DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR INTERNAL POLICIES POLICY DEPARTMENT B: STRUCTURAL AND COHESION POLICIES AGRICULTURE WHAT TOOLS FOR THE EUROPEAN AGRICULTURAL POLICY TO ENCOURAGE THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC GOODS? STUDY This document was requested by the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. AUTHORS Ms Kaley Hart, Mr David Baldock, IEEP Mr Peter Weingarten, Mr Bernhard Osterburg, vTI Mr Andrea Povellato, Mr Francesco Vanni, INEA Mr Corrado Pirzio-Biroli, Ms Alison Boyes, RISE Foundation RESPONSIBLE ADMINISTRATOR Mr Albert Massot Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies European Parliament B-1047 Brussels E-mail:
[email protected] EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE Mrs Catherine Morvan LINGUISTIC VERSIONS Original: EN ABOUT THE EDITOR To contact the Policy Department or to subscribe to its monthly newsletter please write to:
[email protected] Manuscript completed in May 2011. Brussels, © European Parliament, 2011 This document is available on the Internet at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/studies DISCLAIMER The opinions expressed in this document are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Parliament. Reproduction and translation for non-commercial purposes are authorised, provided the source is acknowledged and the publisher is given prior notice and sent a copy. DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR INTERNAL POLICIES POLICY DEPARTMENT B: STRUCTURAL AND COHESION POLICIES AGRICULTURE WHAT TOOLS FOR THE EUROPEAN AGRICULTURAL POLICY TO ENCOURAGE THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC GOODS? STUDY Abstract Agriculture plays an important role in the provision of a wide range of public goods in Europe, particularly regarding the environment and rural vitality. Appropriate policies are required to secure adequate provision in future.