Brussels discusses distribution of money for rural areas

On May 13 and 14, Maira Dzelzkalēja, Deputy Chairwoman of the Board of the Association “Zemnieku saeima”, led a COPA-COGECA Working Group on Rural Development and participated in the European Commission Advisory Group, which discussed the Rural Development Programs prepared by the Member States.

Maira Dzelzkalēja, Deputy Chairwoman of the Board of the Association "Farmers' Council": "Currently, the Member States are preparing and submitting their Rural Development Programmes for the new programming period. Latvia has already submitted its programme to the European Commission and is awaiting a positive opinion. This will be the main money for modernisation and rural development, which will determine the competitiveness of each country's agricultural sector in the next 7 years. It turns out that some rich countries, such as Austria, have earmarked state co-financing for the programme in the amount of as much as 50%, which far exceeds the fantasies and dreams of Latvian farmers. Such co-financing will significantly increase the competitiveness of the Austrian agricultural sector in relation to other countries. Although Latvia has earmarked more co-financing than the minimum set by the regulation, our state co-financing is significantly lower, so the financial resources entering the sector and the development of the sector will be slower than in many other countries."

Also during the meeting, the implementation rules for knowledge transfer and cooperation activities, or joint work between agricultural scientists, researchers and producers, which is so important and necessary for Latvia, were discussed in more detail, seeking new solutions that would help increase productivity, reduce environmental impact and promote economic development. Maira Dzelzkalėja admitted after the meeting: “We have high hopes that the event will help develop the neglected science of agriculture.”

The organization "COPA" was founded in 1958 and unites farmers' organizations from all the member states of the European Union. In turn, "COGECA" was founded in 1959 and represents the interests of cooperatives. Since 1962, the two organizations have merged their offices and jointly represent the interests of European farmers and cooperatives.