Sittings · Document
OPINION (2024/2105(INI)) 2025-04-08
On strengthening rural areas in the EU through cohesion policy
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development · Rapporteur: Cristina Guarda
AMENDMENT
The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development submits the following to the Committee on Regional Development, as the committee responsible:
Amendment 1
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to the Commission communication of 30 June 2021 entitled ‘A long-term Vision for the EU’s Rural Areas – Towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040’ (COM(2021)0345), |
Amendment 2
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to its resolution of 19 October 2023 on generational renewal in the EU farms of the future1a, 1a OJ C, C/2024/2658, 29.4.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/2658/oj. |
Amendment 3
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to the study requested by Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development entitled ‘EU Cohesion Policy in non-urban areas’, published by the Policy Department for Structural and Cohesion Policies in September 2020, |
Amendment 4
Motion for a resolution
Citation 18 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to the Commission communication of 19 February 2025 entitled ‘A Vision for Agriculture and Food – Shaping together an attractive farming and agri-food sector for future generations’ (COM(2025)0075), |
Amendment 5
Motion for a resolution
Citation 23 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to the Rural Pact Coordination Group Declaration of 12 December 2024 on the future of rural areas and rural development policy in the European Union, |
Amendment 6
Motion for a resolution
Citation 25 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to its resolution of 3 October 2018 on addressing the specific needs of rural, mountainous and remote areas1a, 1a OJ C 11, 13.1.2020, p. 15. |
Amendment 7
Motion for a resolution
Citation 25 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/2014 of 7 January 2014 on the European code of conduct on partnership in the framework of the European Structural and Investment Funds12b, 12b OJ L 74, 14.3.2014, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2014/240/oj. |
Amendment 8
Motion for a resolution
Citation 25 c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to the study requested by Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development entitled ‘The future of the European Farming Model: Socio-economic and territorial implications of the decline in the number of farms and farmers in the EU’, published by the Policy Department for Structural and Cohesion Policies in April 2022, |
Amendment 9
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| A. whereas, nowadays, rural areas are home to 25 % of people in Europe and occupy around 83 % of the EU territory; | A. whereas, nowadays, rural areas are home to one in three – 137 million – people in Europe and occupy around 83 % of the EU territory; whereas 77 % (134 million hectares) of land used for farming and 79 % (148 million hectares) of forest are located in rural areas; |
Amendment 10
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Aa. whereas the complementarity of EU cohesion funds and CAP funds enables an integrated approach, which maximises the impact of investments in rural areas and better meets territorial needs, thereby advancing the modernisation of agriculture and the development of essential services and infrastructure; |
Amendment 11
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| B. whereas rural areas are a cornerstone of the European economy and integral to its cultural diversity, as they are the cradle of food production and guardians of our heritage and landscapes; | B. whereas rural areas are a cornerstone of the European economy and integral to its cultural diversity, as they are the cradle of food production and guardians of our heritage and landscapes; whereas it is essential to recognise the role of rural areas in promoting the strategic autonomy of the EU and its food security and sovereignty, reducing dependence on imports and strengthening the resilience of the European agri-food system in the face of global crises; whereas creating good future conditions for farmers by reducing bureaucracy is essential for ensuring sustainable production; |
Amendment 12
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Ba. whereas over 40 % of land in rural areas is used for agriculture, yet sadly the contribution – both in economic and employment terms – of the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors to rural regions has decreased to just 12 % of all jobs and 4 % of gross value added; |
Amendment 13
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Bb. whereas some of these rural areas are in the outermost regions of France, Spain and Portugal, and have specific characteristics in terms of their geography, weather and remoteness that must be taken into account; |
Amendment 14
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| C. whereas, in accordance with Article 174 TFEU, the Union aims to reduce development gaps between the different regions, with a particular focus on rural areas; | C. Whereas, pursuant to Article 174 TFEU, the Union aims to strengthen its economic, social and territorial cohesion and to reduce disparities between the levels of development of the various regions, with a particular emphasis on rural areas; whereas, pursuant to Article 175 TFEU, Member States are to conduct and coordinate their economic policies with a view to achieving the objectives set out in Article 174; |
Amendment 15
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Ca. whereas GDP per capita in rural areas remains at around 70 % of GDP per capita in the EU1a; | |
| __________________ | |
| 1a Commission communication of 30 June 2021 entitled ‘A long-term Vision for the EU’s Rural Areas – Towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040’ (COM(2021)0345), |
Amendment 16
