REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL 10th FINANCIAL REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL on the EUROPEAN AGRICULTURAL FUND FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT (EAFRD) 2016 FINANCIAL YEAR
Date: 2017-09-27
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: EAFRD, EU Member State, agricultural expenditure, amending budget, commitment of expenditure, draft budget (EU), financial year, payment appropriation, rural development

EN 

   EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 27.9.2017  COM(2017) 554 final   REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL 10th FINANCIAL REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL  on the EUROPEAN AGRICULTURAL FUND FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT (EAFRD) 2016 FINANCIAL YEAR  
 
 
Table of contents 

1. 

1.1. 

1.2. 

1.3. 

1.4. 

2. 

BUDGET PROCEDURE ................................................................................................... 3 

Financial framework .................................................................................................. 3 

Draft Budget (DB) 2016 ............................................................................................. 3 

The adoption of the 2016 Budget .............................................................................. 4 

The adoption of the Amending Budgets ................................................................... 5 

MANAGEMENT OF APPROPRIATIONS ........................................................................... 5 

2.1.  Management of commitment appropriations .......................................................... 5 

2.1.1.  EAFRD rural development programmes ..................................................................... 5 

2.1.2.  Technical assistance ..................................................................................................... 5 

2.2.  Management of payment appropriations................................................................. 6 

2.2.1.  EAFRD rural development programmes ..................................................................... 6 

2.2.2.  Technical assistance ..................................................................................................... 7 

3. 

3.1. 

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2016 EAFRD BUDGET ..................................................... 7 

Implementation of commitment appropriations ..................................................... 7 

3.1.1.  EAFRD rural development programmes ..................................................................... 7 

3.1.2.  Technical assistance ..................................................................................................... 8 

3.2. 

Implementation of payment appropriations ............................................................ 9 

3.2.1.  EAFRD rural development programmes ..................................................................... 9 

3.2.2.  Technical assistance ................................................................................................... 15 

3.3. 

3.4. 

Analysis of expenditure declared by axis and/or by measure .............................. 15 

Implementation of EAFRD programmes............................................................... 18 

3.4.1.  Programming period 2007-2013................................................................................ 18 

3.4.2.  Programming period 2014-2020................................................................................ 18 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
1. 

BUDGET PROCEDURE 

1.1. 

Financial framework  

Rural  development  expenditure  in  2016  is  funded  within  two  multiannual  financial 
frameworks (MFFs): 2007-2013 and 2014-2020. The financial framework 2014-2020 
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. 

Sustainable growth: natural 
resources 

TOTAL  

of which : 

In million EUR; current prices 

2014 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 

2020 

49 857 

64 692 

64 262 

60 191 

60 267 

60 344 

60 421 

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

5 299 

18 184 

18 684 

14 371 

14 381 

14 330 

14 333 

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

43 778 

44 190 

43 950 

44 146 

44 162 

44  241 

44 263 

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  3  577.2  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  into  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 (EL) 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 
3577.2  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) 2016 

The 2016 Draft Budget (DB) was adopted by the Commission and proposed to the 
Budgetary Authority on 24 June 2015. 

The  Draft  Budget  included  EUR  3 268  million  in  payment  appropriations  for  the 
European  Agricultural  Fund  for  Rural  Development  (EAFRD)  for  the  2007-2013 
programming period. No commitment appropriations were requested for year 2016 
as  the  2007-2013  programming  period  ended  at  the  end  of  2013.  For  the 
programming  period  2014-2020,  the  DB  2016  included  EUR  18 672  million  in 
commitment appropriations and EUR 8 594 million in payment appropriations. 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 2 

Budget Item 

Draft Budget 2016 

Commitment 
appropriations 
(in EUR) 

Payment 
appropriations 
(in EUR) 

2007-2013 

05.040501 (Rural development programmes)  

05.040502 (Operational technical assistance) 

- 

- 

3 268 000 000 

- 

2014-2020 

05.046001 (Rural development programmes) 

18 650 559 495 

8 574 000 000 

05.046002 (Operational technical assistance) 

21 363 000 

20 025 443 

The  Council  adopted  its  position  on  the  2016  Draft  Budget  on  4  September  2015 
and  the  European  Parliament  adopted  its  position  on  28  October  2015.  The 
Conciliation  Committee  had  to  be  convened  and  the  Committee  agreed  on  a  joint 
text  within  the  21-day  time  limit.  The  Council  approved  the  joint  text  on  24 
November 2015 and the European Parliament approved it on 25 November 2015, 

The  2016  budget  was  finally  adopted  on  25  November  2015  decreasing  EAFRD 
payment  appropriations  by  EUR  120  million,  of  which  EUR  33  million  for  the 
2007-2013 programming period and EUR 87 million for the 2014-2020 period. 

1.3. 

The adoption of the 2016 Budget 

The 2016 Budget adopted on 25 November 2015 included for the EAFRD in chapter 
05  04  an  amount  of  EUR  3 235  million  in  payment  appropriations  for  the 
programming  period  2007-2013  and  EUR  18 672  million 
in  commitment 
appropriations  and  EUR  8 507  million  in  payment  appropriations  for  the  period 
2014-2020. 

4 

 
 
 
 
Table 3 

Budget Item 

Adopted Budget 2016 

Commitment 
appropriations 
(in EUR) 

Payment 
appropriations 
(in EUR) 

2007-2013 

05.040501 (Rural devevelopment 
programmes)  

05.040502 (Operational technical assistance) 

-  

-  

3 235 000 000 

- 

2014-2020 

05.046001 (Rural development programmes) 

18 650 559 495 

8 487 000 000 

05.046002 (Operational technical assistance) 

21 363 000 

20 025 443 

1.4. 

