Rural development: A more difficult balancing act

The European Court of Auditors has concluded that a new planning process for rural development takes too long and is too complex.

The court found that shortcomings, which hinder performance and results, are built into the system. The primary objectives of EU rural development policy aim to make agriculture more competitive, ensure the sustainable management of natural resources, and achieve the balanced development of rural economies and communities.

The EU plans to spend nearly €100bn on rural development up to 2020. It already channels €58bn a year — 38% of the EU budget — to the rural economy, through CAP. These are vast sums of money and should have a positive impact on our countryside.However, balancing agricultural development with environmental responsibility is becoming ever more difficult.