterfactual scenario is known, the incentive effect can be assumed when there is a funding gap, that is to say when the investment costs exceed the net present value (NPV) of the expected operating profits of the investment on the basis of an ex ante business plan.

4. PROPORTIONALITY AND CUMULATION OF THE AID

4.1. Will the aid amount exceed the eligible costs?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that in accordance with point (82) of the Guidelines, such aid cannot be considered as proportionate and therefore cannot be granted.

4.2. Does the aid fall under Sections 1.1.3 and 1.2.2 of Part II of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that point (82) of the Guidelines does not apply.

4.3. Will the maximum aid intensity and aid amount be calculated by the granting authority when granting the aid?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that this is a condition laid down in point (85) of the Guidelines.

4.4. Will the eligible costs be supported by documentary evidence which is clear, specific and contemporary?  yes  no Please note that for the purposes of calculating the aid intensity and the eligible costs, all figures used must be taken before any deduction of tax or other charge. Please also note that value added tax (VAT) is not eligible for aid, except where it is not-recoverable under national VAT legislation.

4.5. Is the aid granted in a form other than a grant?  yes  no If the answer is yes, is the aid amount the gross grant equivalent of the aid?  yes  no

4.6. Is the aid payable in several instalments?  yes  no If the answer is yes, will the aid be discounted to its value at the moment of granting the aid?  yes  no Please note that the eligible costs must be discounted to their value at the moment of granting the aid. Furthermore, the interest rate to be used for discounting purposes is the discount rate applicable on the date of granting the aid.

4.7. Is the aid granted by means of tax advantages?  yes  no If the answer is yes, does the discounting of aid tranches take place on the basis of the discount rates applicable at the various times the tax advantage takes effect?  yes  no

4.8. Does the aid regard investment aid in rural areas?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that the maximum aid intensity for large investment projects must be scaled down to the adjusted aid amount as defined in point (35).31 of the Guidelines. In addition, large investment projects cannot benefit from the increased aid intensities for SMEs.

4.9. For commitments under Sections 1.1.5.1, 1.1.8, 2.3 and 3.4 of Part II of the Guidelines, if they are expressed in units other than those set out in Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, Member States may calculate payments on the basis of those other units. In such cases, does the Member State ensure that the maximum amounts per year are complied with?  yes  no

4.10. For the measures or types of operations referred to in Sections 1.1.5, 1.1.6, 1.1.7, 1.1.8, 2.2, 2.3, 3.4 and 3.5 of Part II of the Guidelines, Member States may fix the aid amount on the basis of standard assumptions of additional costs and income foregone. In these cases, the Member State must ensure that the calculations and the corresponding aid:  contain only elements that are verifiable  are based on figures established by appropriate expertise  indicate clearly the source of the figures used  are differentiated to take account of regional or local site conditions and actual land use, where applicable and  do not contain elements linked to investment costs.

Additional conditions for individually notified investment aid and investment aid to large enterprises under notified schemes

4.11. In the case of individually notified investment aid, does the aid amount correspond to the net extra costs of implementing the investment in the area concerned, compared to the counterfactual scenario in the absence of aid?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that as a general rule, individually notified investment aid will be considered to be limited to the minimum.

4.12. Is the investment aid granted to large enterprises under notified schemes?  yes  no If the answer is yes, does the Member State ensure that the aid amount is limited to the minimum on the basis of a ‘net-extra cost approach’?  yes  no Please note that the aid amount should not exceed the minimum necessary to render the project sufficiently profitable, for example, it should not lead to an increase of its internal rate of return (IRR) beyond the normal rates of return applied by the undertaking concerned in other investment projects of a similar kind or, if these rates are not available, to an increase of its IRR beyond the cost of capital of the undertaking as a whole or beyond the rates of return commonly observed in the sector concerned.

4.13. If the answer to question 4.12 is yes, does the Member State ensure that the aid amount corresponds to the net extra costs of implementing the investment in the area concerned, compared to the counterfactual scenario in the absence of aid?  yes  no The method explained in point (96) of the Guidelines must be used together with maximum aid intensities as a cap.

4.14. Does the aid concern individually notified investment aid?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that the Commission will verify whether the aid amount exceeds the minimum necessary to render the project sufficiently profitable, by using the method set out in point (96) of the Guidelines. Calculations used for the analysis of the incentive effect can also be used to assess if the aid is proportionate.

4.15. Please demonstrate the proportionality on the basis of documentation such as that referred to in point (77) of the Guidelines. This requirement does not apply to investment aid related to primary agricultural production. … … …

Cumulation of aid

4.16. Will the notified aid be granted concurrently under several schemes or cumulated with ad hoc aid?  yes  no If the answer is yes, does the total amount of State aid for an activity or project exceed the limits set by the aid ceilings laid down in the Guidelines?  yes  no

4.17. Will the notified aid have identifiable eligible costs?  yes  no If the answer is yes, will this aid be cumulated with any other State aid?  yes  no If yes, will those measures concern different identifiable eligible costs?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that in accordance with point (100) of the Guidelines, the aid with identifiable eligible costs cumulated with any other State aid, in relation to the same eligible costs, can be partly or fully overlapping. However, does this cumulation result in exceeding the highest aid intensity or aid amount applicable to this aid under the Guidelines?  yes  no

4.18. Will the aid authorised under the Guidelines be cumulated with de minimis aid?  yes  no If yes, is the aid in this case cumulated in respect of the same eligible costs and will such cumulation result in an aid intensity or aid amount exceeding that fixed in the Guidelines?  yes  no

4.19. Is aid in favour of the agricultural sector cumulated with payments referred to in Articles 81(2) and 82 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 in respect of the same eligible costs and will such cumulation result in an aid intensity or aid amount exceeding those laid down in the Guidelines?  yes  no

4.20. Is the aid combining State aid with Union funds centrally managed by the institutions, agencies, joint undertakings or other bodies of the Union?  yes  no If the answer is yes, if the Union funds are not directly or indirectly under the control of the Member State, only the State aid will be considered for determining whether notification thresholds and maximum aid intensities and ceilings are respected, provided that the total amount of public funding granted in relation to the same eligible costs does not exceed the most favourable funding rate(s) laid down in the applicable rules of Union law.

4.21. Does the aid concern aid for investments aimed at the restoration of agricultural production potential as referred to in point (143)(e) of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that it should not be cumulated with aid for the compensation of material damage referred to in Sections 1.2.1.1, 1.2.1.2 and 1.2.1.3 of Part II of the Guidelines. Please note that double funding of agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment under Sections 1.1.5.1, 1.1.6, 1.1.8 and 3.5 of Part II of the Guidelines and equivalent practices referred to in Article 43 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6) should be excluded. The revision clause provided for in point (724) of the Guidelines is also to ensure avoiding double funding.

4.22. Does the aid concern start-up aid for producer groups and organisations in the agricultural sector as referred to in Section 1.1.4 of Part II of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that it should not be cumulated with aid for setting-up of producer groups and organisations in the agricultural sector laid down in Article 27 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013.

4.23. Does the aid concern start-up aid for young farmers and start-up aid for the development of small farms as referred to in Section 1.1.2 of Part II of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that it should not be cumulated with business start-up aid for young farmers or the development of small farms as referred to in Article 19(1)(a)(i) and (iii) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 if such cumulation would result in an aid amount exceeding those laid down in the Guidelines.

