Article 15
Reductions and exclusions 1. Except in cases of force majeure or exceptional circumstances as defined in Article 48 of Regulation (EC) No 2419/2001, where, as a result of an administrative or on-the-spot check, it is found that one or more of the area aid related conditions established by Member States in accordance with Article 2a(6) of Regulation (EC) No 1259/1999, as well as those set out in Article 5 and Article 11(1) of this Regulation are not respected and if the established difference between the area declared and the area determined, within the meaning of Article 2(r) of Regulation (EC) No 2419/2001, is more than 3 % but no more than 30 % of the area determined, the area aid part of the amount to be granted under the simplified scheme shall be reduced, for the calendar year in question, by twice the difference found. If the difference is more than 30 % of the area determined, no area aid part shall be granted under the simplified scheme for the calendar year in question. 2. In cases where the conditions set out in Article 12(3) are not respected, the extensification payment part of the amount to be granted under the simplified scheme shall not be paid. If the area declared, referred to in Article 4(2), exceeds the area determined by more than 10 %, the extensification payment part of the amount to be granted under the simplified scheme shall not be paid. Moreover, the amount to be granted under the simplified scheme shall be reduced by 50 % of the extensification payment part. 3. Where, as a result of an on-the-spot check, it is found that the obligations referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EEC) No 3508/92 are not being complied with, Article 39 of Regulation (EC) No 2419/2001 shall apply to the livestock premium part of the amount to be granted under the simplified scheme for the year concerned. 4. Where it is found that the non-compliance with the conditions referred to in paragraph 1 is intentional, the same exclusions or level of reductions and exclusions, as calculated for the year in which the non-compliance took place shall be applied to the payment due for the following calendar year, without prejudice to any other exclusions or reductions incurred in that year. 5. The exclusions and reductions provided for in paragraphs 1 to 4 shall not apply where the farmer submitted factually correct information or where he can show otherwise that he is not at fault.