Breadcrumbs
Countryside Capital - future direction (AP02/36)
FOR DECISION
|
Relevance to Strategy and Corporate Plan:
|
Staff and financial implications:
|
Main issues to concern the Board:
|
1. The beauty and diversity of the English countryside has been shaped by centuries of economic activity and is a valuable asset on which many rural businesses depend and draw upon. We have chosen to call the fabric of the countryside with its distinctive landscapes, biodiversity, historic features and built environment of our villages and market towns 'Countryside Capital.'
2. We want to see this countryside capital supporting and supported by the economic capital of the area (the businesses and associated financial capital) and the social capital (the skills and community resilience of the people living and working there). Work to date under the Countryside Capital programme has been focused on nine Land Management Initiatives, 'Eat the View' and making the links between rural tourism and the countryside it relies upon. Much has already been achieved. A summary of progress in each area is given in annex 1.
3. The context for this work has changed rapidly in the last two years particularly following the foot and mouth outbreak and it is now timely to reflect on progress in this area, to adjust our current work programme where necessary and to set the direction for future development of our work to conserve and enhance countryside capital. This paper reviews our thinking on current activity and proposes a way forward.
Progress to date.
4. A summary of progress to date on the main activities is given in annex 1.
Future direction.
5. These proposals have been informed by discussions with colleagues working on sustainable land management and rural economies. We have also taken account of the recommendations in the Curry report and the views of colleagues in Defra.
6. It is proposed that the core of our work should continue to be as set out in our published Strategy - the conservation and enhancement of countryside capital through business activity which utilises and builds upon it. We will continue to deliver Agency objectives through a mixture of gathering and sharing information on good practice, carrying out research where needed, testing out new ideas and influencing the policies and programmes of others. For ease of presentation, our proposed future activity is set out under four main headings but increasingly we envisage that the boundaries between each element of work will become blurred as we utilize all the experience and tools available to achieve our objectives.
Theme 1: land management and rural development policy reform.
7. The LMI's are now at a critical stage of development where we need to start drawing some areas of work to a conclusion and making best use of the lessons learnt. Although the LMI programme is broadly operating to plan, the foot and mouth outbreak had a serious impact throughout 2001 and early 2002 on progress in several of the LMIs. We are also conscious that because the agriculture agenda has moved forward so rapidly, some aspects of the LMI's work has been overtaken. However there is still a long way go to work out the precise mechanisms. There is also a pressing need to define more precisely what is meant by sustainable land management. The LMIs are well placed to contribute to our thinking in this area and to inform the current and future reforms the Common Agricultural Policy and new expressions of the England Rural Development Plan. With the changing context in mind we recently held a series of review meetings with project officers from each LMI to take stock of progress to date and to ensure that the focus for the remainder of the projects is correct in light of the changing policy context and the resources available. The results were also discussed with colleagues in Defra. Annex 2 summarises the outputs from these meetings, suggests amendments to work programmes where necessary and sets out remaining priorities for each project.
8. At present it is difficult to define what we mean by sustainable land management in a way that can usefully be translated into policy and practice. We need better indicators of sustainable land management and an improved understanding of its important components. It is therefore proposed to see if the model developed through the 'Race to the Top' work which is being used to help supermarkets become more sustainable can be developed for use in this area. Drawing on the LMIs and other projects we will draw up a list of indicators for sustainable land management, which includes social, environmental and economic factors and test them in a number of contrasting areas.
9. The rural environment delivers a number of public benefits in the current environment of financial support, some directly; others indirectly. We need to find ways to clarify what benefits the public want from the countryside and to devise ways in which these can be better delivered. Several of the LMIs have been investigating how communities can be more involved in decisions about how the countryside is managed, what public benefits can be secured through land management and how these might be paid for. We also need to link this work with activity under Eat the View to help organisations and individuals understand that they can have an impact on how the countryside is managed through their purchasing decisions.
Theme 2: Eat the View.
10. Progress towards achieving 'Eat the View' outputs has been excellent. Interest in local and regional food is at an all time high. Retailers large and small have recognised the market potential for local and regional food and the RDAs and other key regional players have realised the importance of this sector for local and regional economies. Primary producers and processors are increasingly recognising the added value that can be gained by direct marketing or processing. We have been drawn further into this area of work than first envisaged, partly because of the lack of direction or strategy amongst national and regional players (a point made in the Curry report), but also because we saw an opportunity to use our influence to achieve some of our wider objectives. The bulk of this work should now be picked up by Defra and Food from Britain using the extra resources awarded as a result of the Curry report. We will therefore be in a position to draw back, particularly onissues to do with supply chains, distribution and support to individual producers (which were never our speciality). However we will need to continue to influence the implementation of the national strategy and those of the RDAs and other key players to ensure that environmental and social factors are considered as well as economic ones.
