In rural mountain, the fate of peasants and their know-how is an economic, social and environmental issue. This problem arises even more crucial in rural countries of the East, such as Romania and its neighbors.

Despite the large share of agriculture in the Romanian economy (15% of GDP, 40% of the population), the sector is the "Achilles heel" of Romania and many countries in Eastern Europe . Indeed, the redistribution of farmland under the communist regime led to a fragmentation of rural land in small parcels whose operation is not economically viable. Moreover, outdated equipment and practices is an obstacle to productivity facing competition from major agricultural countries, and leads to impoverishment of peasants and rural exodus. The incompatibility with the current high demands Community (up to standards, food safety, consumer protection, etc.) imposes an upgrade of the sector that could - without accompaniment - be very costly in terms of social and environment.

Given the expected changes of a rural based mainly on small family farms (more than two-thirds of semi-subsistence farmers), the experience of other European countries is a valuable support in the process of agricultural modernization in the new entrants from the East. They need to prepare the reform of the CAP 2013 ( "produce to feed, nurture healthy, draw the contours of a harmonious countryside, manage the territories").

It is important to recognize the value of mountain communities who wish to continue to develop their productive activities. It is urgent to establish appropriate policies and innovative solutions to help them to diversify their economies and to manage their environmental and cultural resources. Genuine cooperation between East and West would accompany these changes and prepare for the 2013 CAP associating in this approach actors of the most sensitive territories, which are the first affected by the requirements of balance and sustainability of the future agricultural policy .

Founding Document:

Charter for the World Mountain Population (PDF)(FR)(23K)

Relations with other actors:

FPH, Romanian Ministry of Agriculture

Elements of schedule:

At the end of 2008 - the beginning of 2009