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| D. whereas rural areas are facing demographic challenges, such as ageing, population decline, brain drain, disparities with urban areas, structural changes in the agricultural and forestry sectors, a lack of services and infrastructure, falling employment and incomes, and a persistently large digital gap; | D. whereas rural areas are facing social and economic issues as well as demographic challenges, such as ageing, with persisting obstacles for generational renewal, population decline, brain drain, disparities with urban areas, structural changes in the agricultural and forestry sectors, a lack of services and infrastructure, increasingly frequent natural disasters, falling employment and incomes, housing issues and a persistently large digital gap; whereas the employment gap between men and women in rural areas is of the order of 13 percentage points (compared to 10 percentage points in cities), exceeding 20 in some Member States, with women’s participation in the workforce being only 31.6 % in 2022, according to Eurostat data; whereas simplification and support for new businesses in rural and coastal areas, both for agriculture and SMEs, will boost employment and make these areas more attractive to young people; |
Amendment 17
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Da. whereas EU cohesion funds are necessary to meet the increasing needs and challenges faced by the EU’s rural areas; |
Amendment 18
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| E. whereas Europe’s rural areas have a crucial role to play in the climate transition; | E. whereas Europe’s rural areas have a crucial role to play in the climate transition and in natural disaster risk management, by providing ecosystem services that contribute to mitigating climate change and promoting environmental protection, while also playing a key role in ensuring food security; whereas thanks to the efforts undertaken in rural areas and those of European farmers, some of the adverse impacts of agriculture on the environment have been reduced over the years, such as, for example, the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions, which decreased by 24 % between 1990 and 2021; whereas 72 % of renewable energy production takes place in rural areas; |
Amendment 19
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Ea. whereas rural areas are among the most affected by climate change and biodiversity loss, both economically – due to income losses in key sectors such as agriculture, forestry and tourism, which suffer as a consequence of natural disasters, water scarcity and the increasing effects of floods – and socially, as climate change poses additional direct and indirect threats to the health and well-being of rural populations; |
Amendment 20
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Eb. whereas the proper involvement of farmers in making the green transition simple and economically sustainable, as well as a reduction in bureaucracy, will be crucial; |
Amendment 21
Motion for a resolution
Recital E c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Ec. whereas each region and Member State has to direct at least 30 % of their European Regional Development Fund allocation to Policy Objective 2 – a greener, low-carbon transition towards a net zero carbon economy and a resilient Europe; |
Amendment 22
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| F. whereas demographic changes do not affect all countries and regions equally, but have a greater impact on regions that are already lagging behind, as they exacerbate existing territorial and social imbalances; | F. whereas demographic changes do not affect all countries and regions equally, but have a greater impact on regions that are already lagging behind or facing structural difficulties, as they exacerbate existing territorial and socio-economic inequalities; whereas a differentiated approach, per region, will be important in order to accommodate flexibilities for the different needs of different regions; whereas the issue of regional disparities and uneven convergences between regions, some of which are stuck in a development trap, needs to be addressed; whereas less developed regions need special attention and support; |
Amendment 23
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| G. whereas the overall percentage of the population living in rural areas has fallen significantly across the EU over the past 50 years, particularly as a result of ageing and emigration; whereas the highest percentage of people over the age of 65 is found in rural areas13 ; whereas estimates suggest that by 2033 the population of Europe’s rural areas will have shrunk by 30 million people compared with 1993; | G. whereas the overall percentage of the population living in rural areas has fallen significantly across the EU over the past 50 years, particularly as a result of ageing and emigration; whereas the highest percentage of people over the age of 65 is found in rural areas13; whereas estimates suggest that by 2033 the population of Europe’s rural areas will have shrunk by 30 million people compared with 1993; whereas these trends, along with a lack of infrastructure and low access to public services, contribute to the lower attractiveness of rural areas; |
| __________________ | __________________ |
| 13 SWD(2023)0021. | 13 SWD(2023)0021. |
Amendment 24
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Ga. whereas the average age of farmers in the EU is 57, reflecting an ageing agricultural sector, and whereas this highlights the urgent need to promote generational renewal in agriculture, making the farming sector more attractive to young people; |
Amendment 25
Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Gb. whereas in some Member States, the percentage of the population living in rural areas is increasing, especially in the vicinity of towns and cities; whereas these areas are turning into ‘bedroom communities’ for larger towns and cities and, in order to fully exploit their potential and foster their development, it is vital that job creation is stimulated in these areas and investment is made in providing access to basic services, as well as transport and digital infrastructure; |
Amendment 26
