Rural development policy 2014-2020

Relevance to water management

Mike MackenzieDG AGRI H1 – Consistency of rural development

4th European Water ConferenceBrussels, 24 March 2015

Most relevant rural development priorities

(4B) Improving water management, including fertiliser and pesticide management

(5A) Increasing efficiency in water use by agriculture

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Relevant types of measure (examples)

• Investments• Investments in physical assets (Art. 17 of Reg. 1305/2013)

• Area-related measures• Agri-environment-climate (Art. 28)

• Water Framework Directive payments (Art. 30)

• Training / advice• Knowledge transfer & information actions (Art. 14)

• Joint activity, experimental development• Co-operation (Art. 35)

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Investments in irrigation – Art. 46 RDR

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Investments in irrigation (2)

Improvements to existing equipment / infrastructure:

• Minimum "potential water saving" required (gain in water efficiency)

• Real reduction in water use required if investment affects water body without good status

Investments in net increase of irrigated area:• Environmental analysis required

• In principle, no support possible (with exceptions) if investment affects water body without good status

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Further information

http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/rural-development-2014-2020/index_en.htm

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