Farming’s budget for tackling greenhouse gases to be slashed

While increases in funding for measures to help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the industryandtransportsectors have been proposed in the Scottish Government’s latest draft budget, farming looks set to suffer a 50 per cent cut on this front.

The cuts were flagged up in an 18-page letter released by the Scottish Parliament’s environment, climate change and land reform committee on the 2018-19 draft budget.

Direct funding to support emission reductions in the agricultural sector –which accounts for around one third of the country’s GHG emissions – is set to be cut from £8.3 million to £4.6m, according to the committee, while peatland restoration is set to be cut by 40 per cent from £10m to £6m. In contrast, an increase of £6m for supporting woodland creation is proposed

The budget for the Public Good Advisory Service is set to reduce by over 50 per cent from £6.5m to £3.2m and the element of this aimed at climate change measures has yet to be determined. The land managers’ renewable fund has also declined by 50 per cent from £2m to £1m.

“Overall the total agriculture budget has declined by almost 50 per cent,” warned the committee – which questioned if funding levels would be sufficient to deliver the “ambitious targets” set by the Scottish Government.

While SRUC currently receives Scottish Government funding to help deliver farming for a better climate – an initiative which demonstrates practical, low-cost or free measures to help farmers improve efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint – as does the recently set up Farm Advisory Service, a spokesman said it was too early to comment on the effects of the budget proposals.