Brussels, 02/08/2011 (Agence Europe) - The total EAFRD (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development) payment from EU27 member states for the 2007-2009 programming period amounts to €19.4 billion, representing 21.3% of the overall 2007-2013 budget of €90.98 billion, according to a European Commission report recently published. “Given that the timeframe under consideration represents 33% of the payment period (3 years out of 9), this number indicates a slightly late uptake”, the Commission states. However, it goes on to acknowledge that programme implementation normally needs more time in the first years before it reaches normal speed, especially given that many rural development programmes were approved near the end of 2007 and 41 (out of 94) were approved in 2008.
Regarding the total amount paid by EAFRD for the programming period 2007-2009 (€19.4 billion), the Commission states that the situation is far from being identical in all member states: only two member states (Luxembourg and Ireland) have spending levels above 40%, while three member states have spent less than 10%. Figures are very low for Italy (12-13%) and, with a rate of 35%, France is in fifth position with the highest figure.
Many rural development programme modifications have already been made to correct the first difficulties encountered, and further adaptations have been introduced to incorporate additional funds addressing new challenges (Health Check) and the economic crisis (European economy recovery package), the Commission points out.
Preliminary figures for 2010 indicate that a majority of programmes has reached cruising speed. The synthesis of the mid-term evaluations of the rural development programmes to be available in 2012 will provide more information as to what extent the programmes are on track to achieve their objectives and to respond to the Community priorities, the Commission concludes. (L.C./transl.jl)