HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/487
REGULATION (EU) No 1305/2013 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 17 december 2013
on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
(EAFRD) and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
to that policy's objectives as laid down in the Treaty on
EUROPEAN UNION,
the Functioning of the European Union ("TFEU"). Such
rural development policy should also integrate the major
policy objectives set out in the Communication from the
Commission of 3 March 2010 entitled "Europe 2020 - A
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth" ("the
Union, and in particular Article 42 and Article 43(2) thereof,
Europe 2020 Strategy") and should be coherent with the
general objectives for the economic and social cohesion
policy, as set out in the TFEU.
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national
(3)
Since the objective of this Regulation, namely rural devel
parliaments,
opment, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member
States, given the links between rural development and the
other instruments of the CAP, the extent of the
Having regard to the opinion of the Court of Auditors,
disparities that exist between the various rural areas
and the limits on the financial resources of the
Member States in an enlarged Union but can rather, by
reason of the multi-annual guarantee of Union finance
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and
and by concentrating on its priorities, be better achieved
Social Committee,
at Union level. the Union may adopt measures, in
accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out
in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union ("TEU"). In
accordance with the principle of proportionality as set
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions,
out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond
what is necessary in order to achieve that objective.
Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure,
(4) To
ensure
the
sustainable
development
of
rural
areas,
it
is
Whereas:
necessary to focus on a limited number of core priorities
relating to knowledge transfer and innovation in agri
culture, forestry and rural areas, to farm viability, to
the competitiveness of all types of agriculture in all
(1) The
Communication
from
the
Commission
to
the
regions and promoting innovative farm technologies
European Parliament, the Council, the European
and the sustainable management of forests, to the organi
Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of
sation of the food chain, including the processing and
the Regions entitled "The CAP towards 2020: Meeting
marketing of agricultural products, to animal welfare, to
the food, natural resources and territorial challenges of
risk management in agriculture, restoring, preserving and
the future" set out the potential challenges, objectives and
enhancing ecosystems that are related to agriculture and
orientations for the common agricultural policy ("the
forestry, to the promotion of resource efficiency and the
CAP") after 2013. In the light of the debate on that
shift towards a low carbon economy in the agricultural,
Communication, the CAP should be reformed with
food and forestry sectors, and to promoting social
effect from 1 January 2014. That reform should cover
inclusion, poverty reduction in and the economic devel
all the main instruments of the CAP, including Council
opment of rural areas. In doing so, account should be
Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 ( 1 ). In view of the scope
taken of the diversity of the situations that affect rural
of the reform, it is appropriate to repeal Regulation (EC)
areas with different characteristics or different categories
No 1698/2005 and to replace it with a new text.
of potential beneficiaries and of the cross-cutting
objectives of innovation, environment and climate
change mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation action
(2)
A rural development policy should be established to
should relate both to limiting emissions in agriculture
accompany and complement direct payments and
and forestry from key activities such as livestock
market measures of the CAP and thereby to contribute
production, fertilizer use and to preserving carbon
sinks and enhancing carbon sequestration with regard
to land use, land use change and the forestry sector.
( 1 ) Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 of 20 September 2005 on
support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund
The Union priority for rural development relating to
for Rural Development (EAFRD) (OJ L 277, 21.10.2005, p. 1).
knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture,

---

L 347/488
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
forestry and rural areas should apply horizontally in
impact on the development of rural areas. As a means of
relation to the other Union priorities for rural devel
increasing the efficient intervention of certain thematic
opment.
sub-programmes Member States should be allowed to
provide for higher support rates for certain operations
covered by those thematic sub-programmes.
(5) The
Union's
priorities
for
rural
development
should
be
pursued in the framework of sustainable development
and the Union's promotion of the aim of protecting
(9) Rural
development
programmes
should
identify
the
and improving the environment, as set out in Article 11
needs of the area covered and describe a coherent
TFEU, taking into account the polluter pays principle.
strategy to meet them in the light of the Union priorities
The Member States should, provide information on the
for rural development. That strategy should be based on
support for climate change objectives in line with the
the setting of targets. The links between the needs ident
ambition to devote at least 20 % of the Union budget
ified, the targets set and the choice of measures selected
to this end using a methodology adopted by the
to meet them should be established. Rural development
Commission.
programmes should also contain all the information
required to assess their conformity with the requirements
of this Regulation.
(6) The
activities
of
the
European
Agricultural
Fund
for
Rural
Development ("the EAFRD") and the operations to which
it contributes should be consistent and compatible with
support from other instruments of the CAP.
(10) Targets are to be established in rural development

programmes against a common set of target indicators
for all Member States and where necessary, against
programme specific indicators. In order to facilitate this
exercise the areas covered by these indicators should be
defined, in line with the Union priorities for rural devel
(7) In
order
to
ensure
the
immediate
start
and
efficient
opment. Given the horizontal application of the Union
implementation of rural development programmes,
priority for rural development relating to knowledge
support from the EAFRD should be based on the
transfer in agriculture and forestry, interventions under
existence of administrative framework conditions that
this priority are to be considered as instrumental to the
are sound. Member States should therefore assess the
target indicators defined for the remaining Union prior
applicability and fulfilment of certain ex ante conditional
ities.
ities. Each Member State should prepare either a national
rural development programme for its entire territory or a
set of regional programmes or both a national
programme and a set of regional programmes. Each
programme should identify a strategy for meeting
targets in relation to the Union priorities for rural devel
(11) It
is
necessary
to
establish
certain
rules
for
programming
opment and a selection of measures. Programming
and revising rural development programmes. A simplified
should comply with Union priorities for rural devel
procedure should be provided for revisions that do not
opment, whilst at the same time adapting to national
affect the strategy of the programmes or the respective
contexts and complementing the other Union policies,
Union financial contributions.
in particular the agricultural market policy, the
cohesion policy and the common fisheries policy.
Member States which opt for preparing a set of
regional programmes should also be able to prepare a
national framework, without a separate budgetary allo
(12) The evolution and specialisation of agriculture and
cation, in order to facilitate co-ordination among the
forestry and the particular challenges faced by micro
regions in addressing nation-wide challenges.
and small and medium-sized enterprises ("SMEs") in
rural areas require an appropriate level of technical and
economic training as well as an increased capacity to
access and exchange knowledge and information
including through the diffusion of best agricultural and
(8)
Member States should be able to include in their rural
forestry production practices. Knowledge transfer and
development programmes thematic sub-programmes to
information actions should not only take the form of
address specific needs in areas of particular importance
traditional training courses but should also be adapted
to them. Thematic sub-programmes should concern,
to the needs of rural actors. Workshops, coaching,
among others, young farmers, small farms, mountain
demonstration activities, information actions and also
areas, the creation of short supply chains, women in
short-term farm and forest-exchange schemes and visits
rural areas and climate change mitigation and adaptation
should therefore also be supported. The knowledge and
and biodiversity. Thematic sub-programmes should also
information acquired should enable farmers, forest
be used to provide for the possibility to contribute to the
holders, persons engaged in the food sector and rural
restructuring of agricultural sectors which have a strong
SMEs to, in particular, enhance their competitiveness

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/489
and resource efficiency and improve their environmental
Article 11(3) of Directive 2000/60/EC of the European
performance while at the same time contributing to the
Parliament and of the Council ( 3 ) ("the Water Framework
sustainability of the rural economy. When providing
Directive"), as well as requirements for the implemen
support to SMEs, Member States have the possibility to
tation of Article 55 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009
give priority to SMEs linked to the agriculture and
of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 4 ) and
forestry sectors. In order to ensure that knowledge
Article 14 of Directive 2009/128/EC of the European
transfer and information actions are effective in
Parliament and of the Council ( 5 ), in particular in
delivering these results it should be required that the
relation to the compliance with the general principles
providers of knowledge transfer services have all the
of integrated pest management. Where relevant, advice
appropriate capabilities.
should also cover occupational or safety standards linked
to the farm as well as specific advice for farmers setting
up for the first time. It should also be possible for advice
to cover the setting up by young farmers, the sustainable
development of the economic activities of the holding
and local processing and marketing issues, linked to
the economic, agricultural and environmental
performance of the holding or enterprise. Specific
advice may also be provided on climate change miti
gation and adaptation, biodiversity, the protection of
water, the development of short supply chains, organic
(13) Farm
advisory services help farmers, young farmers,
farming and health aspects of animal husbandry. When
forest holders, other land managers and SMEs in rural
providing support to SMEs, Member States have the
areas to improve the sustainable management and overall
possibility to give priority to SMEs linked to the agri
performance of their holding or business. Therefore both
culture and forestry sectors. Farm management and farm
the setting up of such services and the use of advice by
relief services should help farmers improve and facilitate
farmers, young farmers, forest holders, other land
management of their holding.
managers and SMEs should be encouraged. In order to
enhance the quality and effectiveness of the advice
offered, provision should be made for the minimum
qualifications and regular training of advisors. As
provided for in Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 of the
European Parliament and of the Council
( 1 ) farm
advisory services should help farmers to assess the
performance of their agricultural holding and to
identify the necessary improvements as regards the
statutory management requirements, good agricultural
(14) Union
or
national
quality
schemes,
including
farm
certifi
and environmental conditions, agricultural practices
cation schemes for agricultural products and food,
beneficial to the climate and the environment set out
provide consumers with assurances on the quality and
in Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European
characteristics of the product or the production process
Parliament and of the Council ( 2 ) and measures at farm
used as a result of the participation of farmers in such
level provided for in the rural development programmes
schemes, achieve added value for the products concerned
aiming at farm modernisation,
and enhance their market opportunities. Farmers and
groups of farmers should therefore be encouraged to
participate in those schemes. In order to ensure the
effective use of EAFRD resources, support should be
limited to active farmers within the meaning of
Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013. As it is at
the moment of entering into such schemes and in the
early years of participation that additional costs and
obligations imposed on farmers as a result of their
participation are not fully remunerated by the market,
support should be provided for new participation and
competitiveness building, sectoral integration, innovation,
should cover a period of no more than five years.
market orientation as well as the promotion of entrepre
Given the special characteristics of cotton as a farm
neurship. Farm advisory services should also help farmers
product, quality schemes for cotton should also be
to identify the necessary improvements as regards
covered. Support should also be made available for
requirements laid down for the implementation of
( 3 ) Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the
( 1 ) Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of
Council establishing a framework for Community action in the
the Council of 17 december 2013 on the financing, management
field of water policy (OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1).
and monitoring of the common agricultural policy (See page 549 of
( 4 ) Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of
this Official Journal).
the Council of 21 October 2009 concerning the placing of plant
( 2 ) Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of
protection products on the market and repealing Council Directives
the Council of 17 december 2013 establishing rules for direct
79/117/EEC and 91/414/EEC (OJ L 309, 24.11.2009, p. 1).
payments to farmers under support schemes within the framework
( 5 ) Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the
of the common agricultural policy and repealing Council Regu
Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for
lations (EC) No 637/2008 and (EC) No 73/2009 (See page 608 of
Community action to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides (OJ
this Official Journal).
L 309, 24.11.2009, p. 71).

---

L 347/490
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
information and promotion activities concerning
possible for diversification into non-agricultural activities
products covered by the quality and certification
to address the sustainable management of cynegetic
schemes receiving support pursuant to this Regulation.
resources. A farm and business development measure
should facilitate the initial establishment of young
farmers and the structural adjustment of their agricultural
holding after the initial setting up. Furthermore, diversifi
cation of farmers into non-agricultural activities and the
setting up and development of non-agricultural SMEs in
rural areas should be promoted. That measure should
(15) In order to improve the economic and environmental
performance of agricultural holdings and rural enter
also encourage entrepreneurship of women in rural
prises, to improve the efficiency of the agricultural
areas. The development of small farms, which are poten
products marketing and processing sector, including the
tially economically viable should also be encouraged. In
setting up of small scale processing and marketing
order to ensure the viability of new economic activities
facilities in the context of short supply chains and local
supported under that measure, support should be made
markets, to provide infrastructure needed for the devel
conditional on the submission of a business plan.
opment of agriculture and forestry and to support non-
Support for a business start up should cover only the
remunerative investments necessary to achieve environ
initial period of the life of such a business and should
mental aims, support should be provided for physical
not become an operating aid. Therefore, where Member
investments contributing to these aims. During the
States opt to grant aid in instalments, such instalments
2007-2013 programming period a variety of measures
should be made over a period of no more than five years.
covered different areas of intervention. In the interest of
In addition, in order to encourage the restructuring of the
simplification, but also of allowing beneficiaries to design
agricultural sector, support, in the form of annual or
and realise integrated projects with increased added value,
one-off payments, should be provided for farmers
a single measure should cover most types of physical
eligible for the small farmers scheme established by
investments. Member States should direct the support
Title V of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 ("the small
to farms eligible for aid for investments related to
farmer's scheme") who commit to transfer their entire
supporting farm viability based on the results of the
holding and the corresponding payment entitlements to
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
another farmer.
("SWOT") analysis as a means of better targeting that
aid. In order to facilitate the setting up by young
farmers for the first time an additional period of eligi
bility for investments to comply with Union standards
can be granted. In order to foster the implementation of
In order to address problems of young farmers related to
new Union standards, investments related to compliance
access to land Member States are also able to offer this
with those standards should be eligible for an additional
support in combination with other forms of support, for
period after they have become mandatory for the agri
example, through the use of financial instruments.
cultural holding.
(18) SMEs are the backbone of the rural economy of the
Union. Farm and non-agricultural business development
(16) The agricultural
sector, more than other sectors, is
should be aimed at employment promotion and the
subject to damage to its productive potential caused by
setting up of quality jobs in rural areas, the maintenance
natural disasters, adverse climatic events and catastrophic
of existing jobs, the reduction of seasonality fluctuations
events. In order to help farm viability and competi
in employment, the development of non-agricultural
tiveness in the face of such disasters or events, support
sectors outside agriculture and agricultural and food
should be provided to help farmers restore agricultural
processing. At the same time it should foster business
potential which has been damaged. Member States
integration and local inter-sectoral links. Projects that
should also ensure that no overcompensation of
bring together agriculture and, rural tourism through
damages occurs as a result of the combination of
the promotion of sustainable and responsible tourism
Union (in particular the risk management measure
in rural areas, and natural and cultural heritage should
under this Regulation), national and private compen
be encouraged as well as renewable energy investments.
sation schemes.
(19) The development of local infrastructure and local basic
services in rural areas, including leisure and culture
(17) For
the
development
of
rural
areas,
the
creation
and
services, the renewal of villages and activities aimed at
development of new economic activity in the form of
the restoration and upgrading of the cultural and natural
new farms, the diversification into non-agricultural
heritage of villages and rural landscapes is an essential
activities including the provision of services to agriculture
element of any effort to realise the growth potential and
and forestry, activities related to health care, social inte
to promote the sustainability of rural areas. Support
gration and tourist activities are essential. It is also
should therefore be granted to operations with that

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/491
aim, including access to Information and Communication
commitments made in the Ministerial Conferences on the
Technologies and the development of fast and ultra-fast
Protection of Forests in Europe. It should contribute to
broadband. In line with those objectives, the devel
the implementation of the Union Forest Strategy in line
opment of services and infrastructure leading to social
with the Communication from the Commission to the
inclusion and reversing trends of social and economic
European Parliament, the Council, the European
decline and depopulation of rural areas should be
Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of
encouraged. In order to achieve the maximum effec
the Regions entitled "A new EU Forest Strategy: for
tiveness of such support, covered operations should be
forests and the forest-based sector".
implemented in accordance with plans for the devel
opment of municipalities and their basic services, where
such plans exist, elaborated by one or more rural
communes. In order to create synergies and to improve
co-operation, operations should also, where relevant,
promote rural-urban links. Member States have the possi
(21) Producer groups and organisations help farmers to face
bility to give priority to investments by community-led
together the challenges posed by increased competition
local development partnerships, and to projects managed
and consolidation of downstream markets in relation to
by local community organisations.
the marketing of their products including in local
markets. The setting up of producer groups and organi
sations should therefore be encouraged. In order to
ensure the best use of limited financial resources only
producer groups and organisations that qualify as SMEs
should benefit from support. Member States have the
(20) Forestry
is
an
integral
part
of
rural
development
and
possibility to give priority to producer groups and
support for sustainable and climate friendly land use
organisations of quality products covered by the
should include forest area development and sustainable
measure on quality schemes for agricultural products
management of forests. During the 2007-2013
and foodstuffs in this Regulation. In order to ensure
programming period, a variety of measures covered
that the producer group or organisation becomes a
different types of support for forestry investments and
viable entity, a business plan should be submitted to
management. In the interests of simplification and of
the Member States, as a condition for granting support
allowing beneficiaries to design and realise integrated
to a producer group or organisation. In order to avoid
projects with increased added value, a single measure
providing operating aid and in order to maintain the
should cover all types of support for forestry investments
incentive role of the support, the maximum duration
and management. That measure should cover the
of the support should be limited to five years from the
extension and improvement of forest resources through
date of recognition of the producer group or organi
the afforestation of land and the creation of agroforestry
sation on the basis of its business plan.
systems combining extensive agriculture with forestry
systems. It should also cover the restoration of forests
damaged by fire or other natural disasters and cata
strophic events and relevant prevention measures;
investments in forestry technologies and in the
processing; the mobilising and marketing of forest
(22) Agri-environment-climate
payments
should
continue
to
products aimed at improving the economic and environ
play a prominent role in supporting the sustainable
mental performance of forest holders; and non- remun
development of rural areas and in responding to
erative investments which improve ecosystem and
society's increasing demands for environmental services.
climate resilience and environmental value of forest
They should further encourage farmers and other land
ecosystems. Support should not distort competition and
managers to serve society as a whole by introducing or
should be market neutral. As a result, limitations relating
continuing to apply agricultural practices that contribute
to the size and legal status of beneficiaries should be
to climate change mitigation and adaptation and that are
imposed. Preventive actions against fires should be
compatible with the protection and improvement of the
undertaken in areas classified by Member States as
environment, the landscape and its features, natural
medium or high fire risk. All preventive actions should
resources, and the soil and genetic diversity. In that
be part of a forest protection plan. In the case of an
context the conservation of genetic resources in agri
action undertaken for the restoration of damaged forest
culture and the additional needs of farming systems
potential, the occurrence of a natural disaster should be
that are of high nature value should be given specific
subject to formal recognition by a scientific public
attention. Payments should contribute to covering
organisation.
additional costs and income foregone resulting from
the commitments undertaken and should only cover
commitments going beyond relevant mandatory
standards and requirements, in accordance with the
"polluter pays principle". Member States should also
ensure that payments to farmers do not lead to double
The forestry measure should be adopted in the light of
funding under this Regulation and Regulation (EU)
undertakings given by the Union and Member States at
No 1307/2013. In many situations the synergies
international level, and should be based on Member
resulting from commitments undertaken jointly by a
States' national or sub-national forest plans or equivalent
group of farmers multiply the environmental and
instruments which should take into account the
climate benefit. However, joint actions involve additional

---

L 347/492
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
transaction costs which should be compensated
92/43/EEC ( 2 ) and in order to contribute to the effective
adequately. In addition, in order to ensure that farmers
management of Natura 2000 sites. Support should also
and other land managers are in a position to correctly
be made available to farmers to help address
implement the commitments they have undertaken,
disadvantages in river basin areas resulting from the
Member States should endeavour to provide them with
implementation of the Water Framework Directive.
the required skills and knowledge.
Support should be linked to specific requirements
described in the rural development programme that go
beyond relevant mandatory standards and requirements.
Member States should also ensure that payments to
farmers do not lead to double funding under this Regu
lation and Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013. Furthermore,
the specific needs of Natura 2000 areas should be taken
Member States should maintain the level of efforts made
into account by Member States in the overall design of
during the 2007-2013 programming period and should
their rural development programmes.
be required to spend a minimum of 30 % of the total
contribution from the EAFRD to each rural development
programme on climate change mitigation and adaptation
as well as environmental issues. Such spending should be
made through agri-environment-climate and organic
farming payments and payments to areas facing natural
or other specific constraints, through payments for
(25) Payments
to
farmers
in
mountain
areas
or
in
other
areas
forestry, payments for Natura 2000 areas and climate
facing natural or other specific constraints should, by
and environment-related investment support.
encouraging continued use of agricultural land,
contribute to maintaining the countryside as well as to
maintaining and promoting sustainable farming systems.
In order to ensure the efficiency of such support,
payments should compensate farmers for income
foregone and additional costs linked to the disadvantage
of the area concerned. In order to ensure the effective use
of EAFRD resources, support should be limited to active
(23) Payments
to
farmers
for
the
converting
to,
or
main
taining, organic farming should encourage them to
farmers within the meaning of Article 9 of Regulation
participate in such schemes thereby responding to the
(EU) No 1307/2013.
increasing demand of society for the use of environ
mentally friendly farm practices and for high standards
of animal welfare. In order to increase synergy in biodi
versity, benefits delivered by the organic farming
measure, collective contracts or co-operation between
farmers should be encouraged to cover larger, adjacent
(26) In
order
to
ensure
the
efficient
use
of
Union
funds
and
areas. In order to avoid a large-scale return by farmers to
equal treatment for farmers across the Union, mountain
conventional farming support should be given to both
areas and areas facing natural or other specific
conversion and maintenance measures. Payments should
constraints should be defined in accordance with
contribute to covering additional costs incurred and
objective criteria. In the case of areas facing natural
income foregone as a result of the commitment and
constraints, those criteria should be bio-physical and
should cover only commitments that go beyond
underpinned by robust scientific evidence. Transitional
relevant mandatory standards and requirements.
arrangements should be adopted in order to facilitate
Member States should also ensure that payments to
the phasing-out of payments in areas that, as a result
farmers do not lead to double funding under this Regu
of the application of these criteria, will no longer be
lation and Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 (DP). In order
considered to be areas facing natural constraints.
to ensure the effective use of EAFRD resources, support
should be limited to active farmers within the meaning
of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013.
(27) Farmers
should
continue
to
be
encouraged
to
adopt
high
standards of animal welfare by providing support for
farmers who undertake to adopt standards of animal
(24) Support should continue to be granted to farmers and
husbandry, which go beyond the relevant mandatory
forest holders to help address specific disadvantages in
standards. In order to ensure the effective use of
the areas concerned resulting from the implementation
EAFRD resources, support should be limited to active
of Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament
farmers within the meaning of Article 9 of Regulation
and of the Council
( 1 ) and Council Directive
(EU) 1307/2013.
( 1 ) Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the
( 2 ) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation
Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds
of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206,
(OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7).
22.7.1992, p. 7).

