Change Is Coming On Agricultural Strategy

There has never been a more opportune time to discuss the future agricultural strategy for Scotland. We have read with interest the recent proposals made by the Scottish Government's Agricultural Champions final report, Fergus Ewing's paper "Stability and simplicity: proposals for a rural funding transition period", and the NFUS Steps to Change paper. In a bid to compare and contrast these three policy documents, we have had a look at where the tensions lie and where the consultations may take the sector.

Agriculture Champions - no change is not an option

The Scottish Government appointed four Agriculture Champions to advise on the development of a strategy for the sector. They have been tasked with developing strategy to guide the long term sustainable future for Scottish agriculture by increasing profitability and boosting innovation, production and sustainability. Their report opens with the statement that "no change is not an option" and their recommendations ends with the stark reality that some farm businesses won't survive even if the current policy were to continue.

Public value

The Champions summarised the past policies as leading to dependency, inefficiency and inequality. They are asking the industry to come forward to work with the Government and parliament to create a 10-15 year strategy for Scottish agriculture. A key question will be - what does the public value? The question of public value reflects UK government's current thinking on reward for natural capital and public money for public services.

Sustainability, efficiency and skills

The Champions want to see a mind-set change around farm support. Guidance for farmers and crofters should be more progressive, entrepreneurial and resilient to reflect the culture in unsupported sectors and businesses. They are looking for Scottish agriculture to be given everything it is entitled to whether that be financing or policy-making powers. Future farm funding must involve a menu of schemes to boost production efficiency, improve skills and training and enhance natural capital and biodiversity. Funding is proposed to be capped per farm and tailored to regional and sectoral needs. Caps will be guided by current receipts for small and medium recipients and reduced for the larger recipients. Stewardship of the countryside (natural capital by another name) is recommended as being a key part of future policy and support should cover wildlife habitat and the reduction of carbon emissions -...