On strengthening rural areas in the EU through cohesion policy
AGRI-AD-771931
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development · Rapporteur: Cristina Guarda
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This opinion from the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development proposes amendments to a report on strengthening rural areas through cohesion policy, focusing on the role of agriculture and rural development.¶ It calls for better integration of EU funds, support for farmers and rural economies, and measures to address demographic, digital and climate challenges.¶¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development proposes amendments to the report, emphasising the importance of agriculture, rural development, and cohesion policy integration.¶
Key points
- Calls for the Commission to implement Article 174 TFEU fully and apply the 'do no harm to cohesion' principle, promoting cohesion in rural areas.¶
- Urges the Commission to develop a mechanism to monitor EU funds' contribution to rural areas, as around 60% of cohesion investments are not land-specific.¶
- Calls for an effective rural proofing mechanism at EU level and a report by 2027, and for Member States to implement national mechanisms.¶¶
- Asks the Commission to explore earmarking resources for rural areas in the next cohesion policy and to use indicators reflecting intra-regional disparities.¶
- Reiterates calls for a measurable rural strategy with an updated EU rural action plan, and for Member States to develop funded national and regional strategies.¶
- Stresses the need for adequate funding for rural areas in the next multiannual financial framework, including through cohesion policy.¶
- Emphasises the EAFRD's role alongside cohesion funds, and rejects merging rural development with cohesion policy, insisting on the CAP's two-pillar structure.¶¶
- Calls for support for rural areas in all their diversity, including sparsely populated, mountainous, insular, outermost and border regions, and for farmers in areas with natural constraints.¶
- Highlights the need for high-quality public services in rural areas, including healthcare, childcare, transport, digital infrastructure, and local schools, with consultation on closures.¶
- Calls for investment in digital infrastructure and training to close the rural-urban digital divide, and for measures to ensure small farms benefit from digital transformation.¶
- Calls for support for generational renewal in agriculture, including access to land, credit, training, and reduced bureaucracy for young farmers.¶
- Calls for support for women's entrepreneurship and employment in rural areas, including access to credit and micro-loans.¶¶
Who is affected
- Rural areas and their inhabitants, including farmers, young people, women, and small businesses.¶¶¶
- Member States and regional/local authorities, who are called on to develop strategies and implement mechanisms.¶¶
- The European Commission, which is asked to develop strategies, monitor funds, and report on rural proofing.¶¶¶
- Agricultural and agri-food sectors, including family farms, SMEs, and cooperatives.¶¶
Figures and deadlines
- 137 million people live in rural areas, which occupy 83% of EU territory.¶
- 77% of farmland and 79% of forest are in rural areas.
- GDP per capita in rural areas is around 70% of the EU average.¶
- Women's workforce participation in rural areas was 31.6% in 2022.¶
- EU greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 24% between 1990 and 2021.¶
- 72% of renewable energy production takes place in rural areas.
- 800 farms go out of business every day; the EU lost 37% of its farms between 2005 and 2019.¶
- Only 47.5% of rural people have basic digital skills.¶