General principles
Article 52
1. The regions referred to in Article 52(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013shall be defined by the Member States in accordance with objective and non-discriminatory criteria such as the agronomic and socioeconomic characteristics and the regional agricultural potential, or the institutional or administrative structure. Such regions may differ from regions established under other support schemes provided for in Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013. 2. When defining the specific types of farming or specific agricultural sectors referred to in Article 52(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, Member States shall take into account in particular the relevant production structures and conditions of the region or sector concerned. 3. For the purposes of Article 52(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, certain types of farming or specific agricultural sectors shall be considered as being in ‘difficulties’ if there is a risk of abandonment or of decline of production due to, inter alia, the weak profitability of the activity carried out which negatively affects the economic, social or environmental balance in the region or sector concerned.