11. We propose to continue the remaining Eat the View programme (see annex 3 for current projects). There is further work to be done to encourage the market for non food products but the most challenging issue, which is at the core of Eat the View, remains that of linking consumers and the countryside more closely. Despite consumer research indicating a rising interest in food production issues and an interest in the countryside more generally, few consumers make the link between the two when making purchasing decisions. We therefore need to continue to seek ways to achieve this link whether through indirect means such as accreditation on products, influencing the work of others or more directly through consumer campaigns.
Theme 3: Tourism.
12. The rural tourism industry depends largely on countryside capital for its prosperity and merits special consideration. As part of our work to deliver the joint rural tourism strategy we need to find out more about how to make the links between business activity and the countryside resource upon which much of it depends. A research contract completed earlier this year suggested several areas where we might play a distinctive role, concentrating on the following:
- drawing together and promoting good practice in forms of tourism which support countryside capital, providing case studies to show what can be achieved;
- exploring how communities can work with the grain of rural tourism to enhance countryside capital in an area;
- research to understand the effect farm tourism businesses have on the viability of the wider holding both in economic, environmental and social terms;
- creating a stronger national framework for visitor and business contribution schemes;
13. The Agency is also committed to working with the English Tourism Council to deliver the joint Rural Tourism strategy and we have started work in a number of areas. This activity will support and complement our work to improve countryside capital through tourism.
Theme 4: an integrated approach
14. There is a need to complete work started under the LMI and Eat the View programmes and to utlise this experience to take a more integrated approach to the maintenance and enhancement of countryside capital. To facilitate this we need to:
- build a portfolio of examples to show what sort of activity we want to encourage;
- use this to develop key messages and to promote them to relevant audiences, particularly those at the sharp end who are best placed to act upon them;
- to identify and influence existing support mechanisms which will achieve the desired activity.
15. To inform this work we propose to test our ideas on the ground. In one or two areas we will measure the extent of economic, social and environmental capital and use this information to make proposals about how they could be used together to secure sustainable development. We could perhaps link this work to a community or local strategic plan exercise. This is already being done to a partial extent in the Forest of Dean and improved partnership working in the Forest suggests that the time might be right to expand our work in the area to encompass such an approach. More limited work to identify environmental capital has also been done in the North York Moors LMI. Again it might be possible to build on this rather than start from scratch.
Financial and manpower consequences.
16. The table in annex 4 shows planned expenditure for existing activity until 2005/06, and indicates the level of new funding required should the Board approve the approach suggested above. Overall the total budget required will reduce significantly from just under £2.5 m to under £1.5m over the period as work on 'Eat the View' and the LMIs is completed.
Next steps.
17. If the Board agrees the proposals in this paper detailed plans will be developed in the 2003/04 business plan for Countryside Capital in line with the new corporate plan.
Risks and mitigation measures.
18. See annex 5 for an analysis of the risks of the proposed action.
ANNEX 1
Progress to date on Countryside Capital activities
Land management initiatives
1. The LMI programme was established to explore how England's land management systems can respond to the changing demands on farming, in ways which can deliver a broad range of public benefits. The main role of the LMIs is to provide the Countryside Agency with a better understanding of the issues affecting sustainable land management and to act as a test bed for new ideas, the experience of which can be used to influence the policies and programmes of others. The programme consists of nine experimental projects, covering a range of geographical areas and farm systems. Each project is engaged in a mix of research, consultation and engagement with local land managers, as well as some demonstration projects. The knowledge gained from this experience is being used by the Agency and others to influence the development and delivery of land management and rural development policy. Each project operates to its own business plan, agreed by what is now Defra, which sets out detailed objectives, targets and work plans. A national monitoring system has been established to capture information from the projects and ensure the programme as a whole is delivering to target. Key information from the projects, including activity reports and research reports is accessible to partners on a web- based database.
2. Since the launch of the LMI programme in 1999, there has been an upsurge of interest in the future of agriculture and early lessons from the LMIs have been valuable to the Agency and others engaged in formulating new policies and practice. The Curry report referred to the work of the LMIs and more recently examples from the projects have been drawn upon by Defra as their own strategy is developed. The Agency has used the LMIs to inform its inputs into the Hills Task Force, the Government review of farm advice, and the current review of agri-environment schemes. A priority for next year will be the mid term review evaluation of the England Rural Development Plan, where we expect to be able to draw heavily on experience gained in the LMIs. We are also working closely with DEFRA to make sure lessons and experience from the LMIs are well used in all its current work.
