RDPE
Farm Flood Debris Recovery Grant Scheme
Supporting farms directly affected by the November floods.
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The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) is jointly
funded by the Government and the European Agricultural Fund for
Rural Development. It was launched in 2008 and will run until
2013.
Along with Natural England and the Forestry Commission, the NWDA
is responsible for delivering RDPE in the Northwest. RDPE is
investing £374 million in the region, £75 million of which has been
allocated to the NWDA. (The remaining £299 million is being
delivered by Natural England and the Forestry Commission.)
The RDPE covers three delivery axes - Axis 1 and Axis 3 are
delivered by the NWDA. (More information on Axis 2.)
Axis 1: Improving the Competitiveness of the Farming
& Forestry Sector
Axis 1 encourages modernisation and diversification of farm and
forestry businesses including adding value to primary produce. It
highlights the importance of sustainable growth by promoting
efficiency of resource use, such as energy, water and nutrients. It
fosters the development of new markets for products such as
woodfuel and biomass.
Axis 3: Rural Quality of Life & Diversification of the
Rural Economy
Axis 3 encourages entrepreneurial and socio-economic activity,
develops micro-business, and supports rural service provision. It
promotes leadership development, knowledge transfer and innovation,
including climate change and energy innovation. It promotes
improved skill access and employment within the farming, food and
forestry. It also promotes rural tourism and access.
The NWDA’s Livestock Programme has been allocated £18 million of
the £75 million the Agency is delivering. The programme cuts across
Axis 1 and Axis 3.
Funding Delivery
The delivery of Axis 1, Axis 2 and Axis 3 are covered by the
Regional Implementation Plan, which the NWDA developed in
partnership with the GONW, Natural England and the
Forestry Commission. The Regional Implementation Plan drew its
approach from: the Regional
Economic Strategy; Northwest Forest Framework; Natural
England’s Strategic Objectives; and an analysis of the
socio-economic, environmental and sustainability conditions in the
region.
Sub-Regional Partnerships
The Northwest has five rural Sub-Regional
Partnerships:
- Cheshire and Warrington Rural Partnership
- Commission for the New Economy (Manchester)
- Cumbria Partners
- Integrated Countryside & Environment Plan (Merseyside)
- Lancashire Economic Partnership
The rural Sub-Regional Partnerships have prepared five distinct
Sub-Regional Implementation Plans to support the delivery of Axis 1
and Axis 3 in the region. They are also responsible for delivering
£50 million of RDPE funding.
LEADER
The remaining £25 million is being delivered through the LEADER
programme, which offers funding for a wide range of activities,
including: vocational training and skills development; farming and
forestry diversification; environmental stewardship; food
processing; marketing; business start-ups; and tourism
initiatives.
The LEADER programme uses a "bottom-up" approach, allowing local
community groups and key local players to come together to form a
Local Action Group. These groups design and implement packages
which will support businesses, maximise training and skills
development and provide opportunities in their local areas.
Greater Manchester
Merseyside
Lancashire
Cumbria
Cheshire
Direct Delivery
The NWDA directly manages eligible activities that are not being
delivered by Local Action Groups through the LEADER programme.
Expressions of Interest are sought from businesses and eligible
bodies to become involved in direct delivery projects.
Livestock Programme
Livestock Northwest invests in projects that improve the
livestock farming sector and offers capital grants to livestock
farmers. The programme covers three main areas: resource efficiency
and nutrient management; animal health and welfare planning; and
good practice, communication and sharing knowledge and ideas.
Organisations have been appointed to deliver livestock support.
Resource Efficiency & Nutrient
Management
There is funding to deliver 2,200 nutrient plans/resource
efficiency audits. Farmers will be helped to optimise fertiliser
usage and adopt carbon aware approaches.
On farm delivery: Promar - 0870 870 7380
Managed by: SAC Consulting
Animal Health & Welfare Planning
There is funding to support 2000 farms with animal health
planning, including use of a standard software package to allow the
activity to continue after the programme is finished.
On farm delivery: SAC Consulting - 0845 604 0535
(SAC Consulting are working with Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency,
Myerscough College and Reaseheath College)
Supported by: Kite Consultancy with Liverpool Vet School
Good Practice, Communication & Sharing Knowledge
& Ideas
This work involves a range of activities, including: setting up
monitor farms; running demonstration events; supporting farmer
groups; and a dedicated ICT network to act as a channel for the
whole programme and to pass targeted technical information to
advisers and livestock farmers.
Delivery: Myerscough College - 01995 642 206
Supported by: Reaseheath, EBLEX, EFFP and Cumbria Farmer
Network
Performance Grants
To complete the package, livestock farmers can then apply for
specific Performance Grants to help implement the recommendations
from advisors and vets in the technical plans for each
farm.
Delivery: NWDA RDPE team - 01768 861306
General Queries
Email
Adrian Capstick at Myerscough College or phone him on
01995 642 206
Improving the Countryside
Work on improving the countryside is covered by Axis 2 of RDPE.
Natural England and the Forestry Commission are responsible for
delivering Axis 2, which is worth around £299 million, through
agri-environment schemes and environment grants.
The work covered by Axis 2 complements the NWDA’s work on rural
development; the natural
economy and land
regeneration.
Axis 2: Conserving & Enhancing the Environment &
Countryside
- Through the
Environmental Stewardship Scheme, Axis 2
encourages land managers to conserve, enhance and promote the
countryside.
- Through the
Energy Crops Scheme, Axis 2 aims to increase
the amount of energy crops grown in appropriate locations.
- Through the
English Woodland Grant Scheme, Axis 2 aims to
sustain and increase the public benefits from existing woodlands
and create new woodlands that provide public benefits.
Regional Implementation Plan
An analysis of the socio-economic, environmental and
sustainability conditions in the region was carried out with key
regional stakeholders to form the basis for the Regional
Implementation Plan.
The key issues identified were: competitiveness and growth;
climate change & energy; resource protection; sustainable
agriculture; forestry & woodlands; biodiversity, landscape
& heritage; and skills, knowledge transfer & capacity
building.