# IMMC.COM%282020%29387%20final.ENG.xhtml.1_EN_ACT_part1_v2.docx

european flagEUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 20.8.2020

COM(2020) 387 final

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL

13th FINANCIAL REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL on the EUROPEAN AGRICULTURAL FUND FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT (EAFRD)
  2019 FINANCIAL YEAR

Table of contents

1.Budget procedure

1.1.Financial framework

1.2.Draft Budget (DB) 2019

1.3.The adoption of the 2019 Budget

1.4.The adoption of the Amending Budgets

2.Management of appropriations

2.1.Management of commitment appropriations

2.1.1.EAFRD rural development programmes

2.1.2.Technical assistance

2.2.Management of payment appropriations

2.2.1.EAFRD rural development programmes

2.2.2.Technical assistance

3.Implementation of the 2019 EAFRD budget

3.1.Implementation of commitment appropriations

3.1.1.EAFRD rural development programmes

3.1.2.Technical assistance

3.2.Implementation of payment appropriations

3.2.1.EAFRD rural development programmes

3.2.2.Technical assistance

3.3.Analysis of expenditure declared by measure

3.4.Implementation of EAFRD programmes

3.4.1.Programming period 2007-2013

3.4.2.Programming period 2014-2020

1.
     Budget procedure

1.1.
     Financial framework

Rural development expenditure in 2019 is funded within the multiannual financial framework (MFF) 2014-2020. The financial framework is provided by Council Regulation (EU) No 1311/2013. The allocation for rural development and the allocation for market related expenditure and direct payments after the annual technical adjustment of the MFF are presented in table 1.

Table 1 – Financial framework 2014-2020

| HEADING 2. | In million EUR; current prices |
| --- | --- |
| Sustainable growth: natural resources | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| TOTAL | 49 857 | 64 692 | 64 262 | 60 191 | 60 267 | 60 344 | 60 421 |
| of which : |
| - Rural Development a), b), c), d), e) | 5 298.9 | 18 183.7 | 18 683.7 | 14 371.2 | 14 381.0 | 14 690.6 | 14 709.4 |
| - Market related expenditure and direct aids, a), b), c), d) | 43 778.1 | 44 189.8 | 43 950.2 | 44 145.7 | 44 162.4 | 43 880.3 | 43 887.1 |
| | | | | | | | |
| a) After net transfer of EUR 351.9 million between EAGF and EAFRD for the financial year 2014 (see note f for details) |
| b) After net transfer of EUR 51.6 million between EAGF and EAFRD for the financial year 2015 (see note f for details) |
| c) After net transfer of EUR 28 million between EAGF and EAFRD for the financial years 2014-2020 (see note f for details) |
| d) After net transfer of EUR 4 313.9 million between EAGF and EAFRD for financial years 2015-2020 (see note f for details) |
| e) After the reprogramming of the EAFRD allocation of year 2014 following the application of Article 19 of MFF Regulation (EU) No 1311/2013 a total amount of EUR 8 705 million deducted from 2014 commitments was equally distributed to 2015 and 2016 commitments |
| f) The transfers to rural development (EAFRD) mentioned in notes a) to d) above involve: EUR 4 million transferred annually for the whole period 2014-2020 from the cotton sector (Greece) on the basis of Article 66(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, EUR 296.3 million set for the voluntary adjustment transferred for the financial year 2014 (UK) on the basis of Article 10b and 10c(2) of Regulation (EC) No 73/2009, EUR 51.6 million for unspent amounts transferred each year for financial years 2014 and 2015 (SE and DE) on the basis of Articles 136 and 136b of Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 and EUR 4 313.9 million for the reduction of payments and the flexibility between pillars on the basis of Articles 7(2) and 14(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 |

HEADING 2.

In million EUR; current prices

Sustainable growth: natural resources

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

TOTAL

49 857

64 692

64 262

60 191

60 267

60 344

60 421

of which :

- Rural Development a), b), c), d), e)

5 298.9

18 183.7

18 683.7

14 371.2

14 381.0

14 690.6

14 709.4

- Market related expenditure and direct aids, a), b), c), d)

43 778.1

44 189.8

43 950.2

44 145.7

44 162.4

43 880.3

43 887.1

a) After net transfer of EUR 351.9 million between EAGF and EAFRD for the financial year 2014 (see note f for details)

b) After net transfer of EUR 51.6 million between EAGF and EAFRD for the financial year 2015 (see note f for details)

c) After net transfer of EUR 28 million between EAGF and EAFRD for the financial years 2014-2020 (see note f for details)

d) After net transfer of EUR 4 313.9 million between EAGF and EAFRD for financial years 2015-2020 (see note f for details)

e) After the reprogramming of the EAFRD allocation of year 2014 following the application of Article 19 of MFF Regulation (EU) No 1311/2013 a total amount of EUR 8 705 million deducted from 2014 commitments was equally distributed to 2015 and 2016 commitments

f) The transfers to rural development (EAFRD) mentioned in notes a) to d) above involve: EUR 4 million transferred annually for the whole period 2014-2020 from the cotton sector (Greece) on the basis of Article 66(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, EUR 296.3 million set for the voluntary adjustment transferred for the financial year 2014 (UK) on the basis of Article 10b and 10c(2) of Regulation (EC) No 73/2009, EUR 51.6 million for unspent amounts transferred each year for financial years 2014 and 2015 (SE and DE) on the basis of Articles 136 and 136b of Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 and EUR 4 313.9 million for the reduction of payments and the flexibility between pillars on the basis of Articles 7(2) and 14(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013

1.2.
     Draft Budget (DB) 2019

The Draft Budget (DB) 2019 was adopted by the Commission and proposed to the Budgetary Authority on 21 June 2018.

