News: July 2013

Date posted: 17/07/13

Press Release on RDPE transition

NORTHERN FARMERS AND LANDOWNERS GROUP (NFLG) CAUTIOUSLY WELCOMES NEWS FROM DEFRA OF RDPE TRANSITION FUNDING

Defra’s announcement on RDPE transition funding has been cautiously welcomed by the NFLG. Angus Collingwood-Cameron, NFLG Lead Consultant, said “The RDPE funding gap from the end of 2013 to when the new scheme begins, hopefully sometime in 2015, is a major worry for all those farmers affected, particularly those with Countryside Stewardship or ESA agreements coming to an end during that period. The loss of funding would seriously damage those farm businesses and could lead to a deterioration in the habitats created over the last 10 years.”

“I quizzed the Secretary of State on this very point during his visit to the North East in May. He gave a very positive response then and so it is good to see that followed through in this Defra announcement. However, it would appear to be  a statement of intent as EU consent is still required for the detailed rules. The Devil will no doubt be in that detail. For example, how many of those affected will this funding cover? What criteria will be used to establish “high priority”?”

“Although this is a step in the right direction, it is essential for many farm businesses in the region that the arrangements are clarified as soon as possible so that plans can be made. Meanwhile, I will be making the case for as much funding as possible to be allocated for farm businesses and the environment here in the North East.”

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