The Less Favoured Areas (LFA) and Moorland Lines dataset is presented as a joint of two datasets which have been merged into one: Less Favoured Areas and Moorland Line. Both datasets are statutory Instruments and together they provide different classifications of land in England based on the difficulty of farming.

Less Favoured Areas are a transposed European Commission designation which provides special measures to assist farming in the areas designated. The Less Favoured Areas consist of Severely Disadvantaged and Disadvantaged Areas. They are (mainly upland) areas where the natural characteristics (geology, altitude, climate, etc.) make economic competition difficult. In place since 1975, it is a long standing measure of the Common Agricultural Policy.

The Moorland Line is a further designation of land within the LFA, and it is also used under domestic legislation to better target support for the uplands. The Moorland Line encloses land within England which has been defined as predominantly semi-natural upland vegetation, or predominantly of rock outcrops and semi-natural vegetation, used primarily for rough grazing. It was drawn up in 1992 to assist the development, implementation and evaluation of policy in the English Uplands. The moorland line encloses some 42% of LFA land.

The 5 regions in the Less Favoured Areas and Moorland Lines dataset are classified as: • N: Land outside Severely Disadvantaged Area (lowland) • S: Land within Severely Disadvantaged Area (upland) • D: Land within Disadvantaged Area • MS: Moorland within a Severely Disadvantaged Area • MD: Moorland within Disadvantaged Area

In recognition of the different physical and socio-economic characteristics across the regions, the European Union introduced the Less Favoured Area (LFA) designation to support farming where production conditions are difficult. The criteria for LFA designation were first established in European legislation in 1975 (Directive 75/268 EEC and accompanying measures). There are 3 types of LFA's; all in Scotland fall into the category of simple LFA's marked by poor soils and low agricultural income. Scotland's LFA's are defined by: (i) The presence of poor land of poor productivity, which is difficult to cultivate and with a limited potential which cannot be increased except at excessive cost, and which is mainly suitable for extensive livestock farming. (ii) lower than average production, compared to the main indices of economic performance in agriculture. (iii) a low or dwindling population predominantly dependent on agricultural activity, the accelerated decline of which could cause rural depopulation

Less-favoured agricultural areas are territories with specific (economic, agricultural, physical and demographic), natural and permanent handicaps linked to terrain, altitude, slope and soil, in which the maintenance of agricultural activity is necessary for the maintenance of the natural area (see Directive 75/268/EEC). They carry the public policy of support for agriculture (ICHN aid) in its environmental and social functions which make it an important contributor to the sustainable development of the economy.The compensatory allowances for natural handicaps (ICHN) contribute to the maintenance of a viable rural community in less-favoured areas and thus help to balance the occupation of the territory by economic and human activities.The total or partial classification of municipalities in less-favoured areas is determined by decrees of the Ministry of Agriculture, it is broken down into 5 types of less-favoured areas: high mountain, mountain, dry mountain, foothill and simple less-favoured areas.

This is a GIS dataset owned by the Welsh Government and licensed to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) for internal use only. In recognition of the different physical and socio-economic characteristics across the regions, the European Union introduced the Less Favoured Area (LFA) designation to support farming where production conditions are difficult. The criteria for LFA designation were first established in European legislation in 1975 (Directive 75/268 EEC and accompanying measures).

Lessfavoured agricultural areas are territories with specific natural and permanent handicaps (economic, agricultural, physical and demographic) related to terrain, altitude, slope and soil, in which the maintenance of agricultural activity is necessary for the maintenance of the natural area (see Directive 75/268/EEC). They carry the public policy of support to agriculture (ICHN aid) in its environmental and social functions which make it an important contributor to the sustainable development of the economy.The compensation for natural handicaps (ICHN) contributes to the maintenance of a viable rural community in disadvantaged areas and thus helps to balance the occupation of the territory by economic and human activities.The total or partial classification of municipalities in less-favoured areas is determined by decrees of the Ministry in charge of agriculture, it is divided into 5 types of disadvantaged areas: areas of high mountain, mountain, dry mountain, Piedmont and simple less-favoured areas.

