In developing the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and supporting Member States' preparation of new rural development programmes for the period 2007-13, the Commission and Council have adopted a much more strategic and objective-led approach to these programmes and their key purposes, clarifying goals and priorities. Instruments have been grouped under axes, broadly corresponding to those priorities. In moving from over 200 programmes supported by four different funding frameworks to a single fund, there has been a welcomed simplification of the framework for programming and delivery.

Nevertheless, in spite of these developments, the individual rural development instruments brigaded within the new four-axis structure remain largely unchanged since the early 1990s. In addition, a number of studies and experts have raised concerns about a potential mis-match between certain measures and rural development goals and priorities.

In this context a review of the design of policies including a range of instruments and their application is highly pertinent to ensuring effective and efficient delivery of European rural development, into the future.