Farming in the Uplands - ARCHIVE: Defra

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42 Farming in the Uplands 115. Any confusion about how RDPE funding will be administered compounds the difficulties farmers and local communities encounter in receiving information and accessing funding. We recommend that the Government explore a simpler means of gaining access to rural funding, of all kinds, through a one-stop-shop. 116. We recommend that Defra only use LEPs as a focus for delivery of RDPE funding in future (after 2013), when they have demonstrated that LEPs have sufficient geographical extent to benefit farmers in all rural areas and have sufficient skills, local knowledge and interest to assist with rural businesses. In the intervening time RDPE funding is to be delivered by Defra. We remain to be convinced that the department will be an effective and efficient delivery body. We expect Defra to set out how it will administer the fund and what processes are in place to monitor its performance as a delivery body. EMBARGOED ADVANCE COPY: Not to be published in full, or part, in any form before 00.01am GMT Wednesday 16 February 2011
6 Conclusion EMBARGOED ADVANCE COPY: Not to be published in full, or part, in any form before 00.01am GMT Wednesday 16 February 2011 Farming in the Uplands 43 117. The Commission for Rural Communities has provided Defra with a comprehensive report that emphasises both the special nature of the uplands and their potential to develop in the future. Our report has focussed on issues around hill farming, but in the uplands farming cannot be seen in isolation. Agriculture has shaped the uplands landscape over the centuries and its contribution to the cohesion and character of upland communities should not be underestimated. 118. In this report we have highlighted issues raised by the Commission for Rural Communities in High ground, high potential that we consider require particular attention. Defra will shortly be producing its uplands strategy. Defra must decide whether farming is to be maintained as the central activity of uplands communities, and if so, explain how this will be achieved. As several witnesses have said there is now a need for action; we have therefore recommended that Defra produce an action plan setting out the Government’s objectives, how it will achieve those objectives, the resources available and the timetable for implementation. 119. As farming is central to the uplands, the Common Agricultural Policy is central to the prospects for upland farmers. This Committee is currently considering the European Commission’s proposals for reforming the CAP. In our deliberations on the proposals we have been mindful of the variety of agriculture within the UK—we trust the Government is similarly aware of the needs of all parts of UK agriculture and particularly the uplands.
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