Less-favoured agricultural areas are territories with specific (economic, agricultural, physical and demographic), natural and permanent handicaps linked to terrain, altitude, slope and soil, in which the maintenance of agricultural activity is necessary for the maintenance of the natural area (see Directive 75/268/EEC). They carry the public policy of supporting agriculture (ICHN aid) in its environmental and social functions, which make it an important contributor to the sustainable development of the economy. Compensation for natural handicaps (ICHN) contributes to the maintenance of a viable rural community in less-favoured areas and thus helps to balance the occupation of the territory by economic and human activities. The classification, in whole or in part, of municipalities in less-favoured areas is determined by decrees of the Ministry of Agriculture. It is broken down into five types of less-favoured areas: high mountain, mountain, dry mountain, foothill and simple less-favoured areas. This table was created from the list of municipalities of the interministerial decree of 27/03/2019 and its annex for the simple disadvantaged area.Concerning the classification in mountain areas it is not changed.

Less-favoured agricultural areas are territories with specific (economic, agricultural, physical and demographic), natural and permanent handicaps linked to terrain, altitude, slope and soil, in which the maintenance of agricultural activity is necessary for the maintenance of the natural area (see Directive 75/268/EEC). They carry the public policy of support for agriculture (ICHN aid) in its environmental and social functions which make it an important contributor to the sustainable development of the economy.The compensatory allowances for natural handicaps (ICHN) contribute to the maintenance of a viable rural community in less-favoured areas and thus help to balance the occupation of the territory by economic and human activities.The total or partial classification of municipalities in less-favoured areas is determined by decrees of the Ministry of Agriculture, it is broken down into 5 types of less-favoured areas: high mountain, mountain, dry mountain, foothill and simple less-favoured areas.

Less-favoured agricultural areas are territories with specific (economic, agricultural, physical and demographic), natural and permanent handicaps linked to terrain, altitude, slope and soil, in which the maintenance of agricultural activity is necessary for the maintenance of the natural area (see Directive 75/268/EEC). They carry the public policy of supporting agriculture (ICHN aid) in its environmental and social functions, which make it an important contributor to the sustainable development of the economy. Compensation for natural handicaps (ICHN) contributes to the maintenance of a viable rural community in less-favoured areas and thus helps to balance the occupation of the territory by economic and human activities. The classification, in whole or in part, of municipalities in less-favoured areas is determined by decrees of the Ministry of Agriculture. It is broken down into five types of less-favoured areas: high mountain, mountain, dry mountain, foothill and simple less-favoured areas.

Less-favoured agricultural areas Less-favoured agricultural areas are territories with specific (economic, agricultural, physical and demographic), natural and permanent handicaps linked to terrain, altitude, slope and soil, in which the maintenance of agricultural activity is necessary for the maintenance of the natural area (see Directive 75/268/EEC). They carry the public policy of supporting agriculture (ICHN aid) in its environmental and social functions, which make it an important contributor to the sustainable development of the economy. Compensation for natural handicaps (ICHN) contributes to the maintenance of a viable rural community in less-favoured areas and thus helps to balance the occupation of the territory by economic and human activities.

The total or partial classification of municipalities in less-favoured areas is determined by orders of the Ministry of Agriculture It consists of 5 types of less-favoured areas: high mountain, mountain, dry mountain, foothill and simple less-favoured areas.

Less-favoured agricultural areas are territories with specific (economic, agricultural, physical and demographic), natural and permanent handicaps linked to terrain, altitude, slope and soil, in which the maintenance of agricultural activity is necessary for the maintenance of the natural area (see Directive 75/268/EEC). They carry the public policy of supporting agriculture (ICHN aid) in its environmental and social functions, which make it an important contributor to the sustainable development of the economy. Compensation for natural handicaps (ICHN) contributes to the maintenance of a viable rural community in less-favoured areas and thus helps to balance the occupation of the territory by economic and human activities. The total or partial classification of municipalities in less-favoured areas is determined by decrees of the Ministry of Agriculture. It consists of 5 types of less-favoured areas: high mountain, mountain, dry mountain, foothill and simple less-favoured areas.

