Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the performance of the rural economy compared to that of other countries in Europe.

The rural economy makes a substantial contribution to England’s economy, and the government recognises that rural areas offer significant potential to support economic growth. Rural areas and the rural economy vary greatly across Europe, and it is difficult to make direct comparisons with other countries.

Defra has a team dedicated to developing the evidence base on rural areas. It publishes the Statistical Digest for Rural England to provide up-to-date analysis across a wide range of subjects including a Rural Economic Bulletin. At present this evidence base does not make any direct comparison between England and other countries in Europe.

Defra also routinely conducts research on the rural economy and is in regular contact with academic specialists in this field. This has included the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) who support collaboration between their member countries to address rural challenges.