5. EFFECTS ON COMPETITION AND TRADE

5.1. As regards investment aid schemes for the processing of agricultural products and the marketing of agricultural products, in the forestry sector and in rural areas, could the Member State demonstrate that the negative effects will be limited to the minimum taking into account, for example, the size of the projects concerned, the individual and cumulative aid amounts, the expected beneficiaries as well as the characteristics of the targeted sectors? … … … …

5.2. As regards investment aid schemes for the processing of agricultural products and the marketing of agricultural products, in the forestry sector and in rural areas, has the Member State submitted any impact assessment at its disposal as well as ex-post evaluations carried out for similar predecessor schemes in order to enable the Commission to assess the likely negative effects of the aid scheme?  yes  no

5.3. Concerning the negative effects of individual investment aid for the processing of agricultural products and the marketing of agricultural products and in rural areas, in order to identify and assess the potential distortions of competition and trade, has the Member State provided in the notification evidence, permitting the Commission to identify the product markets concerned (that is to say, products affected by the change in the behaviour of the aid beneficiary) and to identify the competitors and customers/consumers affected?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please specify: … … … …

6. TRANSPARENCY

6.1. Will the Member State ensure the publication of the following information on a comprehensive State aid website at national or regional level?  the full text of the aid scheme and its implementing provisions or legal basis for individual aid, or a link to it;  the identity of the granting authority/(ies);  the identity of the individual beneficiaries, the form and amount of aid granted to each beneficiary, the date of granting, the type of undertaking (SME/large enterprise), the region in which the beneficiary is located (at NUTS level II) and the principal economic sector in which the beneficiary has its activities (at NACE group level). Such a requirement can be waived with respect of individual aid awards not exceeding the following thresholds: (i) EUR 60 000 for beneficiaries in the primary agricultural production; (ii) EUR 500 000 for beneficiaries in the sectors of the processing of agricultural products, the marketing of agricultural products, the forestry sector or activities falling outside the scope of Article 42 of the Treaty.

6.2. Please confirm that for aid schemes in the form of tax advantages the information on individual aid amount is provided in the following ranges (in EUR million):  0,06 to 0,5 only for primary agricultural production  0,5 to 1  1 to 2  2 to 5  5 to 10  10 to 30  30 and more

6.3. Please confirm that such information:  will be published after the decision to grant the aid has been taken  will be kept for at least 10 years  will be available for the general public without restrictions (7) Please note that Member States will not be required to publish such information before 1 July 2016 (8).

6.4. In the case of an individual aid award, will the Member State publish the individual aid award on the State aid website referred to in point (128) of the Guidelines?  yes  no

6.5. If the answer is no, the individual aid award is not published because:  it falls within the scope of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 and  it is either co-financed by the EAFRD or granted as additional national financing for such co-financed measures and  the individual aid award has already been published in accordance with Articles 111, 112 and 113 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 (9). In that case the Member State should make a reference to the website referred to in Article 111 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 on the State aid website referred to in point (128) of the Guidelines.

7. OTHER QUESTIONS

7.1. Does the aid measure concern aid for export-related activities to third countries or to Member States which would be directly linked to the quantities exported, aid contingent upon the use of domestic over imported goods, or aid to establish and operate a distribution network or to cover any other expenditure linked to export activities?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that such aid will not be authorised. Please note that aid towards the cost of participating in trade fairs, or of studies or consultancy services needed for the launch of a new or existing product on a new market in principle does not constitute export aid.

7.2. Does the system of financing, for example, by parafiscal levies, form an integral part of the aid measure?  yes  no If the answer is yes, the system of financing must be notified.

8. TYPE OF AID

List of types of aids included in the Guidelines:

1. Aid in favour of undertakings active in the primary production, processing and marketing of agricultural products

1.1. Rural development measures

1.1.1. Aid for investment

1.1.1.1. Aid for investment in tangible assets and intangible assets on agricultural holdings linked to primary agricultural production

1.1.1.2. Aid for investments in favour of the conservation of cultural and natural heritage located on agricultural holdings

1.1.1.3. Aid for investment concerning the relocation of farm buildings

1.1.1.4. Aid for investments in connection with the processing of agricultural products and the marketing of agricultural products

1.1.2. Start-up aid for young farmers and for the development of small farms

1.1.3. Aid for the transfer of agricultural holdings

1.1.4. Start-up aid for producer groups and organisations in the agricultural sector

1.1.5. Aid for agri-environment-climate and animal welfare commitments

1.1.5.1. Aid for agri-environment-climate commitments

1.1.5.2. Aid for animal welfare commitments

1.1.6. Aid for disadvantages related to Natura 2000 areas and to the Water Framework Directive

1.1.7. Aid to areas facing natural or other specific constraints

1.1.8. Aid for organic farming

1.1.9. Aid for the participation of producers of agricultural products in quality schemes

1.1.10. Aid for the provision of technical support in the agricultural sector

1.1.10.1. Aid for knowledge transfer and information actions

1.1.10.2. Aid for advisory services

1.1.10.3. Aid for farm replacement services

1.1.11. Aid for cooperation in the agricultural sector

1.2. Risk and crisis management

1.2.1. Aids to compensate for the damage to agricultural production or the means of agricultural production and to prevent damage

1.2.1.1. Aid to make good the damage caused by natural disasters or exceptional occurrences

1.2.1.2. Aid to compensate for damage caused by adverse climatic event which can be assimilated to a natural disaster

1.2.1.3. Aid for the costs of the prevention, control and eradication of animal diseases and plant pests and aid to make good the damage caused by animal diseases and plant pests

1.2.1.4. Aid for fallen stock

1.2.1.5. Aid to compensate for the damage caused by protected animals

1.2.1.6. Aid for the payment of insurance premiums

1.2.1.7. Aid for financial contributions to mutual funds

1.2.2. Aid for Closing Production Capacity

1.2.2.1. Closing of capacity for animal, plant or human health, sanitary, ethical or environmental reasons

1.2.2.2. Closing of capacity for other reasons

1.3. Other types of aid in the agricultural sector

1.3.1. Aid to the livestock sector

1.3.2. Aid for promotion measures in favour of agricultural products

1.3.3. Aid for the outermost regions and the smaller Aegean islands

1.3.4. Aid for agricultural land consolidation

1.3.5. Aid for rescuing and restructuring undertakings in difficulty

1.3.6. Aid for research and development in the agricultural sector

2. Aid for the forestry sector which is co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), granted as additional national financing to such co-financed measures or granted as a pure State aid

2.1. Investments in forest area development and improvement of the viability of forests

2.1.1. Aid for afforestation and creation of woodland

2.1.2. Aid for the establishment of agro-forestry systems

2.1.3. Aid for the prevention and restoration of damage to forests from forest fires, natural disasters, adverse climatic events which can be assimilated to a natural disaster, other adverse climatic events, plant pests and catastrophic events

2.1.4. Aid for investments improving the resilience and environmental value of forest ecosystems

2.1.5. Aid for investments in forestry technologies and in processing, in mobilising and in the marketing of forest products

2.1.6. Aid for investments in infrastructure related to the development, modernisation or adaptation of forestry

2.2. Aid for disadvantages related to Natura 2000 forest areas

2.3. Aid for forest-environment and climate services and forest conservation

2.4. Aid for knowledge transfer and information actions in the forestry sector

2.5. Aid for advisory services in the forestry sector

2.6. Aid for cooperation in forestry sector

2.7. Start-up aid for producer groups and organisations in the forestry sector

2.8. Other aid to the forestry sector with ecological, protective and recreational objectives

2.8.1. Aid for specific forest actions and interventions with the primary objective to contribute to maintaining or to restoring forest ecosystem and biodiversity or the traditional landscape

2.8.2. Aid for maintaining and improving the soil quality and ensuring a balanced and healthy tree growth in the forestry sector

