13.11.2008
According to the follow-up assessment of Estonian Rural Development Plan for the period 2004 - 2006, conducted by the auditing and consultation cmpany Ernst and Young, the goals of the development plan have been achieved. According to the auditors, support has fulfilled the targets set for them: the livelihood of agricultural producers has increased significantly, also, producers are more interested in sustainable environmental usage.
Märt Loite, a senior consultant in Ernst and Young, said: "Although we see that the economic situation of producers, as well as awareness in the environment has improved significantly thanks to the implementation of development plans, in the future, more attention should be targeted to increasing the awareness of producers in specific environmental questions."
According to the Minister of Agriculture, Helir-Valdor Seeder, many proposals have been taken account already in the new development plan for the period 2007 - 2013. "During the current period we have given producers a lot more specific trainings, also, in cooperation with ARIB, we are trying to be more flexible in processing and controlling applications," explained Seeder.
The main goals of Estonian Rural Development Plan 2004 - 2006 was to turn agricultural production more environmental friendly and improve the sustainability of small producers and producers in less favoured areas. More information: http://www.agri.ee/mak.
Assesment results can be found on the webpage of the Ministry of Agriculture: http://www.agri.ee/index.php?id=32744.
Additional information:
Märt Loite
Senior consultant
Ernst & Young Baltic AS
Phone: 611 4646
E-mail: Mart dot Loite at ee dot ey dot com Mart dot Loite at ee dot ey dot com [email protected]
Margus Palu
Public Affairs Department
Ministry of Agriculture
Phone: 6256 524, 52 007 81
E- mail: margus dot palu at agri dot ee margus dot palu at agri dot ee [email protected]