EN    EN EN 
 
EN    EN  COMMISSION OF THE E UROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 20.5.2009 
SEC(2009) 660 
  
COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 
Annex to the  
 
REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO  THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE 
COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC  AND SOCIAL CO MMITTEE AND THE 
COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 
SAPARD ANNUAL REPO RT – YEAR 2007 
{COM(2009) 231 final} 
 
EN 2   EN ANNEX A.1 – Financial Execution  
Table 1 – Execution of commitment approp riations available in the 2006 budget 
by 31.12.2006 (million EUR) 
Budget 
lines  Budget 
2006 transfers total 
available executed %   
1 2 3 4 5 6=5/4 7 
05.050101 299,8  299,8 299,8 100   
05.050102 - - - - -   
05.010403 0,2   0,2 0 0   
TOTAL  300 0 300 299,8 99,9   
Table 2 – Execution of payment appropriations available in the 2006 budget 
by 31.12.2006 (million EUR) 
Budget 
lines  Budget 
2006 transfers total 
available executed %   
1 2 3 4 5 6=5/4 7 
05.050101 310,0 -109,0 201,0 201,0 100,0 execution of the programmes  
slowed down in RO and BG 
during 2006 
05.050102 300,0 -287,0 13,0 12,7 97,7 nearly all new Member States 
had reached or were close to 
100% absorption, the programme 
of CZ was closed in 2006 
05.010403 0,2  0,2 0 0   
TOTAL  610,2 -396,0 214,2 213,7 99,8   
 
EN 3   EN ANNEX A.1 – Financial Execution  
Table 3 – Commitments, payments and RAL by 31.12.2006 
  Commitments Payments from the Commission in % of 
available 
funds "Reste à liquider" (RAL) 
Country Total AFAs 
2000-2006 Total 
payments 
made 
until 
31.12.2005 Payments
made 
in 2006 Payments 
made 
since start     
1 2 3 4 5=3+4 6=5/2 7=2-5 
Bulgaria 444.748.370 158.226.816 53.826.377 212.053.193 47,7 232.695.177 
Romania 1.159.785.692 385.443.809 147.193.623 532.637.432 45,9 627.148.260 
Croatia 25.000.000 0 0 0 0,0 25.000.000 
Total 
05.050101 1.629.534.062 543.670.625 201.020.000 744.690.625 45,7 884.843.437 
 
  Commitments Payments from the Commission in % of 
available 
funds "Reste à liquider" (RAL) 
Country Total AFAs 
2000-2003 Total 
payments 
made 
until 
31.12.2005 Payments
made 
in 2006 Payments 
made 
since start     
1 2 3 4 5=3+4 6=5/2 7=2-5 
Czech Rep. 92.787.704 88.148.318 4.630.161 92.778.479 100,0 9.225 
Estonia 51.043.119 48.490.963 0 48.490.963 95,0 2.552.156 
Hungary 160.039.127 144.257.080 7.780.091 152.037.171 95,0 8.001.956 
Lithuania 125.448.234 119.175.822 0 119.175.822 95,0 6.272.412 
Latvia 91.883.502 86.964.506 324.820 87.289.326 95,0 4.594.176 
Poland 709.409.786 673.939.295 0 673.939.295 95,0 35.470.491 
Slovenia 26.650.758 25.318.219 0 25.318.219 95,0 1.332.539 
Slovakia 76.915.845 73.070.052 0 73.070.052 95,0 3.845.793 
Total 
05.050102 1.334.178.075 1.259.364.255 12.735.072 1.272.099.327 95,3 62.078.748 
 
