10 July 2008

NWDA sets out its Livestock Programme for the Northwest

The NWDA is pleased to announce that the first funding in the Northwest from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) is rolling out across the region.

Initial funding of £6.6million will be released from the Livestock Programme via six preliminary projects and the NWDA is now seeking applicants interested in running those projects on behalf of the region.

The £18million Livestock Programme has been created to improve the efficiency of businesses in the livestock sector.

The initial funding will concentrate on resource and nutrient management on farms, and on animal health and welfare issues. Follow-on funding of £9.9 million will become available later in the programme to support capital investment requirements in the livestock sector identified by the work done under these initial projects.  

Peter White, Executive Director of Development at the NWDA, said:

“The livestock sector makes an important contribution to our regional economy but needs support to thrive and grow so I am delighted to announce that this first round of funding is now available.
“A considerable amount of support for the livestock sector is being provided through the £18million Livestock Programme until 2013 and the NWDA has worked closely with farming representatives to ensure it works for the livestock sector.”

Defra have selected three themes for the Livestock Programme, which are:  Nutrient Management, Animal Health and Welfare, and Farm Competitiveness.  Some examples of the support which will be available are animal health and welfare advice; vets going out to farms; herd/flock health planning; nutrient management advice and planning; resource and energy auditing advice.

Interested organisations are asked to look on the NWDA website at www.nwda.co.uk for full details of each project and information on how to apply.

The closing date for all applications is July 31st, 2008.

Editors Notes

• Full details of RDPE in the Northwest will be announced at The Rheged Centre in Penrith, Cumbria, on Wednesday, July 16th.

• RDPE in the Northwest will be delivered by the NWDA, local LEADER groups, Natural England and the Forestry Commission.

• The NWDA will gradually release other RDPE funding either directly from the NWDA or through Local Action (LEADER) Groups.  The NWDA website will be continually updated with new packages of funding to allow work to start across a whole range of rural development activities, eligible under RDPE rules.

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For further information please contact Sam Shale, Press Officer on 01925 400264 or 07717 427872 or sam.shale@nwda.co.uk 

For urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925 400259.

For further information and to view all press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk/press

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for:

• Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life