May I thank Mrs Kratsa for all the work she has put into this own initiative report and for her willingness to discuss amendments and form compromises so that we've been able to achieve such a high quality and comprehensive report.
Some very interesting research has already been done in Wales by women's organisations and children's charities which highlight the wider social problems faced by many families living in rural areas - lack of services such as shops, post offices, health services; lack of support for care of children, the elderly and disabled people and lack of access to education and training - even such basic things as health and safety training for women farmers.
This is why I welcome the call for all member states to undertake in-depth studies on women in rural areas as a basis for taking further action.
I am very glad that the Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities Committee has chosen to look into this subject. The discussions in committee and in the public hearing held in March show that the situation of women living in rural areas is of great interest and concern to many people and I hope that the recommendations of this report will be fully implemented.
Jill Evans ASE/MEP