Eat the View
3. Eat the View was originally planned as 5 year programme and is due to finish in March 2005. It has therefore just passed the half way mark. The main purpose of the initiative is to facilitate growth in the market for products from systems of land management that are sustainable, which build on the countryside's landscape and character and in turn strengthen the links between the consumer and the countryside. Interest and activity in this area has increased considerably since the projects inception, particularly since the foot and mouth outbreak.
4. Overall excellent progress has been made. The number of farmers' markets has increased considerably and is now close to the target set of 400 markets by 2003. Some 230 of these markets are members of the National Association of Farmers Markets (NAFM) and many more members are being attracted by their new certification scheme. We have just commissioned a study to help NAFM secure a sustainable economic future for its work.
5. Agency support has helped the Farm Retail Association to increase membership to over 400, which is well past a critical mass and membership is expected to continue to grow by 100 per year.
6. Our partnership with Food From Britain( FFB) has helped the Regional Food Groups to raise the profile of regional food products and expand farmer membership. We have also worked to bring the Small Business Service and the Regional Food groups together to make sure that producers get the advice they need to succeed with new or existing ventures.
7. The new partnership project, Local Foodworks, with the Soil Association enjoyed a particularly successful launch at the House of Lords in July. Network Development Officers are working alongside Agency regional staff to identify areas of activity that will make a positive contribution to local food initiatives.
8. We have carried out consumer research with the Institute of Grocery Distribution to help us and others better understand how to influence consumer behaviour. The outputs from this are still being analysed but encouragingly it is estimated that 18% of consumers are now interested in food production issues compared to only 11% just under a year ago.
9. We recently published a good practice guide to help us promote Eat the View which was well received.
10. At a regional level we have been working hard to promote Eat the View messages through new or existing fora to RDAs, Health Authorities, and other key regional players and in some regions we have seen a rapid rise in activity over a range of different issues.
11. We are currently working with Defra, Food from Britain and the RDAs to influence the national strategy for regional food management and the mechanisms that will be deployed to deliver this. As part of this work the Food Standards Agency have been asked to look at the issues surrounding local food and the Agency is playing a leading role in this work.
- Tourism
13. As part of this work we are developing a programme of activity to demonstrate how rural tourism can support sustainable land management, local businesses and communities. To help determine the scope of this new activity, a consultancy contract was let to review the extent of current knowledge about the links between tourism and sustainable land management and advise on where the Agency can best make a unique contribution. This is now being used to set the direction of future work (see main body of the paper).
14. The Agency operates a number of advisory services, including in the case of Countryside Capital one on sustainable tourism and another covering sustainable visitor transport. Both services are well used and have contributed to the development of many successful projects. Following a review, the visitor transport service has recently been expanded and relaunched and is now run as a joint initiative with Wider Welcome branch, with the aim of supporting Rural Transport Partnership projects.
15. The Green Audit Kit, a joint initiative between the Countryside Agency and the English Tourism Council was updated and relaunched in November 2000. The kit is distributed to tourism businesses through regional tourist boards, who also run a linked programme of training courses.
ANNEX 2
Land Management Initiatives: Summary of review meeting outcomes.
Introduction
1. The context within which the LMIs are working has changed rapidly over the last year since the outbreak of foot and mouth. The Curry report and subsequent Defra strategy have both taken the debate on agriculture forward . It is also becoming clearer what direction the mid term review of the CAP might take.
2. To ensure that the work of the LMIs is still valid within the current agenda the Agency has held a series of meetings with project and CA regional staff to consider what the priorities should be for the LMIs given this changing context.
3. The results of the meetings are summarised below. The more major changes to priorities and outputs have been made to High Weald LMI, Peak District LMI, Northumberland LMI and South West LMI.
SEVERN-VYRNWY
Start date 99/00
Projected finish date 04/05
Original objectives
- Effective methods of influencing decision making and management practices on farms trialed and evaluated;
- Recommendations for a new agri-environment scheme designed for livestock and dairy farms which will address the environmental needs of floodplain areas. Elements of the scheme trialed on demonstration sites;
- Marketing of local food products based on the environmental benefits derived from farming in the floodplain researched and trialed;
- Practical policy recommendations generated to enhance the performance of current agri-environment schemes in pastoral floodplains.
Main achievements and outputs to date
- Successful development and launch of the 'Farm Focus' development service, which provides integrated farm advice and ongoing support for implementation. Early lessons have been fed into Defra's review of integrated advice to farmers.
- Creation of a GIS based environmental database for the area to help define targets for future targeting of agri-environmenta schemes.
- Commencement of work to design a tailored agri-environment scheme for the area, which takes account of countryside character and is targeted on the basis of this. The purpose of this work is to get more value out of the existing schemes and to feed information into the development of future schemes to make them more effective for an area used predominantly for dairy farming. Early findings from this work and analysis of farm focus appraisals has enabled the LMI to feed in information to the agri-environment scheme review, particularly on why uptake of Countryside Stewardship is so poor in dairy farming areas.
