The objective of the Control Unit is to conduct the required controls in
order to ensure effective verification of compliance with the terms under which
aids are granted and of the requirements and standards relevant for cross
compliance.
As the technical branch of the Agriculture and Rural Payments Agency,
the Control Unit is responsible for the maintenance of the Controls Module within the Integrated
Administration and Control System (IACS), the Geographical Information System
(GIS) and the execution of the on-the-spot checks which is made up of the
following functions:
On The Spot Control
Cross Compliance
- Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS)
On the Spot Controls
The Control Unit utilizes the latest technology methods to
control the agricultural holdings on which an application has been made.
On-the-spot controls are performed using two methods;
Remote Sensing
Approximately 15,000 agricultural land parcels are controlled
annually by remote sensing using specialized software. The use of remote sensing
helps to minimise the requirement for traditional means of on the spot checks
and thus making the control process more cost-effective and efficient.
Traditional
(Physical) Checks
Physical checks are performed to verify compliance with eligibility
criteria in relation to the following measures;
Direct Aid;
Single
Payment Scheme;
Less Favoured Area Measure;
Agri-Environmental Measures;
Agri-Environmental and Climate Measures;
Areas with Natural Constraints
Investment Measures;
School Fruit & Vegatables Scheme;
School Milk Scheme;
Aid to Beekeepers.
The selection of applicants for control is based on a risk
analysis process, taking into consideration the most relevant risk factors. A
total number of on the spot checks carried out each year covers at least 5% of
all farmers submitting an application for aid.. A further 1% of investment type
projects for which payments have been finalised shall also be subject to
further checking for a period of 5 years.
Cross Compliance
Cross Compliance is compulsory to all member states including
Malta. All farmers receiving direct payments or are receiving payments
under Axis II of the Rural Development Plan are subject to cross
compliance.
Farmers do not have to produce in order to receive direct aid, but they must respect cross
compliance standards in two ways:
Nowadays cross compliance has been extended beyond environmental
rules and also include:
- public, animal and plant health;
- animal welfare;
- complying with minimum requirements for fertilisers and plant protection
products for those farmers receiving aid under Pillar II.
Farmers must comply with all legislation affecting their
holding. Failure by farmers to respect these conditions can result in
deductions from, or complete cancellation of, direct payments.
Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS)
The Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) is the key
component of the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) for area
based subsidies. It is the modern supporting tool in the form of a
spatial register used within an IACS environment that helps the farmer who
intends to apply for aid under any of the area-related aid schemes to identify
any agricultural parcels intended to be listed in his annual declaration for EU
aid.
Farmers have to register their land in the LPIS before
submitting an application for aid.
- Farmers can submit a request to register or
transfer their land at the Front Office of the Paying Agency;
- Only land predominantly used for agricultural purposes is registered in
the LPIS;
- A parcel can only be registered on one farmer;
- Upon registration, the farmer is provided with a Farmer’s Parcel List;
- On the submission of an application for aid, graphical maps will be provided.