How expensive is the implementation of rural development programmes? Empirical results of implementation costs and their consideration in cost-effectiveness analyses

The present paper refers to the results from the evaluation of rural development programmes (RDPs) of five German states. It is focussed on two issues. The first is to develop a methodological approach for determining the implementation costs (ICs). The second is the discussion of their relevance in the context of the implementation of rural development policies presenting selected empirical results. The cost-impact synopsis (CIS) is a wider approach to relate the measure-specific implementation costs and disbursed funds, based on implementation cost classes, with achieved impact levels. The principles guiding the discussion are two theses: (1) High implementation costs increase the overall cost of the programme and thus reduce funding efficiency, (2) High implementation costs increase the use efficiency of the programmes because they are associated with more targeted, more effective measures. Sample analytical results for different study levels show that the empirical results lie somewhere between these two extremes.Implementation costs, Rural Development Programmes, Evaluation, Agricultural and Food Policy, H83, Q18,

An Immunologically Privileged Retinal Antigen Elicits Tolerance: Major Role for Central Selection Mechanisms

Immunologically privileged retinal antigens can serve as targets of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), a model for human uveitis. The tolerance status of susceptible strains, whose target antigen is not expressed in the thymus at detectable levels, is unclear. Here, we address this issue directly by analyzing the consequences of genetic deficiency versus sufficiency of a uveitogenic retinal antigen, interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP). IRBP-knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice on a highly EAU-susceptible background were challenged with IRBP. The KO mice had greatly elevated responses to IRBP, an altered recognition of IRBP epitopes, and their primed T cells induced exacerbated disease in WT recipients. Ultrasensitive immunohistochemical staining visualized sparse IRBP-positive cells, undetectable by conventional assays, in thymi of WT (but not of KO) mice. IRBP message was PCR amplified from these cells after microdissection. Thymus transplantation between KO and WT hosts demonstrated that this level of expression is functionally relevant and sets the threshold of immune (and autoimmune) reactivity. Namely, KO recipients of WT thymi generated reduced IRBP-specific responses, and WT recipients of KO thymi developed enhanced responses and a highly exacerbated disease. Repertoire culling and thymus-dependent CD25+ T cells were implicated in this effect. Thus, uveitis-susceptible individuals display a detectable and functionally significant tolerance to their target antigen, in which central mechanisms play a prominent role

Research for AGRI Committee - Programmes implementing the 2015-2020 Rural Development Policy

Summary : This report examines the choices made by EU Member States in preparing their Rural Development Programmes for the 2015-2020 period. It finds much continuity compared to the previous period but some notable changes, including more funding for knowledge and co-operation and greater focus upon the goals of environmental management and investments for primary sector competitiveness, with less for rural diversification. There is weak evidence of targeting of relative needs at EU level, but some evidence of a more strategic approach, learning from past experience, within Programmes. Heavy administrative burdens appear as a negative influence upon effective programme design, but innovation is indicated in the diverse uses of the co-operation measure. Other new measures have not proven popular. An effort to identify simpler approaches that enable effective targeting is recommended

BACTERIOPHAGE TYPING FOR CAMPYLOBACTER JEJUNI AND CAMPYLOBACTER COLI.

BACTERIOPHAGE TYPING FOR CAMPYLOBACTER JEJUNI AND CAMPYLOBACTER COLI

Will the future CAP lead to less implementation costs and higher impacts of Rural Development Programmes?

The paper discusses the COM proposals for the new delivery model of the CAP post 2020 against the background of evaluation results of German Rural Development Programmes (pillar 2) from several funding periods. Empirical findings from quantitative and qualitative implementation cost analyses show an urgent need for fundamental amendments in terms of a significant reduction of administrative input. This requires an appropriate and proportionate implementation framework. Some approaches in the new delivery model, such as strengthening subsidiarity, address the problems identified. Other elements seems to be essentially geared to the needs of pillar 1 (direct payments). Results orientation and the future CAP strategy plan primarily serve to legitimise direct payments under severe justification pressure. Whether the implementation efficiency of the RDP will increase (without reducing their effectiveness) is open to question

