1. The mid-term and ex post evaluations shall deal with the specific questions for the rural development programming document in question and with common evaluation questions relevant at Community level. The latter shall involve the living conditions and structure of the rural population, employment and income from farm activities or off-farm activities, agricultural structures, agricultural commodities, quality, competitiveness, forest resources and environment. If a common evaluation question is considered inappropriate in relation to a particular rural development programming document. this shall be substantiated. ... The ex post evaluation, while answering the evaluation questions, shall in particular examine the utilisation of resources and the effectiveness and efficiency of the assistance and its impacts and it shall draw conclusions regarding rural development policy, including its contributions to the Common Agricultural Policy.
2. In addition, to enhance the effectiveness and financial viability of Community assistance, ex ante appraisal, monitoring and ex post evaluation should be strengthened.
