Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/2472 of 14 December 2022 declaring certain categories of aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas compatible with the internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (Text with EEA relevance)

• (a) the result of multiplying the quantity of the agricultural products produced in the year of the natural disaster, or in each following year affected by the full or partial destruction of the means of production, by the average selling price obtained during that year, from

• (b) the result of multiplying the average annual quantity of agricultural products produced in the three-year period preceding the natural disaster or a three year average based on the five-year period preceding the natural disaster, excluding the highest and lowest entry by the average selling price obtained.

Where an SME was set up less than three years from the date of the occurrence of the natural disaster, the reference to the three-year period in paragraph 8, point (b) shall be understood as referring to the quantity produced and sold by an average undertaking of the same size as the applicant, namely a micro enterprise or a small enterprise or a medium enterprise, respectively, in the national or regional sector affected by the natural disaster.

The loss of income may be calculated either at annual farm production level or at crop or livestock level.

That amount may be increased by other costs incurred by the beneficiary directly linked to the natural disaster.

That amount shall be reduced by any costs not incurred because of the natural disaster.

Indexes may be used in order to calculate the annual agricultural production of the beneficiary provided that the calculation method used permits the determination of the real loss of the beneficiary in the given year.

It shall not exceed the repair cost or the decrease in fair market value caused by the disaster, namely the difference between the asset’s value immediately before and immediately after the disaster.

Section 5 Aid for research development and innovation

Article 38

Aid for research and development in the agricultural and forestry sectors

• (a) that the aided project is to be carried out;

• (b) the goals of the aided project;

• (c) an approximate date for the publication of the expected results of the aided project;

• (d) the place of publication of the expected results of the aided project on the internet;

• (e) that the results of the aided project will be available at no cost to all undertakings active in the sector or sub-sector concerned.

• (a) personnel costs related to researchers, technicians and other supporting staff to the extent employed on the project;

• (b) costs of instruments and equipment to the extent and for the period used for the project; where such instruments and equipment are not used for their full life for the project, only the depreciation costs corresponding to the life of the project, as calculated on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles are considered as eligible;

• (c) costs of buildings and land, to the extent and for the duration period used for the project and under the following conditions:
• (i) with regard to buildings, only the depreciation costs corresponding to the life of the project, as calculated on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles, are considered as eligible;
• (ii) with regard to land, costs of commercial transfer or actually incurred capital costs are eligible;

• (d) costs of contractual research, knowledge and patents bought or licensed from outside sources at arm’s length conditions, as well as costs of consultancy and equivalent services used exclusively for the project;

• (e) additional overheads and other operating expenses, including costs of materials, supplies and similar products, incurred directly as a result of the project.

Article 39

Aid for costs incurred by undertakings participating in EIP Operational Group projects

• (a) the costs of preparatory support, capacity building, training and networking with a view to preparing and implementing an EIP Operational Group project;

• (b) implementation of approved operations;

• (c) preparation and implementation of the group’s cooperation activities;

• (d) running costs linked to the management of the implementation of EIP Operational Group project;

• (e) animation of the EIP community in order to facilitate exchange between stakeholders to provide information and to promote the projects, and to support potential beneficiaries with a view of developing operations and preparing applications.

Article 40

Limited amounts of aid to undertakings benefitting from EIP Operational Group projects

Section 6 Aid in favour of forestry

Article 41

Aid for afforestation and the creation of woodland

The aid for afforestation and the creation of woodland may cover investment operations.

• (a) the construction, acquisition, including leasing, or improvement of immovable property, with purchase of land only being eligible to an extent not exceeding 10 % of the total eligible costs of the operation concerned with the exception of land purchase if the aid is granted in the framework of a CAP Strategic Plan;

• (b) the purchase or lease purchase of machinery and equipment up to the market value of the asset;

• (c) general costs linked to the expenditure referred to in points (a) and (b), such as architect, engineer and consultation fees, fees relating to advice on environmental and economic sustainability, including feasibility studies; feasibility studies shall remain eligible expenditure even where, based on the results of those studies, no expenditure under points (a) and (b) is incurred;

• (d) the acquisition, development or usage fees of computer software, cloud and similar solutions, and the acquisitions of patents, licences, copyrights, trademarks;

• (e) the costs of establishing forest management plans or equivalent instruments.

