MEMO/07/486
Brussels, 21 November 2007
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
|