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Homepage > Rural Affairs > ERDP > Schemes Introduction England Rural Development Programme Logo - a Longer Description of the logo is available

ERDP Scheme Introduction
Environmental Stewardship
Countryside Stewardship Scheme
Energy Crops Scheme
Environmentally Sensitive Areas
Farm Woodland Premium Scheme
Hill Farm Allowance
Organic Farming Scheme
Woodland Grant Scheme
Processing and Marketing Grant
Rural Enterprise Scheme
Vocational Training Scheme
Agri-Environment Schemes Review
Other schemes
Pre-ERDP Schemes
Application forms
ERDP in your region
Useful links

The England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) schemes can generally be split into two types:

Schemes to conserve and improve the rural environment, or Land-based schemes (including agri-environment schemes); and
Schemes to help farming, forestry and other rural businesses and communities to adapt to changing circumstances and to develop, or Project-based schemes.

You can apply for, and benefit from, more than one scheme at the same time. A flow chart is available to show some of the potential linkages between the ERDP schemes.

If you would like to go directly to the application forms, you should go to the Defra Application Forms section and locate the ERDP forms section.

Information on agri-environment schemes operating BEFORE the launch of the ERDP is also available.

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Land-based Schemes

New Agri-Environment Schemes within SSSIs - 2003/4 data by Joint Character Area - This annually produced report is in its fourth year and benefits from close joint working between RDS and English Nature to report on the condition of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) that are managed by Agri-environment funding schemes in each financial year.

Land-based schemes provide financial incentives for land managers (particularly farmers and foresters) to adopt environmentally beneficial land management practices.

In addition to the environmental benefits of land-based schemes, in the case of the Organic Farming Scheme and the Energy Crops Scheme (Establishment Grants) we are also promoting the development of new markets for farmers.

Information on agri-environment Schemes operating before the launch of the ERDP is also available. These schemes are no longer open to applications, and in some cases have been integrated within the ERDP agri-environment Schemes listed here. Information is provided for existing scheme holders and reference purposes only.

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Project-Based Schemes

Project-based schemes are not based on particular areas of land. They are focussed around individual developments and projects, and aim to promote imaginative and varied schemes within rural areas.

The schemes are generally available to farmers to help them develop new business opportunities and widen the skills they already possess.

Foresters, food processing companies, rural businesses and rural community groups can also benefit under certain schemes (or parts of schemes).

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  Page last modified: 30 November, 2004
Page created: 10 December, 2002
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