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).
Agendas for full Dartmoor National Park Authority meetings and Dartmoor National Park Authority planning meetings are available on the Authority's web site .
You can receive an e-mail notification each time a News Release is issued by the Dartmoor National Park Authority .
News Releases from all UK National Parks (external link, opens new window)
For maps, guide books, trail guides, clothing and other Dartmoor merchandise visit Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Online Shop
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.
Return to General Interest News Releases
© Copyright Dartmoor National Park Authority
Send comments, enquiries, etc. to communications@dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
Page updated 18 December 2008