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/493
(28) Payments
should
continue
to
be
granted
to
forest
holders
applicability of technologies, techniques and practices in
who provide environment-friendly or climate-friendly
different contexts, and adapting them where necessary.
forest conservation services by undertaking commitments
Operational groups are a pivotal element of the
to enhance biodiversity, preserve high-value forest
European Innovation Partnership ("EIP") for agricultural
ecosystems, improve their climate change mitigation
productivity and sustainability. Another important tool
and adaptation potential, and reinforce the protective
lies in local development strategies operating outside
value of forests with respect to soil erosion, maintenance
the framework of LEADER local development –
of water resources and natural hazards. In that context,
between public and private actors from rural and urban
specific attention should be paid to the conservation and
areas. Unlike under the LEADER approach, it is possible
promotion of forest genetic resources. Payments should
for such partnerships and strategies to be limited to one
be granted for forest environmental commitments going
sector or to relatively specific development aims,
beyond relevant mandatory standards established by
including those mentioned above. Member States have
national law.
the possibility to give priority to co-operation among
entities involving primary producers. Inter-branch organi
sations should also be eligible for support under this
measure. Such support should be limited to a period of
seven years except for collective environmental and
climate action in duly justified cases.
(29) During
the
2007-2013
programming
period
the
only
type of co-operation which was explicitly supported
under rural development policy was co-operation for
the development of new products, processes and tech
nologies in the agriculture and food sector and the
forestry sector. Support for that type of co-operation is
still necessary but should be adapted in order to better
(30) Nowadays,
farmers
are
exposed
to
increasing
economic
meet the requirements of the knowledge economy. In
and environmental risks as a consequence of climate
that context, there should be the possibility for projects
change and increased price volatility. In this context,
by a single operator to be financed under that measure,
the effective management of risks has an increased
on condition that the results obtained are disseminated,
importance for farmers. Consequently, a risk
thus achieving the aim of diffusing new practices,
management measure should be set up to assist
processes or products. In addition, it has become clear
farmers in addressing the most common risks faced by
that supporting a much broader range of types of co-
them. That measure should therefore help farmers to
operation, with a wider range of beneficiaries, from
cover the premiums they pay for crop, animal and
smaller operators to larger ones, can contribute to
plant insurance as well as help with the setting up of
achieving the objectives of rural development policy by
mutual funds and the compensation paid by such funds
helping operators in rural areas overcome the economic,
to farmers for losses suffered as a result of adverse
environmental and other disadvantages of fragmentation.
climatic events, the outbreak of animal or plant
Therefore, that measure should be widened. Support to
diseases, pest infestation or environmental incidents. It
small operators for organising joint work processes and
should also include an income stabilisation tool in the
sharing facilities and resources should help them to be
form of a mutual fund to support farmers facing a severe
economically viable despite their small scale. Support for
drop in their incomes. In order to ensure that farmers
horizontal and vertical co-operation among actors in the
receive equal treatment across the Union, that
supply chain, as well as for promotion activities in a local
competition is not distorted and that the international
context, should catalyse the economically rational devel
obligations of the Union are respected, specific
opment of short supply chains, local markets and local
conditions should be provided for the granting of
food chains. Support for joint approaches to environ
support under these measures. In order to ensure the
mental projects and practices should help to produce
effective use of EAFRD resources, support should be
greater and more consistent environmental and climate
limited to active farmers within the meaning of
benefits than those which can be delivered by individual
Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013.
operators acting without reference to others (for example,
through practices applied on larger, unbroken areas of
land).
(31) The
LEADER
approach
for
local
development
has,
over
a
number of years, proven its effectiveness in promoting
the development of rural areas by fully taking into
Support should be provided in various forms. Clusters
account the multi-sectoral needs for endogenous rural
and networks are particularly relevant to the sharing of
development through its bottom-up approach. LEADER
expertise as well as the development of new and
should therefore be continued in the future and its appli
specialised expertise, services and products. Pilot
cation should remain compulsory for rural development
projects are important tools for testing the commercial
programmes at national and/or regional level.

---

L 347/494
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
(32) Support
for
LEADER
local
development
from
the
EAFRD
apply, including those concerning investments in
should also cover inter-territorial co-operation projects
recycling or re-using water. In addition to supporting
between groups within a Member State or transnational
investments in improvements to existing equipment
co-operation projects between groups in several Member
provision should be made for the EAFRD to support
States or co-operation projects between groups in
investments in new irrigation subject to the findings of
Member States and in third countries.
an environmental analysis. With certain exceptions,
support should, however, not be granted for new irri
gation where the affected water body is already under
stress, in view of the very high risk that granting
support in such circumstances would worsen existing
environmental problems.
(33) In
order
to
enable
partners
in
rural
areas
who
do
not
yet
apply LEADER to test and prepare for the design and
implementation of a local development strategy, a
"LEADER start-up kit" should also be financed. Support
should not be conditional on the submission of a local
(36) Certain area-related measures under this Regulation
development strategy.
require beneficiaries to undertake commitments for at
least five years. During that period, it is possible that
changes occur to the situation of either the holding or
of the beneficiary. Rules should therefore be laid down in
order to determine what should happen in such cases.
(34) Investments
are
common
to
many
of
the
rural
devel
opment measures under this Regulation and may relate
to operations of a very diverse nature. In order to ensure
clarity in the implementation of those operations certain
(37) Certain
measures
under
this
Regulation
make
support
common rules for all investments should be laid down.
conditional upon beneficiaries undertake commitments
Those common rules should define the types of expen
that go beyond a relevant baseline defined in terms of
diture that may be considered to be investment expen
mandatory standards or requirements. In view of possible
diture and should ensure that only such investments that
changes to the law during the period of the
create new value in agriculture receive support. In order
commitments resulting in the modification of the
to facilitate the implementation of investment projects
baseline, provision should be made the contracts
Member States should have the possibility to pay
concerned to be revised in order to ensure continued
advances. To ensure the effectiveness, fairness and
compliance with that condition.
sustainable impact of EAFRD assistance, rules should be
laid down to ensure that investments related to oper
ations are durable and that EAFRD support is not used
to distort competition.
(38) In
order
to
ensure
that
financial
resources
for
rural
devel
opment are used in the best possible way and to target
measures under rural development programmes in
accordance with the Union priorities for rural devel
opment and in order to guarantee equal treatment of
(35) It should be possible for the EAFRD to support
applicants, Member States should establish selection
investments in irrigation to provide economic and envi
criteria for the selection of projects. Exception to this
ronmental benefits, provided that the sustainability of the
rule should be made only for payments under agri-envi
irrigation concerned is ensured. Consequently, in every
ronmental-climate, organic farming, Natura 2000 and the
case, support should be granted only if a river basin
Water Framework Directive, areas facing natural or other
management plan is in place in the area concerned as
specific constraints, animal welfare, forest-environmental
required by the Water Framework Directive, and if there
and climate services and risk management related
is already water metering in place at the level of the
measures. When applying the selection criteria the size
investment or it is put in place as part of the investment.
of the operation should be taken into account in
Investments in improvements to existing irrigation infra
accordance with the principle of proportionality.
structure or equipment should lead to a minimum gain
in terms of water efficiency, expressed as a potential
water saving. If the water body affected by the
investment is under stress for reasons related to water
quantity as set out in the analytical framework estab
(39) The
EAFRD
should
support,
through
technical
assistance,
lished by the Water Framework Directive, half of the
actions relating to the implementation of rural devel
gain in terms of water efficiency should be translated
opment programmes, including the costs related to the
into a real reduction in water use at the level of the
protection of symbols and abbreviations relating to
supported investment, in order to reduce the stress on
Union quality schemes for participation in which
the water body concerned. Certain cases should be set
support may be granted under this Regulation and
out in which it is not possible or necessary for the
costs of the Member States for the delimitation of
requirements of potential or effective water savings to
areas facing natural constraints.

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/495
(40) The
networking
of
national
networks,
organisations
and
effectiveness of innovation-related instruments and
administrations involved in the various stages of
enhancing synergies between them. The EIP should fill
programme implementation, organised in the context
gaps by better linking research and practical farming.
of the European network for rural development, has
proven that it can play a very important role in
improving the quality of rural development programmes
by increasing the involvement of stakeholders in the
governance of rural development as well as in
(45) The
implementation
of
innovative
projects
in
the
context
informing the broader public of its benefits. It should,
of the EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainability
therefore, be financed as part of technical assistance at
should be undertaken by operational groups that bring
Union level. To take account of the specific needs of
together farmers, forest managers, rural communities,
evaluation, a European evaluation capacity for rural
researchers, NGOs advisors, businesses and other actors
development should be set up as part of the European
concerned by innovation in the agricultural sector. In
network for rural development in order to bring together
order to ensure that the results of such projects benefit
all actors involved and thereby to facilitate the exchange
the sector as a whole, those results in the field of inno
of expertise in the field.
vation and knowledge exchanges within the Union and
with third countries should be disseminated.
(41) The
EIP
for
agricultural
productivity
and
sustainability
(46) Provision
should
be
made
for
the
determination
of
the
should contribute to the achievement of the Europe
total amount of Union support for rural development
2020 objectives of smart, sustainable and inclusive
under this Regulation for the period from 1 January
growth. It is important that it brings together all
2014 to 31 December 2020, in accordance with the
relevant actors at Union, national and regional levels,
Multi-annual Financial Framework for the period 2014
presenting new ideas to Member States on how to
to 2020. The appropriations available should be indexed
streamline, simplify and better coordinate existing
on a flat-rate basis for programming.
instruments and initiatives and complement them with
new actions where necessary.
(47) In
order
to
facilitate
the
management
of
EAFRD
funds,
a
single contribution rate for support from the EAFRD to
rural development programming should be set in relation
(42) In order to contribute to the achievement of the aims of
to public expenditure in the Member States. In order to
the EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainability a
take account of their particular importance or nature,
EIP network should be set up in order to network oper
specific contribution rates should be set in relation to
ational groups, advisory services and researchers involved
certain types of operations. In order to mitigate the
in the implementation of actions targeting innovation in
specific constraints resulting from the level of devel
agriculture. It should be financed as part of technical
opment the remoteness and insularity, an appropriate
assistance at Union level.
EAFRD contribution rate should be set for less
developed regions, the outermost regions referred to in
the TFEU and the smaller Aegean islands, as well as
transition regions.
(43) Member States should reserve a portion of the total
amount of each rural development programme devoted
to technical assistance in order to finance the setting up
and operation of a national rural network that brings
(48) Member
States
should
take
all
steps
necessary
to
ensure
together organisations and administrations involved in
that their rural development measures are verifiable and
rural development, including the EIP, with the aim of
controllable, including putting in place adequate provi
increasing their involvement in the implementation of
sions. To that end, the Managing Authority and Paying
the programme and improving the quality of rural devel
Agency should provide an ex ante assessment and
opment programmes. To this end, national rural
undertake to assess measures throughout the implemen
networks should prepare and implement an action plan.
tation of the programme. Measures that do not comply
with that condition should be adjusted.
(44) Rural
development
programmes
should
provide
for
inno
(49) The
Commission
and
Member
States
should
take
all
steps
vative actions promoting a resource-efficient, productive
necessary to ensure the sound management of rural
and low-emission agricultural sector, with the support of
development programmes. In this context the
the EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainability.
Commission should carry out adequate measures and
The EIP should aim to promote a faster and wider trans
controls and the Member States should take measures
position of innovative solutions into practice. The EIP
to guarantee the sound functioning of their management
should create added value by enhancing the uptake and
systems.

---

L 347/496
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
(50) A
single
Managing
Authority
should
be
responsible
for
(55) In
order
to
improve
its
quality
and
demonstrate
its
the management and implementation of each rural devel
achievements, each rural development programme
opment programme. Its duties should be specified in this
should be subject to evaluation.
Regulation. The Managing Authority should be able to
delegate part of its duties whilst retaining responsibility
for the efficiency and correctness of management. Where
a rural development programme contains thematic sub-
programmes the Managing Authority should be able to
designate another body to carry out the management and
implementation of that sub-programme in relation to the
(56) Articles
107,
108
and
109
TFEU
should
apply
to
the
financial allocations that have been identified for it in the
support for the rural development measures under this
programme whilst ensuring sound financial management
Regulation. Nevertheless, given the specific characteristics
of those sub-programmes. Where a Member State has
of the agricultural sector, those TFEU provisions should
more than one programme to manage, a coordination
not apply to rural development measures concerning
body can be set up to ensure consistency.
operations falling within the scope of Article 42 TFEU,
that are carried out under and in conformity with this
Regulation or to payments made by Member States,
intended to provide additional national financing for
rural development operations for which Union support
is granted and which fall within the scope of Article 42
(51) Each rural development programme should be subject to
TFEU.
regular monitoring of the implementation of the
programme and of progress towards the established
targets of the programme. Since demonstrating and
improving the impact and effectiveness of actions
under the EAFRD also depends on appropriate evaluation
during the preparation and implementation of a
(57) Moreover,
with
a
view
to
ensuring
consistency
with
the
programme and its completion, a monitoring and
rural development measures eligible for Union support
evaluation system should be set up jointly by the
and in order to simplify procedures, payments made by
Commission and the Member States with the purpose
the Member States, intended to provide additional
of demonstrating the progress and assessing the impact
national financing for rural development operations for
and efficiency of rural development policy implemen
which Union support is granted and which fall within
tation.
the scope of Article 42 TFEU, should be included in the
rural development programme for assessment and
approval in accordance with the provisions of this Regu
lation. In order to ensure that additional national
financing is not implemented unless it has been auth
orised by the Commission, the Member State
(52) In
order
to
ensure
that
information
can
be
aggregated
at
concerned should be precluded from putting its
Union level, a set of common indicators should form
proposed additional financing for rural development
part of that monitoring and evaluation system. Key
into effect until it has been approved. Payments made
information on the implementation of rural development
by Member States intended to provide additional national
programmes should be recorded and maintained elec
financing for rural development operations for which
tronically as a means to facilitate data aggregation. Bene
Union support is granted and which fall outside the
ficiaries should therefore be required to provide the
scope of Article 42 TFEU should be notified to the
minimum necessary information that is needed for moni
Commission pursuant to Article 108(3) TFEU, unless
toring and evaluation.
they fall under a regulation, adopted pursuant to
Council Regulation 994/98
( 1 ), and Member States
should be precluded from putting them into effect until
that notification procedure has resulted in a final
approval by the Commission.
(53) The
responsibility
for
monitoring
the
programme
should
be shared between the Managing Authority and a Moni
toring Committee set up for that purpose. The Moni
toring Committee should be responsible for the moni
toring of the effectiveness of the implementation of the
programme. To that end, its responsibilities should be
(58) In
order
to
provide
an
efficient
and
secure
exchange
of
specified.
data of common interest as well as to record, maintain
and manage key information and report on monitoring
and evaluation, an electronic information system should
be established.
(
(54) The
monitoring
of
the
programme
should
involve
the

1 ) Council Regulation (EC) No 994/98 of 7 May 1998 on the appli
cation of Articles 92 and 93 of the Treaty establishing the European
drawing up of an annual implementation report to be
Community to certain categories of horizontal State aid (OJ L 142,
sent to the Commission.
14.5.1998, p. 1).

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/497
(59) Union
law
on
the
protection
of
individuals
with
regard
under Natura 2000 and measures under the Water
to the processing of personal data and on the free
Framework Directive; the definition of the areas in
movement of such data, in particular Directive
which animal welfare commitments shall provide
95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Coun
upgraded standards of production methods; the type of
cil ( 1 ) and Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European
operations eligible for support under the conservation
Parliament and of the Council ( 2 ) should apply.
and promotion of forest genetic resources; the specifi
cation of the characteristics of pilot projects, clusters,
networks, short supply chains and local markets that
will be eligible for support under the co-operation
measure, as well as the conditions for granting aid to
(60) In
order
to
supplement
or
amend
certain
non-essential
the types of operation listed under that measure.
elements of this Regulation, the power to adopt delegated
acts in accordance with Article 290 TFEU should be
delegated to the Commission. It is of particular
importance that the Commission carry out appropriate
consultations during its preparatory work, including at
(63) Furthermore, that empowerment should cover: the
expert level. The Commission, when preparing and
minimum and maximum duration of commercial loans
drawing up delegated acts, should ensure a simultaneous,
to mutual funds under the risk management measure
timely and appropriate transmission of relevant
under this Regulation; the conditions under which costs
documents to the European Parliament and to the
related to leasing contracts or second hand equipment
Council.
may be considered as eligible investment expenditure,
as well as the definition of types of renewable energy
infrastructure eligible for investment; the conditions
applicable to conversion or adjustment of commitments
under the measures referred to in Articles 28, 29, 33 and
(61) That
empowerment
should
cover:
the
conditions
under
34, as well as the definition of other situations in which
which a legal person is considered to be a young farmer
reimbursement of the aid shall not be required. It should
and the setting of a period of grace for the acquisition of
also cover: the review of the ceilings set out in Annex I;
skills; the duration and content of farm and forest
the conditions under which support approved by the
exchange schemes and farm and forest visits. It should
Commission under Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 may
also cover: the specific Union schemes under
be integrated into support provided for under this Regu
Article 17(1)(a) and the characteristics of groups of
lation, including for technical assistance and for the ex-
producers and types of actions that may receive
post evaluations, in order to facilitate a smooth transition
support under paragraph 2 of Article 17, as well as the
from the system established by Regulation (EC)
setting of conditions to prevent distortion of competition
No 1698/2005 to the system established by this Regu
to prevent discrimination against products and to exclude
lation. In order to take account of the Treaty of
commercial brands from support.
Accession of the Republic of Croatia those delegated
acts should also cover, for Croatia, the transition from
support for rural development under Council Regulation
(EC) No 1085/2006 ( 3 ), where necessary.
(62) In addition, that empowerment should cover: the
minimum content of business plans and the criteria to
be used by Member states for setting the thresholds
referred to in Article 19(4); the definition and the
(64) In
order
to
ensure
uniform
conditions
for
the
implemen
minimum environmental requirements for afforestation
tation of this Regulation, implementing powers should be
and the creation of woodland; the conditions applicable
conferred on the Commission, in relation to the content
to agri-environment-climate commitments to extensify
of rural development programmes and national frame
livestock farming, rear local breeds in danger of being
works, the approval of programmes and of modifications
lost to farming or preserve plant genetic resources under
thereto, the procedures and timetables for approval of
threat of genetic erosion, as well as the definition of
programmes, the procedures and timetables for the
eligible operations for the conservation and for the
approval of modifications to programmes and to
sustainable use and development of genetic resources. It
national frameworks, including their entry in to force
should also cover: the calculation method to be used in
and frequency of submission, the rules on payment
order to avoid double funding of the practices referred to
methods for participants' costs for knowledge transfer
in Article 43 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 for the
and information actions, specific conditions for the
agri-environment-climate, organic farming, measures
implementation of rural development measures, the
structure and operation of networks set up by this Regu
( 1 ) Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
lation, the information and publicity requirements, the
of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to
adoption of the monitoring and evaluation system and
the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such
the rules for the operation of the information system,
data (OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 31).
and the rules concerning the presentation of the annual
( 2 ) Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with
regard to the processing of personal data by the Community insti
( 3 ) Council Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006 of 17 July 2006 establishing
tutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (OJ L 8,
an instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA) (OJ L 170,
12.1.2001, p. 1).
29.6.2007, p. 1).

---

L 347/498
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
implementation reports. Those powers should be
Article 2
exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU)
No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and the
Definitions
Council ( 1 ).
1. For the purposes of this Regulation, the definitions of
"programme", "operation", "beneficiary", "community-led local
(65) The
European
Data
Protection
Supervisor
was
consulted
development strategy", "public expenditure", "SMEs", "com
and adopted an opinion on 14 December 2011 (
pleted operation" and "financial instruments" as laid down or

2 ).
referred to in Article 2 and of "less developed regions" and
"transition regions" as laid down in points (a) and (b) in
(66) Due to the urgency of preparing the smooth implemen
Article 90(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 apply.
tation of the measures envisaged, this Regulation should
enter into force on the day of its publication in the
Official Journal of the European Union.
In addition, the following definitions shall apply:
(67) The
new
support
scheme
provided
for
by
this
Regulation
replaces the support scheme set up by Regulation (EC)
(a) "programming": means the process of organisation,
No 1698/2005. Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 should
decision making and allocation of financial resources in
therefore be repealed,
several stages, with the involvement of partners, intended
to implement, on a multi-annual basis, joint action by the
Union and the Member States to achieve the Union
HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
priorities for rural development.
TITLE I
(b) "region" means a territorial unit corresponding to level 1 or
OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGY
2 of the Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics
(NUTS level 1 and 2) within the meaning of Regulation
CHAPTER I
(EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of the
Council ( 4 );
Subject matter and Definitions
Article 1
(c) "measure" means a set of operations contributing to one or
Subject matter
more of the Union priorities for rural development;
1. This
Regulation
lays
down
general
rules
governing
Union
support for rural development, financed by the European Agri
(d) "support rate" means the rate of public contribution to an
cultural Fund for Rural Development ("the EAFRD") and estab
operation;
lished by Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013. It sets out the
objectives to which rural development policy is to contribute
and the relevant Union priorities for rural development. It
(e) "transaction cost" means an additional cost linked to
outlines the strategic context for rural development policy and
fulfilling a commitment, but not directly attributable to
defines the measures to be adopted in order to implement rural
its implementation or not included in the costs or
development policy. In addition, it lays down rules on
income foregone that are compensated directly; and
programming, networking, management, monitoring and
which can be calculated on a standard cost basis;
evaluation on the basis of responsibilities shared between the
Member States and the Commission and rules to ensure coor
dination of the EAFRD with other Union instruments.
(f) "agricultural area" means any area taken up by arable land,
permanent grassland and permanent pasture or permanent
2. This
Regulation
complements
the
provisions
of
Part
Two
crops as defined in Article 4 of Regulation (EU)
of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament
No 1307/2013;
and the Council ( 3 ).
( 1 ) Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and the
(g) "economic losses" means any additional cost incurred by a
Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general
farmer as a result of exceptional measures taken by the
principles concerning mechanisms for control by the Member
farmer with the objective of reducing supply on the
States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers (OJ
market concerned or any substantial loss of production;
L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13).
( 2 ) OJ C 35, 9.2.2012 p. 1.
( 3 ) Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 17 December 2013 laying down common provisions
(h) "adverse climatic event" means weather conditions, such as
on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social
frost, storms and hail, ice, heavy rain or severe drought,
Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural
which can be assimilated to a natural disaster;
Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and
laying down general provisions on the European Regional Devel
opment Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund and
( 4 ) Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of
the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and repealing Council
the Council of 26 May 2003 on the establishment of a common
Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 (see page 549 of this Official
classification of territorial units for statistics (NUTS) (OJ L 154,
Journal).
21.6.2003, p. 1).

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/499
(i) "animal diseases" means diseases mentioned in the list of
cover of more than 10 percent, or trees able to reach
animal diseases established by the World Organisation for
these thresholds in situ; and does not include land that is
Animal Health or in the Annex to Council Decision
predominantly under agricultural or urban land use, subject
2009/470/EC ( 1 );
to paragraph 2.
(j) "environmental incident" means a specific occurrence of
pollution, contamination or degradation in the quality of
2. A
Member
State
or
region
may
choose
to
apply
a
forest
the environment which is related to a specific event and is
definition, other than the one in point (r) of paragraph 1, based
of limited geographical scope; but does not cover general
on existing national law or inventory system. The Member
environmental risks not connected with a specific event,
States or regions shall provide such definition in the rural devel
such as climate change or atmospheric pollution;
opment programme;
(k) "natural disaster": means a naturally occurring event of a
biotic or abiotic nature that leads to important disturbances
3. In
order
to
ensure
a
coherent
approach
in
the
treatment
in agricultural production systems or forest structures,
of beneficiaries and to take into account the need for an adap
eventually causing important economic damage to the
tation period, as regards the definition of young farmer laid
farming or forestry sectors;
down in paragraph 1(n), the Commission shall be empowered
to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 83
concerning the conditions under which a legal person may be
(l) "catastrophic event": means an unforeseen event of a biotic
considered to be a 'young farmer', and the setting of a grace
or abiotic nature caused by human action that leads to
period for the acquisition of occupational skills.
important disturbances in agricultural production systems
or forest structures, eventually causing important economic
damage to the farming or forestry sectors;
CHAPTER II
(m) "short supply chain": means a supply chain involving a
Mission, objectives and priorities
limited number of economic operators, committed to co-
operation, local economic development, and close
Article 3
geographical and social relations between producers,
processors and consumers;
Mission
The EAFRD shall contribute to the Europe 2020 Strategy by
promoting sustainable rural development throughout the Union
(n) "young farmer" means a person who is no more than 40
in a manner that complements the other instruments of the
years of age at the moment of submitting the application,
CAP, the cohesion policy and the common fisheries policy. It
possesses adequate occupational skills and competence and
shall contribute to the development of a Union agricultural
is setting up for the first time in an agricultural holding as
sector that is more territorially and environmentally balanced,
head of that holding;
climate-friendly and resilient and competitive and innovative. It
shall also contribute to the development of rural territories.
(o) "thematic objectives": means the thematic objectives
defined in Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013.
Article 4
(p) "Common Strategic Framework" ("CSF")": means the
Objectives
Common Strategic Framework referred to in Article 10
of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;
Within the overall framework of the CAP, support for rural
development, including for activities in the food and non-
food sector and in forestry, shall contribute to achieving the
(q) "cluster" means a grouping of independent undertakings,
following objectives:
including start-ups, small, medium and large undertakings
as well as advisory bodies and/or research organisations -
designed to stimulate economic/ innovative activity by
promoting intensive interactions, the sharing of facilities
(a) fostering the competitiveness of agriculture;
and the exchange of knowledge and expertise, as well as
contributing effectively to knowledge transfer, networking
and information dissemination among the undertakings in
the cluster;
(b) ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources,
and climate action;
(r) "forest" means an area of land spanning more than 0,5
hectares with trees higher than 5 meters and a canopy
(c) achieving a balanced territorial development of rural
( 1 ) Council Decision 2009/470/EC of 25 May 2009 on expenditure in
economies and communities including the creation and
the veterinary field (OJ L 155, 18.6.2009, p. 30).
maintenance of employment.

