Rural Support Plan provides positive platform for next phase of agricultural reform
Press ReleaseThe new Rural Support Plan has been welcomed as a constructive starting point for the next phase of agricultural reform - but future Scottish Ministers have been urged to build on it with stronger investment and clearer communication to give rural businesses confidence to plan for the future.
Scottish Land & Estates, the rural business organisation, commented following publication of the new plan earlier this week which was required under the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act. The plan sets out ministers’ strategic priorities and funding arrangements for rural support over the next five years, including details of schemes expected to come into operation.
In summary, Scottish Land & Estates said the plan:
Provides a clearer framework and direction of travel for future rural support
Offers greater certainty through multi-year planning and a commitment to avoid a “cliff edge”
Represents a solid starting point for the next Scottish Government to build upon
Raises concerns that transition timelines have slipped, with limited change expected before 2030
Maintains a flat cash budget, risking a continued real-terms reduction in funding
Highlights the need for clearer communication and stronger engagement to support effective delivery on the ground
More detail was needed around the definition of ‘active farmers’ and where support will be targeted
Eleanor Kay, Senior Policy Adviser – Agriculture & Climate Change at Scottish Land & Estates, said: “The Rural Support Plan is a welcome step forward, providing greater clarity on the Scottish Government’s intended direction and a useful foundation for the next phase of agricultural reform.
“It is particularly positive to see a commitment to multi-year planning and avoiding a cliff-edge in support, which will help give rural businesses a degree of certainty as they plan ahead.
“However, that certainty must now be matched with pace and ambition. The transition to a new support system appears to have slipped beyond the original timeframe, with limited change expected before 2030. At a time when the sector is under increasing pressure to deliver on climate, nature and food production, that delay is concerning.
“There is also a clear tension between rising expectations on land managers and the tools available to deliver them. If we want to see meaningful progress, the sector must be properly supported to adapt and innovate.”
SLE added that funding and engagement with the sector will be crucial in successfully implementing the plan.
Ms Kay continued: “The plan provides stability in terms of the overall budget, but a flat cash settlement means a continued reduction in real-terms spending power. That will inevitably influence the sector’s ability to invest in the resilient and sustainable systems the government is seeking to promote.
“We also continue to urge the UK Government to address historic issues in how Scotland’s agricultural funding is calculated, as highlighted in the Bew Review.
“The success of this plan will ultimately depend on how well it is communicated and implemented. It is critical that farmers, crofters and the wider rural sector understand what is expected of them and have confidence in how the system will operate. We also urge the Scottish Government to ensure that any replacement for the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB) truly represents the sector and that stakeholders and wider industry are involved in communication plans to ensure a better rollout of policy changes.”
Eleanor concluded: “There is much in this plan that we can support, and it represents a good starting point. But it must now be built upon with the right level of investment, urgency and partnership working to ensure rural businesses can plan with confidence and play their full role in delivering Scotland’s wider economic and environmental ambitions.”