Brussels, 15/12/14 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission approved the first three rural development programmes on Friday 12 December.
In all, 118 multiannual programmes operating at either national or regional level will receive financial support from the EU worth a total of €95.6 billion for the period from 2014 to 2020 through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). In addition to programmes adopted on Friday - the national RDPs for Denmark, Poland and Austria - a further six programmes will be adopted before the end of the year, meaning that programmes worth more than €20 billion will have been cleared.
Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan noted that the Polish programme aims to create more than 22,000 jobs, provide investment support to roughly 200,000 farms and to establish some 1,800 producer groups.
In Denmark, particular emphasis has been given to fostering innovation, with the objective of creating almost 1,000 “green jobs”, moves to double the area of organic farming, and investing in environmentally-friendly farming practices.
In Austria, particular priority will be placed on environment and climate concerns, with a target of more than 80% of agricultural land managed to protect and enhance biodiversity, and training opportunities for more than 600,000 farmers. Around half the rural population should benefit from improved services such as high-speed broadband, too. (LC)