Policy paper: RDPE programme document 2014 to 2020

This formal document sets out, in detail, what the Rural Development Programme (RDPE) for England will achieve between 2014 and 2020. We’ve also added our advisory note on how state aid rules will apply.

All of these are long, detailed, technical documents. If you want to know more about the schemes available under RDPE, read our rural grants and payments guidance.

Programme document

The 2014-20 Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) was originally adopted by the European Commission on 13 February 2015. The document follows the format laid down in the Commission Implementing Regulation (EC) No 808/2014. This version includes a number of modifications, the fifth of which was adopted by the Commission on 17 July 2018.

The programme document includes:

• the overall strategy for the RDPE between 2014 and 2020
• an assessment of the main needs to be addressed by the RDPE
• a description of the RDPE measures being implemented
• financial information; a set of indicators that will be used to measure progress against targets
• a plan of how the RDPE will be evaluated
• information on how the RDPE will be publicised and who will carry out RDPE activities
• information on how the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Social Fund (ESF) and European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) funded Programmes complement each other

Version 6.0 of the 2014-20 RDPE includes the following modifications:

First modification adjustments were to:

• update the Common Context Indicators and LEADER targets
• clarify text and eligible applicants
• introduce the emergency Farming Recovery Fund

Second modification adjustments were to:

• implement the Farm Advisory Service, to broaden the scope of advice on the reduction of pollution from agriculture
• clarify the State Aid rules for co-operation support
• link food processing and forestry activities under the Growth Programme
• introduce new options under Countryside Stewardship to support flood mitigation
• make financial adjustments.

Third modification adjustments were to:

• broaden the support for the water environment
• introduce farm risk prevention and management advice linked to animal health and welfare
• include public bodies as eligible beneficiaries where supporting small-scale infrastructure and broadband
• broaden the provision of support for coast paths in England
• make small editorial changes to utilise an uplift in intervention available to less developed areas
• make small changes to align the Programme document with the underpinning state aid notifications
• make an adjustment to add potential RDPE delivery bodies
• to make balancing financial adjustments

Fourth modification adjustments were to:

• introduce simplified cost options for a Countryside Productivity Small Grants Scheme

Fifth modification adjustments were to:

• clarify the position on only selecting in-situ inspections on projects valued at over £25,000 under Measure 4.4
• introduce a 100% intervention rate under Measure 7.5 where little or no operating profit can be confirmed by a beneficiary, as well as update the value of small-scale investment to €6 million
• update item BN13 for wall top netting under Measure 4.4 and add it to Measure 8.1 for forestry agreements
• increase the running cost and administration (RCA) ceiling for LEADER from 18% to 25%, noting that Local Action Groups will work to maximise spend on projects and manage their RCA within 22%
• update the Authority contacts in Chapter 15
• amend the Programme to reflect the revised delivery arrangements transferring agri-environment responsibilities from Natural England to the RPA from October 2018

Programme document annexes

The programme document has a number of annexes. Copies of the annexes can be requested by emailing RDPENetwork@defra.gsi.gov.uk. The annexes are:

• Ex-ante evaluation of the Rural Development Programme for England – June 2014
• Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Draft Rural Development Programme: Environmental Report: Non-Technical Summary – June 2014
• Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Draft Rural Development Programme in England: Environmental Report – June 2014
• ADAS Verification of grant payments for Countryside Productivity Small Grant Scheme – December 2017
• Capital items: Forestry Commission specifications
• Natural England: Capital items – Calculation of the potential costs incurred by New Environmental Land Management Schemes (NELMS) participants on capital Items – March 2014
• Countryside Stewardship capital items controls framework overview
• Validation of methodology used for determining standard capital costs used to calculate grant support rates for NELMS participants (John Clegg Consulting Ltd) – December 2014
• Verification of updated base data to be used in determining “costs of participation” in the Environmental Stewardship Scheme in England (Cumulus Consultants Ltd) – February 2012
• Options payments and measures – June 2018
• Validation of standard costs: Standard costs of operations in the England Rural Development Programme Farm Recovery Fund (John Clegg Consulting Ltd) – December 2015
• Use of simplified costs in Farming Recovery Fund economist review – December 2015
• Use of simplified costs in Farming Recovery Fund (Rural Payments Agency) – December 2015
• Cost models for NELMS forestry – Spring 2015
• Validation of standard costs and methods to determine grant support rates for England (John Clegg Consulting Ltd) – February 2014
• NELMS standard costs (Forestry Commission)
• Indicative design for 1-3m wide leaky woody dam
• List of prescriptions
• The guide to cross compliance in England – 2015
• New Environmental Land Management Scheme (NELMS) calculation of income foregone by participants 2013 – February 2014
• Verification of the calculation of income foregone by participants in the New Environmental Land Management Scheme (NELMS) 2013 (Cumulus Consultants Ltd)
• Table illustrating baselines in relation to the options
• Verification of the assumptions, costs and methodology that underpin “costs of participation”: Flood inundation options in Countryside Stewardship – September 2016
• Comment on revisions to NELMS Report produced by Natural England in July 2014 on the ‘Calculation of income foregone on Organic Maintenance options’ – August 2014
• Verification of the calculation of income foregone by participants in the New Environmental Land Management Scheme (NELMS) – Revised Organic Maintenance options (Cumulus Consultants Ltd) – August 2014
• Verification of the double funding calculations for Countryside Stewardship Organic Conversion and Maintenance Options (Cumulus Consultants Ltd) – September 2015

State aid rules

Our advisory note sets out the legal framework and rationale for applying state aid rules to payments made under 2014-20 Rural Development Programme for England. It is used as a reference by those making decisions about applications for RDPE support.

Funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.