---

L 347/500
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
Article 5
(b) supporting farm risk prevention and management.
Union priorities for rural development
The achievement of the objectives of rural development, which
(4) restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems related to
contribute to the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable
agriculture and forestry, with a focus on the following areas:
and inclusive growth, shall be pursued through the following six
Union priorities for rural development, which reflect the
relevant Thematic Objectives of the CSF:
(a) restoring, preserving and enhancing biodiversity,
including in Natura 2000 areas, and in areas facing
natural or other specific constraints, and high nature
value farming, as well as the state of European land
(1) fostering knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture,
scapes;
forestry, and rural areas with a focus on the following areas:
(b) improving water management, including fertiliser and
(a) fostering innovation, cooperation, and the development
pesticide management;
of the knowledge base in rural areas;
(c) preventing soil erosion and improving soil management.
(b) strengthening the links between agriculture, food
production and forestry and research and innovation,
(5) promoting resource efficiency and supporting the shift
including for the purpose of improved environmental
towards a low carbon and climate resilient economy in
management and performance;
agriculture, food and forestry sectors, with a focus on the
following areas:
(c) fostering lifelong learning and vocational training in the
(a) increasing efficiency in water use by agriculture;
agricultural and forestry sectors.
(b) increasing efficiency in energy use in agriculture and
food processing;
(2) enhancing farm viability and competitiveness of all types of
agriculture in all regions and promoting innovative farm
technologies and the sustainable management of forests,
with a focus on the following areas:
(c) facilitating the supply and use of renewable sources of
energy, of by-products, wastes and residues and of other
non food raw material, for the purposes of the bio-
economy;
(a) improving the economic performance of all farms and
facilitating farm restructuring and modernisation,
notably with a view to increasing market participation
(d) reducing green house gas and ammonia emissions from
and orientation as well as agricultural diversification;
agriculture;
(e) fostering carbon conservation and sequestration in agri
(b) facilitating the entry of adequately skilled farmers into
culture and forestry;
the agricultural sector and, in particular, generational
renewal.
(6) promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic
development in rural areas, with a focus on the following
areas:
(3) promoting food chain organisation, including processing
and marketing of agricultural products, animal welfare and
risk management in agriculture, with a focus on the
following areas:
(a) facilitating diversification, creation and development of
small enterprises, as well as job creation;
(a) improving competitiveness of primary producers by
(b) fostering local development in rural areas;
better integrating them into the agri-food chain
through quality schemes, adding value to agricultural
products, promotion in local markets and short
(c) enhancing the accessibility, use and quality of
supply circuits, producer groups and organisations and
information and communication technologies (ICT) in
inter-branch organisations;
rural areas.

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/501
All those priorities shall contribute to the cross-cutting
include within their rural development programmes thematic
objectives of innovation, environment and climate change miti
sub-programmes that address specific needs. Such thematic
gation and adaptation. Programmes may address fewer than six
sub-programmes may, inter alia, relate to:
priorities if justified on the basis of the analysis of the situation
in terms of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
("the SWOT") and the ex ante evaluation. At least four priorities
(a) young farmers;
shall be addressed by each programme. When a Member State
submits a national programme and a set of regional
programmes, the national programme may address fewer than
(b) small farms as referred to in the third subparagraph of
four priorities.
Article 19(2);
(c) mountain areas as referred to in Article 32(2);
Other focus areas may be included in programmes in order to
pursue one of the priorities if justified and measurable.
(d) short supply chains;
TITLE II
(e) women in rural areas;
PROGRAMMING
(f) climate change mitigation and adaptation and biodiversity.
CHAPTER I
Programming content
An indicative list of measures and types of operations of
Article 6
particular relevance to each thematic sub-programme is set
out in Annex IV.
Rural development programmes
1. The
EAFRD
shall
act
in
the
Member
States
through
rural 2. Thematic
sub-programmes
may
also
address
specific
needs
development programmes. Those programmes shall implement
relating to the restructuring of agricultural sectors with a
a strategy to meet the Union priorities for rural development
significant impact on the development of a specific rural area.
through a set of measures as defined in Title III. Support from
the EAFRD shall be sought for the achievement of the objectives
of rural development pursued through Union priorities.
3. The
support
rates
laid
down
in
Annex
II
may
be
increased
by 10 additional percentage points for operations supported in
the framework of thematic sub-programmes concerning small
2. A Member State may submit either a single programme
farms and short supply chains, climate change mitigation and
for its entire territory or a set of regional programmes. Alter
adaptation and biodiversity. In the case of young farmers and
natively, in duly justified cases, it may submit a national
mountain areas, the maximum support rates may be increased
programme and a set of regional programmes. If a Member
in accordance with Annex II. However, the maximum combined
State submits a national programme and a set of regional
support rate shall not exceed 90 %.
programmes, measures and/or types of operations shall be
programmed either at national level or at regional level, and
coherence between the strategies of the national and regional
Article 8
programmes shall be ensured.
Content of rural development programmes
1. In addition to the elements referred to in Article 27 of
Regulation (EU) No
1303/2013, each rural development
3. Member
States
with
regional
programmes
may
also programme shall include:
submit, for approval in accordance with Article 10(2), a
national framework containing common elements for these
programmes without a separate budgetary allocation.
(a) the ex ante evaluation referred to in Article 55 of Regu
lation (EU) No 1303/2013;
National frameworks of Member States with regional
programmes may also contain a table summarising, by region
(b) a SWOT analysis of the situation and an identification of
and by year, the total EAFRD contribution to the Member State
the needs that have to be addressed in the geographical
concerned for the whole programming period.
area covered by the programme.
The analysis shall be structured around the Union priorities
Article 7
for rural development. Specific needs concerning the
Thematic sub-programmes
environment, climate change mitigation and adaptation
and innovation shall be assessed across Union priorities
1. With the aim of contributing to the achievement of the
for rural development, in order to identify relevant
Union priorities for rural development, Member States may
responses in these three areas at the level of each priority;

---

L 347/502
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
(c) a description of the strategy which demonstrates that:
(h) a financing plan comprising:
(i) appropriate targets are set for each of the focus areas
(i) a table setting out, in accordance with Article 58(4), the
of the Union priorities for rural development included
total EAFRD contribution planned for each year. When
in the programme, based on the common indicators
applicable this table shall indicate separately within the
referred to in Article 69 and, where necessary, on
total EAFRD contribution the appropriations provided
programme specific indicators;
for the less developed regions and the funds transferred
to the EAFRD in application of Article 7(2) of Regu
lation (EU) No 1307/2013. The planned annual EAFRD
(ii) relevant combinations of measures are selected in
contribution shall be compatible with the Multi-annual
relation to each of the focus areas of the Union
Financial Framework;
priorities for rural development included in the
programme, based on a sound intervention logic
supported by the ex ante evaluation referred to in
(ii) a table setting out, for each measure, for each type of
point (a) and the analysis referred to in point (b);
operation with a specific EAFRD contribution rate and
for technical assistance, the total Union contribution
planned and the applicable EAFRD contribution rate.
(iii) the allocation of financial resources to the measures of
Where applicable, this table shall indicate separately
the programme is justified and adequate to achieve the
the EAFRD contribution rate for less developed
targets set;
regions and for other regions;
(iv) specific needs linked with specific conditions at
(i) an indicator plan, broken down into focus areas,
regional or sub-regional level are taken into account
comprising the targets referred to in point (i) of
and concretely addressed through adequately designed
Article 8(1)(c) and the planned outputs and planned expen
combinations of measures or thematic sub-
diture of each rural development measure selected in
programmes;
relation to a corresponding focus area;
(v) an appropriate approach towards innovation with a
view to achieving the Union priorities for rural devel
(j) where
applicable,
a
table
on additional
national
financing
opment, including the EIP for agricultural productivity
per measure in accordance with Article 82;
and sustainability, towards the environment, including
the specific needs of Natura 2000 areas, and towards
(k) where applicable, the list of aid schemes falling under
climate change mitigation and adaptation is integrated
Article 81(1) to be used for the implementation of the
into the programme;
programmes;
(vi) measures have been taken to ensure the availability of
(l) information on the complementarity with measures
sufficient advisory capacity on the regulatory
financed by the other common agricultural policy instru
requirements and on actions related to innovation;
ments, and by the European Structural and Investment
Funds ("ESI");
(d) for each ex ante conditionality, established in accordance
with Article 19, and part II of Annex XI to Regulation (EU)
(m) programme implementing arrangements including:
No 1303/2013 for the general ex ante conditionalities, and
in accordance with Annex V to this Regulation, an
assessment of which of the ex ante conditionalities are
(i) the designation by the Member State of all authorities
applicable to the programme and which of them are
referred to in Article 65(2) and, for information, a
fulfilled at the date of submission of the Partnership
summary description of the management and control
Agreement and the programme. Where the applicable ex
structure;
ante conditionalities are not fulfilled, the programme shall
contain a description of the actions to be taken, the bodies
responsible and a timetable for such actions in accordance
(ii) a description of the monitoring and evaluation
with the summary submitted in the Partnership Agreement.
procedures, as well as the composition of the Moni
toring Committee;
(e) a description of the performance framework established for
the purpose of Article 21 of Regulation (EU)
(iii) the provisions to ensure that the programme is
No 1303/2013;
publicised, including through the national rural
network referred to in Article 54;
(f) a description of each of the measures selected;
(iv) a description of the approach laying down principles
with regard to the establishment of selection criteria
(g) the evaluation plan referred to in Article 56 of Regulation
for operations and local development strategies that
(EU) No 1303/2013. The Member States shall provide
takes into account relevant targets; in this context
sufficient resources to address the needs which have been
Member States may provide for priority to be given
identified and to ensure proper monitoring and evaluation;
to SMEs linked to the agriculture and forestry sector.

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/503
(v) in relation to local development, where applicable, a
Article 10
description of the mechanisms to ensure coherence
between activities envisaged under the local devel
Approval of rural development programmes
opment strategies, the "Cooperation" measure referred
1. Member
States
shall
submit
to
the
Commission
a
proposal
to in Article 35, and the "Basic services and village
for each rural development programme, containing the
renewal in rural areas" measure referred to in Article 20
information referred to in Article 8.
including urban-rural links;
2. Each
rural
development
programme
shall
be
approved
by
(n) the actions taken to involve the partners referred to in
the Commission by means of an implementing act
Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No
1303/2013 and a
summary of the results of the consultation of the partners;
Article 11
Amendment of rural development programmes
(o) where applicable, the structure of the national rural
network as referred to in Article 54(3), and provisions
Requests by Member States to amend programmes shall be
for its management, which would constitute the basis for
approved in accordance with the following procedures:
its annual actions plans.
(a) The Commission shall decide, by means of implementing
2. Where
thematic
sub-programmes
are
included
in
a
rural
acts, on requests to amend programmes that concern one or
development programme, each sub-programme shall include:
more of the following:
(a) a specific analysis of the situation based on SWOT
(i) a change in the programme strategy through a change
methodology and an identification of the needs that are
of more than 50 % in the quantified target linked to a
to be addressed by the sub-programme;
focus area;
(ii) a change in the EAFRD contribution rate of one or
(b) specific targets at sub-programme level and a selection of
more measures;
measures, based on a thorough definition of the inter
vention logic of the sub-programme, including an
assessment of the expected contribution of the measures
(iii) a change of the entire Union contribution or its annual
chosen to achieve the targets;
distribution at programme level;
(c) a separate specific indicator plan, with planned outputs and
(b) The Commission shall approve, by means of implementing
planned expenditure for each rural development measure
acts, requests to amend the programme in all other cases.
selected in relation to a corresponding focus area.
These shall include, in particular:
3. The
Commission
shall
adopt
implementing
acts
laying
(i) the introduction or withdrawal of measures or types of
down rules for the presentation of the elements described in
operations;
paragraphs 1 and 2 in rural development programmes and rules
for the content of national frameworks referred to in
Article 6(3). Those implementing acts shall be adopted in
(ii) changes in the description of measures, including
accordance with the examination procedure referred to in
changes of eligibility conditions;
Article 84.
(iii) a transfer of funds between measures implemented
CHAPTER II
under different EAFRD contribution rates;
Preparation, approval and modification of rural development
programmes
However, for the purposes of points (b)(i) and (ii), and point
(b)(iii)where the transfer of funds concerns less than 20 % of
Article 9
the allocation to a measure and less than 5 % of the total
Ex ante conditionalities
EAFRD contribution to the programme, the approval shall
be deemed to be given, if the Commission has not taken a
In addition to the general ex ante conditionalities, referred to in
decision on the request after a period of 42 working days
part II of Annex XI to Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, the ex
from the receipt of the request. That period shall not
ante conditionalities referred to in Annex V to this Regulation
include the period starting on the day following the date
shall apply to the EAFRD programming, if relevant and
on which the Commission has sent its observations to the
applicable to the specific objectives pursued within the priorities
Member State and ending on the day that the Member State
of the programme.
responded to the observations.

---

L 347/504
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
(c) The approval of the Commission shall not be required for
The training or other knowledge transfer and information
corrections of a purely clerical or editorial nature that do
action provider shall be the beneficiary of the support.
not affect the implementation of the policy and the
measures. Member States shall inform the Commission of
such amendments.
3. Support
under
this
measure
shall
not
include
courses
of
instruction or training, which form part of normal education
Article 12
programmes or systems at secondary or higher levels.
Rules on procedures and timetables
The Commission shall adopt implementing acts, laying down
rules on procedures and timetables for:
Bodies providing knowledge transfer and information services
shall have the appropriate capacities in the form of staff qualifi
cations and regular training to carry out this task.
(a) the approval of rural development programmes and
national frameworks;
(b) the submission and approval of proposals for amendments
4. Eligible costs under this measure shall be the costs of
to rural development programmes and proposals for
organising and delivering the knowledge transfer or information
amendments to national frameworks, including their entry
action. In the case of demonstration projects, support may also
into force and the frequency with which they are to be
cover relevant investment costs. Costs for travel, accom
submitted during the programming period.
modation and per diem expenses of participants as well as
the cost of the replacement of farmers shall also be eligible
for support. All costs identified under this paragraph shall be
paid to the beneficiary.
Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with
the examination procedure referred to in Article 84.
TITLE III
5. In order to ensure that farm and forest exchange schemes
and visits are clearly demarcated in relation to similar actions
RURAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT
under other Union schemes, the Commission shall be
empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with
CHAPTER I
Article 83 concerning the duration and content of farm and
forest exchange schemes and farm and forest visits.
Measures
Article 13
Measures
6. The
Commission
shall
adopt
implementing
acts
laying
down the rules on payment modalities for participants' costs,
Each rural development measure shall be programmed to
including through the use of vouchers or other similar forms.
contribute specifically to the achievement of one or more
Union priorities for rural development. An indicative list of
measures of particular relevance to the Union priorities is set
out in Annex VI.
Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with
the examination procedure referred to in Article 84.
Article 14
Knowledge transfer and information actions
1. Support
under
this
measure
shall
cover
vocational
training
Article 15
and skills acquisition actions, demonstration activities and
Advisory services, farm management and farm relief
information actions. Vocational training and skills acquisition
services
actions may include training courses, workshops and coaching.
1. Support
under
this
measure
shall
be
granted
in
order
to:
Support may also cover short-term farm and forest
management exchanges as well as farm and forest visits.
(a) help farmers, young farmers as defined in this Regulation,
forest holders, other land managers and SMEs in rural areas
2. Support
under
this
measure
shall
be
for
the
benefit
of
benefit from the use of advisory services for the
persons engaged in the agricultural, food and forestry sector,
improvement of the economic and environmental
land managers and other economic actors which are SMEs
performance as well as the climate friendliness and resilience
operating in rural areas.
of their holding, enterprise and/or investment;

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/505
(b) promote the setting up of farm management, farm relief
(d) requirements as defined by Member States for implementing
and farm advisory services, as well as forestry advisory
Article 11(3) of the Water Framework Directive;
services, including the Farm Advisory System referred to
in Articles 12 to 14 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013;
(e) requirements as defined by Member States, for imple
menting Article 55 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, in
particular compliance with the general principles of inte
(c) promote the training of advisors.
grated pest management as referred to in Article 14 of
Directive 2009/128/EC; or
2. The
beneficiary
of
support
provided
in
paragraph
1(a)
and
(c) shall be the provider of advice or training. Support under
(f) where relevant, occupational safety standards or safety
paragraph 1(b) shall be granted to the authority or body
standards linked to the farm;
selected to set up the farm management, farm relief, farm
advisory or forestry advisory service.
(g) specific advice for farmers setting up for the first time.
3. The
authorities
or
bodies
selected
to
provide
advice
shall
have appropriate resources in the form of regularly trained and
Advice may also cover other issues and in particular the
qualified staff and advisory experience and reliability with
information related to climate change mitigation and adap
respect to the fields in which they advise. The beneficiaries
tation, biodiversity and the protection of water as laid down
under this measure shall be chosen through calls for tenders.
in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 or issues linked
The selection procedure shall be governed by public
to the economic and environmental performance of the agri
procurement law and shall be open to both public and
cultural holding, including competitiveness aspects. This may
private bodies. It shall be objective and shall exclude candidates
include advice for the development of short supply chains,
with conflicts of interest.
organic farming and health aspects of animal husbandry.
5. Advice
to
forest
holders
shall
cover,
as
a
minimum,
the
When providing advice, advisory services shall respect the non-
relevant obligations under Directives 92/43/EEC, 2009/147/EC
disclosure obligations referred to in Article 13(2) of Regulation
and the Water Framework Directive. It may also cover issues
(EU) No 1306/2013.
linked to the economic and environmental performance of the
forest holding.
4. Advice
to
the
individual
farmers,
young
farmers
as
defined 6. Advice to SMEs may cover issues linked to the economic
in this Regulation and other land managers shall be linked to at
and environmental performance of the enterprise.
least one Union priority for rural development and shall cover
as a minimum one of the following elements:
7. Where
duly
justified
and
appropriate,
advice
may
be
provided partly in a group, while taking into account the situ
(a) obligations at farm level deriving from the statutory
ations of the individual user of advisory services.
management requirements and/or standards for good agri
cultural and environmental conditions provided for in
Chapter I of Title VI of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013;
8. Support
under
points
(a)
and
(c)
of
paragraph
1
shall
be
limited to the maximum amounts laid down in Annex II.
Support under point (b) of paragraph 1 shall be degressive
over a maximum period of five years from setting up.
(b) where applicable, the agricultural practices beneficial for the
climate and the environment as laid down in Chapter 3 of
Title III of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 and the main
tenance of the agricultural area as referred to in point (c) of
Article 16
Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013;
Quality schemes for agricultural products, and foodstuffs
1. Support
under
this
measure
shall
cover
new
participation
by farmers and groups of farmers in:
(c) measures at farm level provided for in rural development
programmes aiming at farm modernisation, competitiveness
building, sectoral integration, innovation and market orien
(a) quality schemes established under the following Regulations
tation, as well as the promotion of entrepreneurship;
and provisions:

---

L 347/506
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
(i) Regulation (EU) 1151/2012 of the European Parliament
(c) voluntary agricultural product certification schemes
and of the Council ( 1 );
recognised by the Member States as meeting the Union
best practice guidelines for the operation of voluntary
certification schemes relating to agricultural products and
(ii) Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 ( 2 );
foodstuffs.
(iii) Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European
2. Support
under
this
measure
may
also
cover
costs
arising
Parliament and of the Council (
from information and promotion activities implemented by

3 );
groups of producers in the internal market, concerning
products covered by a quality scheme receiving support in
(iv) Council Regulation (EEC) No 1601/91 (
accordance with paragraph 1.

