Document ID: 32009D0061

COUNCIL DECISION
of 19 January 2009
amending Decision 2006/144/EC on the Community strategic guidelines for rural development (programming period 2007 to 2013)
(2009/61/EC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 37 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament (1),
Whereas:
(1)
The Council adopted the Community strategic guidelines for rural development (programming period 2007 to 2013) by Decision 2006/144/EC (2) (hereinafter referred to as ‘Community strategic guidelines’).
(2)
Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 of 20 September 2005 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) (3) provides that, with a view to taking account of major changes in the Community priorities, the Community strategic guidelines may be subject to review.
(3)
In the assessment of the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy reform of 2003, climate change, renewable energies, water management, biodiversity and dairy restructuring were identified as crucial new challenges for European agriculture. The objectives related to these priorities should be strengthened in the rural development programmes approved in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005.
(4)
The Community strategic guidelines should identify those areas that are important for the implementation of the revised Community priorities related to climate change, renewable energies, water management, biodiversity and dairy restructuring.
(5)
The effectiveness of the operations related to the priorities related to climate change, renewable energies, water management and biodiversity should be increased by innovation. In this context, providing support for innovation can in particular contribute to the objectives by developing new technologies, products and processes.
(6)
On the basis of the review of the Community strategic guidelines, each Member State should revise its national strategy plan as the reference framework for the revision of rural development programmes.
(7)
Decision 2006/144/EC should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Sole Article
Decision 2006/144/EC shall be amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision.
Done at Brussels, 19 January 2009.

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