The Draft Budget included EUR 14 679 million in commitment appropriations and EUR 13 122 million in payment appropriations for the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) 2014-2020 programming period.

The Council adopted its position on the 2019 Draft Budget on 4 September 2018 and the European Parliament adopted its position on 24 October 2018. The Conciliation Committee had to be convened. The Conciliation Committee did not agree on a joint text within the 21-day time-limit. The European Commission presented a second draft general budget for 2019 on 30 November 2018. The amounts for the EAFRD were not changed as compared with the first Draft Budget. The Council and the European Parliament approved the joint text respectively on 11 December and 12 December 2018.

1.3.
     The adoption of the 2019 Budget

The 2019 Budget adopted on 12 December 2018 was, as regards the EAFRD, equal to the Commission’s proposal.

Table 2

| Adopted Budget 2019 |
| --- |
| Budget Item | Commitment appropriations | Payment appropriations |
| | (in EUR) | (in EUR) |
| 2014-2020 |
| 05.046001 (Rural development programmes) | 14.656.460.137 | 13.100.000.000 |
| 05.010404 (Non-operational technical assistance) | 5.034.000 | 5.034.000 |
| 05.046002 (Operational technical assistance) | 17.115.400 | 16.725.400 |

Adopted Budget 2019

Budget Item

Commitment appropriations

Payment appropriations

(in EUR)

(in EUR)

2014-2020

05.046001 (Rural development programmes)

14.656.460.137

13.100.000.000

05.010404 (Non-operational technical assistance)

5.034.000

5.034.000

05.046002 (Operational technical assistance)

17.115.400

16.725.400

1.4.
     The adoption of the Amending Budgets

None of the 2019 amending budgets concerned the EAFRD.

2.
     Management of appropriations

2.1.
     Management of commitment appropriations

2.1.1.
     EAFRD rural development programmes

As regards commitment appropriations for the EAFRD rural development programmes, the 2019 voted budget amounted to EUR 14 656 million, all related to the 2014-2020 programmes.

Table 3

| Management of commitment appropriations in 2019 – EAFRD | Budget Item |
| --- | --- |
| | 05.046001 |
| | (in EUR) |
| Appropriations at the beginning of 2019 | 14.656.460.137 |
| Appropriations available in 2019 | 14.656.460.137 |
| Appropriations used in 2019 | 14.656.460.137 |

Management of commitment appropriations in 2019 – EAFRD

Budget Item

05.046001

(in EUR)

Appropriations at the beginning of 2019

14.656.460.137

Appropriations available in 2019

14.656.460.137

Appropriations used in 2019

14.656.460.137

2.1.2.
     Technical assistance

Article 51(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 provides that the EAFRD may use up to 0.25% of its annual allocation to finance technical assistance actions at the initiative of the Commission. In the 2019 budget, the initial amount available for this purpose was EUR 5.0 million for non-operational technical assistance and EUR 17.1 million for operational technical assistance.

2.2.
     Management of payment appropriations

2.2.1.
     EAFRD rural development programmes

For the rural development programmes 2014-2020, the payment appropriations of the voted budget 2019 amounted to EUR 13 100 million. In addition, the available assigned revenue transferred from the previous year amounted to EUR 12.4 million and the assigned revenue collected during the year, amounted to EUR 25.1 million. The payment appropriations were reinforced with the transfer of EUR 0.5 million from the line “EAFRD 2014-2020 contribution to European Solidarity Corps", EUR 265.6 million with the global transfer and EUR 100 million with the end-of-the year transfer. In addition, the transfer of EUR 961.7 million of assigned revenue from prior to 2014 EAFRD programmes was executed to cover in full the Member States' declarations of expenditure of the third quarter of 2019. An amount of EUR 1.8 million was transferred to the operational technical assistance line. Taking into account all transfers, the total amount of payment appropriations available in 2019 amounted to EUR 14 463.4 million. In total, EUR 13 840.0 million of payment appropriations were used and EUR 623.4 million of assigned revenue were automatically carried over from 2019 to 2020.

Table 4

| Management of payment appropriations in 2019 |
| --- |
| (in EUR) |
| |
| EAFRD (2014-2020) |
| Budget Item - 05.046001 |
| Appropriations at the beginning of 2019 | 13.100.000.000 |
| Transfer from "EAFRD 2014-2020 contribution to ESC" line | 540.000 |
| Transfer to Technical Assistance line of EAFRD 2014-2020 | -1.800.000 |
| Global transfer | 265.580.630 |
| End-of-the year transfer | 100.000.000 |
| Assigned revenue carried over from 2018 | 12.400.084 |
| Assigned revenue collected in 2019 | 25.056.900 |
| Transfer of Assigned revenue from EAFRD prior to 2014 | 961.659.440 |
| Appropriations available in 2019 | 14.463.437.054 |
| Appropriations used in 2019 | 13.839.996.951 |

Management of payment appropriations in 2019

(in EUR)

EAFRD (2014-2020)

Budget Item - 05.046001

Appropriations at the beginning of 2019

13.100.000.000

Transfer from "EAFRD 2014-2020 contribution to ESC" line

540.000

Transfer to Technical Assistance line of EAFRD 2014-2020

-1.800.000

Global transfer

265.580.630

End-of-the year transfer

100.000.000

Assigned revenue carried over from 2018

12.400.084

Assigned revenue collected in 2019

25.056.900

Transfer of Assigned revenue from EAFRD prior to 2014

961.659.440

Appropriations available in 2019

14.463.437.054

Appropriations used in 2019

13.839.996.951

2.2.2.
     Technical assistance

As regards the EAFRD technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission, total payment appropriations in the 2019 budget amounted to EUR 21.8 million. EUR 1.8 million were transferred from the EAFRD 2014-2020 programmes line to cover the payment needs. The final payment appropriations was EUR 23.6 million.