The adoption of the Amending Budgets 

None of the 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,  the  2016  voted  budget  amounted  to  EUR 
18 651 million, all related to the 2014-2020 programmes.  

The Budget 2016 did not include any commitment appropriations for EAFRD 2007-
2013 programmes. 

Table 4 

Management of commitment appropriations 
in 2016 – EAFRD 

Budget Item 
05.040501 
(amounts in EUR) 

Budget Item 
05.046001 
(amounts in EUR) 

Appropriations at the beginning of 2016 

Appropriations available in 2016 
Appropriations used in 20161 

- 

- 

- 

18 650 559 495 

18 650 559 495 

18 649 599 495 

1   

Following a UK High Court Consent Order of 12 December 2014, the commitments of the UK-Wales 
programme were reduced by EUR 4.2 million, affecting the years 2016-2020 which was added to the 
direct  payments  ceiling  of  the  UK.  The  underexecution  of  EUR  960  000  is  the  annual  impact  of  the 
overall decrease in year 2016. 

5 

 
 
 
 
                                                            
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  2016  budget,  the  initial  amount  available  for 
this  purpose  was  EUR  4.4  million  for  non-operational  technical  assistance  and 
EUR 21.4 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 2016 amounted to EUR 8 487 million. The payment appropriations 
were reinforced with the transfer of EUR 1.0 million from the line of the completion 
of rural development financed by the EAGGF Guarantee Section (item 05.040114), 
where  no  appropriations  were  needed.  On 
the  payment 
appropriations  were  reduced  by  two  transfers  totalling  to  EUR  32.1  million  which 
were  transferred  to  EAGGF-Guidance  2000-2006  in  order  to  close  one  of  the  old 
programmes of Objective 1. Moreover, EUR 646.1 million was transferred to cover 
the  urgent  needs  linked  to  the  closure  of  EAFRD  2007-2013  programmes.  Taking 
into  account  all  transfers,  the  total  amount  of  payment  appropriations  available  in 
2016 amounted to EUR 7 809.9 million. All appropriations of 2016 have been used 
during the year. 

the  other  hand, 

For  the  rural  development  programmes  2007-2013,  payment  appropriations  of  the 
voted  budget  2016  amounted  to  EUR  3  235  million.  In  addition,  the  available 
assigned  revenue,  either  carried  over  from  2015  or  collected  during  the  year, 
amounted  to  EUR  359.1  million.  At  the  end  of  the  year,  the  closure  of  the  64 
programmes required additional payment appropriations. This was partially covered 
with a transfer from the EAFRD 2014-2020 programmes line (EUR 646.1 million),  
the  technical  assistance  line  (EUR 3.0  million)  and  the  End-of-Year  transfer 
(EUR 264.7 million). The total amount of payment appropriations available in 2016 
was  EUR 4  507.9  million.  Of  this  amount,  EUR  12.1  million  of  assigned  revenue 
were automatically carried over to 2017. 

Table 5 

Management of payment appropriations in 2016 
(in EUR) 

EAFRD (2014-2020) 
Budget Item - 05.046001 

Appropriations at the beginning of 2016 

Transfer to EAGGF-Guidance — Objective 1 regions 
(2000 to 2006) 

Transfer to EAGGF-Guidance — Objective 1 regions 
(2000 to 2006) 

Transfer from EAGGF Guarantee Section 2000-2006 

Transfer to EAFRD 2007-2013 

8 487 000 000 

-5 124 931 

-26 940 235 

1 006 524 

-646 066 430 

6 

 
 
  
Appropriations available in 2016 

Appropriations used in 2016 

EAFRD (2007-2013) 
Budget Item - 05.040501 

Appropriations at the beginning of 2016 

Assigned revenue carried over from 2015 

Assigned revenue collected in 2016 

Transfer from EAFRD 2014-2020  

Transfer from TA line of EAFRD 2014-2020 

End-of-the year transfer 
Appropriations available in 2016 
Appropriations used in 2016 

7 809 874 928 

7 809 874 920 

3 235 000 000 

22 697 504 

336 400 606 

646 066 430 

3 000 000 

264 739 750 
4 507 904 290 
4 495 770 025 

2.2.2.  Technical assistance 

As regards the EAFRD, total payment appropriations in the 2016 budget amounted 
to  EUR  20.0  million.  EUR  3.0  million  were  transferred  to  the  EAFRD  2007-2013 
programmes line in order to cover the closure of  programmes EAFRD 2007-2013. 
The  final  payment  appropriations  was  EUR  17.0  million.  The  total  payments 
reached EUR 12.8 million. 

3. 

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2016 EAFRD BUDGET 

3.1. 

Implementation of commitment appropriations 

3.1.1.  EAFRD rural development programmes 

Of the total amount of commitment appropriations available in the 2016 budget for 
the EAFRD programmes 2014-2020 (EUR 18 650.6 million), EUR 18 649.6 million 
was committed. The minor amount not committed (EUR 0.96 million) was due to a 
modification of the allocation for the UK set out in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 
1305/20132 (see footnote 1). 

Table 6 shows, per Member State, the allocation established by Regulation (EU) No 
1305/2013  of  17/12/2013  as  last  amended  by  Commission  Delegated  Regulation 
(EU) 2016/142 of 02/12/20151 and the amounts committed in 2016. 

