This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Rural development consultation
04/04/2006
Further proposals to promote a more diverse rural economy were published today with the second phase of a consultation programme.
The first part of the consultation sought agreement on areas of action to be taken in rural communities such as quality in agriculture, food and forestry, enhancing rural landscapes and natural heritage and promoting a more diverse rural economy.
The second phase seeks views on how money should be spent in rural areas and invites all those with an interest in rural Scotland to take part.
Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie said:
"Implementing a Rural Development Plan will require a joined up approach in which local communities and government are working together.
"Now is the time for all those with an interest in rural Scotland to make their voices heard and to outline how they would like to see funding invested in their own areas."
The Strategy will guide the use of European Union (EU) funds and other resources for rural development in the 2007-13 Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP). The Strategy will form part of a UK National Strategy Plan which must be submitted to the European Commission (EC) prior to submission of the 2007-13 SRDP in summer 2006.
The budget for Rural Development for 2007-2013 is not yet known and will not be known until decisions are made in Europe about the allocation of resources to Member States.