MEMO/07/599

Brussels, 20 décembre 2007

Plans de développement rural: 4 régions en Italie

Le profil d´Italie

• Population: 58,7 Million
• PIB/habitant: 110% (EU 25)
• Régions convergence: 74%
• Régions compétitivité: 124%
• Taux d’emploi: 57,6 % (EU 25: 63,1%)
• Taux de chômage: 8%
• Territoire: 30,1 Millions ha
• Superficie agricole utilisée (SAU): 13,2 Millions ha
• Superficie forestière: 10,7 Millions ha
• Zones défavorisées/montagne: 61% du territoire
• Zones Natura 2000: 4,3 Millions ha (14,4% du territoire)

Définition des zones rurales: adaptation de la méthode OCDE

• Superficie zones rurales B, C, D^[1] = 92% du territoire ; 93% SAU
• Population: 57% ; Densité (hab/km²): 54 zones D; 143 zones C; 210 zones B.
• Revenu par habitant (IT=100): 88% (zones C et D)
• Chômage: 12% (zones C et D); Convergence 20%
• Agriculteurs exerçant une autre activité: 26,5%
• Travailleurs indépendants: 24%
• Formation continue dans lez zones rurales: 6,3% (9% EU 25)
• Les zones rurales C et D sont caractérisées par:
• Infrastructures (y compris touristiques) et services à la population insuffisants
• Vieillissement des actifs en agriculture, abandon des terres
• Richesse du paysage et du patrimoine environnemental, culturel et historique
• Insuffisante diffusion d’internet
• Population Leader + concentrée dans les zones C et D

La stratégie choisie

Sur base des besoins identifiés et des stratégies de Lisbonne et Göteborg, le Plan Stratégique National individu 3 objectifs stratégiques:

• Amélioration de la compétitivité du secteur agricole et forestier
• Amélioration de l’environnement et de l’espace rural
• Qualité de la vie dans les zones rurales et diversification de l’économie rurale.

Contribution totale UE

Pour l'Italie, la contribution totale du Fonds européen agricole pour le développement rural (FEADER) pour la période 2007-2013 est 8.292 millions d'€

Region: Abruzzo

Profile of the region:

• Size: 10,794 km²; is totally occupied by hills and mountains. The main flat area in the region is located on the highland named “Fucino Valley”, a former wet (lake) area that has been dried in order to provide farm land to local population.
• 1,299,272 inhabitants; 82% live in rural areas; average population density of 120.3 inhabitants/km², lower than the national average (191 inhabitants/km²).
• Unemployment rate is about 7.9% (7.7% at national and 8% at EU level).
• There are 78,687 (year 2003) farms with an average farm size of 5.20ha (national average: 6.7ha) which manage 432,000 ha in terms of UAA^[2] (40% of the regional territory).
• The incidence of territory covered by forests reaches roughly 41% of the regional territory (450,000 ha).

Chosen strategy corresponding to the profile:

The strategy of Abruzzo´s rural development programme is centred around three general objectives:

• improve the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector;
• develop the rural areas through the management of the territory;
• improve the quality of life in the rural areas and promote the diversification of economic activities.

Budget overall and share of EU funding

Overall aim of RD programme in country

To strengthen competitiveness, develop a sustainable use of natural resources and the global attractiveness of rural areas by intervening on integration between the development of agricultural and forestry sector, environment, bio-energy, rural tourism and services.

Axis 1 budget allocation and main priorities:

EAFRD: € 72.631.728.

Total public expenditure: € 165.072.109.

The improvement of the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector will be based on several aspects:

• Consolidation and development of the quality of agricultural and forestry production;
• Promotion of the modernization and higher integration in forestry and agri-food sector
• Improvement of the entrepreneurial and professional capacities of the employed persons in the agricultural and forestry sector and support for the generational renewal.

Axis 2 budget allocation and main priorities:

EAFRD: € 62.497.071.

Total public expenditure: € 142.038.798.

The improvement of the environment and of the rural areas will be based on the active role of the agri-forestry activities taking the management of water resources and the increase of production of renewable energy as main priorities. Moreover the programme will address:

- the conservation of the biodiversity and protection and distribution of the agri-forestry systems in protected areas.

- the qualitative and quantitative safeguard of the surface and underground water,

- the reduction of greenhouse gases,

- the safeguarding of the territory.

Axis 3 budget allocation and main priorities:

EAFRD: € 18.580.211.

Total public expenditure: € 42.227.753.

The support of Axis 3 is focused on C and D rural areas in need of development and revitalization of the productive base and maintenance of rural population dynamics. The priorities are:

• the improvement of the attractiveness of the countryside for the companies and the population;
• maintenance and/or creation of new jobs in the rural areas.

