w midlands rural development programme march 2008 stakeholders event
Post on 21-Dec-2015
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TRANSCRIPT
Welcome
First stakeholders event Important functions for this group Welcome engagement and interest Main purpose of event is
- WM RDPE is Open for business
- Particular focus on the Socio-economic programme
- Demonstrate desire of NE, FC and AWM to work together on the respective programmes
To cover
Agreed approach
The challenges we face
How the programme will respond
How to get involved in projects
Partner engagement in programme governance
Likely projects
Our agreed approach Regional Implementation Plan Agreed with Defra and regional
partners
6 year £53m programme;
Targeting led by Regional Economic Strategy; Action Plans based on most relevant Clusters
- Environmental Technologies, Food & Drink, Tourism & Leisure;
- Livestock Action Plan (Ministerial direction);
Strategic investments (large multi-business projects) Based on collaboration; responding to Action Plans
LEADER programme focussed on Social/community activity – LAA/LSP links;
Strategic Objectives
Develop diverse, competitive and sustainable rural businesses that are better connected to their marketsCapitalise on low carbon opportunitiesMaximise cultural offer and natural assetsInvest in high value skills and employability of the rural workforceDevelop more sustainable rural communities
Cross cutting themesEnvironmental Economy Collaboration Supply chain developmentReconnection with markets Modernisation Knowledge transfer Meeting market specification Training and skills ICT Innovative products and services
Rural Development Programme in the WM- Axes 1 & 3
Food and Drink Environmental Technologies
TourismLivestock Communities/Leader
Sustainable tourismEnvironmentalimprovementsFood tourisme- tourism
Skills, training and knowledge transferSupply chain developmentCompetitivenessTrade and consumer awareness
Places to meet, ‘recreate’ and communicateInclusive and participative governanceDevelop and maintain voluntary groups and activitiesPositive culture of enterprise and economic purposeAccess to ‘fit for purpose’ housing
Knowledge transferEfficient productionImprove livestock qualityPromote best practicePromote understanding of EnvironmentalLegislationAnimal health and welfare
Environmental goods and servicesSupport innovationNew marketsNetworkingTraining and SkillsSites and premises
Vision“By 2013 rural businesses in the West Midlands will be more sustainable, competitive and better connected to their markets, active management will have improved the rural environment and rural communities will have a better quality of life.”
ELS and HLS
Natural England uses Environmental Stewardship (ES) to deliver its national Agri-Environment schemes under Axis 2 of the RDPE – a £2.9B programme over 6 years.
Entry to ES is at two levels; each with an Organic supplement
ENTRY LEVEL SCHEME (ELS) Available to all land managers Applications assessed by central Incentive Scheme Services teams ( Worcester)
HIGHER LEVEL SCHEME (HLS) Spatial approach to targeting and prioritisation: to maximise environmental and
other public benefits such as Natural Resource Protection, Access, Historic Environment.
Each application worked through between applicant and Natural England’s county adviser.
Initial regional targeting (from August 2007) to be replaced by a national analysis later in 2008. This will also be used to inform the spatial promotion of ELS options.
ES in the West Midlands
In the West Midlands :
Most Agreements continue to be those made under the ‘Legacy ‘ Schemes of Countryside Stewardship (CSS) and Environmentally Sensitive Areas e.g.ESAs on Cannock Chase and the Shropshire Hills
As these10-year Legacy Scheme Agreements come to an end, they will be assessed for rolling forward into ELS or HLS
In 2006-07 the Agri-Environment budget to cover all schemes for the West Midlands was some £37M
The West Midlands has had a very high take-up of agreements; just under 70% of agricultural land is under agreement; over 50% under an ELS Agreement and we now have over 500 HLS agreements.
