« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
3 Background to the Consultation on the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007-2013
3.1 Wider context: the EU Rural Development Regulation
The 2007-2013 Scotland Rural Development Programme ( SRDP) Consultation set out proposals for delivering support to rural areas under the new Rural Development Regulation (1698/2005). The Rural Development Regulation ( RDR) provides the EU regulatory framework for supporting rural development between 2007 and 2013 (http://europa.eu.int.comm/agriculture/rur/index_en.htm).
As outlined in the Consultation document on the SRDP, "The new Regulation emphasises the need for a strategic approach to the development of Rural Development Programmes ( RDPs)" (p.2). The aim of the SRDP therefore is to " meet strategic rural priorities in Scotland… combining strong economic performance with sustainable use of natural resources" (p.2). This will be achieved through the priorities set out in Scotland's Strategic Plan for meeting the objectives of the three Axes of the RDR. The three Axes are:
Axis 1: Improving the competitiveness of agriculture and forestry by supporting the priorities of knowledge transfer, modernisation, innovation and quality in the food chain, and on priority sectors for investment in physical and human capital;
Axis 2: Improving the environment and the countryside by supporting land management; and,
Axis 3: Improving the quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification and growth of economic activity.
There is also a fourth Axis that uses the LEADER approach to deliver a locally-driven approach to innovation and development administered by local partnerships.
3.2 Backdrop: recent SEERAD publications and consultations
The strategic context for the 2007-2013 SRDP was set out in the recent consultation paper (February 2006) A Rural Development Programme for Scotland 2007-2013 The Strategic Plan (www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/92748/0022234.pdf): "The paper presents the guiding principles that govern EU support for rural development, and the strategic outcomes and priorities that are desired in Scotland". This was the first of a two-stage consultation process for the 2007-2013 SRDP (the latter being on the Programme itself) and closed in March 2006.
A range of strategic documents set out the context for designing and delivering the 2007-2013 SRDP. Two of these documents are reported here. First is the recently-published (March 2006) A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture: Next Steps (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/94965/0022832.pdf) which:
"emphasises the importance of Scottish agriculture contributing fully towards vibrant rural communities and stronger rural economies through sustainable diversification and continued engagement with the broad spectrum of local communities. It identifies 22 specific actions relating to food production and marketing, rural development, environment and communications" ( SRDP, p.3.)
Second, a public consultation was launched in March 2006 on the revised Scottish Forestry Strategy ( www.forestry.gov.uk/sfs) "which emphasises the central role of forests and woodlands in our culture, environment and economy" ( SRDP, p.3)
The SRDP Consultation document states that: "Where appropriate, actions from these strategies will be promoted through the SRDP" (p.3)
The purpose of this consultation is outlined in the SRDP Consultation document (paragraph 1):
"This consultation paper invites your views on the content of the 2007-2013 SRDP. The SRDP will set Ministers' goals for sustainable rural development and the types of support that will be available to help achieve these goals over the next 7 years using European Union funds…" (p.1)
Finally, it is important to note that the aim of this report is to set out factually the content of the responses to the consultation on the 2007-2013 SRDP.
« Previous | Contents | Next »