Leader budget allocation:

EAFRD: € 8.445.550.

Total public expenditure: € 19.194.432.

In this axis, identified priorities aim:

• at the strengthening of the capacity of programming and local management;
• at the development of local resources of the territories.

The financial weight of the axis is 5%.

Region: Lazio

Le profil de la région:

• La Région Lazio a une population de 5.269.972 habitants, une superficie totale de 17.208 km² et une densité de population de 303 habitants/km², parmi les plus élevées d'Italie (192,2 habitants/km²). Le territoire est partagé entre plaine (20%), colline (54%) et montagne (26%). Dans les zones rurales (B+C+D) représentant 84% du territoire réside donc 37.7% de la population.
• En 2003, approximativement 130.550 exploitations agricoles dirigées 725.330 ha de terres cultivées en termes de SAU ,(superficie agricole utilisée), ou 67,5% de la surface agricole totale et 42% de la surface régionale totale. La dimension moyenne de l'exploitation est de 5.6 ha.
• La plus importante utilisation de terrains est celle des cultures arables, (48% de SAU). Les cultures permanentes: olivier, vigne et plantes de fruits occupent 20% de la SAU, prés permanents et pâturages 31% de la SAU.
• La contribution la plus importante en termes de valeur ajoutée régionale vient du tertiaire avancé, suivi par les services commerciaux tandis que la contribution de l'agriculture est de 1,3%.
• Taux de chômage: 7,7%, correspondant à la donnée nationale.

Description de la stratégie choisie

La stratégie d'intervention du PDR (programme développement rural) est formulée par rapport aux "Besoins", d'intervention et se concrétise dans les lignes d'interventions activées dans le cadre des Axes.

Dans des tableaux matriciels, les objectifs prioritaires PSN (plan stratégique national) qui encadrent des objectifs spécifiques du PDR, sont mis en relation logique-fonctionnelle soit avec les besoins mis en évidence par l'analyse du contexte soit avec les Mesure/Actions activées.

La répartition des ressources financières a été réalisée sur la base des besoins, des potentialités et des problématiques de développement apparus dans l'analyse du contexte régional, dans le respect de l'équilibre exigé par la réglementation.

Budget et part du financement de l'UE

Objectif pour la province

L'objectif global du programme est d'améliorer la compétitivité du secteur agricole et forestier, améliorer l'environnement et l'espace rural ainsi qu'augmenter la qualité de la vie et la diversification de l'économie rurale

Axe 1 allocation budgétaire et objectif prioritaire

FEADER: € 135.540.480.

Dépenses publiques total: €308.046.545.

La part principale de ressources: 50%, est programmée dans le cadre de l'axe I vu l'importance d'accompagner le processus d'amélioration qualitative des productions et d'ajustement structurel des entreprises du secteur, rendu nécessaire par la compétition et l'ouverture vers les nouveaux marchés, et d'intégrer la dimension environnementale dans le développement économique et social du secteur agricole et forestier.

Dans l’axe I, l’accent est mis sur la modernisation des exploitations agricoles (32.2% de l'axe), suivi par l’installation des jeunes agriculteurs (24%). L’accroissement de la valeur ajoutée des produits agricoles et forestiers et l’amélioration et le développement des infrastructures agricoles et forestières pèsent respectivement à concurrence de 16,4% et 6,8% de l’axe I. Globalement, les interventions en faveur du capital physique représentent 59,8% de la dotation de l'axe I, celles pour le capital humain 34,2% et pour la qualité 6%.

Axe 2 allocation budgétaire et objectif prioritaire

FEADER: € 92.167.526.

Dépenses publiques total: € 209.471.650.

A l'axe II, il y a 34% du total des ressources financières, apte à fournir une réponse proportionnée aux besoins et aux nécessités d'intervention émergeant de l'analyse de la situation environnementale régionale. Une concentration territoriale est prévue en fonction des problématiques environnementales spécifiques.

La priorité est donnée aux paiements pour l’agroenvironnement, qui représente 68,8% de la dotation de l’axe, suivi par le bien-être des animaux (7,1%), premier boisement de terre agricole (7,1%), et les zones désavantagées (4,4%). Ensemble, les mesures axées sur l'utilisation durable des terres agricoles représentent 86% de la dotation de l'axe.

Axe 3 allocation budgétaire et objectif prioritaire

FEADER: € 32.529.715.

Dépenses publiques total: € 73.931.171.

Un montant de 12%, est destiné à l'axe III. Il pourra déterminer des impacts significatifs également dans les zones rurales, en tenant compte du choix d'adresser prioritairement de telles ressources au soutien de projets territoriaux, de caractère intégré pouvant aussi recevoir des ressources provenant des autres Axes, en particulier de l'axe I.