Less-favoured agricultural areas are territories with specific (economic, agricultural, physical and demographic), natural and permanent handicaps linked to terrain, altitude, slope and soil, in which the maintenance of agricultural activity is necessary for the maintenance of the natural area (see Directive 75/268/EEC). They carry the public policy of supporting agriculture (ICHN aid) in its environmental and social functions, which make it an important contributor to the sustainable development of the economy. Compensation for natural handicaps (ICHN) contributes to the maintenance of a viable rural community in less-favoured areas and thus helps to balance the occupation of the territory by economic and human activities. The classification, in whole or in part, of municipalities in less-favoured areas is determined by decrees of the Ministry of Agriculture. It is broken down into five types of less-favoured areas: high mountain, mountain, dry mountain, foothill and simple less-favoured areas. This table was created from the list of municipalities of the interministerial decree of 27/03/2019 and its annex for the simple disadvantaged area.Concerning the classification in mountain areas it is not changed.

Less-favoured agricultural areas are territories with specific (economic, agricultural, physical and demographic), natural and permanent handicaps linked to terrain, altitude, slope and soil, in which the maintenance of agricultural activity is necessary for the maintenance of the natural area (see Directive 75/268/EEC). They carry the public policy of supporting agriculture (ICHN aid) in its environmental and social functions, which make it an important contributor to the sustainable development of the economy. Compensation for natural handicaps (ICHN) contributes to the maintenance of a viable rural community in less-favoured areas and thus helps to balance the occupation of the territory by economic and human activities. The classification, in whole or in part, of municipalities in less-favoured areas is determined by decrees of the Ministry of Agriculture. It is broken down into five types of less-favoured areas: high mountain, mountain, dry mountain, foothill and simple less-favoured areas.

Less-favoured agricultural areas are territories with specific (economic, agricultural, physical and demographic), natural and permanent handicaps linked to terrain, altitude, slope and soil, in which the maintenance of agricultural activity is necessary for the maintenance of the natural area (see Directive 75/268/EEC). They carry the public policy of support for agriculture (ICHN aid) in its environmental and social functions which make it an important contributor to the sustainable development of the economy.The compensatory allowances for natural handicaps (ICHN) contribute to the maintenance of a viable rural community in less-favoured areas and thus help to balance the occupation of the territory by economic and human activities.The total or partial classification of municipalities in less-favoured areas is determined by decrees of the Ministry of Agriculture, it is broken down into 5 types of less-favoured areas: high mountain, mountain, dry mountain, foothill and simple less-favoured areas.

Less-favoured agricultural areas are territories with specific (economic, agricultural, physical and demographic), natural and permanent handicaps linked to terrain, altitude, slope and soil, in which the maintenance of agricultural activity is necessary for the maintenance of the natural area (see Directive 75/268/EEC). They carry the public policy of supporting agriculture (ICHN aid) in its environmental and social functions, which make it an important contributor to the sustainable development of the economy. Compensation for natural handicaps (ICHN) contributes to the maintenance of a viable rural community in less-favoured areas and thus helps to balance the occupation of the territory by economic and human activities. Updated following the Order of 9 May 2019.

Less-favoured agricultural areas are territories with specific (economic, agricultural, physical and demographic), natural and permanent handicaps linked to terrain, altitude, slope and soil, in which the maintenance of agricultural activity is necessary for the maintenance of the natural area (see Directive 75/268/EEC). They carry the public policy of support for agriculture (ICHN aid) in its environmental and social functions which make it an important contributor to the sustainable development of the economy.The compensatory allowances for natural handicaps (ICHN) contribute to the maintenance of a viable rural community in less-favoured areas and thus help to balance the occupation of the territory by economic and human activities.The total or partial classification of municipalities in less-favoured areas is determined by orders of the Ministry of Agriculture. It consists of 5 types of less-favoured areas: high mountain, mountain, dry mountain, foothill and simple less-favoured areas.

Less-favoured agricultural areas are territories with specific (economic, agricultural, physical and demographic), natural and permanent handicaps linked to terrain, altitude, slope and soil, in which the maintenance of agricultural activity is necessary for the maintenance of the natural area (see Directive 75/268/EEC). They carry the public policy of supporting agriculture (ICHN aid) in its environmental and social functions, which make it an important contributor to the sustainable development of the economy. Compensation for natural handicaps (ICHN) contributes to the maintenance of a viable rural community in less-favoured areas and thus helps to balance the occupation of the territory by economic and human activities. The classification, in whole or in part, of municipalities in less-favoured areas is determined by decrees of the Ministry of Agriculture. It is broken down into five types of less-favoured areas: high mountain, mountain, dry mountain, foothill and simple less-favoured areas. The TYPE_HANDICAP codes seem to be different from one department to another. But the values are mandatory:- high mountain-mountain- foothill- dry mountain- simple disadvantaged. Moreover, we are here typically in a case where versioning a layer is useful: this allows zoning to be maintained over a number of years, despite evolutionary regulations...