3.
     Implementation of the 2019 EAFRD budget

3.1.
     Implementation of commitment appropriations

3.1.1.
     EAFRD rural development programmes

The total amount of commitment appropriations available in the 2019 budget for the EAFRD programmes 2014-2020 (EUR 14 656.5 million) was committed.

Table 5 shows, per Member State, the allocation established by Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 as last amended by Regulation (EU) 2019/288
  1
  and the amounts committed in 2019.

Table 5

| Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 (as amended) vs. amounts committed by the end of 2019 |
| --- |
| Budget item: 05.046001 | (in EUR) |
| MS | Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 | Amounts committed in 2019 |
| | 2019 Allocation | |
| | (a) | (b) |
| BE | 102.912.713 | 102.912.713 |
| BG | 339.523.306 | 339.523.306 |
| CZ | 323.242.050 | 323.242.050 |
| DK | 152.367.537 | 152.367.537 |
| DE | 1.397.914.658 | 1.397.914.658 |
| EE | 127.277.180 | 127.277.180 |
| IE | 312.764.355 | 312.764.355 |
| GR | 700.043.071 | 700.043.071 |
| ES | 1.183.448.718 | 1.183.448.718 |
| FR | 1.984.761.729 | 1.984.761.729 |
| HR | 282.342.500 | 282.342.500 |
| IT | 1.498.573.799 | 1.498.573.799 |
| CY | 18.889.108 | 18.889.108 |
| LV | 159.374.589 | 159.374.589 |
| LT | 247.213.599 | 247.213.599 |
| LU | 14.464.074 | 14.464.074 |
| HU | 487.402.356 | 487.402.356 |
| MT | 13.876.504 | 13.876.504 |
| NL | 148.107.797 | 148.107.797 |
| AT | 565.713.368 | 565.713.368 |
| PL | 1.189.103.987 | 1.189.103.987 |
| PT | 581.637.133 | 581.637.133 |
| RO | 1.141.925.604 | 1.141.925.604 |
| SI | 120.384.760 | 120.384.760 |
| SK | 214.844.203 | 214.844.203 |
| FI | 343.198.337 | 343.198.337 |
| SE | 249.710.989 | 249.710.989 |
| UK | 755.442.113 | 755.442.113 |
| Total | 14.656.460.137 | 14.656.460.137 |

Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 (as amended) vs. amounts committed by the end of 2019

Budget item: 05.046001

(in EUR)

MS

Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013

Amounts committed in 2019

2019 Allocation

(a)

(b)

BE

102.912.713

102.912.713

BG

339.523.306

339.523.306

CZ

323.242.050

323.242.050

DK

152.367.537

152.367.537

DE

1.397.914.658

1.397.914.658

EE

127.277.180

127.277.180

IE

312.764.355

312.764.355

GR

700.043.071

700.043.071

ES

1.183.448.718

1.183.448.718

FR

1.984.761.729

1.984.761.729

HR

282.342.500

282.342.500

IT

1.498.573.799

1.498.573.799

CY

18.889.108

18.889.108

LV

159.374.589

159.374.589

LT

247.213.599

247.213.599

LU

14.464.074

14.464.074

HU

487.402.356

487.402.356

MT

13.876.504

13.876.504

NL

148.107.797

148.107.797

AT

565.713.368

565.713.368

PL

1.189.103.987

1.189.103.987

PT

581.637.133

581.637.133

RO

1.141.925.604

1.141.925.604

SI

120.384.760

120.384.760

SK

214.844.203

214.844.203

FI

343.198.337

343.198.337

SE

249.710.989

249.710.989

UK

755.442.113

755.442.113

Total

14.656.460.137

14.656.460.137

3.1.2.
     Technical assistance

For the programming period 2014-2020, the amount of commitment appropriations for operational technical assistance in the budget 2019 was EUR 17.1 million. Table 6 shows the consumption of the commitment appropriations available for operational technical assistance in 2019. The most important part relates to the European Network for Rural Development.

Table 6

| Operational technical assistance – Implementation of commitment appropriations |
| --- |
| Budget Item: 05.046002 | (in EUR) |
| Description | Amount committed |
| European Network for Rural Development | 4.980.794 |
| Information technology* | 3.111.799 |
| European Innovation Partnership | 2.736.732 |
| European Evaluation Network | 1.975.414 |
| Corporate Communication | 1.380.000 |
| Technical Advisory Platform for Financial Instruments | 500.000 |
| Organic agriculture database | 433.295 |
| Audit and Controls | 644.735 |
| Total | 15.762.767 |
| * Including BCO (Broadband Competence Offices) |

Operational technical assistance – Implementation of commitment appropriations

Budget Item: 05.046002

(in EUR)

Description

Amount committed

European Network for Rural Development

4.980.794

Information technology*

3.111.799

European Innovation Partnership

2.736.732

European Evaluation Network

1.975.414

Corporate Communication

1.380.000

Technical Advisory Platform for Financial Instruments

500.000

Organic agriculture database

433.295

Audit and Controls

644.735

Total

15.762.767

- Including BCO (Broadband Competence Offices)

3.2.
     Implementation of payment appropriations

3.2.1.
     EAFRD rural development programmes

For the programming period 2014-2020, EUR 13 840.0 million of the payment appropriations were implemented out of EUR 14 463.4 million available. Table 7 shows the breakdown of payments made in 2019 by declaration period:

