Article 24 General principles

Administrative checks and on-the-spot checks provided for in this Regulation shall be made in such a way as to ensure effective verification of:

1. (a)

   the correctness and completeness of the information provided in the F1aid application, application for support, payment claim or other declaration;

2. (b)

   compliance with all eligibility criteria, commitments and other obligations for the F2aid scheme and/or support measure concerned, the terms under which F3aid and/or support or exemption from obligations are granted;

3. (c)

   F4the requirements and standards relevant for cross-compliance.

F5The relevant authority shall ensure that compliance with all conditions applicable established by F6the law applying in the constituent nation and documents containing implementing arrangements or by the rural development programme can be checked according to a set of verifiable indicators to be established by the relevant authority.

The results of the administrative and on-the-spot checks shall be assessed to establish whether any problems encountered could in general entail a risk for other similar operations, beneficiaries or other bodies. The assessment shall also identify the causes of such situations, any further examination which may be required and necessary corrective and preventive actions.

The competent authority shall carry out physical inspections in the field in the event that photo-interpretation of satellite or aerial ortho-images or other relevant evidence including evidence provided by the beneficiary at the request of the competent authority do not provide results that would permit definitive conclusions to be drawn to the satisfaction of the competent authority concerning the eligibility or, where applicable, the correct size of the area that is the subject of administrative or on-the-spot checks.

F8By way of derogation from the first sub-paragraph, the competent authority may fully substitute the physical inspections to be carried out under this Regulation in respect of claim year 2020 by the use of photo-interpretation of satellite or aerial ortho-images or other relevant evidence including evidence provided by the beneficiary, such as geo-tagged photos, which could permit definitive conclusions to be drawn to the satisfaction of the competent authority.

F9By way of derogation from the first subparagraph, the competent authority may, fully substitute the physical inspections to be carried out under this Regulation in respect of claim year 2020 by the use of photo-interpretation of satellite or aerial ortho-images or other relevant evidence including evidence provided by the beneficiary, such as geo-tagged photos, which could permit definitive conclusions to be drawn to the satisfaction of the competent authority.

F10By way of derogation from the first sub-paragraph, no physical inspection is required in respect of claim year 2020 for on-the-spot checks related to direct payment support and in respect of claim year 2021 for on-the-spot checks related to direct payment support and support for rural development. The competent authority will draw a definitive conclusion from the use of photo-interpretation of satellite or aerial ortho-images or other relevant evidence including such evidence provided by the beneficiary at the request of the competent authority.

This Chapter shall apply to all checks carried out under this Regulation and without prejudice to specific rules provided for in Title IV and V. Paragraph 3 shall however not apply to Title V.