2.8.3. Restoration and maintenance of natural pathways, landscape elements and features and natural habitat for animals in the forestry sector

2.8.4. Aid for maintaining roads to prevent forest fires

2.8.5. Aid to make good the damage in forests caused by animals regulated by law

2.8.6. Aid for establishing forest management plans

2.9. Aid in the forestry sector aligned with the agricultural aid measures

2.9.1. Aid for research and development in the forestry sector

2.9.2. Aid for forestry land consolidation

3. Aids in rural areas which are co-financed by the EAFRD or granted as additional national financing to such co-financed measures

3.1. Aid for investments concerning the processing of agricultural products into non-agricultural products, the production of cotton or investments in the creation and development of non-agricultural activities

3.2. Aid for basic services and village renewal in rural areas

3.3. Business start-up aid for non-agricultural activities in rural areas

3.4. Aid for agri-environment-climate commitments to other land managers and undertakings in rural areas not active in the agricultural sector

3.5. Aid for disadvantages related to Natura 2000 areas to other land managers

3.6. Aid for knowledge transfer and information actions in rural areas

3.7. Aid for advisory services in rural areas

3.8. Aid for new participation of active farmers in quality schemes for cotton and foodstuffs

3.9. Aid for information and promotion activities concerning cotton and foodstuffs covered by a quality scheme

3.10. Aid for cooperation in rural areas

3.11. Aid for the setting-up of mutual funds

1.1.1.1. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SHEET ON AID FOR INVESTMENT IN UNDERTAKINGS ACTIVE IN PRIMARY AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

This information sheet relates to State aid for investments in tangible and intangible assets on agricultural holdings linked to primary agricultural production as described in Section 1.1.1.1 Chapter 1 of Part II of the European Union Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas 2014 to 2020 (‘the Guidelines’).

1. GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1.1. Will the investments at which the aid is aimed, increase production beyond restrictions or exceed limitations on Union support at the level of individual undertakings, holdings or processing plants set by a common organisation of the market, including direct support schemes, financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF)?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

1.2. Are undertakings active in the primary agricultural production the sole beneficiaries of this aid?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

2. AID FOR INVESTMENT IN TANGIBLE ASSETS AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS ON AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS LINKED TO PRIMARY AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

2.1. Does one or more beneficiaries carry out the investment in tangible assets and intangible assets on agricultural holdings linked to primary agricultural production?  yes  no

2.2. If the answer is no, does the investment concern tangible assets or intangible assets used by one or more beneficiaries?  yes  no

2.3. Is the aid targeted at investment in tangible assets and intangible assets linked to the production of energy from renewable sources or the production of biofuels on holdings?  yes  no If the answer is no, please do not reply to questions 2.4 to 2.17.

2.4. Is the investment made for the production of biofuels within the meaning of Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (10)?  yes  no

2.5. If the answer to question 2.4 is yes, is the production capacity of the renewable energy production facilities eligible for aid no more than equivalent to the annual average transport fuel consumption of the agricultural holding?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

2.6. Is the produced biofuel sold on the market?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

2.7. Is the investment made for the production of thermal energy and/or electricity from renewable sources on agricultural holdings?  yes  no

2.8. If the answer to question 2.7 is yes: (a) is the aim of the renewable energy production facilities on the agricultural holding eligible for aid only to serve their own energy needs?  yes  no and (b) is the production capacity of the renewable energy production facilities eligible for aid no more than equivalent to the combined average annual energy consumption of thermal energy and electricity on the agricultural holding, including the farm household?  yes  no If the reply to either points (a) or (b) is no, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

2.9. Regarding electricity, is the annual self-consumption limit respected?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

2.10. How is the annual average consumption accumulated where more than one agricutural holding carry out the investment in the production of energy or biofuel? …

2.11. Are there any minimum standards for energy efficiency for investments that consume or produce energy at the national level?  yes  no

2.12. If the answer to question 2.11 is yes, is there a requirement at national level that the minimum standards referred in question 2.11 are complied with?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

2.13. Is the aid targeted specifically at investments in installations, the primary purpose of which is electricity production from biomass?  yes  no

2.14. If the answer to question 2.13 is yes, do the installations use a minimum percentage of the heat energy produced as determined by the Member State?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

2.15. Are there thresholds established at the the level of the Member State, for the maximum proportions of cereals and other starch rich crops, sugar and oil crops used for bioenergy production, including biofuels, for different types of installations?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

2.16. Is aid to bioenergy projects limited to bioenergy meeting the applicable sustainability criteria laid down in Union legislation including Article 17(2) to (6) of Directive 2009/28/EC?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

2.17. Does the production capacity of the installation exceed the average annual consumption of the beneficiary(ies)?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that Member States must comply with the conditions laid down in the Guidelines on State aid for environmental protection and energy 2014-2020 (11) unless such aid is exempt from notification obligation (e.g. through the GBER (12)).

2.18. Which of the following objectives does the investment pursue?  (a) the improvement of the overall performance and sustainability of the agricultural holding, in particular through a reduction in production costs or the improvement and re-deployment of production;  (b) the improvement of the natural environment, hygiene or animal welfare standards, provided that the investment concerned aims at going beyond the Union standard in force;  (c) the creation and improvement of infrastructure related to the development, adaptation and modernisation of agriculture, including access to farm land, land consolidation and land improvement, the supply and saving of energy and water. Please specify if another activity pursuing this objective is covered: …  (d) the achievement of agri-environmental-climate objectives, including biodiversity conservation status of species and habitats as well as enhancing the public amenity value of a Natura 2000 area or other high natural value systems, as long as the investments are non-productive. Please specify if another activity pursuing this objective is covered: …  (e) the restoration of agricultural production potential damaged by natural disasters, exceptional occurrences or adverse climatic events which can be assimilated to a natural disaster, animal diseases and plant pests, protected animals and the prevention and risk mitigation of damage caused by those before-mentioned events and factors. Please specify if another activity pursuing this objective is covered: …  (f) the setting up of young farmers for the first time in an agricultural holding as head of the holding in respect of investments to comply with Union standards applying to agricultural production, including occupational safety. Please note that this objective justifies investment aid for a maximum period of 24 months from the date of the setting up. Is that deadline respected?  yes  no  (g) the implementation in Croatia of the Council Directive 91/676/EEC (13) (the Nitrates Directive) within a maximum period of four years from the date of accession pursuant to Article 3(2) and Article 5(1) of that Directive;  (h) the compliance with new requirements on undertakings active in the primary agricultural production imposed by Union law. Please note that that objective justifies investment aid for a maximum period of 12 months from the date on which the new requirements imposed by the Union law become mandatory for the undertaking concerned. Is that deadline respected?  yes  no  (i) other (please specify): … … If the investment pursues other objectives, please note that only investments pursuing one or more of the objectives listed in points (a) to (h) are eligible for support for investments in agricultural holdings.