Aid which is granted in the framework of a CAP Strategic Plan and which is provided in the form of financial instruments may cover eligible costs other than those referred to in the first subparagraph, provided that the costs are fully eligible under the relevant CAP Strategic Plan and that the aid is put into effect after the approval of the relevant Strategic Plan by the Commission.

Save where support is provided in the framework of a CAP Strategic Plan in the form of financial instruments, working capital shall not be considered to be an eligible cost.

• (a) the costs of the plantation and propagation material;

• (b) the plantation costs and the costs directly linked to the plantation;

• (c) the costs of other related operations such as storing and treatment of seedlings with the necessary prevention and protection materials;

• (d) the costs of replacement of die-off during the first year and the replacement of small-scale die-off during the first years following plantation. The costs of the replacement of large-scale die-off may only be supported under Article 43.

• (a) trees for short rotation coppicing;

• (b) Christmas trees;

• (c) fast growing trees for energy production;

• (d) species non-native to the area, save where support is provided in the framework of the CAP Strategic Plan;

• (e) investments in afforestation which are not consistent with climate and environmental objectives in accordance with sustainable forest management principles, as developed in the Pan-European Guidelines for Afforestation and Reforestation ([^E0030]).

This requirement does not apply to municipalities that are autonomous local authorities with an annual budget of less than EUR 10 million and fewer than 5 000 inhabitants.

• (a) the selection of species to be planted, of areas and of methods to be used shall avoid the inappropriate afforestation of sensitive habitats such as peat lands and wetlands and negative effects on areas of high ecological value including areas under high natural value farming. Pursuant to Directive 92/43/EEC and Directive 2009/147/EC on sites designated as Natura 2000 only afforestation consistent with the management objectives of the sites concerned and agreed with the Member State’s authority in charge of implementing Natura 2000 shall be allowed;

• (b) the selection of species, varieties, ecotypes and provenances of trees shall take account of the need for resilience to climate change and to natural disasters and the pedologic and hydrologic condition of the area concerned, as well as of the potential invasive character of the species under local conditions as defined by Member States. The beneficiary shall be required to protect and care for the forest at least during the period for which the premium for agricultural income foregone and maintenance is paid. This shall include tending, thinning or grazing, as appropriate, in the interest of the future development of the forest and regulating competition with herbaceous vegetation and avoiding the building up of fire prone undergrowth material. As regards fast-growing species, Member States shall define the minimum and maximum time before felling. The minimum time shall not be less than 8 years and the maximum shall not exceed 20 years;

• (c) in cases where, due to difficult soil, environmental or climatic conditions, including environmental degradation, the planting of perennial woody species cannot be expected to lead to the establishment of forest cover as defined in accordance with the applicable national legislation, the Member State concerned may allow the beneficiary to establish other woody vegetation cover such as shrubs or bushes suited to the local conditions. The beneficiary shall ensure the same level of care and protection as applicable to forests;

• (d) in the case of afforestation operations leading to the creation of forests of a size exceeding a certain threshold, to be defined by Member States, the operation shall consist of either of the following:
• (i) the planting of ecologically adapted species or species resilient to climate change in the bio-geographical area concerned, which have been found, through an assessment of impacts, not to threaten biodiversity and ecosystem services, or to have a negative impact on human health;
• (ii) a mix of tree species which includes either at least 10 % of broadleaved trees by area, or a minimum of three tree species or varieties, with the least abundant making up at least 10 % of the area.

