is there really still any need for active development regarding them
Perl5 development doesn't involve a grand master scheme, cooked up by Larry, written down in holy scrolls, and carried out by minions.
No. Perl5 development is done by whoever wants to, and those people work in areas they choose. I know of only one Perl programmer who often uses formats - and he finds them important enough to maintain and enhance them.
That's how perl5 development works. It's not about by standers having important thoughts about what's important and what isn't. No, it's just a (small) bunch of people doing what they think is important.