2.19. Do the eligible costs include?  (a) the construction, acquisition, including leasing, or improvement of immoveable property. Was the cost of the amount of the land purchased equal or less than 10 % of the total eligible costs of the operation concerned?  yes  no If the answer is no, does the operation concern environmental conservation?  yes  no If the answer is yes, in exceptional and duly justified cases, a higher percentage may be permitted. Please provide information concerning the exceptional and duly justified circumstances so that the Commission may assess the case in question. … …  (b) the purchase or lease purchase of machinery and equipment up to the market value of the assets;  (c) the general costs linked to the expenditure referred to in points (a) and (b), such as architect, engineer and consultation fees, fees relating to advice on environmental and economic sustainability, including feasibility studies; feasibility studies remain eligible costs even where based on their results, no expenditure referred to in points (a) and (b) is incurred;  (d) the acquisition or development of computer software and the acquisition of patents, licenses, copyrights and trademarks;  (e) the expenses for non-productive investments linked to the objectives referred to in point (143)(d) of the Guidelines;  (f) in the case of investment aimed at the restoration of agricultural production potential damaged by natural disasters, exceptional occurrences or adverse climatic events which can be assimilated to a natural disaster, animal diseases or plant pests and protected animals the eligible costs may include the costs incurred for restoring the production potential up to the level as it was at before the occurrence of those events;  (g) in the case of investments aimed at the prevention of damage caused by natural disasters, exceptional occurrences, adverse climatic events which can be assimilated to a natural disaster, animal diseases and plant pests and by protected animals, the eligible costs may include the costs of specific prevention actions aimed at reducing the consequences of such probable events.  (h) other (please specify): … …

2.20. Do the eligible costs include?  (a) the purchase of production rights, payment entitlements and annual plants;  (b) the planting of annual plants;  (c) the purchase of animals, with the exception of investments carried out for: (i) the purchase of animals for the objective of point (143)(e) of the Guidelines; and (ii) for the purchase of breeding animals for the improvement of the genetic quality of the herd; for this exception the conditions set out in question 2.23 of this Supplementary Information Sheet must be fulfilled;  (d) investments to comply with Union standards in force, with the exceptions referred to in point (148) of the Guidelines;  (e) costs, other than those referred to point (144) of the Guidelines connected with leasing contracts, such as lessor’s margin, interest refinancing costs, overheads and insurance charges;  (f) working capital. If any of the costs referred to in points (a) to (f) is included, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

2.21. Do the eligible costs include investment carried out for the objective referred to in point (143)(e) of the Guidelines?  yes  no

2.22. Do the eligible costs include the purchase of breeding animals for the improvement of the genetic quality of the herd?  yes  no

2.23. If the answer to question 2.22 is yes, are the following conditions fulfilled?  (a) the aid may only be granted only for the purchase of breeding animals for the improvement of the genetic quality of the herd in beef cattle, sheep and goats;  (b) only investments intended to improve the genetic quality of the stock through the purchase of high quality breeding animals, both male and female which are registered in herd books are eligible;  (c) in the case of the replacement of existing breeding stock aid may be granted only for the replacement of animals which were not registered in a herd book;  (d) only active farmers are eligible for aid;  (e) only animals which ensure optimal reproductive potential for a certain period of time are purchased; to that end, only females purchased before delivering their first offspring are eligible;  (f) purchased animals are to be kept in the herd for a period of at least four years. Please note that conditions referred to in points (a) to (f) must be cumulatively fulfilled for investment aid in this particular case to be compatible with the internal market.

2.24. With regard to irrigation in new and existing irrigated areas are the following conditions fulfilled?  (a) a river basin management plan, as required under the terms of the Water Framework Directive, has been communicated to the Commission for the entire area in which the investment is to take place, as well as in any other areas whose environment may be affected by the investment;  (b) the measures taking effect under the river basin management plan in accordance with Article 11 of the Water Framework Directive and of relevance to the agricultural sector have been specified in the relevant programme of measures;  (c) water metering enabling the measurement of water use at the level of the supported investment is in place or will be put in place as part of the investment;  (d) an investment in an improvement to an existing irrigation installation or element of irrigation infrastructure is eligible only if it is assessed ex-ante as offering potential water savings of a minimum of between 5 % and 25 % according to the technical parameters of the existing installations or infrastructure;  (e) if the investment affects bodies of ground-or-surface water whose status has been identified as less than good in the relevant river basin management plan for reasons related to water quantity:  (i) the investment must ensure an effective reduction in water use, at the level of the investment, amounting to at least 50 % of the potential water saving made possible by the investment;  (ii) in the case of an investment on a single agricultural holding, it must also result in a reduction to the agricultural holding's total water use amounting to at least 50 % of the potential water saving made possible at the level of the investment; the total water use of the holding must include water sold by the holding;  (f) none of the conditions referred to in point (e) apply because the investment is made in an existing installation which affects only energy efficiency, or in the creation of a reservoir or in the use of recycled water which does not affect a body of ground or surface water;  (g) for an investment resulting in a net increase of the irrigated area affecting a given body of ground or surface water:  (i) the status of the water body has not been identified as less than good in the relevant river basin management plan for reasons related to water quantity; and  (ii) an environmental analysis shows that there will be no significant negative environmental impact from the investment. Such an environmental impact analysis must be either carried out or approved by the competent authority and may also refer to groups of holdings. Please note that the two criteria referred to in (i) and (ii) must both be fulfilled for investment aid in this particular case to be declared compatible with the internal market;  (h) the condition referred to in point (g)(i) does not apply to investments resulting in a net increase of the irrigated area if:  (i) the investment is combined with an investment in an existing irrigation installation or element of irrigation infrastructure assessed ex-ante as offering potential water savings of a minimum of between 5 % and 25 % according to the technical parameters of the existing installation or infrastructure; and  (ii) the investment ensures an effective reduction in water use, at the level of the investment as a whole, amounting to at least 50 % of the potential water saving made possible by the investment in the existing irrigation installation or element of infrastructure; Please note that the two conditions referred to in (i) and (ii) of this point must both be fulfilled in order for the condition referred to in point (g)(i) not to apply.  (i) the condition referred to in point (g)(i) does not apply to investments in the establishment of a new irrigation installation supplied with water from an existing reservoir approved by the competent authorities before 31 October 2013, if the following conditions are met:  (i) the reservoir in question is identified in the relevant river basin management plan and is subject to the control requirements provided for in Article 11(3)(e) of the Water Framework Directive;  (ii) on 31 October 2013, there was in force either a maximum limit on total abstractions from the reservoir or a minimum required level of flow in water bodies affected by the reservoir;  (iii) the maximum limit or minimum required level of flow referred to in (ii) of this point, complies with the conditions set out in Article 4 of the Water Framework Directive; and  (iv) the investment in question does not result in abstractions beyond the maximum limit in force on 31 October 2013 or result in a reduction of the level of flow in affected water bodies below the minimum required level in force on 31 October 2013. Please note that the four conditions referred to in (i) to (iv) of this point must be cumulatively fulfilled in order for the condition referred to in point (g)(i) not to apply.

2.25. Were areas which are not irrigated but in which an irrigation installation was active in the recent past, to be established and justified by the Member State, considered as irrigated areas for the purpose of determining the net increase of the irrigated area?  yes  no

2.26. With regard to irrigation, from 1 January 2017, is the Member State going to ensure, in respect of the river basin district in which the investment will take place, a contribution of the different water uses to the recovery of the costs of water services by the agricultural sector consistent with Article 9(1) first indent of the Water Framework Directive having regard where appropriate, to the social, environmental and economic effects of the recovery as well as the geographic and climatic conditions of the region or regions affected?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

2.27. Please state the maximum aid intensity, expressed as a percentage of eligible investment: (a) … of the amount of the eligible costs in the outermost regions; (b) … of the amount of the eligible costs in the smaller Aegean Islands; (c) … of the amount of the eligible costs in Croatia for the implementation of the Nitrates Directive in accordance with point (148)(b) of the Guidelines; (d) … of the amount of the eligible costs in less developed regions and in all regions whose the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita for the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013 period was less than 75 % of the average of the EU-25 for the reference period but whose GDP per capita is above 75 % of the GDP average of the EU-27; (e) … of the amount of the eligible costs in other regions; (f) … of the amount of the eligible costs for the purchase of breeding animals referred to in point (147) of the Guidelines.