La priorité est donnée aux paiements pour la diversification en activités non agricoles qui représente 41,7% de la dotation de l’axe, suivi par la conservation et amélioration du patrimoine rural (20,8), et rénovation et développement des villages (14,2).

Allocation budgétaire pour LEADER:

FEADER: € 17.303.040.

Dépenses publiques total: € 39.325.091.

Une telle approche, basée sur le développement de partenariats locaux, est renforcée par l'axe Leader auquel le programme assigne 6% des ressources, correspondant à la dotation du précédent Leader + régional. En outre, 4% a été assigné aux actions et aux interventions qui se rendront nécessaires en termes de service d'assistance technique au PDR.

Region: Marche

Profile of the region:

Marche has a total surface of 9,963 km² and a population of 1,471,000 inhabitants. The territory is characterized by a mountainous internal area and by hills. Plain areas are rare and mainly localized near the Adriatic coast or along the rivers. Rural areas are significant and cover 95% of the regional surface, and have 81% of the population. Rural population density is, on average, 129 inhabitants/km².

Regional land cover is the following: 65.6% agricultural, 21% forestry, 9.5% natural and 3.9% artificial.

According to the last available data, the regional UAA^[4] is approx. 512,000 Ha. Arable land is about 80%, while permanent pastures and grasslands covers approx. 7%. 13% of the regional UAA, finally, is represented by permanent crops.

Chosen strategy corresponding to the profile:

The strategy of the Rural Development Programme for Marche focuses on, within the framework set up at the Community and national level, three general objectives:

• improving the competitiveness of agriculture and forestry
• improving the environment and the countryside
• improving the quality of life in rural areas and promoting the diversification of rural economy.

Budget overall and share of EU funding

Overall aim of RD programme in country

The overall objectives are:

• Strengthening the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector,
• Promoting the sustainable use of natural resources and landscape conservation,
• Promotion of the diversification of the rural economy and quality of life

Axis 1 budget allocation and main priorities:

EAFRD: € 85,403,200.

Total public expenditure: € 194,098,182.

The financial weight of the axis is 42.2%.

The priorities of axis 1 (improving the competitiveness of agriculture and forestry) are the followings:

• to promote modernization and innovation of holdings and industry
• to improve the quality of agricultural and forestry production
• to develop physical and telematic infrastructures
• to enhance the entrepreneurial capacities of agricultural and forestry workers and to promote generational renewal.

The measure for the modernization of agricultural holdings is the most important, as it represents the 52% of the budget of the axis. The measure for the increase of the added value of agricultural and forestry products is also relevant, as well as the support for the setting up of young farmers (15% and 10%, respectively).

Axis 2 budget allocation and main priorities:

EAFRD: € 78,474,000.

Total public expenditure: € 178,350,000.

The financial weight of the axis is 38.8%.

The priorities of axis 2 (improving the environment and the countryside) are:

• the conservation of biodiversity and the protection of agricultural and forestry areas with a high environmental value,
• the protection of water resources
• the reduction of greenhouse gases
• the safeguarding of landscape and countryside.

The agro-environmental measure is the most significant, taking up 47% of axis 2. The payments for farmers localized in mountain areas and other areas with natural handicaps are also important (10% and 4%), as well as the measure for the first afforestation of agricultural land, which represents 13% of the axis budget.

Axis 3 budget allocation and main priorities:

EAFRD: € 18,212,000.

Total public expenditure: € 41,390,909.

The financial weight of the axis is 9% (15% considering Leader).

The objectives of axis 3 (quality of life in rural areas and diversification of the rural economy) are:

• to maintain and create employment and income in rural areas
• to enhance the conditions of rural areas, for the population and the enterprises.

The most important measure of axis 3 is the measure for the diversification into non-agricultural activities, which covers more than 74% of the resources of the axis. The measure for the setting up of basic services is also significant, as it represents 15% of the axis budget.

Leader budget allocation:

EAFRD: € 12,139,200

Total public expenditure: € 27,589,091.

The financial weight of the axis is 6%.

The objectives of Leader are:

• to reinforce the participation of local communities in the definition of rural development policies,
• to valorize the endogenous resources of the rural areas. The Local Action Groups will implement the measures of axis 3 and a specific measure (measure 410) for territorial marketing and certification. Inter-territorial and trans-national cooperation will be also financed.

