07/09/2020 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 7 September, the European Commission launched a public consultation to establish a long-term vision for rural areas. Stakeholders (consumers, the agri-food sector, rural SMEs, Member States, regional and local authorities, farmers, NGOs, etc.) can contribute to the online public consultation until 27 November 2020. This initiative will set out a vision for the future of rural areas between now and 2040 and will receive advice on challenges such as demographic change, connectivity, low income levels and limited access to services. (LC)