Miliband presents written statement on voluntary modulation and the Rural Development Programme for England

David Miliband presented a written statement to the House of Commons today (29th March) in which he announced the rates of voluntary modulation to be applied to the Single Payment Scheme from 2007 onwards as well as plans for national co-financing to voluntary modulation to support the effective delivery of agri-environment schemes, particularly Environmental Stewardship, under Axis 2 of the Rural Development Regulation.

The rates of voluntary modulation are to be:

• 2007 - 12%
• 2008 - 13%
• 2009 to 2012 - 14%.

National co-financing for Axis 2, which is where 80% of the voluntary modulation receipts will go, will be provided at a rate of 40%.

The overall budget for the Rural Development Programme in England will be £3.9 billion, which is more than double that available for the previous ERDP 2000 - 2006.

To view Miliband's full statement, please click here.