Regolamento 1698/2005 del 20 settembre 2005 sul sostegno allo sviluppo rurale da parte del fondo europeo agricolo per lo sviluppo rurale (FEASR), Regulation 1698/2005 of 20 september 2005 on support for rural development by the european agricultural fund for rural development (EAFRD)

Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005

of 20 September 2005

on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 36, 37 and 299(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament [1],

(1) A rural development policy should accompany and complement the market and income support policies of the common agricultural policy and thus contribute to the achievement of that policy’s objectives as laid down in the Treaty. Rural development policy should also take into account the general objectives for economic and social cohesion policy set out in the Treaty and contribute to their achievement, while integrating other major policy priorities as spelled out in the conclusions of the Lisbon and Göteborg European Councils for competitiveness and sustainable development.

(2) According to the Treaty, in working out the common agricultural policy and the special methods for its application, account is to be taken of the particular nature of agricultural activity which results from the social structure of agriculture and from structural and natural disparities between the various rural areas.

(3) The reform of the common agricultural policy in June 2003 and April 2004 introduced major changes likely to have a significant impact on the economy across the whole rural territory of the Community in terms of agricultural production patterns, land management methods, employment and the wider social and economic conditions in the various rural areas.

(4) Action by the Community should be complementary to that carried out by the Member States or seek to contribute to it. The partnership should be strengthened through arrangements for the participation of various types of partners with full regard to the institutional competences of the Member States. The partners concerned should be involved in the preparation, monitoring and evaluation of programming.

(5) Since the objective of this Regulation, namely rural development, cannot be achieved sufficiently by the Member States given the links between it and the other instruments of the common agricultural policy, the extent of the disparities between the various rural areas and the limits on the financial resources of the Member States in an enlarged Union, and can therefore be better achieved at Community level through the multiannual guarantee of Community finance and by concentrating it on its priorities, the Community may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective.

(6) The activities of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (hereinafter the EAFRD) and the operations to which it contributes must be consistent and compatible with the other Community policies and comply with all Community legislation.

(7) In its action in favour of rural development, the Community takes care to eliminate inequalities and to promote equality between men and women and non-discrimination, in accordance with the Treaty.

(8) To focus the strategic content of rural development policy in line with the Community’s priorities and hereby favour its transparency, the Council should adopt strategic guidelines on a proposal from the Commission.

(9) On the basis of the strategic guidelines, each Member State should prepare its rural development national strategy plan constituting the reference framework for the preparation of the rural development programmes. Member States and the Commission should report on the monitoring of the national and Community strategy.

(10) The programming of rural development should comply with Community and national priorities and complement the other Community policies, in particular the agricultural market policy, cohesion policy and common fisheries policy.

(11) To ensure the sustainable development of rural areas it is necessary to focus on a limited number of core objectives at Community level relating to agricultural and forestry competitiveness, land management and environment, quality of life and diversification of activities in those areas, taking into account the diversity of situations, ranging from remote rural areas suffering from depopulation and decline to peri-urban rural areas under increasing pressure from urban centres.

(12) There is a need to establish general rules for programming and revising rural development programming, while ensuring an appropriate balance between the axes of the rural development programmes corresponding to those core objectives. The duration of the programmes should be of seven years.

(13) To achieve the objective of improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sectors it is important to build clear development strategies aimed at enhancing and adapting human potential, physical potential and the quality of agricultural production.

(14) With regard to human potential, a set of measures on training, information and diffusion of knowledge, setting up of young farmers, early retirement of farmers and farm workers, use by farmers and forest holders of advisory services and on the setting up of farm management, farm relief and farm advisory services as well as forestry advisory services should be made available.

(15) As regards training, information and diffusion of knowledge, the evolution and specialisation of agriculture and forestry require an appropriate level of technical and economic training, including expertise in new information technologies, as well as adequate awareness in the fields of product quality, results of research and sustainable management of natural resources, including cross-compliance requirements and the application of production practices compatible with the maintenance and enhancement of the landscape and the protection of the environment. It is therefore necessary to broaden the scope of training, information and diffusion of knowledge activities to all adult persons dealing with agricultural, food and forestry matters. These activities cover issues under both the agricultural and forestry competitiveness and the land management and environment objectives.

(16) The granting of specific benefits to young farmers may facilitate both their initial establishment and the structural adjustment of their holdings after their initial setting up. The setting-up measure should be made conditional on the establishment of a business plan as an instrument to ensure over time the development of the activities of the new agricultural holding.

(17) Early retirement from farming should target a significant structural change of the transferred holdings through the measure for the setting-up of young farmers according to the requirements of that measure, or by transferring the holding with a view to increasing its size, also taking into account the experience acquired in the implementation of previous Community schemes in this field.

(18) The use by farmers and forest holders of management and advisory services should allow them to improve the sustainable management of their holdings. At least, the use of farm advisory services, as provided for in Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 of 29 September 2003 establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers [2], should help farmers to assess the performance of their agricultural holding and identify necessary improvements with regard to the statutory management requirements set out in that Regulation and to Community standards relating to occupational safety.

(19) The setting up of farm management, farm relief and farm advisory services for farmers and of forestry advisory services for forest holders should help them to adapt, improve and facilitate management and improve the overall performance of their holdings by further enhancing the human potential operating in the agricultural and forestry sectors.

(20) With regard to physical potential, a set of measures on the modernisation of agricultural holdings, improvement of the economic value of forests, adding value to agricultural and forestry products, promoting the development of new products, processes and technologies in the agriculture and food sector and in the forestry sector, improvement and development of agricultural and forestry infrastructure, restoring agricultural production potential damaged by natural disasters and introduction of appropriate prevention measures should be made available.

(21) The purpose of Community farm investment aid is to modernise agricultural holdings to improve their economic performance through better use of the production factors including the introduction of new technologies and innovation, targeting quality, organic products and on/off-farm diversification, including non-food sectors and energy crops, as well as improving the environmental, occupational safety, hygiene and animal welfare status of agricultural holdings, while simplifying the conditions for investment aid as compared with those laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) [3].

(22) Private forests play an important role in economic activity in rural areas and, therefore, Community aid is important for improving and broadening their economic value, for increasing diversification of production and enhancing market opportunities, in sectors such as that for renewable energy, while maintaining the sustainable management and the multifunctional role of forests.

(23) Improvements in the processing and marketing of primary agricultural and forestry products should be encouraged by means of support for investments aimed at improving efficiency in the processing and marketing sector, promoting the processing of agricultural and forestry production for renewable energy, introducing new technologies and innovation, opening new market opportunities for agricultural and forestry products, putting emphasis on quality, improving environmental protection, occupational safety, hygiene and animal welfare, as appropriate, by targeting, as a general rule, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and other enterprises under a certain size, which are better placed to add value to local products, while simplifying the conditions for investment aid as compared with those laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999.

(24) In a context of increased competition it is important to ensure that the agriculture and food sector and the forestry sector can take advantage of market opportunities through widespread innovative approaches in developing new products, processes and technologies. For this purpose cooperation between farmers, the food and the raw materials processing industry and other parties should be encouraged.