2.28. If the aid intensity rates referred to in question 2.27 of this Supplementary Information Sheet are higher than the those set out in point (152) of the Guidelines, please clarify whether any of the following exceptions apply allowing for an increase by 20 percentage points:  (a) young farmers or farmers who have set up during the five years preceding the application for aid;  (b) collective investments, such as storage facilities which are used by a group of farmers or facilities to prepare the agricultural products before marketing; and integrated projects covering several measures provided for in Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, including those linked to the merger of producer organisations;  (c) investments in areas facing natural or other specific constraints pursuant to Article 32 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013;  (d) operations financed in the framework of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP), such as an investment in a new stable, allowing the testing of a new practice of animal housing, which have been developed in an operational group composed of farmers, scientists and animal welfare non-governmental organisations;  (e) investments aimed at the improvement of the natural environment, hygiene conditions or animal welfare standards, as referred to in point (143)(b) of the Guidelines; in that case the increased aid intensity as provided for in that point only applies to the additional costs necessary to obtain a level exceeding the Union standards in force and not leading to an increase in production capacity;  (f) investments aimed at the improvement of the sustainability of the agricultural holding, as referred to in point (143)(a) of the Guidelines, which are linked to agri-environmental-climate commitments and organic farming under Sections 1.1.5.1. and 1.1.8 of Part II of the Guidelines. Please note that the maximum combined aid cannot exceed 90 % of the investment for the aid to be declared compatible with the internal market.

2.29. As a derogation from the ceilings of eligible costs laid down in points (152) and (153) of the Guidelines, please state the maximum aid intensity expressed as a percentage of the eligible costs for non-productive investments referred to in point (143)(d) of the Guidelines and investments for the restoration of production potential referred to in point (143)(e) of the Guidelines: … of the amount of the eligible costs. Please note that the maximum aid intensity cannot exceed 100 % of eligible costs.

2.30. As a derogation from the ceilings of eligible costs laid down in points (152) and (153) of the Guidelines, please state the maximum aid intensity expressed as a percentage of the eligible costs for investments with preventive objectives referred to in point (143)(e) of the Guidelines: … of the amount of the eligible costs. Please note that the maximum aid intensity cannot exceed 80 % of eligible costs, except for one exception set out in questions 2.31 and 2.32.

2.31. Is the investment with preventive objectives carried out collectively by more than one beneficiary?  yes  no

2.32. If the answer to question 2.31 is yes, please state the maximum aid intensity expressed as a percentage of the eligible costs … of the amount of the eligible costs.

OTHER INFORMATION

Please indicate any other information considered relevant to the assessment of the measure concerned under this Section of the Guidelines.

…

1.1.1.2. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SHEET ON AID FOR INVESTMENTS IN FAVOUR OF THE CONSERVATION OF CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE LOCATED ON AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS

This information sheet relates to State aid for investments in favour of the conservation of cultural and natural heritage located on agricultural holdings as described in section 1.1.1.2 of Chapter 1 of Part II of the European Union Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas 2014 to 2020 (‘the Guidelines’).

1. GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1.1. Will the investments at which the aid is aimed, increase production beyond restrictions or exceed limitations on Union support at the level of individual undertakings, holdings or processing plants set by a common organisation of the market, including direct support schemes, financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF)?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

1.2. Are undertakings active in the primary agricultural production the sole beneficiaries of this aid?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

2. AID FOR INVESTMENTS IN FAVOUR OF THE CONSERVATION OF CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE LOCATED ON AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS

2.1. Is the heritage in the form of natural landscapes and buildings benefiting from aid formally recognised as cultural or natural heritage by the competent public authorities of the Member State?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

2.2. Do the eligible costs include?  (a) investment costs in tangible assets;  (b) capital works;  (c) other (please specify): … … If the eligible costs are costs other than those indicated at points (a) and (b), please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

2.3. Please state the maximum aid intensity, expressed as a percentage of eligible investment and in point (f) below please give an amount in EUR per year: (a) for investments aimed at the conservation of productive heritage features located on agricultural holdings and provided that the investment does not entail any increase in the production capacity: (i) … of the amount of the real costs incurred in areas facing natural or other specific constraints pursuant to Article 32 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013; (ii) … of the amount of the real costs incurred in less developed regions; (iii) … of the amount of the real costs incurred on other areas; (b) where there is an increase in production capacity: (i) … of the amount of the eligible costs in the outermost regions; (ii) … of the amount of the eligible costs in the smaller Aegean Islands; (iii) … of the amount of the eligible costs in Croatia for the implementation of the Nitrates Directive in accordance with point (148)(b) of the Guidelines; (iv) … of the amount of the eligible costs in less developed regions and in all regions whose the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita for the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013 was less than 75 % of the average of the EU-25 for the reference period but whose GDP per capita is above 75 % of the GDP average of the EU-27; (v) … of the amount of the eligible costs in other regions; (vi) … of the amount of the eligible costs for the purchase of breeding animals referred to in point (147) of the Guidelines. If the aid intensity rates referred to in (i) to (vi) of this question are higher than the ones laid down in point (152) of the Guidelines, please clarify whether any of the following exceptions apply allowing for an increase by 20 percentage points:  (a) young farmers or farmers who have set up during the five years preceding the application for aid;  (b) collective investments, such as storage facilities which are used by a group of farmers or facilities to prepare the agricultural products before marketing; and integrated projects covering several measures provided for in Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, including those linked to merger of producer organisations;  (c) investments in areas facing natural or other specific constraints pursuant to Article 32 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013;  (d) operations financed in the framework of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP), such as an investment in a new stable, allowing the testing of a new practice of animal housing, which have been developed in an operational group composed of farmers, scientists and animal welfare non-governmental organisations;  (e) investments aimed at the improvement of the natural environment, hygiene conditions or animal welfare standards, as referred to in point (143)(b) of the Guidelines; in that case the increased aid intensity as provided for in that point only applies to the additional costs necessary to obtain a level exceeding the Union standards in force and not leading to an increase in production capacity;  (f) investments aimed at the improvement of the sustainability of the agricultural holding, as referred to in point (143)(a) of the Guidelines, which are linked to agri-environmental-climate commitments and organic farming under Sections 1.1.5.1. and 1.1.8 of Part II of the Guidelines. Please note that the maximum combined aid cannot exceed 90 % of the investment for the aid to be declared compatible with the internal market. (c) … of the amount of the eligible costs for additional aid granted to cover the extra costs incurred by using traditional materials necessary to maintain the heritage features of buildings on agricultural holdings; (d) … of the amount of the eligible costs for the aids referred to in points (a), (b) and (c), where the investment concerns small-scale infrastructures; (e) … of the amount of the incurred costs for investments aimed at the conservation of non-productive heritage features located on agricultural holdings, such as archaeological or historical features; (f) EUR … per year for capital works.

OTHER INFORMATION

Please indicate any other information considered relevant to the assessment of the measure concerned under this Section of the Guidelines.

…

1.1.1.3. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SHEET ON AID FOR INVESTMENTS CONCERNING THE RELOCATION OF FARM BUILDINGS

This information sheet relates to State aid for investments concerning the relocation of farm buildings as described in Section 1.1.1.3 of Chapter 1 of Part II of the European Union Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas 2014 to 2020 (‘the Guidelines’).

1. GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1.1. Will the investments at which the aid is aimed, increase production beyond restrictions or exceed limitations on Union support at the level of individual undertakings, holdings or processing plants set by a common organisation of the market, including direct support schemes, financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF)?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

1.2. Are undertakings active in the primary agricultural production the sole beneficiaries of this aid?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

2. AID FOR INVESTMENT CONCERNING THE RELOCATION OF FARM BUILDINGS

2.1. Does the relocation of the farm buiding pursue an objective of public interest specified in the relevant provisions of the Member State?  yes  no Please note that the legal basis for the aid in the relevant provisions of the Member State must explain the public interest served by the relocation of the farm building.

