1. PART I - RURAL DEVELOPMENT STATISTICS Chapter II - NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT POLICIES Paul Fensom Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK Joint UNECE/EUROSTAT/FAO/OECD Meeting on Food and Agricultural Statistics in Europe Rome, 29 June 2005

2. Overview II.1 A few examples of national rural development policies II.2 Rural development from a sectoral based approach – agriculture II.3 Rural development from a territorial based approach II.4 Conclusions Annex - summary of EU agriculture and rural development policies

3. England - economic and social regeneration, social justice for all and enhancing the value of the countryside Sweden - working for good living conditions and development opportunities for rural areas and rural populations Ireland - ensuring the economic and social well being of rural communities India - five elements of social and economic infrastructure, critical to the quality of life in rural areas, were identified – health, education, drinking water, housing and roads Zambia - bringing about new approaches in the agricultural sector, which are aimed at empowering local communities II.1 A few examples of national rural development policies

4. II.2 Rural development from a sectoral based approach – agriculture Agricultural perspective  developed countries agricultural policy provides less and less stimulus to the viability of the rural economy  but it is important that countries continue to monitor both the share of output provided by agriculture as well as pluriactivity Trends in agriculture in the last 50 years  plummeting employment  skyrocketing productivity

5. II.2 Rural development from a sectoral based approach – agriculture (cont.) The current situation for agriculture and associated issues The farm policy dilemma  viable rural communities may better be assured by comprehensive area ‑ targeted programmes than by traditional agricultural production ‑ linked payments. In other words, a shift from a sectoral to a territorial policy approach

6. II.3 Rural development from a territorial based approach Employment – the driving force of rural development  rurality in itself is not a handicap for job creation Trends for rural regions  rural areas and their economies are very heterogeneous  why do certain rural regions perform better than others? Entrepreneurship and job creation in rural areas

7. II.3 Rural development from a territorial based approach (cont.) Are manufacturing and services now the pillars of rural development?  almost by default, the survival of many rural communities will depend upon maintaining a manufacturing base Merging industry sectors  agriculture and pharmaceuticals  agri-tourism  agri-environment

8. II.3 Rural development from a territorial based approach (cont.) Industrial structures and characteristics of rural and urban economies  A mix of business with respect to size and industrial branch seems to better lay the foundation for a more stable labour market Sectorial mix and territorial dynamics  sectoral mix can restrain economic development, whilst regional specific factors can make a region leading or lagging  important to understand the relationships here

9. II.3 Rural development from a territorial based approach (cont.) Education and employment in rural regions  more than half of the world's population and more than 70 per cent of the world's poor are to be found in rural areas where hunger, illiteracy and low school achievement are common. The role of tourism  it grows faster than total employment, up to 10 times faster than for the labour force as a whole, and is considered an important potential source of employment for many rural areas

10. II.3 Rural development from a territorial based approach (cont.) The importance of communications Rural services standards Objectives and instruments for rural policies  enhancing “competitiveness” of rural regions  shifting to an approach based on strategic investments  shifting from a sectoral to a place ‑ based approach  enhancing business assistance  developing human resources  providing public services

11. II.3 Rural development from a territorial based approach (cont.) New issues in rural policy-making  The need to develop tailor ‑ made regional policies eg the EU LEADER initiative  co ‑ operation at regional and local levels usually through partnerships  interactions with adjacent areas The role of information and communication technology for rural development  the Zambia Community Radio Project is reaching out to thousands of villagers, passing on life- saving information and motivational stories

12. II.3 Rural development from a territorial based approach (cont.) Rural policies in the European Union  total Community spending on rural development has been increasing and now exceeds €6 billion  CAP reform means: single farm payment for EU farmers, linked to the respect of environmental, food safety, animal and plant health and welfare standards the requirement to keep farmland in good agricultural and environmental condition. strengthened rural development policy reduction in direct payments for bigger farms to finance new rural development policy.

13. II.4Conclusions the shift from a sectorial to a territorial policy approach the increased use of partnerships between public, private and voluntary sectors regional policies play an important role but need to understand and be sensitive to the differences between urban and rural areas within the region agriculture continues to play an important role in rural economies