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| H. whereas the lack of or poor access to healthcare, water services, transport, digital infrastructure, education, and recreational and cultural activities worsen the reputation of regions, and particularly rural, inland, mountainous, insular and outermost areas, as places to live and work; | H. whereas a lack of or poor access to public and private services, such as healthcare, leads to an increased risk of poorer health, and a lack of or poor access to water services, transport, digital infrastructure, internet, education, childcare services and recreational and cultural activities is particularly problematic in rural, sparsely populated, inland, mountainous, insular, border and outermost regions as places to live and work, especially for women, young people and ageing populations, and limits economic and educational opportunities, therefore exacerbating regional inequalities; whereas appropriate responses to these challenges will enable improvement in the quality of life in these areas and ultimately make the regions more attractive; whereas outermost regions’ specific conditions and geographical discontinuity require special attention of the Commission, in particular in terms of mobility; |
Amendment 27
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Ha. whereas only 47.5 % of people in rural areas have basic digital skills, and it is essential to invest in digital training and capacity building to foster the uptake of digital technologies in the agricultural sector and promote new economic opportunities in these regions; |
Amendment 28
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Ia. whereas, although traditionally associated with the primary sector, rural areas have the potential for diversification by way of the circular economy, sustainable tourism and the digitisation of services and value chains; |
Amendment 29
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| J. whereas 800 farms across Europe go out of business every day, and only one farm in twenty is managed by farmers below the age of 3514; | J. whereas 800 farms across Europe go out of business every day, only one farm in twenty is managed by farmers below the age of 3514 and the EU lost 37 % of its farms between 2005 and 2019; whereas the ambitious goals of the green transition entail risks and opportunities for economic, social and territorial cohesion, as well as for European agriculture; |
| __________________ | __________________ |
| 14 EU annual report 2024 on the state of regions and cities. | 14 European Committee of the Regions, ‘EU annual report 2024 – The state of regions and cities’, 7 October 2024. |
Amendment 30
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Ja. whereas the way we produce food has shaped the landscapes that define Europe; whereas dynamic rural areas foster quality food production which, in turn, supports their economy; whereas reinvigorating these connections between food and the land and revitalising rural areas will be essential for the future of farming in Europe; |
Amendment 31
Motion for a resolution
Recital J b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Jb. whereas the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted a shift in perception among the public, who recognised the potential of rural areas as a solution to the challenges arising from crises in providing a safer, sustainable and reliable living environment; |
Amendment 32
Motion for a resolution
Recital J c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Jc. whereas the study entitled ‘The Future of the European Farming Model’ notes that the EU could lose 6.4 million farms by 2040, falling from 10.3 million in 2016 to 3.9 million1a; | |
| _________________ | |
| 1a Schuh, B. et al., ‘The Future of the European Farming Model’, European Parliament Directorate-General for Internal Policies, April 2022, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2022/699620/IPOL_STU(2022)699620_EN.pdf. |
Amendment 33
Motion for a resolution
Recital J d (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Jd. whereas rural areas have the highest share (12.6 %) of young people aged 15-29 not in employment, education or training1a; | |
| _________________ | |
| 1a Commission communication of 27 March 2024 entitled ‘The long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas: key achievements and ways forward’ (COM(2024)0450). |
Amendment 34
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 1a. Welcomes the Commission communication entitled ‘A Vision for Agriculture and Food’, which states that livestock is and will remain an essential part of EU agriculture, as it is crucial for the viability of rural areas and the preservation of rural landscapes; |
Amendment 35
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 2. Takes note of the 4 areas of action underpinning the rural vision and the 24 thematic actions making up the EU rural action plan; calls on the Commission and the Member States to place its implementation at the top of the agenda; | 2. Takes note of the 4 areas of action underpinning the rural vision and the 30 actions making up the EU rural action plan; calls on the Commission and the Member States to place its implementation at the top of the agenda; |
Amendment 36
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 3. Stresses the key role rural areas have to play in shaping the economic models and the social and territorial organisation of the various Member States, and believes the EU has a duty to push for a true revival of these areas, going to extra lengths to endow our rural areas with the right tools to overcome the considerable long-term challenges which they find themselves facing and which are having an ever greater impact on regional competitiveness and social cohesion; | 3. Stresses the key role of rural areas in shaping the economic models and the social and territorial organisation of the various Member States, highlighting their crucial contribution in the efficient use of agricultural land, but also in the development of crafts and traditions; notes, however, that the importance of rural areas is still under-appreciated and insufficiently funded; believes that the EU has a duty to push for a true revival of these areas, going to extra lengths to endow our rural areas with the right tools to overcome the considerable long-term challenges which they find themselves facing and which are having an ever greater impact on regional competitiveness, resilience and social cohesion; |
Amendment 37
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 4. Asks the Commission to implement Article 174 TFEU in full and to see to it that all EU policies apply the ‘do no harm to cohesion’ principle, particularly in rural areas; | 4. Asks the Commission to implement Article 174 TFEU in full, see to it that all EU policies apply the ‘do no harm to cohesion’ principle, and apply an even more decisive approach in promoting cohesion wherever possible; |