Article 42

Aid for agroforestry systems

• (a) the construction, acquisition, including leasing, or improvement of immovable property, with purchase of land only being eligible to an extent not exceeding 10 % of the total eligible costs of the operation concerned with the exception of land purchase if the aid is granted in the framework of a CAP Strategic Plan;

• (b) the purchase or lease purchase of machinery and equipment up to the market value of the asset;

• (c) general costs linked to the expenditure referred to in points (a) and (b), such as architect, engineer and consultation fees, fees relating to advice on environmental and economic sustainability, including feasibility studies; feasibility studies shall remain eligible expenditure even where no expenditure as referred under in points (a) and (b) is incurred;

• (d) the acquisition, development or usage fees of computer software, cloud and similar solutions, and the acquisition of patents, licences, copyrights, trademarks;

• (e) the costs of establishing forest management plans or equivalent instrument.

Save where support is provided in the framework of a CAP Strategic Plan in the form of financial instruments, working capital shall not be considered to be an eligible cost.

The first subparagraph shall not apply to aid which is provided in the form of financial instruments.

• (a) the costs for planting trees, including the costs of the plantation material, the plantation, the storing and the treatments of seedlings with the necessary prevention and protection materials;

• (b) the costs for converting existing forests or other wooded land, including the costs for felling trees, thinning and pruning and protection against grazing animals;

• (c) other costs directly linked to the establishment, regeneration or renovation of an agroforestry system, such as costs for feasibility studies, establishment plan, soil examination, soil preparation and protection;

• (d) the costs of silvopastoral, namely grazing system, watering and protective facilities;

• (e) the costs of the necessary treatment connected to the establishment, regeneration or renovation of an agroforestry system, including watering and cutting;

• (f) the costs for replanting during the first year after the establishment, regeneration or renovation of an agroforestry system.

The eligible costs of maintenance may relate to the established tree belts, the weeding, pruning and thinning and protective actions and investments such as fences or individual protection tubes.

• (a) local pedo-climatic and environmental conditions;

• (b) forestry species;

• (c) the need to ensure sustainable agricultural use of the land.

Article 43

Aid for the prevention and restoration of damage to forests

• (a) the establishment of protective infrastructure, including maintenance costs in the case of firebreaks;

• (b) local, small scale prevention activities against fire, or other natural hazards, including the costs of the use of grazing animals, such as sheds, watering, fences, and transport of the animals;

• (c) establishing and improving forest fire, pest and diseases monitoring facilities and communication equipment;

• (d) restoring forestry potential damaged by fires, natural disasters, adverse climatic events which can be assimilated to a natural disaster, other adverse climatic events, plant pests, catastrophic events and climate change-related events.

• (a) the formal recognition by the competent authorities of the Member State concerned that the fire, natural disaster, adverse climatic event which can be assimilated to a natural disaster, other adverse climatic event, plant pest, catastrophic event or climate change related event has occurred and to the submission by the beneficiaries of proof of appropriate risk management tools to address the potential occurrence of the damaging event in the future where appropriate;

• (b) the formal recognition by the competent authorities of the Member State concerned that the measures in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 to combat, eradicate or contain a plant pest have been implemented;

• (c) in the case of aid under Article 107(3), point (c), of the Treaty, submission by the beneficiaries of proof that such restoration will include adaptation measures to climate change, unless such adaptation measures form an integral part of the scheme and apply to all beneficiaries.

The list of species of plant pest which cause or may cause damage shall be included in the aid scheme or ad hoc aid submitted by the relevant Member State.

In the case of the restoration of forestry potential referred to in paragraph 2, point (d), the aid for large enterprises shall be conditional on the presentation of relevant information from a forest management plan or equivalent instrument in accordance with the General Guidelines for the Sustainable Management of Forests in Europe. This requirement does not apply to municipalities that are autonomous local authorities with an annual budget of less than EUR 10 million and fewer than 5 000 inhabitants.

Aid granted for the eligible costs as referred to in paragraph 2, point (d), and any other payments received by the beneficiary, including payments under other national or Union measures or insurance policies for the same eligible costs shall be limited to 100 % of the eligible costs.