4 );
3. Support
under
paragraph
1
shall
be
granted
as
an
annual
(v) Part II, Title II, Chapter I, Section 2 of Council Regu
incentive payment, the level of which shall be determined
lation (EU) No 1308/2013 as concerns wine.
according to the level of the fixed costs arising from partici
pation in supported schemes, for a maximum duration of five
years.
(b) quality schemes, including farm certification schemes, for
agricultural products, cotton or foodstuffs, recognised by
the Member States as complying with the following criteria:
For the purposes of this paragraph, "fixed costs" means the
costs incurred for entering a supported quality scheme and
the annual contribution for participating in that scheme,
(i) the specificity of the final product under such schemes
including, where necessary, expenditure on checks required to
is derived from clear obligations to guarantee any of the
verify compliance with the specifications of the scheme.
following:
For the purposes of this Article, "farmer" means active farmer
— specific product characteristics,
within the meaning of Article 9 of Regulation (EU)
No 1307/2013.
— specific farming or production methods, or
4. Support
shall
be
limited
to
the
maximum
support
rate
and
amount laid down in Annex II.
— a quality of the final product that goes significantly
beyond the commercial commodity standards as
regards public, animal or plant health, animal
5. In
order
to
take
into
account
new
Union
law
that
may
welfare or environmental protection;
affect support under this measure and in order to ensure
consistency with other Union instruments on promotion of
agricultural measures and prevent distortion of competition,
the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts,
(ii) the scheme is open to all producers;
in accordance with Article 83 concerning, the specific Union
schemes to be covered by point (a) of paragraph 1 and the
characteristics of groups of producers and the types of actions
(iii) the scheme involves binding product specifications and
that may receive support under paragraph 2, the setting of
compliance with those specifications is verified by
conditions to prevent discrimination against certain products;
public authorities or by an independent inspection
and the setting of conditions on the basis of which commercial
body;
brands are to be excluded from support.
(iv) the scheme is transparent and assures complete tracea
Article 17
bility of products; or
Investments in physical assets
( 1 ) Regulation (EU) 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the
1. Support
under
this
measure
shall
cover
tangible
and/or
Council of 21 November 2012 on quality schemes for agricultural
intangible investments which:
products and foodstuffs (OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1).
( 2 ) Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on organic
production and labelling of organic products and repealing Regu
(a) improve the overall performance and sustainability of the
lation (EEC) No 2092/91 (OJ L 189, 20.7.2007, p. 1).
( 3 ) Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the
agricultural holding;
Council of 15 January 2008 on the definition, description, presen
tation, labelling and the protection of geographical indications of
spirit drinks and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1576/89
(b) concern the processing, marketing and/or development of
(OJ L 39, 13.2.2008, p. 16).
agricultural products covered by Annex I to the Treaty or
( 4 ) Council Regulation (EEC) No 1601/91 of 10 June 1991 laying down
cotton, except fishery products; the output of the
general rules on the definition, description and presentation of
aromatized wines, aromatized wine- based drinks and aromatized
production process may be a product not covered by that
wine-product cocktails (OJ L 149, 14.6.1991, p. 1).
Annex;

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/507
(c) concern infrastructure related to the development, modern
requirements for a maximum of 12 months from the date on
isation or adaptation of agriculture and forestry, including
which they become mandatory for the agricultural holding.
access to farm and forest land, land consolidation and
improvement, and the supply and saving of energy and
water; or
Article 18
Restoring agricultural production potential damaged by
natural disasters and catastrophic events and introduction
of appropriate prevention actions
(d) are non -productive investments linked to the achievement
of agri- environment -climate objectives as pursued under
1. Support
under
this
measure
shall
cover:
this regulation, including biodiversity conservation status of
species and habitat as well as enhancing the public amenity
value of a Natura 2000 area or other high nature value
(a) investments in preventive actions aimed at reducing the
systems to be defined in the programme.
consequences of probable natural disasters, adverse
climatic events and catastrophic events;
(b) investments for the restoration of agricultural land and
2.
Support under point (a) of paragraph 1 shall be granted to
production potential damaged by natural disasters, adverse
farmers or groups of farmers.
climatic events and catastrophic events.
2. Support
shall
be
granted
to
farmers
or
groups
of
farmers.
In the case of investments to support farm restructuring,
Support may also be granted to public entities where a link
Member States shall target the support to farms in accordance
between the investment undertaken by such entities and agri
with the SWOT analysis carried out in relation to the Union
cultural production potential is established.
priority for rural development "enhancing farm viability and
competitiveness of all types of agriculture in all regions and
3. Support
under
point
(b)
of
paragraph
1
shall
be
subject
to
promoting innovative farm technologies and sustainable
the formal recognition by the competent public authorities of
management of forests".
Member States that a natural disaster has occurred and that this
disaster or measures adopted in accordance with Council
Directive 2000/29/EC ( 1 ) to eradicate or contain a plant
disease or pest has caused the destruction of at least 30 % of
3. Support
under
points
(a)
and
(b)
of
paragraph
1
shall
be the relevant agricultural potential.
limited to the maximum support rates laid down in Annex II.
Those maximum rates may be increased for young farmers, for
collective investments, including those linked to a merger of
4. No
support
under
this
measure
shall
be
granted
for
loss
of
Producer Organisations, and for integrated projects involving
income resulting from the natural disaster or catastrophic event.
support under more than one measure, for investments in
areas facing natural and other specific constraints as referred
to in Article 32, for investments linked to operations under
Member States shall ensure that overcompensation as a result of
Articles 28 and 29 and for operations supported in the
the combination of this measure and other national or Union
framework of the EIP for agricultural productivity and sustain
support instruments or private insurance schemes is avoided.
ability in accordance with the support rates laid down in Annex
II. However, the maximum combined support rate may not
exceed 90 %.
5. Support
under
point
(a)
of
paragraph
1
shall
be
limited
to
the maximum support rates laid down in Annex II.
Article 19
4. Support under points (c) and (d) of paragraph 1 shall be
subject to the support rates laid down in Annex II.
Farm and business development
1. Support
under
this
measure
shall
cover:
5. Support
may
be
granted
to
young
farmers
setting
up
for
(a) business start-up aid 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
(i) young farmers;
safety. Such support may be provided for a maximum of 24
months from the date of setting up.
(ii) non-agricultural activities in rural areas;
( 1 ) Council Directive 2000/29/EC of 8 May 2000 on protective
measures against the introduction into the Community of
6. Where
Union
law
imposes
new
requirements
on
farmers
organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their
support may be granted for investments to comply with those
spread within the Community (OJ L 169, 10.7.2000, p. 1).

---

L 347/508
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
(iii) the development of small farms;
Member States shall define upper and lower thresholds for
allowing agricultural holdings access to support under points
(a)(i) and (a)(iii) of paragraph 1. The lower threshold for support
(b) investments in creation and development of non-agricultural
under point (a)(i) of paragraph 1 shall be higher than the upper
activities;
threshold for support under point (a)(iii) of paragraph 1.
Support shall be limited to holdings coming under the defi
nition of micro and small enterprises.
(c) annual payments or one-off payments for farmers eligible
for the small farmers scheme established by Title V of
Regulation (EU) No
1307/2013 ("the small farmers
5. Support
under
point
(a)
of
paragraph
1
shall
be
paid
in
at
scheme") who permanently transfer their holding to
least two instalments over a period of maximum five years.
another farmer;
Instalments may be degressive. The payment of the last
instalment, under points (a)(i) and (a)(ii) of paragraph 1 shall
be conditional upon the correct implementation of the business
2. Support
under
point
(a)(i)
of
paragraph
1
shall
be
granted plan.
to young farmers.
6. The
maximum
amount
of
support
under
point
(a)
of
Support under point (a)(ii) of paragraph 1 shall be granted to
paragraph 1 is laid down in Annex II. Member States shall
farmers or members of a farm household who diversify into
define the amount of support under points (a)(i) and (a)(ii) of
non-agricultural activities and to micro- and small- enterprises
paragraph 1 also taking into account the socio-economic
and natural persons in rural areas.
situation of the programme area.
Support under point (a)(iii) of paragraph 1 shall be granted to
7. Support
under
point
(c)
of
paragraph
1
shall
be
equal
to
small farms as defined by Member States.
120 % of the annual payment that the beneficiary is eligible to
receive under the small farmers scheme.
Support under point (b) of paragraph 1 shall be granted to
micro- and small enterprises and natural persons in rural
areas, as well as to farmers or members of a farm household.
8. In order to ensure the efficient and effective use of EAFRD
resources, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt
delegated acts in accordance with Article 83 laying down the
minimum content of business plans and the criteria to be used
Support under point (c) of paragraph 1 shall be granted to
by Member states for setting the thresholds referred to in
farmers eligible to participate in the small farmers scheme
paragraph 4 of this Article.
who, at the time of submitting their application for support,
have been so eligible for at least one year and who undertake to
permanently transfer their entire holding and the corresponding
payment entitlements to another farmer. Support shall be paid
Article 20
from the date of the transfer until 31 December 2020 or
Basic services and village renewal in rural areas
calculated in respect of that period and paid in the form of a
one-off payment.
1. Support
under
this
measure
shall
cover,
in
particular:
3. Any natural or legal person or a group of natural or legal
(a) the drawing up and updating of plans for the development
persons, whatever legal status is granted to the group and its
of municipalities and villages in rural areas and their basic
members by national law, may be considered to be a member
services and of protection and management plans relating to
of a farm household, with the exception of farm workers.
Natura 2000 sites and other areas of high nature value;
Where a legal person or a group of legal persons is considered
to be a member of the farm household, that member must
exercise an agricultural activity on the farm at the time of the
support application.
(b) investments in the creation, improvement or expansion of
all types of small scale infrastructure, including investments
in renewable energy and energy saving;
4. Support
under
point
(a)
of
paragraph
1
shall
be
conditional on the submission of a business plan. Implemen
tation of the business plan must start within nine months from
(c) broadband infrastructure, including its creation,
the date of the decision granting the aid.
improvement and expansion, passive broadband infra
structure and provision of access to broadband and public
e-government solutions;
For young farmers receiving support under point (a)(i) of
paragraph 1, the business plan shall provide that the young
farmer complies with Article 9 of Regulation (EU)
(d) investments in the setting up, improvement or expansion of
No 1307/2013, regarding active farmers within 18 months
local basic services for the rural population, including leisure
from the date of setting up.
and culture, and the related infrastructure;

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/509
(e) investments for public use in recreational infrastructure,
Madeira, the Canary islands, the smaller Aegean islands within
tourist information and small scale tourism infrastructure;
the meaning of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2019/93 ( 1 ) and
the French overseas departments.
(f) studies and investments associated with the maintenance,
restoration and upgrading of the cultural and natural
heritage of villages, rural landscapes and high nature value
For holdings above a certain size, to be determined by the
sites, including related socio-economic aspects, as well as
Member States in the programme, support shall be conditional
environmental awareness actions;
on the presentation of the relevant information from a forest
management plan or equivalent instrument in line with
sustainable forest management as defined by the Ministerial
(g) investments targeting the relocation of activities and
Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe of 1993.
conversion of buildings or other facilities located within
or close to rural settlements, with a view to improving
the quality of life or increasing the environmental
Article 22
performance of the settlement.
Afforestation and creation of woodland
1. Support
under
point
(a)
of
Article
21(1)
shall
be
granted
2. Support
under
this
measure
shall
only
concern
small-scale to public and private land-holders-and their associations and
infrastructure, as defined by each Member State in the
shall cover the costs of establishment and an annual premium
programme. However, rural development programmes may
per hectare to cover the costs of agricultural income foregone
provide for specific derogations from this rule for investments
and maintenance, including early and late cleanings, for a
in broadband and renewable energy. In this case, clear criteria
maximum period of twelve years. In the case of state-owned
ensuring complementarity with support under other Union
land, support may only be granted if the body managing such
instruments shall be provided.
land is a private body or a municipality.
3. Investments
under
paragraph
1
shall
be
eligible
for
support where the relevant operations are implemented in
Support for afforestation of land owned by public authorities or
accordance with plans for the development of municipalities
for fast growing trees shall cover only the costs of estab
and villages in rural areas and their basic services, where such
lishment.
plans exist and shall be consistent with any relevant local devel
opment strategy.
2. Both
agricultural
and
non-agricultural
land
shall
be
eligible. Species planted shall be adapted to the environmental
Article 21
and climatic conditions of the area and shall comply with
Investments in forest area development and improvement
minimum environmental requirements. No support shall be
of the viability of forests
granted for the planting of trees for short rotation coppicing,
Christmas trees or fast growing trees for energy production. In
1. Support
under
this
measure
shall
concern:
areas where afforestation is made difficult by severe pedo-
climatic conditions support may be provided for planting
other perennial woody species such as shrubs or bushes
(a) afforestation and creation of woodland;
suitable to the local conditions.
(b) establishment of agroforestry systems;
3. In
order
to
ensure
that
afforestation
of
agricultural
land
is
in line with the aims of environmental policy, the Commission
(c) prevention and restoration of damage to forests from forest
shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with
fires, natural disasters and catastrophic events, including pest
Article 83 concerning the definition of the minimum environ
and disease outbreaks, and climate related threats;
mental requirements referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article.
(d) investments improving the resilience and environmental
Article 23
value as well as the mitigation potential of forest
ecosystems;
Establishment of agroforestry systems
1. Support
under
point
(b)
of
Article
21(1)
shall
be
granted
to private land-holders, municipalities and their associations and
(e) investments in forestry technologies and in the processing,
shall cover the costs of establishment and an annual premium
the mobilising and the marketing of forest products.
per hectare to cover the costs of maintenance for a maximum
period of five years.
2. Limitations
on
ownership
of
forests
provided
for
in
( 1 ) Council Regulation (EEC) No 2019/93 of 19 July1993 introducing
Articles 22 to 26 shall not apply to the tropical or subtropical
specific measures for the smaller Aegean islands concerning certain
forests and to the wooded areas of the territories of the Azores,
agricultural products (OJ L 184, 27.7.1993, p. 1).

---

L 347/510
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
2. For
the
purposes
of
this
Article,
agroforestry
systems Forest areas classified as medium to high forest fire risk
means land use systems in which trees are grown in
according to the forest protection plan established by the
combination with agriculture on the same land. The
Member States shall be eligible for support relating to forest
minimum and maximum number of trees per hectare shall be
fire prevention.
determined by the Member States taking account of local pedo-
climatic and environmental conditions, forestry species and the
need to ensure sustainable agricultural use of the land.
3. Support
under
point
(d)
of
paragraph
1
shall
be
subject
to
the formal recognition by the competent public authorities of
Member States that a natural disaster has occurred and that that
3. Support
shall
be
limited
to
the
maximum
support
rate
laid disaster, or measures adopted in accordance with Directive
down in Annex II.
2000/29/EC to eradicate or contain a plant disease or pest
has caused the destruction of at least 20 % of the relevant
forest potential.
Article 24
Prevention and restoration of damage to forests from
4. No
support
under
this
measure
shall
be
granted
for
loss
of
forest fires and natural disasters and catastrophic events
income resulting from the natural disaster.
1. Support under point (c) Article 21(1) shall be granted to
private and public forest- holders and other private law and
public bodies and their associations and shall cover the costs
Member States shall ensure that overcompensation as a result of
for:
the combination of this measure and other national or Union
support instruments or private insurance schemes is avoided.
(a) the establishment of protective infrastructure. In the case of
firebreaks, support may also cover aid contributing to main
Article 25
tenance costs. No support shall be granted to agricultural
Investments improving the resilience and environmental
related activities in areas covered by agri-environment
value of forest ecosystems
commitments;
1. Support
under
point
(d)
of
Article
21(1)
shall
be
granted
to natural persons, private and public forest-holders, and other
private law and public bodies and their associations.
(b) local, small scale prevention activities against fire or other
natural hazards; including the use of grazing animals;
2. Investments
shall
be
aimed
at
the
achievement
of
commitments for environmental aims, for the provision of
(c) establishing and improving forest fire, pest and diseases
ecosystem services and/or for the enhancement of the public
monitoring facilities and communication equipment; and
amenity value of forest and wooded land in the area concerned
or the improvement of the climate change mitigation potential
of ecosystems, without excluding economic benefits in the long
term.
(d) restoring forest potential damaged from fires and other
natural disasters including pests, diseases as well as cata
strophic events and climate change related events.
Article 26
Investments in forestry technologies and in processing, in
2. In
the
case
of
preventive
actions
concerning
pests
and
mobilising and in the marketing of forest products
diseases, the risk of a relevant disaster occurrence must be
1. Support
under
point
(e)
of
Article
21(1)
shall
be
granted
supported by scientific evidence and acknowledged by scientific
to private forest- holders, municipalities and their associations
public organisations. Where relevant, the list of species of
and to SMEs for investments enhancing forestry potential or
organisms harmful to plants which may cause a disaster must
relating to processing, mobilising and marketing adding value
be provided in the programme.
to forest products. In the territories of the Azores, Madeira, the
Canary islands, the smaller Aegean islands within the meaning
of Regulation (EEC) No 2019/93 and the French overseas
departments support may also be granted to enterprises that
Eligible operations shall be consistent with the forest protection
are not SMEs.
plan established by the Member States. For holdings above a
certain size, to be determined by the Member States in the
programme, support shall be conditional on the presentation
of the relevant information from a forest management plan or
2. Investments related to the improvement of the economic
equivalent instrument in line with sustainable forest
value of forests shall be justified in relation to expected
management as defined by the Ministerial Conference on the
improvements to forests on one or more holdings and may
Protection of Forests in Europe of 1993 detailing the preventive
include investments for soil-friendly and resource -friendly
objectives.
harvesting machinery and practices.

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/511
3. Investments
related
to
the
use
of
wood
as
a
raw
material the basis of the average marketed production of the members of
or energy source shall be limited to all working operations prior
the group or organisation over the last five years before the
to industrial processing.
recognition, excluding the highest and the lowest value.
4. Support
shall
be
limited
to
the
maximum
support
rates 4. Support
shall
be
limited
to
the
maximum
rates
and
laid down in Annex II.
amounts laid down in Annex II.
Article 27
5. Member States may continue support for setting up of
producer groups even after they have been recognised as
Setting -up of producer groups and organisations
producer organisations under the conditions of Regulation
(EU) No 1308/2013 (
1. Support
under
this
measure
shall
be
granted
in
order
to

1 ).
facilitate the setting up of producer groups and organisations in
the agriculture and forestry sectors for the purpose of:
Article 28
Agri-environment-climate
(a) adapting the production and output of producers who are
1. Member
States
shall
make
support
under
this
measure
members of such groups or organisations to market require
available throughout their territories, in accordance with their
ments;
national, regional or local specific needs and priorities. This
measure shall aim to preserve and promote the necessary
changes to agricultural practices that make a positive
(b) jointly placing goods on the market, including preparation
contribution to the environment and climate. Its inclusion in
for sale, centralisation of sales and supply to bulk buyers;
rural development programmes shall be compulsory at national
and/or regional level.
(c) establishing common rules on production information, with
particular regard to harvesting and availability; and
2. Agri-environment-climate
payments
shall
be
granted
to
farmers, groups of farmers or groups of farmers and other
land-managers who undertake, on a voluntary basis, to carry
(d) other activities that may be carried out by producer groups
out operations consisting of one or more agri-environment-
and organisations, such as the development of business and
climate commitments on agricultural land to be defined by
marketing skills and the organisation and facilitation of the
Member States, including but not limited to the agricultural
innovation processes.
area defined under Article 2 of this Regulation. Where duly
justified to achieve environmental objectives, agri-
environment-climate payments may be granted to other land-
managers or groups of other land-managers.
2. Support
shall
be
granted
to
producer
groups
and
organi
sations which are officially recognised by a Member State's
competent authority on the basis of a business plan. It shall
3. Agri-environment-climate
payments
cover
only
those
be limited to producer groups and organisations that are SMEs.
commitments going beyond the relevant mandatory standards
established pursuant to Chapter I of Title VI of Regulation (EU)
No 1306/2013, the relevant criteria and minimum activities as
Member States shall verify that the objectives of the business
established pursuant to points (c)(ii) and (c)(iii) of Article 4(1) of
plan have been reached within five years after recognition of the
Regulation (EU) No
1307/2013, and relevant minimum
producer group or organisation.
requirements for fertiliser and plant protection products use
as well as other relevant mandatory requirements established
by national law. All such mandatory requirements shall be
3. The
support
shall
be
paid
on
the
basis
of
a
business
plan identified in the programme.
as a flat rate aid in annual instalments for no more than five
years following the date on which the producer group or
organisation was recognised, and shall be degressive. It shall
4. Member States shall endeavour to ensure that persons
be calculated on the basis of the annual marketed production
undertaking to carry out operations under this measure are
of the group or organisation. Member States shall pay the last
provided with the knowledge and information required to
instalment only after having verified the correct implementation
implement such operations. They may do so through, inter
of the business plan.
alia, commitment-related expert advice and/or by making
support under this measure conditional on obtaining relevant
training.
In the first year Member States may pay support to the
producer group or organisation calculated on the basis of the
( 1 ) Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of
average annual value of the marketed production of its
the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organi
members over the three years before they entered the group
sation of the markets in agricultural products and repealing Council
Regulations (EEC) No 922/72, (EEC) No 234/79, (EC) No
or organisation. In the case of producer groups and organi
1037/2001 and (EC) No 1234/2007 (see page 671 of the Official
sations in the forestry sector, support shall be calculated on
Journal).

---

L 347/512
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
5. Commitments
under
this
measure
shall
be
undertaken
for
(a) the conditions applicable to commitments to extensify
a period of five to seven years. However, where necessary in
livestock farming;
order to achieve or maintain the environmental benefits sought,
Member States may determine a longer period in their rural
development programmes for particular types of commitments,
(b) the conditions applicable to commitments to rear local
including by means of providing for their annual extension after
breeds that are in danger of being lost to farming or to
the termination of the initial period. For new commitments
preserve plant genetic resources that are under threat of
directly following the commitment performed in the initial
genetic erosion, and
period, Member States may determine a shorter period in
their rural development programmes.
(c) the definition of eligible operations under paragraph 9.
11. In order to ensure that double funding, as referred to in
6. Payments shall be granted annually and shall compensate
the second subparagraph of paragraph 6 is excluded, the
beneficiaries for all or part of the additional costs and income
Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in
foregone resulting from the commitments made. Where
accordance with Article 83 laying down the calculation
necessary, they may also cover transaction costs up to a value
method to be used, including in the case of equivalent
of 20 % of the premium paid for the agri-environment-climate
measures under Article 43 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013.
commitments. Where commitments are undertaken by groups
of farmers or groups of farmers and other land managers, the
maximum level shall be 30 %.
Article 29
Organic farming
When calculating the payments referred to in the first sub-para
1. Support
under
this
measure
shall
be
granted,
per
hectare
of agricultural area, to farmers or groups of farmers who
graph, Member States shall deduct the amount necessary in
undertake, on a voluntary basis, to convert to or maintain
order to exclude double funding of the practices referred to
organic farming practices and methods as defined in Regulation
in Article 43 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013.
(EC) No 834/2007 and who are active farmers within the
meaning of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013.
In duly justified cases for operations concerning environmental
2. Support
shall
only
be
granted
for
commitments
going
conservation, support may be granted at a flat-rate or as a one-
beyond the relevant mandatory standards established pursuant
off payment per unit for commitments to renounce commercial
to Chapter I of Title VI of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013, the
use of areas, calculated on the basis of additional costs incurred
relevant criteria and minimum activities as established pursuant
and income foregone.
to points (c)(ii) and (c)(iii) of Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) No
DP/2013, relevant minimum requirements for fertiliser and
plant protection products use as well as other relevant
7. Where
required
in
order
to
ensure
the
efficient
application mandatory requirements established by national law. All such
of the measure, Member States may use the procedure referred
requirements shall be identified in the programme.
to in Article 49(3) for the selection of beneficiaries.
3. Commitments
under
this
measure
shall
be
made
for
a
period of five to seven years. Where support is granted for
8. Support
shall
be
limited
to
the
maximum
amounts
laid conversion to organic farming Member States may determine
down in Annex II.
a shorter initial period corresponding to the period of
conversion. Where support is granted for the maintenance of
organic farming, Member States may provide in their rural
development programmes for annual extension after the
No support under this measure may be granted for
termination of the initial period. For new commitments
commitments that are covered under the organic farming
concerning maintenance that directly follow the commitment
measure.
performed in the initial period, Member States may determine a
shorter period in their rural development programmes.
9. Support may be provided for the conservation and for the
4. Payments shall be granted annually and shall compensate
sustainable use and development of genetic resources in agri
beneficiaries for all or part of the additional costs and income
culture for operations not covered by the provisions under
foregone resulting from the commitments made. Where
paragraphs 1 to 8. Such commitments may be carried out by
necessary they may also cover transaction costs to a value of
beneficiaries other than those referred to in paragraph 2.
up to 20 % of the premium paid for the commitments. Where
commitments are undertaken by groups of farmers, the
maximum level shall be 30 %.
10. In order to ensure that agri-environment-climate
commitments are defined in accordance with the Union
When calculating the payments referred to in the first sub-para
priorities for rural development, the Commission shall be
graph, Member States shall deduct the amount necessary in
empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with
order to exclude double funding of the practices referred to
Article 83 concerning the following:
in Article 43 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013.