Amendment 38
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 4a. Highlights that around 60 % of cohesion policy investments are not linked to a specific type of land, which does not allow for a specific understanding of the support targeted at rural areas; urges the Commission, with that in mind, to develop a mechanism at EU level to better monitor the contribution made by the various EU funds and policies to rural areas; |
Amendment 39
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 4b. Stresses the importance of having a truly effective rural proofing mechanism at EU level so as to assess the potential impact of policies and legislation on rural areas; calls on the Commission to present, by 2027, a report on the application of the rural proofing mechanism to policies and interventions at EU level, as well as the results obtained; |
Amendment 40
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 4c. Calls for the Member States to promote the development and implementation of effective mechanisms for rural proofing at national level, in close cooperation with the local and regional authorities; |
Amendment 41
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 d (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 4d. Notes with concern that rural areas and their specific needs are not sufficiently valued when allocating EU cohesion funds, which should significantly contribute to maintaining the vitality of these regions; reiterates that achieving the objectives outlined in the Commission’s long-term vision for rural areas up to 2040 constitutes a continuous effort, which requires strong actions and policies throughout the next programming periods and at all levels of governance; calls, therefore, on the Commission to explore the possibility of earmarking adequate resources in the next cohesion policy framework for rural areas and communities, and to explore the use of indicators that allow to better take into account growing intra-regional disparities in the area; |
Amendment 42
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 5. Calls on the Commission to devise a rural strategy for the post-2027 programming period; | 5. Reiterates its call on the Commission to develop a measurable rural strategy, including an update of the EU rural action plan, promoting the coordination and contribution of all relevant EU funds and policies to rural areas, with a view to post-2027 programming; emphasises the urgent need to include rural areas in EU strategies, particularly the incorporation of a rural dimension in relevant policies, such as budgetary, climate, digital and innovation policies, in order to achieve integrated, sustainable development; calls on the Member States to develop national and regional rural strategies, provided with appropriate funding; urges the Commission and the Member States to allocate specific resources to supporting agriculture, rural SMEs, farmers’ collective organisations – including producers’ organisations – and promoting short supply chains and local production, in order to make rural areas more competitive, resilient and attractive to young people and investors; |
Amendment 43
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 6. Calls on the Commission to ensure a strong focus on the development of rural areas in future cohesion policy; | 6. Stresses the role that all EU policies and funds, both shared and directly managed, must play in supporting rural areas, in order to ensure a harmonious development of the EU’s rural areas in their entirety, including adequate funding of rural communities, local governments and stakeholders; calls on the Commission to ensure a strong focus on the development of rural areas in future cohesion policy; |
Amendment 44
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 6a. Emphasises the importance of ensuring adequate funding for the implementation of the long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure stronger support for rural areas in the next multiannual financial framework, including through cohesion policy, establishing the right conditions to address the specific challenges of these areas; |
Amendment 45
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 6b. Stresses that the EAFRD is essential, alongside cohesion policy funds, for supporting rural areas and ensuring balanced regional development, including through the promotion of economic diversification, job creation and population retention, social inclusion and the improvement of services and infrastructure; stresses the need to enhance complementarities, maximise the impact of investments in rural areas and better address regional needs to reduce administrative complexity and enable the effective implementation of multi-funded rural development projects; |
Amendment 46
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 6c. Rejects, however, centralising strategies for fund management that result in the minimisation of the partnership principle and the subsidiarity principle – according to which decisions must be taken by the level most competent to carry them out, including regional and local levels; stresses the need to ensure coordination between cohesion policy and the CAP, but opposes the merging of rural development with cohesion policy, and insists on the continuation of the two-pillar structure of the CAP; |
Amendment 47
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 7. Calls on the Member States to make full use of all measures supporting rural, inland, mountainous, insular and outermost areas to secure their future and prosperity; | 7. Calls on the Member States to make full use of all measures supporting rural areas in all their diversity, in particular, sparsely populated inland, mountainous, arid, insular and outermost regions, as well as regions located on the external borders of the EU, in particular those bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, to secure their future and prosperity; highlights, in particular, the specific structural challenges of the outermost regions, which hinder their growth and development, and which translate into additional constraints for their rural areas; emphasises that while reversing rural depopulation is a valuable objective, ensuring that even the least populated rural areas still benefit from targeted support should remain a priority; highlights the need to pay special attention to farmers’ needs in areas facing natural constraints, as farming is often the main driver of economic development in those parts of the EU; |
