Rural Development Plan for Wallonia (Belgium)

Region profile:

Size: 16,844 km².
3.4 million inhabitants; half of them live in what are considered as rural areas.
Unemployment rate of 17% with a high share in the age group 15-24 years
In 2005, approximately 17,000 agricultural holdings managed 0.75 million hectares of cultivated land or 45% of the total Walloon surface. A further 32% of the surface is covered by forests.
The cultivated land can roughly be split into two parts: 57% are fodder crops, 38% arable crops.
Around 19% of all farms are managed on part-time basis.
Some 37% of the UAA is classified as less-favoured area. Natura 2000 sites cover some 13% of the total Walloon territory; 30% of the forest area and 5% of the UAA is under Natura 2000 status.
The food sector is very diversified; its main components are bakery products, meat, drinks, dairy products and sugar. Organic farming only represents a minor share of the agriculture output (around 1%).

Chosen strategy corresponding to the profile

The overall objectives were chosen in accordance with the Community Strategic Guidelines (CSG) and the National Strategy Plan and are:

Towards a more competitive agriculture sector by responding to market fluctuations and society's expectations and by encouraging added value,
Reinforcing the complementarity between agriculture/forestry and environment and encouraging the multifunctionnality of agriculture activities,
Stimulating dynamic and lively rural areas and making them more attractive as places to live and to work,
Local capacity building for developing the endogenous development of rural areas.

Total Budget and EU funding

Axis	Total Public Expenditure (in €)	*Share of EAFRD in Public expenditure in %**	EAFRD Contribution (in €)
Axis 1	222,000,000	30	66,600,000
Axis 2	188,114,000	50	94,057,000
Axis 3	37,133,194	50	18,566,597
LEADER	19,732,000	50	9,866,000
Technical assistance	10,000,000	50	5,000,000
Total	476,979,194	40.69	194,089,597

* EAFRD = European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development

Overall aim of the RD programme in Wallonia

Stimulating a dynamic and innovative agriculture sector,
encouraging sustainable production methods with a view to improving the environment,
improving the quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification of the rural economy,
local capacity building for more employment and diversification

Axis 1: Budget allocation and main priorities:

Total public funding: € 222,000,000 – EAFRD contribution: € 66,600,000 (30 % of programme total)

Main priorities: modernisation of agriculture holdings (43.2% of total public expenditure for axis 1), setting up of farms (35.6%), adding value to agriculture products (18.0%).

Axis 2: Budget allocation and main priorities:

Total public funding: € 188,114,000 – EAFRD contribution: € 94,057,000 (50 % of programme total)

Main priorities: agro environment measure (77.7% of total public expenditure for axis 2), LFA payments (17.5%), Natura 2000 payments (3.2%).

Axis 3: Budget allocation and main priorities:

Total public funding: € 37,133,194 – EAFRD contribution: € 18,566,597 (50 % of programme total)

Main priorities: creation of micro-enterprises (32.3% of total public expenditure for axis 3), conservation and upgrading of rural heritage (24.2%),diversification (16.0%), basic services for the rural economy (10.8%), promotion of tourism activities (8.1%), training and information (8.1%).

Leader budget allocation and priorities:

Total public funding: € 19,732,000 – EAFRD contribution: € 9,866,000 (50 % of programme total)

The Leader axis will be implemented using axis 1, 2 and 3 measures, focussed on maintaining and developing the attractiveness of rural areas.

See: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/rurdev/index_en.htm

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