Table 7

| Payments 2019 for EAFRD rural development programmes (in EUR) | 2007-2013 | 2014-2020 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | | |
| Pre-financing 2014-2020
  2 | - | 2.714.793 |
| Reimbursement of payment claims prior to Q4 2018 | - | 134.874 |
| Reimbursement of payment claims Q4 2018 | - | 5.755.256.476 |
| Reimbursement of payment claims Q1 2019 | - | 2.754.299.275 |
| Reimbursement of payment claims Q2 2019 | - | 2.741.814.776 |
| Reimbursement of payment claims Q3 2019 | - | 2.585.776.756 |
| Closure payments 2007-2013 | 257.692.857 | - |
| Total 2019 | 257.692.857 | 13.839.996.951 |

Payments 2019 for EAFRD rural development programmes (in EUR)

2007-2013

2014-2020

Pre-financing 2014-2020
  2

-

2.714.793

Reimbursement of payment claims prior to Q4 2018

-

134.874

Reimbursement of payment claims Q4 2018

-

5.755.256.476

Reimbursement of payment claims Q1 2019

-

2.754.299.275

Reimbursement of payment claims Q2 2019

-

2.741.814.776

Reimbursement of payment claims Q3 2019

-

2.585.776.756

Closure payments 2007-2013

257.692.857

-

Total 2019

257.692.857

13.839.996.951

The monthly consumption of payment appropriations during the year (January to December 2019) is shown in the graph below.

Graph 1

The breakdown per Member State and per declaration period of the amounts paid by the Commission in budget year 2019 is shown in tables 8a and 8b.

Table 8a: EAFRD 2007-2013

| Payments effectively made between 01/01/2019 and 31/12/2019 |
| --- |
| EAFRD 2007-2013 - Budget item 05.040501 (in EUR) |
| MS | Closure |
| BE | |
| BG | 97.225.956 |
| CZ | |
| DK | |
| DE | |
| EE | |
| IE | |
| GR | |
| ES | |
| FR | 160.466.901 |
| IT | |
| CY | |
| LV | |
| LT | |
| LU | |
| HU | |
| MT | |
| NL | |
| AT | |
| PL | |
| PT | |
| RO | |
| SI | |
| SK | |
| FI | |
| SE | |
| UK | |
| Total | 257.692.857 |

Payments effectively made between 01/01/2019 and 31/12/2019

EAFRD 2007-2013 - Budget item 05.040501 (in EUR)

MS

Closure

BE

BG

97.225.956

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE

GR

ES

FR

160.466.901

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

Total

257.692.857

Table 8b: EAFRD 2014-2020

| Payments effectively made between 01/01/2019 and 31/12/2019 |
| --- |
| EAFRD 2014-2020 - Budget item 05.046001 | (in EUR) |
| MS | Pre-financing | Prior to Q4 2018 | Q4 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q2 2019 | Q3 2019 | Total |
| BE | 0 | 0 | 17.334.254 | 9.482.574 | 33.218.285 | 18.837.316 | 78.872.428 |
| BG | 0 | 0 | 55.344.911 | 77.499.583 | 107.997.278 | 67.792.991 | 308.634.763 |
| CZ | 0 | 0 | 52.848.870 | 204.165.511 | 86.450.814 | 50.362.856 | 393.828.050 |
| DK | 0 | 0 | 42.034.170 | 25.776.718 | 25.047.434 | 8.208.342 | 101.066.664 |
| DE | 0 | 0 | 596.910.906 | 291.497.999 | 208.933.806 | 176.253.592 | 1.273.596.303 |
| EE | 0 | 0 | 23.539.059 | 65.082.476 | 12.226.795 | 24.060.415 | 124.908.745 |
| IE | 0 | 0 | 157.269.176 | 30.982.563 | 39.397.304 | 96.373.396 | 324.022.439 |
| GR | 0 | 0 | 275.111.064 | 34.505.407 | 46.860.555 | 54.936.575 | 411.413.602 |
| ES | 0 | 0 | 527.423.244 | 148.716.407 | 278.660.313 | 210.819.806 | 1.165.619.770 |
| FR | 2.703.993 | 0 | 1.042.261.975 | 457.277.445 | 301.119.386 | 260.160.776 | 2.063.523.575 |
| HR | 0 | 0 | 74.467.768 | 73.992.801 | 98.848.103 | 52.326.860 | 299.635.531 |
| IT | 0 | 0 | 689.961.184 | 221.751.805 | 237.813.915 | 299.554.216 | 1.449.081.121 |
| CY | 0 | 0 | 8.867.428 | 2.616.579 | 2.550.300 | 6.918.518 | 20.952.824 |
| LV | 0 | 0 | 96.634.492 | 46.651.363 | 26.091.992 | 37.097.820 | 206.475.667 |
| LT | 10.800 | 0 | 73.287.933 | 49.310.142 | 34.191.233 | 24.451.057 | 181.251.164 |
| LU | 0 | 0 | 5.119.156 | 5.653.405 | 2.121.682 | 1.587.351 | 14.481.595 |
| HU | 0 | 0 | 184.133.619 | 133.238.829 | 97.309.058 | 96.688.026 | 511.369.533 |
| MT | 0 | 0 | 11.087.890 | 620.865 | 4.054.663 | 3.666.529 | 19.429.947 |
| NL | 0 | 0 | 13.721.305 | 53.369.141 | 6.469.479 | 16.838.579 | 90.398.504 |
| AT | 0 | 0 | 304.858.442 | 42.762.776 | 141.825.329 | 48.725.218 | 538.171.765 |
| PL | 0 | 0 | 341.817.663 | 278.763.628 | 241.914.834 | 229.788.859 | 1.092.284.985 |
| PT | 0 | 0 | 315.985.382 | 89.332.030 | 55.471.630 | 62.260.191 | 523.049.233 |
| RO | 0 | 0 | 323.746.321 | 136.212.495 | 224.930.153 | 282.184.080 | 967.073.048 |
| SI | 0 | 134.874 | 34.717.325 | 14.449.325 | 47.516.257 | 23.279.066 | 120.096.847 |
| SK | 0 | 0 | 56.642.464 | 37.855.996 | 65.152.780 | 49.710.435 | 209.361.675 |
| FI | 0 | 0 | 140.089.247 | 26.542.166 | 59.579.240 | 124.962.860 | 351.173.513 |
| SE | 0 | 0 | 134.063.084 | 33.824.471 | 32.298.532 | 26.112.103 | 226.298.189 |
| UK | 0 | 0 | 155.978.145 | 162.364.775 | 223.763.628 | 231.818.923 | 773.925.472 |
| Total | 2.714.793 | 134.874 | 5.755.256.476 | 2.754.299.275 | 2.741.814.776 | 2.585.776.756 | 13.839.996.951 |