2  

COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) 2016/142 of 2 December 2015 amending Annex I 
to  Regulation  (EU)  No  1305/2013  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  and  Annex  III  to 
Regulation  (EU)  No  1307/2013  of  the  European  Parliament  and of  the  Council (OJ  L28  of 4.2.2016, 
page 8) 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
Table 6 

Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 (as amended) vs. amounts 
committed by the end of 2016 

Budget item: 05.046001 

(in EUR) 

Regulation (EU) No 
1305/2013 
 2016 Allocation 
(a) 

MS 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

ES 

FI 

FR 

GR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 

Amounts committed 
in 2016 

(b) 
560 883 465 
109 821 794 
505 020 057 
28 345 126 
503 130 504 
1 685 574 112 
136 397 742 
111 192 345 
1 780 403 445 
338 456 263 
2 363 567 980 
1 007 736 821 

448 426 250 

737 099 981 
469 724 442 
2 231 599 688 
230 431 887 
21 432 133 
153 066 059 
20 878 690 
118 496 585 
1 193 429 059 
578 913 888 
1 751 613 412 
378 153 207 
119 342 187 
215 603 053 
850 859 320 
18 649 599 495 

560 883 465 
109 821 794 
505 020 057 
28 345 126 
503 130 504 
1 685 574 112 
136 397 742 
111 192 345 
1 780 403 445 
338 456 263 
2 363 567 980 
1 007 736 821 

448 426 250 

737 099 981 
469 724 442 
2 231 599 688 
230 431 887 
21 432 133 
153 066 059 
20 878 690 
118 496 585 
1 193 429 059 
578 913 888 
1 751 613 412 
378 153 207 
119 342 187 
215 603 053 
850 859 320 
18 649 599 495   

Total 

3.1.2.  Technical assistance 

For the programming period 2014-2020, the amount of commitment appropriations 
for operational technical assistance in the budget 2016 was EUR 21.4 million. This 
line  was  reinforced  by  EUR  1.0  million  transferred  from  the  EAFRD  2014-2020 
programmes line to cover the needs in relation to the contribution of the EAFRD to 
the European Solidarity Corps. Table 7 shows the consumption of the commitment 
appropriations  available  for  technical  assistance  in  2016.  The most  important  part 
relates  to  the  Technical  Advisory  Platform  for  Financial  Instruments  and  to  the 
European Network for Rural Development. 

8 

 
 
  
Table 7 

Technical assistance – Implementation of commitment appropriations 

Budget Item: 05.046002 

Description 

Technical Advisory Platform for Financial Instruments 

European Network for Rural Development 

Information technology* 

Corporate Communication 

European Innovation Partnership 

European Evaluation Network 

European Solidarity Corps 

Audit and Controls 

Protection of symbols 

Total 

  * Including BCO (Broadband Competence Offices) 

3.2. 

Implementation of payment appropriations 

3.2.1.  EAFRD rural development programmes 

 (in EUR)  

 Amount 
committed  

4 800 000 

4 455 468 

3 094 064 

2 600 000 

2 570 801 

1 845 650 

1 300 000 

1 269 555 

57 093 

21 992 630 

For the programming period 2014-2020, almost all payment appropriations available 
after the transfers (EUR 7 810 million) were used, of which EUR 1 001 million for 
the pre-financing.  

For the programming period 2007-2013, all payment appropriations available in the 
budget (EUR 3 235 million) were implemented. Additional payments of EUR 1 261 
million were made with appropriations from EAFRD 2014-2020 programmes line, 
the operational technical assistance line, the assigned revenue and the End-of-Year 
transfer. At the end of 2016, the total amount paid for EAFRD programmes 2007-
2013, including the closure of 64 programmes, was EUR 4 496 million.  

Table 8 shows the breakdown of payments made in 2016 by declaration period: 

Table 8 

Payments 2016 for EAFRD rural development 
programmes (in million EUR) 

Pre-financing 2014-2020 

Reimbursement of payment claims prior to Q4 2015 

Reimbursement of payment claims Q4 2015 

Reimbursement of payment claims Q1 2016 

Reimbursement of payment claims Q2 2016 

Reimbursement of payment claims Q3 2016 

Closure payments 2007-2013 

Total 2016 

2007-2013 

2014-2020 

Item 05.040501 

Item 05.046001 

0.00 

277.49 

1 547.84 

8.01 

0.00 

0.00 

2 662.43 

4 495.77 

1 000.59 

554.36 

1 346.31 

1 257.34 

2 038.53 

1 612.74 

0.00 

7 809.87 

9 

 
 
  
 
The  monthly  consumption  of  payment  appropriations  during  the  year  (January  to 
December 2016) 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 2016 is shown in tables 9a and 9b.  

