Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE)

RDPE is part of a European Agricultural Programme and will run from 2007 -2013. The Programme was agreed by the EU Rural Development Committee on 6 December 2007.

There are four parts to the programme termed ‘axes':

Axis I: To improve the competitiveness of farming and the forestry sectors (10% of programme);
Axis II: To improve the environment and countryside (80%);
Axis III: To improve rural quality of life and diversification of the rural economy (10%);
Axis IV: A cross cutting ‘principle’ that brings a minimum of 5% of the programme through local delivery (see below).

RDAs are responsible for Axes I and III and in effect for Axis IV. Axis II will be delivered by Natural England and the Forestry Commission, mainly through agri-environment funds and environment grants.

The total value of the RDPE programme in the Northwest is approx £400m. The NWDA is responsible for £74.92m.

Delivery of the Programme in the Northwest

Delivery is set within the framework of a Regional Implementation Plan (RIP) developed in partnership with the GONW, Natural England and the Forestry Commission. The RIP embraces the whole of the RDPE Programme, including Axis II.

The Northwest Regional Implementation Plan has 4 thematic areas:

• Making farming and forestry more competitive and sustainable
• Enhancing the environment and countryside
• Enhancing opportunities in rural areas
• Skills, knowledge transfer and capacity building

RDPE Implementation Plan for England's Northwest 2007 – 2013

Read the DEFRA Q & A website about RDPE

RDPE in the Northwest Event - 16th July 2008
Presentations and the summary document from the event are available to download below.

RDPE in the Northwest - Summary Document

Presentation

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