Natural England is a new integrated agency, comprising English Nature (EN), the landscape, access and recreational element of the Countryside Agency and the environmental land management functions of the Rural Development Service (RDS), established October 2006.

A new Rural Development Programme for England will replace the ERDP.

RDPE is the mechanism for delivering money allocated to England from the EU and Defra via the European Fund for Rural Development from 2007 until 2013. There is a national budget of £3.9bn, of which approximately £22.5m will be allocated to the agri-environment and other land management schemes in North East England. These schemes will be managed by Natural England and the Forestry Commission.  Around £6.6m each year will be allocated to One North East to deliver the socio-economic elements of the programme in the region. This money will be targeted at making agriculture and forestry more competitive and sustainable, and to enhance opportunity in rural areas.

At least 25% of the socio-economic RDPE funding (around £1.5m per year) will be delivered through the LEADER approach – a great opportunity for community-led development. More information on LEADER .

For more information visit the regional RDPE website at www.rdpenortheast.co.uk/

Farming is still at the heart of rural communities, and shapes the landscapes we value and enjoy, contributing to rural tourism and the promotion of healthy lifestyles through outdoor recreation. Farming also has a key role to play in managing natural resources (including soil, water, biodiversity) and our cultural heritage.

Ultimately the aim must be to enable viable livelihoods to be made from sustainable land management, both through the market and through payment for public benefits though schemes such as Environmental Stewardship.

Bioenergy

Alternative crops

Report: delivery of ERDP in the North East 2001 - 2006

Environmental Stewardship