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

ES 

FI 

FR 

GR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 

Table 9a 

Payments effectively made between 01/01/2016 and 31/12/2016 
EAFRD 2007-2013 - Budget item 05.040501                                                                              (in EUR) 

MS 

Prior to Q4 2015 

Q4 2015 

Positive 
payments, 
mainly following 
the judgements 
of Court of 
Justice 

0 

0 

211 263 

104 910 087 

0 

0 

10 959 942 

7 243 066 

0 

995 397 

49 444 612 

254 214 733 

0 

24 430 594 

34 997 367 

3 215 169 

451 499 242 

28 301 

927 828 

4 746 784 

1 726 644 

0 

0 

123 857 373 

215 437 259 

584 299 

138 417 270 

139 001 569 

Closure 

Total 

201 048 843 

201 048 843 

11 915 307 

11 915 307 

105 121 350 

8 138 265 

8 138 265 

388 608 987 

400 564 326 

20 963 291 

35 481 510 

28 206 357 

35 481 510 

138 757 741 

442 445 387 

73 189 520 

74 117 347 

64 174 744 

456 441 055 

100 146 037 

100 146 037 

123 238 683 

123 238 683 

117 416 941 

456 711 574 

86 077 487 

86 077 487 

4 310 828 

4 310 828 

0 

0 

0 

1 310 503 

560 059 

0 

0 

0 

3 922 417 

54 175 098 

481 300 950 

0 

0 

0 

2 637 812 

303 187  

52 512 931 

52 816 118 

2 656 238 

4 526 801 

27 849 916 

27 849 916 

654 646 405 

654 646 405 

166 884 840 

170 807 257 

39 280 927 

42 697 633 

86 339 546 

535 476 048 

39 280 927 

42 697 633 

86 339 546 

141 550 893 

144 188 705 

Total 

277 485 432 

1 547 837 509 

8 317 043 

2 662 130 040 

4 495 770 025 

11 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
Table 9b 

Payments effectively made between 01/01/2016 and 31/12/2016  
EAFRD 2014-2020 - Budget item 05.046001 

(in EUR) 

MS 

Pre-financing 

Prior to Q4 
2015 

Q4 2015 

Q1 2016 

Q2 2016 

 Q3 2016 

Total 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

ES 

FI 

FR 

GR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 

39 375 520 

3 265 091 

17 539 570 

339 778 144 

33 993 775 

433 952 101 

6 477 978 

4 864 566 

3 635 803 

2 443 352 

20 679 176 

7 880 154 

45 981 029 

23 667 170 

1 322 444 

84 793 197 

15 018 210 

29 248 636 

152 727 213 

54 702 

2 367 776 

3 429 608 

1 325 612 

8 500 142 

23 056 740 

4 850 094 

31 962 882 

50 356 787 

60 232 281 

34 480 775 

204 939 559 

93 607 201 

17 663 132 

218 875 742 

165 939 180 

148 021 290 

97 342 001 

741 448 545 

14 976 097 

991 945 

20 595 204 

17 020 883 

17 784 549 

18 536 432 

8 233 416 

4 138 495 

6 567 382 

48 892 142 

13 093 427 

15 209 984 

89 905 110 

96 134 846 

82 973 888 

14 051 954 

67 590 620 

81 033 254 

68 486 032 

147 428 430 

461 564 178 

23 804 083 

48 031 959 

106 332 534 

5 276 183 

57 387 698 

110 154 555 

350 987 012 

113 848 442 

315 907 655 

90 883 881 

22 904 483 

41 866 580 

52 994 771 

638 405 812 

47 182 918 

20 262 225 

34 306 645 

388 120 

10 181 227 

5 305 518 

72 442 372 

42 726 922 

151 306 384 

8 494 055 

26 664 899 

192 679 994 

275 021 867 

196 249 540 

12 218 585 

242 774 769 

21 905 922 

49 948 020 

77 659 945 

10 385 332 

8 342 894 

107 486 601 

275 728 714 

104 443 808 

11 074 939 

40 546 961 

64 506 841 

174 280 211 

129 139 789 

523 992 549 

16 130 882 

1 147 244 

32 577 397 

33 299 991 

61 974 997 

44 957 701 

190 088 212 

1 005 746 

13 645 

3 306 700 

867 396 

2 168 098 

7 361 586 

10 756 038 

2 527 228 

31 848 828 

33 063 678 

19 549 712 

21 843 592 

119 589 076 

973 269 

10 812 454 

88 961 088 

943 989 

4 002 744 

23 346 116 

5 065 312 

1 091 765 

45 262 379 

73 652 412 

238 330 817 

50 868 806 

451 813 122 

565 944 

23 513 

1 562 726 

40 601 404 

35 704 235 

284 545 887 

114 089 541 

51 094 441 

51 511 050 

577 546 557 

81 279 964 

17 455 653 

430 800 

51 589 535 

55 384 861 

15 530 153 

68 470 024 

208 861 025 

56 984 320 

231 935 189 

235 097 590 

605 297 063 

8 378 498 

1 163 339 

22 175 367 

26 250 286 

26 101 394 

1 570 151 

85 639 035 

15 885 298 

673 179 

34 644 205 

6 584 291 

37 635 408 

26 144 967 

121 567 349 

48 906 195 

39 849 997 

203 467 861 

246 560 880 

86 990 969 

76 141 057 

701 916 960 

Total 

1 000 590 984 

554 364 534 

1 346 310 501 

1 257 342 323 

2 038 531 245 

1 612 735 333 

7 809 874 920 

Tables 10a and 10b compare, for each Member State, the EAFRD payments made in 
2016  with  the  payments  in  2015.  The  total  payments  for  EAFRD  2007-2013 
programmes decreased by 31% (EUR 4.5 billion vs. 6.5 billion), reflecting that the 
eligibility  for  Union  expenditure  for  the  2007-2013  programmes  ended  on  31 
December  2015  and  that  hence  the  2016  payments  cover  the  reimbursements  for 
Q4/2015 as well as the payments for the EAFRD programmes closed in 2016. At the 
same time the payments for EAFRD 2014-2020 programmes increased significantly 
(by 49%) compared to year 2015 (EUR 7.8 billion vs. EUR 5.3 billion). 