English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS)
• EWGS is part of the Defra family of environmental support and is operated by the Forestry Commission
• Part of the suite of support for land management funded under RDPE Axis 2
• Purpose is to develop co-ordinated delivery of public benefits from England’s Woodlands
• Applications for grants must deliver a range of key targets
EWGS Funding
• EWGS offers a range of six grant types, falling into two broad categories:
• Stewardship of Woodlands• Creation of Woodlands
• Funding is allocated annually to regions and set out in a Grants Prospectus
• The EWGS budget for the West Midlands is currently in the order of £1.7million annually
www.adas.co.uk
Impact of CAP reformsand forecast trends in
the West MidlandsMartin Wilkinson
Principal Farm Business Consultant
CAP reforms
CAP reforms de-coupled subsidy from production
Crops and livestock produced at market rates
Farmers do not need to produce to receive subsidy
Flat rate payment received – some basic environmental obligations
Land-based Economy
Rural land base 950,000 hectares (70%)
Land based sector GVA £952 million (1.2%)
128,000 ha of protected countryside
Employment 46,700 people (2%)
Food and Drink Industry employs 36,500
26,000 holdings, (15,000 (58%) over 5 ha)
Dairy Sector 196,000 cows (15% of National Herd) 2,269 holdings (15% region (over 5ha)) Average herd 87 cows (England 87) Diverse milk processing market Variable market access across region Cross border trading
Issues Health / Bio security Market lead assurance schemes Legislation Seasonality of supply
Dairy Sector –Future
Regional herd reduction (18%)
Fewer producers, increased herd size
Reduced rate of yield increase
Continued rationalisation of buyers
Local / sustainable supply chains
Beef and Sheep sector
100,000 beef herd (12%) 350,000 finishing cattle (14%) 1,060,000, breeding sheep (15%)
1995 2004 2006 LFA holdings 1094 1388 1593 Well served by markets / abattoirs
Issues Health / Bio security Market lead assurance schemes Legislation Low Profitability Loss of livestock markets
Beef and Sheep sector - future
8% - 15% reduction in beef
West Midlands 23% reduction in beef (ADAS Farmer’s Voice)
Sheep 3% - 6% reduction
Decline in Livestock Markets
Arable Sector 3,150 arable holdings (12%) 220,000ha cereals (23%of region) 100,000 ha other arable Some post farm gate processing
Issues Cost of production Legislation/regulation Water supply Extreme weather Bio-fuels
Wheat –cost of production
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
£/t
on
ne
Finance 3 4 2
Rent 7 7 6
Other costs 10 7 5
Property costs 7 4 3
Power & machinery costs 41 32 25
Labour and Drawings 19 15 9
Variable costs 35 28 24
Bottom third Average Top third
Arable Sector - future
Simplification of rotation
Fewer farmers, similar area
Restructuring post farm gate (e.g. potatoes)
Field scale vegetables
Horticulture 1,268 horticultural holdings (14%) 15,344 ha of horticultural crops (10%) 7.26 ha (9.18 ha) CAP impact ?
Issues Labour Planning Extreme weather Climate change agenda
Pig & Poultry
214 pig holdings (10%) 744 poultry holdings (12%)
20,800 breeding pigs (5%) 3,300,000 layers (11%)
Issues Legislation/regulation Planning Labour/skills Competitiveness Climate change/extreme weather
Pig & Poultry - Future
Pigs - outdoor production
Broiler directive - stocking density
Cages – fewer birds
Competitiveness
Diversification
6,600 holdings diversified / off farm income
37% of businesses have diversified (50%)
9% of farm income from diversification
Non food crops
5% farmers grow Non Food Crops (ADAS Farmer’s Voice)
Greater interest but market focussed
Summary CAP reform – exposure to market
Competitiveness Efficiency Beef Sheep sector
External issues Bio-security Climate change / extreme weather Legislation Blue & Green services
Forestry in the West Midlands
• Total woodland area of 100,000ha - 8% of the region’s land
• 65% of woodland area is ancient (25% ASNW)
• Woodland area highly fragmented and in variety of public and private ownership
• 35,000 employees across the whole industry
• 3,470 businesses - many micro and SME, often in rural areas
• Value of timber and non-timber related benefits to the region c. £0.7 billion
• less than 50% of annual increment utilised
• Woodland a key component of greenspace and environmental infrastructure
• Benefits from woodlands extend across economic, social and environmental agendas
Priorities for EWGS in the Region
• Protecting and enhancing ancient and native woodlands
• Bringing SSSI Woodlands into favourable condition
• Increasing and enhancing public access and recreation in woodlands
• Delivering HAP/SAP targets
• Improving the environment of disadvantaged communities
• Creating new woodlands to:
• Help deliver green infrastructure strategies• link and extend ancient and native woodlands• regenerate derelict and disused land
RDPE Axes 1&3 provides opportunities to link with EWGS under Axis 2 to develop support for appropriate aspects of the forestry industry
Priorities are linked to delivery of the Regional Forestry Framework and include:
HLS Primary Objectives- Wildlife ConservationHLS Primary Objectives- Wildlife Conservation
Neatherstead Farm, Warwickshire
Wetland creation
Arable Options
‘The Big Three!’