Remaining priorities
- Continued assimilation of environmental data to assist local objective setting and targeting.
- Use the LMI to test whether the new agri - environment framework adequately reflects local character and would work on the ground in the Severn Vrynwy area. Information from this exercise will be used to assist Defra in the development of both the entry level and higher tier agri-environmnt schemes. To be completed by April 2003.
- Continued delivery of the 'Farm Focus' advisory service to assist change within the project area, understand the issues affecting farm businesses, and ensure ongoing local support for the LMI. Evaluation report to be prepared in 2004
- Pulling together the threads from other activities, and ensuring that conclusions are written up by the end of the project.
Areas for withdrawal
- Planned work to undertake a RAKKS (Rapid Appraisal of Agricultural Knowledge systems has been deleted from the programme. Instead, the Severn-Vyrnwy LMI will lead on a broader project to compare and contrast approaches to information provision and facilitation across the LMI programme, with a view to drawing out lessons for other rural development projects.
- Development of LEAF demonstration farm
- Development of an arable reversion demonstration site. This proposal has been abandoned following a failure to identify suitable opportunities.
- Development of a demonstration environmental enterprise. Following initial feasibility work, the landowner has changed his mind.
- Further work to encourage the development of local food systems will be scaled back.
NORTHUMBERLAND
Start date 00/01
Projected finish date April 2003
Original objectives
- Definition of a new vision and objectives for the uplands which would have the support of the public and farming community;
- Identification of he full range of land based goods, services, and activities that could be delivered by upland land management;
- Identification of market-led mechanisms and support systems capable of achieving change;
- Practical policy recommendations to improve the performance of regional, national and European programmes;
- New components of support to fill any gaps in existing mechanisms designed and tested.
Main achievements and outputs to date
4. To date, the Northumberland LMI has been largely research based. It has undertaken a range studies into the issues surrounding upland land management in the Northumberland National Park. The findings from this research will be summarised in a review report to be completed this autumn. This will also make recommendations on priorities for the remainder of the project.
5. To a large degree, the Northumberland LMI has been overtaken by events. Since its inception, a range of new measures have been introduced which can help deliver sustainable land management in the uplands, Since the foot and mouth outbreak, the debate about upland farming has intensified, and many of the issues being addressed by the LMI were taken up by the Hills Task Force and the Curry Commission. As a result, there is now much greater acceptance of the need for change in upland areas, and some consensus about the range of policy tools needed. The challenge now is to translate this overall vision into action
Remaining priorities
6. Despite greater consensus at a strategic level and the introduction of new support measures, the Project officer sees two main factors remaining which will prevent progress towards sustainable land management:
- Bureaucracy and poor integration. This issue will be tackled by the National Park Authority through its area wide action plan programme, and will not form part of the LMI.
- The skills, motivations and aspirations of land managers and rural communities. This will become the prime focus for the remainder of the LMI.
- a community empowerment exercise to test whether it is possible to agree a vision and objectives for land management, which engages local people, farmers and external stakeholders.
- testing ways of devolving the achievement of sustainable land management to land managers.
Areas for withdrawal
8. Demonstrations and action to tackle the remaining priorities will now be taken forward within th context of the Couquetdale Integrated Rural Development Project, which is supported by One NE. In effect the LMI will be mainstreamed into the National Park agenda from April 2003, when Agency core funding will finish.
NORFOLK
Start date99/00
Projected finish date03/04
Original objectives
- A practical methodology for evaluating and improving sustainable land management developed - a 'duty of care' for arable systems;
- Demonstration of the changes required to current arable land use practices in order to minimise the impact upon the environment (e.g. soil erosion, pollution, landscape);
- An evaluation of the impact of current rural policies within the project area and an assessment of the potential for improved policies and market solutions to deliver sustainable land management;
- Demonstration of practical methods of achieving greater community involvement in land management and farm business decisions.
Main achievements and outputs to date
- A Whole Farm Planning programme has been developed, and is being delivered through local consultants. This is providing valuable information about what is happening to arable farms, as well as identifying new ideas which can be trailed. Lessons from the approach to whole farm planning taken by the Norfolk LMI have been incorporated into advice to Defra.
- An extensive programme of local community consultation is being undertaken in the project's 13 parishes. This work is ongoing, but is revealing potential ways in which land managers can provide benefits and services to local residents.
- A number of research reports have been produced to support the LMI as it works towards defining what sustainable land management means for the project area, particularly for arable farming. These include an evaluation of soil resources in the area, an assessment of the economic prospects for farm businesses and a review of the potential impact of climate change over the next 30-50 years
- Progress has been made towards establishing a number of trials and pilot projects, which will test how different approaches can contribute towards sustainable land management.
