Christian Hundt appointed to the Council of Economic Experts

Federal Minister of Agriculture Alois Rainer has appointed the Expert Council for Rural Development (SRLE) for a fourth term of office. Christian Hundt, Director of the Thünen Institute for Innovation and Value Creation in Rural Areas, is a new member of this expert committee. Over the next three years, he will work with the other members to advise the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH) on rural development policy.

During the inaugural meeting on 10 September, the SRLE elected Petra Bentkämper, President of the German Country Women's Association (Deutscher LandFrauenverband e.V.), as its chair. Dr Hartmut Berndt, Chairman of the Federal Working Group of LEADER Action Groups, took over as Deputy Chair.

The SRLE consists of twelve volunteer experts from local authorities, business, civil society and academia, who have been appointed on the basis of their expertise and practical experience. The SRLE advises the Ministry on issues of rural development, particularly in the areas of demography, public services, social affairs and living conditions, economy, labour and finance, land use, environment and recreation. The experts prepare statements and make recommendations to federal policymakers.