2.2. Do the eligible costs related to the relocation include?  (a) real costs incurred for the dismantling, removal and re-building of existing facilities;  (b) in addition to those referred to in point (a), a modernisation of the facilities;  (c) in addition to those referred to in (a), an increase in production capacity;  (d) activities close to rural settlements, with a view to improving the quality of life or increasing the environmental performance of the rural settlement and concerning small-scale infrastructures;  (e) other (please specify): … … If the eligible costs are costs other than those referred to in points (a) to (d), please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

2.3. Please state the maximum aid intensity, expressed as a percentage of eligible investment: (a) … of the amount of the real costs incurred for the dismantling, removal and re-building of existing buildings or facilities; (b) where, in addition to the costs referred to in point (a), the relocation results in a modernisation of facilities (14) or in an increase in production capacity: (i) … of the amount of the costs relating to the modernisation of the facilities or the increase of the production capacity (‘the relevant costs’) in the outermost regions; (ii) … of the amount of the relevant costs in the smaller Aegean Islands; (iii) … of the amount of the relevant costs in Croatia for the implementation of the Nitrates Directive in accordance with point (148)(b) of the Guidelines; (iv) … of the amount of the relevant costs in less developed regions and in all regions whose the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita for the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013 was less than 75 % of the average of the EU-25 for the reference period but whose GDP per capita is above 75 % of the GDP average of the EU-27; (v) … of the amount of the relevant costs in other regions. If the rates of aid intensity referred to in (i) to (v) are higher than those set out in point (152) of the Guidelines, please clarify whether any of the following exceptions apply allowing for an increase by 20 percentage points:  young farmers or farmers who have set up during the five years preceding the application for aid;  collective investments, such as storage facilities which are used by a group of farmers or facilities to prepare the agricultural products before marketing; and integrated projects covering several measures provided for in Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, including those linked to the merger of producer organisations;  investments in areas facing natural or other specific constraints pursuant to Article 32 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013;  operations financed in the framework of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP), such as an investment in a new stable, allowing the testing of a new practice of animal housing, which have been developed in an operational group composed of farmers, scientists and animal welfare non-governmental organisations;  investments aimed at the improvement of the natural environment, hygiene conditions or animal welfare standards, as referred to in point (143)(b) of the Guidelines; in that case the increased aid intensity as provided for in that point only applies to the additional costs necessary to obtain a level exceeding the Union standards in force and not leading to an increase in production capacity;  investments aimed at the improvement of the sustainability of the agricultural holding, as referred to in point (143)(a) of the Guidelines, which are linked to agri-environmental-climate commitments and organic farming under Sections 1.1.5.1. and 1.1.8 of Part II of the Guidelines. Please note that the result of the application of these exceptions to the aid intensities referred to in (i) to (v) cannot exceed 90 % of the investment for the aid to be declared compatible with the internal market. (c) … of the amount of the eligible costs for relocation activities close to rural settlements, with a view to improving quality of life or increasing environmental performance of the settlement, and concerning small-scale infrastructures.

OTHER INFORMATION

Please indicate any other information considered relevant to the assessment of the measure concerned under this Section of the Guidelines.

…

1.1.1.4. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SHEET ON AID FOR INVESTMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROCESSING OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND THE MARKETING OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

This information sheet relates to State aid for investments in connection with the processing of agricultural products (15) and the marketing of agricultural products (16), as described in section 1.1.1.4 of Chapter 1 of Part II of the European Union Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas 2014 to 2020 (‘the Guidelines’).

1. Will the investments at which the aid is aimed, increase production beyond restrictions or exceed limitations on Union support at the level of individual undertakings, holdings or processing plants set by a common organisation of the market, including direct support schemes, financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF)?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

2. Is the aid granted for food based biofuels?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market in light of the goal to incentivise the shift towards the production of more advanced forms of biofuels, as referred to in the horizontal environmental and energy State aid rules.

3. Is the aid for investments in tangible assets and intangible assets in connection with the processing of agricultural products and the marketing of agricultural products as referred to in point (35).11. and (35).12. of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

4. Member States may grant aid for investments in connection with the processing of agricultural products and the marketing of agricultural products if the aid fulfils all the conditions of one of the following aid instruments. Please specify under the provisions of which of the following aid instruments that aid is meant to be granted:  Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 (GBER) (17);  Guidelines on regional State aid for 2014-2020 (18);  the conditions of Section 1.1.1.4. of Chapter 1 of Part II of the Guidelines.

5. If the aid is granted under the provisions of the Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 (GBER): Please state the reasons why the competent authority still would like to submit a notification on the basis of the Guidelines. In this case, please fill in the relevant part of the general notification form set out in Part I and the specific form of Part III of Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 794/2004 (19) or any provision replacing it.

6. If the aid is granted under the provisions of the Guidelines on regional State aid for 2014-2020: Does the aid fulfil the conditions set out in the Guidelines on regional State aid for 2014-2020?  yes  no If the answer is no, the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market in accordance with point (168)(b) of the Guidelines. If the answer is yes, please note that the assessment of such aid is to be carried out on the basis of the Guidelines on regional State aid for 2014-2020. Please fill in the relevant part of the general notification form (set out in the Annex of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1627/2006 (20)).

7. If the aid is going to be granted on the basis of Section 1.1.1.4. of Chapter 1 of Part II of the Guidelines, do the eligible costs include?  (a) the construction, acquisition, including leasing, or improvement of immoveable property; Was the cost of the amount of the land purchased equal or less than 10 % of the total eligible costs of the operation concerned?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that the purchase of the land is not eligible for aid.  (b) the purchase or lease purchase of machinery and equipment up to the market value of the asset;  (c) the general costs linked to the expenditure referred to in points (a) and (b), such as architect, engineer and consultation fees, fees relating to advice on environmental and economic sustainability, including feasibility studies; Please note that feasibility studies remain eligible expenditure even where, based on their results, no expenditure referred to in points (a) and (b) is incurred;  (d) the acquisition or development of computer software and the acquisition of patents, licences, copyrights and trademarks.  Other (please specify): … … If the investment pursues other objectives other than those referred to in points (a) to (d), please note that only investments in connection with the processing of agricultural products and the marketing of agricultural products pursuing one or more of the objectives listed in those points are eligible for support.

8. Do the eligible costs include the following expenses?  (a) the costs, other than those referred to in the question 6 (see point (169) of the Guidelines) connected with leasing contracts, such as lessor’s margin, interest refinancing costs, overheads and insurance charges;  (b) working capital;  (c) costs related to investments to comply with Union standards in force. If any of the expenses referred to in (a), (b) or (c) is included, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

9. Please state the maximum aid intensity, expressed as a percentage of eligible investment: (a) … of the amount of the eligible costs in the outermost regions; (b) … of the amount of the eligible costs in the smaller Aegean Islands; (c) … of the amount of the eligible costs in less developed regions and in all regions whose the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita for the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013 period was less than 75 % of the average of the EU-25 for the reference period but whose GDP per capita is above 75 % of the GDP average of the EU-27; (d) … of the amount of the eligible costs in other regions.

