Agriculture and rural development

Agricultural and rural development in Belgium are of the responsibility of both the federal and regional governments, with most competences now lying with the regions.

The reformed Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union provides the legislative basis. It targets agricultural production methods compatible with environmental protection.

The Flemish Rural Development Program aims at sustainable and integrated rural development in Flanders. It is complemented by the Flemish Action Plan on Bio-Agriculture, the Flemish Decree on the Reduction of Livestock, the Flemish Action Plan on Sustainable Glasshouse Horticulture, the Manure Decree and the Flemish programme for rural development 2007-2013. A Decree aimed at establishing the legal basis needed to implement different measures concerning sustainable agriculture is being prepared.

Wallonia has developed a Rural Development Plan (with agri-environmental measures) for the period 2007-2013.