Amendment 48
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 8. Stresses the diversity of the EU’s rural areas, for which the long-term vision calls for solutions that are devised with their needs and resources in mind and also with the involvement of local and regional authorities; | 8. Stresses the diversity of the EU’s rural areas, for which the long-term vision calls for solutions that are devised with their needs and resources in mind and also with the full involvement of local and regional authorities, as well as rural stakeholders, and calls on the Commission to widely consult with the local and regional levels on the new cohesion policy, as they can best identify current challenges and needs at regional and local level, particularly in rural areas, where greater proximity to decision-making centres is an essential element; |
Amendment 49
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 8a. Emphasises the importance of reinforcing a decentralised model of programming and implementation of cohesion policy based on the partnership principle and multi-level governance; stresses that strengthening the implementation capacities of rural stakeholders and communities will be crucial to enable them to participate effectively in the development of rural areas, especially the most disadvantaged ones; |
Amendment 50
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 8a. Acknowledges the intrinsically linked aspects of rural areas, cohesion and agriculture and calls for the new cohesion policy to enable mechanisms that would allow for rural areas to continue to build on sustainable farming, forestry and agri-food economic activities; |
Amendment 51
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 9. Highlights the need for these areas to be able to provide high-quality services of general interest to the public and to harness their strengths to achieve sustainable development, for which they should receive sufficient financial support; underlines, to that end, the need to provide healthcare, transport and connectivity services, water services, education services, digital infrastructure, and other basic services such as postal and banking services; | 9. Highlights the need for rural areas to be able to provide high-quality public services of general interest to the population, for which they should receive sufficient and long-term structural and financial support; underlines, to that end, the essential need to provide, as well as to facilitate, access to healthcare, childcare, innovative mobility solutions, transport and connectivity services, water services, education services, digital infrastructure, and other basic services such as postal and banking services; notes in particular the need to urgently develop access in rural areas to accessibility tools for people with disabilities, to mental health services and to healthcare for women; underlines the importance of providing services tailored to the needs of teenagers; recognises the importance of ensuring that there are local schools in rural areas, and calls on the Member States to consult with the local populations concerning the closing of public schools, and to propose valid alternatives; |
Amendment 52
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 9a. Acknowledges that the ambitious goals of the green transition entail both risks and opportunities for economic, social and territorial cohesion, as well as for European agriculture; stresses, at the same time, that promoting biodiversity in rural areas is important for safeguarding ecosystem services, enhancing climate resilience and ensuring the long-term sustainability of rural economies; reaffirms that agricultural ecosystem services play a fundamental role in society and that it is essential that they are recognised as public goods and properly financed through public support mechanisms, such as financial incentives, payments for environmental services and policies that reward sustainable practices; stresses the need for sufficient funding to promote innovative solutions, including precision farming and smart technologies; points to the importance of compensatory measures for farmers and rural businesses so that the ecological transition is fair and practical and does not lead to new socio-economic disparities; highlight that, for this transition to be successful, the full involvement and collaboration with all stakeholders, in particular farmers and foresters, will be key; |
Amendment 53
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 10. Highlights the key role that infrastructure development has to play in the economic and social growth of rural areas, given the need for transport systems with the capacity to improve connectivity and access to basic services, for energy networks and for suitable digital connectivity infrastructure; | 10. Highlights the general importance of good-condition infrastructure for all sectors, as they are interdependent, and notes the importance for key sectors in rural areas such as, in particular, agriculture, to have a functioning infrastructure of public and private services; highlights the need for investment in infrastructure development, in particular sustainable and inclusive infrastructure, and its key role in fostering economic and social growth and in reducing the gaps between rural and urban regions; stresses the need for transport systems to improve connectivity and access to basic services, for energy networks, including renewable and, where appropriate, decentralised energy networks, and for suitable digital connectivity infrastructure, as well as appropriate training possibilities to fully use these infrastructures; |
Amendment 54
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 10a. Notes that water is vital for rural areas and for agriculture, and that cohesion policies for these areas must therefore incorporate a water perspective through an optimal mixed infrastructure plan; |
Amendment 55
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 10a. Calls for a specific fund for ‘early childhood in rural areas’ to be added to the European Child Guarantee, with a view to co-financing the construction of crèches and childminding facilities, as well as collective crèches incorporating other services for children such as extracurricular activities, cultural activities and educational support; |
Amendment 56
