Brussels, 11/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - At a meeting in Brussels, last week, five European organisations set up the European Rural Coalition. “The move comes in a bid to strengthen the voice of Europe's rural population and to increase the competitiveness of the EU agriculture sector”, they say in a press release.
“The coalition will pay particular attention to promoting a coherent approach in assessing and communicating the role of rural areas in the EU as well as supporting any actions aimed at improving the conditions of those owning land and working in these areas”, said Thierry de l'Escaille, ELO Secretary General and inaugural chairman of the Rural Coalition. The coalition will also seek to enhance the competitiveness of rural areas of the EU, while maintaining the environmental balance.
At the same time, “the coalition will communicate the needs and aspirations of rural stakeholders in developing and implementing rural development policies”, the press release goes on to say. Rural areas make up 80% of the total area of the EU. Agriculture and the EU's agri-food sector provide over 40 million jobs mostly in rural areas.
The five organisations which set up the European Rural Coalition are COPA-COGECA (agricultural and cooperative organisations in the EU), the ELO (the European Landowners' Association), the CEJA (the European Council of Young Farmers), FACE (Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU) and the UECBV (European Livestock and Meat Trading Union). (L.C./transl.rt)