JOINT STATEMENT ON "EUROPE'S LIVING LANDSCAPES: CULTURAL HERITAGE AS A FORCE FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT

jun 24

Following the Round Table discussion organised by Europa Nostra on 25 March in its Brussels office on the future reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and its effect on Europe’s natural and cultural heritage in which 17 experts took part, a joint statement on the CAP entitled “Europe’s living landscapes: Cultural heritage as a force for rural development”, was prepared by Stephen Trow (Chair EAA/EAC Joint Working Group on Agriculture and Head of National Rural and Environmental Advice, English Heritage) in cooperation with other participants of this meeting.

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The document has been endorsed (to date) by Europae Archaeologiae Consilium, Europa Nostra, the European Association of Archaeologists, the European Council for the Village and Small Town (ECOVAST), the European Federation of Farm and Village Tourism (Eurogites), the European Landowner’s Organisation, the International Association Rurality-Environment-Development (R.E.D.) and the Rural Investment Support for Europe (RISE) Foundation. 

This statement gives 8 key messages and stresses that the CAP is a fundamentally important instrument in terms of the diversity and attractiveness of Europe’s landscapes and the conservation, public enjoyment and sustainable re-use of its cultural (as well as its natural) heritage. Reform of the CAP has led to important initiatives to protect some aspects of landscape and cultural heritage and to deliver enhancements, particularly through Axis 2, 3 and 4 of the second pillar. Nevertheless, Europe’s distinctive landscapes, archaeology, traditional buildings and other historic features are still in decline and require continuing policy intervention and support.

We believe that this is a matter of vital interest to rural communities within Europe because the quality of their local heritage and landscape promotes their sense of identity, enhances social cohesion and provides a cornerstone of their prosperity, not least through tourism. It is imperative, therefore, that the next round of CAP reform recognises the European landscape and cultural heritage as a key public good, alongside biodiversity, food security and the need to respond to a changing climate.

93% of respondents to the recent Special Eurobarometer “Europeans, Agriculture and the Common Agricultural Policy” indicated that they want the CAP to “preserve the countryside” and 89% want it to “develop the economy in rural areas”. We believe that the active stewardship of Europe’s diverse historic landscapes and the conservation and adaptive re-use of its rural cultural heritage can make a fundamental contribution to both of these public ambitions.

We strongly encourage our members to endorse this statement and to spread it as widely as possible at local, regional, national and European level.

For more information, please contact Louise van Rijckevorsel, European Affairs: lvr[at]europanostra[dot]org