Remaining priorities
- Produce a draft index of sustainable land management, and guideline for a 'duty of care which can apply to land management in arable areas.
- Continue with the planned programme of whole farm plans in 2002/03, and ensure that the lessons learnt on both the approach and the issues raised by these are written up and disseminated.
- Using information from the farm plans and other work continue to develop good practice and policy ideas for reducing the environmental impact of intensive arable farming and improving sustainable resource use.
- Complete programme of community consultation and write up into series of reports for each village. Ensure relevant information is used in the development of whole farm plans.
Areas for withdrawal
9. The original objectives remain valid and have been translated into a detailed project plan. The only area to be given a lower priority is the planned work on local food economies.
GREAT NORTH FOREST
Start date01/02
Projected finish date05/06
Original objectives
1. An analysis of the potential opportunities for land management in the urban fringe.
2. Goods and services identified that land managers in the Countryside Around Towns can deliver for public benefit.
3. Improvements to existing mechanisms and new mechanisms identified that could put land managers in a better position to deliver public benefits including increased local market demand, environmental and recreational benefits.
4. Recommendations and demonstrations of integration and improved performance for regional, national and EU programmes
Main achievements and outputs to date
10. The Great North Forest LMI is coming to the conclusion of its first investigative phase. The emphasis to date has been on research/information gathering, with the aim of identifying priorities for future action. The original objectives have been reconsidered in light of this and recent policy developments and reviewed project outcomes are currently being finalised
Remaining priorities
11. Work will be developed in 5 themes. These themes are guided by a framework that looks at the flow of goods and services to and from cities.
- Complimenting work on speciality food, the LMI will continue with work to catalyse action and learn how food programmes supporting health and social goods can be mainstreamed and how producers can capture a greater share of value. i.e. through public procurement. Influencing strategies are being developed to secure these objectives.
- Advocacy, research and demonstration partnerships to show how waste to land activities can deliver land management, environmental and rural business development
- A market assessment of potential public demands from the urban fringe
- An analysis of the practical balance of good farming practice, regulation and incentive in delivering more sustainable land management
- Continuation into research of the role of new opportunities for the urban fringe i.e. new crops.
Areas for withdrawal
12. None. The project is still in its development phase and a detailed project plan has yet to be finalised.
SOUTH WEST
Start date00/01
Projected finish date 03/04
Original objectives
- A demonstration of how changing the attitudes of existing farmers and their families towards change and risk will aid the achievement of sustainable land management in remote, pastoral areas;
- New models for farm and business ownership and management identified to achieve sustainability goals and to take advantage of the skills and resources of different sections of the farming and rural communities;
- Models for supporting sustainable land management identified that are inclusive of both farming and the wider rural communities.
13. The South West LMI was substantially affected by the Foot and Mouth outbreak. This delayed progress on the ground but also substantially changed the context for the LMI locally and farmer's receptiveness to change.
14. The only substantial area of work to date has been a major research study into the response of farm households to the downturn in farming undertaken by the University of Plymouth. This is due to be completed in October, and will help to provide a better understanding of the opportunities and barriers affecting adjustment decisions, and an understanding of the social and community impacts of agricultural change. The work will assist the Countryside Agency and others on how policy and programmes designed to aid the process of adjustment and restructuring can be formulated.
Remaining priorities
15. Because of the dramatic impact of foot and mouth in the project area, delays in developing the project beyond its initial phase, and the rapid pace of external policy developments, it has been agreed to terminate the LMI early. We concluded that if we were to proceed with the project as planned it was unlikely to deliver useful lessons within the time scale necessary to influence current policy debates. As part of the exit strategy we will fund the production of a sustainable land management strategy which will identify a vision for the area and help draw existing programmes and funding streams together. This work will be completed by December 2003.
NORTH YORK MOORS
Start date 00/01
Projected finish date 08/04
Original objectives
- Development of a "bottom-up" approach to identifying local social, economic and environmental objectives, that involves everyone within the local community;;
- Demonstration of a delivery mechanism based on ERDP measures designed to deliver environmental, community and economic objectives in an integrated way;
- A set of recommendations aimed at improving the ability of the new rural support programmes to deliver integrated rural development;
- Piloting of new approaches that build links between farmers and communities. This will include encouraging communities to identify local issues and supporting integrated schemes that serve local needs and contribute to positive environmental management;
- A better understanding of the optimum scale at which integrated programmes for the uplands can be implemented.
