Brussels, 29/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 29 January, an EU committee endorsed the final batch of amendments to rural development programmes to adjust to funding available under the Europe Economic Recovery Programme and the health check of the CAP. Between October 2009 and January 2010, all the EU's rural development programmes in the member states were changed and a further €4.94 billion will be invested in farming, the environment and broadband in the countryside. France has been allocated the most funding (€992 million), followed by Germany (€942 million), Spain (€574 million) and Italy (€465 million). Most of the funding has been allocated to protect biodiversity (31.2% of the total or €1.5 billion) and water management (26.9 % or €1.3 billion). Some 14.5% (€716 million, €232 million of which for Germany) has been allocated to restructure the dairy industry. Provisions connected with climate change account for 14.2% (€704 million) and renewable energy 5.6 % (€275 million). Extending broadband provision has been given 35% of the funding under the European Economic Recovery Programme, in other words €360.4 million of the €1 billion total. (L.C./transl.fl)