Funding shortfall threat to targets
Despite the ambitious climate change and biodiversit y targets set by the Scottish Government, the current lack of funding for new agri-environment schemes could seriously hinder their delivery, it has been claimed.
And this wee kN F US cotland issued a plea for urgent clarity over the continuity of the agri-environment measures, stating that this was needed to secure the confidence of Scottish farmers and crofters to continue to d el iver on these targets whilst producing high quality, sustainable food.
Although pilots were underway for schemes aimed at the 2021 to 2024 period, the union warned that, under the last application round, a gr i-environment scheme funding had only been made available to give a one-year extension to those already involved in such schemes - with no clear commitment for spending beyond the short term.
NFU Scotland President Andrew Mccornick said that with over 3000 farms crofts and estates enrolled in the agri- envrionment and climate schemes (A E CS ), there had been strong buy in from the industry – providing one of the most effective mechanisms to ensure that pro - ducers were incentivised and rewarded ford el ive ring on environmental issues:
“It is disappointing that there is no clear commitment to allow and encourage farmers and crofters to under take bio diversi - ty measures, water quality improvements, flooding mitigation, organic conversion, public access provision, and the like,” he said.
“There must be no gap in support for agri- environment support to ensure farmers and crofters have the confidence in future schemes to continue to come for ward with pro - po sal sand applications and ensure Scotland continues to deliver on environmental goals.”