- An extensive local consultation has been a key element of the NYMLMI, which has culminated in a parish plan exercise (organised with the local RCC) giving local people a voice in setting priorities for land management schemes in the area
- A set of environmental objectives and guidelines have been set for the project area based on an assessment of the environmental capital (covering ecological, landscape, historical and archaeological issues). An assessment of the local economy and its future potential has also been made. These, together with the results of the community consultation and integrated farm appraisals, will contribute to a refined list of integrated rural development objectives for the project area.
- An upland integrated farm appraisal (IFA) package has been developed drawing on the experience of other LMIs, notably High Weald. It provided the template for the environmental part of the local 5 day FBAS during the FMD outbreak. Through this the project has been able to contribute to Defra's review of farm advisory services, and the information gathered in the IFA process will help the project officer give advice to the Countryside Agency and Defra on a wide range of topics. The project is also one of the case studies in LUPG's "Europe's Rural Futures" research project.
- The project officer has already fed in advice to DEFRA, via the Countryside Agency, on the Hill Farming Allowance, Sheepmeat Regime and the agri-environment review.
Remaining priorities
16. The future work programme will be focused on delivering:
- developing a tailored package of rural development measures, which will contribute to the attainment of sustainable land management and rural development objectives (early 2003), the development of the package will identify what can be delivered through existing packages, and also what future changes will still be needed following the mid term review. The focus of this work will to identify and provide evidence of desirable policy change at all levels with advice on delivery being a secondary priority.
- Using the bottom up community work explore how the links between farmers and the wider rural community can be improved.
17. These areas of work and analysis will provide advice to Defra on how to improve delivery of rural development measures in the uplands, especially during the mid-term evaluation of the ERDP, including how to identify and set local objectives.
Areas for withdrawal
- Research on money flows, notably subsidies and grants, within the project area.
Start date 99/00
Projected finish date04/04
Original objectives
- Integrated economic, social and environmental objectives for sustainable water and land management in arable areas researched and defined;
- Proof that alternative management of water could bring environmental, social and economic benefits of high value;
- Models of the practical methods of achieve the defined integrated objectives, including small site demonstrations;
- Practical ways of implementing the EU Water Frameworks Directive demonstrated, with recommendations concerning the changes required to other policies to assist and add value to implementation of the Directive;
- Analysis of the potential for the Internal Drainage Boards to have a broader and more positive role in water management.
- A set of objectives have been drawn up for land and water management in the area. These draw upon a series of research reports covering existing water management practices, soil resources, business opportunities, and the legal, policy and grant framework operating in the project area, as well as the discussions with local farmers and IDBs.
- An appraisal tool for on- and off-farm use of water, referred to as the "Positive Water Management" package, has been developed, piloted on three farms and further refined.
- The first phase of assessing the theoretical benefits of water and wetland management in the Humberhead Levels has been completed.
Remaining priorities
18. The future work programme will be focused on:
- completing the assessment of the potential wider benefits of water and wetland management in the Humberhead Levels, and separate studies into the potential for new business opportunities, based on water and wetland management, local food production and tourism;
- trialing the Positive Water Management package on 8-10 farms (2003), and if funding can be secured, across the project area (2003-05);
- undertake research into the role of incentives in influencing current water management practices in the Humberhead Levels
Areas for withdrawal
None
HIGH WEALD
Start date 99/00
Projected finish date 03/04
Original objectives
- A model for Integrated Rural Development that maximises economic, environmental and social benefits within a lowland pastoral area;
- Increased understanding of how Integrated Rural Development can be achieved by application of the model;
- Methods developed to enable both traditional family farms and those new to land management to contribute to the delivery of economic, environmental and social benefits;
- Novel methods of meeting training needs and transferring skills devised to meet future needs;
- Solutions to blocks to rural business success researched and demonstrated, considering all links from producer to consumer;
- The impacts of different CAP reform scenarios on the existing lowland pastoral landscape and on economic activity fully investigated.
Main achievements and outputs to date
- An integrated farm appraisal package was developed and funded in partnership with Defra as a Countryside Stewardship special project. Almost 50 farmers have taken used the package which has been delivered by consultants. The lessons learned have fed into Defra's review of farm advisory services, while the IFAs themselves have provided a useful source of information about farming in the High Weald for the project.
- More information about the future of land management in the High Weald area has been gathered thorough involvement in SEEDA's "4 Parishes" training programme. This included an assessment of skills needs within the farming community and a corresponding training programme on topics such as planning, local products and woodland management.
- Support has been provided to a number of producer groups, including organic milk and meat, to help them realise their potential and get started. Other groups have also been set up for tourism and equestrian enterprises.