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/513
5. Support
shall
be
limited
to
the
maximum
amounts
laid (c) go beyond the level of protection of the Union law existing
down in Annex II.
at the time the Water Framework Directive was adopted as
laid down in Article 4(9) of that Directive; and
6. In order to ensure that double funding, as referred to in
the second subparagraph of paragraph 4 is excluded, the
(d) impose major changes in type of land use, and/or major
Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in
restrictions in farming practice resulting in a significant loss
accordance with Article 83 laying down the calculation
of income.
method to be used.
5. The requirements referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4 shall
Article 30
be identified in the programme.
Natura 2000 and Water Framework Directive payments
1. Support
under
this
measure
shall
be
granted
annually
per 6. The
following
areas
shall
be
eligible
for
payments:
hectare of agricultural area or per hectare of forest in order to
compensate beneficiaries for additional costs and income
foregone resulting from disadvantages in the areas concerned,
(a) Natura 2000 agricultural and forest areas designated
related to the implementation of Directives 92/43/EEC and
pursuant to Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC;
Directive 2009/147/EC and the Water Framework Directive.
(b) other delimited nature protection areas with environmental
When calculating support under this measure, Member States
restrictions applicable to farming or forests which
shall deduct the amount necessary in order to exclude double
contribute to the implementation of Article 10 of
funding of the practices referred to in Article 43 of Regulation
Directive 92/43/EEC, provided that, per rural development
(EU) No 1307/2013.
programme, those areas do not exceed 5 % of the
designated Natura 2000 areas covered by its territorial
scope;
2. Support
shall
be
granted
to
farmers
and
to
private
forest
holders and associations of private forest holders. In duly
justified cases it may also be granted to other land managers.
(c) agricultural areas included in river basin management plans
according to the Water Framework Directive.
3. Support to farmers, linked to Directives 92/43/EEC and
2009/147/EC shall only be granted in relation to disadvantages
7. Support
shall
be
limited
to
the
maximum
amounts
laid
resulting from requirements that go beyond the good agri
down in Annex II.
cultural and environmental condition provided for in Article 94
and Annex II of Council Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 and
the relevant criteria and minimum activities established pursuant
to points (c)(ii) and (c)(iii) of Article 4(1) of point (c) of
8. In order to ensure that double funding, as referred to in
Article 4(1)of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013.
the second subparagraph of paragraph 1 is excluded, the
Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in
accordance with Article 83 laying down the calculation
method to be used.
4. Support to farmers, linked to the Water Framework
Directive shall only be granted in relation to specific
requirements that:
Article 31
Payments to areas facing natural or other specific
(a) were introduced by the Water Framework Directive, are in
constraints
accordance with the programmes of measures of the river
1. Payments
to
farmers
in
mountain
areas
and
other
areas
basin management plans for the purpose of achieving the
facing natural or other specific constraints shall be granted
environmental objectives of that Directive and go beyond
annually per hectare of agricultural area in order to compensate
the measures required to implement other Union law for
farmers for all or part of the additional costs and income
the protection of water;
foregone related to the constraints for agricultural production
in the area concerned.
(b) go beyond the statutory management requirements and the
good agricultural and environmental condition provided for
Additional costs and income foregone shall be calculated in
in Chapter I of Title VI of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013
comparison to areas which are not affected by natural or
and the relevant criteria and minimum activities as estab
other specific constraints, taking into account payments
lished pursuant to points (c)(ii) and (c)(iii) of Article 4(1) of
pursuant to Chapter 3 of Title III of Regulation (EU)
Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013;
No 1307/2013.

---

L 347/514
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
When calculating additional costs and income foregone,
in the level of the payment reaching EUR 25, the Member State
Member States may, where duly justified, differentiate the level
can continue payments at this level until the phasing out period
of payment taking into account:
is completed.
— the severity of the identified permanent constraint affecting
Following completion of the delimitation, beneficiaries in the
farming activities;
areas that remain eligible shall receive full payment under this
measure.
— the farming system.
Article 32
Designation of areas facing natural and other specific
2. Payments
shall
be
granted
to
farmers
who
undertake
to
constraints
pursue their farming activity in the areas designated pursuant to
Article 32 and are active farmers within the meaning of
1. Member
States
shall,
on
the
basis
of
paragraphs
2,
3
and
Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013.
4, designate areas eligible for payments provided for in
Article 31 under the following categories:
3. Payments
shall
be
fixed
between
the
minimum
and
(a) mountain areas;
maximum amount laid down in Annex II. These payments
may be increased in duly substantiated cases taking into
account specific circumstances to be justified in the rural devel
opment programmes.
(b) areas, other than mountain areas, facing significant natural
constraints; and
4. Member
States
shall
provide
for
degressivity
of
payments (c) other areas affected by specific constraints.
above a threshold level of area per holding, to be defined in the
programme, except if the grant covers only the minimum
payment per hectare per year as laid down in Annex II.
2. In
order
to
be
eligible
for
payments
under
Article
31,
mountain areas shall be characterized by a considerable limi
tation of the possibilities for using the land and by an
In the case of a legal person, or a group of natural or legal
appreciable increase in production costs due to:
persons, Member States may apply the degressivity of payments
at the level of the members of these legal persons or groups on
condition that:
(a) the existence, because of altitude, of very difficult climatic
conditions, the effect of which is to substantially shorten the
growing season;
(a) national law provides for the individual members to assume
rights and obligations comparable to those of individual
farmers who have the status of head of holding, in
(b) at a lower altitude, the presence over the greater part of the
particular as regards their economic, social and tax status;
area in question of slopes too steep for the use of
and
machinery or requiring the use of very expensive special
equipment, or a combination of these two factors, where
the constraints resulting from each taken separately are less
(b) those individual members have contributed to strengthening
acute but the combination of the two gives rise to an
the agricultural structures of the legal persons or groups
equivalent constraints.
concerned.
Areas north of the 62nd parallel and certain adjacent areas shall
5. In
addition
to
the
payments
provided
for
in
paragraph
2, be considered to be mountain areas.
Member States may grant payments under this measure between
2014 and 2020 to beneficiaries in areas which were eligible
under Article 36(a)(ii) of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 during
3. In
order
to
be
eligible
for
payments
under
Article
31,
the 2007-2013 programming period. For beneficiaries in areas
areas, other than mountain areas, shall be considered to be
that are no longer eligible following the new delimitation
facing significant natural constraints if, at least 60 % of the
referred to in Article 32(3), those payments shall be degressive
agricultural area meets at least one of the criteria listed in
over a maximum period of four years. That period shall start on
Annex III at the threshold value indicated.
the date that the delimitation in accordance with Article 32(3) is
completed and at the latest in 2018. Those payments shall start
at no more than 80 % of the average payment fixed in the
Compliance with those conditions shall be ensured at the level
programme for the programming period 2007-2013 in
of local administrative units ("LAU 2" level) or at the level of a
accordance with Article 36(a)(ii) of Regulation (EC)
clearly delineated local unit which covers a single clear
No 1698/2005, and shall end in 2020 at the latest at no
contiguous geographical area with a definable economic and
more than 20 %. When the application of degressivity results
administrative identity.

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/515
When delimiting the areas concerned by this paragraph,
Article 33
Member States shall carry out a fine-tuning exercise, based on
objective criteria, with the purpose of excluding areas in which
Animal welfare
significant natural constraints, referred to in the first
1. Animal
welfare
payments
under
this
measure
shall
be
subparagraph have been documented but have been overcome
granted to farmers who undertake, on a voluntary basis, to
by investments or by, economic activity, or by evidence of
carry out operations consisting of one or more animal
normal land productivity, or in which production methods or
welfare commitments and who are active farmers within the
farming systems have offset the income loss or added costs
meaning of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013.
referred to in Article 31(1).
4. Areas
other
than
those
referred
to
in
paragraphs
2
and
3
2. Animal
welfare
payments
cover
only
those
commitments
shall be eligible for payments under Article 31 if they are
going beyond the relevant mandatory standards established
affected by specific constraints and if it is necessary for land
pursuant to Chapter I of Title VI of Regulation (EU)
management to be continued in order to conserve or improve
No 1306/2013 and other relevant mandatory requirements.
the environment, to maintain the countryside, to preserve the
These relevant requirements shall be identified in the
tourist potential of the area or to protect the coastline.
programme.
Areas affected by specific constraints shall comprise farming
areas within which the natural production conditions are
Those commitments shall be undertaken for a renewable period
similar and the total extent of which does not exceed 10 %
of one to seven years.
of the area of the Member State concerned.
3. The
payments
shall
be
granted
annually
and
shall
In addition, areas may also be eligible for payments under this
compensate farmers for all or part of the additional costs and
paragraph, where:
income foregone resulting from the commitment made. Where
necessary, they may also cover transaction costs to the value of
up to 20 % of the premium paid for the animal welfare
— at least 60 % of the agricultural area meets at least two of
commitments.
the criteria listed in Annex III each within a margin of not
more than 20 % of the threshold value indicated, or
Support shall be limited to the maximum amount laid down in
— at least 60 % of the agricultural area is composed of areas
Annex II.
meeting at least one of the criteria listed in Annex III at the
threshold value indicated, and areas meeting at least two of
the criteria listed in Annex III each within a margin of not
4. In
order
to
ensure
that
animal
welfare
commitments
are
more than 20 % of the threshold value indicated.
in accordance with the overall Union policy in this field, the
Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in
accordance with Article 83 concerning the definition of the
Compliance with those conditions shall be ensured at LAU2
areas in which animal welfare commitments are to provide
level or at the level of a clearly delineated local unit which
upgraded standards of production methods.
covers a single clear contiguous geographical area with a
definable economic and administrative identity. When
delimiting areas concerned by this subparagraph, Member
States shall undertake a fine-tuning exercise as described in
Article 34
Article 32(3). Areas considered eligible pursuant to this subpara
graph, shall be taken into account for calculating the 10 % limit
Forest-environmental and climate services and forest
referred to in the second subparagraph.
conservation
1.
Support under this measure shall be granted per hectare of
forest to public and private forest-holders and other private law
By way of derogation, the first sub-paragraph shall not apply to
and public bodies and their associations who undertake, on a
Member States the entire territory of which was considered as
voluntary basis, to carry out operations consisting of one or
an area facing specific handicaps under Regulations (EC)
more forest-environment and climate commitments. In the case
No 1698/2005 and (EC) No 1257/1999.
of state owned forests, support may only be granted if the body
managing such a forest is a private body or a municipality.
5. Member
States
shall
attach
to
their
rural
development
programmes:
For forest holdings above a certain threshold to be determined
by Member States in their rural development programmes,
(a) the existing or amended delimitation pursuant to paragraphs
support under paragraph 1 shall be conditional on the presen
2 and 4;
tation of the relevant information from a forest management
plan or equivalent instrument in line with sustainable forest
management as defined by the Ministerial Conference on the
(b) the new delimitation of the areas referred to in paragraph 3.
Protection of Forests in Europe of 1993.

---

L 347/516
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
2. Payments
shall
cover
only
those
commitments
going
2. Co-operation
under
paragraph
1
shall
relate,
in
particular,
beyond the relevant mandatory requirements established by
to the following:
the national forestry act or other relevant national law. All
such requirements shall be identified in the programme.
(a) pilot projects;
Commitments shall be undertaken for a period of between five
and seven years. However, where necessary and duly justified,
(b) the development of new products, practices, processes and
Member States may determine a longer period in their rural
technologies in the agriculture, food and forestry sectors;
development programmes for particular types of commitments.
(c) co-operation among small operators in organising joint
work processes and sharing facilities and resources and
3. Payments
shall
compensate
beneficiaries
for
all
or
part
of
for the development and/or marketing of tourism services
the additional costs and income foregone resulting from the
relating to rural tourism;
commitments made. Where it is necessary they may also
cover transaction costs to a value of up to 20 % of the
premium paid for the forest-environment commitments.
(d) horizontal and vertical co-operation among supply chain
Support shall be limited to the maximum amount laid down
actors for the establishment and the development of short
in Annex II.
supply chains and local markets;
In duly justified cases for operations concerning environmental
(e) promotion activities in a local context relating to the devel
conservation, support may be granted as a flat-rate or one-off
opment of short supply chains and local markets;
payment per unit for commitments to renounce commercial use
of trees and forests, calculated on basis of additional costs
incurred and income foregone.
(f) joint action undertaken with a view to mitigating or
adapting to climate change;
4. Support
may
be
provided
to
public
and
private
entities
for (g) joint approaches to environmental projects and ongoing
the conservation and promotion of forest genetic resources for
environmental practices, including efficient water
operations not covered under paragraphs 1, 2 and 3.
management, the use of renewable energy and the preser
vation of agricultural landscapes;
5. In
order
to
ensure
the
efficient
use
of
EAFRD
budgetary
resources, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt
(h) horizontal and vertical co-operation among supply chain
delegated acts in accordance with Article 83 concerning the
actors in the sustainable provision of biomass for use in
types of operations eligible for support under paragraph 4 of
food and energy production and industrial processes;
this Article.
(i) implementation, in particular by groups of public and
Article 35
private partners other than those defined in point (b) of
Article 32(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, of local
Co-operation
development strategies other than those defined in
Article 2(19) of Regulation (EU) 1303/2013 addressing
1. Support
under
this
measure
shall
be
granted
in
order
to
one or more of the Union priorities for rural development;
promote forms of co-operation involving at least two entities
and in particular:
(j) drawing up of forest management plans or equivalent
instruments;
(a) co-operation approaches among different actors in the
Union agriculture sector, forestry sector and food chain
and other actors that contribute to achieving the objectives
(k) diversification of farming activities into activities concerning
and priorities of rural development policy, including
health care, social integration, community-supported agri
producer groups, cooperatives and inter-branch organi
culture and education about the environment and food.
sations;
3. Support
under
point
(b)
of
paragraph
1
shall
be
granted
only to newly formed clusters and networks and those
(b) the creation of clusters and networks;
commencing an activity that is new to them.
(c) the establishment and operation of operational groups of
Support for operations under points (a) and (b) of paragraph 2
the EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainability as
may be granted also to individual actors where this possibility is
referred to in Article 56.
provided for in the rural development programme.

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/517
4.
The results of pilot projects under point (a) of paragraph 2
9. Co-operation
under
this
measure
may
be
combined
with
and operations under point (b) of paragraph 2 carried out by
projects supported by Union funds other than the EAFRD in the
individual actors as provided for in paragraph 3 shall be
same territory. Member States shall ensure that overcompen
disseminated.
sation as a result of the combination of this measure with
other national or Union support instruments is avoided.
5. The
following
costs,
linked
to
the
forms
of
co-operation
referred to in paragraph 1 shall be eligible for support under
10. In
order
to
ensure
the
efficient
use
of
EAFRD
budgetary
this measure:
resources, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt
delegated acts in accordance with Article 83, concerning the
further specification of the characteristics of pilot projects,
(a) the cost of studies of the area concerned, of feasibility
clusters, networks, short supply chains and local markets that
studies, and of drawing up a business plan or a forest
will be eligible for support, as well as concerning the conditions
management plan or equivalent or a local development
for granting aid to the types of operation listed in paragraph 2
strategy other than the one referred to in Article 33 of
of this Article.
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;
(b) the cost of animation of the area concerned in order to
Article 36
make feasible a collective territorial project or a project to
Risk management
be carried out by an operational group of the EIP for Agri
cultural Productivity and Sustainability as referred to in
1. Support
under
this
measure
shall
cover:
Article 56. In the case of clusters, animation may also
concern the organisation of training, networking between
members and the recruitment of new members;
(a) financial contributions to premiums for crop, animal and
plant insurance against economic losses to farmers caused
by adverse climatic events, animal or plant diseases, pest
(c) the running costs of the co-operation;
infestation, or an environmental incident;
(d) the direct costs of specific projects linked to the implemen
tation of a business plan an environmental plan, a forest
(b) financial contributions to mutual funds to pay financial
management plan or equivalent, a local development
compensations to farmers, for economic losses caused by
strategy other than the one referred to in Article 33 of
adverse climatic events or by the outbreak of an animal or
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 or direct costs of other
plant disease or pest infestation or an environmental
actions targeted towards innovation, including testing;
incident;
(e) the cost of promotion activities.
(c) an income stabilisation tool, in the form of financial
contributions to mutual funds, providing compensation to
farmers for a severe drop in their income.
6. Where a business plan or an environmental plan or a
forest management plan or equivalent or a development
strategy is implemented, Member States may grant the aid
either as a global amount covering the costs of co-operation
2. For
the
purposes
of
this
article, "farmer" means active
and the costs of the projects implemented or cover only the
farmer within the meaning of Article 9 of Regulation (EU)
costs of the co- operation and use funds from other measures
No 1307/2013.
or other Union Funds for project implementation.
3. For the purpose of points (b) and (c) of paragraph 1,
Where support is paid as a global amount and the project
'mutual fund' means a scheme accredited by the Member
implemented is of a type covered under another measure of
State in accordance with its national law for affiliated farmers
this Regulation, the relevant maximum amount or rate of
to insure themselves, whereby compensation payments are
support shall apply.
made to affiliated farmers for economic losses caused by the
outbreak of adverse climatic events or an animal or plant
disease or pest infestation or an environmental incident, or
7. Co-operation
among
actors
located
in
different
regions
or for a severe drop in their income.
Member States shall also be eligible for support.
4. Member
States
shall
ensure
that
overcompensation
as
a
8. Support
shall
be
limited
to
a
maximum
period
of
seven result of the combination of this measure with other national or
years except for collective environmental action in duly justified
Union support instruments or private insurance schemes is
cases.
avoided.

---

L 347/518
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
5. In
order
to
ensure
the
efficient
use
of
EAFRD
budgetary Member States may limit the amount of the premium that is
resource, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt
eligible for support by applying appropriate ceilings.
delegated acts in accordance with Article 83 concerning the
minimum and maximum duration of the commercial loans to
mutual funds referred to in point (b) of Article 38(3) and
5. Support
shall
be
limited
to
the
maximum
rate
laid
down
Article 39(4).
in Annex II.
The Commission shall present a report on the implementation
Article 38
of this Article to the European Parliament and the Council by
31 December 2018.
Mutual funds for adverse climatic events, animal and plant
diseases, pest infestations and environmental incidents
1. In
order
to
be
eligible
for
support
the
mutual
fund
Article 37
concerned shall:
Crop, animal, and plant insurance
1. Support
under
point
(a)
of
Article
36(1)
shall
only
be
(a) be accredited by the competent authority in accordance
granted for insurance contracts which cover for loss caused
with national law;
by an adverse climatic event, or by an animal or plant
disease, or a pest infestation, or an environmental incident or
a measure adopted in accordance with Directive 2000/29/EC to
(b) have a transparent policy towards payments into and with
eradicate or contain a plant disease, or pest which destroys
drawals from the fund;
more than 30 % of the average annual production of the
farmer in the preceding three-year period or a three-year
average based on the preceding five-year period, excluding the
(c) have clear rules attributing responsibilities for any debts
highest and lowest entry. Indexes may be used in order to
incurred.
calculate the annual production of the farmer. The calculation
method used shall permit the determination of the actual loss of
an individual farmer in a given year.
2. Member
States
shall
define
the
rules
for
the
constitution
and management of the mutual funds, in particular for the
granting of compensation payments and the eligibility of
The measurement of the extent of the loss caused may be
farmers in the event of crisis, as well as for the administration
tailored to the specific characteristics of each type of product
and monitoring of compliance with these rules. Member States
using:
shall ensure that the fund arrangements provide for penalties in
case of negligence on the part of the farmer.
(a) biological indexes (quantity of biomass loss) or equivalent
yield loss indexes established at farm, local, regional or
The occurrence of incidents mentioned in point (b) of
national level, or
Article 36(1) must be formally recognised as such by the
competent authority of the Member State concerned.
(b) weather indexes (including quantity of rainfall and
temperature) established at local, regional or national level.
3. The
financial
contributions
referred
to
in
Article
36(1)(b)
may only relate to:
2. The
occurrence
of
an
adverse
climatic
event
or
the
outbreak of an animal or plant disease or pest infestation or
(a) the administrative costs of setting up the mutual fund,
an environmental incident has to be formally recognised as such
spread over a maximum of three years in a degressive
by the competent authority of the Member State concerned.
manner;
Member States may, where appropriate, establish in advance
(b) the amounts paid by the mutual fund as financial compen
criteria on the basis of which such formal recognition shall
sation to farmers. In addition, the financial contribution
be deemed to be granted.
may relate to interest on commercial loans taken out by
the mutual fund for the purpose of paying the financial
compensation to farmers in case of crisis.
3. As
regards
animal
diseases,
financial
compensation
under
point (a) of Article 36(1) may only be granted in respect of
diseases mentioned in the list of animal diseases established by
Support under point (b) of Article 36(1) shall only be granted
the World Organisation for Animal Health or in the Annex to
to cover for loss caused by the outbreak of adverse climatic
Decision 2009/470/EC.
events, an animal or plant disease, a pest infestation, or a
measure adopted in accordance with Directive 2000/29/EC to
eradicate or contain a plant disease or pest or an environmental
4. Insurance
payments
shall
compensate
for
not
more
than incident, which destroy more than 30 % of the average annual
the total of the cost of replacing the losses referred to in point
production of the farmer in the preceding three-year period or a
(a) of Article 36(1) and shall not require or specify the type or
three-year average based on the preceding five-year period,
quantity of future production.
excluding the highest and lowest entry. Indexes may be used

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/519
in order to calculate the annual production of the farmer. The
4. The
financial
contributions
referred
to
in
point
(c)
of
calculation method used shall permit the determination of the
Article 36(1) may only relate to:
actual loss of an individual farmer in a given year.
(a) the administrative costs of setting up the mutual fund,
No contribution by public funds shall be made to initial capital
spread over a maximum of three years in a degressive
stock.
manner;
4. As
regards
animal
diseases,
financial
compensation
under (b) the amounts paid by the mutual fund as financial compen
point (b) of Article 36(1) may be granted in respect of diseases
sation to farmers. In addition, the financial contribution
mentioned in the list of animal diseases established by the
may relate to interest on commercial loans taken out by
World Organisation for Animal Health or in the Annex to
the mutual fund for the purpose of paying the financial
Decision 2009/470/EC.
compensation to farmers in case of crisis. No contribution
by public funds shall be made to initial capital stock.
5. Support
shall
be
limited
to
the
maximum
support
rate
laid
down in Annex II.
5. Support
shall
be
limited
to
the
maximum
rate
laid
down
in Annex II.
Member States may limit the costs that are eligible for support
by applying:
Article 40
(a) ceilings per fund;
Financing of complementary national direct payments for
Croatia
(b) appropriate per unit ceilings.
1. Support
may
be
granted
to
farmers
eligible
for
comple
mentary national direct payments under Article 19 of Regu
lation (EU) No 1307/2013. The conditions laid down in that
Article 39
Article shall also apply to the support to be granted under this
Article.
Income stabilisation tool
1. Support
under
point
(c)
of
Article
36(1)
shall
only
be
granted where the drop of income exceeds 30 % of the
2. The
support
granted
to
a
farmer
in
respect
of
the
years
average annual income of the individual farmer in the
2014, 2015 and 2016 shall not exceed the difference between:
preceding three-year period or a three-year average based on
the preceding five-year period excluding the highest and
lowest entry. Income for the purposes of point (c) of
(a) the level of direct payments applicable in Croatia for the
Article 36(1) shall refer to the sum of revenues the farmer
year concerned in accordance with Article 17 of Regulation
receives from the market, including any form of public
(EU) No 1307/2013; and
support, deducting input costs. Payments by the mutual fund
to farmers shall compensate for less than 70 % of the income
lost in the year the producer becomes eligible to receive this
(b) 45 % of the corresponding level of the direct payments as
assistance.
applied from 2022.
2. In
order
to
be
eligible
for
support
the
mutual
fund
3. The
Union
contribution
to
support
granted
under
this
concerned shall:
Article in Croatia in respect of the years 2014, 2015 and
2016 shall not exceed 20 % of its respective total annual
EAFRD allocation.
(a) be accredited by the competent authority in accordance
with national law;
4. The EAFRD contribution rate for the complements to
direct payments shall not exceed 80 %.
(b) have a transparent policy towards payments into and with
drawals from the fund;
Article 41
(c) have clear rules attributing responsibilities for any debts
Rules on the implementation of the measures
incurred.
The Commission shall adopt implementing acts, laying down
rules on the implementation of the measures in this section
3. Member States shall define the rules for the constitution
concerning:
and management of the mutual funds, in particular for the
granting of compensation payments to farmers in the event
of crisis and for the administration and monitoring of
(a) procedures for selection of authorities or bodies offering
compliance with these rules. Member States shall ensure that
farm and forestry advisory services, farm management or
the fund arrangements provide for penalties in case of
farm relief services and the degressivity of the aid under
negligence on the part of the farmer.
the advisory services measure referred to in Article 15;