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 10b. Calls on the Commission to review the possibility of developing a self-standing emergency fund for rural areas, agricultural SMEs and local authorities, aimed at combating the negative consequences of natural disasters; stresses the need for this financial mechanism to be made available to local governments in order to maximise the efficiency of funds used at local level in rural communities; stresses that this type of financial mechanism could be a tool for the revitalisation of agricultural production in the aftermath of natural disasters; emphasises that this new financial instrument could be made available under the policy objective of developing a greener economy; |
Amendment 57
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 10b. Stresses that the digital divide between rural and urban areas remains significant, given that less than 40 % of rural households benefit from fast internet (>30 Mbps), compared to around 63 % in urban area1a; calls on the Commission and the Member States to accelerate investment in rural digital infrastructure, to support the development of high-speed internet networks in order to facilitate education, telemedicine, e-commerce and remote working opportunities; draws attention to the risks of exclusion of small farms and the outermost regions from these developments and points to the need to take measures to ensure that the digital transformation and farm data collection benefit farmers; notes, in particular, that there is a need to manage risks of dependency, data management and over-indebtedness for small farmers; stresses the need for digital literacy and vocational training initiatives to support the integration of digital technologies into the rural economy; | |
| __________________ | |
| 1a Perpiña Castillo, C., Sulis, P., Velasco Leon, J.M. and Lavalle, C., ‘Broadband accessibility and quality connection in Europe by urban-rural typology including remoteness’, European Commission, 2021. |
Amendment 58
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 10c. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to promote the use of renewable energies, based on their potential to reduce energy costs, notably the use of biomass, ensuring that it is produced without harm to ecosystems; stresses that this can provide another form of income for rural residents, in particular farmers, provided that business models produce and continue to produce tangible value in local communities, while also driving the shift towards circular economies; calls for the provision of support to energy projects that avoid negative impacts on food security, land availability and social cohesion; |
Amendment 59
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 11. Stresses the importance of promoting priority policies that support young people through targeted measures designed to stem the demographic decline in rural areas; emphasises the urgency of eliminating barriers and the significant disparities between young people in urban versus rural areas in terms of access to education, economic independence, social and political engagement, and social interaction, furnishing them with all the tools and resources they need to build a stable future in line with their aspirations, without needing to abandon their place of origin; | 11. Stresses that the right to stay must be recognised as an essential principle to ensure that all people can live with dignity in their regions of origin, without being forced to migrate due to lack of appropriate economic, social or environmental conditions and opportunities; stresses the importance of promoting priority policies that support young people through targeted measures designed to stem the demographic decline in rural areas, in line with the recommendations issued by Parliament in its Resolution of 23 November 2023 on harnessing talent in Europe’s regions1a, emphasises the urgency of eliminating barriers and the significant disparities between young people in urban versus rural areas in terms of access to education, economic independence, social and political engagement, and social interaction, as well as developing incentive programmes for the return of young people to rural areas, promoting local start-ups and tax incentives for rural companies, affordable housing, support for rural entrepreneurship and implementing remote-working policies; 1a OJ C, C/2024/4225, 24.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/4225/oj. |
Amendment 60
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 11a. Emphasises that generational renewal, including in agriculture, is fundamental for the social, economic and environmental sustainability of rural areas; underlines that in order to promote farm succession and generational renewal in agriculture, it is essential to implement policies that facilitate access to land, credit and training and advisory services for newly started farms, in addition to reducing the bureaucracy associated with agricultural activity; emphasises that it is imperative to strengthen financial support and incentives for the installation of young farmers and new farmers, ensuring the sustainability and competitiveness of the agricultural sector in the long term; |
Amendment 61
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 12. Draws attention to the need for universal equal access to measures enabling everyone to develop the high-quality skills they need to achieve their professional goals, and to vocational and educational training; laments the fact that, in many fields, the work of women is currently not rewarded with equal opportunities and conditions, and emphasises the need to foster an environment conducive to female employment, with support for families factored in; | 12. Draws attention to the need for universal equal access to the high-quality skills rural inhabitants need to achieve their professional goals, and to vocational and educational training, as well as programmes tailored to emerging sectors such as renewable energy, and rural and agri-tourism, while also fostering youth-led initiatives and non-formal learning for young people in rural areas; |
Amendment 62