(25) Agricultural infrastructure and restorative and preventive measures against natural disasters should contribute to the agricultural and forestry competitiveness axis.

(26) With regard to the quality of agricultural production and products, a set of measures on meeting standards by farmers based on Community legislation, encouraging participation of farmers in food quality schemes and supporting producer groups for information and promotion activities should be made available.

(27) The aim of the measure on meeting standards is to promote a more rapid implementation by farmers of demanding standards based on Community legislation concerning the environment, public health, animal and plant health, animal welfare and occupational safety and the respect of those standards by farmers. These standards may impose new obligations on farmers and consequently support should be provided to help cover partly the additional costs or income foregone arising from these obligations.

(28) The aim of the measure providing support for farmers participating in Community or national food quality schemes is to provide consumers with assurances on the quality of the product or the production process used as a result of their participation in such schemes, to achieve added value for agricultural primary products and enhance market opportunities. Since participation in such schemes may give rise to additional costs and obligations which are not fully rewarded by the marketplace, farmers should be encouraged to participate in such schemes.

(29) There is a need to improve consumers’ awareness of the existence and specifications of products produced under the aforementioned quality schemes. Support should be provided to producer groups to inform consumers and promote products provided under quality schemes supported by Member States within their rural development programmes.

(30) There is a need to ensure the smooth transition of a set of individual measures introduced through the 2003 Act of Accession, namely the measure on semi-subsistence farming and the measure on producer groups.

(31) Support for specific methods of land management should contribute to sustainable development by encouraging farmers and forest holders in particular to employ methods of land use compatible with the need to preserve the natural environment and landscape and protect and improve natural resources. It should contribute to the implementation of the 6th Community Environment Action Programme and the Presidency conclusions regarding the Sustainable Development Strategy. Key issues to be addressed include biodiversity, Natura 2000 site management, the protection of water and soil, climate change mitigation including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the reduction of ammonia emissions and the sustainable use of pesticides.

(32) Forestry is an integral part of rural development and support for sustainable land use should encompass the sustainable management of forests and their multifunctional role. Forests create multiple benefits: they provide raw material for renewable and environmentally friendly products and play an important role in economic welfare, biological diversity, the global carbon cycle, water balance, erosion control and the prevention of natural hazards, as well as providing social and recreational services. Forestry measures should be adopted in the light of undertakings given by the Community and the Member States at international level, and be based on Member States’ national or sub-national forest programmes or equivalent instruments, which should take into account the commitments made in the Ministerial Conferences on the Protection of Forests in Europe. Forestry measures should contribute to the implementation of the Community Forestry Strategy. This support should avoid distorting competition and should be market-neutral.

(33) Natural handicap payments in mountain areas and payments in other areas with handicaps should contribute, through continued use of agricultural land, to maintaining the countryside, as well as to maintaining and promoting sustainable farming systems. Objective parameters for fixing the level of payments should be laid down in order to ensure the efficiency of this support scheme and ensure that its objectives are achieved. Certain provisions of Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 concerning support for less favoured areas should remain in force for a period of time.

(34) Support should continue to be granted to farmers to help address specific disadvantages in the areas concerned resulting from the implementation of Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds [4] and Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora [5] in order to contribute to the effective management of Natura 2000 sites, while support should also be made available to farmers to help address disadvantages in river basin areas resulting from the implementation of Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for the Community action in the field of the water policy [6].

(35) Agri-environmental payments should continue to play a prominent role in supporting the sustainable development of rural areas and in responding to society’s increasing demand for environmental services. They should further encourage farmers and other land managers to serve society as a whole by introducing or continuing to apply agricultural production methods compatible with the protection and improvement of the environment, the landscape and its features, natural resources, the soil and genetic diversity. In this context the conservation of genetic resources in agriculture should be given specific attention. In accordance with the polluter-pays principle these payments should cover only those commitments going beyond the relevant mandatory standards.

(36) Farmers should continue to be encouraged to adopt high standards of animal welfare by providing for support for farmers who undertake to adopt standards of animal husbandry which go beyond the relevant mandatory standards.

(37) Support should be granted for non-remunerative investments where they are necessary to achieve the commitments undertaken under agri-environmental schemes or other agri-environmental objectives, or where they enhance on-farm the public amenity value of Natura 2000 areas and other areas of high natural value.

(38) In order to contribute to the protection of the environment, the prevention of natural hazards and fires, as well as to mitigate climate change, forest resources should be extended and improved by first afforestation of agricultural land and other than agricultural land. Any first afforestation should be adapted to local conditions and compatible with the environment and enhance biodiversity.

(39) Agri-forestry systems have a high ecological and social value by combining extensive agriculture and forestry systems, aimed at the production of high-quality wood and other forest products. Their establishment should be supported.

(40) Given the importance of forests for the successful implementation of Directives 79/409/EEC and 92/43/EEC, specific support should be granted to forest holders to help address specific problems resulting from their implementation.

(41) Forest-environment payments should be introduced for voluntary commitments to enhance biodiversity, preserve high-value forest ecosystems and reinforce the protective value of forests with respect to soil erosion, maintenance of water resources and water quality and to natural hazards.

(42) Support should be granted for restoring forestry potential in forests damaged by natural disasters and fire and introducing preventive actions. Preventive actions against fires should cover areas classified by Member States as high or medium fire risk according to their forest protection plans.

(43) Support should be granted to forest holders for non-remunerative investments where they are necessary to achieve the forest-environment commitments or other environmental objectives, or in forests to enhance the public amenity value of the areas concerned.

(44) In order to ensure the targeted and efficient use of land management support under this Regulation, Member States should designate areas for intervention under certain measures of this axis. Mountain areas and other areas with handicaps should be designated on the basis of objective common criteria. Therefore, Council Directives and Decisions adopting lists of less favoured areas or amending such lists in accordance with Article 21(2) and (3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 950/97 of 20 May 1997 on improving the efficiency of agricultural structures [7] should be repealed with effect at a later date. Natura 2000 areas are designated in accordance with Directives 79/409/EEC and 92/43/EEC. Member States should designate areas suitable for afforestation for environmental reasons, such as protection against erosion, prevention of natural hazards or extension of forest resources contributing to climate change mitigation, and forest areas with a medium to high forest fire risk.

(45) A penalty system should be set up where beneficiaries receiving payments under certain land management measures do not meet the mandatory requirements provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 on all of their holding, taking into account the severity, extent, permanence and repetition of non-compliance.

(46) There is a need to accompany changes in rural areas by helping them to diversify farming activities towards non-agricultural activities and develop non-agricultural sectors, promote employment, improve basic services, including local access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and carry out investments making rural areas more attractive in order to reverse trends towards economic and social decline and depopulation of the countryside. An effort to enhance the human potential in this respect is also necessary.

(47) Support should be granted for other measures relating to the broader rural economy. The list of measures should be defined on the basis of experience of the Leader initiative and having regard to the multi-sectoral needs for endogenous rural development.

(48) The implementation of local development strategies can reinforce territorial coherence and synergies between measures intended for the broader rural economy and population. Therefore, measures relating to the broader rural economy should be preferably implemented through local development strategies.

