If you find you are no longer able to meet the conditions of the your contract, write to your RPAC, RPID area office or Case Officer within 10 days of being in a position to do so. You must explain the reason why and supply any relevant evidence.
You may have to pay back some or all of the payments we have made to you. Plus interest. You may also have to pay a penalty. We would not seek recovery where you can provide evidence that the reason for the failure meets the strict conditions of force majeure or exceptional circumstance. As defined below.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1974/2006 - Article 47 - Force Majeure
1) Member States may recognise, in particular, the following categories of force majeure or exceptional circumstance in which they will not require the partial or full reimbursement of aid received by the beneficiary.
a) death of the beneficiary
b) long-term professional incapacity of the beneficiary
c) expropriation of a large part of the holding if that could not have been anticipated on the day on which the commitment was given
d) a severe natural disaster seriously affecting the land on the holding
e) the accidental destruction of livestock buildings on the holding
f) an epizootic disease affecting all or part of the farmer's livestock.
2) Cases of force majeure or exceptional circumstance shall be notified in writing by the beneficiary, or any person entitled through or under him to the competent authority, together with relevant evidence to the satisfaction of that authority, within 10 working days from the date on which the beneficiary, or the person entitled through or under him, is in a position to do so.