Payments effectively made between 01/01/2019 and 31/12/2019

EAFRD 2014-2020 - Budget item 05.046001

(in EUR)

MS

Pre-financing

Prior to Q4 2018

Q4 2018

Q1 2019

Q2 2019

Q3 2019

Total

BE

0

0

17.334.254

9.482.574

33.218.285

18.837.316

78.872.428

BG

0

0

55.344.911

77.499.583

107.997.278

67.792.991

308.634.763

CZ

0

0

52.848.870

204.165.511

86.450.814

50.362.856

393.828.050

DK

0

0

42.034.170

25.776.718

25.047.434

8.208.342

101.066.664

DE

0

0

596.910.906

291.497.999

208.933.806

176.253.592

1.273.596.303

EE

0

0

23.539.059

65.082.476

12.226.795

24.060.415

124.908.745

IE

0

0

157.269.176

30.982.563

39.397.304

96.373.396

324.022.439

GR

0

0

275.111.064

34.505.407

46.860.555

54.936.575

411.413.602

ES

0

0

527.423.244

148.716.407

278.660.313

210.819.806

1.165.619.770

FR

2.703.993

0

1.042.261.975

457.277.445

301.119.386

260.160.776

2.063.523.575

HR

0

0

74.467.768

73.992.801

98.848.103

52.326.860

299.635.531

IT

0

0

689.961.184

221.751.805

237.813.915

299.554.216

1.449.081.121

CY

0

0

8.867.428

2.616.579

2.550.300

6.918.518

20.952.824

LV

0

0

96.634.492

46.651.363

26.091.992

37.097.820

206.475.667

LT

10.800

0

73.287.933

49.310.142

34.191.233

24.451.057

181.251.164

LU

0

0

5.119.156

5.653.405

2.121.682

1.587.351

14.481.595

HU

0

0

184.133.619

133.238.829

97.309.058

96.688.026

511.369.533

MT

0

0

11.087.890

620.865

4.054.663

3.666.529

19.429.947

NL

0

0

13.721.305

53.369.141

6.469.479

16.838.579

90.398.504

AT

0

0

304.858.442

42.762.776

141.825.329

48.725.218

538.171.765

PL

0

0

341.817.663

278.763.628

241.914.834

229.788.859

1.092.284.985

PT

0

0

315.985.382

89.332.030

55.471.630

62.260.191

523.049.233

RO

0

0

323.746.321

136.212.495

224.930.153

282.184.080

967.073.048

SI

0

134.874

34.717.325

14.449.325

47.516.257

23.279.066

120.096.847

SK

0

0

56.642.464

37.855.996

65.152.780

49.710.435

209.361.675

FI

0

0

140.089.247

26.542.166

59.579.240

124.962.860

351.173.513

SE

0

0

134.063.084

33.824.471

32.298.532

26.112.103

226.298.189

UK

0

0

155.978.145

162.364.775

223.763.628

231.818.923

773.925.472

Total

2.714.793

134.874

5.755.256.476

2.754.299.275

2.741.814.776

2.585.776.756

13.839.996.951

Table 9 compares, for each Member State, the EAFRD 2014-2020 payments made in 2019 with the payments in 2018. Overall, the payments increased by 14% compared to year 2018 (EUR 13.8 billion vs. EUR 12.2 billion).

