RDPs - The numbers: global increase needed to prevent the risk of losing precious resources

Up to March 31st 2010, the quarterly costs incurred by the Regions show for the 21 Rural Development Programs 2007-2013 and for the National Rural Network 2007-2013, a global increase equal to the 19,32% of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).   
The amount of the 2007-2008 resources allocation that has still to be spent is equal to 615,02 million (on an aggregate level), in order to avoid the related EU funds decommitment by December 31st 2010.
Only some of the Regions (Bolzano, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trento, Marche, Umbria and Valle D'Aosta) have already completed the 2007-2008 period of spending.
The Regions of the south of Italy are those bringing up the rear. Up to now, the Regions of Apulia (131,82 million € to be declared by 2010), Campania (100,97 million €), Sicily (95,81 million €) and Basilicata (84,47 million €) are at risk of losing their financial resources. Also the financial implementation of Lazio Region is lower than the national average. The low spending threshold of such Regions has to be considered even more critical if compared to the programs financial envelope, which is considerably more consistent than the competitiveness area programs.