ОСП

Young farmers are the focus of support policies of the Common Agricultural Policy, they will continue to be the focus in the next programming period. This was announced by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Desislava Taneva at the opening of the second National Forum of Young Farmers at the Agricultural University - Plovdiv, organised by the MEP from the European People's Party Vladimir Urutchev.

The European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) launched today a €1 billion loans package targeting specifically young farmers. In 2017, 27% of the loan applications submitted to banks by EU young farmers were rejected, compared to only 9% for other farms.

The €1 billion package announced today by Commissioner for agriculture Phil Hogan and EIB Vice-President Andrew McDowell, aims at increasing access to funding for EU farmers, especially young farmers.

Rural areas make up 44% to 80% of every EU country. These diverse territories play home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, wonderful wildlife and natural environments. They provide food and resources that contribute to jobs, growth and prosperity, and help to maintain cultural heritage. Rural areas are truly at the heart of Europe.