Natural England

Defra and Natural England are this week beginning a progress review of Environmental Stewardship (ES), the scheme which funds the delivery of environmental benefits through agriculture.

Biodiversity, Landscape and Rural Affairs Minister Barry Gardiner said: "ES was launched in 2005 as a major new approach to agri-environment schemes.  Under the new Rural Development Programme for England, we plan to more than double the level of funding to almost £3 billion.  With this level of commitment it is essential that we get the best value for what we spend and improve the way we target priority objectives.  I very much welcome this progress review."

Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England said: "ES has a vital role to play in safeguarding and increasing the environmental and public benefits delivered by farmers.  As the organisation that delivers ES, Natural England wants to ensure it is environmentally effective and operationally efficient. Critically we want to ensure that ES helps ecosystems and habitats adapt to the effects of climate change that are already inescapable."

In addition to considering improvements to ES to increase value for money, administrative efficiency, and coherence with wider agricultural and environmental policy, the review will consider how ES can help address climate change.  The review will also consider special arrangements for implementation of ES in the uplands (including the possibility of a new ‘uplands ELS’ strand).

The progress review will consider a variety of evidence on the performance of the scheme, including an initial evaluation of the scheme which has been carried out since its launch in 2005.  Defra and NE will work closely with stakeholders and other government agencies in carrying out the review.

The aim will be to complete the review by the end of the year and for any changes to take effect once the new Rural Development Programme for England has been approved.

-ENDS-

Notes for editors:

1. ES was launched under the ERDP 2000-2006 in March 2005, with the first Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) and Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS) agreements commencing in August 2005 and the first Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreements in February 2006.  It will be part of the new Rural Development Programme for England 2007-13 – any changes to the scheme following the review will be made during the lifetime of the Programme.  The latest information on the Rural Development Programme for England, including the funding and contingency arrangements covering the delay of the start of the Programme, is at http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/rdp07_13/index.htm.

Further information about the progress review is available at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/es/default.htm#2a.

The interim results of the initial evaluation of ES are available on-line at: http://www2.defra.gov.uk/research/Project_Data/More.asp?I=MA01028&M=CFO&V=CSL.

The final results will be published shortly; as will the results of research underway to consider the contribution of ES to climate change mitigation.

The progress review will not include a formal 12 week consultation, however anyone wishing to submit evidence regarding the performance of ES is invited to email: ESROP@defra.gsi.gov.uk.

Fundamental changes to the structure or design of ES are not part of this progress review.  The mid-term review of the RDPE in 2010 will be the most appropriate opportunity for consideration  of such changes.

2. Natural England took over responsibility for the delivery of Environmental Stewardship from the Rural Development Service on 1 October 2006.

3. Environmental Stewardship was launched on 3 March 2005. It is composed of three tiers: Entry Level Stewardship (ELS), a whole farm scheme which aims to encourage farmers and land managers across England to deliver simple but effective environmental management; Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS), which is open to farmers who manage all or part of their land organically; Higher Level Stewardship (HLS), which, when combined with ELS or OELS options, aims to deliver significant environmental benefits in high priority areas.

4. Environmental Stewardship builds on the very best practice already evident in British farming. In particular, it takes forward Defra's two flagship agri-environment schemes, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Countryside Stewardship. The primary objectives of the new scheme are to: Conserve wildlife (biodiversity). Maintain and enhance landscape quality and character. Protect the historic environment and natural resources. Promote public access and understanding of the countryside. Natural resource protection.

5. Environmental Stewardship (ES) is one of the Schemes which operate under the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP). The scheme replaced the Countryside Stewardship, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Organic Farming Schemes, which are now closed to new applicants.

6. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.