Article 2 Investments in agricultural holdings

Support may be granted for agricultural investments according to the conditions foreseen in Title II, Chapter I of Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 with the exception of Article 7 of that chapter.

Support for investment shall be granted to agricultural holdings:

• which comply with the national minimum standards regarding the environment, hygiene and animal welfare at the time when the decision to grant support is taken, and

• for which economic viability at the end of the realisation of the investment shall be demonstrated.

However, where acquis-related minimum standards regarding the environment, hygiene and animal welfare have been newly introduced at the time the application is received, the decision to grant support will be conditional on the holding meeting these new standards by the end of the realisation of the investment.

Each applicant country shall set limits for total investment eligible for support as well as acceptable standards regarding farmers' occupational skill and competence in order to be eligible for support.