Region: Trento

Profile of the region:

• Size: 6,364.82 km²; The Province of Trento is considered entirely mountainous, with limited flat land areas at the end of the valley. The territory is divided longitudinally by the river Adige which divides Western and Eastern Trentino and gives its name to the Valley.
• 502,478 inhabitants; high average population density in urban area in particular in the capital city of the Province, i.e. Trento, with surface area of 157.94 km² and 703 inhabitants/ km², while in rural area (D) lies the rest of the Province with surface area of 6206.88 km² and an average population density of 64 inhabitants/ km²;
• Unemployment rate of 3.2% is among the lowest by EU standards (2004 data).
• The incidence of territory covered by forests reaches 55.6% of the Province territory, of which 276,988 ha have productive characteristics.
• Agricultural land (146,989 ha in terms of UAA) is used as follows: arable crops (i.e. cereals, potatoes, vegetables, green fodder, other) 3.2%; permanent crops (i.e. vines, apples, other fruits) 15.9%; grasslands and pastures 80.6%.
• According to the data from the 2000 agricultural census, 34,694 holdings cover 76% of the whole Province territory, 7.9% of the agricultural and forestry land does non belong to any holding, and 16% of the land is not fertile.
• In 2003, the total number of holdings was 26,010 with an average size UAA of 5.8 Ha, in terms of agricultural holdings size: 89.1% of holdings have less than 5 ha of UAA; 9.8% of holdings have between 5 to less than 50 ha of UAA; and 1.1% of holdings have 50 ha or more of UAA.

Chosen strategy corresponding to the profile:

In the framework of the priorities set up at community and national level, the programme's strategy has identified an overall objective in the conservation, valorisation, and review of the rural mountainous landscape and its economic, environmental and cultural aspects.

This overall objective will be pursued through the three rural development thematic axes. The situation in terms of spending rates is the following: axis 1 has a financial weight of 30.3%. Axis 2 represents the 52.9% of the total programme's budget; axis 3 is 10.3% and the financial weight of Leader axis is 6.0%.

Budget overall and share of EU funding

Overall aim of RD programme in country

To strengthen the competitiveness, develop a sustainable use of natural resources and the global attractiveness of rural areas by intervening on integration between the development of agricultural and forestry sector, environment, rural tourism and services.

Axis 1 budget allocation and main priorities:

EAFRD: € 30,528,263.

Total public expenditure: € 87,223,608.

The priorities of the axis will be to increase and/or maintain competitiveness in the agroforestry sector through:

• investments in human capital, through enhancement of vocational training and entrepreneurial skills of workers; valorisation of young farmers
• development and upgrading of local infrastructure (with special focus on renovation of irrigation infrastructure for water saving, and provision of basic services to mountain areas)
• development of process/product innovation to improve competitiveness of production sectors
• increase in quality of local agricultural and forestry products; improvement of service for marketing and promotion of products and tourism.

The financial weight of the axis is 30.3%.

Axis 2 budget allocation and main priorities:

EAFRD: € 53,266,322.

Total public expenditure: € 121,059,822.

The priorities of axis 2 are to intensify the protection of biodiversity and promote the local environmental-landscape. In particular:

• improved sustainable management of the territory to protect natural resources and valorisation of agroforestry activities with high natural value and landscape diversity
• protection of the LFA (less favoured area) mountain ecosystem and support to activities of biodiversity conservation
• quantitative and qualitative protection of water resources
• agroforestry activities for the reduction of greenhouse gases
• introduction and development of organic and extensive farming
• protection of species at risk of extinction
• protection of forests through development of prevention measures

The financial weight of the axis 2 is 52.9%.

The measures supporting the sustainable use of agricultural land will be very important (93.3% of the axis). Agri-environment, in particular, will have almost 47% of the financial resources of axis 2, and 46.3% to financing compensatory allowances for natural handicaps and socio-economic disadvantages.

Axis 3 budget allocation and main priorities:

EAFRD: € 10,354,155.

Total public expenditure: € 29,583,300.

For axis 3, the priorities are to increase the attractiveness of rural areas for businesses and the population, and to maintain and create new employment opportunities, through:

• focus on areas with high environmental value and landscape diversity, and on areas with high loss of competitiveness or affected by abandonment
• encouraging creation and dissemination of services to the population and SMEs, including ICT
• favouring the growth of human capital in rural areas by increasing training and information activities.

The financial weight of the axis 3 is 10.3%.

The measures supporting training and information will be very important 57.3% of the resources, while the measures to diversify the rural economy will be less relevant (19.5%).

Leader budget allocation:

EAFRD: € 6,000,000

Total public expenditure: € 17,142,857

The priorities of LEADER are:

• to integrate agriculture in local development,
• to strengthen local partnerships.

The financial weight of the axis is 6.0%

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^[1] Le Plan Stratégique National a classifié le territoire italien en 4 catégories: zones A (Pôles urbaines), zones B (zones rurales avec agriculture intensive spécialisée), zones C (zones rurales intermédiaires) et zones D (zones rurales avec problèmes globaux de développement)

^[2] UAA= Utilized agricultural area

^[3] EAFRD = European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development[]