Breeding Curlew and Lapwing
Also seen snipe, Yellow Hammer, 800 Linnets, Tree sparrow, grey partridge
HLS Primary Objectives- Maintenance and enhancement of landscape quality & character
HLS Primary Objectives- Maintenance and enhancement of landscape quality & character
The Wall, Nr Newport
Restoration of Wetlands on Weald Moors
Arable reversion to extensive grassland
Hedgerow restoration
Primary Objectives-Promotion of Public Access & UnderstandingPrimary Objectives-Promotion of Public Access & Understanding
Greenacres Farm, Nr ShifnalEducational AccessOrganic Vegetable growerSchool groups, up to 70 childrenVisitor Centre, cooks food Around 40-50 visits per year
River Teme Catchment
Shrops, Herefs and Worcs
HLS Capital Payments for Stock Exclusion
Riverside Buffering
Arable reversion
HLS Primary Objectives - Natural Resource ProtectionHLS Primary Objectives - Natural Resource Protection
Priorities
The Rural Development Programme for England is overseen by Defra as part of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
Within RDPE, the Strategic Priorities for Axis 2 are to “Improve the Environment and the Countryside” by:-
i. Conserving Biodiversityii. Enhancing Landscape Character and Qualityiii. Protecting the Historic Environmentiv. Promoting Public Access and Understandingv. Protecting Natural Resources (including contributing to Climate
Change Mitigation)
The Regional Implementation Plan (RIP) for the RDPE in the West Midlands intends to deliver benefits across the region and Natural England will work with delivery partners to ensure that wherever possible, our Axis 2 investments will help to capitalise on the value of our high quality natural environment.
Priorities
In the RDPE 2008-13 for the West Midlands, our focus is on:-
Biodiversity • On Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and elsewhere, we are using ES to improve UK and
England target Habitats and Species; such as Upland Heath and Farmland Birds
Landscape • Aligning our HLS delivery to achieve landscape objectives in the region’s most iconic
landscapes such as in AONBs.
Historic Environment • Achieving the protection of sites and monuments at risk, through our targeted schemes.
Public access and Understanding • Including Permissive Access as part of HLS Agreements and encouraging educational visits;
including through work with the Year of Farming and Food programme.
Natural Resource Protection • Our ES resources support actions to reduce soil and nutrient runoff from farmland in our most
sensitive river catchments ( the rivers Wye, Lugg, Teme; and the Shropshire Meres and Mosses)
Climate Change Mitigation • Using the Climate Change Adaptation project in our Shropshire Hills Landscape Character Area,
we are testing how advice and resources might be better targeted to land managers in the future; and how different land management practices might contribute to Climate Change mitigation.