10. If the aid rates referred to in question 8 are higher than those referred to in point (171) of the Guidelines, please clarify whether any of the following exceptions apply allowing for an increase by 20 percentage points for operations:  (a) linked to a merger of producer organisations;  (b) supported in the framework of the EIP. If one of these exceptions is applied, please provide the documentation proving it here or in an annex attached to this supplementary information sheet: … Please note that the maximum combined aid cannot exceed 90 % of the investment for the aid to be declared compatible with the internal market.

11. What is the amount in EUR of the eligible costs for individual investment aid for the processing of agricultural products and the marketing of agricultural products? EUR … If that amount exceeds EUR 25 million (see point (37)(a) of the Guidelines), please note that the individual aid must be specifically notified to the Commission in accordance with Article 108(3) of the Treaty.

12. What is the amount in EUR of the gross grant equivalent for individual investment aid for the processing of agricultural products and the marketing of agricultural products? EUR … If that amount exceeds EUR 12 million (see point (37)(a) of the Guidelines), please note that the individual aid must be specifically notified to the Commission in accordance with Article 108(3) of the Treaty.

OTHER INFORMATION

Please indicate any other information considered relevant to the assessment of the measure concerned under this Section of the Guidelines.

…

1.1.2. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SHEET ON START-UP AID FOR YOUNG FARMERS AND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL FARMS

This form must be used by Member States for the notification of State aid measures which are designed to grant start-up aid for young farmers and for the development of small farms as described in section 1.1.2 of Chapter 1 of Part II of the European Union Guidelines for State aid in the agriculture and forestry sectors and in rural areas 2014 to 2020 (‘the Guidelines’).

1. Are undertakings active in the primary agricultural production the sole beneficiaries of this aid?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

2. Are young farmers as defined in point (35).29. of the Guidelines who are micro- and small undertakings the beneficiaries of this aid?  yes  no

3. Are small farms who are micro- and small undertakings the beneficiaries of this aid?  yes  no

4. If the answer to question 3 is yes, please indicate the criteria on the basis of which the beneficiaries qualify as small farms. Please note that such criteria must be objective. … …

5. Are the upper and lower thresholds for access to start-up aid for young farmers and the development of small farms defined in terms of the production potential of the agricultural holding, measured in standard output, as defined in Article 5b of Council Regulation (EC) No 1217/2009 (21) and Article 6 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/220 (22), or an equivalent?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

6. Please indicate the upper and lower thresholds for access to start-up aid for young farmers and the development of small farms. Young farmers Development of small farms Upper threshold Lower threshold Please note that the lower threshold for access to start-up aid for young farmers must be higher than the upper threshold for access to aid for the development of small farms.

7. Are young farmers who receive start-up aid setting up a holding in the form of a legal person?  yes  no

8. If the answer to question 7 is yes, do those young farmers exercise effective and long-term control over the legal person in terms of decisions related to management, benefits and financial risks?  yes  no Please indicate how such control is ascertained: … …

9. If the answer to question 8 is yes and several natural persons, including persons who are not young farmers, participate in the capital or management of the legal person, does the young farmer exercise effective and long-term control either solely or jointly together with other persons?  yes  no Please indicate how this is ascertained: … …

10. If the answer to question 8 is yes and the legal person in question is solely or jointly controlled by a legal person other than the young farmer, does the young farmer exercise effective and long-term control either solely or jointly together with other persons over that other legal person?  yes  no Please indicate how this is ascertained: … …

11. Is the aid conditional on the submission of a business plan to the competent authority of the Member State concerned?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

12. Does the implementation of the business plan start within nine months from the date of the adoption of the decision granting the aid?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

13. In the case of start-up aid for young farmers, does the business plan provide that the beneficiary has to comply with the definition of active farmer provided for in Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, within 18 months from the date of setting up?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

14. In the case of start-up aid for young farmers who do not possess adequate occupational skills and competences, does the business plan provide that they are to make a commitment to acquire those skills within 36 months from the date of the adoption of the decision on granting the aid?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

15. In the case of start-up aid for young farmers, does the business plan describe the following?  (a) the initial situation of the agricultural holding;  (b) milestones and targets for the development of the activities of the agricultural holding;  (c) details of the actions including those related to environmental sustainability and resource efficiency, required for the development of the activities of the agricultural holding, such as investments, training, advice or any other activity. Please note that the prerequisites referred to in points (a), (b) and (c) must be fulfilled cumulatively.

16. In the case of start-up aid for the development of small farms, does the business plan describe the following?  (a) the initial situation of the agricultural holding;  (b) details of actions including those related to environmental sustainability and resource efficiency, that could support the achievement of economic viability, such as investments, training, cooperation or any other action. Please note that the prerequisites referred to in points (a) and (b) must be fulfilled cumulatively.

17. When is the aid provided?  (a) annually;  (b) in at least two instalments over a period of five years. Please give exact details: …

18. In the case of start-up aid for young farmers, is the payment of the last aid tranche or the payment of the last instalment of the aid conditional upon the correct implementation of the business plan referred to in point (179) of the Guidelines?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that the aid cannot be declared compatible with the internal market.

19. What is the maximum aid intensity in EUR? (a) per young farmer: …EUR (b) per small farm: …EUR

OTHER INFORMATION

Please indicate any other information considered relevant to the assessment of the measure concerned under this Section of the Guidelines.

…

1.1.3. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SHEET ON AID FOR THE TRANSFER OF AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS

This form must be used for the notification of any State aid measure to support the transfer of agricultural holdings as described in Section 1.1.3. of Chapter 1 of Part II of the European Union Guidelines for State aid in the agriculture and forestry sectors and in rural areas 2014 to 2020 (‘the Guidelines’).

Is the aid granted only subject to compliance with all the rules listed in question 1 to 7:

1. The aid is granted to undertakings active in primary agricultural production which permanently transfer their agricultural holding to another undertaking active in primary agricultural production;  yes  no

2. The aid is granted to undertakings eligible to participate in the small farmers scheme, established by Title V of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013;  yes  no

3. The aid is granted to undertakings which on the date of submitting their aid application, have been so eligible for a period of at least one year;  yes  no

4. The aid is granted to undertakings which undertake to permanently transfer their entire agricultural holding and the corresponding payment entitlements to another undertaking active in the primary agricultural production;  yes  no

5. The aid is paid as:  an annual payment  one-off payment (Please note that under point (188) of the Guidelines, the aid must be paid either as an annual payment or as a one-off payment);

6. The aid is paid from the date of the transfer of the agricultural holding until 31 December 2020;  yes  no

7. The aid corresponds to 120 % of the annual payment that the beneficiary is eligible to receive under the small farmer scheme?  yes  no

OTHER INFORMATION

Please indicate any other information considered relevant to the assessment of the measure concerned under this Section of the Guidelines.

…

1.1.4. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SHEET ON START-UP AID FOR PRODUCER GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

This form must be used for the notification of any State aid measures providing Start-up aid for producer groups and organisations in the agricultural sector as described by Section 1.1.4.of Chapter 1 of Part II of the European Union Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas 2014 to 2020 (‘the Guidelines’).

1. TYPE OF AID

1.1. Does the aid concern start-up aid to newly established producer groups and producer organisations?  yes  no

1.2. Are the producer groups and organisations officially recognised by the competent authority of the Member State concerned on the basis of the submission of a business plan?  yes  no

1.3. Is the aid granted only after verification by the Member State that the objectives of the business plan have been reached within five years from the date of the official recognition of the producer group or organisation?  yes  no

1.4. Is the aid granted to other production organisations, entities or bodies, such as companies or cooperatives, the objective of which is the management of one or more agricultural holdings and which are therefore in effect single producers?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that aid to those organisations, entities or bodies is not covered by Section 1.1.4. of Chapter 1 of Part II of the Guidelines.

1.5. Is the aid granted to other agricultural associations, which undertake tasks, such as mutual support and farm relief and farm management services, in the members’ holdings without being involved in the joint adaptation of supply to the market?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please note that aid to those associations is not covered by section 1.1.4. of Chapter 1 of Part II of the Guidelines.

1.6. Is the aid granted to producer groups or organisations to cover expenses, which are not linked to setting-up costs, such as investments or promotion activities?  yes  no If the answer is yes, the aid will be assessed in accordance with the specific rules governing such aids. Please refer to the relevant sections of the notification form.

2. BENEFICIARY

2.1. Is the start-up aid granted exclusively to producer groups and producer organisations falling with the definition of SME’s (23)?  yes  no

2.2. Will the aid scheme be subject to a condition requiring it to be adjusted to take account of any changes in the regulations governing the common organisation of the markets in agricultural products?  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that in accordance with section 1.1.4. of Chapter 1 of Part II of the Guidelines, the Commission cannot approve the aid scheme.

3. AID INTENSITY AND ELIGIBLE COSTS

3.1. Please confirm that the total amount of aid granted to a producer group or organisation will not exceed EUR 500 000.  yes  no

3.2. Does the aid scheme clearly exclude that aid is paid in respect of costs incurred after the fifth year following the date on which the producer group or organisation was officially recognised by the competent authority?  yes  no

3.3. Do the eligible costs include only the costs of:  (a) the rental of suitable premises;  (b) the acquisition of office equipment, including computer hardware and software;  (c) administrative staff costs;  (d) overheads;  (e) legal and administrative fees?  yes  no If the answer is no, please refer to the list of eligible costs set in Section 1.1.4. of Chapter 1 of Part II of the Guidelines.

3.4. Is the aid paid as a flat rate in degressive annual instalments for the first five years following the date on which the producer group or organisation was officially recognised by the competent authority on the basis of its business plan?  yes  no

3.5. Will the last instalment be paid by the Member State only after having verified the correct implementation of the business plan?  yes  no

OTHER INFORMATION

Please indicate any other information considered relevant to the assessment of the measure concerned under this Section of the Guidelines.

…

1.1.5.1. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION SHEET ON AID FOR AGRI-ENVIRONMENT-CLIMATE COMMITMENTS

This form must be used for the notification of any State aid measure to support agricultural production methods designed to protect the environment and to maintain the countryside (agri-environment-climate commitments) covered by Section 1.1.5.1. of Chapter 1 of Part II of the European Union Guidelines for State aid in the agriculture and forestry sectors and in rural areas 2014-2020 (‘the Guidelines’).

1. Does the aid only concern environmental investments (Section 1.1.1. of the Guidelines)?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please refer to the Supplementary Information Sheet 1.1.1.4. on aid for investment in connection with the processing of agricultural products and the marketing of agricultural products.

2. Does the agro-environmental aid pursue other objectives such as training and advisory services to help agricultural producers (Section 1.1.10. of the Guidelines)?  yes  no If yes, please refer to the Supplementary Information Sheet 1.1.10. on ‘Aid for provision of technical support in the agricultural sector’.

3. Others? Please provide a complete description of the measure(s).….

4. Is documentation demonstrating that the aid fits into and is coherent with the relevant rural revelopment program attached to the notification?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please provide that documentation hereunder or in an annex to this supplementary information sheet. If the answer is no, please note that such documentation is required in accordance with point (47) of the Guidelines.

1. OBJECTIVE OF THE MEASURE

1.1. Please confirm that the support measure aims at the preservation as well as at the promotion of the necessary changes to agricultural practices that make a positive contribution to the environment and climate:  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that this is a requirement in accordance with point (209) of the Guidelines.

1.2. Which one of the following specific objectives does the support measure promote?  (a) ways of using agricultural land which are compatible with the protection and improvement of the environment, the landscape and its features, natural resources, the soil and genetic diversity, and the reduction of production costs;  (b) an environmentally-favourable extensification of farming and management of low-intensity pasture systems, improve and re-deploy production;  (c) the conservation of high nature-value farmed environments, which are under threat, and an increase of quality;  (d) the upkeep of the landscape and historical features on agricultural land;  (e) the use of environmental planning in farming practice. If the measure does not pursue any of the objectives listed in points (a) to (e), please indicate what are the objectives aimed at in terms of environmental protection? Please submit a detailed description. … … If the measure in question has already been applied in the past, what have the results been in terms of environmental protection? … …

2. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

2.1. Will the aid be granted to agricultural undertakings or groups of agricultural undertakings who provide agri-environmental-climate commitments for a period between five and seven years?  yes  no

2.2. Will a longer period be necessary for all or particular types of commitments?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please provide the reasons justifying that period: … …

2.3. Please confirm that aid will be granted to compensate for agri-environmental-climate commitments that go beyond the relevant mandatory standards established pursuant to Chapter I of Title VI of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 and other relevant obligations established pursuant to Article 4(1)(c) (ii) and (iii) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, relevant minimum requirements for fertiliser and plant protection products use as well as other relevant mandatory requirements established by national legislation.  yes  no If the answer is no, please note that point (210) of the Guidelines does not permit for aid for agri-environmental-climate commitments that do not involve more than the application of those mandatory standards and requirements.

2.4. Please describe what the mandatory standards and requirements referred to in question 2.3 are and explain how the agri-environmental-climate commitments involve more than their application. … …

2.5. Member States must endeavour to ensure that the agricultural undertakings or groups of agricultural undertakings who give agri-environmental-climate commitments are provided with the knowledge and information required to implement them, such as by commitment-related expert advice and/or by making aid under this measure conditional on obtaining the relevant training. Please confirm and describe if/how this obligation is complied with.  yes  no … …

2.6. If relevant, please confirm that the rules for area related payments provided for in Article 47 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 and in any delegated act adopted pursuant to that provision are complied with.  yes  no

3. AID AMOUNT

3.1. Please specify the maximum amount of aid to be granted based on the area of the holding to which agri-environmental-climate commitments apply:  (a) for specialised perennial crops … (maximum payment of EUR 900 per hectare per year);  (b) for annual crops … (maximum payment of EUR 600 per hectare per year);  (c) for other land uses …(maximum payment of EUR 450 per hectare per year);  (d) local breeds in danger of being lost to farming …(maximum payment of EUR 200 per livestock unit per year);  (e) other: … If the maximum amounts of the aid referred to in points (a) to (e) of this question are exceeded please justify the compatibility of the aid with the requirements of Section 1.1.5.1. of the Guidelines.

3.2. Is the aid granted annually?  yes  no If the answer is no, please provide the reasons justifying the other period: … …

3.3. Is the amount of annual support calculated on the basis of: — (a) income foregone, — (b) additional costs resulting from the commitment given; — (c) where necessary, the need to provide compensation for transaction costs?  yes  no Explain the calculation method used in fixing the amount of annual support and specify the income foregone, additional costs and transaction costs: …

3.4. Is the reference level for calculating income foregone and additional cost resulting from the commitments given, the mandatory standards and requirements as referred to in question 2.3?  yes  no If the answer is no, please explain the reference level taken into consideration: … …

3.5. Are the payments made per unit of production?  yes  no If the answer is yes, please explain the reasons justifying that method and the initiatives undertaken to ensure that the maximum amounts per year eligible for Union support as set out in point (228) of the Guidelines and in the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 are complied with. … …

3.6. Do the Member State intend to give aid for transaction costs for the continuation of agri-environmental-climate commitments already undertaken in the past?  yes  no

3.7. If the answer is yes, please demonstrate that such costs still continue to occur or that new transaction costs are bei