Activities of Bronis ROPĖ related to 2021/2254(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on a long-term vision for the EU's rural areas – Towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040
Amendments (21)
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that policies and actions at EU level combined with national and regional ones are key to securing the prosperity and well-being of rural European citizens, as well as tackling the challenges they face, namely population decline and ageing, fewer quality job opportunities, a lack of access to high- quality services of general interest, climate and environmental pressures, lower connectivity and limited access to technologies and innovation;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights the central role rural areas can play in addressing societal challenges, by providing ecosystem services to mitigate climate change and environmental deterioration, ensuring sustainable and organic food production, preserving rural heritage, and contributing to a just, green and digital transition;
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that rural areas are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of crisis, such as the climate crisis, the COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine but are also capable of offering new opportunities in response to such crisis;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Regrets the fact that only 11% of European farmers are under 40 years old. and that half of the farmers currently working will retire in the next 10 years; notes that current European policies have not helped to address the aging of workers at the rural areas; stresses the need to take measures to involve older people in local economic development by facilitating access to public services in order to improve their quality of life; recognizes the potential of older people to become a driving force for a viable senior economy in rural areas, based on social innovation, inclusive rural communities and a healthier living environment;
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Recalls that climate change will put increasing pressure on the regions and rural areas; notes the IPCC 2022 the report's findings that global warming is leading to a gradual deterioration of soil conditions and ecosystem services, such as pollination, increased pressure from pests and diseases and reduced biomass of marine life, which is detrimental to fertility in most terrestrial and oceanic regions; Welcomes the IPCC's recommendations for adapting to climate change by promoting agro-ecological principles and practices, agroforestry, community adaptation to climate change, ecosystem-based fisheries and aquaculture, and other approaches that are compatible with natural processes and contribute to food security, nutrition, health and welfare;
Amendment 166 #
8. Agrees on the need for a common, EU-wide, functionaltypology of different definitions of rural areas, and urges the Commission to quickly develop and operationalise such a definitions;
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Underlines that the European Green Dealecological transition in food production could be a win-win-win situation for primary producers, the environment, and society as a whole; highlights that, in consequence, the European Green Deal, and in particular the Farm to Fork strategy, can open up new opportunities in rural areas and a new dynamic for a more resilient future, while ensuring a just and inclusive transition;
Amendment 241 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Notes that a fair, not discriminatory distribution of direct payment is needed in order to ensure the balanced development of regions and rural areas; recalls that the European Council decision of 24-25 October 2002, stating that the CAP payments in the “new Member States” should reach the level of direct payments then applicable in the European Union by 2013, has still not been implemented fully; Calls on the Commission and the member states to complete this so-called convergence;
Amendment 258 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Emphasizes that inequalities in access to land, direct payments and support, both between and within EU countries, are among the issues that need to be addressed in order to halt regional decline, allow older people to retire out of agriculture in good conditions and encourage young people to start farming and to contribute to development of rural areas;
Amendment 285 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Regrets that the work of rural women is still not properly recognised and that women are still suffering disproportionately from the specific challenges in rural areas; calls on the Commission and the Member States to take action to design and implement measures to fight gender gaps; notes the crucial need for providing women entrepreneurs in rural areas with an enabling environment, including legal and political considerations, leading to greater access to information, knowledge and skills, as well as facilitating access to financial resources, leading to the creation of more jobs in rural areas;
Amendment 311 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Highlights the central role of rural areas in the transition to a low-carbon economy-neutral economy of the EU by 2040 at the latest; stresses that initiatives in rural areas, such as renewable energy infrastructure, must contribute effectively to the economic and social vitality of such areas;
Amendment 370 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Notes the growing need for highly qualified young professionals in the regions, and draws attention to the importance of taking all necessary measures to encourage young people to study agricultural professions, as well as to facilitate the transfer of knowledge from older people to the younger generation;
Amendment 377 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Notes that an effective, green mobility system is one of the prerequisites for regional economic development, territorial cohesion and the development of regional potential; highlights that it is therefore necessary to provide the appropriate funding for the development and maintenance of transport links;
Amendment 381 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
Paragraph 20 c (new)
20c. Highlights the central role played by Community Led Local Development initiatives in keeping and restoring living and thriving local rural economies, and the need to keep a sufficient level of funding for LEADER; Calls on the Member states to make full use of LEADER's capacities;
Amendment 383 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 d (new)
Paragraph 20 d (new)
20d. Stresses the lack of rural policies, which would aim to build an innovation eco-system to support knowledge creation and technological diffusion; calls on the Commission and Member States to provide sufficient investment in skills and ICT infrastructure, facilitating access for entrepreneurs and SMEs, and supporting local supply chain development linked with industries;
Amendment 384 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 e (new)
Paragraph 20 e (new)
20e. Notes that rural communities are still faced with challenges related to access to basic services, economic opportunities and some degree of incoherence with regard to planning related to rural-urban divide; stresses that investments in environmental protection, rural infrastructure and in rural health and education are critical to sustainable rural development; calls on the Commission and member states to establish minimum welfare criteria that should be ensured in relation to the population of a certain area;
Amendment 479 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Recalls that the future of rural areas is of paramount importance for Europe’s food security and food autonomy, as the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have clearly demonstrated; highlights notably the importance of the re-localisation of food and feed production and processing, notably of plant proteins;
Amendment 484 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Recalls that one of the main objectives of the CAP is to provide income stability to farmers and support for the maintenance and creation of jobs at rural areas; finds that in less developed rural areas, contrary to its main objectives, the CAP is primarily supporting big landowners, with less support going to smaller farmers working the land; calls on the Commission and Member states to redistribute support from the CAP in order to ensure adequate living conditions for small and family farms;
Amendment 487 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)
Paragraph 30 b (new)
Amendment 488 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 c (new)
Paragraph 30 c (new)
30c. Recalls that Article 174 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which deals with economic, social and territorial cohesion, requires for priority to be given to rural areas; notes, however, that the allocation of cohesion funds underestimates rural areas and their specific needs; calls therefore on the Commission to consider setting up a separate fund using Cohesion money to provide exclusive support for projects in rural areas, leaving the decision on investment to local authorities;
Amendment 489 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 d (new)
Paragraph 30 d (new)
30d. Notes that access to land is one of the key factors for development of certain rural areas; calls on Member States to facilitate buying and leasing of farmland by young farmers; in this objective, calls for farmland to be given special protection with a view to allowing the Member States, in coordination with local authorities and farmers' organisations, to regulate the sale, use and lease of agricultural land;