12 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
Table 10a 

Payments made to Member States - Comparison 2016 vs 2015 - EAFRD 2007-2013 

(in EUR) 

2015 

2016 

Difference 2016 vs. 2015 

Interim payments 

Closure 

Total 

Interim payments 

Closure 

Total 

(in €) 

(in %) 

MS 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

ES 

FI 

FR 

GR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 

0 

5 360 020 

404 510 426 

18 280 429 

0 

287 887 731 

60 727 573 

0 

953 334 892 

0 

239 865 433 

379 109 303 

0 

382 092 959 

0 

1 143 347 348 

38 115 984 

0 

0 

8 590 730 

10 583 063 

1 170 599 020 

31 039 518 

1 257 624 319 

0 

0 

29 960 498 

43 269 312 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

5 360 020 

404 510 426 

18 280 429 

0 

0 

201 048 843 

201 048 843 

201 048 843 

- 

11 915 307 

11 915 307 

6 555 287 

122.30% 

105 121 350 

105 121 350 

-299 389 076 

-74.01% 

0 

8 138 265 

8 138 265 

-10 142 164 

-55.48% 

0 

584 299 

138 417 270 

139 001 569 

139 001 569 

- 

287 887 731 

60 727 573 

0 

11 955 339 

388 608 987 

400 564 326 

112 676 595 

39.14% 

7 243 066 

20 963 291 

28 206 357 

-32 521 216 

-53.55% 

0 

35 481 510 

35 481 510 

35 481 510 

- 

953 334 892 

303 687 646 

138 757 741 

442 445 387 

-510 889 505 

-53.59% 

0 

927 828 

73 189 520 

74 117 347 

74 117 347 

- 

239 865 433 

379 109 303 

0 

382 092 959 

0 

1 143 347 348 

38 115 984 

0 

0 

8 590 730 

10 583 063 

1 170 599 020 

31 039 518 

1 257 624 319 

0 

0 

29 960 498 

43 269 312 

0 

0 

64 174 744 

456 441 055 

64 174 744 

456 441 055 

-175 690 689 

-73.25% 

77 331 752 

20.40% 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

- 

100 146 037 

100 146 037 

-281 946 922 

-73.79% 

123 238 683 

123 238 683 

123 238 683 

- 

339 294 632 

117 416 941 

456 711 574 

-686 635 774 

-60.05% 

86 077 487 

86 077 487 

47 961 503 

125.83% 

4 310 828 

4 310 828 

303 187 

52 512 931 

52 816 118 

4 310 828 

52 816 118 

- 

- 

1 870 562 

2 656 238 

4 526 801 

-4 063 929 

-47.31% 

0 

0 

27 849 916 

27 849 916 

17 266 853 

163.16% 

654 646 405 

654 646 405 

-515 952 615 

-44.08% 

3 922 417 

166 884 840 

170 807 257 

139 767 739 

450.29% 

535 476 048 

535 476 048 

-722 148 271 

-57.42% 

0 

0 

0 

39 280 927 

39 280 927 

42 697 633 

42 697 633 

39 280 927 

42 697 633 

- 

- 

86 339 546 

86 339 546 

56 379 048 

188.18% 

2 637 812 

141 550 893 

144 188 705 

100 919 393 

233.24% 

6 464 298 560 

1 833 639 985 

2 662 130 040 

4 495 770 025 

-1 968 528 535 

-30.45% 

13 

Total 

6 464 298 560 

 
 
  
  
  
  
Table 10b 

Payments made to Member States - Comparison 2016 vs 2015 - EAFRD 2014-2020 

(in EUR) 

MS 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

ES 

FI 

FR 

GR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

UK 

Interim payments 

Pre-financing 

Total 

Interim payments 

Pre-financing 

Total 

(in €) 

(in %) 