(49) There is a need to clearly define the principles of coherence and complementarity of the axis for the improvement of the quality of life in rural areas and the diversification of the rural economy with other Community financial instruments, and particularly with those of cohesion policy.

(50) The Leader initiative, after having experienced three programming periods, has reached a level of maturity enabling rural areas to implement the Leader approach more widely in mainstream rural development programming. Provision should therefore be made to transfer the basic principles of the Leader approach to the programmes building a specific axis in them, and provide a definition of the local action groups and measures to be supported, including partnership capacity, implementation of local strategies, cooperation, networking and acquisition of skills.

(51) Given the importance of the Leader approach, a substantial share of the contribution of the EAFRD should be earmarked for this axis.

(52) The EAFRD is to support through technical assistance actions relating to the implementation of the programmes. As part of the technical assistance referred to in Article 5 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 of 21 June 2005 on the financing of the common agricultural policy [8], a network for rural development should be set up at Community level.

(53) Provisions on the allocation of the available resources should be introduced. These resources should be consistent with the financial perspective for the period 2007 to 2013. The overall amount for rural development should be allocated annually. Significant concentration on the regions eligible under the Convergence Objective should be allowed.

(54) Provision should be made for the Council to determine the amount for Community support to rural development under this Regulation for the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013, its annual breakdown and the minimum amount to be concentrated in regions eligible under the Convergence Objective in accordance with the financial perspective for the period 2007 to 2013 and the Interinstitutional Agreement on budgetary discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure for the same period.

(55) The annual appropriations allocated to a Member State for the Convergence Objective under the Funds for the part coming from the EAGGF Guidance Section, the Structural Funds, the Cohesion Fund (hereinafter the CF) and the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance [9](hereinafter the FIFG) should be limited to a ceiling fixed with regard to its capacity for absorption.

(56) For the indicative breakdown of commitment appropriations available to the Member States criteria should be established according to an objective and transparent method.

(57) Over and above these amounts the Member States should take account of the amounts pursuant to Article 12(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005.

(58) The appropriations available under the Funds should be indexed on a flat-rate basis for programming.

(59) The rate of the EAFRD contribution to rural development programming should be set in relation to public expenditure in the Member States, taking account of the importance of the priority given to land management and environment, the situation in the regions eligible under the Convergence Objective and the priority given to the Leader approach.

(60) In order to mitigate the specific constraints and structural problems in farming and forestry activities and in adding value to agricultural and forestry products as a result of remoteness, insularity or distant location and of the dependency of the rural economy on a limited number of agricultural products, and to promote a robust rural development policy, specific provisions for certain rural development measures, as well as appropriate co-financing rates from the EAFRD should apply in the outermost regions referred to in the Treaty and the islands covered by Council Regulation (EEC) No 2019/93 of 19 July 1993 introducing specific measures for the smaller Aegean islands concerning certain agricultural products [10].

(61) In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity and subject to exceptions, there should be national rules on the eligibility of expenditure.

(62) To ensure the effectiveness, fairness and sustainable impact of the assistance from the EAFRD, there should be provisions guaranteeing that investment-related operations are durable and avoiding this fund being used to introduce unfair competition.

(63) Decentralised implementation of the actions under the EAFRD should be accompanied by guarantees relating in particular to the quality of implementation, the results, sound financial management and control.

(64) Member States should take measures to guarantee sound functioning of management and control systems. To this end, it is necessary to establish the general principles and the basic functions which any management and control system should ensure. It is therefore necessary to maintain the designation of a single Managing Authority and to specify its responsibilities.

(65) Each rural development programme should be subject to appropriate monitoring, by a Monitoring Committee, on the basis of a common monitoring and evaluation framework established and implemented in partnership with the Member States, to effectively meet the specific needs of rural development.

(66) The effectiveness and the impact of actions under the EAFRD also depend on improved evaluation on the basis of the common monitoring and evaluation framework. In particular, the programmes should be evaluated for their preparation, implementation and completion.

(67) To enable the partnership to function effectively and promote Community action, information on it should be publicised as widely as possible. The authorities managing the programmes have a responsibility in this respect.

(68) Rural development as defined in this Regulation should be eligible for Member State support without Community co-financing. In view of the economic impact of such aid and in order to ensure consistency with measures eligible for Community support and to simplify procedures, specific State aid rules should be established, also taking into account the experience from the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999. Moreover, Member States should be authorised to grant State aid, intended to provide additional financing for rural development for which Community support is granted, under a notification procedure in accordance with the provisions of this Regulation as part of programming.

(69) There is a need to adopt rules to facilitate the transition from the existing support scheme to the new rural development support scheme.

(70) The new support scheme provided for in this Regulation replaces the existing support scheme. Therefore, Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 should be repealed from 1 January 2007 with the exception of certain provisions concerning less favoured areas which should be repealed at a later date.

(71) The measures necessary for the implementation of this Regulation should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission [11].

(72) The European Economic and Social Committee has delivered an opinion [12].

(73) The Committee of the Regions has delivered an opinion [13],

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

OBJECTIVES AND GENERAL RULES ON ASSISTANCE

SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS

ScopeThis Regulation:

1) lays down the general rules governing Community support for rural development, financed by the EAFRD, established by Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005;

2) defines the Objectives to which rural development policy is to contribute;

3) defines the strategic context for rural development policy, including the method for fixing the Community strategic guidelines for rural development policy (hereinafter the Community strategic guidelines) and the national strategy plans;

4) defines the priorities and measures for rural development;

5) lays down rules on partnership, programming, evaluation, financial management, monitoring and control on the basis of responsibilities shared between the Member States and the Commission.

For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) "programming": the process of organisation, decision-taking and financing in several stages intended to implement, on a multiannual basis, the joint action by the Community and the Member States to achieve the priority goals of the EAFRD;

(b) "region": territorial unit corresponding to level 1 or 2 of the Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics (NUTS level 1 and 2) within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 on the establishment of a common classification of territorial units for statistics (NUTS) [14];

(c) "axis": a coherent group of measures with specific goals resulting directly from their implementation and contributing to one or more of the objectives set out in Article 4;

(d) "measure": a set of operations contributing to the implementation of an axis as referred to in Article 4(2);

(e) "operation": a project, contract or arrangement, or other action selected according to criteria laid down for the rural development programme concerned and implemented by one or more beneficiaries allowing achievement of the objectives set out in Article 4;

(f) "common monitoring and evaluation framework": a general approach developed by the Commission and the Member States defining a limited number of common indicators relating to the baseline situation and the financial execution, outputs, results and impacts of the programmes;

(g) "local development strategy": a coherent set of operations to meet local objectives and needs implemented in partnership at the appropriate level;

(h) "beneficiary": an operator, body or firm, whether public or private, responsible for implementing operations or receiving support;

(i) "public expenditure": any public contribution to the financing of operations whose origin is the budget of the State, of regional and local authorities, of the European Communities and any similar expenditure. Any contribution to the financing of operations whose origin is the budget of public law bodies or associations of one or more regional or local authorities or public law bodies within the meaning of Directive 2004/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 on the coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts [15] shall be regarded as public contribution;

(j) "Convergence Objective": the objective of the action for the least developed Member States and regions according to the Community legislation governing the European Regional Development Fund (hereinafter the ERDF), the European Social Fund (hereinafter the ESF) and the CF for the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013.