EN 4   EN ANNEX A.2 – Financial Execution  
Table 1 – Execution of commitment approp riations available in the 2007 budget 
by 31.12.2007 (million EUR) 
Budget 
lines  Budget 
2007 transfers total 
available executed %   
1 2 3 4 5 6=5/4 7 
05.050101 - - - - -   
05.050102 - - - - -   
05.010403 0,5 - 0,5 0 0   
TOTAL  0,5 0 0,5 0 0   
Table 2 – Execution of payment appropriations available in the 2007 budget 
by 31.12.2007 (million EUR) 
Budget 
lines  Budget 
2007 transfers total 
available executed %   
1 2 3 4 5 6=5/4 7 
05.050101 190,4 +79,5 269,9 269,9 100 execution of the programmes of BG 
and RO showed an above average 
progress rate during 2007. 
05.050102 63,0 -47,8 15,2 15,2 100,0 programmes of EE, HU, SI and SK 
were closed in 2007 
05.010403 0,5 - 0,5 0 0   
TOTAL  253,9 31,7 285,1 285,1 100,0   
 
EN 5   EN ANNEX A.2 – Financial Execution  
Table 3 – Commitments, payments and RAL by 31.12.2007 
  Commitments Payments from the Commission in % of 
available 
funds "Reste à liquider" (RAL) 
Country Total AFAs 
2000-2006 Total 
payments 
made 
until 
31.12.2006 Payments
made 
in 2007 Payments 
made 
since start     
1 2 3 4 5=3+4 6=5/2 7=2-5 
Bulgaria 444.748.370 212.053.193 40.024.082 252.077.275 56,7 192.671.095 
Romania 1.159.785.692 532.637.432 222.417.803 755.055.235 65,1 404.730.457 
Croatia 25.000.000 0 7.418.115 7.418.115 29,7 17.581.885 
Total 
05.050101 1.629.534.062 744.690.625 269.860.000 1.014.550.625 62,3 614.983.437 
 
  Commitments Payments from the Commission in % of 
available 
funds RAL or de-commitment* at 
closure 
Country Total AFAs 
2000-2003 Total 
payments 
made 
until 
31.12.2006 Payments
made 
in 2007 Payments 
made 
since start     
1 2 3 4 5=3+4 6=5/2 7=2-5 
Czech Rep. 92.787.704 92.778.479 0 92.778.479 100,0 9.225* 
Estonia 51.043.119 48.490.963 2.156.910 50.647.873 99,2 395.246* 
Hungary 160.039.127 152.037.171 7.925.037 159.962.208 100,0 76.919* 
Lithuania 125.448.234 119.175.822 0 119.175.822 95,0 6.272.412 
Latvia 91.883.502 87.289.326 0 87.289.326 95,0 4.594.176 
Poland 709.409.786 673.939.295 0 673.939.295 95,0 35.470.491 
Slovenia 26.650.758 25.318.219 1.330.374 26.648.593 100,0 2.165* 
Slovakia 76.915.845 73.070.052 3.834.419 76.904.471 100,0 11.374* 
Total 
05.050102 1.334.178.075 1.272.099.327 15.246.740 1.287.346.067 96,5 46.832.008 
 
EN 6   EN ANNEX B  
Table B.1 – Bulgaria 
Bulgaria - EU Allocation, Contracted and Paid amount to Final Beneficiaries
since the Start of the Programme (Million EUR.  Situation at 31.12.2007)
05010015020025030035040045050031/12/1999
30/04/2000
31/08/2000
31/12/2000
30/04/2001
31/08/2001
31/12/2001
30/04/2002
31/08/2002
31/12/2002
30/04/2003
31/08/2003
31/12/2003
30/04/2004
31/08/2004
31/12/2004
30/04/2005
31/08/2005
31/12/2005
31/04/2006
31/08/2006
31/12/2006
31/04/2007
31/08/2007
31/12/2007MillionsAmount of EU contribution
EU funds allocated Contracted amount to final beneficiaries Payments to final beneficiaries 
 
EN 7   EN ANNEX B  
Table B.2 – Romania 
Romania - EU Allocation, Contracted and Paid amount to Final Beneficiaries
 since the Start of the Programme (Million EUR.  Situation at 31.12.2007)
01002003004005006007008009001.0001.1001.20031/12/1999
30/04/2000
31/08/2000
31/12/2000
30/04/2001
31/08/2001
31/12/2001
30/04/2002
31/08/2002
31/12/2002
30/04/2003
31/08/2003
31/12/2003
30/04/2004
31/08/2004
31/12/2004
30/04/2005
31/08/2005
31/12/2005
31/04/2006
31/08/2006
31/12/2006
31/04/2007
31/08/2007
31/12/2007MillionsAmount of EU contribution
EU funds allocated Contracted amount to final beneficiaries Payments to final beneficiaries 
 
EN 8   EN ANNEX B  
Table B.3 – Contracted projects 
1.685 1.531866 1.808 906 56224.457
2.6403.1284.582
29
05.00010.00015.00020.00025.000
CZ EE LT LV SK SI PO HU BG RO HRNumber of Projects contracted with final 
beneficiaries (all countries)
 
Table B.4 – Amounts paid to projects 
9351160
81125709
82 27235770
1
0100200300400500600700800
CZ EE HU LV LT PO SK SL BG RO HRAmounts Paid to Projects declared 
to the Commission (all countries 
Million EUR)
 
 
EN 9   EN ANNEX C – Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia  
Table C.1 – Allocations for all countries 
34%
28%
23%
8%
2% 2% 0%3%
0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%Distribution of Sapard Allocations 
between Measures for all 
Countries (%) 
 
Table C.2 – Allocations for eight new Member States 
32%30%
23%
9%
0% 2%0%4%
0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%Distribution of Sapard Allocations 
between Measures for 8 New 
Member States (%)  
 
 
EN 10   EN ANNEX C - Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia  
Table C.3 – Allocations for BG, RO, HR 
35%
27%
22%
7%
4%3% 0% 2%
0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%Distribution of Sapard 
Allocations between Measures for Bulgaria, Romania and 
Croatia (% )  
 
Table C.4.1 – Distribution of funds for BG 
31%
12%
0%10% 9%
1% 0%
0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%
Farm
investment sProcessing and
marketingDiversif ication Set ting up
producer groupsRenovation of
villagesRural
infrast ruct ureForest ry and
AfforestrationOt hersDistribution between measures of 
Funds Allocated to the Programme of 
Bulgaria (2000-2006) (%)
37%
 
 
EN 11   EN ANNEX C - Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia  
Table C.4.2 – Measure "Farm investments" for BG 
Amouns Contracted in Bulgaria under 
the Measure "Farm Investments" (%)
Others
2%
Wine
13%Ani mal  
Production and 
Products
39%
Fruit, Vegetables 
and Berries
17%Arabl e Crops
29%
 
Table C.4.3 – Measure "Processing and Marketing" for BG 
Amounts Contracted in Bulgaria under 
the Measure "Processing and 
Marketing" (%)
Meat Products 
37%
Milk and dairy 
products
13%Wine
15%Fruit and 
vegetables
31%Fishery
4%
 
 
EN 12   EN ANNEX C - Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia  
Table C.5.1 – Distribution of funds for RO 
17%25%
5%0%45%
5% 3%
0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%
Far m
Investment sProcessing and
marketingDiversificat ion Sett ing up of
producer groupsRural
inf rastructureForestry and
af forest rat ionOthersDistribution between measures of 
Funds Allocated to the Programme of 
Romania (2000-2006) (%)  
 
Table C.5.2 – Measure "Farm investments" for RO 
Amounts Contracted in Romania under 
the Measure "Farm Investments" (%)
Ani mal  
Production and 
Products
47%
Fruit and 
vegetables and 
Berries
6%Arabl e crops
44%Wine
3%
 
 
EN 13   EN ANNEX C - Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia  
Table C.5.3 – Measure "Processing and Marketing" for RO 
Amounts Contracted in Romania under 
the Measure "Processing and 
Marketing" (%)
Fishery
3%Meat Products
53%
Milk and dairy 
products
14%Fruits and 
vegetables
10%Wine
8%Arabl e crops
12%Te xtile  plants
0%
 
