Overview – Policy Coherence and Agricultural Policy

Policy coherence is an increasing important element of development policy. It requires countries, when designing their domestic policies, to be aware of the possible impacts, both negative and positive, on developing countries. It expects countries, when implementing their domestic policies, to take steps to avoid any negative impacts on developing countries and, where possible, to seek to create positive spillovers and effects.

This website examines the consistency of EU agricultural policy and agricultural trade policy with the development objectives agreed by the world community, including the EU, in the Millennium Development Goals. Is there policy coherence between the way the EU attempts to meets the goals of its agricultural and rural policy, and its declared objective to promote the sustainable economic development of developing countries and to reduce poverty and hunger?

This section provides a general introduction to the issues surrounding Policy Coherence and Agricultural Policy.

What is Policy Coherence? provides a fuller definition of policy coherence and explores its importance in an increasingly inter-connected world.

Since their adoption, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have become a universal framework for development. The success of, and the degree of policy coherence in achieving the MDGs to date is examined.

Agricultural Development and Policy Coherence explores the importance of agricultural development in achieving the MDGs and why agricultural performance is often disappointing in developing countries.

EU Policy Coherence Commitments examines the EU’s policy coherence for development initiatives and, in particular, the degree of coherence achieved in its agricultural policies and rules.

Questions for Agricultural Policy offers guidance on the key questions to ask when examining the impact of EU agricultural policy and agricultural policy reform on developing countries