MISSIONS AND OBJECTIVES

The EAFRD shall contribute to the promotion of sustainable rural development throughout the Community in a complementary manner to the market and income support policies of the common agricultural policy, to cohesion policy and to the common fisheries policy.

1. Support for rural development shall contribute to achieving the following objectives:

(a) improving the competitiveness of agriculture and forestry by supporting restructuring, development and innovation;

(b) improving the environment and the countryside by supporting land management;

2. The objectives set out in paragraph 1 shall be implemented by means of the four axes defined in Title IV.

PRINCIPLES OF ASSISTANCE

Complementarity, consistency and conformity

1. The EAFRD shall complement national, regional and local actions contributing to the Community’s priorities.

2. The Commission and the Member States shall ensure that the assistance from the EAFRD and the Member States is consistent with the activities, policies and priorities of the Community. The assistance of the EAFRD shall be consistent with the objectives of Economic and Social Cohesion and those of the Community support instrument for fisheries in particular.

3. This consistency shall be provided by the Community strategic guidelines referred to in Article 9, the national strategy plan referred to in Article 11, the rural development programmes referred to in Article 15 and the Commission report referred to in Article 14.

4. In accordance with their respective responsibilities, the Commission and the Member States shall ensure the coordination between the assistance from the different Funds, the ERDF, the ESF, the CF, the Community support instrument for fisheries, and the interventions of the European Investment Bank (hereinafter the EIB), and of other Community financial instruments.

5. There shall also be consistency with the measures financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund.

6. No support under this Regulation shall be granted to schemes eligible for support under common market organisations, subject to any exceptions yet to be defined, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 90(2).

7. The Member States shall ensure that the operations financed by the EAFRD are in conformity with the Treaty and any acts adopted under it.

1. EAFRD assistance shall be implemented through close consultations (hereinafter partnership) between the Commission and the Member State and with the authorities and bodies designated by the Member State under national rules and practices, including:

(a) the competent regional, local authorities and other public authorities;

(b) the economic and social partners;

(c) any other appropriate body representing civil society, non-governmental organisations, including environmental organisations, and bodies responsible for promoting equality between men and women.

The Member State shall designate the most representative partners at national, regional and local level and in the economic, social, environmental or other sphere (hereinafter partners). It shall create the conditions for a broad and effective involvement of all appropriate bodies, in accordance with national rules and practices, taking into account the need to promote equality between men and women and sustainable development through integration of environmental protection and improvement requirements.

2. The partnership shall be conducted with due regard to the respective institutional, legal and financial responsibilities of each category of partner as defined under paragraph 1.

3. The partnership shall be involved in the preparation and monitoring of the national strategy plan and in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the rural development programmes. Member States shall involve all appropriate partners at the various programming stages, due regard being had to the time limit set for each step.

Member States shall be responsible for implementing the rural development programmes at the appropriate territorial level, according to their own institutional arrangements, in accordance with this Regulation.

Equality between men and women and non-discrimination

Member States and the Commission shall promote equality between men and women and shall ensure that any discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation is prevented during the various stages of programme implementation.

This includes the stages of design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

THE STRATEGIC APPROACH TO RURAL DEVELOPMENT

THE COMMUNITY STRATEGIC GUIDELINES

Content and adoption

1. The Council shall adopt Community strategic guidelines for rural development policy for the programming period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013 in the light of the policy priorities set at Community level.

These strategic guidelines shall set at Community level the strategic priorities for rural development for the programming period with a view to implementing each of the axes laid down in this Regulation.

2. By 20 February 2006, a decision on the Community strategic guidelines shall be adopted according to the procedure laid down in Article 37 of the Treaty. The decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

With a view to taking account of major changes in the Community priorities in particular, the Community strategic guidelines may be subject to review.

NATIONAL STRATEGY PLANS

1. Each Member State shall submit a national strategy plan indicating the priorities of the action of the EAFRD and of the Member State concerned taking into account the Community strategic guidelines, their specific objectives, the contribution from the EAFRD and the other financial resources.

2. The national strategy plan shall ensure that Community aid for rural development is consistent with the Community strategic guidelines and that Community, national and regional priorities all coordinate. The national strategy plan shall be a reference tool for preparing EAFRD programming. It shall be implemented through the rural development programmes.

3. Each national strategy plan shall include:

(a) an evaluation of the economic, social and environmental situation and the potential for development;

(b) the strategy chosen for joint action by the Community and the Member State concerned, showing the consistency of the choices made with the Community strategic guidelines;

(c) the thematic and territorial priorities for rural development under each axis, including the main quantified objectives and the appropriate monitoring and evaluation indicators;

(d) a list of the rural development programmes implementing the national strategy plan and an indicative EAFRD allocation for each programme, including the amounts provided for in Article 12(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005;

(e) the means to ensure coordination with the other common agricultural policy instruments, the ERDF, the ESF, the CF, the Community support instrument for fisheries and the EIB;

(f) if appropriate, the budget for achieving the Convergence Objective;

(g) a description of the arrangements and the indication of the amount earmarked for establishing the national rural network referred to in Articles 66(3) and 68.

1. Each Member State shall prepare a national strategy plan after the Community strategic guidelines are adopted.

This plan shall be prepared in accordance with the Member States’ institutional arrangements, following close collaboration with the partners referred to in Article 6. It shall be drawn up in close collaboration with the Commission and shall cover the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013.

2. Each Member State shall send the Commission its national strategy plan before submitting its rural development programmes.

STRATEGIC MONITORING

Summary reports by Member States

1. For the first time in 2010 and no later than 1 October each second year, each Member State shall submit to the Commission a summary report setting out the progress made in implementing its national strategy plan and objectives and its contribution to the achievement of the Community strategic guidelines. The last summary report shall be submitted no later than 1 October 2014.

2. The report shall summarise the previous years’ annual progress reports referred to in Article 82 and shall describe in particular:

(a) the achievements and results of the rural development programmes relative to the indicators set out in the national strategy plan;

(b) the results of the ongoing evaluation activities for each programme.

3. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, for single programmes as referred to in Article 15(2) Member States may include in the annual progress reports referred to in Article 82 the elements provided for in paragraph 2 of this Article within the time limit set in Article 82.

1. For the first time in 2011 and at the start of each second year, the Commission shall present a report summarising the main developments, trends and challenges relating to the implementation of the national strategy plans and the Community strategic guidelines. The last Commission report shall be presented at the start of 2015.

This report shall be based on the Commission’s analysis and appraisal of the Member States’ summary reports referred to in Article 13 and any other available information. It shall indicate the measures taken or to be taken by the Member States and Commission in order to provide an appropriate follow-up to the report’s conclusions.

2. The Commission report shall be sent to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.

Rural development programmes

1. The EAFRD shall act in the Member States through rural development programmes. These programmes implement a rural development strategy through a set of measures grouped together in accordance with the axes defined in Title IV, for the achievement of which aid from the EAFRD will be sought.

Each rural development programme shall cover a period between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2013.

2. A Member State may submit either a single programme for its entire territory or a set of regional programmes.

3. Member States with regional programmes may also submit for approval a national framework containing common elements for these programmes.