Strategic Objectives
Develop diverse, competitive and sustainable rural businesses that are better connected to their marketsCapitalise on low carbon opportunitiesMaximise cultural offer and natural assetsInvest in high value skills and employability of the rural workforceDevelop more sustainable rural communities
Cross cutting themesEnvironmental Economy Collaboration Supply chain developmentReconnection with markets Modernisation Knowledge transfer Meeting market specification Training and skills ICT Innovative products and services
Rural Development Programme in the WM- Axes 1 & 3
Food and Drink Environmental Technologies
TourismLivestock Communities/Leader
Sustainable tourismEnvironmentalimprovementsFood tourisme- tourism
Skills, training and knowledge transferSupply chain developmentCompetitivenessTrade and consumer awareness
Places to meet, ‘recreate’ and communicateInclusive and participative governanceDevelop and maintain voluntary groups and activitiesPositive culture of enterprise and economic purposeAccess to ‘fit for purpose’ housing
Knowledge transferEfficient productionImprove livestock qualityPromote best practicePromote understanding of EnvironmentalLegislationAnimal health and welfare
Environmental goods and servicesSupport innovationNew marketsNetworkingTraining and SkillsSites and premises
Vision“By 2013 rural businesses in the West Midlands will be more sustainable, competitive and better connected to their markets, active management will have improved the rural environment and rural communities will have a better quality of life.”
Budget allocations - annual
£9m per annum
- £3m – Livestock sector
- £1.9m – Environmental Technologies
- £1.9m – Food and Drink
- £0.7m - Tourism
- £1.4m - Leader (Social and community)
Early projects
Farming Focus – a regional approach to land based training ACORNS – small diversification grants for young farmers Bioenergy West Midlands Heartwoods and Biomass supply chains Non-food crop market development Red meat export development Disease surveillance Strategic investment in supply chains – e.g., strategic
cutting plants On-line promotion of rural tourism attractions
How to get involved Project ideas
- Businesses are encouraged to respond to Action Plans
- Use appropriate support, particularly Hubs & RDPE Team
The Hub role
- bring businesses together and facilitate collaborations;
- Flag up opportunities, working closely with RDPE Team;
- Engagement of LSP and Business Link with programme.
- Through Hub engagement, participating businesses should be better aware of routes to Skills, finance, business support, access to the knowledge base
Appraisal and approval by AWM
Funding route map
AWMAction Plans
Land based
businessesHubs
Facilitate collaboration
RDPE Team
Engagement of key support, e.g., Business Link, Knowledge base, etc..
Governance
AWM
COGs
•Forward look•Market connections•Wider engagement
•Strategic fit•Transparency
•Programme Overview•Receive quarterly
reports
•Annual review of Action Plan
•Nominate RPDE Partners Group
members
•Accountability & management•Payments (RPA until 10/08)
•Reporting
Stakeholders Group
Partners Group
Further information Axis 1 & 3 – RDPE &
LEADER approach http://www.advantage
wm.co.uk/working-with-us/rural-development-programme-for-england.aspx
Axis 2 – Natural England http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/planning/grants-funding/default.htm
Axis 2 – Forestry Commission http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-6dccen
Name Sector Contact details
Ian BakerHead of Rural Renaissance
Head of Team [email protected] 168 238
Ian EdwardsPartnerships Team Leader
Leader [email protected] 810 469
Jamie InglisRural DevelopmentPolicy Manager
Livestock [email protected] 07824 542559
Bob GregsonRural DevelopmentManager
Food & Drink [email protected] 07887 508490
Jo JuryRural DevelopmentManager
Tourism [email protected] 07894 621066
Simon West Rural DevelopmentManager
Environmental Technologies
[email protected] 07769 881346
Ross EvansRural DevelopmentManager
Livestock [email protected]
07894 621067
Hub contacts
Herefordshire Rural Hub Cathy Meredith Co-ordinatorHolme Lacy CampusOffice 01432 870033Mobile 07970 [email protected]
Staffordshire Rural Hub Frances Beatty Co-ordinatorOffice 01889 508784Mobile 07877 [email protected]
Shropshire Rural Hub Victoria Jones Co-ordinatorWalford & North Shropshire CollegeOffice 01939 262106Mobile 07967 [email protected]
Warwickshire Rural Hub Carrie Robbins Co-ordinatorStoneleigh ParkOffice 02476 858242Mobile 0771 [email protected]
Worcestershire Rural Hub Pauline Yardley Co-ordinator YFC Centre, HawfordOffice 01905 622 940Mobile 079809 17339