Table 9

Payments made to Member States - Comparison 2019 vs 2018 - EAFRD 2014-2020

| Payments made to Member States - Comparison 2019 vs 2018 - EAFRD 2014-2020 | (in EUR) | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | | |
| MS | 2018 | 2019 | Difference 2019 vs. 2018 |
| | Interim payments | Pre-financing | Total | Interim payments | Pre-financing | Total | (in EUR) | (in %) |
| BE | 69.095.529 | | 69.095.529 | 78.872.428 | 0 | 78.872.428 | 9.776.899 | 14,15% |
| BG | 205.683.318 | | 205.683.318 | 308.634.763 | 0 | 308.634.763 | 102.951.445 | 50,05% |
| CZ | 324.647.223 | | 324.647.223 | 393.828.050 | 0 | 393.828.050 | 69.180.827 | 21,31% |
| DK | 89.687.155 | | 89.687.155 | 101.066.664 | 0 | 101.066.664 | 11.379.509 | 12,69% |
| DE | 1.117.668.890 | | 1.117.668.890 | 1.273.596.303 | 0 | 1.273.596.303 | 155.927.413 | 13,95% |
| EE | 128.104.065 | | 128.104.065 | 124.908.745 | 0 | 124.908.745 | -3.195.320 | -2,49% |
| IE | 318.709.149 | | 318.709.149 | 324.022.439 | 0 | 324.022.439 | 5.313.290 | 1,67% |
| GR | 579.944.832 | | 579.944.832 | 411.413.602 | 0 | 411.413.602 | -168.531.230 | -29,06% |
| ES | 899.726.086 | | 899.726.086 | 1.165.619.770 | 0 | 1.165.619.770 | 265.893.684 | 29,55% |
| FR | 1.708.849.535 | 16.198.977 | 1.725.048.512 | 2.060.819.582 | 2.703.993 | 2.063.523.575 | 338.475.063 | 19,62% |
| HR | 206.150.392 | | 206.150.392 | 299.635.531 | 0 | 299.635.531 | 93.485.139 | 45,35% |
| IT | 1.045.757.040 | | 1.045.757.040 | 1.449.081.121 | 0 | 1.449.081.121 | 403.324.081 | 38,57% |
| CY | 14.530.171 | | 14.530.171 | 20.952.824 | 0 | 20.952.824 | 6.422.653 | 44,20% |
| LV | 192.664.101 | | 192.664.101 | 206.475.667 | 0 | 206.475.667 | 13.811.566 | 7,17% |
| LT | 217.968.861 | 1.502.340 | 219.471.201 | 181.240.364 | 10.800 | 181.251.164 | -38.220.037 | -17,41% |
| LU | 14.530.735 | | 14.530.735 | 14.481.595 | 0 | 14.481.595 | -49.140 | -0,34% |
| HU | 385.929.544 | | 385.929.544 | 511.369.533 | 0 | 511.369.533 | 125.439.988 | 32,50% |
| MT | 9.391.195 | | 9.391.195 | 19.429.947 | 0 | 19.429.947 | 10.038.752 | 106,90% |
| NL | 78.872.378 | 1.800.000 | 80.672.378 | 90.398.504 | 0 | 90.398.504 | 9.726.126 | 12,06% |
| AT | 512.804.158 | | 512.804.158 | 538.171.765 | 0 | 538.171.765 | 25.367.607 | 4,95% |
| PL | 944.569.722 | | 944.569.722 | 1.092.284.985 | 0 | 1.092.284.985 | 147.715.262 | 15,64% |
| PT | 503.033.323 | | 503.033.323 | 523.049.233 | 0 | 523.049.233 | 20.015.909 | 3,98% |
| RO | 1.146.152.415 | | 1.146.152.415 | 967.073.048 | 0 | 967.073.048 | -179.079.366 | -15,62% |
| SI | 110.943.349 | | 110.943.349 | 120.096.847 | 0 | 120.096.847 | 9.153.498 | 8,25% |
| SK | 200.196.868 | | 200.196.868 | 209.361.675 | 0 | 209.361.675 | 9.164.806 | 4,58% |
| FI | 351.787.931 | | 351.787.931 | 351.173.513 | 0 | 351.173.513 | -614.418 | -0,17% |
| SE | 195.642.880 | | 195.642.880 | 226.298.189 | 0 | 226.298.189 | 30.655.309 | 15,67% |
| UK | 580.998.528 | | 580.998.528 | 773.925.472 | 0 | 773.925.472 | 192.926.944 | 33,21% |
| Total | 12.154.039.375 | 19.501.317 | 12.173.540.691 | 13.837.282.157 | 2.714.793 | 13.839.996.951 | 1.666.456.259 | 13,69% |

(in EUR)

MS

2018

2019

Difference 2019 vs. 2018

Interim payments

Pre-financing

Total

Interim payments

Pre-financing

Total

(in EUR)

(in %)

