EU Rural Development Policy and Tourism

Jean-Michel CouradesDG Agriculture and Rural Development

European Commission

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Evaluation of the period 1994-1999

Encouragement for tourist and craft activities, including the improvement of living

accommodation on agricultural holdings Diversification especially those providing multiple activities or alternative incomes for

farmers

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Evaluation of the period 1994-1999 success largely based on the high quality of the

natural and cultural heritage (integrated approach needed)

potential contradictions between the objectives of economic development and improving the quality

of rural life and tourism alternative job opportunities for farm households.

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Current measures 2000-2006

Protection and conservation of the rural heritage

Diversification of activities close to agriculture to provide multiple activities or alternative incomes

Encouragement for tourist and craft activities

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Current period 2000-2006

measure subsidiary to the intervention of the ERDF (see Art.35(3) of R 1257/99). Support only possible in so far as financing is not provided by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

Support shall be consistent with other Community state aid law. (de minimis rule for non-agricultural activities 100 000 euros over 3 years – rules for revenue generating investment 35% of EU contribution/total cost in Obj 1; 15% in Obj 2 )

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Community Rural Development Strategy (objectives) :

Improving the competitiveness of the farm and

forestry sector through support for restructuring,

modernisation/innovation and quality production

Enhancing the environment and the countryside

through support for land management

Improving the quality of life in rural areas and

promoting diversification of economic activity

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Community priorities

Axis 1: improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sectors

Guideline 1: the resources devoted to axis 1 should contribute to a strong and dynamic European agrifood sector by focusing on the priorities of knowledge transfer and innovation in the food chain and priority sectors for investment in physical and human capital.

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Community priorities

Axis 2: improving the environment and countryside

Guideline 2: the resources devoted to axis 2 should contribute to three EU level priority areas: biodiversity and preservation of high nature value farming and forestry systems, water, and climate change.

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Community priorities

Axis 3: improving the quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification

Guideline 3: the resources devoted to axis 3 should contribute to the overarching priority of the creation of employment opportunities in the fields of diversification and quality of life.

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Period 2007-2013

Axis 3 : Measures to diversify the rural economy(i) diversification into non-agricultural activities,(ii) encouragement of tourism activities,(iv) protection, upgrading and management of the natural heritage

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On farm diversification into non-agricultural activities The aid beneficiary may be either the farmer, his or her spouse, or their children. Members of the farm household.

– a natural or legal person or a group of natural or legal persons, whatever legal status is granted to the group and its members by national law, with the exception of farm workers. In case where a member of the farm household is a legal person or a group of legal persons, that member shall exercise an agricultural activity on the farm at the time of the support application.

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Tourism measure

Articles 52 (a)(iii) and 55 of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005) eligible actions will be:

– (a) small-scale infrastructure such as information centres and the signposting of tourist sites;

– (b) recreational infrastructure such as that offering access to natural areas, and small-capacity accommodation;

– (c) the development and/or marketing of tourism services relating to rural tourism.

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Measure Tourism : Target Indicators

Output :– Number of new tourism actions supported–  Total volume of investment

Result– Additional number of tourist visits – Gross number of jobs created

Impact– Net additional value expressed in PPS – Net additional full time equivalent jobs created

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Period 2007-2013 Axis 3 Measures to improve the quality of rural life in the

rural areas, comprising: (i) conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage.

(ii) A vocational training measure for economic actors (iii) A skills-acquisition and animation measure with a

view to preparing and implementing a local development strategy.

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Axis 3 measures

Article 52(b)(iii) and Article 57 of Regulation 1698/2005 (Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage)– the drawing-up of protection and management plans

relating to Natura 2000 sites and other places of high natural value, environmental awareness actions and investments associated with maintenance, restoration and upgrading of the natural heritage and with the development of high natural value sites;

– studies and investments associated with maintenance, restoration and upgrading of the cultural heritage such as the cultural features of villages and the rural landscape.

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Community priorities

Axis 4 (Leader): building local capacity for employment and diversification

Guideline 4: the resources devoted to axis 4 should contribute to the priorities of axis 1 and 2 and in particular of axis 3, but also play an important role in the priority of improving governance and mobilising the endogenous development potential of rural areas.