This Regulation establishes the legal framework for the implementation and administration of Austria’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027, laying down detailed rules on eligibility, application procedures, controls, payments and sanctions for CAP-funded measures. It transposes and operationalises relevant EU legislation, including Regulations (EU) 2021/2115 and 2021/2116, and applies to direct payments, area‑ and animal‑based measures, as well as project and sectoral interventions (notably in fruit and vegetables, wine and beekeeping). The Regulation defines institutional responsibilities, notably assigning the Agrarmarkt Austria (AMA) as the paying agency, and establishes comprehensive administrative procedures, including electronic application systems, eligibility criteria for agricultural activity and land, asset classification, and obligations for beneficiaries regarding reporting, record-keeping and cooperation with controls.
The Regulation further specifies monitoring and control mechanisms, including administrative checks, satellite-based area monitoring and on-site inspections, alongside detailed provisions on sanctions, recovery of funds and conditionality requirements (including environmental, agricultural and social conditionality standards such as Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition "GAEC"). It sets out rules for financial management, including eligible costs, funding conditions, project implementation and audit requirements, as well as specific provisions for sectoral programmes (e.g. production, marketing, environmental measures and innovation in the fruit and vegetables and wine sectors). The framework also includes requirements for transparency, public visibility of support, risk management and advisory services, ensuring compliance with EU objectives on sustainability, environmental protection, and efficient use of public funds. The attachments are detailing the specific measures, standards, classifications and compliance requirements needed for implementation, monitoring and enforcement of CAP funding and sustainability obligations.