Rural businesses want review of agricultural sector for long term

While some clarity on farm policy during the Brexit transition has been welcomed by Scotland’s landowners, the “significant sectoral change” required to deliver long-term resilience should not be kicked into the long grass.

In its response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on post-brexit farm policy, Scottish Land and Estates (SLE), which represents rural businesses, said the country should seize the opportunity to carry out a comprehensive review of how the nation’s agricultural sector should move forward in the long term.

SLE chairman David Johnstone said: “While we appreciate that the Stability and Simplicity consultation focuses on the shortterm transitionary period, there is a clear need to seize this opportunity to open a larger review of where and how Scottish agriculture might move forward.”

Stating that there were many uncertainties remaining in the form of trade deals and availability of labour, he said: “We need to do more to increase the resilience of Scottish agriculture and also to increase the clarity of messaging around priorities for land use and land management – this was required regardless of the Brexit situation.

“For too long a sectoral approach has been taken which has resulted in farming, forestry, conservation and moorland management operating separately. Future land use policy and funding frameworks should help break down the silos rather than reinforce them.”