Evaluation study of the instruments applicable to state aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas : executive summary

The objective of this evaluation study is to carry out an assessment of the rules of the State aid framework in the agricultural and forestry sector and in rural areas (2014-2020) regarding eight aid measures among more than thirty. This framework is mainly composed of (i) the Agricultural Block-exemption Regulation (EU) No 702/2014 (ABER) and of (ii) the Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and for rural areas (OJ C 204, 1.7.2014, p.1) (agricultural GL). The eight aid measures presented hereafter concern agricultural risk management measures, forestry measures and processing agricultural products in to non-agricultural products (non-Annex I products). Eleven evaluation questions (EQ) relating to relevance, coherence, effectiveness (in particular regarding the prevention of potential distortive effects on competition and trade within the internal market), efficiency and EU added value are answered. The geographical coverage is EU-28 with case studies in eight Member States (MS). The study covers State aid exempted under ABER or authorised by the Commission between 1 July 2014 and the end of 2016 (the examination period). The situation in the previous programming period (1 January 2007 to 30 June 2014) is taken as a reference period.