Content of programmes

Each rural development programme shall include:

(a) an analysis of the situation in terms of strengths and weaknesses, the strategy chosen to meet them and the ex ante evaluation referred to in Article 85;

(b) a justification of the priorities chosen having regard to the Community strategic guidelines and the national strategy plan, as well as the expected impact according to the ex ante evaluation;

(c) information on the axes and measures proposed for each axis and their description, including the specific verifiable objectives and indicators referred to in Article 81 that allow the programme’s progress, efficiency and effectiveness to be measured;

(d) a financing plan, comprising two tables:

- a table setting out, in accordance with Article 69(4) and (5), the total EAFRD contribution planned for each year. When applicable, this financing plan shall indicate separately within the total EAFRD contribution the appropriations provided for the regions eligible under the Convergence Objective. The planned annual EAFRD contribution shall be compatible with the Financial Perspectives;

- a table setting out for the entire programming period the total Community contribution planned and the matching national public funding for each axis, the EAFRD contribution rate for each axis and the amount earmarked for technical assistance. When applicable, this table shall also indicate separately the planned EAFRD contribution for the regions eligible under the Convergence Objective and the matching national public funding;

(e) for information, an indicative breakdown of the initial amounts by measure in terms of public and private expenditure;

(f) where applicable, a table on additional national financing per axis in accordance with Article 89;

(g) the elements needed for the appraisal under competition rules and, when applicable, the list of aid schemes authorised under Articles 87, 88 and 89 of the Treaty to be used for the implementation of the programmes;

(h) information on the complementarity with the measures financed by the other common agricultural policy instruments, through cohesion policy as well as by the Community support instrument for fisheries;

(i) programme implementing arrangements, including:

(i) the designation by the Member State of all the authorities provided for in Article 74(2) and for information a summary description of the management and control structure;

(ii) a description of the monitoring and evaluation systems, as well as the composition of the Monitoring Committee;

(iii) the provisions to ensure that the programme is publicised;

(j) the designation of the partners referred to in Article 6 and the results of the consultations of the partners.

Balance between objectives

1. The Community financial contribution to each of the three objectives referred to in Article 4 shall cover at least 10 % of the EAFRD total contribution to the programme for axis 1 and 3 referred to in Sections 1 and 3 respectively of Chapter I of Title IV and at least 25 % of the EAFRD total contribution to the programme for axis 2 referred to in Section 2 of Chapter I of Title IV. For the programmes of the French overseas departments, the minimum Community financial contribution for axis 2 shall be 10 %.

2. 5 % at least of the EAFRD total contribution to the programme shall be reserved for axis 4 referred to in Section 4 of Chapter I of Title IV. This amount contributes to the percentages laid down in paragraph 1. For the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia, the minimum Community financial contribution for axis 4 of 5 % may be phased in over the programming period in such a way that on average at least 2,5 % of the EAFRD total contribution is reserved for axis 4.

PREPARATION, APPROVAL AND REVIEW

Preparation and approval

1. Rural development programmes shall be established by a Member State following close cooperation with the partners referred to in Article 6.

2. Member States shall submit to the Commission a proposal for each rural development programme, containing the information mentioned in Article 16.

3. The Commission shall assess the proposed programmes on the basis of their consistency with the Community strategic guidelines, the national strategy plan and this Regulation.

Where the Commission considers that a rural development programme is not consistent with the Community strategic guidelines, the national strategy plan or this Regulation, it shall request the Member State to revise the proposed programme accordingly.

4. Each rural development programme shall be approved in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 90(2).

1. The rural development programmes shall be re-examined and, if appropriate, adapted for the remainder of the period by the Member State following Monitoring Committee approval. The revisions shall take into account the outcome of evaluations and the Commission’s reports, particularly with a view to strengthening or adapting the way in which the Community priorities are taken into account.

2. The Commission shall adopt a decision on requests to revise rural development programmes after the submission of such a request by a Member State in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 90(2). Changes requiring approval by Commission decision shall be defined in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 90(2).

RURAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT

Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector

Support targeting the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector shall concern:

(a) measures aimed at promoting knowledge and improving human potential through:

(i) vocational training and information actions, including diffusion of scientific knowledge and innovative practises, for persons engaged in the agricultural, food and forestry sectors;

(ii) setting up of young farmers;

(iii) early retirement of farmers and farm workers;

(iv) use of advisory services by farmers and forest holders;

(v) setting up of farm management, farm relief and farm advisory services, as well as of forestry advisory services;


