Opportunities within the Rural Development Policy 3 rd workshop EU Sheep Meat Forum Michael Pielke Head of Unit DG Agriculture and Rural Development
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Rural development policy principles EU legal framework and objectives Member State SWOT analysis and needs assessment in order to make policy choices Non sectorial approach/ WTO compatible Rural development programmes RDPs contributes both to national and EU objectives Shared management Implementation shared between the Commission and the Member States (Managing Authorities, involvement of stakeholders in Monitoring Committees) 3
In total, around 161 billion of total public funding
Allocation of funds per measure % of Total Public Expenditure Fulfilment of minimum spending requirements: Environment/climate: 43% LEADER: 6.1%
Opportunities for the sheep meat sector Challenge: Need for new technologies Investment in physical assets Improving overall performance of farm (economic, environmental, other) Processing, marketing, development of agricultural products Infrastructure related to the development of agriculture Purely environmental improvements Example: Ireland: sheep housing, fencing Northern Ireland: investments in modern livestock housing, waste management, cattle handling equipment, automated slurry scraping system, feed storage 6
Need to transfer knowledge and new ideas Knowledge transfer and innovation Vocational training, skills acquisition actions, demonstration projects: Training courses Workshops Coaching Short term farm management exchange, farm visits Costs for training, travel accomodation, per diem expenses, replacement Advisory services, farm management, farm relieve services Example: UK-Wales: Farm enterprise competition, rearing local sheep breeds, grazing strategies, animal health planning etc. Ireland: Knowledge transfer group to farmers including establishing a farm improvement plan 7
Improve the position of farmers in the food chain Setting up of producer groups Covering the costs for the setting up of groups Poland: Establishment of a producer group for small-scale livestock farmers, joint activities linked to price negotiations, promotion and advertising, joint investment in a sheep slaughterhouse 8
Strengthen the link between agriculture and rural areas; creation of synergies and new business opportunities LEADER Financing development and implementation of integrated local development strategies Implementation of projects Example: Germany (Palatinate Forest): project to promote image and consumption of locally produced sheep meat in conjunction with tourism, improving the image of shepherds, link between natural heritage and sheep grazing 9
High number of small agricultural holdings with weak economic performance and the significant migration trends of younger people from rural areas. Farm and business development Setting-up aid for: Young Farmers Non-agricultural activities in rural areas Development of small farms Investments in non-agricultural activities Support for farm restructuring Example: Many MS: young farmers set up support BG and other MS: small farmers scheme 10
Conservation of landscape and biodiversity as well as maintenance of water, soil and air quality. Agri-environment-climate payments A wide range of commitments going beyond legal requirements, related to (for example): biodiversity & ecosystems climate change water quality & quantity soil quality & quantity landscapes conservation of genetic resources Example: Ireland: sheep fencing, Germany: grazing schemes rare breeds e.g. Galway Bulgaria: protection against predators Scotland: grazing in moorland habitats, predator control 11
Areas suffering from climate or soil disadvantage where famers have to put more effort to maintain the agricultural production. Payments to areas facing natural or other specific constraints Mountain areas Areas, other than mountain areas, facing significant natural constraints Other areas affected by specific constraints Example: Many MS: permanent pasture and maintaining activities benefit from this measure 12
Consumer and societal expectations related to animal welfare in a competitive market environment Animal welfare measure - Supporting income foregone, additional costs incurred of practices going beyond relevant mandatory standards Example: Member States initiatives under discussion 13
Lack of access to services and the provision of infrastructure in rural areas which lead to depopulation of those areas. Basic services and village renewal in rural areas Local basic services Small-scale infrastructure (water, sewage, roads, social infrastructure), renewable energy Recreational infrastructure, tourist information Cultural & natural heritage of villages & landscapes, relocation of activities, conversion of buildings to improve quality of life Example: This measure is used in many MS programmes 14
Conclusions Rural development programmes are flexible providing large margins for Member States and regions. In contrast to sectorial programmes the RDPs address both agriculture and rural areas aiming at synergy effects. Member States and regions are invited to make use of new instruments such as the cooperation measure Farmers are invited to consult the rural development programme of their region/ms For examples of projects consult: enrd.ec.europa.eu 15