Brussels, 21/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 20 June, the rural development committee, which is composed of representatives from the 27 member states, endorsed the new rural development programmes for the Netherlands, France (without Corsica), and continental Finland. Also, experts gave a positive vote on the Italian National Network programme, an important coordination tool for the Italian rural development projects (21 regional programmes for Italy still have to be approved).
France. The EU budget (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development) contributes up to €5.7 billion to the measures financed in the country for the period 2007-2013. Total financial aid is by way of €10.8 billion.
Finland. Public funding amounts in total (2007-2013) to €6.6 billion, including €2 billion financed by the EU budget.
The Netherlands. A total of €973 million is to be made available, including €486 million from the Community budget.
Italy. The national rural network programme has received €82.9 million from public funds, half of which comes from the EU budget. The Community contribution to the programme represents 0.5% of the total envelope available to Italy for rural development (€8.29billion from 2007-2013 for 22 programmes). (lc)