The rules of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) offer a wide range of possibilities for supporting rural areas in creative ways that go beyond agricultural activities, according to a study published on Thursday 21 September by the European Commission.
Almost €25 billion, or 8% of total Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) allocations from 2023 to 2027, will contribute directly to the development of rural areas and communities, according to this study on the contribution of CAP strategic plans to the objectives of the EU’s rural areas.
The EU’s rural areas cover 83% of its territory and are home to 30% of the EU’s population. In 2021, the European Commission presented its long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas, identifying the challenges and concerns they face as well as the many opportunities they offer.
The study concludes that the CAP can support a wide range of objectives, but that a number of needs appear to be addressed to a limited extent in the CAP strategic plans, in particular when it comes to social services and infrastructures, broadband, mobility, energy or support to knowledge, innovation and business development in other sectors that farming and forestry. Member States have indicated in their CAP strategic plans that they will use other funds to meet some of these needs.
The Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU hopes to have the ‘Agriculture’ Council’s conclusions on rural areas adopted by November. On Monday 18 September, the agriculture ministers indicated that they needed greater flexibility in the use of Community funds and the application of European rules to meet the specific needs of rural areas. A high-level conference on EU rural policy will be held from 27 to 29 September in Sigüenza, Spain, with a view to extending these discussions.
Link to the study: https://aeur.eu/f/8og (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)