The European Union should improve small agricultural holdings, allowing more funding and boosting the competitiveness and profitability of small farms across Europe. Agriculture committee therefore called in a recent non-binding resolution “for appropriate solutions and development models”, focusing not only on support for traditional rural activities, but also on alternative income for peasants unable to run the farming business relying only on plantations and cattle. Member States and regions should make the best use of all the available policies, such as the Common agricultural policy and the European social fund, the resolution stated. It will be fundamental to facilitate access to public services and technical infrastructure in rural areas, to create new jobs and curb depopulation.
The Agricultural committee, an Eu communication quoted, «therefore called on member States to make the best of available Eu funding on promotion, development of infrastructure, including educational and childcare facilities and access to high-speed internet, and the establishment and development of rural small and medium enterprises». Furthermore, member States shall secure financial instruments such as microcredits, subsidized interest rates on loans, financial leasing, first installment repayments or credit guarantees; regional and local authorities should be more involved in providing such support to small farmers.
The Agriculture committee also called for actions to increase direct sales, for example of traditional products, on local and regional markets, which would enable consumers to get hold of cheap, healthy and high-quality farm produce. The adopted text suggested also reducing the complexity of bureaucracy through technical assistance, as well as simplification of procedures for those applying for Eu funds. For instance, small farmers should be allowed to submit multiannual applications for direct payments, which would be updated only if changes occur. The resolution adopted in the Agriculture committee by 22 votes in favor, two against and four abstentions, will now be tabled for the plenary vote, which could take place during the Parliament’s first February session (3 – 6 February 2014) in Strasbourg.