Article 44

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

• (a) the construction, acquisition, including leasing, or improvement of immovable property, with purchase of land only being eligible to an extent not exceeding 10 % of the total eligible costs of the operation concerned with the exception of land purchase if the aid is granted in the framework of a CAP Strategic Plan;

• (b) the purchase or lease purchase of machinery and equipment up to the market value of the asset;

• (c) general costs linked to expenditure referred to in points (a) and (b), such as architect, engineer and consultation fees, fees relating to advice on environmental and economic sustainability, including feasibility studies; feasibility studies shall remain eligible expenditure even where, based on their results, no expenditure under points (a) and (b) is incurred;

• (d) the acquisition, development or usage fees of computer software, cloud and similar solutions, and the acquisitions of patents, licenses, copyrights and trademarks;

• (e) the costs of establishing forest management plans or equivalent instrument;

• (f) the costs of the plantation and propagation material;

• (g) the plantation costs and the costs directly linked to the plantation;

• (h) the costs of other related operations such as storing and treatment of seedlings with the necessary prevention and protection materials;

• (i) the costs of replacement of die-off during the first year and the replacement of small-scale die-off during the first years following plantation. The costs of the replacement of large-scale die-off may only be supported under Article 43.

Save where support is provided in the framework of a CAP Strategic Plan in the form of financial instruments, working capital shall not be considered to be an eligible cost.

Article 45

Aid for area-specific disadvantages resulting from certain mandatory requirements

• (a) Natura 2000 forest areas;

• (b) features of the landscape which contribute to the implementation of Article 10 of Directive 92/43/EEC, which shall not exceed 5 % of the areas included in the Natura 2000 network covered by the territorial scope of the Strategic Plan concerned.

Article 46

Aid for forest-environmental-climate services and forest conservation

Article 47

Aid for knowledge exchange and information actions in the forestry sector

Member States shall ensure that actions supported under this Article are consistent with the description of the AKIS provided in the CAP Strategic Plan.

Aid may also cover short-term forest management exchanges and forest visits which shall focus, in particular, on sustainable forestry methods or technologies, the development of new business opportunities and new technologies, and on the improvement of forest resilience.

Aid for demonstration activities may cover relevant investment costs.

• (a) the costs of organising and delivering the knowledge exchange or information action;

• (b) in the case of demonstration projects related to investments:
• (i) the construction, acquisition, including leasing, or improvement of immovable property, with land purchase only being eligible to an extent not exceeding 10 % of the other total eligible expenditure of the operation concerned with the exception of land purchase if the aid is granted in the framework of a CAP Strategic Plan;
• (ii) the purchase or lease purchase of machinery and equipment up to the market value of the asset;
• (iii) general costs linked to expenditure referred to in points (i) and (ii), such as architect, engineer and consultation fees, fees relating to advice on environmental and economic sustainability, including feasibility studies; feasibility studies shall remain eligible expenditure even where, based on their results, no expenditure under points (i) and (ii) is incurred;
• (iv) acquisition, development or usage fees of computer software, cloud and similar solutions, and acquisitions of patents, licenses, copyrights and trademarks;

• (c) the costs for travel, accommodation and per diem expenses of the participants.

Working capital shall not be considered to be an eligible cost.

Article 48

Aid for advisory services in the forestry sector

Member States shall ensure that actions supported under this Article are consistent with the description of the AKIS provided in the CAP Strategic Plan.

The bodies selected to provide the advisory service shall have the appropriate resources in the form of regularly trained and qualified staff and advisory experience and reliability with respect to the fields in which they advise.

Article 49

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

The first subparagraph shall not apply to aid which is provided in the form of financial instruments.

This requirement does not apply to municipalities that are autonomous local authorities with an annual budget of less than EUR 10 million and fewer than 5 000 inhabitants.

• (a) access to forest land;

• (b) land consolidation and improvement;

• (c) supply of sustainable energy, energy efficiency, supply and saving of water;

• (d) the use of livestock instead of machinery;

• (e) the establishment of temporary storage facilities.

