Les performances economiques des exploitations agricoles en zones defavorisees dans la CEE

Mountainous and less-favoured areas account for more than half the agricultural land of the Community, but only a third of potential production. Agricultural incomes are half those in other regions, because of size difference and less capacity to incorporate more production factors. Subsidies help to balance the situation, especially the compensatory allowances granted through the structural policy, but real parity is not achieved. Where possible, farmers supplement their income by non-agricultural activities. Over and above production, these farms play an important role which now seems to be gaining recognition in environmental protection and maintenance of the countryside.