	Regolamento (CE) n. 1698/2005 del Consiglio,		Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005
	del 20 settembre 2005,		of 20 September 2005
	sul sostegno allo sviluppo rurale da parte del Fondo europeo agricolo per lo sviluppo rurale (FEASR)		on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)
	IL CONSIGLIO DELL'UNIONE EUROPEA,		THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
	visto il trattato che istituisce la Comunità europea, in particolare gli articoli 36 e 37 e l'articolo 299, paragrafo 2,		Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 36, 37 and 299(2) thereof,
	vista la proposta della Commissione,		Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
	visto il parere del Parlamento europeo [1],		Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament [1],
	considerando quanto segue:		Whereas:
	(1) Una politica comune dello sviluppo rurale dovrebbe accompagnare e integrare le politiche di sostegno dei mercati e dei redditi nell'ambito della politica agricola comune e contribuire così al conseguimento delle finalità di tale politica, enunciate dal trattato. La politica di sviluppo rurale dovrebbe inoltre tener conto degli obiettivi generali della coesione economica e sociale stabiliti dal trattato e concorrere alla loro realizzazione, incorporando nel contempo altre priorità politiche salienti, menzionate nelle conclusioni dei Consigli europei di Lisbona e Göteborg in relazione alla competitività e allo sviluppo sostenibile.		(1) A rural development policy should accompany and complement the market and income support policies of the common agricultural policy and thus contribute to the achievement of that policy’s objectives as laid down in the Treaty. Rural development policy should also take into account the general objectives for economic and social cohesion policy set out in the Treaty and contribute to their achievement, while integrating other major policy priorities as spelled out in the conclusions of the Lisbon and Göteborg European Councils for competitiveness and sustainable development.
	(2) Secondo il trattato, nell'elaborazione della politica agricola comune e dei metodi specifici per la sua applicazione, si deve considerare il carattere particolare dell'attività agricola che deriva dalla struttura sociale dell'agricoltura e dalle disparità strutturali e naturali tra le diverse zone rurali.		(2) According to the Treaty, in working out the common agricultural policy and the special methods for its application, account is to be taken of the particular nature of agricultural activity which results from the social structure of agriculture and from structural and natural disparities between the various rural areas.
	(3) La riforma della politica agricola comune adottata nel giugno 2003 e nell'aprile 2004 ha introdotto sostanziali modifiche, destinate ad avere prevedibilmente un impatto considerevole sull'economia nell'insieme del territorio rurale della Comunità, in termini di modelli di produzione agricola, metodi di gestione del territorio, occupazione e, più in generale, condizioni socioeconomiche delle varie zone rurali.		(3) The reform of the common agricultural policy in June 2003 and April 2004 introduced major changes likely to have a significant impact on the economy across the whole rural territory of the Community in terms of agricultural production patterns, land management methods, employment and the wider social and economic conditions in the various rural areas.
	(4) L'azione della Comunità dovrebbe essere complementare a quella degli Stati membri o comunque assecondarla. Occorre rafforzare il partenariato favorendo la partecipazione di diverse tipologie di soggetti, nel pieno rispetto delle competenze istituzionali degli Stati membri. I soggetti partecipanti dovrebbero essere coinvolti nelle varie fasi di elaborazione, monitoraggio e valutazione dei programmi.		(4) Action by the Community should be complementary to that carried out by the Member States or seek to contribute to it. The partnership should be strengthened through arrangements for the participation of various types of partners with full regard to the institutional competences of the Member States. The partners concerned should be involved in the preparation, monitoring and evaluation of programming.
	(5) Poiché l'obiettivo del presente regolamento, cioè lo sviluppo rurale, non può essere realizzato in misura sufficiente dagli Stati membri in considerazione dei legami tra lo sviluppo rurale e gli altri strumenti della PAC, delle ampie disparità esistenti tra le varie zone rurali e delle limitate risorse finanziarie di cui dispongono gli Stati membri nell'Unione allargata, e può dunque essere realizzato meglio a livello comunitario, con la garanzia pluriennale dei fondi della Comunità e sulla scorta delle sue priorità, la Comunità può intervenire, in base al principio di sussidiarietà sancito dall'articolo 5 del trattato. Il presente regolamento si limita a quanto è necessario per conseguire tale obiettivo in ottemperanza al principio di proporzionalità enunciato nello stesso articolo.		(5) Since the objective of this Regulation, namely rural development, cannot be achieved sufficiently by the Member States given the links between it and the other instruments of the common agricultural policy, the extent of the disparities between the various rural areas and the limits on the financial resources of the Member States in an enlarged Union, and can therefore be better achieved at Community level through the multiannual guarantee of Community finance and by concentrating it on its priorities, the Community may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective.
	(6) Le attività del Fondo europeo agricolo per lo sviluppo rurale (FEASR) e le operazioni da esso finanziate devono essere coerenti e compatibili con le altre politiche della Comunità e conformi all'insieme del diritto comunitario.		(6) The activities of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (hereinafter the EAFRD) and the operations to which it contributes must be consistent and compatible with the other Community policies and comply with all Community legislation.
	(7) Nella sua azione a favore dello sviluppo rurale, la Comunità mira ad eliminare le disuguaglianze, a promuovere la parità tra uomini e donne e la non discriminazione, conformemente al trattato.		(7) In its action in favour of rural development, the Community takes care to eliminate inequalities and to promote equality between men and women and non-discrimination, in accordance with the Treaty.
	(8) Per far collimare il contenuto strategico della politica di sviluppo rurale con le priorità della Comunità e quindi favorirne la trasparenza, il Consiglio dovrebbe adottare, su proposta della Commissione, orientamenti strategici in materia di sviluppo rurale.		(8) To focus the strategic content of rural development policy in line with the Community’s priorities and hereby favour its transparency, the Council should adopt strategic guidelines on a proposal from the Commission.
	(9) Sulla base degli orientamenti strategici, ciascuno Stato membro dovrebbe elaborare il proprio piano di strategia nazionale di sviluppo rurale, che costituirà il quadro di riferimento per la preparazione dei programmi di sviluppo rurale. Gli Stati membri e la Commissione dovrebbero riferire in merito al monitoraggio della strategia nazionale e comunitaria.		(9) On the basis of the strategic guidelines, each Member State should prepare its rural development national strategy plan constituting the reference framework for the preparation of the rural development programmes. Member States and the Commission should report on the monitoring of the national and Community strategy.
	(10) La programmazione dello sviluppo rurale dovrebbe conformarsi alle priorità comunitarie e nazionali ed integrare le altre politiche comunitarie, in particolare la politica dei mercati agricoli, la politica di coesione e la politica comune della pesca.		(10) The programming of rural development should comply with Community and national priorities and complement the other Community policies, in particular the agricultural market policy, cohesion policy and common fisheries policy.
	(11) Al fine di garantire lo sviluppo sostenibile delle zone rurali, è necessario concentrarsi su un numero limitato di obiettivi essenziali a livello comunitario, concernenti la competitività dei settori agricolo e forestale, la gestione del territorio e l'ambiente, nonché la qualità di vita e la diversificazione delle attività in tali zone, tenendo conto della diversità delle situazioni, che vanno dalle zone rurali remote colpite da spopolamento e declino alle zone rurali periurbane che subiscono la pressione crescente dei centri urbani.		(11) To ensure the sustainable development of rural areas it is necessary to focus on a limited number of core objectives at Community level relating to agricultural and forestry competitiveness, land management and environment, quality of life and diversification of activities in those areas, taking into account the diversity of situations, ranging from remote rural areas suffering from depopulation and decline to peri-urban rural areas under increasing pressure from urban centres.
	(12) Occorre stabilire norme generali per la programmazione e la revisione dei programmi di sviluppo rurale, in modo da conseguire un giusto equilibrio fra gli assi dei programmi di sviluppo rurale corrispondenti a tali obiettivi essenziali. È opportuno che i programmi abbiano una durata settennale.		(12) There is a need to establish general rules for programming and revising rural development programming, while ensuring an appropriate balance between the axes of the rural development programmes corresponding to those core objectives. The duration of the programmes should be of seven years.
