European Union: Commission publishes brief on financial implementation of rural development programmes

The Commission published its latest Agricultural Brief on the financial implementation of rural development funding, which amounted to € 96.3 billion - roughly 20% of the Common Agricultural Policy's (CAP) total budget - between 2007 and 2013.

Rural development funds were split between three axes: 33% for improving the competitiveness of agriculture and forestry ("axis 1"), 45% for the environment and the countryside ("axis 2") and 13% for improving the quality of life in rural areas and encouraging the diversification of economic activity ("axis 3").