BE

69.095.529

69.095.529

78.872.428

0

78.872.428

9.776.899

14,15%

BG

205.683.318

205.683.318

308.634.763

0

308.634.763

102.951.445

50,05%

CZ

324.647.223

324.647.223

393.828.050

0

393.828.050

69.180.827

21,31%

DK

89.687.155

89.687.155

101.066.664

0

101.066.664

11.379.509

12,69%

DE

1.117.668.890

1.117.668.890

1.273.596.303

0

1.273.596.303

155.927.413

13,95%

EE

128.104.065

128.104.065

124.908.745

0

124.908.745

-3.195.320

-2,49%

IE

318.709.149

318.709.149

324.022.439

0

324.022.439

5.313.290

1,67%

GR

579.944.832

579.944.832

411.413.602

0

411.413.602

-168.531.230

-29,06%

ES

899.726.086

899.726.086

1.165.619.770

0

1.165.619.770

265.893.684

29,55%

FR

1.708.849.535

16.198.977

1.725.048.512

2.060.819.582

2.703.993

2.063.523.575

338.475.063

19,62%

HR

206.150.392

206.150.392

299.635.531

0

299.635.531

93.485.139

45,35%

IT

1.045.757.040

1.045.757.040

1.449.081.121

0

1.449.081.121

403.324.081

38,57%

CY

14.530.171

14.530.171

20.952.824

0

20.952.824

6.422.653

44,20%

LV

192.664.101

192.664.101

206.475.667

0

206.475.667

13.811.566

7,17%

LT

217.968.861

1.502.340

219.471.201

181.240.364

10.800

181.251.164

-38.220.037

-17,41%

LU

14.530.735

14.530.735

14.481.595

0

14.481.595

-49.140

-0,34%

HU

385.929.544

385.929.544

511.369.533

0

511.369.533

125.439.988

32,50%

MT

9.391.195

9.391.195

19.429.947

0

19.429.947

10.038.752

106,90%

NL

78.872.378

1.800.000

80.672.378

90.398.504

0

90.398.504

9.726.126

12,06%

AT

512.804.158

512.804.158

538.171.765

0

538.171.765

25.367.607

4,95%

PL

944.569.722

944.569.722

1.092.284.985

0

1.092.284.985

147.715.262

15,64%

PT

503.033.323

503.033.323

523.049.233

0

523.049.233

20.015.909

3,98%

RO

1.146.152.415

1.146.152.415

967.073.048

0

967.073.048

-179.079.366

-15,62%

SI

110.943.349

110.943.349

120.096.847

0

120.096.847

9.153.498

8,25%

SK

200.196.868

200.196.868

209.361.675

0

209.361.675

9.164.806

4,58%

FI

351.787.931

351.787.931

351.173.513

0

351.173.513

-614.418

-0,17%

SE

195.642.880

195.642.880

226.298.189

0

226.298.189

30.655.309

15,67%

UK

580.998.528

580.998.528

773.925.472

0

773.925.472

192.926.944

33,21%

Total

12.154.039.375

19.501.317

12.173.540.691

13.837.282.157

2.714.793

13.839.996.951

1.666.456.259

13,69%

3.2.2.
     Technical assistance

For the programming period 2014-2020, the amount for payment appropriations available for the operational technical assistance was EUR 18.5 million. The original amount of EUR 16.7 million in the Budget 2019 has been reinforced by EUR 1.8 million transferred from the rural development programmes under EAFRD 2014-2020 line. The final implementation amounted to EUR 17.0 million.

Table 10 hereafter presents the payments grouped by main activities. The most important part relates to the European Network for Rural Development.

Table 10

| Technical assistance – Implementation of payment appropriations |
| --- |
| Budget Item: 05.046002 | (in EUR) |
| Description | Amount paid |
| European Network for Rural Development | 4.237.354 |
| Information technology* | 3.001.302 |
| Technical Advisory Platform for Financial Instruments | 3.064.333 |
| European Innovation Partnership | 2.648.305 |
| European Evaluation Network | 1.428.387 |
| Corporate Communication | 1.000.000 |
| LIFE Programme | 840.847 |
| Audit and Controls | 632.480 |
| Organic agriculture database | 139.108 |
| LOGO protection | 50.000 |
| Total | 17.042.118 |

Technical assistance – Implementation of payment appropriations

Budget Item: 05.046002

(in EUR)

Description

Amount paid

European Network for Rural Development

4.237.354

Information technology*

3.001.302

Technical Advisory Platform for Financial Instruments

3.064.333

European Innovation Partnership

2.648.305

European Evaluation Network

1.428.387

Corporate Communication

1.000.000

LIFE Programme

840.847

Audit and Controls

632.480

Organic agriculture database

139.108

LOGO protection

50.000

Total

17.042.118

- Including Broadband Competence Offices

3.3.
     Analysis of expenditure declared by measure

Table 11 shows the payment claims declared by Member State and by measure for rural development in 2019 (4th quarter of 2018 to 3rd quarter of 2019), the cumulative declared expenditure from the beginning of the programming period and also the financial plan of EAFRD 2014-2020 programmes.

The expenditure for EAFRD 2014-2020 in 2019 concentrated mainly in Measure 04 (Investments in physical assets), in Measure 13 (Payments to areas facing natural or other specific constraints) and in Measure 10 (Agri-environment-climate).

Table 11

| EAFRD declared expenditure 2019 (Q4 2018-Q3 2019) & Total cumulative expenditure (Q4 2014 to Q3 2019*) |
| --- |
| compared with Financial Plans - EAFRD 2014-2020 |
| | Declared expenditure 2019 (Q4 2018 to Q3 2019) | Cumulative declared expenditure (Q4 2014 to Q3 2019) | Financial Plans 2014-2020 |
| EAFRD Measure | (million EUR) | (%) | (million EUR) | (%) | (million EUR) | (%) |
| Measure 01 | Knowledge transfer and information actions | 93,4 | 0,7% | 250,5 | 0,5% | 973,6 | 1,0% |
| Measure 02 | Advisory services, farm management and farm relief services | 39,7 | 0,3% | 87,1 | 0,2% | 606,1 | 0,6% |
| Measure 03 | Quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs | 37,1 | 0,3% | 98,7 | 0,2% | 368,6 | 0,4% |
| Measure 04 | Investments in physical assets | 2.801,0 | 20,2% | 7.966,7 | 16,9% | 22.860,8 | 22,8% |
| Measure 05 | Restoring agricultural production potential damaged by natural disasters and catastrophic events and introduction of appropriate prevention actions | 75,2 | 0,5% | 235,8 | 0,5% | 807,5 | 0,8% |
| Measure 06 | Farm and business development | 813,5 | 5,9% | 2.838,8 | 6,0% | 6.701,1 | 6,7% |
| Measure 07 | Basic services and village renewal in rural areas | 1.022,7 | 7,4% | 2.403,2 | 5,1% | 6.893,5 | 6,9% |
| Measure 08 | Investments in forest area development and improvement of the viability of forests | 411,4 | 3,0% | 1.436,0 | 3,0% | 4.257,4 | 4,3% |
| Measure 09 | Setting-up of producer groups and organisations | 24,0 | 0,2% | 73,4 | 0,2% | 266,4 | 0,3% |
| Measure 10 | Agri-environment-climate | 2.483,1 | 17,9% | 9.841,7 | 20,9% | 16.443,4 | 16,4% |
| Measure 11 | Organic farming | 1.321,1 | 9,5% | 4.207,6 | 8,9% | 7.451,3 | 7,4% |
| Measure 12 | Natura 2000 and Water Framework Directive payments | 92,6 | 0,7% | 340,9 | 0,7% | 606,6 | 0,6% |
| Measure 13 | Payments to areas facing natural or other specific constraints | 2.654,5 | 19,2% | 11.916,0 | 25,3% | 16.732,2 | 16,7% |
| Measure 14 | Animal Welfare | 309,8 | 2,2% | 1.152,4 | 2,4% | 1.809,1 | 1,8% |
| Measure 15 | Forest environmental and climate services and forest conservation | 15,1 | 0,1% | 46,6 | 0,1% | 240,0 | 0,2% |
| Measure 16 | Co-operation | 107,1 | 0,8% | 246,1 | 0,5% | 1.676,4 | 1,7% |
| Measure 17 | Risk management | 358,6 | 2,6% | 884,4 | 1,9% | 1.613,0 | 1,6% |
| Measure 18 | Financing of complementary national direct payments for Croatia | -0,1 | 0,0% | 108,2 | 0,2% | 111,9 | 0,1% |
| Measure 19 | Support for LEADER local development — community-led local development (CLLD) | 857,0 | 6,2% | 1.851,4 | 3,9% | 7.011,4 | 7,0% |
| Measure 20 | Technical assistance Member States | 278,7 | 2,0% | 794,3 | 1,7% | 2.155,0 | 2,2% |
| Measure 113 | Early retirement | 42,9 | 0,3% | 402,2 | 0,9% | 493,8 | 0,5% |
| Measure 131 | Meeting standards based on Community legislation | 0,0 | 0,0% | 0,0 | 0,0% | 0,0 | 0,0% |
| Measure 341 | Skills acquisition, animation and implementation | 0,1 | 0,0% | 0,5 | 0,0% | 0,6 | 0,0% |
| Grand total | | 13.838,4 | 100,0% | 47.182,5 | 100,0% | 100.079,5 | 100,0% |

