Aid for cooperation in the agricultural sector
Article 32
1. Aid for cooperation in the agricultural sector shall be compatible with the internal market within the meaning of Article 107(3), point (c), of the Treaty and shall be exempted from the notification requirement of Article 108(3) thereof where it fulfils the conditions laid down in this Article and in Chapter I of this Regulation. 2. Aid shall only be granted to promote cooperation, which contributes to achieving one or more of the objectives set out in Article 6(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115. 3. Forms of cooperation covered by this Article shall involve at least two actors irrespective of whether they are active in the agricultural sector, but subject to the cooperation benefitting mainly the agricultural sector. 4. The following forms of cooperation shall be eligible: (a) cooperation among different undertakings in the agricultural sector, food chain and other actors active in the agricultural sector, including producer groups, cooperatives and inter-branch organisation, that contribute to achieving the objectives and priorities of rural development policy; (b) the creation of clusters and networks; (c) farm succession, in particular for generational renewal at farm level (aid shall be limited to farmers who have, or will have by the end of the operation reached the retirement age, determined by the Member State concerned in accordance with its national legislation). 5. Aid shall not be granted for cooperation solely involving research bodies. 6. Aid may be granted for cooperation relating to the following activities: (a) pilot projects; (b) the development of new products, practices, processes and technologies in the agricultural and food sectors as far as agricultural products are concerned; (c) cooperation among small operators in the agricultural 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) joint approaches to environmental projects and ongoing environmental practices including efficient water management, the use of renewable energy ( 44 ) 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 production if the result is an agricultural product and energy production for own consumption; (i) 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 Regulation (EU) 2021/1060. 7. Aid shall only be granted to new forms of cooperation, including existing ones if starting a new activity. 8. Aid for the establishment and development of short supply chains, as referred to in paragraph 6, points (d) and (e), shall cover only supply chains involving no more than one intermediary between farmer and consumer. 9. Aid under this Article shall comply with Articles 206 to 210a of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013. 10. Operations which consist of investments shall comply with the rules and requirements, as specified in the applicable Article on investment aid of this Regulation, as well as Article 4 on notification thresholds. 11. The following costs shall be eligible, in so far as they concern agricultural activities: (a) the costs of preparatory support, capacity building, training and networking with a view of preparing and implementing a cooperation project; (b) 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; (c) the running costs of cooperation; (d) the costs of operations to be implemented, including costs linked to animation; (e) the costs for promotion activities. 12. Aid shall be limited to a maximum period of seven years. 13. The aid shall be limited to 100 % of the eligible costs. 14. In case of operations referred to in paragraph 11, point (d), which consist of investments, aid shall be limited to the maximum aid intensity of investment aid, as specified in the relevant Article on investment aid.