De Rli is het strategische adviescollege voor regering en parlement op het brede domein van de fysieke leefomgeving
The RLG aims to provide sound and concise advice on medium- and long-term strategic issues that tie in with the policy agenda. Independent advice opens up new perspectives to policy-makers and provides an impetus to social discussions and the public debate.
The council’s terms of reference read:
The European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP) merits acceptance, support
and further development.
The European seas and oceans, the North and Wadden Sea included, are harbouring an enormous economical and ecological potential. At the same time it is justified to state that pressures on the seas due to human activities are strong and growing stronger. The European Commission is set on developing a European Maritime Policy through which the potential of the European oceans and seas will be optimised. This policy should balance the economical, social and sustainable aspects.
With this advice, the Council anticipates on a more comprehensive advice on the EU agricultural policy, which is placed on the agenda for the second half of this year. That advice will elaborate on aspects of implementation of the reforms, and will take a look into the future of CAP after 2013.
This advice is intended to specify what minimum requirements are necessary to avoid sliding back into a policy level that can no longer be called 'reliable'. In the Council's opinion, this can only be realised by pursuing a balanced policy as a result of which the diversity of species and ecosystems - the pre-eminent quality indicator for our rural area - is supported. This is the reason why the Council on several occasions declared itself openly in favour of prioritising the implementation of the National Ecological Network. This policy must remain intact.