Rural Affairs

Rural Affairs

Our target is to reduce the gap in productivity between the least well performing quartile of rural areas and the English median by 2006, and improve the accessibility of services for rural people.

The evidence for poor economic and social conditions in some rural areas is both compelling and measurable. Our target is to lay solid foundations to achieve sustainable and long term regeneration in these areas.

Rural Delivery Review

In November 2002, Margaret Beckett, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, invited Lord Haskins to carry out an independent review of the arrangements for delivering government rural polices in England.

Lord Haskins’ report, which includes 33 separate recommendations for improving delivery of rural policies, has now been completed and was published on 11 November 2003. [Further information]

The European Conference on Rural Development, Salzburg: 12-14 November

The Salzburg Conference was a follow-up from the Cork Conference on Rural Development (1996) which launched a wide debate on rural development policy. That process culminated in the Agenda 2000 reforms which saw rural development policy established as the second Pillar to the CAP. [Further information]

Horse Industry

The horse industry is an important contributor to the national and especially rural economies, the social fabric of rural communities, and environmental and land management. Defra works for the good of horses for people who ride, own, or work with horses; and for the sustainable benefits which horses bring to economies and communities. More information on Government policy regarding horse issues can be accessed through these webpages. [Further information]

Rural Affairs Forum for England

Details and downloadable booking form for the 2003 Rural Affairs Forum for England Conference now available... [Further information]

The Rural Affairs Forum for England implements the Government's commitment in its Rural White Paper to establish a national sounding board so that Ministers "have regular and direct contact with the main rural groups so that they know what is going on and what countryside people think".... [Further Information]

Rural White Paper

Our Countryside: The Future - A Fair Deal for Rural England

Summary

The countryside is important to all of us. Town and country are interdependent and the needs of both have to be addressed together. But there are special problems in rural areas which require a direct response and that is the focus of this paper.... [Further Information]

Implementation Plan

The Rural White Paper Implementation Plan was first published in March 2001, to set out the action on implementation and delivery of each of the measures announced in the White Paper, 'Our Countryside: the future, a fair deal for rural England'.... [Further Information]

Rural Services Standard

The rural services standard was first published in the Rural White Paper and set out how equitable access to the everyday public services which rural people need would be delivered... [Further Information]

The QUALITY Parish and Town Council Scheme

The Government believes that parish and town councils, as the tier of government that is closest to local communities, have a central role to play in improving local quality of life.

On the 18 March 2003, Alun Michael, Minister for Rural Affairs launched the Quality scheme initiative; ‘The Quality Parish and Town Council Scheme’ and announced the guidance to the scheme on 4 June.... [Further Information]

Village Halls and community buildings

Village halls and community buildings undoubtedly have a vital role to play in village life. The Government fully understands how important community facilities are to creating vibrant and cohesive communities.... [Further information]

Rural Voluntary and Community Sector

Defra is working on a joint programme with the Active Community Unit in the Home Office that recognises the rural dimension of support for voluntary and community sector infrastructure... [Further information]

The way ahead for rural services: a guide to good practice in locating rural services

'The way ahead for rural services: a guide to good practice in locating rural services' provides help for policy-makers, service planners and providers in how to assess the rural impact when making decisions that affect the provision of rural services.... [Further Information]

Rural Factsheets

In order to communicate what we are doing better for people living in the countryside, we have designed a series of factsheets to inform the public about a number of key rural issues.... [Further Information]

England Rural Development Programme

The England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) underpins Government's New Direction for Agriculture by helping farmers and foresters to respond better to consumer requirements and become more competitive, diverse, flexible and environmentally responsible... [Further Information]

Entry Level Scheme

The Policy Commission report on the Future of Farming and Food recommended that an entry-level agri-environment scheme should be made available to as many farms as possible in England. The Government has accepted this recommendation... [Further Information]

Higher Level Scheme

Rural Development Service (RDS)

The Rural Development Service (RDS) promotes, delivers and manages the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) on behalf of Defra. RDS staff are locally based and provide a face to face service to farmers,land owners and other rural businesses wishing to participate in the agri-environment and rural economy schemes covered by the ERDP..... [Further Information]

Hunting with Dogs

The Government has promised to introduce a Bill to help Parliament resolve the contentious issue of hunting with dogs in England and Wales. A Bill to prevent all cruelty associated with hunting with dogs was published on 3 December 2002 by Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael.... [Further Information]

Learning Skills and Knowledge Programme

Defra will be taking forward a programme to encourage the development of learning, skills and specialist knowledge by land managers and other occupational groups in rural areas. The programme will begin with a review to identify... [Further Information]

Demonstration Farms

The Government announced on 26 March 2002 that it would set up a project to establish a pilot network of demonstration farms in response to the recommendations made by the Policy Commission on Farming and Food report.... [Further Information]

Public Access to the Countryside

This page provides information about Defra's work on public access to the countryside, developed under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) and Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) Scheme. Information on the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW) is available separately on the Defra website... [Further Information]

Structural Funds

The EU Structural Funds exist to help areas of Europe which, for one reason or another are suffering difficulties. This could be due to the decline of local industry or falls in income (e.g. because of falling commodity prices reducing farm incomes). The funds are intended to be used to help sponsor projects which will directly address locally identified needs.

LEADER+

LEADER+ is a 6 year European Community initiative for assisting rural communities in improving the quality of life and economic prosperity in their local area. Partnerships of local organisations and people (local action groups) receive funds to identify development needs within their rural communities and develop and test small-scale, innovative pilot projects to meet these development needs in a sustainable way... [Further Information]

Objective 1

To promote the development and structural adjustment of regions whose development is lagging behind. The Objective 1 Programme runs from 2000 to 2006. In England, three areas (Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, South Yorkshire and Merseyside) have been designated for Objective 1 support... [Further Information]

Objective 2

To support the economic and social conversion of areas facing structural difficulties. Objective 2 areas in England are funded through the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP). All ERDP schemes in Objective 2 Areas operate as in other areas except for some measures under the Rural Enterprise Scheme (RES).... [Further Information]