A citizens’ initiative called “Protecting the EU’s rural heritage, food security and supply” is launched. It is an action that wants to get more than a million followers so that the European Commission takes it into account.
This European citizens’ initiative asks the EU to:
- Create a proposal to strengthen and preserve regional heritages and industries throughout the EU.
- Promote investment and higher standards of living in rural communities through the development of tourism, education and industry focused on regional heritage throughout the EU, while respecting sustainable production.
- Increase the level of consultation with local and rural representatives on the details of the legalization that affects them.
What is the premise of this initiative?
The EU must respect its rural communities, their heritage and their values. Europe has a proud tradition of supporting its agricultural and rural communities and their way of life. And yet our rural sectors and those who work them face increasing pressure and diminishing incentives to continue, which, if not addressed, will lead to the extinction of some of Europe’s most foundational communities and values. .
For this reason, this Citizens’ Initiative aims, within the competences that the Treaties confer on the EU:
– We ask the EU Commission to create a proposal to strengthen and preserve regional heritages and industries throughout the EU. The proposal should encourage rural growth and promote rural labor practices and activities such as (large-scale family) farming, hunting, horticulture and the production of natural fibers in the textile industry (wool, silk, leather and cotton) that they are in the heart of rural communities.
The proposal needs to take into account and respect the traditional cottage industries that depend on materials of rural origin and the small fringe businesses that serve large farms. The proposal must recognize the safety and supply of food (fertilisers, biogas materials, etc.) and the importance of maintaining a strong regional food supply in Europe.
– Promote investment and higher standards of living in rural communities through the development of tourism, education and industry focused on regional heritage throughout the EU, while respecting sustainable production.
– The inclusion of the promotion of rural heritage and the recognition of food security/supply in the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, providing investment and legislative protection for traditional practices. This would include updating Rural Development Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 or its successor to have a greater emphasis on promoting and investing in local cultural heritage, where it can demonstrate greater use of sustainable production and protection of EU food safety.
– The long-term vision for rural areas in the EU up to 2040, the Rural Pact and the EU Rural Action Plan should be increased in scope to include investment and legislative protection of rural heritage where it can demonstrate greater use of sustainable production and promotion of EU food security and supply.