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 12a. Regrets the fact that, in many fields, the work of women is currently not met with equal opportunities and conditions, and emphasises the need to foster an environment conducive to women’s entrepreneurship, employment and professional development in rural communities; highlights the importance of measures that contribute to a balance between professional and personal life, as well as measures to support all families to ensure high-quality early childhood education and care systems and parental support; draws attention to the need to support policies that facilitate women’s access to essential resources for farm development, such as access to credit, including the provision of interest-free micro-loans, agricultural subsidies and continuous professional training; |
Amendment 63
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 12b. Calls for additional support for female entrepreneurship in rural areas, including financial backing for women-led ventures in organic farming, craft industries and local services, including the provision of interest-free micro-loans; |
Amendment 64
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 13. Stresses the key role played by agriculture and the agri-food sector in food production and job creation – a role worth championing since as it constitutes a mainstay of the local economy, and also drives the growth and development of inland and rural areas, which often enjoy international recognition for their outstanding typical products; calls, in this regard, on the Commission and Member States to take action to mitigate the decline in the number of farms and support incomes and competitiveness, in order to stem the desertion of these areas and encourage generational renewal; | 13. Stresses the key role played by agriculture and the agri-food sector in food production – thereby ensuring food security in the EU – and job creation in areas with outstanding typical products that often enjoy international recognition; emphasises that the agri-food sector should be strongly supported, owing to its contribution to driving social progress and the growth and development of rural areas, in particular the most vulnerable, such as remote, mountainous areas and border and outermost regions; calls, in this regard, on the Commission and Member States to take action to mitigate the challenges that agricultural production is facing, such as the decline in the number of farms, and support fair incomes for farmers and promote competitiveness, in order to stem the desertion of these areas and encourage generational renewal; recognises the potential posed by innovative solutions and business ideas in the agricultural sector and points out the need to further support research and development, such as for new on-farm energy solutions; calls for cohesion policies to contribute to the promotion and safeguarding of existing jobs in the agri-food sector and the creation of high-quality jobs in rural areas, with adequate rights, fair incomes and proper working conditions, as well as effectively and decisively combating poverty and social exclusion in rural areas; |
Amendment 65
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 13a. Stresses that family farms dominate EU agriculture, accounting for 94.8 % of all farms, and yet they face significant obstacles in accessing finance, infrastructure and markets; calls on the Commission and the Member States to implement concrete measures to support these farms by simplifying access to credit, modernising rural infrastructure and giving impetus to agricultural cooperatives; |
Amendment 66
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 13b. Emphasises that rural areas can thrive more, economically and socially, by improving the added value of farming and agri-food activities through different projects aimed at promoting locally produced food, which ultimately leads to increased demand for local products and contributes to European food security; |
Amendment 67
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 13c. Recalls the need to support and enhance the multifunctionality of agriculture and short supply chains as drivers for local economic development; stresses that public canteens, such as school and hospital canteens, can play a significant role in the development of short agri-food supply chains; |
Amendment 68
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 d (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 13d. Recognises that ensuring food security is one of the EU’s priorities and that it is crucial to ensure sufficient reserves, with a particular focus on strategic products such as flour and sugar, through voluntary state contracts; |
Amendment 69
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 e (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 13e. Recognises that disparities in access to land, direct payments and support, both among and within the Member States, are key challenges that must be tackled to prevent regional decline, enable older farmers to retire with dignity, and encourage young people to enter the agricultural sector, thereby fostering the development of rural areas; calls for cohesion policy to support projects aimed at improving access to land, particularly for young and new farmers, while ensuring that funding is not allocated to projects that contradict the principle of net zero land take, in order to promote sustainable land use and safeguard rural and agricultural areas; |
Amendment 70
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 f (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 13f. Stresses the uneven impact of the trade-in or export of Ukrainian agricultural products on farmers in individual Member States and regions, and the imbalances that arise as a consequence; highlights the need to support those farmers and those European regions that have been most adversely affected by the trade-in or export of Ukrainian agricultural products; |
Amendment 71
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 14. Recognises that tourism is frequently a source of income for rural, mountainous, insular and outermost areas, and for that reason believes that it should be supported within the rural economy, in synergy with the agricultural, fishing, food and cultural sectors; | 14. Recognises that tourism and traditional crafts are frequently a source of income for rural and mountainous areas, as well as insular, outermost and border regions, and for that reason believes that they should be supported within the rural economy in a way that is community-led, and in synergy with the agricultural, fishing, food and cultural sectors, encouraging cultural activities that enhance local heritage and ensuring they respect local ecosystems, traditions and social well-being; highlights that rural and agri-tourism can be a complementary activity to agriculture, offering opportunities for diversifying farm incomes and benefiting the development of rural areas, and that therefore resources should be allocated for the development of tourism and HoReCa (hotel, restaurant and café) activities; |
