Rural Development Schemes in 2014

July 15, 2013 12:00 am

General

The delay in agreeing CAP reform means that it will not be possible to get new Rural Development programmes in place for when the current schemes end on the 31st December 2013.  The EU is therefore allowing Member States to continue with their present arrangements under ‘transitional arrangements’ for the 2014 year.  The various UK administrations are now coming forward with their plans. It must be remembered that any schemes in the 2014 year will be funded by the new EU budget settlement under the MFF and therefore it is likely there will be less money available.  All existing multi-year contracts will be honoured, so it is really the ability to access new agreements and funding that is being discussed.

England

There will be limited access to environmental schemes in 2014 for English farmers.  DEFRA has stated that the following provisions will apply;

  • new HLS agreements worth £26m per year will be offered.  The annual value of current HLS agreements is £188.5m.  Considering the scheme has been running for 7 years, this means the 2014 funding is not too far away from being a ‘standard’ year
  • Uplands ELS and Organic ELS will remain open
  • only £4m will be allocated to ELS.  This will be targeted at land coming out of ‘Classic Schemes’ such as Countryside Stewardship and ESAs that do not qualify for HLS.  The current annual ELS spend is £162.5m, so this is pretty low funding.  It really signals the end of a ‘broad and shallow’ scheme open to all
  • the Catchment Sensitive Farming project will be supported by £14m
  • LEADER groups will get £3m, there will be £0.5m for forestry capital grants and £1m for ‘strategic projects’

DEFRA expects to consult on the new Rural Development Plan for England (RDPE) 2014-2020 later this autumn.

Scotland

The Scottish Government is looking to run a more ambitious programme in 2014.  In fact, subject to funding, the aim is to roll over the whole current programme into 2014.  Plans are due to be published soon.

Wales

The Natural Resources and Food Minister, Alun Davies, is due to make an announcement on a number of elements of CAP reform at the Royal Welsh Show on the 22nd July (see other article).  Tranistionary Rural Development arrangements in Wales are expected to form part of this.

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