Agriculture Champions deliver report
New policies and mindsets are required to address the unprecedented challenges facing agriculture due to Brexit, the Agriculture Champions have warned.
The four Agriculture Champions were appointed last year with a remit to advise on the development of a new strategy for the sector. In their final report, the champions call for a twostage, long-term vision based on what the public wants and values in Scottish farming.
In stage one, policies would not be changed radically, but an emphasis placed on encouraging industry and businesses to become more entrepreneurial, with farm funding maintained at current levels.
In stage two, an element of basic income support would continue, but at a lower rate, with the majority of funding allocated to schemes that boost productivity and enhance natural capital – tailored to regional or sectorial needs and capped per farm.
Welcoming the report, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: ‘Scottish farming is about to enter the biggest period of upheaval in a generation due to Brexit, which will require government, industry and businesses to adapt and change so that our farming remains vibrant, resilient and profitable.
‘I endorse the findings that support based on activity and production should be retained to an extent, but there should be a major new focus on increasing productivity.
‘To support this, we need to better link research and development with on-farm practice, encouraging businesses to collaborate, become more entrepreneurial, and do more to attract people to the sector.
‘I thank the four champions for producing this comprehensive report, which will feed directly into my thinking on developing a future farming strategy for the years to come.’
NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick said: ‘Consensus around the need for Scottish agriculture to use Brexit as the catalyst to drive positive change is building.
‘We welcome the Agricultural Champions’ report, and the clear synergies it has with the union’s own views as we seek to move out of the shadow of the CAP and recast support to enable Scottish agriculture to be more productive and profitable in the longer term.
‘The emphasis on change that runs through the report complements the union’s own theme of CHANGE, launched at the Highland Show in 2017 and built into our latest Steps to Change document launched at the Scottish Parliament in March.
‘The report’s recommendation to continue, but reduce, direct support over a managed transition while increasing emphasis on productivity gains and delivering environmental benefits mirrors the union’s thinking of shifting from area-based support to action-based support. That would recognise and reward those who want to do more.
‘The report’s emphasis on using a transition period of three to five years again resonates with how the union would like to see managed rather than chaotic or cliffedge change. Transition must also be used to get the structures and delivery of a new policy right first time.
‘This report is a very valuable addition to the debate and NFU Scotland looks forward to working with the Scottish Government and others to further develop and implement the thinking and interests shared by the Agricultural Champions and NFU Scotland.’
Jonny Hughes, chief executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, added: ‘We welcome many of the recommendations of this report, in particular the emphasis on improving natural capital stocks, breaking down traditional silos, stewardship as a key part of future policy and an emphasis on improving soil health.
‘However, we are not persuaded by the case for long-term income support payments beyond the Brexit transition period, which remain unlinked to the provision of public benefits such as water quality and biodiversity.’