Table C.5.4 – Measure "Rural infrastructure" for RO 
Amounts Contracted in Romania under the 
Measure "Rural Infrasctructure" (%)
Drinkable water 
supply in 
ce ntralize d 
network in rural 
areas
31%Roads in rural 
areas
50%Sewerage in 
ce ntralise d 
system in rural 
areas
13%Works for floods 
preventi on and 
protection
6%
 
EN 14   EN ANNEX C - Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia  
Table C.6.1 – Distribution of funds for HR 
34%66%
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%
Farm Investment s Processing & MarketingDistribution between measures of 
Funds Allocated to the Programme of 
Croatia (2006) (%) 
 
Table C.6.2 – Measure "Farm investments" for HR 
Amounts Contracted in Croatia 
under the Measure "Farm 
Investments" (%)
Ani mal  
Production and 
Products
50%
Arabl e Crops
10%Fruit, 
Vegetables and 
Berries
40%
 
 
EN 15   EN ANNEX C - Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia  
Table C.6.3 – Measure "Processing  and Marketing" for HR 
Amounts Contracted in Croatia under the 
Measure "Processing and Marketing" (%)
Fruit and 
Vegetable 
processing plants
21%Meat Products
33%
Milk and Dairy 
Products
17%Fishery
29%
 
EN 16   EN ANNEX D – Modifications of Sapard programmes  
 Bulgaria Croatia Czech Rep. Estonia Hungary Latv ia Lithuania Poland Roma nia Slovakia Slovenia 
Commission Decision approving the 
Sapard programme on 20.10.200008.02.200626.10.2000 17.11.2000 18.10.2000 25.10.2000 27.11.2000 18.10.2000 12.12.2000 17.11.2000 27.10.2000 
1ST modification of the programme  
adopted by the Commission on 21.05.2002 19.10.2007 26.02.2002 19.12.2002 26.11.2002 28.11.2001 23.12.2002 22.04.2002 11.07.2002 5.03.2002 24.11.2003 
2ND modification of the programme  
adopted by the Commission on  27.05.2003 14.08.2008 12.04.2002 13.02.2004 21.08.2003 31.07.2002 09.09.2003 05.12.2002 27.5.2003 31.07.2002 20.7.2005 
3RD modification of the programme 
adopted by the Commission on 23.12.2004  31.07.2002 12.07.2005 25.02.2004 18.02.2003 27.05.2005 11.07.2003 01.08.2003 20.03.2003  
4TH modification of the programme  
adopted by the Commission on 07.06.2005  23.12.2002  19.09.2005 17.07.2003  01.08.2003 17.09.2004 21.08.2003  
5TH modification of the programme  
adopted by the Commission on 09.09.2005  14.07.2005   13.02.2004  13.02.2004 04.07.2005 13.02.2004  
6TH modification of the programme  
adopted by the Commission on 24.03.2006  23.12.2005   14.07.2005  03.11.2004 11.04.2006 09.09.2005  
7TH modification of the programme  
adopted by the Commission on 05.07.2006        05.07.2006   
8TH modification of the programme  
adopted by the Commission on 27.12.2006        27.12.2006   
9TH modification of the programme  
adopted by the Commission on 26.06.2008           
10TH modification of the programme  
adopted by the Commission on 21.11.2008           
 
 
EN 17   EN ANNEX E – Sapard Conferral of Management  
 
 
 
EN 18   EN ANNEX F - Sapard irregularity reports by Member States  
 
Number of first communications  
 
 Year 
Reporting 
Country 2002-03 2004 2005 2006 2007 Grand total
BG   51 51 84 2 8 0
CZ   1743 1 5
EE 11445 1 5
HU 31 32 4 8 2 5 0
LT 4333   1 3
LV   7431 1 5
PL 31 92 45 13 2 1 2 9
RO 17 78 16 95 6 2 8 4
SI 2 253   1 3 1
SK   2133 9
Grand Total 34 133 166 163 145 641
 
EN 19   EN ANNEX G – Implementation of measures of the Sapard programmes of Bulgaria, 
Romania and Croatia.  
Bulgaria1 
In 2006, the EU committed € 82,4 million to BG under the AFA 2006. Th is brought the total 
of EU funds committed for BG under the AFAs 2000–2006 up to € 444,7 million. In 2006 the EC paid €53,8 million to BG and at 31 December 2006 total EU payments amounted to €212 million, or 47,7% of the EU funds available to the programme. 
In 2007 the EC paid a further €40 million to BG, bringing total payments to €252 million, 
representing 56,7% of the EU funds allocated to the progra mme. Despite efforts made to 
improve absorption of funds under the programme, such as extension of AFAs and re-allocation of funds over measures, an am ount of €27,7 million had to be de-committed 
according to the automatic de-commitment rule “n+3” and was lost for the programme at the end of December 2007. This reduced the total committed amount to €417 million. 
Contracting of projects to fi nal beneficiaries stopped on 31 October 2007 and by the end of 
2007 the Sapard Agency had approved 3 128 projects under all measures, accounting for €456 
million of EU contribution (103% of the AFAs 2000–2006). Around 600 projects were 
approved in 2007 accounting for €35 million of EU contribution, representing 8% of the 
initial EU allocation 2000–2006. Contracting figures for 2006 accounted for respectively 
around 800 projects and €178 million. By the end of 2007, 1 793 projects have been 
completed corresponding to 57% of approved proj ects to that date, of which 209 have been 
completed during 2006 and 206 in 2007. The to tal EU contribution reimbursed was €226,1 
million, corresponding to 51% of the amount committed under the AFAs 2000–2006. 
"Investments in agricultural holdings" is the measure with the highest allocation. Of 1 647 
approved projects with €165 million, which is more  than 100% of the available funds under 
the financing plan in force fo r this measure, 1 251 projects ha ve been completed. Under the 
measure with the second highest allocation "Processing and marketing of agricultural and 
fishery products", 311 projects have been a pproved for €146 million, of which 15 projects for 
the sub-measure "Wholesale markets" covering th e funds available for this measure. 240 of 
the projects have been completed. 
Under "Investments in agricu ltural holdings" th e sectors animal pr oduction and products 
(39%) and arable crops (17%) have the high est share of the cont racted amount, with 
respectively 421 and 761 projects, whereas the substantia l increase in the projects in the dairy 
sector is due to improved pr ocedures for applying under th e measure. Monitoring data 
suggests, that Sapard support to this measure notably in key sect ors, such as meat and milk 
and dairy products, has contri buted to the achievement of  the measure and programme 
objectives, namely by improving hygienic conditions  and animal welfare, in order to reach 
EU standards and improvement of production processes. 
Under the measure "Processing and marketing" the highest share of contracted amount was in 
the sectors “meat” (37%) and “fruit and vegeta bles” (31%), with re spectively 140 and 96 
projects. Main objective of this measure is to facilitate the improvement and restructuring of 
processing and marketing of agri cultural and fishery products. Investments should contribute 
to: the improvement of product quality, pack aging and presentation, introduction of 
                                                