20. The rapid development of the agricultural policy agenda since FMD has meant that many of the original issues which the project had set out to investigate are now being addressed by Defra. This, and the resignation of the project team, means that we have reviewed the next steps for the project and identified a small number of priority actions which will add unique insights to policy development:
- an analysis of the lessons learned from the IFAs completed to date, in particular the blockages to delivering social, economic and environmental benefits and how policy instruments can be improved to deliver those benefits;
- identifying community priorities for the High Weald environment which will help demonstrate how those priorities can be address by agri-environment and other rural development measures;
- identify mechanisms to encourage investment in rural businesses;
- drawing together lessons learned from project activity carried out prior to 2002, which will help broaden understanding of issues surrounding rural development in the High Weald.
21. As explained above, there are a number of areas where, from a national perspective, it is not necessary to carry on pursuing as the policy agenda has already moved on.
PEAK DISTRICT
Start Date Feasibility study / development: 99/00
Operational phase : 2003/4 (Planned)
Projected Finish Date Feasibility study / development : 2002/3
Operational Phase : 2008/9 (Planned)
Original Objectives
- A review of existing public policies for the uplands and an analysis of their strengths and weaknesses;
- An alternative support system designed and tested to stimulate changes to farming and the economy;
- An analysis of the benefits of the alternative support system compared to the existing policies;
- Support established from the farming and wider rural communities for the replacement of production subsidies with integrated rural development measures.
Main achievements and outputs to date
22. In the course of the feasibility study and detailed development of the project, the following achievements and outputs have been reached:
- A fully detailed and costed 'Alternative Payments Mechanism' developed in association with local stakeholders and field tested on 9 sample farm businesses. It consists of three elements: annual environmental payments, environmental enhancement grants, and business development grants
- A confirmation from the European Commission that, with further work, the proposal for an alternative payments mechanism 'field trial' is deemed to be legally allowable and technically feasible and could be authorised as a State Aid.
- A consensus between agencies at a local level on how the current array of support mechanisms could be 'foregone' in favour of a single, multifunctional mechanism delivered through a project team with delegated authority.
- A GIS based model for whole farm environmental audit and action planning / monitoring, field tested on the 9 sample farms.
- A series of detailed principles, new ideas and lessons learned from the study and development phase which, even if untested in a full operational field trail, are proving to be of significant interest, particularly in the context of the MTR process.
Remaining priorities
23. With confirmation from the Commission that the proposal set out during the project development phase is seen as legally and technically feasible, the project has reached a natural 'break point'. The last major hurdle, which has proven problematic from the outset, is that of securing the funding to underwrite the APM during an operational phase. The policy context in domestic and European agriculture has, however, changed significantly over the last three years and, in seeking Departmental support and funds for the next phase, the LMI has undergone a detailed ministerial level review. This has focused in particular on the potential to influence, and be influenced by the Mid Term Review of CAP.
24. The conclusion of this review is that the ideas and lessons gained from the LMI should be fed directly into DEFRA to assist in the formulation of the UK response to the Commission proposals. In particular the Department have requested further detail and supporting evidence relating to LMI proposals for:
- Simplification and integration of measures currently delivered through Pillar Two and other support mechanisms.
- Mechanisms for valuing and rewarding 'public benefits sustained' in terms of the management and enhancement of environmental capital
- GIS based computer systems bringing together survey data, agreement documentation and payment calculations as a single process.
- Greater local discretion and delegated authority to agree targets and deliver programmes at the sub-regional level.
- A single programme team to deliver a multifunctional support package at a sub-regional level.
25. Any further development of the project will be subject to negotiations with DEFRA in 2003 following a favourable outcome of the MTR.