---

L 347/520
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
(b) the assessment by the Member State of the progress of the
(b) preparatory technical support for inter-territorial and trans
business plan, payment options as well as modalities for
national co-operation projects, on condition that local
access to other measures for young farmers under the
action groups are able to demonstrate that they are envi
farm and business development measure referred to in
saging the implementation of a concrete project.
Article 19;
2. Apart
from
other
local
action
groups,
the
partners
of
a
(c) conversion to units other than those used in Annex II, and
local action group under the EAFRD may be:
conversion rates of animals to livestock units (LU) under the
measures referred to in Articles 28, 29, 33 and 34;
(a) a group of local public and private partners in a rural
(d) the possibility of using standard assumptions of additional
territory that is implementing a local development strategy
costs and income foregone under the measures of Articles
within or outside the Union;
28 to 31, 33 and 34 and criteria for its calculation;
(b) a group of local public and private partners in a non- rural
(e) calculation of the amount of support where an operation is
territory that is implementing a local development strategy.
eligible for support under more than one measures.
3. In cases where co-operation projects are not selected by
Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with
the local action groups, Member States shall establish a system
the examination procedure referred to in Article 84.
of ongoing application.
LEADER
They shall make public the national or regional administrative
procedures concerning the selection of transnational co-
Article 42
operation projects and a list of eligible costs at the latest two
LEADER local action groups
years after the date of approval of their rural development
programmes.
1. In addition to the tasks referred to in Article 34 of Regu
lation (EU) No 1303/2013 local action groups may also
perform additional tasks delegated to them by the Managing
Approval of co-operation projects by the competent authority
Authority and/or the paying agency.
shall take place no later than four months after the date of
submission of the project application.
2. Local
action
groups
may
request
the
payment
of
an
advance from the competent paying agency if such possibility
4. Member
States
shall
communicate
to
the
Commission
the
is provided for in the rural development programme. The
approved transnational co-operation projects.
amount of the advances shall not exceed 50 % of the public
support related to the running and animation costs.
CHAPTER II
Article 43
Common provisions for several measures
LEADER start-up kit
Article 45
Support for LEADER local development may also include a
"LEADER start-up kit" for local communities who did not
Investments
implement LEADER in the 2007-2013 programming period.
1. In
order
to
be
eligible
for
EAFRD
support,
investment
The "LEADER start-up kit" shall consist of support for
operations shall be preceded by an assessment of the expected
capacity building and small pilot projects. Support under the
"
environmental impact in accordance with law specific to that
LEADER start-up kit" shall not be conditional on the
kind of investment where the investment is likely to have
submission of a LEADER local development strategy.
negative effects on the environment.
Article 44
2. Expenditure
that
is
eligible
for
EAFRD
support
shall
be
LEADER co-operation activities
limited to:
1. The
support
referred
to
in
point
(c)
of
Article
35(1)
of
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 shall be granted to
(a) the construction, acquisition, including leasing, or
improvement of immovable property;
(a) co-operation projects within a Member State (inter-territorial
co-operation) or co-operation projects between territories in
several Member States or with territories in third countries
(b) the purchase or lease purchase of new machinery and
(transnational co-operation).
equipment up to the market value of the asset;

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/521
(c) general costs linked to expenditure referred to in points (a)
notified to the Commission for the entire area in which the
and (b), such as architect, engineer and consultation fees,
investment is to take place, as well as in any other areas
fees relating to advice on environmental and economic
whose environment may be affected by the investment. The
sustainability, including feasibility studies. Feasibility
measures taking effect under the river basin management plan
studies shall remain eligible expenditure even where, based
in accordance with Article 11 of the Water Framework
on their results, no expenditure under points (a) and (b) is
Directive and of relevance to the agricultural sector shall have
made;
been specified in the relevant programme of measures.
(d) the following intangible investments: acquisition or devel
3. Water
metering
enabling
measurement
of
water
use
at
the
opment of computer software and acquisitions of patents,
level of the supported investment shall be in place or shall be
licenses, copyrights, trademarks;
put in place as part of the investment.
(e) the costs of establishing forest management plans and their
4. An
investment
in
an
improvement
to
an
existing
irri
equivalent.
gation installation or element of irrigation infrastructure shall
be eligible only if it is assessed ex ante as offering potential
water savings of a minimum of between 5 % and 25 %
3. In the case of agricultural investments, the purchase of
according to the technical parameters of the existing installation
agricultural production rights, payment entitlements, animals,
or infrastructure.
annual plants and their planting shall not be eligible for
investment support. However, in case of the restoration of agri
cultural production potential damaged by natural disasters or
If the investment affects bodies of ground- or surface water
catastrophic events, in accordance with point (b) of Article 18(1),
whose status has been identified as less than good in the
expenditure for the purchase of animals may be eligible expen
relevant river basin management plan for reasons related to
diture.
water quantity:
4. Beneficiaries
of
investment
related
support
may
request (a) the investment shall ensure an effective reduction in water
the payment of an advance of up to 50 % of the public aid
use, at the level of the investment, amounting to at least
related to the investment from the competent paying agencies if
50 % of the potential water saving made possible by the
that option is included in the rural development programme.
investment;
5. Working
capital
that
is
ancillary
to,
and
linked
to
a
new
investment in the agriculture or forestry sector, which receives
(b) in the case of an investment on a single agricultural holding,
EAFRD support through a financial instrument established in
it shall also result in a reduction to the holding's total water
accordance with Article 37 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013,
use amounting to at least 50 % of the potential water saving
may be eligible expenditure. Such eligible expenditure shall not
made possible at the level of the investment. The total water
exceed 30 % of the total amount of the eligible expenditure for
use of the holding shall include water sold by the holding.
the investment. The relevant request shall be duly substantiated.
None of the conditions in paragraph 4 shall apply to an
6. In
order
to
take
account
of
the
special
characteristics
of investment in an existing installation which affects only
particular types of investments, the Commission shall be
energy efficiency or to an investment in the creation of a
empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with
reservoir or to an investment in the use of recycled water
Article 83, laying down the conditions under which other
which does not affect a body of ground or surface water.
costs connected with leasing contracts, second hand
equipment may be considered to be eligible expenditure and
specifying the types of renewable energy infrastructure that
5. An
investment
resulting
in
a
net
increase
of
the
irrigated
are to be eligible for support.
area affecting a given body of ground or surface water shall be
eligible only if:
Article 46
Investments in irrigation
(a) the status of the water body has not been identified as less
than good in the relevant river basin management plan for
1. Without
prejudice
to
Article
45
of
this
Regulation,
in
the
reasons related to water quantity; and
case of irrigation in new and existing irrigated areas, only
investments that fulfil the conditions in this Article shall be
considered as eligible expenditure.
(b) an environmental analysis shows that there will be no
significant negative environmental impact from the
investment; such an environmental impact analysis shall
2. A
river
basin
management
plan,
as
required
under
the
be either carried out by or approved by the competent
terms of the Water Framework Directive, shall have been
authority and may also refer to groups of holdings.

---

L 347/522
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
Areas which are not irrigated but in which an irrigation instal
(b) the commitment in question does not apply to fixed parcels;
lation was active in the recent past, to be established and
and
justified in the programme, may be considered as irrigated
areas for the purpose of determining the net increase of the
irrigated area.
(c) the achievement of the commitment's objective is not jeop
ardised.
6. By way of derogation from point (a) of paragraph 5
investments resulting in a net increase of the irrigated area
2. Where all or part of the land under commitment or the
may still be eligible if:
entire holding is transferred to another person during the period
of that commitment, the commitment, or part thereof
corresponding to the land transferred, may be taken over for
(a) the investment is combined with an investment in an
the remainder of the period by that other person or may expire
existing irrigation installation or element of irrigation infra
and reimbursement shall not be required in respect of the
structure assessed ex ante as offering potential water savings
period during which the commitment was effective.
of a minimum of between 5 % and 25 % according to the
technical parameters of the existing installation or infra
structure and
3. Where
a
beneficiary
is
unable
to
continue
to
comply
with
commitments given because the holding or part of the holding
is re-parcelled or is the subject of public land consolidation
(b) the investment ensures an effective reduction in water use,
measures or land consolidation measures approved by the
at the level of the investment as a whole, amounting to at
competent public authorities, Member States shall take the
least 50 % of the potential water saving made possible by
measures necessary to allow the commitments to be adapted
the investment in the existing irrigation installation or
to the new situation of the holding. If such adaptation proves
element of infrastructure.
impossible, the commitment shall expire and reimbursement
shall not be required in respect of the period during which
the commitment was effective.
Furthermore, by way of derogation, the condition in point (a) of
paragraph 5 shall not apply to investments in the establishment
of a new irrigation installation supplied with water from an
4. Reimbursement
of
the
aid
received
shall
not
be
required
in
existing reservoir approved by the competent authorities
cases of force majeure and exceptional circumstances as referred
before 31 October 2013 if the following conditions are met:
to in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013.
— the reservoir in question is identified in the relevant river
5. Paragraph 2, as regards cases of transfer of the entire
basin management plan and is subject to the control
holding, and paragraph 4 shall also apply to commitments
requirements set out in article 11(3)(e) of the Water
under Article 33.
Framework Directive;
— on 31 October 2013, there was in force either a maximum
6. In
order
to
ensure
the
efficient
implementation
of
area
limit on total abstractions from the reservoir or a minimum
related measures and secure the financial interests of the
required level of flow in water bodies affected by the
Union, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt
reservoir;
delegated acts in accordance with Article 83 laying down
conditions applicable to conversion or adjustment of
commitments under the measures referred to in Articles 28,
— that maximum limit or minimum required level of flow
29, 33 and 34 and, specifying other situations in which
complies with the conditions set out in Article 4 of the
reimbursement of the aid shall not be required.
Water Framework Directive; and
Article 48
— the investment in question does not result in abstractions
Revision clause
beyond the maximum limit in force on 31 October 2013 or
result in a reduction of the level of flow in affected water
A revision clause shall be provided for operations undertaken
bodies below the minimum required level in force on
pursuant to Articles 28, 29, 33 and 34 in order to ensure their
31 October 2013.
adjustment in the case of amendments to the relevant
mandatory standards, requirements or obligations referred to
in those Articles beyond which the commitments have to go.
Article 47
The revision clause shall also cover adjustments needed to avoid
Rules for area related payments
double funding of the practices referred to in Article 43 of
Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 in the case of amendments to
1. The
number
of
hectares
to
which
a
commitment
pursuant those practices.
to Articles 28, 29 and 34 applies may vary from year to year
where:
Operations undertaken pursuant to Articles 28, 29, 33 and 34
which extend beyond the current programming period shall
(a) this possibility is provided for in the rural development
contain a revision clause in order to allow for their adjustment
programme;
to the legal framework of the following programming period.

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/523
If such adjustment is not accepted by the beneficiary, the
Those actions shall be carried out in accordance with Article 58
commitment shall expire and reimbursement shall not be
of Regulation (EU, EURATOM) No 966/2012 of the European
required in respect of the period during which the commitment
Parliament and of the Council ( 2 ) and any other provisions of
was effective.
that Regulation and of its implementing provisions that are
applicable to this form of execution of the budget.
Article 49
Selection of operations
2. At the initiative of the Member States up to 4 % of the
total amount of each rural development programme may be
1. Without prejudice to point (d) of Article 34(3) of Regu
devoted to the tasks referred to in Article 59 of Regulation
lation (EU) No 1303/2013, the Managing Authority of the rural
(EC) No 1303/2013 and costs related to preparatory work for
development programme shall define selection criteria for oper
the delimitation of areas facing natural or other specific
ations following consultation with the Monitoring Committee.
constraints referred to in Article 32.
Selection criteria shall aim to ensure equal treatment of appli
cants, better use of financial resources and targeting of measures
in accordance with the Union priorities for rural development.
Costs relating to the certification body referred to in Article 9 of
In defining and applying selection criteria the principle of
Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 shall not be eligible under this
proportionality shall be taken into account in relation to the
paragraph.
size of the operation.
2. The
Member
State
authority
responsible
for
the
selection Within that 4 % limit an amount shall be reserved for estab
of operations shall ensure that operations, with the exception of
lishing and operating the national rural network referred to in
operations under Articles 28 to 31, 33 to 34 and 36 to 39, are
Article 54.
selected in accordance with the selection criteria referred to in
paragraph 1 and according to a transparent and well docu
mented procedure.
3. In
case
of
rural
development
programmes
covering
both
less-developed regions and other regions, the EAFRD
contribution rate for technical assistance referred to in
3. Where
appropriate,
the
beneficiaries
may
be
selected
on Article 59(3) may be determined by taking into account the
the basis of calls for proposals, applying economic and envi
predominant type of regions, by their number, in the
ronmental efficiency criteria.
programme.
Article 50
Article 52
Rural area definition
European network for rural development
For the purposes of this Regulation the Managing Authority
shall define "rural area" at programme level. Member States
1. A
European
network
for
rural
development
for
the
may establish such a definition for a measure or type of
networking of national networks, organisations, and adminis
operation if duly justified.
trations active in the field of rural development at Union level
shall be put in place in accordance with Article 51(1).
CHAPTER III
Technical assistance and networking
2. Networking
through
the
European
network
for
rural
development shall aim to:
Article 51
Funding technical assistance
(a) increase the involvement of all stakeholders, and in
1. In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EU)
particular agricultural, forestry and other rural development
No 1306/2013 the EAFRD may use up to 0,25 % of its
stakeholders in the implementation of rural development;
annual allocation to finance the tasks referred to in Article 58
of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, including the costs for
setting up and operating the European network for rural devel
(b) improve the quality of rural development programmes;
opment referred to in Article 52 and the EIP network referred
to in Article 53 at the Commission's initiative and/or on its
behalf.
(c) play a role in informing the broader public on the benefits
of rural development policy.
The EAFRD may also finance the actions provided for in
Article 41(2) of Regulation (EU) No
1151/2012 of the
(d) support the evaluation of rural development programmes.
European Parliament and of the Council ( 1 ), in relation to
Union quality scheme indications and symbols.
( 2 ) Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament
and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules
( 1 ) Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of
applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing
the Council of 21 November 2012 on quality schemes for agri
Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298,
cultural products and foodstuffs (OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1).
26.10.2012, p. 1).

---

L 347/524
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
3. The
tasks
of
the
network
shall
be
to:
2. The
aim
of
the
EIP
network
shall
be
to:
(a) collect, analyse and disseminate information on action in
(a) facilitate the exchange of expertise and good practices;
the field of rural development;
(b) establish a dialogue between farmers and the research
(b) provide support on evaluation processes and on data
community and facilitate the inclusion of all stakeholders
collection and management;
in the knowledge exchange process.
(c) collect, consolidate and disseminate at Union level good
3. The
tasks
of
the
EIP
network
shall
be
to:
rural development practices, including on evaluation
methodologies and tools;
(a) provide a help desk function and provide information to
(d) set up and run thematic groups and/or workshops with a
key actors concerning the EIP;
view to facilitating the exchange of expertise and to
supporting the implementation, monitoring and further
development of rural development policy;
(b) encourage the setting up of operational groups and provide
information about the opportunities provided by Union
policies;
(e) provide information on developments in rural areas of the
Union and in third countries;
(c) facilitate the setting up of cluster initiatives and pilot or
demonstration projects which may relate, inter alia, to the
(f) organise meetings and seminars at Union level for those
following issues::
actively involved in rural development;
(i) increased agricultural productivity, economic viability,
(g) support the national networks and transnational co-
sustainability, output and resource efficiency;
operation initiatives and the exchange concerning actions
and experience in the field of rural development with
networks in third countries;
(ii) innovation in support of the bio-based economy;
(h) specifically for local action groups:
(iii) biodiversity, ecosystem services, soil functionality and
sustainable water management;
(i) create synergies with the activities carried out at national
or regional level, or at both by the respective networks
(iv) innovative products and services for the integrated
with regard to capacity building actions and exchange of
supply chain;
experience; and
(ii) cooperate with the networking and technical support
(v) opening up new product and market opportunities for
bodies for local development set up by the ERDF, the
primary producers;
ESF and the EMFF as regards their local development
activities and transnational co-operation.
(vi) food quality, food safety and healthy diet;
4. The
Commission
shall
adopt
implementing
acts,
setting
out the organisational structure and operation of the
(vii) reduce post-harvest losses and food wastage.
European network for rural development network. Those imple
menting acts shall be adopted in accordance with the exam
ination procedure referred to in Article 84.
(d) Collect and disseminate information in the field of the EIP,
including research findings and new technologies relevant to
innovation and knowledge exchange and exchanges in the
Article 53
field of innovation with third countries.
European Innovation Partnership network
1. A EIP network shall be put in place to support the EIP for
4. The
Commission
shall
adopt
implementing
acts,
setting
agricultural productivity and sustainability referred to in
out the organisational structure and operation of the EIP
Article 55, in accordance with Article 51(1). It shall enable
network. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in
the networking of operational groups, advisory services and
accordance with the examination procedure referred to in
researchers.
Article 84.

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/525
Article 54
(vi) a communication plan including publicity and
information concerning the rural development
National rural network
programme in agreement with the Managing Auth
1. Each
Member
State
shall
establish
a
national
rural
orities and information and communication activities
network, which groups the organisations and administrations
aimed at a broader public;
involved in rural development. The partnership referred to in
Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 shall also be part of
the national rural network.
(vii) activities regarding the participation in and
contribution to the European network for rural devel
Member States with regional programmes may submit for
opment.
approval a specific programme for the establishment and the
operation of their national rural network.
4. The
Commission
shall
adopt
implementing
acts,
laying
down rules for the establishment and operation of national
2. Networking
by
the
national
rural
network
shall
aim
to:
rural networks and the content of the specific programmes
referred to in paragraph 1. Those implementing acts shall be
(a) increase the involvement of stakeholders in the implemen
adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred
tation of rural development;
to in Article 84.
(b) improve the quality of implementation of rural development
TITLE IV
programmes;
EIP FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY AND SUSTAIN
ABILITY
(c) inform the broader public and potential beneficiaries on
rural development policy and funding opportunities;
Article 55
Aims
(d) foster innovation in agriculture, food production, forestry
and rural areas.
1. The
EIP
for
agricultural
productivity
and
sustainability
shall:
3. EAFRD
support
under
Article
51(3)
shall
be
used:
(a) promote a resource efficient, economically viable,
(a) for the structures needed to run the network;
productive, competitive, low emission, climate friendly and
resilient agricultural and forestry sector, working towards
agro-ecological production systems and working in
(b) for the preparation and implementation of an action plan
harmony with the essential natural resources on which
covering at least the following:
farming and forestry depend;
(i) activities regarding the collection of examples of
projects covering all priorities of the rural development
(b) help deliver a steady and sustainable supply of food, feed
programmes;
and biomaterials, including existing and new types;
(ii) activities regarding the facilitation of thematic and
analytical exchanges between rural development stake
(c) improve processes to preserve the environment, adapt to
holders, sharing and dissemination of findings;
climate change and mitigate it;
(iii) activities regarding the provision of training and
(d) build bridges between cutting-edge research knowledge and
networking for local action groups and in particular
technology and farmers, forest managers, rural commu
technical assistance for inter-territorial and trans
nities, businesses, NGOs and advisory services.
national co-operation, facilitation of co-operation
among local action groups and the search of partners
for the measure referred to in Article 35;
2. The
EIP
for
agricultural
productivity
and
sustainability
shall seek to achieve its aims by:
(iv) activities regarding the provision of networking for
advisors and innovation support services;
(a) creating added value by better linking research and farming
(v) activities regarding the sharing and dissemination of
practice and encouraging the wider use of available inno
monitoring and evaluation findings;
vation measures;

---

L 347/526
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
(b) promoting the faster and wider transposition of innovative
3. Operational
groups
shall
disseminate
the
results
of
their
solutions into practice; and
project, in particular through the EIP network.
(c) informing the scientific community about the research
TITLE V
needs of farming practice.
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
3. The EAFRD shall contribute to the aims of the EIP for
Article 58
agricultural productivity and sustainability through support, in
Resources and their distribution
accordance with Article 35, of the EIP operational groups
referred to in Article 56 and the EIP network referred to in
1. Without
prejudice
to
paragraphs
5,
6
and
7
of
this
Article,
Article 53.
the total amount of Union support for rural development under
this Regulation for the period from 1 January 2014 to
31 December 2020 shall be EUR 84 936 million, in 2011
Article 56
prices, in accordance with the multiannual financial
framework for the years 2014 to 2020.
Operational groups
1. EIP operational groups shall form part of the EIP for
agricultural productivity and sustainability. They shall be set
2. 0,25
%
of
the
resources
referred
to
in
paragraph
1
shall
be
up by interested actors such as farmers, researchers, advisors
devoted to technical assistance for the Commission, as referred
and businesses involved in the agriculture and food sector,
to in Article 51(1).
who are relevant for achieving the objectives of the EIP.
3. For
the
purpose
of
their
programming
and
subsequent
2. EIP
operational
groups
shall
establish
internal
procedures inclusion in the general budget of the Union, the amounts
that ensure, that their operation and decision-making is trans
referred to in paragraph 1 shall be indexed at 2 % per year.
parent and that situations of conflict of interest are avoided.
4. The
annual
breakdown
by
Member
State
of
the
amounts
3. The Member States shall decide within the framework of
referred to in paragraph 1, after deduction of the amount
their programmes to what extent they will support the oper
referred to in paragraph 2 is set out in Annex I.
ational groups.
5. Funds
transferred
by
a
Member
State
under
Article
14(2)
of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 shall be subtracted from the
Article 57
amounts allocated to that Member State in accordance with
Tasks of operational groups
paragraph 4.
1. EIP
operational
groups
shall
draw
up
a
plan
that
contains
the following:
6. The
funds
transferred
to
the
EAFRD
in
application
of
Articles 7(2) and 14(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 and
the funds transferred to the EAFRD in application of Articles
(a) a description of the innovative project to be developed,
10b and 136 of Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 ( 1 ) in
tested, adapted or implemented;
respect of calendar year 2013 shall also be included in the
annual breakdown referred to in paragraph 4.
(b) a description of the expected results and the contribution to
the EIP objective of enhancing productivity and sustainable
7. In
order
to
take
account
of
the
developments
relating
to
resource management.
the annual breakdown referred to in paragraph 4, including the
transfers referred to in paragraphs 5 and 6; to make technical
adjustments without changing the overall allocations; or to take
2. When
implementing
their
innovative
projects
operational account of any other change provided for by a legislative act
groups shall:
after the adoption of this Regulation, the Commission shall be
empowered to adopt delegated acts, in accordance with
Article 83, to review the ceilings set out in Annex I.
(a) make decisions on the elaboration and implementation of
( 1 ) Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 of 19 January 2009 estab
innovative actions; and
lishing common rules for direct support schemes for farmers
under the common agricultural policy and establishing certain
support schemes for farmers, amending Regulations
(EC) No 1290/2005, (EC) No 247/2006, (EC) No 378/2007 and
(b) implement innovative actions through measures financed
repealing Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 (OJ L 30, 31.1.2009,
through the rural development programmes.
p. 16).

