The specific objective of the project was to provide TA to the MAFWE and the IPARD Paying Agency in order to strengthen the national and regional capabilities that are required to tackle the priorities for EU alignment and market-orientated reforms and development in the sector, focusing in particular on development and implementation of Agri-environmental measures.

The results were:

• Further alignment achieved in the field of agri-environmental legislation
• National legislation approximated to the EU Acquis in the area of agri-environment and regulatory background developed and adopted.
• Development and implementation of agri-environmental policy and associated administrative capacityNational Agri-Environmental Programme developed;
• Pilot agri-environmental measures implemented by the IPARD PA and administrative structures competent to deal with the tasks emerging from EU integration in the sector.
• Development of IPARD PA capacity to manage and control agri-environmental support programmes
• IPARD PA capable to manage/control agriculture funds dedicated to Agri – Environmental measures and methodology for payment calculations and agri-environmental schemes on farm level developed by/for the IPARD PA.
  

Reference person at Delegation of European Union in Skopje: John Barker, Programme Manager for Agriculture Fisheries and Rural Development.