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Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007 - 2013

The guiding principle behind EU rural development policy is to combine strong economic performance with sustainable use of natural resources. The European Rural Development Regulation (RDR) (1698/2005) comes into force in January 2007 and relates to the EU programming period 2007 to 2013.

The policy objectives of the RDR aim to improve the competitiveness of farming and forestry, to enhance the environment and countryside through support for land management, to improve the quality of life in rural areas and encourage diversification of the rural economy.

Each Member State is required to develop its own Rural Development Programme, ensuring it aligns with other EU programmes, eg: Structural Fund and Fisheries Fund programmes; and that most efficient use is made of domestic spending, in tandem with the funding through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), otherwise known as Pillar 2 of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The Scottish Executive launched a consultation on the Strategic Plan for Scotland in February 2006, followed by a second consultation on the implementing programme, the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP), in March 2006.

The SRDP is being developed to align with other Scottish Executive policies, as it is recognised that rural development cannot be considered in isolation from national priorities. The Programme will link to strategies for sustainable development, agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, climate change, water quality and economic strategies such as Smart Successful Scotland and the Framework for Economic Development in Scotland.

Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee approved the Council’s response to the Strategic Plan for Rural Development in March 2006, which set out the key strategic priorities, themes and outcomes for the programming period 2007-2013. Infrastructure Services Committee subsequently approved the Council’s response to the SRDP consultation in June 2006.

Councillor Alison McInnes, Chair of Infrastructure Services Committee said:

“The Council regards the forthcoming Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) as a valuable opportunity for rural Scotland and fully supports the strategic context and guiding principles of combining strong economic performance with sustainable use of natural resources, the foundation blocks on which the SRDP is based.

“The Council recognises the many challenges in developing an integrated programme, which will meet the aspirations of rural businesses, communities and land managers, against a backdrop of budget constraints. It is therefore important that the programme is developed in a targeted manner that gives due cognisance to the many factors that contribute towards sustainable rural economies, while aligning these with national strategies.

“In an expanded Europe, agricultural and rural communities in Scotland are exposed to issues of peripherality in terms of access to the world market place. It is therefore welcome to note that the Strategic Plan for Scotland seeks to underpin performance and quality in the agriculture, food processing and forestry sectors, which will contribute to the competitiveness of these sectors.

“While the Council fully supports the principles of enhancing rural landscapes and the natural heritage, the Council cannot lose sight of the strategic objectives of promoting more diverse rural economies and thriving rural communities. The Council has concerns that rural and community economic elements in the programme may be overshadowed, as result of existing and future commitments towards environmental objectives.

“In Aberdeenshire, we have a highly successful rural partnership structure, where local rural partnerships stimulate and deliver rural economic support to communities in a fully integrated cost-efficient system. The Council is keen to explore opportunities to build upon the success of these rural partnerships, consolidating their actions and activities. The Council seeks assurance from the Executive that future Scottish Rural Partnership funds will be targeted at such initiatives. The Council also wishes to explore with the Executive options to develop LEADER programmes across the region, particularly in areas that at present do not have past experience of the LEADER approach to rural community development.

“Aberdeenshire Council has a well-established record of working in partnership to achieve optimum outcomes be they for social, economic or environmental objectives. The Council looks forward to working with the Executive to ensure that the SRDP can and does deliver for rural Scotland, through identifying regional priorities that recognise the diversity of our rural areas, but dovetail with national strategies and objectives.”

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