Rural Development policy and the definition and implementation of Rural Development Programmes (RDPs) across EU Member States are regulated by a number of legislative acts. These include basic EU Regulations defining the legal framework, as well as implementing and delegated acts regulating specific aspects of Rural Development policy.
This section provides a comprehensive list of the legislative acts relevant to the implementation of Rural Development policy in the 2014-2020 programming period.
Implementing acts ensure the uniform application of EU Regulations across all Member States. Delegated acts supplement ‘non-essential elements’ of the EU Regulations.
Additional legislation on CAP direct payments to farmers and market measures is available here.
Guidance to EU countries and regions on policy programming and implementation is further provided by the Rural Development Committee of the European Commission in close consultation with Member States.