Simplifying the rules for managing the rural development funds
5.3.2009
WRITTEN QUESTION P-1631/09
by Constantin Dumitriu (PPE‑DE)
to the Commission
The allocation of EU funds carried out by the Commission, via the EAFDR, to the beneficiaries of rural development projects entails a reimbursement procedure effected by means of intermediate payments.
Reimbursement is made after the forwarding to the Commission of an expenditure request, signed by the accredited national payments agency, within 45 days of the request's registration. The beneficiary must have sufficient financial resources to make the payment in full and obtain proof of payment in order to be eligible to receive, by means of reimbursement, the funds allocated under the project.
In the present adverse international climate and recalling its dramatic effects on the Member States, including a fall-off in loans for productive activities and a collapse in the value of assets that could be presented to guarantee loans, not to mention the long time-lag between payment requests being lodged and the payment being made, it has become far more difficult for private investors in Romania to initiate projects with public financing from the EAFDR and EAGF.
The Member States' reduced capacity as regards absorption of EU rural development funds runs counter to their interests and has a knock-on effect on the implementation of the CAP at Union level, as also on producers of agricultural equipment and tools in the Member States.
In view of the above:
- —Is the Commission considering amendment of the rules for managing the rural development funds on lines similar to the proposed changes to the management rules for the Structural Funds?
- —Could the time-periods for reimbursement by the Commission be reduced respectively from 45 to 30 days and from six months to 45 days?
- —Would it be possible to introduce rules at European level for the payment of public funds in cases characterised by proof of commitment of expenditure, part-payment by the beneficiaries (private financing usually amounts to 50 %) and confirmation that the equipment has been received or the works have been carried out (from the banking viewpoint, payment of public funds to the provider or supplier could be ensured by use of an accreditation service or an escrow account)?
OJ C 189, 13/07/2010