EAFRD declared expenditure 2019 (Q4 2018-Q3 2019) & Total cumulative expenditure (Q4 2014 to Q3 2019*)

compared with Financial Plans - EAFRD 2014-2020

Declared expenditure 2019 (Q4 2018 to Q3 2019)

Cumulative declared expenditure (Q4 2014 to Q3 2019)

Financial Plans 2014-2020

EAFRD Measure

(million EUR)

(%)

(million EUR)

(%)

(million EUR)

(%)

Measure 01

Knowledge transfer and information actions

93,4

0,7%

250,5

0,5%

973,6

1,0%

Measure 02

Advisory services, farm management and farm relief services

39,7

0,3%

87,1

0,2%

606,1

0,6%

Measure 03

Quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

37,1

0,3%

98,7

0,2%

368,6

0,4%

Measure 04

Investments in physical assets

2.801,0

20,2%

7.966,7

16,9%

22.860,8

22,8%

Measure 05

Restoring agricultural production potential damaged by natural disasters and catastrophic events and introduction of appropriate prevention actions

75,2

0,5%

235,8

0,5%

807,5

0,8%

Measure 06

Farm and business development

813,5

5,9%

2.838,8

6,0%

6.701,1

6,7%

Measure 07

Basic services and village renewal in rural areas

1.022,7

7,4%

2.403,2

5,1%

6.893,5

6,9%

Measure 08

Investments in forest area development and improvement of the viability of forests

411,4

3,0%

1.436,0

3,0%

4.257,4

4,3%

Measure 09

Setting-up of producer groups and organisations

24,0

0,2%

73,4

0,2%

266,4

0,3%

Measure 10

Agri-environment-climate

2.483,1

17,9%

9.841,7

20,9%

16.443,4

16,4%

Measure 11

Organic farming

1.321,1

9,5%

4.207,6

8,9%

7.451,3

7,4%

Measure 12

Natura 2000 and Water Framework Directive payments

92,6

0,7%

340,9

0,7%

606,6

0,6%

Measure 13

Payments to areas facing natural or other specific constraints

2.654,5

19,2%

11.916,0

25,3%

16.732,2

16,7%

Measure 14

Animal Welfare

309,8

2,2%

1.152,4

2,4%

1.809,1

1,8%

Measure 15

Forest environmental and climate services and forest conservation

15,1

0,1%

46,6

0,1%

240,0

0,2%

Measure 16

Co-operation

107,1

0,8%

246,1

0,5%

1.676,4

1,7%

Measure 17

Risk management

358,6

2,6%

884,4

1,9%

1.613,0

1,6%

Measure 18

Financing of complementary national direct payments for Croatia

-0,1

0,0%

108,2

0,2%

111,9

0,1%

Measure 19

Support for LEADER local development — community-led local development (CLLD)

857,0

6,2%

1.851,4

3,9%

7.011,4

7,0%

Measure 20

Technical assistance Member States

278,7

2,0%

794,3

1,7%

2.155,0

2,2%

Measure 113

Early retirement

42,9

0,3%

402,2

0,9%

493,8

0,5%

Measure 131

Meeting standards based on Community legislation

0,0

0,0%

0,0

0,0%

0,0

0,0%

Measure 341

Skills acquisition, animation and implementation

0,1

0,0%

0,5

0,0%

0,6

0,0%

Grand total

13.838,4

100,0%

47.182,5

100,0%

100.079,5

100,0%

*Member States declare their expenditure quarterly. However, for year n, Q4 declarations are submitted in January of year n+1. Consequently, the corresponding reimbursements by the Commission to the Member States in year n go from Q4 of year n-1 until Q3 of year n.

3.4.
     Implementation of EAFRD programmes

3.4.1.
     Programming period 2007-2013

Graph 2 presents the final absorption rate of rural development programmes 2007-2013 per Member State. The EU average reached 97%.

3.4.2.
     Programming period 2014-2020

Graph 3 presents the absorption rate of rural development programmes 2014-2020 per Member State: payments from the beginning of the programming period including payments made for the 4th quarter of 2019 that are reimbursed in financial year 2020 compared to the total 2014-2020 allocation.

In 2019 the level of consumption for the first time resulted in the decommitment of EUR 16.5 million.

Overall, the implementation of the EAFRD 2014-2020 rural development programmes reached by end 2019 on average an absorption rate of 56%. Programmes are generally well on track in terms of implementation, with the variation in the averages per Member State illustrated in graph 3 below.