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/527
8. For the purposes of the allocation of the performance
the outermost regions, of the smaller Aegean islands within
reserve referred to in Article 22(3) and (4) of Regulation (EU)
the meaning of Regulation (EEC) No 2019/93 and of tran
No 1303/2013, available assigned revenue collected in
sition regions referred to in points (b) and (c) of
accordance with Article 43 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013
paragraph 3;
for the EAFRD shall be added to the amounts referred to in
Article 20 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013. That available
assigned revenue shall be allocated to Member States in
(b) 75 % for operations contributing to the objectives of
proportion to their share of the total amount of support
environment and climate change mitigation and adaptation
from the EAFRD.
under Article 17, points (a) and (b) of Article 21(1), Articles
28 29, 30 31 and 34.
Article 59
Fund contribution
(c) 100 % for Union-level financial instruments referred to in
point (a) of Article 38(1) of Regulation 1303/2013;
1. The
decision
approving
a
rural
development
programme
shall set the maximum contribution from the EAFRD to the
programme. The decision shall clearly identify, where necessary,
(d) the contribution rate applicable to the measure concerned
the appropriations allocated to the less developed regions.
increased by an additional 10 percentage points for
contributions to financial instruments referred to in point
(b) of Article 38(1) of Regulation 1303/2013.
2. The
EAFRD
contribution
shall
be
calculated
on
the
basis
of the amount of eligible public expenditure.
(e) 100 % for operations receiving funding from funds trans
ferred to the EAFRD in application of Article 7(2) and
3. The
rural
development
programmes
shall
establish
a
single
Article 14(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013.
EAFRD contribution rate applicable to all measures. Where
applicable, a separate EAFRD contribution rate shall be estab
lished for less-developed regions, for outermost regions and for
(f) 100 % for an amount of EUR 500 million, in 2011 prices,
the smaller Aegean islands within the meaning of Regulation
allocated to Portugal and for an amount of EUR 7 million,
(EEC) No 2019/93, as well as for transition regions. The
in 2011 prices, allocated to Cyprus on condition that those
maximum EAFRD contribution rate shall be:
Member States are receiving financial assistance in
accordance with Articles 136 and 143 TFEU on 1 January
2014 or thereafter, until 2016, when the application of this
(a) 85 % of the eligible public expenditure in the less developed
provision shall be reassessed.
regions, in the outermost regions and in the smaller Aegean
islands within the meaning of Regulation (EEC)
No 2019/93;
(g) For Member States receiving on 1 January 2014 or
thereafter financial assistance in accordance with Article 136
(b) 75 % of the eligible public expenditure for all regions whose
and 143 TFEU, the EAFRD contribution rate resulting from
GDP per capita for the 2007-2013 period was less than
the application of Article 24(1) of Regulation (EU)
75 % of the average of the EU-25 for the reference period
No 1303/2013 may be increased by a maximum of an
but whose GDP per capita is above 75 % of the GDP
additional 10 percentage points up to a total maximum
average of the EU-27;
of 95 %, for expenditure to be paid by these Member
States in the first two years of implementation of the
rural development programme. The EAFRD contribution
(c) 63 % of the eligible public expenditure for the transition
rate which would be applicable without this derogation
regions other than those referred to in point (b) of this
shall, however, be respected for the total public expenditure
paragraph;
made during the programming period.
(d) 53 % of the eligible public expenditure in the other regions.
5. At least 5 %, and in the case of Croatia 2,5 %, of the total
EAFRD contribution to the rural development programme shall
be reserved for LEADER.
The minimum EAFRD contribution rate shall be 20 %.
6. At least 30 % of the total EAFRD contribution to the rural
4. By
way
of
derogation
from
paragraph
3,
the
maximum development programme shall be reserved for measures under
EAFRD contribution shall be:
the following Articles: Article 17 for environment and climate
related investments; Articles 21, 28, 29 and 30, with the
exception of Water Framework Directive related payments;
(a) 80 % for the measures referred to in Articles 14, 27 and 35,
and Articles 31, 32 and 34.
for the LEADER local development referred to in Article 32
of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and for operations under
point (a)(i) of Article 19(1). That rate may be increased to a
The first subparagraph shall not apply to the outermost regions
maximum of 90 % for the programmes of less developed,
and the overseas territories of the Member States.

---

L 347/528
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
7. Where a Member State submits both a national
(a) operating costs;
programme and a set of regional programmes, paragraphs 5
and 6 shall not apply to the national programme. The
EAFRD contribution to the national programme shall be
(b) personnel costs;
taken into account for the purpose of calculating the
percentages referred to in paragraphs 5 and 6 for each
regional programme, in proportion to that regional
programme's share of the national allocation.
(c) training costs;
8. An
expenditure
co-financed
by
the
EAFRD
shall
not
be
co-financed by way of a contribution from the Structural Funds,
(d) costs linked to public relations;
from the Cohesion Fund or from any other Union financial
instrument.
(e) financial costs;
9. Public
expenditure
on
aid
to
enterprises
shall
comply
with
the aid limits laid down in respect of State aid, unless this
Regulation provides otherwise.
(f) networking costs.
Article 60
2. Studies
shall
only
be
eligible
expenditure
where
they
are
Eligibility of expenditure
linked to a specific operation under the programme or the
specific objectives and targets of the programme.
1. By way of derogation from Article 65(9) of Regulation
(EU) No 1303/2013, in cases of emergency measures due to
natural disasters, the rural development programmes may
provide that eligibility of expenditure relating to programme
3. Contributions in kind in the form of provision of works,
changes may start from the date when the natural disaster
goods, services, land and real estate for which no cash payment
occurred.
supported by invoices or documents of equivalent probative
value has been made, may be eligible for support provided
that the conditions of Article 69 of Regulation (EU)
2. Expenditure
shall
be
eligible
for
an
EAFRD
contribution No 1303/2013 are fulfilled.
only where incurred for operations decided upon by the
Managing Authority of the programme in question or under
its responsibility, in accordance with selection criteria referred
Article 62
to in Article 49.
Verifiability and controllability of measures
With the exception of general costs as defined in Article 45(2)(c),
1. Member States shall ensure that all the rural development
in respect of investment operations under measures falling
measures that they intend to implement are verifiable and
within the scope of Article 42 TFEU, only expenditure which
controllable. To this end, the Managing Authority and the
has been incurred after an application has been submitted to the
paying agency of each rural development programme shall
competent authority shall be considered eligible.
provide an ex ante assessment of the verifiability and control
lability of the measures to be included in the rural development
programme. The Managing Authority and paying agency shall
Member States may provide in their programmes that only
also undertake the assessment of the verifiability and control
expenditure which has been incurred after the application for
lability of measures during the implementation of the rural
support has been approved by the competent authority shall be
development programme. Ex ante assessment and assessment
eligible.
during the implementation period shall take into account the
results of controls in the previous and current programming
period. Where the assessment reveals that the requirements of
3. Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply to Article 51(1) and
verifiability and controllability are not met, the measures
(2).
concerned shall be adjusted accordingly.
4. Payments by beneficiaries shall be supported by invoices
and documents proving payment. Where this cannot be done,
2. Where aid is granted on the basis of standard costs or
payments shall be supported by documents of equivalent
additional costs and income foregone, Member States shall
probative value, except for forms of support under points (b),
ensure that the relevant calculations are adequate and accurate
(c) and (d) of Article 67(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013.
and established in advance on the basis of a fair, equitable and
verifiable calculation. To this end, a body that is functionally
independent from the authorities responsible for the
Article 61
programme implementation and possesses the appropriate
Eligible expenditure
expertise shall perform the calculations or confirm the
adequacy and accuracy of the calculations. A statement
1. Where
running
costs
are
covered
by
support
under
this confirming the adequacy and accuracy of the calculations
Regulation the following types of costs shall be eligible:
shall be included in the rural development programme.

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/529
Article 63
has been set up in such a way that ensures a clear allocation
and separation of functions between the Managing Authority
Advances
and other bodies. Member States shall be responsible for
1. Payment
of
advances
shall
be
subject
to
the
establishment ensuring that the systems function effectively throughout the
of a bank guarantee or an equivalent guarantee corresponding
programme period.
to 100 % of the amount of the advance. As regards public
beneficiaries, advances shall be paid to municipalities, regional
authorities and associations thereof, as well as to public law
4. Member
States
shall
clearly
define
the
tasks
of
the
bodies.
Managing Authority, the Paying Agency and the local action
groups under LEADER as regards to the application of eligibility
and selection criteria and the project selection procedure.
A facility provided as a guarantee by a public authority shall be
considered equivalent to the guarantee referred to in the first
subparagraph, provided that the authority undertakes to pay the
Article 66
amount covered by that guarantee if entitlement to the advance
paid is not established.
Managing Authority
1. The Managing Authority shall be responsible for
2. The
guarantee
may
be
released
when
the
competent managing and implementing the programme in an efficient,
paying agency establishes that the amount of actual expenditure
effective and correct way and in particular for:
corresponding to the public contribution related to the
operation exceeds the amount of the advance.
(a) ensuring that there is an appropriate secure electronic
system to record, maintain, manage and report statistical
TITLE VI
information on the programme and its implementation
required for the purposes of monitoring and evaluation
MANAGEMENT, CONTROL AND PUBLICITY
and, in particular, information required to monitor
progress towards the defined objectives and priorities;
Article 64
Responsibilities of the Commission
(b) providing the Commission, by 31 January and 31 October
To ensure, in the context of shared management, sound
in each year of the programme, with relevant indicator data
financial management in accordance with Article 317 TFEU,
on operations selected for funding, including information
the Commission shall carry out the measures and controls
on output and financial indicators;
laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013.
(c) ensuring that beneficiaries and other bodies involved in the
Article 65
implementation of operations:
Responsibilities of the Member States
1. Member
States
shall
adopt
all
the
legislative,
statutory
and
(i) are informed of their obligations resulting from the aid
administrative provisions in accordance with Article 58(1) of
granted, and maintain either a separate accounting
Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 in order to ensure that the
system or an adequate accounting code for all trans
Union's financial interests are protected effectively.
actions relating to the operation;
2. Member
States
shall
designate,
for
each
rural
development
(ii) are aware of the requirements concerning the provision
programme, the following authorities:
of data to the Managing Authority and the recording of
outputs and results;
(a) the Managing Authority, which may be either a public or
private body acting at national or regional level, or the
Member State itself when it carries out that task, to be in
(d) ensuring that the ex ante evaluation referred to in Article 55
charge of the management of the programme concerned;
of Regulation (EU) No
1303/2013 conforms to the
evaluation and monitoring system and accepting and
submitting it to the Commission;
(b) the accredited paying agency within the meaning of
Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013;
(e) ensuring that the evaluation plan referred to in Article 56 of
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 is in place, that the ex post
(c) the certification body within the meaning of Article 9 of
programme evaluation referred to in Article 57 of Regu
Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013.
lation (EU) No 1303/2013 is conducted within the time
limits laid down in that Regulation, ensuring that such
evaluations conform to the monitoring and evaluation
3. Member
States
shall
ensure,
for
each
rural
development
system and submitting them to the Monitoring Committee
programme, that the relevant management and control system
and the Commission;

---

L 347/530
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
(f) providing the Monitoring Committee with the information
5. The
Commission
shall
adopt
implementing
acts,
laying
and documents needed to monitor implementation of the
down uniform conditions for the application of the information
programme in the light of its specific objectives and prior
and publicity requirements referred to in point (i) of
ities;
paragraph 1.
(g) drawing up the annual progress report, including aggregate
TITLE VII
monitoring tables, and, after approval by the Monitoring
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
Committee, submitting it to the Commission;
CHAPTER I
(h) ensuring that the paying agency receives all necessary
General provisions
information, in particular on the procedures operated and
any controls carried out in relation to operations selected
for funding, before payments are authorised;
S e c t i o n 1
E s t a b l i s h m e n t
a n d
o b j e c t i v e s
o f
a
m o n i t o r i n g a n d e v a l u a t i o n s y s t e m
(i) ensuring publicity for the programme, including through
the national rural network, by informing potential benefici
aries, professional organisations, the economic and social
Article 67
partners, bodies involved in promoting equality between
Monitoring and evaluation system
men and women, and the non-governmental organisations
concerned, including environmental organisations, of the
In accordance with this Title, a common monitoring and
possibilities offered by the programme and the rules for
evaluation system shall be drawn up in co-operation between
gaining access to programme funding as well as by
the Commission and the Member States and shall be adopted
informing beneficiaries of the Union contribution and the
by the Commission by means of implementing acts. Those
general public on the role played by the Union in the
implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the
programme.
examination procedure referred to in Article 84.
Article 68
2. The
Member
State
or
the
Managing
Authority
may
designate one or more intermediate bodies including local auth
Objectives
orities, regional development bodies or non-governmental
organisations, to carry out the management and implemen
The monitoring and evaluation system shall aim to:
tation of rural development operations.
(a) demonstrate the progress and achievements of rural devel
opment policy and assess the impact, effectiveness, effi
When a part of its tasks is delegated to another body, the
ciency and relevance of rural development policy interven
Managing Authority shall retain full responsibility for the effi
tions;
ciency and correctness of management and implementation of
those tasks. The Managing Authority shall ensure that appro
priate provisions are in place to allow the other body to obtain
(b) contribute to better targeted support for rural development;
all necessary data and information for execution of these tasks.
(c) support a common learning process related to monitoring
and evaluation.
3. Where
a
thematic
sub-programme,
as
referred
to
in
Article 7, is included in the rural development programme,
S e c t i o n 2
the Managing Authority may designate one or more inter
mediate bodies, including local authorities, local action groups
T e c h n i c a l p r o v i s i o n s
or non-governmental organisations, to carry out the
management and implementation of that strategy. Paragraph
Article 69
2 shall apply in this case.
Common indicators
The managing authority shall ensure that operations and
1. A
list
of
common
indicators
relating
to
the
initial
situation
outputs of this thematic sub-programme are identified
as well as to the financial execution, outputs, results and impact
separately for the purposes of the monitoring and evaluation
of the programme and applicable to each programme shall be
system referred to in Article 67.
specified in the monitoring and evaluation system provided for
in Article 67 to allow for aggregation of data at Union level.
4. Subject to the role of the paying agencies and other
2. The
common
indicators
shall
be
based
on
available
data
bodies as set out in Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013, where a
and linked to the structure and objectives of the rural devel
Member State has more than one programme, a coordinating
opment policy framework and shall allow assessment of the
body may be designated with the purpose of ensuring
progress, efficiency and effectiveness of policy implementation
consistency in the management of the funds and of providing
against objectives and targets at Union, national and
a link between the Commission and the national management
programme level. The common impact indicators shall be
authorities.
based on available data.

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/531
3. The evaluator shall quantify the impact of the programme
(a) be consulted and shall issue an opinion, within four months
measured by the impact indicators. Based on evidence in the
of the decision approving the programme, on the selection
evaluations on the CAP, including evaluations on Rural Devel
criteria for financed operations, which shall be revised
opment programmes, the Commission shall, with the help of
according to programming needs;
the Member States, assess the combined impact of all CAP
instruments.
(b) examine the activities and outputs related to the progress in
the implementation of the evaluation plan of the
Article 70
programme;
Electronic Information System
(c) examine, in particular, actions in the programme relating to
Key information on the implementation of the programme, on
the fulfilment of ex ante conditionalities, which fall within
each operation selected for funding, as well as on completed
the responsibilities of the Managing Authority, and be
operations, needed for monitoring and evaluation, including key
informed of actions relating to the fulfilment of other ex
information on each beneficiary and project, shall be recorded
ante conditionalities;
and maintained electronically.
(d) participate in the national rural network to exchange
Article 71
information on programme implementation; and
Provision of information
Beneficiaries of support under rural development measures and
(e) consider and approve the annual implementation reports
local action groups shall undertake to provide to the Managing
before they are sent to the Commission.
Authority and/or to appointed evaluators or other bodies
delegated to perform functions on its behalf, all the information
necessary to permit monitoring and evaluation of the
Article 75
programme, in particular in relation to meeting specified
Annual implementation report
objectives and priorities.
1. By 30 June 2016 and by 30 June of each subsequent year
until and including 2024, the Member State shall submit to the
Commission an annual implementation report on implemen
CHAPTER II
tation of the rural development programme in the previous
Monitoring
calendar year. The report submitted in 2016 shall cover the
calendar years 2014 and 2015.
Article 72
Monitoring procedures
2. In
addition
to
complying
with
the
requirements
of
1. The
Managing
Authority
and
the
Monitoring
Committee Article 50 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 annual implemen
referred to in Article 47 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 shall
tation reports shall include information inter alia on financial
monitor the quality of the implementation of the programme.
commitments and expenditure by measure, and a summary of
the activities undertaken in relation to the evaluation plan.
2. The
Managing
Authority
and
the
Monitoring
Committee
3. In
addition
to
complying
with
the
requirements
of
shall carry out monitoring of each rural development
Article 50 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, the annual imple
programme by means of financial, output and target indicators.
mentation report submitted in 2017 shall also cover a
description of the implementation of any sub-programmes
included within the programme.
Article 73
Monitoring Committee
4. In
addition
to
complying
with
the
requirements
of
Member States with regional programmes may establish a
Article 50 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, the annual imple
national Monitoring Committee to coordinate the implemen
mentation report submitted in 2019 shall also cover, a
tation of these programmes in relation to the National
description of the implementation of any sub-programmes
Framework and the uptake of financial resources.
included within the programme and an assessment of
progress made in ensuring an integrated approach to use of
the EAFRD and other EU financial instruments to support the
territorial development of rural areas, including through local
Article 74
development strategies.
Responsibilities of the Monitoring Committee
The Monitoring Committee shall satisfy itself as to the
5. The
Commission
shall
adopt
implementing
acts,
laying
performance of the rural development programme and the
down rules concerning the presentation of the annual imple
effectiveness of its implementation. To that end, in addition
mentation reports. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in
to the functions referred to in Article 49 of Regulation (EU)
accordance with the examination procedure referred to in
No 1303/2013 the Monitoring Committee shall:
Article 84.

---

L 347/532
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
CHAPTER III
TITLE VIII
Evaluation
COMPETITION PROVISIONS
Article 76
Article 80
General provisions
Rules applying to undertakings
1. The
Commission
may
adopt
implementing
acts,
specifying Where support under this Regulation is granted to forms of co-
the elements to be contained in the ex ante and ex post evalu
operation between undertakings, it may be granted only to such
ations referred to in Articles 55 and 57 of Regulation (EU)
forms of co-operation which comply with the competition rules
No 1303/2013 and establishing the minimum requirements
as they apply by virtue of Articles 206 to 210 of the Regulation
for the evaluation plan referred to in Article 56 of Regulation
of the European Parliament and the Council (EU)
(EU) No 1303/2013. Those implementing acts shall be adopted
No 1308/2013.
in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in
Article 84.
Article 81
2. Member States shall ensure that the evaluations are in
State aid
accordance with the common evaluation approach agreed in
accordance with Article 67, shall organise the production and
1. Save
as
otherwise
provided
for
in
this
Title,
Articles
107,
gathering of the requisite data, and shall supply the various
108 and 109 TFEU shall apply to support for rural devel
pieces of information provided by the monitoring system to
opment by Member States.
the evaluators.
2. Articles
107,
108
and
109
TFEU
shall
not
apply
to
3. The
evaluation
reports
shall
be
made
available
by
the payments made by Member States pursuant to, and in
Member States on the internet and by the Commission on its
conformity with, this Regulation, or to additional national
website.
financing referred to in Article 82, within the scope of
Article 42 TFEU.
Article 77
Ex ante evaluation
Article 82
Member States shall ensure that the ex ante evaluator is
Additional national financing
involved from an early stage in the process of development
of the rural development programme, including in the devel
Payments made by Member States in relation to operations
opment of the analysis referred to in Article 8(1)(b), in the
falling within the scope of Article 42 TFEU and intended to
design of the programme's intervention logic and in the estab
provide additional financing for rural development for which
lishment of the programme's targets.
Union support is granted at any time during the programming
period, shall be included by Member States in the rural devel
opment programme as provided for in paragraph 1(j) of
Article 8 and, where they comply with the criteria under this
Article 78
Regulation, shall be approved by the Commission.
Ex post evaluation
In 2024, an ex post evaluation report shall be prepared by the
Member States for each of their rural development programmes.
TITLE IX
That report shall be submitted to the Commission by
COMMISSION POWERS, COMMON PROVISIONS AND
31 December 2024.
TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER I
Article 79
Commission powers
Syntheses of evaluations
Syntheses at Union level of the ex ante and ex post evaluation
Article 83
reports shall be undertaken under the responsibility of the
Exercise of the delegation
Commission.
1. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Articles
2(3), Article 14(5), Article 16(5), Article 19(8), Article 22(3),
Article 28(10) and (11), Article 29(6), Article 30(8),
The syntheses of the evaluation reports shall be completed at
Article 33(4), Article 34(5), Article 35(10), Article 36(5),
the latest by 31 December of the year following the submission
Article 45(6), Article 47(6) and Article 89 is conferred on the
of the relevant evaluations.
Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/533
2. The
power
to
adopt
delegated
acts
referred
to
in
in
CHAPTER II
Articles 2(3), Article 14(5), Article 16(5), Article 19(8),
Article 22(3), Article 28(10) and (11), Article 29(6),
Common provisions
Article 30(8), Article 33(4), Article 34(5), Article 35(10),
Article 36(5), Article 45(6), Article 47(6) and Article 89 shall
Article 85
be conferred on the Commission for a period of seven years
Exchange of information and documents
from the date of entry into force of this Regulation. The
Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation
1. The
Commission,
in
collaboration
with
the
Member
of power not later than nine months before the end of the
States, shall establish an information system to enable the
seven-year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly
secure exchange of data of common interest between the
extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the
Commission and each Member State. The Commission shall
European Parliament or the Council opposes such extension
adopt implementing acts, laying down rules for the operation
not later than three months before the end of each period.
of that system. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in
accordance with the examination procedure referred to in
Article 84.
3. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Articles
2(3), Article 14(5), Article 16(5), Article 19(8), Article 22(3),
Article 28(10) and (11), Article 29(6), Article 30(8),
2 The
Commission
shall
ensure
that
there
is
an
appropriate
Article 33(4), Article 34(5), Article 35(10), Article 36(5),
secure electronic system in which key information and report
Article 45(6), Article 47(6) and Article 89 may be revoked at
on monitoring and evaluation can be recorded, maintained and
any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A
managed.
decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the
powers specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day
following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of
the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall
Article 86
not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.
Processing and protection of personal data
1. Member
States
and
the
Commission
shall
collect
personal
data for the purpose of carrying out their respective
4. As
soon
as
it
adopts
a
delegated
act,
the
Commission
shall management control, monitoring and evaluation obligations
notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the
under this Regulation, and in particular those laid down in
Council.
Titles VI and VII, and shall not process this data in a way
which is incompatible with this purpose.
5. A
delegated
act
adopted
pursuant
to
Articles
2(3),
Article 14(5), Article 16(5), Article 19(8), Article 22(3),
2. Where
personal
data
are
processed
for
monitoring
and
Article 28(10) and (11), Article 29(6), Article 30(8),
evaluation purposes under Title VII using the secure electronic
Article 33(4), Article 34(5), Article 35(10), Article 36(5),
system referred to in Article 85, they shall be made anonymous,
Article 45(6), Article 47(6) and Article 89 shall enter into
and processed in aggregated form only.
force only if no objection has been expressed either by the
European Parliament or the Council within a period of two
months of notification of that act to the European Parliament
and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the
3. Personal
data
shall
be
processed
in
accordance
with
the
European Parliament and the Council have both informed the
rules of Directive 95/46/EC and Regulation (EC) No 45/2001. In
Commission that they will not object. That period shall be
particular, such data shall not be stored in a form which
extended by two months at the initiative of the European
permits identification of data subjects for longer than is
Parliament or of the Council.
necessary for the purposes for which they were collected or
for which they are further processed, taking into account the
minimum retention periods laid down in the applicable national
and Union law.
Article 84
Committee procedure
4. Member
States
shall
inform
the
data
subjects
that
their
1. The
Commission
shall
be
assisted
by
a
committee
called
personal data may be processed by national and Union bodies
"Rural Development Committee". That Committee shall be a
in accordance with paragraph 1 and that in this respect they
committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU)
enjoy the rights set out in the data protection rules of, respect
No 182/2011.
ively, Directive 95/46/EC and Regulation (EC) No 45/2001.
2. Where
reference
is
made
to
this
paragraph,
Article
5
of 5. Articles 111 to 114 in Regulation(EU) 1306/2013 shall
Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.
apply to this Article.

