Brussels, 16/02/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission communication on the next financial perspectives (2007-2013), adopted last Tuesday in Strasbourg, confirms the rise in importance of rural development aid in the EU of 27 members (the 25 plus Bulgaria and Romania, in principle in 2007). Compared to what is foreseen for 2006, the Community budget in favour of the second pillar of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) would increase by 25% at the end of the period (2013). In total, the Commission provides commitment appropriations of EUR 88.753 over seven years for this policy: from EUR 10.544 billion in 2006 to EUR 11.759 billion in 2007, EUR 12.825 billion in 2010 and up to EUR 13.205 billion in 2013.
The Commission recalls its resolve to create a new single fund for rural development (the proposals on this subject are expected in the spring), taking up certain measures financed by structural policy in areas that are lagging behind as far as development is concerned (Objective 1) and by the "Leader+" programme. Rural development policy will be strengthened also thanks to CAP reform last June which introduces the principle of "modulation": - a transfer of market support funds toward rural development through direct payment cuts for large farms.
According to the communication on the next financial framework, the future rural development policy after 2006 will focus on three main goals to: (1) increase competitiveness of agriculture by restructuring support (aid to investment for young farmers, information and encouragement measures …); (2) improve the environment and rural area for support of land management, including through the cofunding of rural development actions in relation to the protected Natura 2000 sites (for example, agri-environment, forestry and measures to the benefit of the less-advantaged areas); and (3) improve the quality of life in rural areas and promote diversification of economic activity through measures conceived for farmers and other supporters of rural life (for example, qualitative redirection of production, food quality and the restoration of villages).
Share of farm spending in total budget falls from 45 to 35%
Given the agreement of the Brussels Council in October 2002, agricultural spending (other than rural development) will be reduced by 3.2% in 2013 (EUR 43.735 billion) compared to 2006 (EUR 42.293 billion). In total (with rural development), spending would increase from EUR 54.279 billion in 2006 (i.e. 45% of the total Community budget) to EUR 56.054 billion in 2009 (i.e. 39% of the total budget at that date) and EUR 55.497 billion in 2013 (35% of budget).