 
1 Annex C.4 gives an overview of the distribution of Sapard funds between measures for BG. 
 
EN 20   EN environmental protection techno logies, achievement of EU qua lity and health standards, 
better waste recycling, storage capacity and provision of quality  raw materials. Support under 
Sapard resulted in improvements to meet Europ ean standards in meat, fish, fruit and vegetable 
processing plants and wineries. Already completed projects have lead to the quality improvement of a considerable part of the pr ocessing capacity in these establishments. Data 
also shows that on-going projects  should lead to impr ovement in quality of  an increasing part 
of the processing capacity, thus exceeding the levels planned for quality improvement in these sectors. 
A total of 7 groups under measure "Setting up producer groups" were approved, representing 
28% of the measure allocation, of whic h 2 were completed at the end of 2007. 
"Development and diversification of economic activities" measure had 617 projects approved 
for €57 million, of which 235 completed, coveri ng the entire measure allocation. The key 
activities under this measure relate to rural tourism, with a share of 31% of the contracted amount (258 projects) and timber carpentry and bio fuels with a 26% share and 155 projects. 
With regard to the measures "Development a nd improvement of rural infrastructure" and 
"Renovation and development of villages and th e protection and conservation of the rural 
heritage" respectively 57 and 221 projects we re approved with a total value of €83 million, 
which is somewhat more than th eir measure allocation. Out of thes e, 16 infrastructure projects 
and 29 projects under "Renovation and developmen t of villages" were completed by the end 
of 2007. Investments under these two measures s upported basic infrastructure, such as roads 
and water supply in and between villages. The three last menti oned measures contributed to 
the sustainable development of economic activi ties and the improvement of the environment 
in the rural areas. This effect will increase wh en on-going projects have reached the stage of 
completion. 
For "Improvement of vocational training" 3 proj ects were approved for more than the half of 
its measure allocation. One project was complete d. Under the measure "Forestry, afforestation 
of agricultural areas, investment in forest holdings, processing and ma rketing of forestry 
products" 53 projects were approved, with a valu e higher than the alloca tion foreseen for this 
measure, of which 10 completed. 
Measure "Technical assistance" had 13 approve d projects, covering the amount of the 
measure allocation, of which 9 completed projects. 
Romania
2 
In 2006 the EU made the last annual commitment for an amount of € 192,4 million to RO 
under the AFA 2006, bringing the total of EU funds committed for RO under the AFAs 2000–
2006 up to €1,159 million. In 2006 the EC paid  €147,2 million to RO, bringing total EU 
payments 2000–2006 to €532,6 million, or 45,9% of EU funds available to the programme. In 
2007 the EC paid €222,4 million, bringing the total EU payments since the start to €755 million, representing 65,1% of allocated EU funds. 
In 2007 the Sapard Agency continued the Sapard 2000 – 2006 financial implementation. 
Contracting of projects to fina l beneficiaries stopped on 31 Ju ly 2007. Of the 4 582 projects 
approved by the Sapard Agency, of which 3 153 completed at the end of 2007, 121 projects 
                                                
 
2 Annex C.5 gives an overview of the distribution of Sapard funds between measures for RO. 
 
EN 21   EN concerned investments in areas affected by natu ral disasters. The acceleration of activities 
helped RO to avoid automatic de-c ommitment of EU funds in 2006 and 2007. 
During 2006 the last 4 measures of the Sa pard programme were accredited, namely 
"Improving the structures for quality, veterinary  and plant-health cont rols, quality of food 
stuffs and consumer protection", "Agricultura l production methods de signed to protect the 
environment", "Setting up produc er groups" and "Forestry". Th e Commission Decision No 
EC/298/2006 of conferring the mana gement of aid for these measures was adopted on 2 April 
2006. 
The implementation of Sapard in RO is charact erised by a strong emphasis on rehabilitation 
of rural infrastructure while the acquis  related measures have only recently started to absorb 
funds to a larger extent. The largest share of  EU funds (45%) has b een allocated to this 
measure. Of the contracted amount of the 766 projects approved, 50% was for roads, 31% for 
drinking water facilities, 13%  for sewerage systems and 6% for floods prevention and 
protection. 595 of the approved projects have been completed at the end of 2007. The 
contracted amount at the end of 2007 of €504 milli on represented nearly all funds allocated to 
the measure. 
By the end of 2007 the level of contracting un der "Diversification of Economic Activities" 
measure reached a committed amount of €58 milli on, representing almost all funds allocated 
to this measure, for 1 145 approved projects  of which 613 were completed. 60% of the 
projects relate to rural tourism. In the areas affected by floods 3 projec ts have been approved. 
Investments under these two measures impr oved basic infrastructure and supported 
sustainable development of economic  activities in the rural areas. 
Considering the scope of damages caused by the floods (estimated at €1,6 billion or 3,4% of 
the 2003 GDP) that affected most regions during April-September 2005, the EC agreed to re-
allocate in 2005 and 2006 substantial funds to the measure "Rural Infrastructures" for 
rehabilitation in the affected areas. Moreover, it agreed to us e the related provisions of MAFA 
(Multi-annual Financing Agreement) in case of natural disasters allowing to apply a higher 
EU co-financing rate, of 85% in stead of 75% and a higher public aid rate, 75% instead of 50% 
for private beneficiaries, under some meas ures. In addition, a new sub-measure for 
investments in flood preventi on was created. At the end of  2007 83 projects amounting to € 
53 million were contracted for measure 2.1 "Development and improvement of rural 
infrastructure, projects aff ected by natural disasters". 
Under the measure "Processing and Marketing", which has been allocated the second largest 
share of funds with 25%, 482 projects have been approved, of which 310 completed. The 
level of contracting almost reach ed the total funds available for this measure. At the end of 
2007 the committed amount in euros was 280 milli on. Approximately 53% of the contracted 
amount of the approved projects concerns meat products and e ggs sectors, 14% concern the 
dairy sector, 12% arable crops and 10% the fruit and vegetables  sector. Two projects affected 
by natural disasters were contracted in the ce reals sector and anothe r project concerned a 
slaughterhouse. Investments were made for co nstruction of new plants and improvement of 
existing ones. The capacities invol ved in larger sector s, as meat and dair y products, having as 
a result the increase of the quality of the produc ts, especially contribute to the implementation 
of the community acquis . 
"Investments in agricultural holdings" is the th ird most important measure, with a share of 
17% of the total amount allocated to the prog ramme. By the end of 2007 1 986 projects have 
 
