Rural Development Service
The Rural Development Service (RDS) forms part of the UK Governments Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and was created in 2001 after merging the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency with the then Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food's regional service centres. The RDS is charged with the implementation of the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP),as well as a range of other rural services, placing the service at the forefront of change in rural areas. The RDS employs 1,500 staff in eight regions, working with rural partners and local people to achieve environmental enhancement, better conservation of wildlife and biodiversity and stronger rural economies and communities.
Following a review by Lord Haskins parts of the Rural Development Service are shortly to be integrated with English Nature and parts of the Countryside Agency to form Natural England.