	(13) Per raggiungere l'obiettivo di una maggiore competitività dei settori agricolo e forestale, è importante elaborare chiare strategie di sviluppo miranti ad accrescere e adeguare il potenziale umano, il capitale fisico e la qualità della produzione agricola.		(13) To achieve the objective of improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sectors it is important to build clear development strategies aimed at enhancing and adapting human potential, physical potential and the quality of agricultural production.
	(14) Per quanto riguarda il potenziale umano, è opportuno predisporre una serie di misure relative alla formazione, all'informazione e alle diffusione di conoscenze, all'insediamento dei giovani agricoltori, al prepensionamento degli imprenditori e dei lavoratori agricoli, al ricorso a servizi di consulenza da parte degli imprenditori agricoli e dei detentori di aree forestali e all'avviamento di servizi di gestione delle aziende agricole, di sostituzione nelle aziende agricole e di consulenza alle aziende agricole nonché di consulenza forestale.		(14) With regard to human potential, a set of measures on training, information and diffusion of knowledge, setting up of young farmers, early retirement of farmers and farm workers, use by farmers and forest holders of advisory services and on the setting up of farm management, farm relief and farm advisory services as well as forestry advisory services should be made available.
	(15) In materia di formazione, informazione e diffusione di conoscenze, l'evoluzione e la specializzazione dell'agricoltura e della silvicoltura richiedono un adeguato livello di formazione tecnica ed economica, comprendente conoscenze specialistiche nelle nuove tecnologie dell'informazione, nonché un'adeguata sensibilizzazione in materia di qualità dei prodotti, risultati della ricerca e gestione sostenibile delle risorse naturali, compresi i requisiti di condizionalità e le pratiche produttive compatibili con le esigenze di salvaguardia e valorizzazione del paesaggio e di protezione dell'ambiente. È pertanto necessario estendere l'offerta di attività di formazione, di informazione e di diffusione di conoscenze a tutti gli adulti che esercitano attività agricole, alimentari e forestali. Tali attività vertono su materie che si riferiscono sia all'obiettivo "competitività del settore agricolo e forestale" sia a quello "gestione del territorio e ambiente".		(15) As regards training, information and diffusion of knowledge, the evolution and specialisation of agriculture and forestry require an appropriate level of technical and economic training, including expertise in new information technologies, as well as adequate awareness in the fields of product quality, results of research and sustainable management of natural resources, including cross-compliance requirements and the application of production practices compatible with the maintenance and enhancement of the landscape and the protection of the environment. It is therefore necessary to broaden the scope of training, information and diffusion of knowledge activities to all adult persons dealing with agricultural, food and forestry matters. These activities cover issues under both the agricultural and forestry competitiveness and the land management and environment objectives.
	(16) La concessione di particolari agevolazioni ai giovani agricoltori può favorire non solo il loro insediamento, ma anche l'adattamento strutturale della loro azienda dopo il primo insediamento. La misura a favore dell'insediamento va condizionata alla stesura di un piano aziendale quale strumento per consentire nel tempo lo sviluppo delle attività della nuova azienda.		(16) The granting of specific benefits to young farmers may facilitate both their initial establishment and the structural adjustment of their holdings after their initial setting up. The setting-up measure should be made conditional on the establishment of a business plan as an instrument to ensure over time the development of the activities of the new agricultural holding.
	(17) Il prepensionamento degli agricoltori dovrebbe mirare ad una sostanziale ristrutturazione dell'azienda ceduta, in combinazione con la misura a favore dell'insediamento dei giovani agricoltori oppure mediante il trasferimento dell'azienda ai fini del suo ingrandimento, facendo tesoro anche dell'esperienza acquisita nel corso di precedenti regimi comunitari in materia.		(17) Early retirement from farming should target a significant structural change of the transferred holdings through the measure for the setting-up of young farmers according to the requirements of that measure, or by transferring the holding with a view to increasing its size, also taking into account the experience acquired in the implementation of previous Community schemes in this field.
	(18) Il ricorso a servizi di assistenza alla gestione e di consulenza da parte degli imprenditori agricoli e dei detentori di aree forestali dovrebbero permettere loro di migliorare la gestione sostenibile delle aziende. I servizi di consulenza aziendale previsti dal regolamento (CE) n. 1782/2003 del Consiglio, del 29 settembre 2003, che stabilisce norme comuni relative ai regimi di sostegno diretto nell'ambito della politica agricola comune e istituisce taluni regimi di sostegno a favore degli agricoltori [2], dovrebbero almeno assistere gli imprenditori agricoli nella valutazione del rendimento della loro azienda e nella scelta delle migliorie da apportare compatibilmente con i criteri di gestione obbligatori di cui al suddetto regolamento e le norme comunitarie in materia di sicurezza sul lavoro.		(18) The use by farmers and forest holders of management and advisory services should allow them to improve the sustainable management of their holdings. At least, the use of farm advisory services, as provided for in Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 of 29 September 2003 establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers [2], should help farmers to assess the performance of their agricultural holding and identify necessary improvements with regard to the statutory management requirements set out in that Regulation and to Community standards relating to occupational safety.
	(19) L'istituzione di sistemi di servizi di gestione delle aziende agricole, di sostituzione nelle aziende agricole e di consulenza alle aziende agricole per gli imprenditori agricoli e di consulenza forestale per i detentori di aree forestali dovrebbe aiutare questi soggetti ad adeguare, migliorare e facilitare la gestione delle loro aziende, e renderle più redditizie grazie ad un migliore utilizzo del potenziale umano occupato nel settore agricolo e forestale.		(19) The setting up of farm management, farm relief and farm advisory services for farmers and of forestry advisory services for forest holders should help them to adapt, improve and facilitate management and improve the overall performance of their holdings by further enhancing the human potential operating in the agricultural and forestry sectors.
	(20) Quanto al capitale fisico, è opportuno predisporre una serie di misure per l'ammodernamento delle aziende agricole, una migliore valorizzazione economica delle foreste, l'aumento del valore aggiunto di prodotti agricoli e forestali, la promozione dello sviluppo di nuovi prodotti, processi e tecnologie nel settore agricolo e alimentare e in quello forestale, il miglioramento e lo sviluppo dell'infrastruttura agroforestale, il ripristino del potenziale produttivo agricolo danneggiato da calamità naturali e l'introduzione di adeguate misure di prevenzione.		(20) With regard to physical potential, a set of measures on the modernisation of agricultural holdings, improvement of the economic value of forests, adding value to agricultural and forestry products, promoting the development of new products, processes and technologies in the agriculture and food sector and in the forestry sector, improvement and development of agricultural and forestry infrastructure, restoring agricultural production potential damaged by natural disasters and introduction of appropriate prevention measures should be made available.
	(21) Gli aiuti comunitari agli investimenti hanno come finalità l'ammodernamento delle aziende agricole e il miglioramento del loro rendimento economico mediante un più sapiente utilizzo dei fattori di produzione, inclusa l'introduzione di nuove tecnologie e di innovazione, il perseguimento della qualità, i prodotti biologici e la diversificazione intra ed extra-aziendale, anche verso settori non alimentari come le colture energetiche, nonché la promozione di una migliore situazione delle aziende agricole dal punto di vista dell'ambiente, della sicurezza sul lavoro, dell'igiene e del benessere degli animali; tuttavia, le condizioni applicabili a tali aiuti devono essere semplificate rispetto a quelle previste dal regolamento (CE) n. 1257/1999 del Consiglio, del 17 maggio 1999, sul sostegno allo sviluppo rurale da parte del Fondo europeo agricolo di orientamento e di garanzia (FEAOG) [3].		(21) The purpose of Community farm investment aid is to modernise agricultural holdings to improve their economic performance through better use of the production factors including the introduction of new technologies and innovation, targeting quality, organic products and on/off-farm diversification, including non-food sectors and energy crops, as well as improving the environmental, occupational safety, hygiene and animal welfare status of agricultural holdings, while simplifying the conditions for investment aid as compared with those laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) [3].
