The EU Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) is due to be reformed by 2013 and a formal public consultation is under way, closing 3 June, as the Commission prepares to publish a policy paper setting out different options for the future CAP for consideration.
In the run up to the communication the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dacian Ciolo?, has launched a public debate on the future of the CAP, inviting all interested EU citizens and organisations to participate.
Rural development (the ‘second pillar’) forms a vital part of the CAP. On the 14th April an extraordinary meeting of the EN RD Coordination committee was held at which the members of the committee were invited to launch the public debate on the CAP after 2013 in their own country/organisation.
The focus of the debate
The following rural development questions have been proposed by DG AGRI:
1. What should be the objectives of the future rural development policy?
2. How can the policy instruments be made more effective?
3. How can the management of the policy be improved?
All individuals and organisations interested in rural development are invited to join the debate, either through their National Rural Networks or the other organisations represented in the EN RD Coordination committee.
www.rdpenetwork.org.uk
www.uknationalruralnetwork.org.uk
www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk
European Commission CAP Consultation: LINK