How expensive is the implementation of rural development programmes? Empirical results of implementation costs and their consideration in cost-effectiveness analyses

The present paper refers to the results from the evaluation of rural development programmes (RDPs) of five German states. It is focussed on two issues. The first is to develop a methodological approach for determining the implementation costs (ICs). The second is the discussion of their relevance in the context of the implementation of rural development policies presenting selected empirical results. The cost-impact synopsis (CIS) is a wider approach to relate the measure-specific implementation costs and disbursed funds, based on implementation cost classes, with achieved impact levels. The principles guiding the discussion are two theses: (1) High implementation costs increase the overall cost of the programme and thus reduce funding efficiency, (2) High implementation costs increase the use efficiency of the programmes because they are associated with more targeted, more effective measures. Sample analytical results for different study levels show that the empirical results lie somewhere between these two extremes

Koordination raumwirksamer Politik: Politik zur Entwicklung ländlicher Räume als 2. Säule der Gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik

"Die Politik zur Entwicklung ländlicher Räume als 2. Säule der Agrarpolitik kann als Hybrid aus Agrar-, Umwelt- und Regionalpolitik charakterisiert werden. Die ausgeprägten vertikalen (EU-Bund-Bundesländer) und horizontalen Verflechtungen und das inhaltlich breite Maßnahmenspektrum der Programme zur ländlichen Entwicklung führen zu einem hohen Koordinationsbedarf. Zentral für die Koordination ist der dreistufige Strategie- und Programmaufbau der Politik zur Entwicklung ländlicher Räume. Für die Förderperiode 2007–2013 hat sich gezeigt, dass die mittlere Ebene - der Nationale Strategieplan – in einem föderalen Mitgliedstaat wie Deutschland kaum eine steuernde, strategische Wirkung entfaltet, wohl aber einen erheblichen Koordinationsaufwand nach sich zieht. Langfristig sollte die Kompetenzverteilung kritisch überprüft werden. Eine stärkere Orientierung am Subsidiaritätsprinzip und dem Prinzip der fiskalischen Äquivalenz würde tendenziell zu einer Verlagerung von Kompetenzen nach unten führen, in einzelnen Bereichen aber auch nach oben." (Autorenreferat)"The rural development policy as the second pillar of agricultural policy can be characterized as a hybrid of agricultural, environmental and regional policies. The distinct vertical (EU-national-state levels) and horizontal intertwining and the broad spectrum of the content of measures of the rural development programs require strong coordination. Central to the coordination is the three stage strategy and program structure of the rural development policy. During the programming period 2007-2013 the middle level - the national strategy plan - hardly has had a dominating, strategic impact in a federal member state, although it causes a major coordination effort. In the long term the distribution of responsibility should be critically reviewed. A stronger orientation on the subsidiary principle and the principle of fiscal equivalence would tend to cause a downward shift in competences, but in some areas also upwards." (author's abstract

Der ELER in der Gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik nach 2020: Wie bewerten EvaluatorInnen die europäischen Verordnungsentwürfe?

The working paper "The EAFRD within the Common Agricultural Policy post 2020" assesses the legislative proposals of the EU Commission on the basis of a longstanding and profound evaluation experience. The benchmark is the potential contribution to improvements in implementation issues and a stronger focus on public goods like protection of natural resources and animal welfare as well as stimulating rural development. The first conclusion is ambivalent. The new distribution of roles between EU and member states opens up opportunities. The latter will be given more leeway but also responsibility in the design of their CAP strategic plans and their delivery systems. However, the arrangements for the proposed CAP strategic plan at Member State level do not adequately take into account the specific situation of federal states. The "focus on results" approach remains a rather empty buzzword. In essence, it is based of the already existing monitoring system. However, as a key element of the annual performance clearance, it will in future be linked with increased data quality requirements and sanctions. Significant investments are necessary, for example, in IT systems. These efforts might take up the propable "return of invest" to reduce the burden of administrations by more appropriate management and control systems. Regarding the content design, the CAP Strategic Plan for the EAFRD does provide only little new impulses and requirements for future key issues. It is up to the Member States how ambitiously they shape their plan. By linking with sanctions, the performance framework can, contrary to its objectives, have a rather counterproductive effect