(22) Sweden should ensure that appropriate control measures are taken vis-à-vis aid beneficiaries. In order to ensure the effectiveness of those measures and transparency in the implementation of the Nordic aid scheme, those control measures should be as far as possible aligned to those carried out under the common agricultural policy.

(23) In order to achieve the aim of maintaining production, as stated in Article 142 of the Act of Accession, and to facilitate the administration of support, this Decision should apply from 1 January 2023.

(24) For reasons of clarity, Decision (EU) 2018/479 should be repealed. It is appropriate to provide transitional measures regarding the reporting on the support pursuant to Article 142 of the Act of Accession paid in 2018–2022 under Commission Decision (EU) 2018/479,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Authorised aid

1. From 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2028 Sweden is authorised to implement the long-term aid scheme for agriculture in its northern regions listed in Annex I.

2. The total amount of aid granted shall not exceed SEK 473,75 million per calendar year. The yearly maximum amounts shall be considered as annual averages of the aid granted in the period of six calendar years covered by this Decision.

3. Aid categories and the production sectors for each category, the maximum average yearly amounts allowed, as specified in paragraph 2, including the separate maximum amount for cow’s milk production and transport, as well as the maximum yearly number of eligible production factors per aid category, are set out in Annex II.

4. Aid shall be granted on the basis of eligible production factors or production amounts as follows:

(a) per kilogram milk of actual production for the production of cow’s milk;

(b) per livestock unit for animal husbandry;

(d) as a compensation for actual costs for the transport of cow’s milk, deducting any other public support for the same costs.

Aid linked to production amounts may be granted only towards the production of cow’s milk and in no case shall the aid be linked to future production.

The conversion rates into livestock units for the various types of livestock are set out in Annex II.

5. In accordance with paragraph 3 and within the limits set out in Annex II, Sweden shall differentiate the aid in its northern regions and set the aid amounts annually per production factor, cost or unit of production on the basis of objective criteria relating to the severity of the natural handicap and other factors contributing to attaining the objectives set out in Article 142(3), third subparagraph, of the Act of Accession.

Article 2

Reference periods

The reference period referred to in the second indent of Article 142(3), first subparagraph, of the Act of Accession shall be 1993 as regards both the quantities and the level of support set out in Article 1 of this Decision.

Article 3

Conditions for granting aid

1. Sweden shall lay down, within the limits provided for in this Decision, the conditions for granting aid to the various categories of beneficiaries. Such conditions shall include the eligibility and selection criteria applied and ensure the equal treatment of beneficiaries.