Welcome for rural development plans
The agreement confirms earlier indications that possible changes will not be introduced before 2010, said Ireland’s Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan.
Minister Eamon Ó Cuív welcomed the stipulation that at least 10% of the money Ireland receives under the Rural Development Fund will be spent outside the farm gate, and said 5% is stipulated as the minimum funding for LEADER-type projects, which is almost double the present level of funding.
Minister Ó Cuív said that he was also very pleased with a new provision covering cultural and leisure activities.
The Ministers said last Monday’s outcome was excellent for Ireland. While actual rural development allocations must await EU budget agreement, they looked forward to working with stakeholders on drawing up a national rural development plan.
The agreement also covers on-farm investment, agri-environment measures, support for young farmers, and food processing.
Fernard Boden, farm minister of Luxembourg, which holds the EU presidency, said he was proud that the ministers showed Europe is still capable of taking important decisions. At issue was a simplification of the rules governing distribution of money for rural development though a single fund to manage, oversee and plan the cash.
But the sum involved, almost €89 billion from 2007 to 2013, depends on the wider budget agreement, not yet in sight after last week’s failed Brussels negotiations.
Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fisher Boel delivered a spirited defence of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and criticised British Prime Minister Tony Blair for linking CAP reform to the British budget rebate.
However, Boel was making the most of some good news, three days before she announced EU sugar industry reform proposals which spell severe reduction or elimination for sugar refining in 17 member states.
