SAPARD Monitoring Committee

In pursuance of the decision of the European Commission approving the National Agriculture and Rural Development Plan (NARDP) as Program for Agriculture and Rural Development in the period 2000 – 2006 and in accordance with the Multi-Annual Financing Agreement between the Republic of Bulgaria and the European Commission, a SAPARD Monitoring Committee was established by Ordinance RD 09-42/10.01.2001 of the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.

The Monitoring Committee is a collective body composed of 32 members, including a Chairperson. The Committee members are divided into: members with voting rights and members with observer and advisory capacity and a representative of the European Commission.

Composition of the Monitoring Committee

Members with voting rights:

• Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry – Chairperson of the Monitoring Committee representing the Sector Monitoring Subcommittee (SMS) “Agriculture” of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Joint Monitoring Committee on implementation of EU funded PHARE, ISPA and SAPARD programmes;
• Director of the Rural Development and Investment Directorate – Deputy Chairperson of the Monitoring Committee;
• Deputy Minister of Finance
• Executive Director of State Fund Agriculture representing the SAPARD Agency;
• Representative of the National Fund at the Ministry of Finance;
• Representative of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works;
• Representative of the Ministry of Environment and Waters;
• Representative of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs;
• Representative of the Ministry of Education and Sciences;
• Representative of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry;
• Representative of the Bulgarian Industrial Association;
• Representative of the Confederation of the Independent Trade Unions in Agriculture within the Confederation of the Bulgarian Independent Trade Unions;
• Representative of the Federation “Zemya” (Land) within the Confederation of Trade Unions “Podkrepa”;
• Representative of the National Association of Municipalities of the Republic of Bulgaria;
• Authorized representative of the NGOs involved in environment protection;
• Representative of the Bulgarian Chamber of Agriculture (BCA);
• Representative of the Bulgarian Farmer Association (BFA);
• Representative of the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives in Bulgaria (NUACB).

Representative of the European Commission - participates in the work of the Committee in an advisory capacity and presents the formal position of the European Commission.

Members with observer and advisory:

• Representative of the Ministry of Economy;
• Three representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry – Director of Integration Policy Directorate, Director of Information and Public Relations Directorate and Head of SAPARD Department representing the Committee Secretariat;
• Deputy Executive Director representing the SAPARD Agency;
• Representative of the World Bank;
• Representative of the Association of Trade Banks;
• Representative of the Ministry of Finance;
• Representative of the National Statistical Institute;
• Representative of the Bulgarian Union of Private Entrepreneurs "Vuzrazdane";
• Representative of the Bulgarian International Business Association (BIBA);
• Representative of the Union of the employers in Bulgaria;
• Representative of the districts' administration;

Functions of the Monitoring Committee:

1. Review the progress made towards achieving the objectives set out in the Programme. For this purpose it shall be given the following:

a) Information on any sector where difficulties are experienced in finding normal market outlets at the Community level;

b) Information on the results of controls carried out;

c) The list and the characteristics of all approved projects and those not approved

2. Consider, give an opinion and approve the amendments of the physical and financial indicators in the system for monitoring and evaluation, set up by the SAPARD Agency; as well as of the criteria and ranking for selecting the projects financed under each measure of the Programme, before submission to the Commission.

3. Examine at least twice a year the results of the implementation of the Programme, particularly the achievement of targets set for the different measures and the progress on utilisation of the financial allocations to measures and sub-measures where the Programme includes such allocations. In this regard, the Managing Authority shall ensure that all relevant information and documentation on measures and sub-measures shall be given to the Secretariat in due time to enable the Secretariat to circulate them to all Committee members in accordance with specified deadlines. The Secretariat shall report to the Committee all failures of a Programme implementing body to supply complete documentation in time for a meeting.

4. Examine the mid-term evaluation referred to in art.10, section B of the Multi-Annual Financing Agreement(the Agreement), before sending it to the Commission. For this purpose, it shall overview the intended procedure for evaluation, e.g. timing, evaluation plan, terms of reference, scope and implications, as well as compliance of the results with the preliminary evaluation, correspondence of the objectives and the extent of their achievement and quality of the evaluation and Programme implementation.

5. Consider and approve the annual and final implementation reports before they are sent to the Commission, according to Section B, art. 8 (1) of the Agreement.

6. Consider and approve, where appropriate, any proposal to the Commission to amend the Programme.

7. propose to the Commission any amendment or review of the Programme to improve the implementation of the Programme, following consultation with the Managing Authority, the SAPARD Agency and the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and the Minister of Finance (the Competent Authority).

8. Ensure the co-ordination of the monitoring between the SAPARD programme, the ISPA and PHARE instruments and assistance from other international financing institutions. In this regard the Committee shall regularly inform the Joint Monitoring Committee on the EU funded PHARE, ISPA and SAPARD programmes (in pursuance of Regulation No 3 / 20.01.2000 of the Council of Ministers).

9. Decide to establish sub-committees (of Committee members) and working groups (in which experts who are not Committee members may also participate), which shall prepare reports on various issues for submission to the Committee. Sub-committees and working groups shall not take decisions.

10. Consider and approve the annual report of the Managing Authority for the initiatives taken and those to be taken, with regard to informing the general public about the role played by the Community in the Programme and its results, before sending it to the Commission, according to Section B, art. 5 (7) of the Agreement

11. Consider and take into account the annual reports of the Certifying Body according to Section A, art. 6 (7) of the Agreement

12. Give opinion on any matter when required by the Programme.

Secretariat of the SAPARD Monitoring Committee

The Secretariat of the Monitoring Committee was established by Ordinance RD 09-42/10.01.2001 of the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.

The functions of the Secretariat are carried out by the SAPARD Department (Rural Development and Investment Directorate – MAF).

The Secretariat is responsible for the preparation of all information and materials necessary for the effective work of the Committee (reports, analyses, proposals, etc); the organisational arrangements of the Committee meetings and all activities, connected with the monitoring of the Programme; the creation and periodic up-dating of information data base on progress achieved in Programme implementation; provision of information to the Committee about the Programme; implementation of all other tasks as instructed by the Chairperson.

Permanent working groups under the Monitoring Committee

There are 7 permanent working groups:

· Permanent working group on measures 1.1. “Investments in agricultural holdings” and 1.5. “Setting up producer groups”.

• Permanent working group on measure 1.2. “Improving the processing and marketing of agricultural and fish products” and submeasure 1.2.1. “Wholesale markets”.
• Permanent working group on measure 1.3. “Development of environment-friendly agricultural activities”.
• Permanent working group on measure 1.4. “Forestry, afforestation of agricultural areas, investment in forest holdings, processing and marketing of forestry products”.
• Permanent working group on measure 2.1. “Development and diversification of economic activities, provision of multiple activities and alternative income”.
• Permanent working group on measures 2.2. “Renovation and development of villages, protection and conservation of the rural heritage and cultural traditions” and 2.3. “Development and improvement of the rural infrastructure”.
• Permanent working group on measure 3.1. “Improving vocational training”.

The working groups prepare and present reports on all issues, within their competencies and defined deadlines, as specified by the Chairperson of the Committee.