Sweden: list of less-favoured farming areas within the meaning of directive 75/268/EEC

- OBJECTIVE: presentation of the list of disadvantaged agricultural zones in Sweden which, according to Article 2 (1) of Directive 75/268/EEC, are to be included in the Community list of disadvantaged agricultural zones. - COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Directive 95/498/EC concerning the Community list of disadvantaged agricultural zones as defined in Directive 75/268/EEC (Sweden). - SUBSTANCE: According to declaration No 37 of the Act of Accession of Sweden to the European Union, the listed zones are defined in accordance with the "acquis communautaire" and should take account of the fact that Sweden lies in the northern latitudes, as a relevant criterion for the purpose of Article 3 (3) of Directive 75/268/EEC. The criteria in question have produced a list of districts (Församling) proposed by the Swedish Government, and presented in the annex to the Directive, which are to appear on the Community list of disadvantaged zones. These zones shall comply with the regulations provided under Article 3 (3, 4 and 5) of Directive 75/268/EEC. The areas in question are: - mountainous zones where the altitude, the gradient and the northern location reduce the vegetation period and the possibility of mechanisation (Article 3 (3)); - zones which are disadvantaged from an agricultural point of view and characterized by low soil productivity and poor agricultural revenues (Article 3 (4)); - disadvantaged zones which have specific handicaps (low density of agricultural plots, hilly ground, poor hydrographic situation, coastal or lake-based islands, etc.) and where agriculture has to be supported in order to maintain the natural environment (Article 3 (5)). The application of these indices results in a 51% coverage of the country's agricultural land (4 of the 5 zones of northern Sweden receiving agricultural aid prior to accession are to be considered). Zones having specific handicaps do not exceed 4% of the country's land surface. Community support for expenditure by way of compensation to be paid to farmers operating in these zones shall be considered within the overall sum provided for Objectives 5a and 6 of the Structural Funds. - ENTRY INTO FORCE: 23.11.1995 