EU budget shifts focus away from agriculture

THE EU’s €134 billion budget for next year will shift the focus away from agriculture towards investment in research, the environment and energy.

Details of the draft budget published yesterday show funds for agriculture remaining stable at just under €43 billion, but accounting for 32% of the total with rural development taking up a further 11%.

The emphasis for next year moves firmly in the direction of long-term economic progress and employment taking 45% of the budget.