Amendment 72
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 14a. Highlights the need to support increasing the number of jobs in rural areas to boost employment and demand for services; considers it necessary to promote measures that diversify the rural economy and increase competitiveness by harnessing local potential – beyond agriculture and tourism – as well as increasing the number of high-quality jobs, including by creating the necessary conditions for remote working, to ensure that rural areas can attract and retain young people; |
Amendment 73
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 14b. calls for the promotion of integrated regional governance approaches and governance, enhancing the links between different levels of administration and the involvement of local communities, which is crucial for an effective and participatory rural policy; highlights the central role played by community-led local development (CLLD) initiatives in maintaining and restoring vibrant and thriving local rural economies; stresses that setting a minimum allocation amount to CLLD initiatives, including the LEADER programme, under all relevant funds at EU level would contribute to stronger and more sustainable regional development; calls on the Member States to make full use of LEADER’s capacities; |
Amendment 74
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 14c. Underlines that forests, and the entire forest-based value chain, are a crucial aspect of rural areas by providing jobs, ensuring economic welfare, storing carbon, offering health benefits and combating desertification; stresses, therefore, the need to support EU farmers and foresters, while respecting the Member States’ competence on forest-related legislation; |
Amendment 75
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 15. Calls on the Commission and Member States to promote better regulation as a matter of priority, in order to reduce the bureaucratic burden on individuals and businesses, particularly SMEs; | 15. Considers that bureaucratic complexity and very rigid criteria often hinder the participation of small farmers, companies and municipalities, thereby limiting the impact of investments and delaying the implementation of strategic projects; highlights, in this regard, that further action should be taken to reduce administrative burdens; considers that EU financial support should be simple and accessible for small projects, which are more often the promoters of the most innovative initiatives and those with the most significant impact on the development of rural areas; calls for adequate technical assistance for smaller municipalities and cross-border, remote and rural areas that are facing new challenges; |
Amendment 76
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 15a. Stresses the need to create better access to financial resources, capital, grants and loans, particularly for agricultural enterprises, SMEs, microenterprises, family businesses and cooperatives, which are often seen as high-risk investments; also stresses the importance of simplifying access to EU funds for farmers and entrepreneurs, particularly through increased assistance, combined with public-private cooperation; calls, insofar as possible, for the simplification at local level of contact points dealing with all funds, instead of multiple access points dependent on sectors or objectives; |
Amendment 77
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 15b. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to promote better regulation as a matter of priority, in order to reduce bureaucratic burdens on individuals and businesses, particularly microenterprises, agricultural SMEs and family businesses, as well as on cooperatives and citizen-led collectives; |
ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT
Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur for opinion declares that she received input from the following entities or persons in the preparation of the opinion, prior to the adoption thereof in committee:
| Entity and/or person |
| European Leader Association for Rural Development |
| Euromontana |
| Coordination of Italian Regions in Brussels |
| European Council of Young Farmers – CEJA |
| IFOAM Organics Europe |
| European Coordination Via Campesina (ECVC) |
| MIRA Network |
| CEE Bankwatch Network |
| European Association for Innovation in Local Development (AEIDL) |
The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur for opinion.
Where natural persons are identified in the list by their name, by their function or by both, the rapporteur for opinion declares that she has submitted to the natural persons concerned the European Parliament’s Data Protection Notice No 484 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/data-protect/index.do), which sets out the conditions applicable to the processing of their personal data and the rights linked to that processing.
INFORMATION ON ADOPTION BY THE COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION
| Date adopted | 8.4.2025 | |
| Result of final vote | +: –: 0: | 44 0 2 |
| Members present for the final vote | Arno Bausemer, Sergio Berlato, Stefano Bonaccini, Mireia Borrás Pabón, Daniel Buda, Carmen Crespo Díaz, Ivan David, Valérie Deloge, Salvatore De Meo, Csaba Dömötör, Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral, Herbert Dorfmann, Luke Ming Flanagan, Maria Grapini, Cristina Guarda, Martin Häusling, Krzysztof Hetman, Elsi Katainen, Stefan Köhler, Tomáš Kubín, Camilla Laureti, Norbert Lins, Cristina Maestre, Maria Noichl, Gilles Pennelle, André Rodrigues, Bert-Jan Ruissen, Arash Saeidi, Eric Sargiacomo, Christine Singer, Raffaele Stancanelli, Anna Strolenberg, Pekka Toveri, Jessika Van Leeuwen, Veronika Vrecionová, Thomas Waitz, Maria Walsh | |
| Substitutes present for the final vote | Benoit Cassart, Annalisa Corrado, Ton Diepeveen, Charles Goerens, Kateřina Konečná, Ciaran Mullooly, Elena Sancho Murillo, Christine Schneider, Francesco Ventola, Marta Wcisło |