The European Landowners' Organisation (ELO) is a voluntary organisation representing the interests of the owners and managers of rural land, and rural businesses, within the EU.
The organisation was created in 1972, when the United Kingdom was joining the European Economic Community, as a European extension of the British Country Landowners' Association.
Its 54 members form a powerful and efficient network to better understand, explain and influence EU decisions. The ELO works not only to defend specific interests but also to plan a future of balanced development within Europe.
The organisation aims to promote "a prosperous and attractive European countryside", and it lobbies to advance its aims at local, national and European level. It is a member of consultative committees and working groups within the EU, and draws its 54 members from bodies in each of the 25 EU member states and candidate countries.
The ELO's main focus is to ensure that rural areas are developed in a way that balances economic activity with conservation of the rural heritage. It targets seven areas: the environment, agriculture and rural development, forestry, renewable energy, private business, enlargement of the EU, and trade.