Direct payments will remain central to Scotland’s future farm support. This is the conclusion drawn from the Scottish Government’s latest ‘vision’ for the agricultural sector. It is largely a re-statement of previous policies and does not provide that much more information on detailed scheme requirements. However, it does add a little to the emerging picture of future Scottish Farm Policy.
The Vision and Timetable can be found at – www.gov.scot/isbn/9781804351154. It sets out the following values and principles for future farm support;
- ensure that Scotland’s people are able to live and work sustainably on our land
- remain committed to supporting active farming and food production with direct payments
- seek to create a diverse, flourishing industry
- integrate enhanced conditionality of at least half of all funding for farming and crofting by 2025
- as part of this conditionality, expect recipients of support to deliver on targeted outcomes for biodiversity gain and low emissions production
- develop policy, regulatory and support mechanisms which deliver emissions reductions in line with our climate targets, and contribute to wider government objectives and priorities, particularly in relation to our net zero ambitions
- design those mechanisms to support outcomes that restore nature, benefit our natural capital and promote the natural economy
- ensure those mechanisms are flexible enough to be adapted in delivery to accommodate emerging evidence, science, technology and tools
- adopt an evidence-based, holistic, whole farm approach, including learning from and applying practice and experience from other nations
- adopt a natural capital and just transition approach to land use change
- where practicable, stay aligned with new EU measures and policy developments
Although much of this is vague and aspirational, there is some ‘meat’ to be found in it. The continuation of direct payments is clearly stated, along with the shift towards more ‘conditionality’ on these. It is also clear that climate change will be a big driver of farm policy (as we have written previously) and there is a desire to keep policy aligned with the Common Agricultural Policy as much as possible.
In terms of what ‘conditionality’ looks like, some key themes are outlined;
- greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions
- biodiversity audits (and improvement)
- soil testing
- nutrient and forage plans
- animal health and welfare plans
In short, farmers will be expected to do some of the above in order to get their full BPS. Interestingly, on GHG emissions, the Scottish Government states that it wants to see the same amount of agricultural production with fewer emissions, rather than more production with the same emissions.
In terms of timing, a full consultation on a future Agricultural Bill will be undertaken this summer with a view to enacting legislation in 2023. However, the replacement support framework under this will only be implemented from 2026. Therefore, the ‘legacy’ CAP schemes will continue until 2025, albeit with some changes. In the shorter-term, a ‘National Test Programme’ will commence this spring. This will have two ‘tracks’;
- Track 1 (Baselining): this will be an offer to all farmers to start collecting information on their farming business (e.g. around GHG emissions and biodiversity). This ‘baseline’ information can then be used to measure improvements in the future. It is not yet clear whether there will be any element of compulsion to take part in 2022 or whether, at the outset, it will be voluntary. There will be an initial focus on those parts of farming with the highest emissions – e.g. livestock. The suckler beef sector has previously been highlighted in this regard and there may be some conditions on the Scottish Suckled Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) either this year or in the near future.
- Track 2: (Development): this will aim to develop tools, processes and support structures that will deliver the goals of the vision. It can perhaps be seen as a test-and-trials approach. Recruitment of farmers to take part will commence shortly. The development of policy will continue to be overseen by the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB).
This ‘announcement’ continues the pattern of limited and partial policies being announced by the Scottish Government. It would no doubt argue that it is progressing steadily, with a desire to minimise disruption and take the industry with it in designing a new farm support system. Alternatively, it could just be described as ‘slow’. Much of the farming sector would just like more clarity on future support arrangements. We will continue to report on developments.
