Rural Development Programme for England 2007-2013

Dr Dominic Rowland

Defra

The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe

investing in rural areas

Structure of Presentation

• Introduction to the Rural Development

Programme for England

• Priorities for funding

• Delivery approach

• Funding for livestock sector (including animal

health and welfare)

Introduction to RDPE

• Pillar II of the Common Agricultural Policy

• Seven year programme 2007-2013

• Jointly funded by Defra and EU (approx

£3.9bn)

• Replaces ERDP 2000-2006

Axis Iimproving

competitiveness of the agriculture and forestry sector

Axis IIimproving the

environment and countryside through land management

Axis IIIimproving quality of

life through diversification of economic activity

Axis IV: LEADER (minimum 5% expenditure)

• 12 measures•Minimum 10%

expenditure•Innovation, knowledge transfer, restructuring,

building capacity

• 10 measures•Minimum 25%

expenditure

•Landscape, biodiversity, Natura

2000, forestry

• 7 measures

•Minimum 10% expenditure

•Diversification, enterprise, heritage,

building capacity

Priorities for funding

RDPE – environmental priorities for funding

• Agri-environment schemes, including Environmental Stewardship (£2.9bn)

Conserve wildlife (biodiversity)

Natural resource protection

Maintain & enhance landscape quality and character

Protect the historic environment

Promote access & understanding of the countryside

Also:

Genetic conservation

Flood management

RDPE – priorities

• English Woodland Grant Scheme (£230m)

• supports the sustainable creation and management of woodland

• Hill Farm Allowance

• provides dedicated support to farmers in upland areas,

recognising the difficulties that farmers face in these regions and

the role they play in maintaining the landscape and rural

communities of the hills

RDPE – socio-economic priorities

• “Axis 1” – farm competitiveness (£300m)o Trainingo Cooperationo adding value to products and improving production techniques

Around £107 million is targeted at the livestock farming sector, to reflect the specific challenges the sector faces

“Axis 3” – broader rural economy and community (£300m)

o Diversification out of agricultureo Sustainable tourismo Rural micro-businesseso Community measures

Delivery approach

Delivery

Agri-environment schemes; Energy Crops Scheme

Woodland support schemes

Social and economic investment; management of the Leader approach

Leader approach

• Bottom up, community led approach to rural development

• Funding through “Local Action Groups” selected at the regional level

• Funding will come from RDAs

• 64 Local Action Groups in all regions of England

Funding for livestock sector (including animal health and welfare)

Livestock package

• Around £107m

• Objectives: Competitiveness Nutrient management Animal health and welfare

• Activities Vocational training Modernisation of agricultural holdings Adding value to agricultural products Cooperation for development of new products, processes and

technologies

Case studies (1)

• Woburn country foods - Collaborative meat cutting and processing facility,

farmers selling and marketing under their own and local generic brands

(£300k)

• Landskills East programme - £4.5m RDPE funding with £600k specifically

allocated for the livestock sector. Vocational and higher level skills learning

• Fenwick’s Catering Butchery (£236K) – localising supply of animals;

introducing new cuts and cures

• Animal health and welfare planning - University of Liverpool and Kite

Consultancy - £700,000 and SAC for on for activity - £2.28million (NWDA)

Case Studies(2)

• Livestock Health South East (£837k over two years) animal health and welfare training provided by a consortium of veterinary practices and others (NFU, EBLEX, BPEX, Dairy Co, ADAS). Managed by the Westpoint Veterinary group.

• Landskills Yorkshire and Humber (£600K pa) managed by Lantra, steered by Industry Advisory Board, including vets. Contracted trainers include:

Landskills Yorkshire and the Humber

• Bishopton Vets: beef

and dairy focus farms,

dairy health workshops,

Yorkshire herdsman

certificate, modules on

issues such as mastitis,

lameness, fertility, and

nutrition.

Landskills Yorkshire and the Humber

• Minster Vets: poultry

training from bio-

security to handling,

housing, environment,

welfare and lab

practical.

Get involved

• Check your Regional Implementation Plan or

RDPE prospectus

• Contact your local Business Link

• Discuss your idea with your Regional

Development Agency

Any questions?

Dominic.c.rowland@defra.gsi.gov.uk