28. 6. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 158/11 
Proposal for a Council Decision on the setting up of a model scheme for information on rural 
development initatives and agricultural markets (Miriam) 
COM(90) 230 final 
(Submitted by the Commission on 14 June 1990) 
(90/C 158/10) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 43 
thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal of the Commission, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European 
Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee, 
Whereas the lack of rapid systematic information is a 
major obstacle to rural development; 
Whereas, since more information is needed to promote 
rural development, a greater effort should be made to 
provide information in rural areas, including information 
on agricultural markets and on quality standards for 
agricultural products, and practical advice on diversifi­
cation on or off the farm; 
Whereas improving information channels on the 
common agricultural policy may enhance the economic 
and social cohesion of the Community; 
Whereas the Commission has transmitted to the Council 
and the European Parliament a communication on the 
future of rural society; whereas this communication 
envisages the setting up of visible structures ('carrefours') 
to provide information on and promote rural devel­
opment; 
Whereas pilot 'carrefours' for information on and the 
promotion of rural development have been set up in the 
Community with a view to rapidly collecting background 
data for the possible extension of the system at a later 
date; 
Whereas, on the basis of the experience already 
acquired, a sufficiently extensive network of 'carrefours' 
should be gradually set up throughout the European 
countryside from 1990 onwards, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 
Article 1 
In order to improve the flow of information in the rural 
areas of the Community, rural development information 
and promotion centres ('carrefours') shall be set up in 
host organizations. Their precise relationship with the 
network of Euro Info Centres will be decided at a later 
date, the operative framework being provided by a 
model scheme for information on rural development 
initiatives and agricultural markets (Miriam). 
Article 2 
'Carrefours' set up in rural areas of the Community will 
have the following main objectives: 
— the dissemination of information on Community 
measures taken under the common agricultural policy 
as well as those taken under other Community 
policies and aimed at furthering the adaptation of 
agriculture and rural development, 
— the provision of information on agricultural markets 
and quality standards, 
— the provision of practical advice on the diversification 
of farmers' incomes and the creation of other forms 
of enterprise on or off the farm. 
Article 3 
The Community will participate in the costs of instal­
lation and management of the centres by means of a 
flat-rate contribution of ECU 50 000 for the first year 
and ECU 20 000 for each of the two subsequent years of 
functioning of each centre. 
No C 158/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 6. 90 
Article 4 Article 6 
In selecting the host organizations for the 'carrefours', 
the Commission shall endeavour to give priority to 
regions covered by Objectives 1 and 5b of the Structural 
Funds. 
Article 5 
Each year, the Commission shall send an evaluative 
report on the application of this Decision to the 
European Parliament, the Council and the Economic 
and Social Committee. The measures provided for in this Decision shall 
constitute intervention intended to stabilize the agri­
cultural markets within the meaning of Article 3 (1) of 
Council Regulation (EEC) No 729/70 on the financing 
of the common agricultural policy ('). 
Article 7 
This Decision is addressed to Member States. 
O OJ No L 94, 28. 4. 1970, p. 13.