Streamlined systems in 2007 for EU’s agriculture and rural finances

AGRICULTURE ministers meeting in Brussels last week agreed to streamline management and control of the EU’s agriculture finances.

From 2007 onwards, spending will be controlled through just two systems, the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and for rural development, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

These systems will also include reinforced rules for budgetary discipline, improved mechanisms for recovering irregularly spent EU money.