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To speed up the implementation of the 20/20/20 objectives for 2020, by supporting the deployment of innovative technologies in the field of coal and renewable energy, two major indigenous resources.

The Community promoted gas and electricity infrastructure projects having the highest Community added value and contributing to the following objectives: (...) (d) the connection and integration of renewable energy resources; (...)

To help create high-performing and environmentally-sustainable interconnected networks across Europe, thereby contributing to economic growth and social and territorial cohesion within the Union

Such investments in infrastructure are also instrumental in allowing the EU to meet its sustainable growth objectives outlined in the Europe 2020 Strategy and the EU's "20-20-20" objectives in the area of energy policy and climate action.

During the period under review of this notification the implementation of the 2008 Health Check reform was completed. Further, in 2014 the implementation of the 2013 Reform started for market intervention measures and Rural Development, whereas the new Direct Payments system will be implemented starting with the 2015 budget year.

Following the Health Check, a large majority of direct support is now decoupled while cross-compliance – conformity with standards concerning environment, food safety, animal and plant health and animal welfare - remains a prerequisite to receive support.

Moreover, Rural Development policy has been further strengthened to allow farmers to face new challenges, such as climate change, renewable energies, water management and biodiversity.

To improve the competitiveness and market orientation of the fruit and vegetable sector, reduce producers' income fluctuations resulting from crises, promote consumption – so contributing to improved public health – and enhance environmental safeguards

To highlight the advantages of the EU products, especially in terms of environmental friendliness of their production, and raise the awareness about the EU system covering organic production

To increase the competitiveness of wine producers

To highlight the advantages of the EU products, especially in terms of environmental friendliness of their production, and raise the awareness about the EU system covering organic production

To promote environmentally and economically sustainable farming

To support agricultural activities that encourage the protection or enhancement of the environment or entail additional agri-environment benefits, for improving the quality and marketing of agricultural products, for practising enhanced animal welfare standards, to address specific disadvantages affecting farmers in the dairy, beef, goat and sheep meat and rice sectors in economically vulnerable or environmentally sensitive areas or for vulnerable types of farming, to support risk management measures such as insurance schemes for adverse climatic events and animal or plant diseases or pest infestation and mutual funds for animal or plant diseases or environmental incident

To contribute to the achievement of the Common Agricultural Policy's objectives while integrating some major policy priorities for competitiveness and sustainable development

Additional information:
The Europe 2020 Strategy, the EU Environmental Action Programme 2020 and the 2020 Climate and Energy Package are just as relevant to the countryside as to the towns and cities. The EU's rural development policy is all about meeting the challenges faced by rural areas, and unlocking their potential.

Theoretically, individual EU Member States could decide and operate completely independent rural development policies. However, this approach would work poorly in practice. Not all countries in the EU would be able to afford the policy which they needed. Moreover, many of the issues addressed through rural development policy do not divide up neatly at national or regional boundaries, but affect people further (for example pollution crosses borders all too easily; and more generally, environmental sustainability has become a European and international concern).

Member States build their 2014-2020 Rural Development Programmes based upon at least four of the six common EU priorities.
1. fostering knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture, forestry and rural areas;
2. enhancing the viability / competitiveness of all types of agriculture, and promoting innovative farm technologies and sustainable forest management;
3. promoting food chain organisation, animal welfare and risk management in agriculture;
4. restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems related to agriculture and forestry;
5. promoting resource efficiency and supporting the shift toward a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy in the agriculture, food and forestry sectors;
6. promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas.