Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Reform

• Published date: 28 February 2023
• Subject Matter: Environment, Real Estate and Construction, Environmental Law, Land Law & Agriculture
• Law Firm: Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP
• Author: Ellen Eunson
• topic: Business of Law

AGRICULTURAL REFORM ROUTE MAP - IS THE WAY FORWARD ANY CLEARER?

Following on from the Scottish Government's Vision for Agriculture and the Proposals on the Agriculture Bill in February 2023, the Scottish Government published an Agricultural Reform Route Map. The Proposals, which were published in August 2022 and set out a four-tier framework for farm support in line with the Vision for Agriculture, were criticised by the industry for lack of detail and clarity. The Route Map sets out timescales for the forthcoming transitional period, aiming to help landowners plan and prepare for changes coming in 2025, but there are still details required of the measures and how applicants will be paid. So, what has the Agricultural Reform Route Map clarified since the Proposals paper?

Timetable

The Route Map has given a timetable for the phasing out of current support and phasing in of future support.

To view the timetable as a PDF, click here.

Payment conditions

Alongside the timetable, the Route Map has included some very general information on conditions relating to the payments under the Tiers.

Tier 1 - Essential standards for Base Payments

The Tier 1 payments will be conditional upon farmers meeting "essential standards" which are referred to in the Route Map as standards in "climate response; biodiversity gain; business efficiency outcomes; safeguarding animal health and welfare and worker rights." In addition "Greening, Cross Compliance requirements (Good...