EU Consultation on Review of Less Favoured Area Scheme

The Less Favoured Area (LFA) scheme is a longstanding measure of the Common Agricultural Policy. Since 1975, it has provided a broad-scale mechanism for maintaining the countryside in marginal areas.

However, the system of support, and in particular the mechanisms for designating Less Favoured Areas, has been the subject of criticism from the European Court of Auditors.  Therefore, over the past year, the European Commission has been considering with Member States the introduction of a new Community-wide system for LFA classification which would address these criticisms and which would be more in line with current policy objectives for LFA support.  It is planned that this will result in a Commission legislative proposal by the end of 2008.

The Commission has developed a number of options for a way forward and these have been set out in a consultation document launched by the Commission on 22 May. This document addresses options for the re-designation of Less Favoured Areas and associated eligibility conditions for payment

Hard copies of the consultation document can be obtained by contacting:

Policy and Economics Division
DARD
Room 361A Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards House
Belfast BT4 3SB

email:    policy.development@dardni.gov.uk

Comments should be sent to

– In electronic format at: AGRI-F3@ec.europa.eu

– By normal mail to:
The European Commission
ISSG 'LFAs'
c/o Josefine LORIZ-HOFFMANN
130, rue de la Loi
B 1049 Brussels.