• (a) the construction, acquisition, including leasing, or improvement of immovable property, with purchase of land only being eligible to an extent not exceeding 10 % of the other total eligible expenditure of the operation concerned, with the exception of land purchase for environmental conservation if the aid is granted in the framework of a CAP Strategic Plan;

• (b) the purchase or lease purchase of machinery and equipment including the use of the livestock instead of machinery up to the market value of the asset;

• (c) general costs linked to the expenditure referred to in points (a) and (b), such as architect, engineer and consultation fees, fees relating to advice on environmental and economic sustainability, including feasibility studies; feasibility studies shall remain eligible expenditure even where, based on their results, no expenditure under points (a) and (b) is incurred;

• (d) acquisition, development or usage fees of computer software, cloud or similar solutions and acquisitions of patents, licenses, copyrights and trademarks;

• (e) the costs of establishing forest management plans and their equivalent instruments.

• (a) costs other than those referred to in paragraph 5, points (a) and (b), connected with leasing contracts, such as lessor’s margin, interest refinancing costs, overheads and insurance charges; and

• (b) working capital.

The aid intensity may be increased to a maximum of 80 % for the following investments:

• (a) investments linked to one or more of the specific environmental- and climate-related objectives referred to in Article 14(3), points (e), (f) and (g);

• (b) investments in the outermost regions or the smaller Aegean islands.

Article 50

Aid for investments in forestry technologies and in processing, in mobilising and in marketing of forestry products

• (a) the construction, acquisition, including leasing, or improvement of immovable property, with purchase of land only being eligible to an extent not exceeding 10 % of the other total eligible expenditure of the operation concerned, with the exception of land purchase for environmental conservation if the aid is granted in the framework of a CAP Strategic Plan;

• (b) the purchase or lease purchase of machinery and equipment up to the market value of the asset;

• (c) general costs linked to the expenditure referred to in points (a) and (b), such as architect, engineer and consultation fees, fees relating to advice on environmental and economic sustainability, including feasibility studies; feasibility studies shall remain eligible expenditure even where, based on their results, no expenditure under points (a) and (b) is incurred;

• (d) acquisition, development or usage fees of computer software, cloud or similar solutions, and acquisitions of patents, licenses, copyrights and trademarks;

• (e) the costs of establishing forest management plans and their equivalent.

• (a) costs connected with leasing contracts, such as lessor’s margin, interest refinancing costs, overheads and insurance charges; and

• (b) working capital.

• (a) investments linked to one or more of the specific environmental- and climate-related objectives referred to in Article 14(3), points (e), (f) and (g);

• (b) investments in the outermost regions or the smaller Aegean islands.

Article 51

Conservation of genetic resources in forestry

• (a) ‘in situ conservation’ means the conservation of genetic material in ecosystems and natural habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable population of species in their natural surroundings;

• (b) ‘on-forest holding conservation’ means in situ conservation and development at forest holding level;

• (c) ‘ex situ conservation’ means the conservation of genetic material for forestry outside their natural habitat;

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

• (a) targeted actions: actions promoting the in situ and ex situ conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of genetic resources in forestry, including web-based inventories of genetic resources currently conserved in situ, including on-forest holding conservation, and of ex situ collections and databases;

• (b) concerted actions: actions promoting the exchange of information for the conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of genetic resources in Union forestry, among competent organisations in the Member States;

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

Article 52

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

• (a) costs of the rental of suitable premises, at market rates;

• (b) costs for the acquisition of office equipment;

• (c) administrative staff costs and costs of a qualified forest manager;

• (d) overheads and legal and administrative fees;

• (e) costs for acquisition of computer hardware and the acquisition or usage fees of computer software, cloud and similar solutions;

• (f) in the case of purchase of premises, an amount corresponding to rental costs at market rates.

Article 53

Aid for forestry land consolidation

Article 54

Aid for cooperation in the forestry sector

• (a) cooperation among different undertakings in the forestry sector and other actors active in the agricultural and forestry sectors that contribute to achieving one or more of the specific objectives set out in Article 6 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115, including producer groups, and cooperatives;

• (b) the creation of clusters and networks.

• (a) pilot projects;

• (b) the development of new products, practices, processes and technologies in the forestry sector;

• (c) cooperation among small operators in the forestry sector in organizing joint work processes and sharing facilities and resources;

• (d) horizontal and vertical cooperation among supply chain actors for the establishment and development of short supply chains and local markets;

• (e) promotion activities in a local context relating to the development of short supply chains and local markets;

• (f) collective action undertaken with a view to mitigating or adapting to climate change;

• (g) implementation, in particular by groups of public and private partners other than those referred to in Article 31(2), point (b), of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, of local development strategies other than those referred to in Article 32 of that Regulation.

