Chapter 1. Trends in Agricultural and Rural Development Policies in OECD Countries

摘要

The 1998 OECD Agriculture Ministerial Communique states that: Beyond its primary function of supplying food and fibre, agricultural activity can also shape the landscape, provide environmental benefits such as land conservation, the sustainable management of renewable natural resources and the preservation of biodiversity, and contribute to the socio-economic viability of many rural areas. In many OECD countries, because of this multifunctional character, agriculture plays a particularly important role in the economic life of rural areas.