---

L 347/534
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
Article 87
Article 89
General CAP provisions
Transitional provisions
Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 and the provisions adopted
In order to facilitate the transition from the system established
pursuant to it shall apply in relation to the measures set out
by Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 to the system established by
in this Regulation.
this Regulation, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt
delegated acts in accordance with Article 83, laying down the
conditions under which support approved by the Commission
under Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 may be integrated into
support provided for under this Regulation, including for
CHAPTER III
technical assistance and for the ex-post evaluations. Those
Transitional and final provisions
delegated acts may also provide conditions for the transition
from rural development support for Croatia under Regulation
(EC) No 1085/2006 to support provided for under this Regu
Article 88
lation.
Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005
Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 is repealed.
Article 90
Entry into force and application
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its
publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 shall continue to apply to oper
ations implemented pursuant to programmes approved by the
Commission under that Regulation before 1 January 2014.
It shall apply from 1 January 2014.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 17 December 2013.
For the European Parliament
For the Council
The President
The President
M. SCHULZ
V. JUKNA

---

20.12.2013 Off
ANNEX I
BREAKDOWN OF UNION SUPPORT FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT (2014 TO 2020)
(current prices in EUR)
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 TOTAL
2014-2020
EN

Belgium 78
342
401 78
499
837 78
660
375 78
824
076 78
991
202 79
158
713 79
314
155 551
790
759
Bulgaria 335
499
038 335
057
822 334
607
538 334
147
994 333
680
052 333
187
306 332
604
216 2
338
783
966
Czech Republic 314
349
445 312
969
048 311
560
782 310
124
078 308
659
490 307
149
050 305
522
103 2
170
333
996
Denmark 90
287
658 90
168
920 90
047
742 89
924
072 89
798
142 89
665
537 89
508
619 629
400
690
Germany 1
178
778
847 1
177
251
936 1
175
693
642 1
174
103
302 1
172
483
899 1
170
778
658 1
168
760
766 8
217
851
050
Estonia 103
626
144 103
651
030 103
676
345 103
702
093 103
728
583 103
751
180 103
751
183 725
886
558
icial
Ireland 313
148
955 313
059
463 312
967
965 312
874
411 312
779
690 312
669
355 312
485
314 2
189
985
153
Jour
nal
Greece 601
051
830 600
533
693 600
004
906 599
465
245 598
915
722 598
337
071 597
652
326 4
195
960
793
of
the
Spain 1
187
488
617 1
186
425
595 1
185
344
141 1
184
244
005 1
183
112
678 1
182
137
718 1
182
076
067 8
290
828
821
European
France 1
404
875
907 1
408
287
165 1
411
769
545 1
415
324
592 1
418
941
328 1
422
813
729 1
427
718
983 9
909
731
249
Croatia 332
167
500 332
167
500 332
167
500 332
167
500 332
167
500 332
167
500 332
167
500 2
325
172
500
Union
Italy 1
480
213
402 1
483
373
476 1
486
595
990 1
489
882
162 1
493
236
530 1
496
609
799 1
499
799
408 10
429
710
767
Cyprus 18
895
839 18
893
552 18
891
207 18
888
801 18
886
389 18
883
108 18
875
481 132
214
377
Latvia 138
327
376 138
361
424 138
396
059 138
431
289 138
467
528 138
498
589 138
499
517 968
981
782
Lithuania 230
392
975 230
412
316 230
431
887 230
451
686 230
472
391 230
483
599 230
443
386 1
613
088
240
Luxembourg 14
226
474 14
272
231 14
318
896 14
366
484 14
415
051 14
464
074 14
511
390 100
574
600
Hungary 495
668
727 495
016
871 494
351
618 493
672
684 492
981
342 492
253
356 491
391
895 3
455
336
493
Malta 13
880
143 13
965
035 14
051
619 14
139
927 14
230
023 14
321
504 14
412
647 99
000
898
Netherlands 87
118
078 87
003
509 86
886
585 86
767
256 86
645
747 86
517
797 86
366
388 607
305
360
L
347/535
Austria 557
806
503 559
329
914 560
883
465 562
467
745 564
084
777 565
713
368 567
266
225 3
937
551
997
Poland 1
569
517
638 1
567
453
560 1
565
347
059 1
563
197
238 1
561
008
130 1
558
702
987 1
555
975
202 10
941
201
814

---

L 347/536
(current prices in EUR)
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 TOTAL
2014-2020
Portugal 577
031
070 577
895
019 578
775
888 579
674
001 580
591
241 581
504
133 582
317
022 4
057
788
374
Romania 1
149
848
554 1
148
336
385 1
146
793
135 1
145
218
149 1
143
614
381 1
141
925
604 1
139
927
194 8
015
663
402
Slovenia 118
678
072 119
006
876 119
342
187 119
684
133 120
033
142 120
384
760 120
720
633 837
849
803
EN

Slovakia 271
154
575 270
797
979 270
434
053 270
062
644 269
684
447 269
286
203 268
814
943 1
890
234
844
Finland 335
440
884 336
933
734 338
456
263 340
009
057 341
593
485 343
198
337 344
776
578 2
380
408
338
Sweden 248
858
535 249
014
757 249
173
940 249
336
135 249
502
108 249
660
989 249
768
786 1
745
315
250
United Kingdom 371
473
873 370
520
030 369
548
156 368
557
938 367
544
511 366
577
113 365
935
870 2
580
157
491
Total EU-28 13
618
149
060 13
618
658
677 13
619
178
488 13
619
708
697 13
620
249
509 13
620
801
137 13
621
363
797 95
338
109
365
Off
icial
Jour
Technical assistance (0,25 %) 34
130
699 34
131
977 34
133
279 34
134
608 34
135
964 34
137
346 34
138
756 238
942
629
nal
Total 13
652
279
759 13
652
790
654 13
653
311
767 13
653
843
305 13
654
385
473 13
654
938
483 13
655
502
553 95
577
051
994
of
the
European
Union
20.12.2013

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/537
ANNEX II
AMOUNTS AND SUPPORT RATES
Maximum
Article Subject
amount in EUR
or rate
15(8) Advisory
services,
farm
management
1 500 Per
advice
and farm relief services
200 000 Per
three
years
for
the
training
of
advisors
16(2) Information
and
promotion
activ
70 % Of the eligible costs of the action
ities
16(4) Quality
schemes
or
agricultural
3 000 Per
holding
per
year
products and foodstuffs
17(3) Investment
in
physical
assets Agricultural
sector
50 % Of
the
amount
of
eligible
investment
in
less
developed regions and in all regions whose
GDP per capita for the 2007 - 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.
75 % Of the amount of eligible investment in
outermost regions
75 % Of the amount of eligible investment in
Croatia for the implementation of Council
Directive 91/676/EEC ( 1 ) within a maximum
period of four years from the date of
accession pursuant to Article 3(2) and
Article 5(1) of that Directive
75 % Of
the
amount
of
eligible
investment
in
the
smaller Aegean islands
40 % Of the amount of eligible investment in other
regions
The above rates may be increased by an
additional 20 percentage points, provided
that maximum combined support does not
exceed 90 %, for:
— Young farmers as defined in this Regu
lation, or who have already set up
during the five years preceding the appli
cation for support;
— Collective investments and integrated
projects, including those linked to a
merger of producer organisations;
— Areas facing natural constraints and other
specific as referred to in Article 32;
— Operations supported in the framework of
the EIP;
— Investments linked to operations under
Articles 28 and 29

---

L 347/538
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
Maximum
Article Subject
amount in EUR
or rate
Processing and marketing of products listed in
Annex I to the TFEU
50 % Of
the
amount
of
eligible
investment
in
less
developed regions and in all regions whose
GDP per capita for the 2007 - 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
75 % Of the amount of eligible investment in
outermost regions
75 % Of
the
amount
of
eligible
investment
in
the
smaller Aegean islands
40 % Of
the
amount
of
eligible
investment
in
other
regions
The above rates may be increased by an
additional 20 percentage points, provided
that maximum combined support does not
exceed 90 %, for operations supported in
the framework of the EIP or those linked to
a merger of producer organisations
17(4) Investment
in
physical
assets 100
% Non-productive investments and agricultural
and forestry infrastructure
18(5) Restoring
agricultural
production
80 % Of
the
amount
of
eligible
investment
costs
for
potential damaged by natural
prevention operations carried out by indi
disasters and introduction of appro
vidual farmers.
priate prevention actions
100 % Of
the
amount
of
eligible
investment
costs
for
prevention operations carried out collectively
by more than one beneficiary.
100 % Of
the
amount
of
eligible
investment
costs
for
operations to restore agricultural land and
production potential damaged by natural
disasters and catastrophic events.
19(6) Farm
and
business
development 70
000 Per
young
farmer
under
Article
19(1)(a)(i)
70 000 Per
beneficiary
under
Article
19(1)(a)(ii)
15 000 Per
small
farm
under
Article
19(1)(a)(iii)
23(3) Establishment
of
agroforestry 80 % Of
the
amount
of
eligible
investment
for
the
systems
establishment of agroforestry systems

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/539
Maximum
Article Subject
amount in EUR
or rate
26(4) Investments
in
forestry
technologies
65 % Of
the
amount
of
eligible
investment
in
less
and in processing, in mobilising and
developed regions
in the marketing of forestry
products
75 % Of the amount of eligible investment in
outermost regions
75 % Of
the
amount
of
eligible
investment
in
the
smaller Aegean islands
40 % Of the amount of eligible investment in other
regions
27(4) Setting
up
of
producer
groups
and
10 % As a percentage of marketed production
organisations
during the first five years following recog
nition The support shall be degressive.
100 000 Maximum
amount
per
year
in
all
cases.
28(8) Agri-environment-climate 600
(*) Per
ha
per
year
for
annual
crops
900 (*) Per
ha
per
year
for
specialised
perennial
crops
450 (*) Per
ha
per
year
for
other
land
uses
200 (*) Per livestock unit ("LU") per year for local
breeds in danger of being lost to farmers
29(5) Organic
farming 600
(*) Per
ha
per
year
for
annual
crops
900 (*) Per
ha
per
year
for
specialised
perennial
crops
450 (*) Per
ha
per
year
for
other
land
uses
30(7) Natura
2000
and
Water
Framework
500 (*) Per
ha
per
year
maximum
in
the
initial
period
Directive payments
not exceeding five years
200 (*) Per
ha
per
year
maximum
50 (**) Per ha per year minimum for Water
Framework Directive payments
31(3) Payments
to
areas
facing
natural
or
25 Minimum per ha per year on average of the
other specific constraints
area of the beneficiary receiving support
250 (*) Maximum per ha per year
450 (*) Maximum
per
ha
per
year
in
mountain
areas
as defined in Article 32(2)
33(3) Animal
welfare 500 Per
LU

---

L 347/540
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
Maximum
Article Subject
amount in EUR
or rate
34(3) Forest-environmental
and
climate
200 (*) Per
ha
per
year
services and forest conservation
37(5) Crop,
animal
and
plant
insurance 65
% Of
the
insurance
premium
due
38(5) Mutual
funds
for
adverse
climatic
65 % Of
the
eligible
costs.
events, animal and plant diseases,
pest infestations and environmental
incidents
39(5) Income
stabilisation
tool 65
% Of
the
eligible
costs
( 1 ) Council Directive 91/676/EEC of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from
agricultural sources(OJ L 375, 31.12.1991, p. 1).
(*) These amounts may be increased in duly substantiated cases taking into account specific circumstances to be justified in the rural
development programmes.
(**) This amount may be decreased in duly substantiated cases taking into account specific circumstances to be justified in the rural
development programmes.
NB: The aid intensities are without prejudice to Union State aid rules.

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/541
ANNEX III
BIOPHYSICAL CRITERIA FOR THE DELIMITATION OF AREAS FACING NATURAL CONSTRAINTS
CRITERION DEFINITION THRESHOLD
CLIMATE
Length of growing period (number of days) ≤ 180 days
defined by number of days with daily
average temperature > 5 °C (LGPt5) or
Low Temperature (*)
Thermal-time sum (degree-days) for Growing ≤ 1 500 degree-days
Period defined by accumulated daily average
temperature > 5 °C
Ratio of the annual precipitation (P) to the P/PET ≤ 0.5
Dryness
annual potential evapotranspiration (PET)
CLIMATE AND SOIL
Excess Soil Moisture
Number of days at or above field capacity ≥ 230 days
SOIL
Areas which are water logged for significant Wet within 80 cm from the surface for over 6
duration of the year
months, or wet within 40 cm for over 11
months or
Limited Soil Drain
age (*)
Poorly or very poorly drained soil or
Gleyic colour pattern within 40 cm from the
surface
Relative abundance of clay, silt, sand, ≥ 15 % of topsoil volume is coarse material,
organic matter (weight %) and coarse including rock outcrop, boulder or
material (volumetric %) fractions
texture class in half or more (cumulatively) of the
100 cm soil surface is sand, loamy sand defined
as:
Silt % + (2 × clay %) ≤ 30 % or
Unfavourable Texture
Topsoil texture class is heavy clay
and Stoniness (*)
(≥≥ 60 % clay) or
Organic soil (organic matter ≥ 30 %) of at least
40 cm or
Topsoil contains 30 % or more clay, and there
are vertic properties within 100 cm of the soil
surface
Shallow Rooting
Depth (cm) from soil surface to coherent ≤ 30 cm
Depth
hard rock or hard pan

---

L 347/542
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
CRITERION DEFINITION THRESHOLD
Presence of salts, exchangeable sodium, Salinity: ≥ 4 deci-Siemens per meter (dS/m) in
excessive acidity
topsoil or
Poor Chemical Prop
Sodicity: ≥ 6 Exchangeable Sodium Percentage
erties (*)
(ESP) in half or more (cumulatively) of the
100 cm soil surface layer or
Soil Acidity: pH ≤ 5 (in water) in topsoil
TERRAIN
Change of elevation with respect to plani ≥ 15 %
Steep Slope
metric distance (%)
(*) Member States need only check fulfilment of this criterion against those of the thresholds that are relevant to the specific situation of
an area

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/543
ANNEX IV
INDICATIVE LIST OF MEASURES AND OPERATIONS OF PARTICULAR RELEVANCE TO THEMATIC
SUB-PROGRAMMES REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 7
Young farmers:
Business start-up aid for young farmers setting up for the first time in an agricultural holding
Investments in physical assets
Knowledge transfer and information actions
Advisory services, farm management and farm relief services
Co-operation
Investments in non-agricultural activities
Small farms:
Business start-up aid for the development of small farms
Investments in physical assets
Quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs
Knowledge transfer and information actions
Advisory services, farm management and farm relief services
Co-operation
Investments in non-agricultural activities
Setting up of producer groups
LEADER
Mountain areas:
Payments to areas facing natural or other specific constraints
Agri-environment climate operations
Co-operation
Investments in physical assets
Farm and business development in rural areas
Quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs
Establishment of agroforestry systems
Basic services and village renewal in rural areas
Knowledge transfer and information actions
Advisory services, farm management and farm relief services
Setting up of producer groups
LEADER
Short supply chains:
Co-operation
Setting up of producer groups
LEADER
Quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

---

L 347/544
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
Basic services and village renewal in rural areas
Investments in physical assets
Knowledge transfer and information actions
Advisory services, farm management and farm relief services
Women in rural areas:
Knowledge transfer and information actions
Advisory services, farm management and farm relief services
Investments in physical assets
Farm and business development
Basic services and village renewal in rural areas
Co-operation
LEADER
Climate change mitigation and adaptation and biodiversity:
Knowledge transfer & information actions
Advisory services, farm management and farm relief services
Investments in physical assets
Restoring agricultural production potential damaged by natural disasters and catastrophic events and introduction of
appropriate prevention action
Basic services & village renewal in rural areas
Investments in forest area development and improvement of the viability of forests
Agri-environment-climate
Organic farming
Natura 2000 and Water framework directive payments
Payments to areas facing natural and other specific constraints (biodiversity)
Forest-environmental and climate services and forest conservation
Co-operation
Risk management

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/545
ANNEX V
EX ANTE CONDITIONALITIES FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT
1. PRIORITIES-LINKED CONDITIONALITIES
EU priority for RD / CPR
Thematic Objective (TO)
Ex ante conditionality Criteria
for
fulfilment
RD priority 3: promoting 3.1. Risk prevention and risk — A national or regional risk assessment
food chain organisation, management: the existence of
with the following elements shall be in
including processing and national or regional risk assessments
place:
marketing of agricultural for disaster management. taking into
products, animal welfare and account climate change adaptation
— A description of the process,
risk management in agri
methodology, methods and non-
culture
sensitive data used for risk
assessment as well as of the risk-
TO 5: promoting climate
based criteria for the prioritisation
change adaptation, risk
of investment;
prevention and management
— A description of single-risk and
multi-risk scenarios;
— Taking into account, where appro
priate, national climate change
adaptation strategies.
RD priority 4: restoring, pre 4.1 Good Agricultural and Environ — GAEC standards are defined in national
serving and enhancing eco mental Conditions (GAEC): standards
law and specified in the programmes;
systems related to agriculture for good agricultural and environ
and forestry
mental condition of land referred to
in Chapter I of Title VI of Regulation
(EU) 1306/2013 are established at
national level
TO 5: promoting climate 4.2 Minimum requirements for ferti — minimum requirements for fertilisers
change adaptation, risk pre lisers and plant protection products:
and plant protection products referred
vention and management
minimum requirements for fertilisers
to in Chapter I of Title III of this Regu
and plant protection products referred
lation are specified in the programmes;
to in Article 28 of Chapter I of Title
III of this Regulation are defined at
national level
TO 6: Preserving and protect 4.3 other relevant national standards: — relevant mandatory national standards
ing the environment and pro relevant mandatory national standards
are specified in the programmes;
moting resource efficiency
are defined for the purpose of Ar
ticle 28 of Chapter I of Title III of
this Regulation
RD priority 5: promoting re 5.1 Energy efficiency: Actions have — The actions are:
source efficiency and suppor been carried out to promote cost-ef
ting the shift towards a low fective improvements of energy end
— Measures to ensure minimum
carbon and climate resilient use efficiency and cost-effective invest
requirements are in place related to
economy in the agriculture ment in Energy efficiency when con
the energy performance of buildings
and food sectors and the fore structing or renovating buildings.
consistent with Articles 3, 4 and 5
stry sector
of Directive 2010/31/EU of the
European Parliament and the Coun
TO 4: supporting the shift to
cil ( 1 ).
wards a low-carbon economy
in all sectors
— Measures necessary to establish a
system of certification of the energy
TO 6: Preserving and protect
performance of buildings consistent
ing the environment and pro
with Article 11 of Directive
moting resource efficiency
2010/31/EU
— Measures to ensure strategic plan
ning on energy efficiency, consistent
with Article 3 of Directive 2012/27
EU of the European Parliament and
the Council ( 2 ).

---

L 347/546
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
EU priority for RD / CPR
Thematic Objective (TO)
Ex ante conditionality Criteria
for
fulfilment
— Measures consistent with Article 13
of Directive 2006/32/EC of the
European Parliament and the Coun
cil ( 3 ) on energy end-use efficiency
and energy services to ensure the
provision to final customers of indi
vidual meters in so far as it is tech
nically possible, financially reason
able and proportionate in relation
to the potential energy savings.
5.2 Water sector: The existence of a) — In sectors supported by the EAFRD, a
a water pricing policy which provides
Member State has ensured a contribu
adequate incentives for users to use
tion of the different water uses to the
water resources efficiently and b) an
recovery of the costs of water services
adequate contribution of the different
by sector consistent with Article 9, para
water uses to the recovery of the costs
graph 1 first indent of the Water Frame
of water services at a rate determined
work Directive having regard where ap
in the approved river basin manage
propriate, to the social, environmental
ment plan for investment supported
and economic effects of the recovery
by the programmes.
as well as the geographic and climatic
conditions of the region or regions af
fected.
5.3 Renewable energy: Actions have — Transparent support schemes, priority in
been carried out to promote the pro
grid access or guaranteed access and
duction and distribution of renewable
priority in dispatching, as well as stan
energy sources ( 4 ).
dard rules relating to the bearing and
sharing of costs of technical adaptations
which have been made public are in
place consistent with Article 14(1) and
Article 16(2) and (3) of Directive
2009/28/EC
— A Member State has adopted a national
renewable energy action plan consistent
with Article 4 of Directive 2009/28/EC
RD priority 6: promoting so 6. Next Generation Network (NGN) — A national or regional NGN Plan is in
cial inclusion poverty reduc Infrastructure: The existence of
place that contains:
tion and economic devel national or regional NGA Plans
— a plan of infrastructure investments
opment in rural areas
which take account of regional actions
based on an economic analysis tak
TO 2: Enhancing access to, in order to reach the Union high-
ing account of existing private and
and use and quality of, in speed Internet access targets, focusing
public infrastructures and planned
formation and communi on areas where the market fails to
investments;
cation technologies (Broad provide an open infrastructure at an
— sustainable investment models that
band target)
affordable cost and of a quality in
line with the Union competition and
enhance competition and provide
State aid rules and to provide access
access to open, affordable, quality
ible services to vulnerable groups.
and future proof infrastructure and
services;
— measures to stimulate private invest
ment.
( 1 ) Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 on the energy performance of buildings
(OJ L 153, 18.6.2010, p. 13).
( 2 ) Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending
Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC (OJ L 315, 14.11.2012, p. 1).
( 3 ) Directive 2006/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2006 on energy end-use efficiency and energy
services and repealing Council Directive 93/76/EEC (OJ L 114, 27.4.2006, p. 64).
( 4 ) Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy
from renewable sources and amending and subsequently repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC (OJ L 140, 5.6.2009,
p. 16).

---

EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/547
ANNEX VI
INDICATIVE LIST OF MEASURES WITH RELEVANCE TO ONE OR MORE UNION PRIORITIES FOR RURAL
DEVELOPMENT
Measures of particular relevance to several Union priorities
Article 15
Advisory services, farm management and farm relief services
Article 17
Investments in physical assets
Article 19
Farm and business development
Article 35
Co-operation
Article 42 - 44 LEADER
Measures of particular relevance to fostering knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture, forestry, and rural areas
Article 14
Knowledge transfer and information actions
Article 26
Investments in forestry technologies and in processing in mobilising and in the marketing of forestry
products
Measures of particular relevance for enhancing the competitiveness of all types of agriculture and enhancing farm viability
Article 16
Quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs
Measures of particular relevance to promoting food chain organisation and risk management in agriculture
Article 18
Restoring agricultural production potential damaged by natural disasters and catastrophic events and
introduction of appropriate prevention actions
Article 24
Prevention and restoration of damage to forests from forest fires and natural disasters and catastrophic
events
Article 27
Setting up of producer groups
Article 33
Animal welfare
Article 36
Risk management
Article 37
Crop, animal, and plant insurance
Article 38
Mutual funds for animal and plant diseases and environmental incidents
Article 39
Income stabilisation tool
Measure of particular relevance to restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems dependent on agriculture and forestry
and
Promoting resource efficiency and supporting the shift towards a low carbon and climate resilient economy in agriculture,
food and forestry sectors
Article 21(1)(a) Afforestation and creation of woodland
Article 21(1)(b) Establishment of agroforestry systems

---

L 347/548
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
Article 21(1)(d) Investments improving the resilience and environmental value as well as the mitigation of potential
forest ecosystems
Article 28
Agri-environment-climate
Article 29
Organic farming
Article 30
Natura 2000 and Water framework directive payments
Article 31 -32
Payments to areas facing natural or other specific constraints
Article 34
Forest-environmental and climate services and forest conservation
Measures of particular relevance to promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural
areas
Article 20
Basic services and village renewal in rural areas
Article 42 – 44 LEADER

---

Document Outline

• �

---