Less-favoured agricultural areas (Frenchterminology) are areas subject to natural or specific constraints in which agricultural production is considered more difficult. In these areas, farmers are eligible for EU compensatory aid linked to these handicaps. According to European rules, there are currently three types of less-favoured agricultural areas: mountain areas; areas with significant natural constraints (SCNA); areas subject to specific constraints (SSAs). ZSCN and ZSCS are non-mountain areas, they are historically referred to as “simple less-favoured areas” or ZDS. The distinction between ZSCS and ZSCN is purely regulatory, it has no consequence in terms of the allocation of aid. The basic unit for delimitation is the municipality. A new delimitation of less-favoured areas enters into force in 2019 In response to Decree No 2019-243 of 27 March 2019 on the revision of the criteria for the delimitation of lessfavoured agricultural areas other than mountain areas amending the Rural Code and the Order of 27 March 2019 delimiting less-favoured agricultural areas, Order No 19-124 on the delimitation of sub-areas subject to natural or specific constraints eligible for payment of the compensation for natural handicaps of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region was signed on 2 May by the Prefect of Region. You will find enclosed the Order together with its annex. A mapping atlas of municipalities with infra-communal zoning has been established but is too large to be transmitted to you (339 MB). It will be posted shortly on the DRAAF website.

Less-favoured agricultural areas are territories with specific (economic, agricultural, physical and demographic), natural and permanent handicaps linked to terrain, altitude, slope and soil, in which the maintenance of agricultural activity is necessary for the maintenance of the natural area (see Directive 75/268/EEC). They carry the public policy of supporting agriculture (ICHN aid) in its environmental and social functions, which make it an important contributor to the sustainable development of the economy. Compensation for natural handicaps (ICHN) contributes to the maintenance of a viable rural community in less-favoured areas and thus helps to balance the occupation of the territory by economic and human activities. The classification, in whole or in part, of municipalities in less-favoured areas is determined by decrees of the Ministry of Agriculture. It is broken down into five types of less-favoured areas: high mountain, mountain, dry mountain, foothill and simple less-favoured areas.

Less-favoured agricultural areas are territories with specific (economic, agricultural, physical and demographic), natural and permanent handicaps linked to terrain, altitude, slope and soil, in which the maintenance of agricultural activity is necessary for the maintenance of the natural area (see Directive 75/268/EEC). They carry the public policy of support for agriculture (ICHN aid) in its environmental and social functions which make it an important contributor to the sustainable development of the economy.The compensatory allowances for natural handicaps (ICHN) contribute to the maintenance of a viable rural community in less-favoured areas and thus help to balance the occupation of the territory by economic and human activities.The total or partial classification of municipalities in less-favoured areas is determined by orders of the Ministry of Agriculture. It consists of 5 types of less-favoured areas: high mountain, mountain, dry mountain, foothill and simple less-favoured areas.

Funding for farms in disadvantaged and specific areas (compensation allowance) The compensation allowance for farms in disadvantaged areas is part of the Thuringia Rural Development Program (EPLR) 2014-2020. It is paid for agricultural land in disadvantaged and specific areas in the form of a Aid granted per hectare. Payments of the compensatory allowance compensate for additional income losses incurred by farmers as a result of disadvantages for agricultural production in the areas concerned. The goals are to continue gainful employment, to maintain agricultural land use and to preserve traditional farming methods and thus the cultural landscape as a whole - with positive consequences for biological diversity. The specific design of the compensatory allowance supports in particular grassland and fodder cultivation systems and thus the associated animal husbandry. In specific areas, the continuation of management on marginal grassland areas that are often difficult to manage in areas dominated by arable farming is supported; this serves to preserve them. Less-favoured areas or specific areas are those defined in accordance with Art. 32 of Regulation (EU) No. 1305/2013. The affected districts are part of the geodata and are published as a list on the website of the Ministry responsible for agriculture in Thuringia.