• (a) the costs for studies of the area concerned, of feasibility studies, and of drawing up a business plan or local development strategy other than the one referred to in Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060;

• (b) the running costs of cooperation, such as the salary of a ‘coordinator’;

• (c) the costs of operations to be implemented;

• (d) the costs for promotion activities;

• (e) the costs for drawing up forest management plans or equivalent instruments.

Section 7 Aid in Favour of SMEs in Rural Areas

Article 55

Aid for basic services and infrastructure in rural areas

• (a) it is granted in the framework of a CAP Strategic Plan in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 in one of the following forms:
• (i) as aid co-financed by EAFRD;
• (ii) as additional national financing to aid co-financed by EAFRD;

• (b) it is identical to the relevant measure provided for in the CAP Strategic Plan referred to in point (a).

• (a) investments in the creation, improvement or expansion of all types of infrastructures with eligible costs limited to EUR 2 million (‘small-scale infrastructure’), with the exception of investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency and broadband infrastructure which shall not be eligible;

• (b) investments in the setting-up, improvement or expansion of local basic services for the rural population, including social services, leisure and culture, and the related infrastructure;

• (c) investments for public use in recreational infrastructure, tourist information and small-scale tourism infrastructure;

• (d) investments associated with the maintenance, restoration and upgrading of the cultural and natural heritage of villages, rural landscapes and high nature value sites, including related socioeconomic aspects, as well as environmental awareness actions;

• (e) investments targeting the relocation of activities and conversion of buildings or other facilities located inside or close to rural settlements, with a view to improving the quality of life or increasing the environmental performance of the settlement.

• (a) the costs of drawing up and updating of development and management plans relating to rural areas and their basic services, and to high nature value sites;

• (b) the costs for the preparation of studies associated with cultural and natural heritage, rural landscapes and high nature value sites;

• (c) investment costs for tangible and intangible assets;

• (d) costs linked to environmental awareness actions.

The costs of capitalised works may be also eligible for aid referred to in paragraph 3, point (d).

Working capital shall not be considered to be an eligible cost. The aid shall not be granted as operating aid.

In order not to exceed the maximum aid intensity, for activities referred to in paragraph 3, points (b), (c) and (d), the net revenues shall be deducted from the eligible costs ex ante on the basis of reasonable projections or through a clawback mechanism. Alternatively, for aid not exceeding EUR 1 million, the maximum aid intensity may be set at 80 % of eligible costs.

Where the relocation of the activities or the conversion of buildings or other facilities results in a modernisation of those facilities or in an increase in production capacity, in addition to the dismantling, removal and re-building of existing facilities as referred to in the first subparagraph, the aid intensities shall not exceed the maximum aid intensity established in the regional aid map which is in force at the time the aid is granted in the area concerned in respect of the costs relating to the modernisation of the facilities or the increase of production capacity. The pure replacement of an existing building or facilities by a new up-to date building or facilities without fundamentally changing the production or the technology involved is not considered to be related to the modernisation.

Article 56

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

• (a) it is granted in the framework of a CAP Strategic Plan in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 in one of the following forms:
• (i) aid co-financed by EAFRD;
• (ii) additional national financing to the aid referred to in point (i);

• (b) it is identical to the relevant measure provided for in the CAP Strategic Plan referred to in point (a).

• (a) farmers or members of a farm household in rural areas diversifying into non-agricultural activities;

• (b) micro and small enterprises in rural areas;

• (c) natural persons in rural areas.

The business plan shall describe the following:

• (a) the initial economic situation of the beneficiary;

• (b) milestones and targets for the development of the new activities of the beneficiary;

• (c) details of the actions required for the development of the activities of the beneficiary, such as details of investments, training, advice.

The business plan shall have a maximum duration of five years.

