What does the future hold for rural life in the east of England
The priorities and key outcomes that will drive Defra's funding support for farming, rural business, rural communities and the countryside over the next seven years in the East of England were discussed at a series of events hosted by the East of England Rural Forum.
Four events were held across the region to provide an opportunity for East of England Rural Forum members and regional rural stakeholders to express their views on future priorities outlined in a Regional Implementation Plan.
A single Plan is being developed jointly by the East of England Development Agency, the Natural England confederation and the Forestry Commission, supported and facilitated by the East of England Rural Forum and Government Office for the East of England. Following discussion at the four regional events, the Plan will be further developed before being submitted to Defra.
The new Rural Development Programme for England will begin next year and run until 2013. Consultation on the Rural Development Programme centres around three themes:
* Enhancing the environment and countryside
* Making agriculture and forestry more competitive and sustainable
* Enhancing opportunity in rural areas
Alan Bell, Rural Team Leader at Government Office for the East of England said:
"Given the importance of rural communities, landscapes, food and farming on the quality of life and the economy of the East of England, effective use of this funding will impact much more widely than just the farming communities and wildlife habitats of the region. This new Rural Development Programme is an important opportunity to enhance rural life, by safeguarding our rural environment and by fostering thriving rural businesses and communities. It is imperative that priorities are fit for purpose for the East of England and the discussions at each of the four events allowed those that live and work in the rural areas of the East of England to contribute to the debate on the regional proposals and to identify the needs and the challenges that must be addressed.
"One of the strong messages from the discussions is the need for an integrated plan that supports activities and projects that deliver across the economic, environmental and community themes - recognising that profitable farming and rural businesses are the foundation for delivery of a healthy countryside."