EN 22   EN been approved. The committed amount of €190 million EU contribution was close to the 
amount of the measure allocation (47% for in vestments for animal production and products 
and 44% for arable crops). 1 594 projects have  been completed. In th e areas affected by 
floods 32 projects have been approved. Inve stments in farms, as construction and 
modernisation of stables, purch ase of machinery and equipment and high quality animals, are 
most essential in terms of adoption of the acquis  standards. 
Investments in rural infrastructure and diversification of economic activities were in particular 
important in RO. There were two main reasons  for this development. First of all the 
substantial need for improvement s in rural infrastructure a nd economic activities, secondly 
the generally weak economic and financial situation in the agri cultural sector which resulted 
in a lower level of investments than anticipat ed, in particular, in agricultural holdings. The 
Sapard programme has therefore in particular  contributed to the objective concerning the 
sustainable development of ec onomic activities and the improve ment of the environment and 
living conditions in the rural areas. Investment s in the agri-food sectors were in particular 
focussed on investments in animal production an d products with a concen tration in the meat 
processing sector contributing to  the objective of assi sting the agri-food sectors in meeting the 
hygiene and health standards. 
Croatia3 
The HR Sapard programme was adopted by the Commission on 8 February 2006. The 
Conferral of management Decision for the Sa pard Agency and measures "Investments in 
agricultural holdings" and "Processing and mark eting of agricultural and fishery products" 
was adopted on 29 September 2006. The HR MAFA was concluded on 6 April 2006. 
According to the AFA signed on 25.10.2006, the EU committed €25 million to HR. 
In 2007 the EC paid €7,4 million (3 0% of funds available to th e programme) to HR, of which 
€7,2 million represents the payment on account. 
By the end of 2007, the Sapard Agency had approved 29 projects, which accounted for 59% 
of the Sapard allocation of th e two measures concerned. For th e "investments in agricultural 
holdings" measure, 37 projects were submitte d and 17 approved, of which 5 beneficiaries 
were young farmers. 
For the measure "Improving the processing a nd marketing of agricultural and fishery 
products" 23 projects were submitted and 12 approved, of which 3 have been completed. 
It is still too early to assess the im pact of the Sapard programme of HR. 
 
                                                 
3 Annex C.6 gives an overview of the distribution of Sapard funds between measures for HR.