Rural Development Plan for England (RDPE) – improving the environment through agri-environment Rosie Simpson, Natural England

The rural context Most rural areas are thriving. Less social deprivation then national averages – some lagging areas No distinct ‘rural economy’ but very diverse rural areas - require intelligent, targeted responses Biodiversity improvements achieved but large scale action still needed to achieve targets Need to reduce agricultural water & air pollution & conserve soils Need to encourage all farmers to improve environmental management Safeguard irreplaceable historic landscape features Structural change but little risk of land abandonment

Healthy functioning environment to allow economies to grow Agri-environment measures best able to influence land management - 70% land used for agriculture Supported by complementary measures - targeted investment to improve competitiveness and add value, raise capacity & skill levels, improve knowledge transfer, advice More efficient use of natural resources – e.g. recycling, less artificial fertiliser, & lower environmental impacts of food production & consumption National England RDP Strategy

RDPE – improving the environment & countryside Axis 2 – (Maximum 80%) Agri-environment including non-productive investments Other LFA areas Sustainable use of forestry land including short rotation coppice for Energy Crops Scheme (ECS) – framework being developed Axis 1- (Minimum 10%) Establishing perennial energy crops (ECS) Adding value – capture more returns to the farm Training – market orientation, resource protection & efficiency Cooperation – e.g. marketing & economy of scale Axis 3 - (Minimum 10%) Diversification Creation/development of Micro-enterprises Sustainable rural tourism - manage impacts Leader (funding through Axes % project funds, 5% cooperation, 20% running costs, skills & capacity,

RDPE budget allocation £3.9 bn (5.5bn€) Convergence £2.9 billion (4.1bn€) for Environmental Stewardship Classic Schemes Axis 2: (80% total RD budget) Axis 1 (10% RD budget) Axis 3 (10% RD budget) Energy Crops Forestry Uplands (LFA support) Higher level ES scheme Entry level Environmental Stewardship (ES) Scheme EU RD funds: £750m (1050m€) Co-funding: £850m ((1190m€) Vol modulation:£1500m (2100m€) Co-funding: £800m (1120m€)

RDPE budgets – EU RD funding plus Voluntary National Modulation Source: Defra, various sources – indicative figures only / /022002/ /042004/052005/ /072007/082008/092009/ / / / /14 £ million England Rural Development Programme Rural Development Programme for England Environmental Stewardship introduced

Objectives of Environmental Stewardship (ES) 5 primary objectives: –Conservation of biodiversity –Conservation of landscape –Resource protection (Soils, air & water) –Promotion of public access –Conservation of the historic environment Higher Level Stewardship 2 further secondary objectives: –Flood risk management –Genetic conservation ELS arable margin option

Stone Curlew Plots in S. England: Higher Level Scheme management option 1998 fallow blocks in arable & grass; 150 by 2005 Breeding pairs up from 45 in 1991 to 103 in 2005 Major contribution to meeting UK BAP targets early

Cirl Buntings: A rare species that has clearly benefited from agri-environment 83% increase in targeted areas for cereal field margins & retention of stubble (compared with 2% elsewhere

Do agri-environment schemes Work? Solid evidence based on years of experience and monitoring shows they work and have: –reduced tension between agriculture and conservation –helped slow habitat loss –halted/reversed declines in rare species –helped farmers to manage key habitats Still too early to see scheme-driven change in overall health of the farmland ecosystems, though modelling work suggests that this should happen Past experience suggests that schemes need at least one cycle & adjustments to get them right

Agri-environment scheme development Improved targeting Climate change adaptation; Water Framework Directive implementation, Biodiversity 2010 targets, including farmland birds, Manage expiring “Classic Scheme” agreements SSSI condition target Integrate LFA into upland agri-environment Favourable Conservation Status for Habitats & Species of European Importance Estimated that significantly more than the £2.9 billion available is required to deliver.

Further information Natural England working to achieve: A healthy natural environment Enjoyment of the natural environment Sustainable use of the natural environment A secure environmental future