2015 

2016 

Difference 2016 vs. 2015 

381 361 904 

39 375 520 

420 737 424 

394 576 581 

39 375 520 

433 952 101 

13 214 677 

60 955 847 

12 955 955 

73 911 803 

39 503 051 

6 477 978 

45 981 029 

-27 930 774 

0 

0 

47 334 339 

47 334 339 

129 060 043 

23 667 170 

152 727 213 

105 392 874 

3 967 331 

3 967 331 

7 177 699 

1 322 444 

8 500 142 

4 532 811 

187 621 864 

46 113 480 

233 735 344 

181 882 819 

23 056 740 

204 939 559 

-28 795 785 

270 520 722 

171 219 696 

441 740 417 

647 841 345 

93 607 201 

741 448 545 

299 708 128 

3.14% 

-37.79% 

222.66% 

114.25% 

-12.32% 

67.85% 

1 704 161 

6 294 007 

7 998 168 

74 929 013 

14 976 097 

89 905 110 

81 906 942 

1024.07% 

31 042 916 

16 466 831 

47 509 747 

87 901 431 

8 233 416 

96 134 846 

48 625 099 

12 750 662 

207 434 721 

220 185 382 

378 590 289 

82 973 888 

461 564 178 

241 378 796 

382 518 728 

24 011 173 

406 529 902 

327 182 929 

23 804 083 

350 987 012 

-55 542 890 

345 362 039 

227 696 885 

573 058 924 

524 557 370 

113 848 442 

638 405 812 

65 346 888 

0 

141 548 754 

141 548 754 

227 838 949 

47 182 918 

275 021 867 

133 473 113 

54 335 233 

40 524 450 

94 859 683 

131 044 159 

20 262 225 

151 306 384 

56 446 701 

0 

68 613 290 

68 613 290 

208 468 125 

34 306 645 

242 774 769 

174 161 479 

327 135 539 

54 764 804 

381 900 343 

253 822 792 

21 905 922 

275 728 714 

-106 171 629 

7 578 868 

208 887 615 

216 466 483 

419 548 741 

104 443 808 

523 992 549 

307 526 066 

38 414 223 

32 261 765 

70 675 988 

173 957 330 

16 130 882 

190 088 212 

119 412 224 

12 209 640 

2 011 492 

14 221 132 

6 355 840 

1 005 746 

7 361 586 

-6 859 546 

53 339 164 

21 512 076 

74 851 240 

108 833 038 

10 756 038 

119 589 076 

44 737 836 

0 

1 946 538 

1 946 538 

589 457 

973 269 

1 562 726 

27 621 653 

12 146 107 

39 767 761 

34 449 926 

10 812 454 

45 262 379 

-383 812 

5 494 618 

174 360 865 

85 982 808 

260 343 673 

362 852 034 

88 961 088 

451 813 122 

191 469 449 

226 596 314 

47 698 857 

274 295 171 

536 945 153 

40 601 404 

577 546 557 

303 251 386 

0 

243 839 892 

243 839 892 

524 017 099 

81 279 964 

605 297 063 

361 457 171 

140 723 643 

34 911 305 

175 634 948 

191 405 372 

17 455 653 

208 861 025 

29 933 496 

16 756 996 

46 690 492 

77 260 537 

8 378 498 

85 639 035 

61 667 351 

30 905 457 

92 572 808 

105 682 050 

15 885 298 

121 567 349 

33 226 077 

38 948 543 

28 994 541 

479 188 117 

98 067 330 

577 255 447 

653 010 765 

48 906 195 

701 916 960 

124 661 513 

102.35% 

109.63% 

-13.66% 

11.40% 

94.29% 

59.51% 

253.83% 

-27.80% 

142.07% 

168.96% 

-48.23% 

59.77% 

-19.72% 

13.82% 

73.54% 

110.56% 

148.24% 

18.92% 

83.42% 

31.32% 

21.60% 

48.70% 

Total 

3 306 942 948 

1 945 249 474 

5 252 192 422 

6 809 283 936 

1 000 590 984 

7 809 874 920 

2 557 682 498 

14 

 
 
  
3.2.2.  Technical assistance  

For the programming period 2014-2020, the amount for payment appropriations for 
technical assistance was EUR 20.0 million. A part of these appropriations (EUR 3.0 
million)  was  transferred  to  cover  payment  needs  in  relation  to  rural  development 
programmes under EAFRD 2007-2013. 

Table  11  hereafter  presents  the  payments  grouped  by  main  activities.  The  most 
important part relates to the European Network for Rural Development. 

Table 11 

Technical assistance – Implementation of payment appropriations 

Budget Item: 05.046002 

Description 

European Network for Rural Development 

Information technology 

Technical Advisory Platform for Financial Instruments 

European Innovation Partnership 

European Evaluation Network 

Audit and Controls 

Protection of symbols 

Events 

Total 

 (in EUR)  

Amount paid  

3 807 289 

2 331 319 

2 198 479 

2 159 784 

1 404 023 

812 715 

100 000 

214 

12 813 822 

3.3. 

Analysis of expenditure declared by axis and/or by measure 

Tables  12a  and  12b  show  the  payment  claims  declared  by  Member  States  and  by 
axis/measure  for  rural  development  in  2016  (4th  quarter  of  2015  to  3rd  quarter  of 
2016), the cumulative declared expenditure from the beginning of the programmes 
and also the financial plans of EAFRD programmes.  
It should be noted that for EAFRD 2007-2013 the 4th quarter of 2015 was the last 
quarter for declaration of expenditure. In this quarter the expenditure concentrated in 
axis 1 (40.3%), followed by axis 2 with 23.3%, axis 3 with 20.8% and axis 4 with 
12.8%. The cumulative declared expenditure from the beginning of the programmes 
(32.0%, 47.7%, 12.4% and 5.9% for axis 1 to 4 respectively) are very much in line 
with the programming per axis.  

Axis  2  measures  mainly  involve  annual  payments  (e.g.  agro-environmental 
measures)  whilst  axis  1,  3  and,  to  a  lesser  extent,  axis  4  mainly  relate  to  multi-
annual  measures 
their  approval  and 
implementation (e.g. investment projects).  

longer  proceedings  for 

that  require 

The expenditure for EAFRD 2014-2020 in 2016 concentrated mainly in Measure 13 
(Payments  to  areas  facing  natural  or  other  specific  constraints)  and  in  Measure  10 
(Agri-environment-climate). 

