RDS East of England

Contacting RDS East of England Defra (RDS), Eastbrook, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge, CB2 2DR Tel: 01223 462727 Email: enquiries.east@defra.gsi.gov.uk Contact Us Location map Tier 2 marshes ESA near Eastbridge, Suffolk (Photo credit: Clare Bains) ESA funded windmill, installed as part of a conservation plan to raise water levels. (Photo credit: Alan Bullivant)

Who we are

Introduction from Martin Edwards, Regional Manager, RDS East of England

Overview of the East of England Region

The East of England region comprises 6 counties, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

What we do

We in the East of England Rural Development Service together with our partner organisations in the region administer the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP). The ERDP contributes to the delivery of the Government's Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food by helping farmers and foresters to respond better to consumer requirements and become more competitive, diverse, flexible and environmentally responsible. It also provides help to rural businesses and communities which need to develop and adapt to todays changing economic environment. It consists of

• schemes to conserve and improve the environment or Land-based Schemes (also known as Agri-environment Schemes)

• schemes to enable farming, forestry and other rural businesses and communities to adapt to changing circumstances and to develop, or Project-based Schemes

The following schemes were introduced prior to the launch of the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP). These schemes are now closed to new applications. Information here is provided for the use of existing scheme holders and for reference purposes.

• Habitat Scheme
• Arable Stewardship Scheme
• Countryside Access Scheme
• Nitrate Sensitive Areas Scheme
• Moorland Scheme

ERDP Success Stories / Case Studies

ERDP in Practice - Case Studies

Government News Network East of England
Please note: Defra may not issue releases for the East of England every day.

Links to Partners and Stakeholders

Links to our partners and stakeholders websites are available.