Land-based businesses set out new vision for the future

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, today unveiled its latest vision for the future of land use and management.

Route2050 – Land and Estates for the Future was launched at the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston with the support of Rural Affairs Secretary, Mairi Gougeon MSP.

Speaking at the launch of the report, Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “We have an opportunity to create new policy for land management which is right for Scotland and recognises the many positive things land management delivers for people, jobs and nature.

“Land-based businesses have to take long-term decisions, and our vision remains that we want to see productive businesses contributing to vibrant rural economies whilst protecting and enhancing the environment.

“We also need government at both Scottish and UK level to develop and implement policy that is firmly focused on best land use, productivity, business resilience and environmental benefit.

“We all must be honest and admit that numerous strategies and initiatives launched in recent years in particular have not moved the dial. Now there is a chance to deliver meaningful change and we must act now.”

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “We very much share the view that rural economies and land-based businesses are vital to the wellbeing of Scotland and that is why I welcome that much of SLE’s Route 2050 is so aligned with the government’s own Vision for Agriculture. I look forward to considering the report in more detail and that in areas, such as the Rural Assessment Toolkit launched earlier this year, we are already working towards shared aims.

“We are committed to maintaining direct payments, supporting food production and providing vital stability to our rural communities and will continue to work closely with the industry to develop new, reformed, support with them. We share concerns about the challenges the UK Spending Review presents, with our funding for day-to-day spending set to grow by only 0.8% in real terms over the next three years, compared with 1.2% average growth for UK Government departments.  

“We continue to call on the UK Government to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Scottish Government and other devolved nations to ensure funding settlements reflect the real potential for Scotland’s land to deliver for food production, nature and climate.”

SLE has identified that that policy goals can be split into short, medium and long-term objectives.

They include:

• Clarity on the calculation of the agricultural budget in the Scottish block grant.
• Rural Impact Assessments for all proposed policy, including specific devolved concerns.
• Clear consideration for devolved concerns in the negotiation of trade deals.
• The forthcoming Climate Change Plan must reflect the important role of land.
• Just Transition sector plans to be published for land, agriculture, energy, and transport .
• Adequate support to achieve the increased tree planting targets.
• Ensure the new Land Use Strategy is integrated and reflects the balance of land use required.
• Deliver a new forestry support scheme which ensures tree planting is resilient for the future.

In the Route to 2050, SLE sets out its key requests from policy makers. They include:

• Rural policy that promotes productivity, efficiency, and resilience.
• Public goods delivered by rural businesses are rewarded through private markets and Scottish and UK Government investment.
• Land-based businesses continue to be rewarded for the positive contribution to carbon sequestration, nature recovery and emission reduction.

Eleanor Kay, Senior Policy Adviser – Agriculture & Climate Change at Scottish Land & Estates, said: “If we are to have a rural sector that is resilient then we must start making critical decisions now. Clarity in the direction of travel for future policy will provide confidence for rural businesses to plan and invest in their future, which also enables them to contribute to achieving government's ambitious targets.

“As we approach the 2026 Scottish Elections, with recent and emerging legislation, the fourth Land Use Strategy and a new Climate Change Plan, we have an opportunity to create new policy for land management which is right for Scotland.

“In the next 25 years, rural businesses will be expected to make enormous changes to be resilient to both climate and market changes. Policy must be tailored to ensure that enhancing productivity, business resilience and environmental benefit are our top priorities.

“Scottish Government investment in all parts of rural Scotland must focus on encouraging the most appropriate land use and best practice to deliver a vibrant rural ecosystem able to deliver for society, the environment and economy.

“There are areas where farming will always struggle to be profitable, but where that farming activity performs several important functions, such as climate change mitigation, carbon capture and enhanced biodiversity, the financial recognition for delivering these outcomes is justified.

“In areas where farming is not the chosen land use there will be important functions delivered from its management, such as energy production, housing provision, flood management, biodiversity, and timber. Recognising that these outcomes deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits will be important.”