15 

 
 
 
Table 12a 

EAFRD declared expenditure 2016 (Q4 2015) & Total cumulative expenditure (Q4 2006 to Q4 2015)  
compared with Financial Plans - EAFRD 2007-2013 

EAFRD Axis / Measure 

111 Vocational training and information actions  

112 Setting up of young farmers 

113 Early retirement  

114 Use of advisory services 

115 Setting up of management, relief and .... 

Declared expenditure 
2016 (Q4 2015) 

Cumulative declared 
expenditure (Q4 2006 to 
Q4 2015) 

Financial Plans 2007-
2013 

 (million 
€) 

53.4 

348.9 

67.8 

3.7 

1.2 

(%) 

1.0% 

6.9% 

1.3% 

0.1% 

0.0% 

 (million 
€) 
840.5 

3 271.4 

2 655.2 

133.3 

31.7 

(%) 

0.9% 

3.5% 

2.8% 

0.1% 

0.0% 

 (million 
€) 
902.3 

3 310.8 

2 593.8 

139.4 

33.8 

(%) 

0.9% 

3.5% 

2.7% 

0.1% 

0.0% 

121 Modernisation of agricultural holdings 

656.4 

12.9% 

11 693.4 

12.5% 

11 828.7 

12.3% 

122 Improvement of the economic value of forest 

123 Adding value to agricultural and forestry... 

124 Cooperation for development of new products 

125 Infrastructure related to the development … 

126 Restoring agricultural production potential  

131 Meeting standards based on Community... 

132 Participation of farmers in food quality… 

133 Information and promotion activities  

141 Semi-subsistence farming  

142 Producer groups 

143 Direct Payment (BG + RO) 

144 Holdings undergoing restructuring  

6.5 

318.0 

28.7 

477.4 

36.5 

0.1 

3.0 

11.8 

27.5 

10.5 

0.0 

0.1 

0.1% 

6.2% 

0.6% 

9.4% 

0.7% 

0.0% 

0.1% 

0.2% 

0.5% 

0.2% 

0.0% 

0.0% 

308.7 

4 412.6 

234.3 

4 317.6 

648.5 

62.1 

91.3 

128.4 

771.6 

234.9 

9.5 

180.8 

0.3% 

4.7% 

0.2% 

4.6% 

0.7% 

0.1% 

0.1% 

0.1% 

0.8% 

0.3% 

0.0% 

0.2% 

324.1 

4 643.0 

252.5 

4 366.9 

652.9 

64.1 

99.4 

131.3 

792.2 

250.7 

15.7 

190.0 

0.3% 

4.8% 

0.3% 

4.6% 

0.7% 

0.1% 

0.1% 

0.1% 

0.8% 

0.3% 

0.0% 

0.2% 

Axis 1 

2 051.6 

40.3% 

30 025.7 

32.0% 

30 591.8 

31.9% 

7 391.1 

7 681.4 

267.5 

7.9% 

8.2% 

0.3% 

7 128.0 

8 062.5 

272.6 

7.4% 

8.4% 

0.3% 

23 619.4 

25.2% 

23 845.5 

24.9% 

211 Natural handicap payments to farmers in ... 

212 Payments to farmers in areas with handicaps... 

213 Natura 2000 payments and payments linked .. 

214 Agri-environment payments 

215 Animal welfare payments 

216 Non-productive investments 

221 First afforestation of agricultural land 

222 First establishment of agroforestry systems... 

223 First afforestation of non-agricultural land 

224 Natura 2000 payments 

225 Forest-environment payments 

226 Restoring forestry potential and … 

227 Non-productive investments 

181.1 

87.9 

13.3 

464.2 

106.3 

40.2 

41.8 

0.3 

7.6 

11.8 

8.0 

148.8 

75.2 

3.6% 

1.7% 

0.3% 

9.1% 

2.1% 

0.8% 

0.8% 

0.0% 

0.1% 

0.2% 

0.2% 

2.9% 

1.5% 

1 006.2 

621.0 

1 585.5 

1.5 

168.2 

74.3 

70.1 

1 542.1 

698.6 

1.1% 

0.7% 

1.7% 

0.0% 

0.2% 

0.1% 

0.1% 

1.6% 

0.7% 

Axis 2 

1 186.4 

23.3% 

44 727.1 

47.7% 

311 Diversification into non-agricultural activities 

312 Business creation and development  

313 Encouragement of tourism activities 

321 Basic services for the economy and rural … 

322 Village renewal and development  

323 Conservation and upgrading of the rural.... 

331 Training and information  

341 Skills acquisition, animation and implement...  

74.6 

111.5 

96.1 

522.1 

164.3 

85.8 

2.7 

4.3 

1.5% 

2.2% 

1.9% 

10.3% 

3.2% 

1.7% 

0.1% 

0.1% 

1 078.8 

1 430.3 

887.9 

3 683.0 

3 199.6 

1 154.9 

92.2 

100.4 

1.1% 

1.5% 

0.9% 

3.9% 

3.4% 

1.2% 

0.1% 

0.1% 

1 040.6 

656.4 

1 584.4 

2.5 

176.1 

69.6 

79.4 

1 603.3 

738.5 

45 
259.23 
1 110.5 

1 570.0 

1 112.0 

3 745.6 

3 327.0 

1 194.2 

96.4 

101.0 

1.1% 

0.7% 

1.7% 

0.0% 

0.2% 

0.1% 

0.1% 

1.7% 

0.8% 

47.2% 

1.2% 

1.6% 

1.2% 

3.9% 

3.5% 

1.2% 

0.1% 

0.1% 

Axis 3 

1 061.3 

20.8% 

11 627.1 

12.4% 

12 256.8 

12.8% 

411 Implementing local development strategies... 

412 Implementing local development strategies... 

413 Implementing local development strategies.... 

80.1 

7.5 

456.4 

1.6% 

0.1% 

9.0% 

471.5 

58.9 

3 977.0 

0.5% 

0.1% 

4.2% 

505.2 

73.8 

4 059.9 

0.5% 

0.1% 

4.2% 

16 

 
 
