text and associated declarations, to lift its 20% reserve on EU rural development budgets for 2007. This enables Member States to proceed to finalising their rural development programmes. Defra announced a further consultation on the draft England Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 in the context of the Programme’s likely overall impact on the environment. The closing date is 5 July 2007. According to this consultation document, the measures proposed for the England Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 are: Axis I: Provision of advisory services to farmers and forest holders. Support for the setting up of farm management, farm relief and farm advisory services, and forestry advisory services. Modernisation of agricultural holdings. Improvement of the economic value of forests. Support for adding value to agricultural and forestry products. Promotion of cooperation for the development of new products, processes and technologies. Support for investment in infrastructure related to the development and adaptation of agriculture and forestry. Axis II: Support for farming in Less Favoured Areas. Support for agri-environment schemes. Support for non-productive investments in agri-environment measures. Support for the establishment of permanent woodland and short-rotation coppice on agricultural land. Support for the management of existing woods and forests. Promotion of cooperation for the development of new products, processes and technologies. Support for non-productive investments in forestry measures. Axis III: Support for farm business restructuring through the development of diversified activities. Support for the creation and development of micro-enterprises. Encouragement for tourism activities. Provision for more and better basic services for the economy and the rural population. Support for village renewal and development. Conservation and enhancement of the rural heritage. Provision of training in support of measures in Axis III. Provision of support for skills acquisition and animation with a view to preparing and implementing a local development strategy. Axis IV: Support for Local Action Groups. Support for cooperation actions across regions or countries. Support for the effective design and implementation of LAG local development strategies. References Agriculture in England Programmes of the Government of the United Kingdom 2007 establishments in England Conservation in England Town and country planning in England English coast and countryside Rural development in Europe