Article 57

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

• (a) it is granted in the framework of a CAP Strategic Plan in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 in one of the following forms:
• (i) aid co-financed by EAFRD;
• (ii) additional national financing to the aid referred to in point (i);

• (b) it is identical to the relevant intervention provided for in the CAP Strategic Plan referred to in point (a).

• (a) quality schemes for cotton and foodstuffs established under Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012;

• (b) quality schemes for cotton and foodstuffs, including certification schemes, recognised by the Member States as complying with the following criteria:
• (i) the specificity of the final product produced under such quality schemes is derived from clear obligations to guarantee one or more of the following:
• — specific product characteristics;
• — specific farming or production methods;
• — a quality of the final product that goes significantly beyond the commercial commodity standards as regards public, animal or plant health, animal welfare or environmental protection;
• (ii) the scheme is open to all producers;
• (iii) the scheme involves binding final product specifications and compliance with those specifications is verified by public authorities or by an independent inspection body;
• (iv) the scheme is transparent and assures complete traceability of agricultural products;

• (c) voluntary foodstuff certification schemes recognised by the Member State concerned as meeting the requirements laid down in the Commission Communication – EU best practice guidelines for voluntary certification schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs ([^E0032]).

Article 58

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

• (a) it is granted in the framework of a CAP Strategic Plan in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 in one of the following forms:
• (i) aid co-financed by EAFRD;
• (ii) additional national financing to the aid referred to in point (i);

• (b) it is identical to the relevant measure provided for in the CAP Strategic Plan referred to in point (a).

• (a) they are designed to induce consumers to buy the foodstuffs or the cotton covered by a quality scheme as referred to in Article 57(3);

• (b) they draw attention to specific features or advantages of the foodstuff or the cotton, notably to the quality, specific production method, high animal welfare standards and respect for the environment linked to the quality scheme concerned.

Article 59

Aid for cooperation in rural areas

• (a) it is granted in the framework of a CAP Strategic Plan in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 in one of the following forms:
• (i) aid co-financed by EAFRD;
• (ii) additional national financing to the aid referred to in point (i);

• (b) it is identical to the relevant measure provided for in the CAP Strategic Plan referred to in point (a).

• (a) cooperation between undertakings and other actors as referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article;

• (b) the creation of clusters and networks.

• (a) pilot projects;

• (b) the development of new products, practices, processes and technologies in the food sector;

• (c) cooperation among small operators in organizing joint work processes and sharing facilities and resources and for the development and/or marketing of tourism services relating to rural tourism;

• (d) horizontal and vertical cooperation among supply chain actors for the establishment and development of short supply chains and local markets;

• (e) promotion activities in a local context relating to the development of short supply chain and local markets;

• (f) collective actions undertaken with a view to mitigating or adapting to climate change;

• (g) joint approaches to environmental projects and ongoing environmental practices, including efficient water management, the use of renewable energy and the preservation of agricultural landscapes;

• (h) horizontal and vertical cooperation among supply chain actors in the sustainable provision of biomass for use in food and energy production and industrial processes;

• (i) implementation, in particular by groups of public and private partners other than those defined in Article 32(2), point (b), of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, of local development strategies other than those defined in Article 2, point (19), of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 addressing one or more of the Union priorities for rural development;

• (j) diversification of farming activities into activities concerning health care, social integration, community-supported agriculture and education about the environment and food;

• (k) implementation of smart-village strategies.

• (a) the costs of preparatory support, capacity building, training and networking with a view of preparing and implementing a cooperation project;

• (b) costs for studies of the area concerned, feasibility studies, and the drawing up of a business plan or local development strategy other than the one referred to in Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060;

• (c) costs for the animation of the area concerned in order to make feasible a collective territorial project; in the case of clusters, the animation may also concern networking between members and the recruitment of new members;

• (d) the running costs of cooperation, such as the salary of a coordinator;

• (e) the direct costs of specific projects linked to the implementation of a business plan, an environmental plan, a local development strategy other than the one referred to in Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 or other actions targeted towards innovation, including testing;

• (f) costs for promotion activities.