Areas for Withdrawal
26. Until the outcome of MTR the proposal for an operational phase of PDLMI is suspended.
ANNEX 3
REMAINING EAT THE VIEW PROJECTS
Outputs | Task | Start date | End date |
| Analyse results of market research by July 2002 and adjust programme outputs to reflect findings where necessary. Promote to appropriate audiences July/August 2002. | Jan 2001 | June 2002 |
Devise a promotional campaign in partnership with key organisations to at least double consumer awareness by 2005. | ETV website -Continue website development and promotion. | Sept 2001 Ongoing 06/02 and 01/03 | March 2005 |
Other Communications and PR tasks- see annex 2 for details | |||
Hold 2 National Advisory panel meetings per year | |||
Help 100 producers per year to find new and stable or growing markets for local produce | Hold a branding forum twice a year to develop a framework for the marketing and branding of products from nationally protected countryside. Run two pilot projects in the Peak District NP and the Cotswolds AONB to research and test good practice. Undertake a desk study into existing branding in England to ascertain success factors and good practice. Publish results. | Ongoing0 04/02 | 03/04 06/02 |
Steer the development and implementation of the Local Food works project, working to encourage local food economy network development, with the Soil Association . | Nov 2001 | Oct 2004 | |
Steer development of Regional Food Group activity via partnership with FFB and monitor performance against agreed objectives. | Nov 2000 | Oct 2003 | |
Development of NE Partnership project supporting new regional food group and NE Product Development Fund | April 2002 | ||
Implementation of Yorks & Humber sustainable local products strategy and delivery of a regional products devlopment fund. | April 2002 | ||
Support for East Midlands regional product development fund. | April 2002 | ||
Steer delivery of the Heart of England Tourist Board Food & Drink Project | July 2000 | April 2004 | |
East of England delivery of regional product development fund. | April 2002 | ||
South East delivery of regional product development fund. | April 2002 | ||
East Sussex, Brighton & Hove CAFE project | Sept 2002 | ||
NW steer ETV regional forum and delivery of the regional product Development Fund | April 2002 | ||
SW -Eat the View partner network and delivery of regional product development fund | April 2002 | ||
W Midlands -develop a strategic approach in the region to deliver the regional product development fund | April 2002 | ||
Farm Retail Association activity development through partnership project` | 00/01 | 03/04 | |
Youth Hostel Association - research to test feasibility of youth hostels sourcing more products locally. | April 2002 | September 2002 | |
Increase to 400, the number of farmer's markets operating to the standards set out by the National Association of Farmers Markets | National Association of Farmers' Markets activity development through partnership project | 00/01 | 03/04 |
Establish and promote best practice across the production, distribution and retailing chain | ESRC Studentship research into relocalisation of food supply systems in England and Wales | Oct 2001 | Sept 2004 |
Support for 'Ecolots' | |||
Joint project with Business in the Community /IDG to promote local products to business and help smaller producers work with larger retailers. | April 2002 | July 2002 | |
ANNEX 4
Planned expenditure for Countryside Capital 2002/03 - 2005/06
£000's
| Activity | 2002/03 | 2003/04 | 2004/05 | 2005/06 |
| LMI's and Integrated rural development [201] | 1050 | 750 | 500 | 350 |
| Eat the View [202] | 1000 | 700 | 600 | 500 |
| Tourism demonstration projects [203] | 200 | 150 | 200 | 200 |
New integrated work | 150 | 200 | 300 | |
| Totals | 2250 | 1750 | 1500 | 1350 |
NB: The spending line for LMIs and IRD includes Forest of Dean. Funds to expand this work have been included in the final column of the table. All to be revised as corporate plan finalised.
Staff resources
Current Staff resource for Countryside Capital
| Activity code | PM | S | H | E | A |
| [201 ] | 0.4 | 2.25 | 4.2 | 1.5 | 1.62 |
| [ 202] | 0.4 | 2.58 | 5.74 | 1.9 | 1.67 |
| [ 203] | 0.2 | 0.87 | 2.36 | 0.5 | 0.71 |
| Total | 1 | 5.7 | 12.3 | 3.9 | 4 |
Proposed staff resource for Countryside Capital 2003 onwards.
Activity code | PM | S | H | E | A |
201 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
202 | 0.2 | 2 | 4.5 | 1 | 1 |
203 | 0.3 | 1 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
new work | 0.3 | 1 | 2 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
Total | 1 | 5.5 | 11 | 3 | 3 |
ANNEX 5
Risks and mitigation measures.
1. This section sets out some of the potential risks involved with the proposed Countryside Capital programme as set out in the Board paper.
2. The LMIs fail to deliver information in time to feed into the mid term review of the CAP and other policy reviews.
Through the LMI review we have removed work from the programme which was specifically intended to contribute to ongoing policy reviews where it was clearly not going to be completed on time. e.g. South West LMI. We are also working closely with Defra to make sure that the information coming out of the LMIs is used to best effect and that remaining work is focused on those areas which will be useful to them and us in influencing future policy and practice. The work of the LMIs will continue to be guided by the National Advisory group.
3. As we withdraw from work on regional and local food we weaken our ability to influence regional and national food strategies.
Through our work on the Defra regional food group and the local food sub group we have already managed to successfully influence the national strategy for regional food. In order to now influence the delivery of this we will continue, as invited already by Defra, to sit on the cross cutting group which will take on the role of monitoring progress and setting future direction. We will also continue to provide the regions with a small influencing fund to help them promote Eat the View messages at a regional level and to influence the programmes of the RDAs and others.
4. Work to explore sustainable land management duplicates work by Defra to update indicators.
We are working with Defra to help them update sustainable land management indicators and are therefore in a good position to make sure that any additional work we undertake this area complements existing activity.
5. Our focus on how tourism can contribute to the conservation and enhancement of countryside capital is seen to be a move away from delivering targets jointly agreed with the ETC.
6. We need to continue with activity to deliver targets in the Rural Tourism strategy which will complement work planned under Countryside Capital.
