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Knowledge4Policy
Knowledge for policy
Supporting policy with scientific evidence

We mobilise people and resources to create, curate, make sense of and use knowledge to inform policymaking across Europe.

  • Publication | 2026
Specific measures to support agriculture in the EU outermost regions: Help keep agriculture competitive but long-term development uncertain. Special report
Global Food and Nutrition Security

Since 1990, the EU has had a specific fund to support agriculture in its outermost regions, which also aims to guarantee the supply of essential agricultural products. We assessed whether this fund addressed the needs and constraints of the outermost regions. We found that it contributed to maintaining the competitiveness of some traditional sectors and supported the diversification of agriculture, though with modest results, while neglecting sustainability considerations. Finally, we found that it partially compensated for additional import costs, but it was difficult to assess whether these benefits were passed on to end users. We recommend re-examining support for traditional agricultural activities, enhancing crop and livestock diversification, and improving the assessment of whether the benefits of support for imports are reaching end users. ECA special report pursuant to Article 287(4), second subparagraph, TFEU.