Transfer of Rural Development Programme for England delivery from the RDAs to Defra

On 1 July 2011 responsibility for the delivery of the socio-economic elements of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) – which comprises support for farming and forestry competitiveness, diversification of the rural economy and rural quality of life under Axis 1 and 3 of the RDPE and for management of community-led Leader approach - transferred from the eight Regional Development Agencies to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Further information about these changes – including the new office locations and contact details - is available on the Defra website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/rdpe/