Activities of Alessandro PANZA related to 2021/2254(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on a long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas – towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040
Amendments (14)
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomNotes the Commission’'s presentation of its long-term vision for rural areas;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Is disappointed that the Commission has not taken advantage of the opportunities presented in the post- pandemic period to expand its vision. The COVID-19 crisis has shown EU citizens to have a 'desire for the countryside' as they realise that rural areas provide some of the answers to the current crisis, which has highlighted the opportunities such areas can offer, including via teleworking;
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Points out that rural regions in the EU face a number of challenges, such as an ageing population, which has led to a decline in the number of people of working age, a weak labour market, a lack of infrastructure and services, a poorly diversified economy, low incomes coupled with a relatively high risk of poverty and social exclusion, the abandonment of farmland, a lack of educational facilities, a high school drop- out rate and the digital divide;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Also points out that the demographic challenge faced by the rural population is particularly acute among the EU's farming population. The majority of farmers are over 55 years old, while there are fewer and fewer young farmers, which has created a problem of generational renewal in agriculture. Calls on the Commission, since farmers play a vital role not only in producing food for EU citizens but also in keeping rural areas alive, to develop strategies in their regard;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Stresses that despite these problems, rural areas offer good opportunities and their diversity is a major resource for the EU. They provide food and environmental resources and can contribute to the fight against climate change, providing alternatives to fossil fuels and developing the circular economy. In addition, these areas could play a key role in ensuring a balanced distribution of the population, thus preventing the overcrowding of cities;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that EU cohesion policy, which seeks to promote the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the Union, is vitally important to rural areas, and especially those which are economically and socially depressed, acknowledges the important role of agriculture and involves all levels of governance;
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for a strong rural dimension to be included in future cohesion policy regulations, which should includeprovide for dedicated funding to that end; suggests that 30 % of the European Regional Development Fund and Cohesion Fund should be earmarked for rural areas, in addition to other beneficial investments for rural areas, particularly those encompassing more than one region;
Amendment 50 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines the fact that the main objective of the long-term vision shouldmust be to fight depopulation, ageing and rural abandonment, including through investment in infrastructure and the provision of services, economic diversification, job creation and innovative mobility solutions;
Amendment 61 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the importance of smart specialisation strategies for the future of rural areas, with particular regard to young people and to innovation, knowledge sharing and cooperation, including the Start-up Village Forum, with the aim of bridging the digital divide between the regions of the EU;
Amendment 68 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Stresses also the importance of the concept of ‘smart villages’, which is gaining ground as part of the rural development agenda. Smart villages are communities located in rural areas that harness innovative solutions based around the strengths of these areas and the opportunities they offer. They focus on a participatory approach when developing and implementing a strategy to improve their economic, social and environmental conditions, in particular by mobilising solutions offered by digital technologies;
Amendment 75 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Highlights the opportunities that the green transition and green economy can provide in increasing rural resilience to natural disasters, climate change and economic crises, while constantly bearing in mind specific local conditions and requirements;
Amendment 88 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Believes that connections between rural and urban areas must be addressed in a complementary manner in order to implement rural strategies and action plans accordingly; underlines the importance of partnerships across rural areas and remote areas in particular; emphasises the importance of fighting the digital divide between urban and rural areas, especially as regards high-speed broadband connectivity and the promotion of digital skills, especially between young people and the productive sectors of the economy and society in remote areas;
Amendment 101 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Highlights the diversity of rural areas and the crucial importance of tailor- made territorial approaches in implementing the long-term vision, primarily in less developed, remote, mountain, island, coastal and outermost regions.
Amendment 110 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Considers that programmes financed and coordinated by the European Union to promote and develop rural areas must in no way obstruct the growth of those areas themselves or detract from the diverse local characteristics of such areas across the Union.