  
421 Implementing cooperation projects  

431 Running the local action group, acquiring ... 

Axis 4 

511 Technical Assistance 

611 BG RO Direct Payments 

Grand total 

Table 12b 

39.1 

70.9 

0.8% 

1.4% 

654.0 

12.8% 

139.6 

0.0 

2.7% 

0.0% 

170.8 

897.7 

5 575.9 

1 440.7 

436.4 

0.2% 

1.0% 

5.9% 

1.5% 

0.5% 

189.9 

928.6 

5 757.4 

1 531.1 

437.4 

0.2% 

1.0% 

6.0% 

1.6% 

0.5% 

5 092.8 

100.0% 

93 832.7 

100.0% 

95 833.8 

100.0% 

EAFRD declared expenditure 2016 (Q4 2015-Q3 2016) & Total cumulative expenditure (Q4 2014 to Q3 2016)  
compared with Financial Plans  - EAFRD 2014-2020 

EAFRD Measure 

Knowledge transfer and information 
actions 
Advisory services, farm management 
and farm relief services 

Quality schemes for agricultural 
products and foodstuffs 

Investments in physical assets 
Restoring agricultural production 
potential damaged by natural 
disasters and catastrophic events and 
introduction of appropriate 
prevention actions 
Farm and business development 
Basic services and village renewal in 
rural areas 
Investments in forest area 
development and improvement of the 
viability of forests 
Setting-up of producer groups and 
organisations 
Agri-environment-climate 

Measure 01 

Measure 02 

Measure 03 

Measure 04 

Measure 05 

Measure 06 

Measure 07 

Measure 08 

Measure 09 

Measure 10 

Measure 11 

Organic farming 

Measure 12 

Measure 13 

Natura 2000 and Water Framework 
Directive payments 

Payments to areas facing natural or 
other specific constraints  

Measure 14 

Animal Welfare 

Measure 15 

Forest environmental and climate 
services and forest conservation 

Measure 16 

Co-operation 

Measure 17 

Risk management 

Measure 18 

Measure 19 

Measure 20 

Measure 113 

Measure 131 

Measure 341 

Grand total 

Financing of complementary national 
direct payments for Croatia 
Support for LEADER local 
development — community-led local 
development (CLLD) 
Technical assistance Member States 

Early retirement 
Meeting standards based on 
Community legislation 
Skills acquisition, animation and 
implementation 

Declared expenditure 
2016 (Q4 2015 to Q3 
2016) 

Cumulative declared 
expenditure (Q4 2014 to Q3 
2016) 

(%) 

 (million €) 

(%) 

Financial Plans 2014-
2020 

 (million 
€) 

(%) 

0.3% 

0.2% 

0.1% 

21.9 

11.4 

10.5 

0.2% 

1 132.8 

1.1% 

0.1% 

865.9 

0.9% 

0.1% 

379.1 

0.4% 

 (million 
€) 

20.3 

10.7 

8.8 

963.6 

15.0% 

1 183.4 

11.7% 

22 679.2 

22.8% 

38.0 

0.6% 

53.1 

0.5% 

906.2 

0.9% 

344.7 

117.4 

5.4% 

1.8% 

416.0 

120.3 

4.1% 

1.2% 

7 399.6 

6 664.3 

7.4% 

6.7% 

247.8 

3.9% 

328.2 

3.2% 

4 557.5 

4.6% 

16.0 

1 734.3 

583.7 

61.1 

0.2% 

27.1% 

9.1% 

1.0% 

16.0 

3 098.0 

799.7 

0.2% 

30.5% 

7.9% 

476.3 

0.5% 

16 365.7 

6 444.6 

16.5% 

6.5% 

95.9 

0.9% 

573.9 

0.6% 

1 704.5 

26.6% 

3 217.7 

31.7% 

16 059.2 

16.2% 

231.5 

2.3% 

1 475.2 

182.5 

6.8 

20.7 

10.4 

36.1 

116.8 

65.4 

117.0 

0.0 

0.0 

2.8% 

0.1% 

0.3% 

0.2% 

0.6% 

1.8% 

1.0% 

1.8% 

0.0% 

0.0% 

9.4 

21.9 

15.6 

90.7 

125.7 

83.7 

197.7 

0.0 

0.0 

0.1% 

0.2% 

0.2% 

0.9% 

266.4 

1 762.6 

1 715.9 

111.9 

1.5% 

0.3% 

1.8% 

1.7% 

0.1% 

1.2% 

6 900.4 

6.9% 

0.8% 

1.9% 

0.0% 

0.0% 

2 080.9 

529.2 

0.0 

0.6 

2.1% 

0.5% 

0.0% 

0.0% 

6 406.6 

100.0% 

10 148.5 

100.0% 

99 347.5 

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. 

17 

 
 
  
 
3.4. 

Implementation of EAFRD programmes 

3.4.1.  Programming period 2007-2013 

Graph  2  presents  the  absorption  rate  of  rural  development  programmes  2007-2013 
per Member State: payments from the beginning of the programming period till 31 
December  2016,  including  closure  payments  for  the  programmes  that  have  been 
already closed by this date, compared to the total 2007-2013 allocation.  

Until the end of 2016 the application of the N+2 rule has resulted in decommitments 
amounting in total to EUR 1 722 million. This amount relates to years 2008-2013. 

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 2016 that is reimbursed in financial 
year 2017 compared to the total 2014-2020 allocation. 

18 

 
 
 
19 

 
 
 
20