Dartmoor National Park Authority

19 December 2008

Successful lobbying brings new money to Dartmoor

Dartmoor National Park Authority welcomes the announcement by Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, of Defra’s new Upland Entry Level Stewardship scheme (UELS).

The scheme will make available up to £31 million nationally, within the existing Rural Development budget, to support upland farming.

The announcement is a welcome recognition of the important role that farmers continue to play in the uplands, and is a direct response to lobbying by stakeholders including Dartmoor National Park Authority, the hill farming community and the Dartmoor Preservation Association.

Good uptake by farmers will be fundamental to the success of the scheme.

Nigel Hoskin, Chairman, Dartmoor National Park Authority said:

‘We must move quickly to develop an efficient and robust delivery mechanism and in this respect Dartmoor National Park Authority will be exploring ways in which it can assist the Natural England delivery team. We will also continue to engage with Defra on other outstanding issues such as the Single Payment Scheme, which impact upon the future viability of hill farming and upland environmental management.’

Ends

For further information

Rob Steemson, Head of Natural Environment Service,

Sue Eberle, Principal Land Management Officer,

Mike Nendick,, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority

Tel: (01626) 832093

Notes for Editors

The Upland Entry Level Stewardship (UELS) scheme was promised following the Government’s decision to end the Hill Farm Allowance, and integrate support for farmers into Environmental Stewardship.  The Secretary of State, Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn MP has made a written Ministerial Statement on UELS which sets out the framework, timetable and funding of the scheme: See: www.defra.gov.uk/rural/uplands/support.htm (external link, opens new window).

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National Parks cover 10% of the land area of England, Wales and Scotland.  They are of special value to the whole nation because of their great beauty, their wildlife and cultural interests and the opportunities they offer for quiet enjoyment.  However, they are not nationally owned - the land is in the hands of many landowners or occupiers including farmers.  Over 33,500 people live inside the Dartmoor National Park and many millions of visits are made to it each year.

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Page updated 18 December 2008