Sustainable agricultural and rural development in the European Union

Abstract

The agricultural and rural development are issues of great significance in the European Union, which is not surprising considering the fact that around 90% of the EU territory are intermediate and predominantly rural regions. Therefore, the sustainable agriculture and development of these areas are the main priorities of the member states’ Common Agricultural Policy. Adopting measures and practices that will contribute to the productivity growth, while meeting the needs of society and preserving the environment, is an imperative. In order to monitor the effects of implemented measures and to respond properly to the changes, a comprehensive set of indicators has been developed, covering all three dimensions of sustainable agricultural and rural development: economic, social and environmental. They provide a solid information base for defining policies and appropriate strategies, adapted to the characteristics and requirements of a particular area.