Case C-343/21

PV

v

Zamestnik izpalnitelen direktor na Darzhaven fond ‘Zemedelie’

(Request for a preliminary ruling
from the Varhoven administrativen sad)

Judgment of the Court (Eighth Chamber) of 16 February 2023

(Reference for a preliminary ruling – Common agricultural policy – Support measures for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development – Agri-environmental payments – Regulation (EC) No 1974/2006 – Inability of the beneficiaries to continue to comply with the commitments given – Concepts of ‘reparcelling’ and ‘land-consolidation measures’ – Absence of measures necessary to adapt the obligations of the beneficiary to the new situation of the holding – Regulation (EC) No 1122/2009 – Concept of ‘force majeure and exceptional circumstances’)

1. Agriculture – Common agricultural policy – EAFRD financing – Support for rural development – Agri-environmental payments – No possibility for a beneficiary to continue to comply with an agri-environmental commitment given – Concepts of ‘reparcelling’ and ‘land-consolidation measure’

   (Commission Regulation No 1974/2006, recital 23 and Art. 45(4))

   (see paragraphs 35-40, 42-45, operative part 1)

2. Agriculture – Common agricultural policy – EAFRD financing – Support for rural development – Agri-environmental payments – Reparcelling or land-consolidation measures affecting a beneficiary’s ability to continue to comply with an agri-environmental commitment given

   (Commission Regulation No 1974/2006, recital 23 and Art. 45(4))

   (see paragraphs 49-53, operative part 2)

3. Agriculture – Common agricultural policy – EAFRD financing – Support for rural development – Agri-environmental payments – No possibility for a beneficiary to continue to comply with an agri-environmental commitment given – Force majeure – Concept

   (Council Regulation No 73/2009, Art. 31)

   (see paragraphs 56-60, operative part 3)

See the text of the decision.