Farmers ‘soul of rural regions’

FARMERS will continue to be the soul of rural regions, but rural development policy will play an increasingly important role, according to the European Union Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel.

“Our society needs and will continue to ask products and services from farmers. This should be placed in the global context of increased competition and high quality standards, which will probably lead to increased diversity of the farming sector in the next 10 years,” she said.

Ms Fischer Boel said the most competitive holdings will continue to specialise in specific sectors, like for example high quality food and renewable energies, while other holdings will concentrate on services.