DARD recently undertook a fundamental review of rural development policy in consultation with the Rural Stakeholder Forum, Rural Development Sub-Group. The aim of this review was to look at the economic, environmental and social needs of rural communities, to establish the rationale for Government intervention and to assess the effectiveness of current policy and delivery mechanisms.

To inform this review, a major study of rural policy in NI has been completed by Consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The study examines the rationale for intervention in rural areas, assesses the impact of current policy and makes recommendations for change. The final report has been signed off by the review steering group, which includes representatives from the Rural Stakeholders Forum, and by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ian Pearson.

While the report will make a significant contribution to the review, it does not constitute the review itself. The policy review will take account of stakeholder's comments on the PwC Report and will be completed following consultation with the Rural Stakeholders Forum and other Government Departments. Draft policy proposals will be put out to public consultation in the summer of 2005.

The PwC report is very large and does not contain an executive summary so you may wish to focus on chapter 8, which effectively summarises the earlier chapters and contains the recommendations of the consultants. The deadline for receipt of comments was Friday May 27th, 2005. The document is available online at http://www.dardni.gov.uk/ruralstakeholder/rursta09.htm .

The document below contains the East Down Rural Community Network response to the PWC study on Rural Policy published by DARD. To view the document please double click on it.