Originally from: mona parr
                        
The Rural Affairs Forum for England is hosting a conference this week to help shape the Government\x{2019}s strategy for rural areas. The conference takes place on 8 November at Reasenheath College, Nantwich, Cheshire and the day will feature intensive workshops with the aim of delivering workable ideas and solutions for consideration and action at a national level. Topics for discussion are: Regional development agencies and economic regeneration \x{2013} to discuss the role of RDAs in rural economic regeneration

Local government, rural community councils, parish councils and social regeneration \x{2013} to focus on local government\x{2019}s role in strengthening rural communities

Rural social exclusion and the voluntary and community sector \x{2013} to look at the role of the rural voluntary and community sector in creating inclusive communities

Access to the countryside \x{2013} the next steps \x{2013} to look at the role of local access forums, the statutory right of access and right of way improvement plansThe Rural Affairs Forum for England implements the Government\x{2019}s commitment in the Rural White Paper to represent all aspects of rural opinion in all English regions. It was established following consultation with rural stakeholders. Members were chosen to represent a wide range of rural organisations, people, and perspectives including economic, social and environmental interests. The Forum is a sounding board so that ministers \x{201C}have regular and direct contact with the main rural groups so that they know what is going on and what countryside people think\x{201D}. The conference comes during a week when rural strategies may well be changing. According to the Independent on Sunday, measures that would lessen protection for wildlife and the countryside are set to take place through radical changes to the Government\x{2019}s environmental and countryside advisors \x{2013}
 English Nature and the Countryside Agency. The shake-up is part of a major review of the Government\x{2019}s rural polices, to be included in a speech by Margaret Beckett, Secretary for State for the Environment, this week. Full details are not expected to be published until the New Year but Environment Editor Geoffrey Lean says ministers are planning to subsume English Nature and the Countryside Agency, into a new body, provisionally entitled the Land Management Agency. English Nature is reported to have annoyed Downing Street with its opposition to the introduction of genetically modified crops. English Nature and the Countryside Agency have also opposed major construction schemes, and both would be expected to oppose plans for new reservoirs, a massive road building programme and an airport expansion programme. Under the alleged new plans, the Countryside Agency\x{2019}s responsibilities for access, National Parks and landscape protection will go to the new organisation, together with the functions currently carried out by English Nature. Grants for environmentally friendly farming, at present administered by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will be passed to the new body. The responsibility for tackling rural deprivation \x{2013} one of the prime responsibilities of the Countryside Agency \x{2013}
 will go to the Regional Development Agencies that report to the Department of Trade and Industry. The shake-up will probably bemuse some and no doubt infuriate many. If such changes are indeed to take place, it will be interesting to hear what benefits are envisaged. The Rural Affairs Forum conference could see delegates asking far more questions than usual. Attendance at the conference is free, but to attend, email ...
 for a booking form. For more information visit: <A HREF="http://www.defra.gov.uk/">www.defra.gov.uk</A>