SAPARD is the special pre-accession programme for agriculture and rural development. Its main purpose is to provide support for introducing the EU acquis communautaire in the area of the common agricultural policy and other interventions and measures necessary for the development of rural areas. The Programme contains a system of measures for easier harmonisation with the organisation, market and legislation of the EU in the field of agriculture and rural development.
Pre-accession assistance is necessary as preparation for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) since this policy comprises almost 50% of the EU acquis communautaire and enables member states to use direct aid and funds earmarked for rural development and for the introduction of CMO mechanisms – altogether cca 45% of the EU budget. The precondition for the use of CAP funds is the existence of certain systems, implementation principles and measures, whereas final beneficiaries in the agricultural and fisheries sector are expected to have necessary manufacturing capabilities that meet the standards of sustainable development, environmental protection, etc.
Until now, altogether three public tenders have been launched through the SAPARD Programme, as follows:
- 26.07. – 31.10.2006
- 28.03. – 28.07.2007
- 12.02. – 03.04.2008
A total of 29 contracts have been signed, and the third tender is currently being processed.
According to unofficial announcements, the fourth public tender for SAPARD Measure 1 (Investment in agricultural holdings) and Measure 2 (Improving the processing and marketing of agricultural and fishery products) will be announced in December 2008.