	(22) Le foreste di proprietà privata svolgono un ruolo importante nell'economia delle zone rurali e meritano pertanto di essere sovvenzionate con aiuti comunitari, volti ad incrementarne il valore economico, a diversificarne la produzione e ad espandere gli sbocchi di mercato per i loro prodotti, in settori quali quello dell'energia rinnovabile, mantenendo nel contempo la gestione sostenibile e il ruolo multifunzionale delle foreste.		(22) Private forests play an important role in economic activity in rural areas and, therefore, Community aid is important for improving and broadening their economic value, for increasing diversification of production and enhancing market opportunities, in sectors such as that for renewable energy, while maintaining the sustainable management and the multifunctional role of forests.
	(23) Occorre incentivare i miglioramenti nei settori della trasformazione e della commercializzazione di prodotti agricoli e forestali primari sostenendo gli investimenti finalizzati a rendere tali settori più efficienti, a promuovere la produzione di energia rinnovabile da biomasse agricole e forestali, ad introdurre nuove tecnologie e innovazione, ad aprire nuovi sbocchi di mercato per i prodotti agricoli e forestali, a migliorare la qualità, ad elevare i livelli di protezione ambientale, sicurezza sul lavoro, igiene e benessere degli animali, a seconda dei casi, rivolgendosi, come regola generale, alle microimprese, alle piccole e medie imprese ed alle altre imprese al di sotto di una determinata dimensione, che sono maggiormente in grado di accrescere il valore aggiunto della produzione locale, e semplificando nel contempo le condizioni per poter fruire degli aiuti agli investimenti rispetto a quelle previste dal regolamento (CE) n. 1257/1999.		(23) Improvements in the processing and marketing of primary agricultural and forestry products should be encouraged by means of support for investments aimed at improving efficiency in the processing and marketing sector, promoting the processing of agricultural and forestry production for renewable energy, introducing new technologies and innovation, opening new market opportunities for agricultural and forestry products, putting emphasis on quality, improving environmental protection, occupational safety, hygiene and animal welfare, as appropriate, by targeting, as a general rule, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and other enterprises under a certain size, which are better placed to add value to local products, while simplifying the conditions for investment aid as compared with those laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999.
	(24) In un quadro di maggiore concorrenza, è importante garantire che i settori agricolo, alimentare e forestale traggano vantaggio dalle opportunità di mercato attraverso approcci innovativi generalizzati per lo sviluppo di nuovi prodotti, processi e tecnologie. A tal fine, dovrebbe essere incoraggiata la cooperazione tra agricoltori, industria alimentare, industria di trasformazione delle materie prime e altre parti.		(24) In a context of increased competition it is important to ensure that the agriculture and food sector and the forestry sector can take advantage of market opportunities through widespread innovative approaches in developing new products, processes and technologies. For this purpose cooperation between farmers, the food and the raw materials processing industry and other parties should be encouraged.
	(25) Le infrastrutture agricole e gli interventi preventivi e risanativi contro le calamità naturali dovrebbero contribuire all'asse relativo alla competitività dei settori agricolo e forestale.		(25) Agricultural infrastructure and restorative and preventive measures against natural disasters should contribute to the agricultural and forestry competitiveness axis.
	(26) Sotto il profilo della qualità della produzione e dei prodotti agricoli, è opportuno introdurre una serie di misure che incoraggino gli agricoltori a rispettare i requisiti prescritti dalla normativa comunitaria e a partecipare ai sistemi di qualità alimentare e che sostengano le associazioni di produttori nelle loro attività di informazione e promozione.		(26) With regard to the quality of agricultural production and products, a set of measures on meeting standards by farmers based on Community legislation, encouraging participation of farmers in food quality schemes and supporting producer groups for information and promotion activities should be made available.
	(27) La misura relativa al rispetto dei requisiti ha come scopo di incitare gli agricoltori ad un più solerte adempimento e al rispetto dei rigorosi requisiti prescritti dalla normativa comunitaria in materia di ambiente, sanità pubblica, salute delle piante e degli animali, benessere degli animali e sicurezza sul lavoro. In considerazione dei nuovi obblighi che i requisiti in questione possono imporre agli agricoltori, è opportuno che questi possano ricevere un sostegno a parziale indennizzo dei costi aggiuntivi e del mancato guadagno derivanti da tali obblighi.		(27) The aim of the measure on meeting standards is to promote a more rapid implementation by farmers of demanding standards based on Community legislation concerning the environment, public health, animal and plant health, animal welfare and occupational safety and the respect of those standards by farmers. These standards may impose new obligations on farmers and consequently support should be provided to help cover partly the additional costs or income foregone arising from these obligations.
	(28) La misura di sostegno volta a promuovere la partecipazione degli agricoltori ai sistemi comunitari o nazionali di qualità dei prodotti alimentari è intesa a rassicurare i consumatori circa la qualità del prodotto o del metodo di produzione impiegato in conseguenza dell'adesione a tali sistemi di qualità, nonché ad accrescere il valore aggiunto dei prodotti agricoli primari e ad espandere gli sbocchi di mercato. Poiché la partecipazione a tali sistemi di qualità può generare costi aggiuntivi e vincoli che non sono interamente remunerati dal mercato, è opportuno incentivare la partecipazione a detti sistemi.		(28) The aim of the measure providing support for farmers participating in Community or national food quality schemes is to provide consumers with assurances on the quality of the product or the production process used as a result of their participation in such schemes, to achieve added value for agricultural primary products and enhance market opportunities. Since participation in such schemes may give rise to additional costs and obligations which are not fully rewarded by the marketplace, farmers should be encouraged to participate in such schemes.
	(29) (29) È necessario sensibilizzare i consumatori all'esistenza e alle caratteristiche dei prodotti tutelati dai suddetti sistemi di qualità. Occorre sostenere le associazioni di produttori affinché informino i consumatori e promuovano i prodotti ottenuti nell'ambito di sistemi di qualità sovvenzionati dagli Stati membri nei rispettivi programmi di sviluppo rurale.		(29) There is a need to improve consumers’ awareness of the existence and specifications of products produced under the aforementioned quality schemes. Support should be provided to producer groups to inform consumers and promote products provided under quality schemes supported by Member States within their rural development programmes.
	(30) È necessario agevolare la graduale abolizione di una serie di misure individuali introdotte dall'atto di adesione del 2003, segnatamente la misura sull'agricoltura di semisussistenza e quella relativa alle associazioni di produttori.		(30) There is a need to ensure the smooth transition of a set of individual measures introduced through the 2003 Act of Accession, namely the measure on semi-subsistence farming and the measure on producer groups.
	(31) Il sostegno a particolari metodi di gestione del territorio dovrebbe contribuire allo sviluppo sostenibile, incoraggiando in particolare gli imprenditori agricoli e i detentori di aree forestali ad impiegare metodi di utilizzazione del suolo compatibili con le esigenze di salvaguardia dell'ambiente naturale e del paesaggio e di protezione delle risorse naturali. Esso dovrebbe inoltre concorrere all'attuazione del sesto programma comunitario di azione in materia di ambiente e delle conclusioni della presidenza sulla strategia per lo sviluppo sostenibile. Tra i punti chiave da prendere in considerazione si annoverano la biodiversità, la gestione dei siti Natura 2000, la protezione dell'acqua e del suolo, l'attenuazione del cambiamento climatico, in particolare la riduzione delle emissioni di gas a effetto serra e delle emissioni di ammoniaca e l'uso sostenibile di antiparassitari.		(31) Support for specific methods of land management should contribute to sustainable development by encouraging farmers and forest holders in particular to employ methods of land use compatible with the need to preserve the natural environment and landscape and protect and improve natural resources. It should contribute to the implementation of the 6th Community Environment Action Programme and the Presidency conclusions regarding the Sustainable Development Strategy. Key issues to be addressed include biodiversity, Natura 2000 site management, the protection of water and soil, climate change mitigation including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the reduction of ammonia emissions and the sustainable use of pesticides.