Acting Director–General: Benedikt Jeranko

e-mail: benedikt.jeranko(at)gov.si

address: Dunajska cesta 160, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

phone: +386 1 580 7617

fax: +386 1 478 9206

e-mail: aktrp(at)gov.si

web: www.arsktrp.gov.si

MISSION AND AREAS OF WORK

The Agency of the RS for Agricultural Markets and Rural Development (ARSKTRP) was set up to implement the agricultural policy reform programmes, adapt to the EU Common Agricultural Policy and disburse SAPARD pre-accession aid. The Agency is one of the key institutions in securing European and national budget funds for preserving and developing Slovenian rural areas and strengthening agricultural markets. Since 1 May 2004 the Agency has had the role of a paying agency for managing and disbursing European funds from the Guarantee Section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund. It acquired the status of an accredited payment agency on 19 October 2004.

The Agency performs tasks relating to the implementation of measures in the areas of agriculture, forestry, foodstuffs and fisheries in accordance with national policy and the EU Common Agricultural Policy. On 1 May 2004 the Agency completed the implementation of the SAPARD programme and began implementing new measures (measures of the Single Programming Document 2004-2006; measures of the Rural Development Programme 2004-2006; trade measures – issuing import and export licences, managing security deposits, paying export refunds). Milk quotas were managed on a trial basis in 2004. The Agency implements around 100 accredited measures, mainly in the area of direct payments, where it makes payments per land area and number of animals, payments for less-favoured areas, and agri-environmental measures, while also cooperating to effectively overcome the consequences of natural disasters for agriculture.

ORGANISATION

Tasks are carried out in the Agricultural Markets, Rural Development and Direct Payments Sections, and in the Financial, Control, General Affairs, Information Management and Technology, and Internal Audit Services. The Agency will also implement the new Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.